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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I genuinely enjoyed this book. Different from the usual urban, modern fantasy in a refreshing way. I enjoyed how each chapter covers a different story but they all intertwine by the end. Would recommend it for people who enjoy fantasy that makes you think.
Very fascinating read. Surprisingly emotional. I loved it.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
What a strange, delightful, fever dream of a book. Loved the journey it took me on while also finding myself totally lost in parts. A strange story with a stranger telling that still left me with a wistful and contemplative feeling after. The experience reminded me of reading a book of poetry or falling in love.
What a spectacular and poetic look at humanity and our willingness to be divided and to divide. With delicate prose paints a vivid story with delightful banter.
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
A wonderful unique book. Set in a fictitious gothic city (almost as if batman’s Gotham were in china), with people and beasts: imaginative people-like creatures.
Our main character - a zookeeper turned author follows the stories of different beasts. In each chapter we first get an introduction to the type of beast (or what is known of them), then we follow a certain character (often starting with a disappearance or murder), and just as we can’t quite follow what happened the main character solves the mystery for us.
It feels like a mix of a detective book and a dark fairy tale, mixing both modernity with made up myths and legends.
The flow is somehow both predicable in that the chapters follow the same rhythm, however as the book progresses it keeps building more tension, stakes get higher, main characters are influenced, more mysteries appear and are solved for a surprisingly overall happy ending at the end. It was written beautifully and feels very quotable while not trying to be at all.
I really really enjoyed this book, and found it to be both unique and very engaging.
Our main character - a zookeeper turned author follows the stories of different beasts. In each chapter we first get an introduction to the type of beast (or what is known of them), then we follow a certain character (often starting with a disappearance or murder), and just as we can’t quite follow what happened the main character solves the mystery for us.
It feels like a mix of a detective book and a dark fairy tale, mixing both modernity with made up myths and legends.
The flow is somehow both predicable in that the chapters follow the same rhythm, however as the book progresses it keeps building more tension, stakes get higher, main characters are influenced, more mysteries appear and are solved for a surprisingly overall happy ending at the end. It was written beautifully and feels very quotable while not trying to be at all.
I really really enjoyed this book, and found it to be both unique and very engaging.
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Strange Beasts of China seems like it sets up a format right away: each chapter and insular story about one of the species of beasts. Just as soon as you think you understand the formula, it immediately shifts it on its head. The intricate weaving of stories and world-building happening between the lines makes this a much more complicated novel than it originally seems.
The narrative does not hold your hand. Sometimes I felt like I needed SparkNotes to understand what was happening the writing was so opaque.
Mind the content warnings. I would put down the book between some chapters feeling emotionally and mentally wrecked.
The narrative does not hold your hand. Sometimes I felt like I needed SparkNotes to understand what was happening the writing was so opaque.
Mind the content warnings. I would put down the book between some chapters feeling emotionally and mentally wrecked.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Genocide, Gore, Self harm, Suicide, Grief, Suicide attempt, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
I really enjoyed reading this novel. Learning about all the different beasts always led to one conclusion, because at the end of the day, they weren't that different from humans.
I also really enjoy the fantastical nature of it all, an urban city sprawling with supernatural beasts and somehow the story still felt very human.
I also really enjoy the fantastical nature of it all, an urban city sprawling with supernatural beasts and somehow the story still felt very human.