Reviews

Dreadful Company by Vivian Shaw

harperdrive's review against another edition

3.0

Aside from the main character, why are nearly all the other significant characters men?

knight101's review

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

d_m's review

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

agreco92's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

kbmcdonell's review against another edition

adventurous funny lighthearted

4.5

spuddleing's review against another edition

adventurous funny hopeful mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

marsh_mall0w's review against another edition

dark emotional funny mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Confinement, Death, Kidnapping, Murder, and Violence

Moderate: Toxic relationship, Drug use, Gore, Medical content, and Alcoholism

Minor: Animal cruelty, Rape, and Grief

bonsai_delores's review against another edition

adventurous dark hopeful mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

An excellently written book, sticks with a similar narrative style as the previous book (helps prevent confusion when you pick it up after its been a while between books), great word choice too. While the type of tension and plot drive is different from the first one I found it worked to keep my attention through the whole.

Vivian Shaw built this book on a tangent conversation from the first book which is one of my favorite things an author can do because it shows the depth of thought put into the world building and a genuine care for the characters. I appreciated the follow up with all the characters I grew attached to in the first book (which is all of them!), and as a reader I feel taken care of. I also thoroughly appreciate Shaw exploring the difference between good and bad authorities/the reasons someone will continue to remain and work for a bad authority. The social dynamics of the cult as a whole were treated with respect and that’s just heartening to encounter.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Blood, and Kidnapping

Moderate: Gaslighting, Drug abuse, Drug use, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Death, Cursing, Confinement, Alcoholism, Physical abuse, Alcohol, Toxic relationship, Violence, Stalking, Body horror, and Abandonment

Minor: Sexual harassment, Vomit, Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, and Classism

ticktock's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

kitvaria_sarene's review against another edition

5.0

Another quick, easy to read and simply entertaining Urban Fantasy. We meet old friends, this time abroad in Paris, and get to know new characters.

There's also really cute new monster species, and I am so very jealous I can't have one as a pet...

More depth to the world and myths, characters growing and changing, and plenty of action and medical emergencies make for a great read that I devoured in one go.