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ncat999's review against another edition
5.0
One of my very very favorites, and this may show my unsophisticated taste in literature since it's not a nice classic novel, or very high-brow. But it's gripping and haunting, and I've read it three times. If you ask, I'll try to explain why I think it's so great.
bethyk's review against another edition
4.0
4.7. the one and only adjective i have to describe this book is excellent (excellently written, excellently paced) - probably the first real page-turner i’ve read in a while. it didn’t feel like 500 pages. i get the hype.
after some rumination, i’ve realized i have ONE substantial nitpick: where is julian?? whoever wrote the back cover blurb had me misguided… “under the influence of their charismatic classics professor…”…
maybe the point is that we don’t really see this charisma/hear about what happens in his classes in great detail? idk. i’d have liked to, though. i think the last 50 or so pages would’ve made more sense had i had an understanding of julian’s impact on everyone (henry in particular)
after some rumination, i’ve realized i have ONE substantial nitpick: where is julian?? whoever wrote the back cover blurb had me misguided… “under the influence of their charismatic classics professor…”…
maybe the point is that we don’t really see this charisma/hear about what happens in his classes in great detail? idk. i’d have liked to, though. i think the last 50 or so pages would’ve made more sense had i had an understanding of julian’s impact on everyone (henry in particular)
mxtthewz's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I think this book was a bit overhyped. The writing is great but there are times where the story drags and I feel that this book is too long to have those kinds of moments. Overall I enjoyed the book and appreciate the bleakness of the story.
ivantiroideo's review against another edition
3.0
Sopravvalutato, furbo, diluito. Appena sufficiente.
heleena32's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
cerysejones's review against another edition
5.0
I’ve been meaning to read this for YEARS and finally picked it up. I read the first 150 pages in a day then got overwhelmed with deadlines/uni so was only able to get back to it the day I came home and between waiting in the airport, sitting on the plane and chilling at home I finished it within 24 hours. This is one of the best books I’ve ever read - I was never bored, invested in and yet disgusted by 90% of the characters and haven’t been able to stop thinking about it and not sure I will for a long time. Definitely want to go on a Donna Tartt/dark academia book spree at some point to fill the hole this book has left in me. I think that’s a bit dramatic.
sarahh14's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
kdawn999's review against another edition
3.0
After all the "Best of Dark Academia" lists I saw this appear on and all the strong reviews I read, I have to admit I expected more from this book, which feels like a lesser exploration of the central theme from Crime and Punishment. The opening had me hooked--we're told the identity of the victim and murderers up front, so what unfolds is, ostensibly, an explanation of why it happens. I like the concept and the set-up of the cast of characters--the six students of classical Greek at a small liberal arts college in the Northeast. There are a couple moments of shocking revelations in the book, and those are great. The prose is also strong. However, Tartt's smart inclusion of ancient Greek language peters out after a while, and we lose the wonder of the tight-knit group of students quite quickly--before our narrator even has a chance to fully integrate with the group. And that leads me to my biggest problem with the novel--the characters are poorly differentiated and underutilized. Some of the best parts of the novel are told in backstory or in second-hand retellings of hugely important events. I think Tartt makes some unfortunate storytelling choices that slow and dull the story. Though, on the whole, I liked the book (It does pick up at the very end), it pains me that there was so much untapped character and mood-building potential. If you're looking for "Dark Academia" that does a more compelling job with mood and characters, read I Have Some Questions For You or Babel.