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4.1 AVERAGE
4.1 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
legit the most underrated series ever. THIS BROKE ME IN HALF BRO LIKE OMGGGG
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
DNF 50% too many plot holes, inconsistencies and absolute inconceivable happings throughout that I couldn't continue. I am so glad I read some of Coates other stories before getting to this series. i would have never explored her work any further.
Good Work
Very different from Coates’ other books, mainly haunted house horrors, but well worth the zombie-adjacent read. Very well done. Cant wait to read Book #3.
Very different from Coates’ other books, mainly haunted house horrors, but well worth the zombie-adjacent read. Very well done. Cant wait to read Book #3.
The first half of this book felt very slow compared to the first book. Still really enjoyed.
holy shit that part where they were on the boat and the hollow was THERE THE WHOLE TIME JUST BIDING HIS TIME UNTIL HE COULD ESCAPE WAS SO FUCKING CREEPY one of the creepiest things I’ve ever read tbh
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I enjoyed this second book in the black winter series. The story really picks up from the first book and I think the circumstances of this apocalyptic world are creative and interesting. Great read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Grief, Cannibalism
This was another good installment. It didn't shirk off the easy relationship between the leads, even if it did inject some worthwhile tension due to circumstance, and it continued on the same good pacing while managing to enhance the story beyond a purely survival driven one. We now know what happened, why hallows exist, and the ending had a reveal that should nicely skate into the third book.
The biggest props I have to give to the series are for Dorran and Clare's relationship; I really enjoy their interactions. I also find the way the world's ended to be interesting and nice because it's so much more scaled down that dystopians tend to me. It doesn't have the same epic scale of like rebellions and uprisings and groups; it's all very grassroots in that this is about two people just doing their best with the circumstances and I imagine if they find themselves involved in larger roles it'll be more out of happenstance than because they were Chosen One types who were just that special or that valuable.
At this point, the story has lost any veneer of being a gothic romance and feels a lot more like a dystopia/sci-fi thriller but from the view of a couple trying their best to live and protect their loved ones.
I don't really have much to complain about. I enjoyed the story, was engaged the whole time, and am looking forward to the next book.
I was a little worried about something
Overall, I recommend if you like character driven stories that focus heavily on two people working together and being sweet. It's really heartwarming to see them rely on one another in their darkest hours to keep moving forward. There was one scene that I found especially moving near the end.
The biggest props I have to give to the series are for Dorran and Clare's relationship; I really enjoy their interactions. I also find the way the world's ended to be interesting and nice because it's so much more scaled down that dystopians tend to me. It doesn't have the same epic scale of like rebellions and uprisings and groups; it's all very grassroots in that this is about two people just doing their best with the circumstances and I imagine if they find themselves involved in larger roles it'll be more out of happenstance than because they were Chosen One types who were just that special or that valuable.
At this point, the story has lost any veneer of being a gothic romance and feels a lot more like a dystopia/sci-fi thriller but from the view of a couple trying their best to live and protect their loved ones.
I don't really have much to complain about. I enjoyed the story, was engaged the whole time, and am looking forward to the next book.
I was a little worried about something
Spoiler
because Dorran undergoes an experimental procedure, I was worried he would get sick and die in the upcoming bookSpoiler
but I jumped ahead to the ending of the 4th book to verify that that wasn't the case and am relieved to know that wasn't the direction the author was taken. I honestly wouldn't have finished the series if that had been the case.Overall, I recommend if you like character driven stories that focus heavily on two people working together and being sweet. It's really heartwarming to see them rely on one another in their darkest hours to keep moving forward. There was one scene that I found especially moving near the end.
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
After the first book gives us an unorthodox and not very effective introduction to this post apocalyptic world, it’s nice that this book delves right into the worldbuilding and lore. The whole section where they find Peter and the lab and get a rundown of the origin of the Hollows was great and I appreciated Darcy Coates’s direction for how it all happened. Kind of a zombie plague but not exactly. I thought that part was neat. However, that was the only real interesting part of the book. Clare and Dorran are stuck in an endless cycle of repetitive dialogue and obsessive thoughts. Clare won’t stop crying and feeling bad for herself because Dorran does too much for her. Dorran beats himself up because he thinks he doesn’t do enough for Clare. Both characters keep professing their love for the other but still have this childish obsession that they aren’t worthy of the other for no reason. Dorran tries to jump for the opportunity to sacrifice himself any chance he gets, just for the same argument between him and Clare to be said where they say they can’t live without the other and Clare tells him if he dies she’ll die with him, and this happens every time there’s a minor inconvenience, not like a real life or death situation. As much as they hang off one another, they apparently are dedicated to dying virgins, they barely even hold hands and kiss very seldom. It’s the most boring and annoying romance I’ve read. As much as I usually enjoy Coates, I will not be finishing this series. I’d rather stick my arm in a woodchipper than sit through another self pity party from these two characters. They’re adults for crying out loud, they should grow up. Dorran basically has a breakdown just from meeting a charismatic dude and freaking out because he isn’t as confident as that guy. Like how are you still alive in this apocalypse if you’re that weak?