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lianaet's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
It was certainly a struggle to get through Part 1 of this book, and the rest was still fairly hard to read in big chunks (until this last bit). The confusing aspect of the World is hard to follow most of the time, but you do kind of just have to accept that's how this book is. And it's an important aspect, with Piranesi's character.
Also minor spoilers? Kind of? But this book resonated with me towards the end, with the gaslighting, and the realisation of what's really going on - but still feeling a confusing type of way towards that person. As well that Piranesi is forever changed by the House and what he lived through there.
Also minor spoilers? Kind of? But this book resonated with me towards the end, with the gaslighting, and the realisation of what's really going on - but still feeling a confusing type of way towards that person. As well that Piranesi is forever changed by the House and what he lived through there.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Mental illness, and Kidnapping
Minor: Vomit, Murder, Gun violence, Death, and Excrement
godfrina's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
When the Moon rose in the Third Northern Hall I went to the Ninth Vestibule.
If I have to read the word "vestibule" one more time this year...
Look, I gotta be honest, I did not love it.
Obviously, I read it for the hype / just wanted a shorter story inbetween other reads. I don't know what I expected.
The first 40% or so were an absolute slog for me. I dredged through, like Piranesi through the Drowned Halls; I was this close to my first DNF for the year.
Don't get me wrong, the prose as a whole is beautiful, albeit almost unintelligible. There is paragraphs of "I read it, but that's it". It knits together in the end, yes, however, it left me with an "huh"-feeling, with looming ✨anxiety and dread✨ behind it. I did not think it inspirational or hopeful.
I upped my initial rating of 2 for the second half of the novel to 2.5 as I clearly had a lot of thoughts right after finishing the story and that in itself always counts for something in my book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Confinement, Gaslighting, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor: Death, Mental illness, and Gun violence
karwc's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Confinement, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Death, and Mental illness
kajasversion's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I loved the writting style and the characters mind captivated me completely. The main focus of the book is how Piranesi perceives the world, and his experiences through his eyes, which is a type of book I love. I found the psychological part of his character study at the end very interesting, but the ending ultimately left me feeling a bit disappointed. Though it is true to the character, I couldn’t help but hope for something to be different.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Confinement, and Mental illness
Moderate: Gun violence
horizonous's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Beautifully written and with every new piece of information more and more engaging. I think, the depiction of loneliness was the hardest but also somewhat most comforting part about this story. Definitely a book that will stay with me for a while.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Death and Confinement
Minor: Mental illness and Vomit
20sidedbi's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
mysterious
reflective
slow-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? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping and Mental illness
karolinez's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Mental illness, Emotional abuse, and Confinement
desiderium_incarnate's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
This was a pretty surprising read. I would say it starts with fantasy, then adds in some dark academia and towards the ends becomes a bit of a thriller. I did not expect that. It was also a quick read and well written.
It gives you a lot to think about, which can be nice.
It gives you a lot to think about, which can be nice.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Cursing, Mental illness, Death, Child death, Vomit, Toxic friendship, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Kidnapping, Gun violence, Gaslighting, and Confinement
monsty's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Confinement, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Death, Murder, Gun violence, and Mental illness
Minor: Murder
akardian's review against another edition
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
This is a beautifully written book. A lot of space is spent describing the physical space, which you’re seeing through the innocent eyes of the main character. The book was very strange, not in a negative way but I certainly haven’t read another book like it. While it turns into a sort of mystery story, I think the prose would make the book enjoyable on a second read even if you know the plot. Vibe wise I would say it’s similar to the show The OA.
I think you would not like this book if you desire world building, a fast pace, a plot focused book, or a diverse set of characters. I would also advise to look at the trigger warnings (while not major themes of the book, there’s talk of mental health breakdowns, violence, cult activity, abusive mentor/mentee relationships).
I think you would not like this book if you desire world building, a fast pace, a plot focused book, or a diverse set of characters. I would also advise to look at the trigger warnings (while not major themes of the book, there’s talk of mental health breakdowns, violence, cult activity, abusive mentor/mentee relationships).
Content Warnings
Minor: Kidnapping, Cursing, Gaslighting, Murder, Violence, Confinement, Death, Gun violence, Mental illness, and Slavery