Reviews tagging 'Addiction'

The Blade Between by Sam J. Miller

3 reviews

the_broadway_slasher's review

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challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

The Blade Between is a MASTERPIECE of literature and an instant favorite. Wow, hats off to Sam J. Miller who created a rich and vibrant world of complex characters that all felt relatable at one point or another, despite some of the horrors waiting to be unleashed. I found myself panicking as I felt myself getting to the big finale because I just wanted to live in this version of the Hudson Valley forever.
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reading_rainbow_with_chris's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

 
“The Blade Between” by Sam J. Miller
Ronan returns to Hudson, the city of his childhood…and of his nightmares. While Ronan is unhappy to be back, he is drawn there by mysterious forces and the gentrification of the city he does and does not remember. In the process of reconnecting with old friends (and enemies), Ronan uncovers something about the city that, much like gentrification, can never fully be taken back. I have adored Miller’s writing since I first read “The Art of Starving” about five years ago. Talking with a friend recently, I finally was able to pin down why. One thing I find Miller does masterfully is make relationships crackle with electricity. They always feel alive to me, and the relationship between agents in the text then infects the mood of the scene palpably. This book is no exception. Despite the inherent unlikeability of some (maybe many) of these characters, Miller’s dialogue and descriptive character nonverbals charge the book with something undeniable, creating a chemistry that keeps me invested in what happens next for these characters. Likewise, the mood of this book is exceptional, never so dark it drags but never light enough that we forget the all-to-real core of the narrative. My one wish for this particular Miller novel, however, was that I left better understanding the rules of the world. By the end of the book, I think I had a general understanding but I found myself with lingering questions about some of the unseen forces at play (which I will not describe for fear of spoilers). But I don’t think that could be done in the novel here, which felt tight and appropriately scoped as was. It’s almost like…I needed a prequel, a historical retrospective of Hudson where we see the rules of this town building upon itself over the decades/centuries. If Miller ever writes this prequel, I will be among the first to order! All in all, this is another excellent addition to Sam J. Miller’s already wonderful collection of writing, even if I found myself still missing some pieces of understanding. Definitely a recommend. 

 
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parasolcrafter's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious tense medium-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? Yes

5.0

pain. pain and agony and suffering
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