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retrogirl20's review
challenging
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
tasharobinson's review
4.0
I think the two Black Dogs books are the earliest published prose fiction of Ursula Vernon. The contrast between them and her later work is interesting — this book had none of the whimsy of later books, and none of the familiar fairy-tale references. It's pretty dark, adult fantasy, with sex and violence and death, and quite a bit of emotional anguish and graphic physical torture, plus a heroine who spends a kinda comical percentage of her life naked against her will. I suspect if someone else wrote their own version of this exact same story, I wouldn't enjoy it as much. But my aesthetic just fits so closely into Ursula's. I find the endlessly loyal, ferocious dog-soldier a little corny, and completely delightful. Same with the giant sloth / tiny weasel couple. The villain here is pretty chilling. And of course there are terrifying hyena-people. This is a strange addition to her library, but it's fascinating to see her early work and how she developed away from this particular brand of fantasy — and how with her latest books, she's slowly trending back toward something that feels similar, but more practiced and comfortable.
waclements7's review against another edition
3.0
CW: Rape, violence
This may not be Ursula Vernon’s best as she wrote it when she was 16/17, but it’s still good—you can really see how her writing developed.
This may not be Ursula Vernon’s best as she wrote it when she was 16/17, but it’s still good—you can really see how her writing developed.
echotechne's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
valhecka's review against another edition
4.0
Really solid, well-built duology. Tropes abound, as do subversions, inversions, aversions, and just plain old mocking. The conflict becomes complex; this book includes a lot of character thought on moral binaries. The characters and worldbuilding are wonderful, and Vernon's humor comes through clearly in dialog.
Content warning: This book includes a rape scene and a discussion of a relationship with a very clear power differential. Neither is graphic, but put me through the wringer.
Content warning: This book includes a rape scene and a discussion of a relationship with a very clear power differential. Neither is graphic, but put me through the wringer.
timmason's review against another edition
3.0
I'm getting old. Every time I read 'lay' where I'm expecting 'lie', my hackles rise. I know it's not a big thing, but there it is. I like Ursula Vernon's imagination, the way she tells a story, so I read her books, but every 'lay' or 'laid' that does not conform to my old and creaking Britspeak sets my teeth on edge. Damned, as my French friends might say.
Ok - the book. Ms Vernon says she wrote this when she was 16/17. This is an amazing piece of writing for a 16/17 year old. In fact, it's pretty good for any age. The heroine is sympatico - although her bildung zips by rather quickly - from library rat with a head full of stardust and a pudgy body to Clint Eastwood mercenary bodyguard with muscles of steel in six months is admirably rapid progress. The main villain is grimly villainous and the supporting cast suitably fun-loving and lethal. An enjoyable read. The foreshadowing is tad heavy-handed in places, but there you go.
Ok - the book. Ms Vernon says she wrote this when she was 16/17. This is an amazing piece of writing for a 16/17 year old. In fact, it's pretty good for any age. The heroine is sympatico - although her bildung zips by rather quickly - from library rat with a head full of stardust and a pudgy body to Clint Eastwood mercenary bodyguard with muscles of steel in six months is admirably rapid progress. The main villain is grimly villainous and the supporting cast suitably fun-loving and lethal. An enjoyable read. The foreshadowing is tad heavy-handed in places, but there you go.
stejacks's review against another edition
5.0
This was a occasionally shockingly dark book, with a great main character, great supporting cast, and perfect if not entirely expected ending.
foomple's review against another edition
4.0
I loved it. More of the characters I got so attached to in Part 1, plus high drama and wisecracks, battles and great loves and sacrifices... it hit me hard right in the feels.
teancom's review against another edition
3.0
A step up from book one, still pretty rough, and I can see things that modern-day Ursula would definitely have changed. But by the end I was pretty involved with the characters and I'm glad I stuck it out.