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beeanka_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.0
betty_pdf's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This book feels like how growing up feels. At times nostalgic, otherworldly, and downright scary.
viviannguyen01's review against another edition
4.0
i expected this book to have more of a sci-fi element, but im not mad at how the story turned out at all. it was such a fun read and i could not put it down
frigus's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-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? N/A
5.0
powerpuffgoat's review against another edition
5.0
Reality has no sense of dramatic timing
Loved it. From the very beginning, the book just pulled me in.
Great initial setting (a spooky regional museum of oddities) and a set of characters you want to root for. The characters, in particular, were a selling point. Uncle Earl's kind and wondering spirit was outlined from the very beginning. But also, both Simon and Kara felt quintessentially millennial, people in their 30s who are sort of stuck working at a family business in a small town after their other attempts at adulting didn't work out. Naturally, they use humour as a defense mechanism a lot throughout the book, another trait common in our generation.
I loved seeing these characters care about each other so candidly and without a hidden agenda, even a side character who is kind enough to bring coffee to Kara from time to time. It just goes to show that you really don't need to shove romance or physical attraction into the plot to connect the characters.
The mystery part of the book was my kind of mystery. I love a spooky crawl space that doesn't make sense. I loved that the author, the main character, and I shared the same references, too. I loved that this book leaned into it. Let's face it, if we were suddenly trapped in an alternate world, we would try to relate to it through books and films we had seen.
And who was I to argue with the dead woman in my friend's head?
In addition to the Narnia and From A Buick 8, this book reminded me of Annihilation and House of Leaves. There is a distinct sense of otherness, a world so alien that you can't trust that the water is actually water. The entities that exist in empty spaces, in the corner of your eye. The strange sounds, the body horror. Arguably, book is the best medium for this type of horror.
I also loved that the author openly referenced these other books but at the same time, didn't try to make it too meta. Some genre-awareness in a character is good. Too much, and it becomes a farce.
Loved it. From the very beginning, the book just pulled me in.
Great initial setting (a spooky regional museum of oddities) and a set of characters you want to root for. The characters, in particular, were a selling point. Uncle Earl's kind and wondering spirit was outlined from the very beginning. But also, both Simon and Kara felt quintessentially millennial, people in their 30s who are sort of stuck working at a family business in a small town after their other attempts at adulting didn't work out. Naturally, they use humour as a defense mechanism a lot throughout the book, another trait common in our generation.
I loved seeing these characters care about each other so candidly and without a hidden agenda, even a side character who is kind enough to bring coffee to Kara from time to time. It just goes to show that you really don't need to shove romance or physical attraction into the plot to connect the characters.
The mystery part of the book was my kind of mystery. I love a spooky crawl space that doesn't make sense. I loved that the author, the main character, and I shared the same references, too. I loved that this book leaned into it. Let's face it, if we were suddenly trapped in an alternate world, we would try to relate to it through books and films we had seen.
And who was I to argue with the dead woman in my friend's head?
In addition to the Narnia and From A Buick 8, this book reminded me of Annihilation and House of Leaves. There is a distinct sense of otherness, a world so alien that you can't trust that the water is actually water. The entities that exist in empty spaces, in the corner of your eye. The strange sounds, the body horror. Arguably, book is the best medium for this type of horror.
I also loved that the author openly referenced these other books but at the same time, didn't try to make it too meta. Some genre-awareness in a character is good. Too much, and it becomes a farce.
ashleywhitereads's review against another edition
5.0
This is T. Kingfisher at her absolute best! I loved every minute of this weird journey.
exquisite_tragedy's review against another edition
3.0
This was both hilarious and terrifying at the same time. The pacing was a little goofy at times and the ending was a little anticlimactic, I had a ton of fun with this. Perfect for spooky season.
clummo's review against another edition
4.0
What if Narnia was an evil place controlled by willow trees and otters? You would get The Hollow Places. Interesting premise and a great sense of voice captured in the writing. Only downside for me was that I wanted a bit more time in the willow world instead of hobbling about the museum.
telurin's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
fast-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
5.0
The cat lives.