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therainbowshelf's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This is off to an interesting start. I haven't experienced anything else from this series, but I'm intrigued enough to pick up the next issue. I'm also wondering if there's a trans character in here who's simply allowed to exist without her transness being her focal point. There's a girl who at one point talks to someone about getting the hormones she needs, but I know trans women aren't the only women who take hormones.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Ableism and Xenophobia
markcdickson's review against another edition
3.0
“Stop looking for the next secret door that is going to lead you to your real life.”
Closer to 2.5.
The ideas in this book are far greater than the execution. There’s a lack of connectivity between the ideas that means that they come across as a series of events rather than a compelling story.
Quentin’s myopic and wholly self-centred world view doesn’t help with that. If you think that Quentin is whiny in the TV show then oof you need to get his internal dialogue.
I also disliked the lack of development of the other characters. I don’t think I could tell you much about them as actual people with personalities as they only have a single defining feature or tic.
While this was true about all of them, the depictions of women in this are pretty gross. They’re seemingly competent students, but collapse in a corner when a fight starts and THE MEN take over. Every single woman is also defined by her relationship with - and unexplainable attraction to - Quentin.
There are interesting moments and it was never a slog to get through, but I never felt excited to pick this book up again. The main thing that kept me going was my love for the TV show and wanting to see what the differences were.
I WANTED MORE JULIA. SHE IS MY FAV.
Closer to 2.5.
The ideas in this book are far greater than the execution. There’s a lack of connectivity between the ideas that means that they come across as a series of events rather than a compelling story.
Quentin’s myopic and wholly self-centred world view doesn’t help with that. If you think that Quentin is whiny in the TV show then oof you need to get his internal dialogue.
I also disliked the lack of development of the other characters. I don’t think I could tell you much about them as actual people with personalities as they only have a single defining feature or tic.
While this was true about all of them, the depictions of women in this are pretty gross. They’re seemingly competent students, but collapse in a corner when a fight starts and THE MEN take over. Every single woman is also defined by her relationship with - and unexplainable attraction to - Quentin.
There are interesting moments and it was never a slog to get through, but I never felt excited to pick this book up again. The main thing that kept me going was my love for the TV show and wanting to see what the differences were.
I WANTED MORE JULIA. SHE IS MY FAV.
mwcooper11's review against another edition
2.0
Startling plot does not mean page-turning suspense, and illogical character behavior is bad writing, not an excuse for a selfish, spontaneous, and flawed protagonist. No one is human.
George R.R. Martin said, "Grossman’s sensibilities are thoroughly adult, his narrative dark and dangerous and full of twists."
Two main characters are turned into foxes and have sex for the first time. There are a couple orgies. Technically this is 'adult' but good luck finding any sensibilities. I can sure see why George loves it.
The narrative is not dark, it is violent at best.
I don't know if there's a reason for me to pick up the next book.
George R.R. Martin said, "Grossman’s sensibilities are thoroughly adult, his narrative dark and dangerous and full of twists."
Two main characters are turned into foxes and have sex for the first time. There are a couple orgies. Technically this is 'adult' but good luck finding any sensibilities. I can sure see why George loves it.
The narrative is not dark, it is violent at best.
I don't know if there's a reason for me to pick up the next book.
djdrysdale's review against another edition
2.0
I liked this at the beginning, but it really started to lose me at about the time it became hipster wizards take Manhattan. At about that point I realized I didn't actually like any of the protagonists all that much. Then the pacing fell off the rails and I was mostly glad to finish it. The allusions to other fantasy series were I think supposed to be clever but felt a bit too on the nose, especially when Grossman tried to be clever by drawing attention to them. I was disappointed. I wanted to like this, but it just didn't win me over.
tomilovesbooks's review against another edition
3.0
I didn’t feel like there was much pushing the plot along. If I hadn’t decided to read the whole series because of my love for the TV version, I’m not sure if I would have finished.
stars_panda's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
magis1105's review against another edition
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
4.0