Reviews tagging 'Blood'

Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman

46 reviews

jkononova's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny mysterious medium-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? Yes

4.75

 

My second Neil Gaiman book, my first real introduction to urban fantasy, and now probably one of my new all-time favorite reads!

I don't read many pure fantasy books, mainly because the whole "elves/dwarves/mages/etc" setup feels trite and overdone, and I generally don't enjoy historical fiction very much either (and a lot of fantasy tends to dwell primarily in the past). But I loved the gritty vibe of the description, and I trusted Gaiman's worldbuilding to be more original than that brand of the run-of-the-mill fantasy, and I'm so glad that I did!

I won't spoil much other than this did really feel like an Alice in Wonderland for adults, with all the vibrant whimsy of Carroll's story but much more intense, explicit, and dark in the ugliness of its world. I am in love with Gaiman's writing style -- especially for its fusion of humor and sincerity -- and am happy it, by and large, avoids the many pitfalls of male fantasy writing (e.g. lack of diverse characters as well as the typical "men writing women" fare) that I've come to begrudgingly expect. Also, the bonus content in the "definitive version" of the book felt like a delightful lil treat on top of the already amazing novel.

Would absolutely recommend for those looking to go on an escapist journey with a bit of an edge to it, as well as countless laughs along the way!!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Injury/Injury detail, Animal cruelty, Violence, Animal death, Blood, Murder, Suicidal thoughts, and Torture

unboxedjack's review against another edition

adventurous funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Murder, and Blood

Minor: Suicide and Suicidal thoughts

leanne_miron's review against another edition

adventurous

• 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

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Murder, and Gore

Moderate: Blood, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, and Toxic relationship

Minor: Adult/minor relationship

shaipanda's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny 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? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This book I don’t think I would have ever picked up if I hadn’t gotten the illustrated version and listened to the audio book alongside it due to reviews recommending the audiobook. However tbh I think that was probably the best combination of formats I could have read this in and overal I really really enjoyed this
It was slightly more graphic and violent  than what I usually read but it was a super interesting world and story and overall just a really enjoyable experience to read it. 
Supposedly the second book in this series finally came out like yesterday or two days ago but I can’t find it so hopefully I’ll be able to find it at some find and read that too :) 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Violence, Murder, Torture, Suicidal thoughts, Gore, and Blood

Moderate: Death of parent, Body horror, and Animal death

typewritersandtrees's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious 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? Yes

3.0

Neil Gaiman continues to impress and will always be a wordsmith. Neverwhere was beautifully put together with interesting characters. 

My (only?) criticism is that the gore and violence really shone through, I understand this was written for a TV series but eh, could have been adjusted for the book. I’m sure lots of people didn’t have a problem with it. Maybe it’s a me thing.

Check your CWs/TWs.

Also the animal stuff wasn’t fun. The one character is always eating an animal (mice, kittens, puppies). Really left a bad feeling. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Animal cruelty, Body horror, Gore, Blood, and Animal death

sofipitch's review against another edition

adventurous dark medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

This was a nice adventure story. It's fairly creative and different. It's a bit cheesy at times but it's a nice relaxing read. Gaiman does an excellent job of combining humor and horror(ish) (may be better to say "dark content"). Also the Marquis de Carabas is my absolute favorite character he's created, I love a dandy. I would have complained he needed to be featured more but this edition came with a short story on the Marquis

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Blood

Minor: Murder

gayelfboi's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

It’s Gaiman’s first novel and its shows but still very enjoyable and creative. Warning for some very uncomfortable horror descriptions involving animals 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Cannibalism, Death, Gore, Misogyny, Violence, Animal death, Child death, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Murder, Suicidal thoughts, Animal cruelty, Body horror, Grief, Mental illness, Alcohol, Sexism, Classism, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Torture, and Vomit

Moderate: Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, Xenophobia, Bullying, and Racism

Minor: Ableism, Homophobia, Pedophilia, and Racial slurs

ahh_listen's review against another edition

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.75

No one needs to hear that many descriptions of people eating small animals. This was an interesting idea that was executed terribly.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty and Animal death

Moderate: Torture, Alcohol, and Blood

nicnevin's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Infidelity, Child death, Mental illness, Suicide, Blood, Classism, Confinement, Death, Body horror, Cannibalism, Injury/Injury detail, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Alcohol, Gore, Grief, Medical content, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Excrement, Kidnapping, Ableism, Addiction, Death of parent, Cursing, Drug use, Violence, Vomit, and Murder

emilyplun's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Suicidal thoughts, Murder, and Torture

Moderate: Grief, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Gaslighting, and Blood

Minor: Confinement, Emotional abuse, and Animal cruelty