Reviews tagging 'Death of parent'

Los Luminarios by Susan Dennard, Susan Dennard

2 reviews

huldasif's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious fast-paced

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

3.5

It's a fast-paced YA fantasy/horror which was fun to read. Reading it actually felt like watching a teen TV show like Teen Wolf or something, although the athmosphere in the beginning of the book reminded me more of Twilight, because of the eery small town vibe with misty forest and the teenage angst, but otherwise the book has nothing in common with Twilight. Anyway, the book was really easy to read and I quickly flew through it. It was interesting, creepy and a little gory. I was thankful for the lack of romance. It just wouldn't have fit in. The only thing that bothered me was that it felt a little unresolved in the end. I wished we had be able to catch one of those big monsters we spent all of this book talking about in this book and not have to wait for the next book to catch them, hopefully. Thankfully I do want to read the next book, but if I didn't I would have felt cheated and been really mad. (I would have rounded it up to 4* stars if not for the end).
On a side note: I really enjoyed the pictures from the nightmare compendium. I only wish there had been more!

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Gore, Bullying, and Death

Moderate: Abandonment and Drug abuse

Minor: Death of parent

siobhanisreading's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional inspiring mysterious tense 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? No

5.0

As other reviews may mention, the Luminaries started as a Twitter Choose Your Own Adventure story lasting 6 months. Susan Dennard has taken the heart of that adventure and turned it into something even better. Atmospheric, intense, creative, mysterious; this book has all the markings of a Susan Dennard novel, with a little dash of creepiness thrown in. You root for Winnie Wednesday, even as she doubts herself. It is about trying as hard as one can to achieve ones goals, no matter how many setbacks you have, but also knowing when to ask for help. The only unfortunate thing about this book, is that Book 2 will not be immediately published afterwards.

I would love to immerse myself into this book, but don't forget, the forest is dangerous for a Luminary untrained...



An arc was provided by the publisher for review. My opinion is my own.

---

Content Warnings

Minor: Death of parent, Death, Drug use, Gore, and Injury/Injury detail

Gore: not quite sure if this applies; the fantasy creatures kill humans, brief description of what they do the body, i.e. half eaten body.