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ezwolf's review against another edition
I think this is probably a good book, but it’s just not for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, and Infidelity
Moderate: Suicide
saltygizmo99's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
0.5
Overall actually not a huge fan of this book at all (obviously) the themes in this book are important but the way they are captured just aren’t it. The characherization is weird and it’s just overall Dosent make any sense.
So many side charachters it’s hard to understand them or remember them and so many charachters none of them are fully fleshed out!
All charachters suck and are bad charachters the ending was the best part maybe because I was finaly releived it was over. Insane book not a fan! Wick best charachter tho he only lasts like four chapters tho
So many side charachters it’s hard to understand them or remember them and so many charachters none of them are fully fleshed out!
All charachters suck and are bad charachters the ending was the best part maybe because I was finaly releived it was over. Insane book not a fan! Wick best charachter tho he only lasts like four chapters tho
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Homophobia, and Sexual content
teddybo's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug abuse, Sexual content, and Violence
reading_rainbow_with_chris's review against another edition
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Addiction, Death, Drug abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Suicide, Violence, and Dementia
Minor: Gun violence
parasolcrafter's review against another edition
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Hate crime, Homophobia, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Kidnapping