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aunt13soc1al's review against another edition
There is one reason I am always impressed with Malfi's books: one chapter and I'm hooked. It doesn't even need to be very long, his writing draws you in until you can't put the book down. Borealis is no different from his other books, three pages in and I was hooked.
Unlike his other books, I didn't think there was as much character development in this story, but while the characters were a little flat, it didn't detract greatly from the overall story. The mystery behind the woman found on the ice is somewhat vague and while that adds to the mystery, it doesn't quite explain everything, leaving the reader to wonder and imagine his own connections.
While the book was engaging and interesting, it wasn't one of Malfi's bests. This in no way deters me from reading his other books, but I feel this would be better passed up by most readers unless you are already a fan of Malfi's work interested in reading a good story if not a great one.
Unlike his other books, I didn't think there was as much character development in this story, but while the characters were a little flat, it didn't detract greatly from the overall story. The mystery behind the woman found on the ice is somewhat vague and while that adds to the mystery, it doesn't quite explain everything, leaving the reader to wonder and imagine his own connections.
While the book was engaging and interesting, it wasn't one of Malfi's bests. This in no way deters me from reading his other books, but I feel this would be better passed up by most readers unless you are already a fan of Malfi's work interested in reading a good story if not a great one.
petealdin's review against another edition
4.0
A great little horror tale that works well as snob elks because it maintains it's pace and refuses to be sidetracked.
An original evil. And a story not dumbed down, but allowing the reader to think and feel and imagine.
An original evil. And a story not dumbed down, but allowing the reader to think and feel and imagine.
growlingpuppy's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
twerkingtobeethoven's review
4.0
Wow. I enjoyed this sweet little novella HEAPS! it gave me all sorts of right creepy vibes. I'd say "Borealis" is a cross between Dan Simmon's [b:The Terror|3974|The Terror|Dan Simmons|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1442713631l/3974._SY75_.jpg|3025639] and John Carpenter's "The Thing" as it shares the same sort of atmosphere and settings.
Mind you, there are no answers to the reader's questions, but that's part of the appeal, I reckon. I mean, "Borealis" is less than 100 pages, and it left me wanting MOAR. It'd be sweet if the author used this little gem as the foundations to an actual novel based on the same concept.
I'll endure the temptation to rate this 5 stars. This is good stuff.
Spoiler
I haven't got a single clue what kind of creature the girl might possibly be, she could be a vampire or Lilith herself, all I know is she's absolutely chilling and bad news to whoever comes close to her, and that's the gist of the story.I'll endure the temptation to rate this 5 stars. This is good stuff.
kgaitzimeo22's review
2.0
I don't think this book had a fair chance with me. I thought this would be a fun little story, but it was honestly crap because I've already read The Terror by Dan Simmons. I was so obsessed with The Terror that I don't think this book had a chance.
This one was very short and about a group of arctic explorers who discover a girl naked on an iceburg in the middle of nowhere. How is she alive? Why is she there?
Turns out, she's not a normal human being, but they never exactly explain what she is. One thing I did like was that she was "poisioning" the ship and crew. Not like poisioning their food, but rather she was poision, infecting everything she touched. So that part was neat, but otherwise, it was so structurally similar to The Terror that it just didn't stand a chance with me. The very end where his son shows up on the ice was very sad and kind of disturbing.
This one was very short and about a group of arctic explorers who discover a girl naked on an iceburg in the middle of nowhere. How is she alive? Why is she there?
Spoiler
Turns out, she's not a normal human being, but they never exactly explain what she is. One thing I did like was that she was "poisioning" the ship and crew. Not like poisioning their food, but rather she was poision, infecting everything she touched. So that part was neat, but otherwise, it was so structurally similar to The Terror that it just didn't stand a chance with me. The very end where his son shows up on the ice was very sad and kind of disturbing.
pestocks's review
4.0
Not a book, but a short story. Initially, it reminded me of the end of Frankenstein, with the creature in the extreme north. If you watch any of the reality shows about crab fishermen, you might think this is fun as well. The men pick up a naked woman out on the ice while crabbing. After that, all hell breaks loose. Quick story and it works.
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