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shelbys_shelves's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I knew Cold Moon Over Babylon was going to be a 5 star read just by the description. A girl is murdered and comes back from the dead as a vengeful spirit to exact revenge on her killer??? Sign me up!
This was such a well written, tense read. It had me pacing in my kitchen while flipping page after page. Michael McDowell has such a wonderful writing style and he really knows how to write villains/unlikable characters. Absolutely one of my favorite books.
This was such a well written, tense read. It had me pacing in my kitchen while flipping page after page. Michael McDowell has such a wonderful writing style and he really knows how to write villains/unlikable characters. Absolutely one of my favorite books.
the_enobee's review
5.0
Have I ever enjoyed reading any book as much as I enjoyed this? That's a close one, and good enough for 5 stars in my book. I was genuinely shocked at the human exploits, incredibly sympathetic to the characters, in awe of the dialogue and adept rendering of scenes, and the ghosts are amazing in spook factor and creativity. McDowell is so good, it's not really fair to rate him in comparison to others. In comparison to himself, the only thing I've read better is The Elementals, and I rate that highest because I absolutely adore those characters and practically view them as real people.
Of course, still have the big bad daddy of Blackwater to read, so my verdict is premature. Looking forward to the upcoming Valancourt releases of McDowell this year in print and audio!
Of course, still have the big bad daddy of Blackwater to read, so my verdict is premature. Looking forward to the upcoming Valancourt releases of McDowell this year in print and audio!
knightofswords's review against another edition
4.0
Utterly merciless Southern gothic - I'm amazed that McDowell hasn't been re-discovered by a larger audience in recent years, he was a fantastic writer.
saturdaynightlefevre's review
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
nerdalicious9's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
k_wagner's review against another edition
2.0
This book was such a disappointment, especially after reading and loving Blackwater. The setting and mysterious goings on are the same, but with no character development and the characters themselves all so unlikable that one hardly cares as each meets their end in a more gory fashion than the previous.
dantastic's review against another edition
5.0
After their parents die, Jerry and Margaret Larkin grow up with their grandma Evelyn Larkin on the Larkin blueberry farm. When tragedy strikes, can Jerry and Evelyn unearth the culprit and bring him to justice?
I've been a Michael McDowell fan since reading Blackwater a few years ago. I bought this some time in the dim past and finally had time to focus on it.
This is some great shit, not to put too fine a point on it. Michael McDowell's southern horror tales do not disappoint and this is no exception. The Larkins have tragedy written all over them after the first chapter, when the parents are killed by finding a sack of rattlesnakes in the river. Fast forward to a dying blueberry farm, late mortgage payments, and a maniac in a gimp mask brutally killing someone and it's one hard book to put down.
I'm going to dance around the particulars of the plot. McDowell captures that edgy, "what was that noise outside" feeling of creeping dread very well. There are some huge surprises and the horror is a slow burn to a satisfying climax. I don't usually bug my wife with details about what I'm reading but she heard all about this one.
Cold Moon Over Babylon did not surpass Blackwater but is easily my #2 Michael McDowell book. Five out of five stars.
I've been a Michael McDowell fan since reading Blackwater a few years ago. I bought this some time in the dim past and finally had time to focus on it.
This is some great shit, not to put too fine a point on it. Michael McDowell's southern horror tales do not disappoint and this is no exception. The Larkins have tragedy written all over them after the first chapter, when the parents are killed by finding a sack of rattlesnakes in the river. Fast forward to a dying blueberry farm, late mortgage payments, and a maniac in a gimp mask brutally killing someone and it's one hard book to put down.
I'm going to dance around the particulars of the plot. McDowell captures that edgy, "what was that noise outside" feeling of creeping dread very well. There are some huge surprises and the horror is a slow burn to a satisfying climax. I don't usually bug my wife with details about what I'm reading but she heard all about this one.
Cold Moon Over Babylon did not surpass Blackwater but is easily my #2 Michael McDowell book. Five out of five stars.
kmmi_booklover's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0