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rverity_reads's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape
phantomrust's review
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
j_cabral's review
dark
emotional
informative
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
chrissie_whitley's review against another edition
April 2024, DNF at 21%: This one is just not for me — there are several story beats that bug me too much to continue.
thepagecount's review
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
4.5
eclasper's review
3.0
3.5
I really wanted to like this one, but there was something about it that just didn't work for me.
I really wanted to like this one, but there was something about it that just didn't work for me.
ugh116's review
adventurous
emotional
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
4.25
parker_beyers's review
4.0
"Anyone who uses fear to stop an artist from creating is an enemy of life."
[b: The Curse of Pietro Houdini|176442905|The Curse of Pietro Houdini|Derek B. Miller|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1687106034l/176442905._SX50_.jpg|157118200] is not the book I expected it to be. I went in ready for an artistic crime thriller, and instead got a devastating war novel. While still strong, this definitely has impacted my final rating.
The first half of the book is incredibly interesting. Pietro and the MC's familial relationship slowly builds, paired with some fascinating references to art and mythology. Without giving too much away, I particularly enjoy how the concept of gender is played with. It's the second half, especially the ending, where I am left dissatisfied. What once was an intricate examination of two war-torn people finding one another turns into a mediocre ensemble.
Despite these issues, I'm looking forward to reading other books from Derek B. Miller's catalog. His prose is stunning, and I can't even begin to imagine the research he put in to construct this story.
[b: The Curse of Pietro Houdini|176442905|The Curse of Pietro Houdini|Derek B. Miller|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1687106034l/176442905._SX50_.jpg|157118200] is not the book I expected it to be. I went in ready for an artistic crime thriller, and instead got a devastating war novel. While still strong, this definitely has impacted my final rating.
The first half of the book is incredibly interesting. Pietro and the MC's familial relationship slowly builds, paired with some fascinating references to art and mythology. Without giving too much away, I particularly enjoy how the concept of gender is played with. It's the second half, especially the ending, where I am left dissatisfied. What once was an intricate examination of two war-torn people finding one another turns into a mediocre ensemble.
Despite these issues, I'm looking forward to reading other books from Derek B. Miller's catalog. His prose is stunning, and I can't even begin to imagine the research he put in to construct this story.
slentine's review
4.0
This book for me got better and better the more it went on. The first 50 pages were a little hard to get through but then I completely devoted this book. Although historical fiction, this book was so much more than that. It was a coming-of-age story, it was a story about art, friendship, and found family. I appreciated the way Miller integrated WWII history in a way that did not make the book dry and added to the overall story.
It wouldn't be the same book though without the main character Massimo. Usually, I do not like coming-of-age stories but the emotion and perspective of this book made me fall in love with Massimo and his view of the war through his specific lens. The dynamic that he shares with Pietro fueled me throughout this book. This book overall was exciting, heartbreaking, and very beautifully written.
It wouldn't be the same book though without the main character Massimo. Usually, I do not like coming-of-age stories but the emotion and perspective of this book made me fall in love with Massimo and his view of the war through his specific lens. The dynamic that he shares with Pietro fueled me throughout this book. This book overall was exciting, heartbreaking, and very beautifully written.