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3.58 AVERAGE
3.58 AVERAGE
Picking a new read is always a pickle when I have nothing lined up. This book appeared to soothe my itch for a fantasy and post apocalyptic story.
After a third of the way through though, I found I was not really enjoying it. My main gripe was the writing. It was a bit too poetic, and was filled with weirdness that was sometimes hard to picture. So while not terribly written, it just wasn't for me.
After a third of the way through though, I found I was not really enjoying it. My main gripe was the writing. It was a bit too poetic, and was filled with weirdness that was sometimes hard to picture. So while not terribly written, it just wasn't for me.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Setting it down for now.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Slavery
Moderate: Death, Drug abuse, Violence, Trafficking, Classism
Couldn't get on with the writing style: present tense, short sentences & grammar usage (lack of semi-colons = frowny face). Not in the mood for anti-heroes and depressing worlds. Story and main character interesting & creative, but ultimately couldn't be bothered.
Part sci-fantasy, part post-apocalyptic horror, part poetry, I enjoyed this book so, so much.
While some parts bordered on too cruel and stomach twisting, I'm not one to shy away from grimdark. That said, there are parts that get pretty gnarly and gross. Mutilation, torture, death. The world felt most similar to a futuristic Diablo (the video game), which I wasn't expecting.
My highlighter came out a lot. It is so well written. I love Newman's use of metaphor and his ability to write with so much beauty without it feeling pretentious or overbearing.
Also, what a gorgeous cover!
I highly recommend.
While some parts bordered on too cruel and stomach twisting, I'm not one to shy away from grimdark. That said, there are parts that get pretty gnarly and gross. Mutilation, torture, death. The world felt most similar to a futuristic Diablo (the video game), which I wasn't expecting.
My highlighter came out a lot. It is so well written. I love Newman's use of metaphor and his ability to write with so much beauty without it feeling pretentious or overbearing.
Also, what a gorgeous cover!
I highly recommend.
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3,5 *
I don't even know how to categorize this. It's a mash of several genres.
It's a world, with advanced technology, that suffered a demonic infestation of cataclysmic proportions. So, at the time story starts, there are still some remnants of skyships, mechanical beasts used for military purposes, next gen medical supplies, etc. But demons invaded after they won in battle against Seven who are some weird mix of angels and robots. Demons rule the cities, they can't have form so they "ride" human bodies but their presence also influenced nature and living creatures with their vileness and made them monstrous. I swear this book is like if you put [b:Berserk, Vol. 1|248871|Berserk, Vol. 1|Kentaro Miura|https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/books/1347440810s/248871.jpg|241146] and [b:The Metabarons #1: Othon & Honorata|56228|The Metabarons #1 Othon & Honorata|Alejandro Jodorowsky|https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/books/1170455661s/56228.jpg|54796] in a blender and served it with [b:The Road|6288|The Road|Cormac McCarthy|https://d2arxad8u2l0g7.cloudfront.net/books/1439197219s/6288.jpg|3355573].
Of course, the best thing about novel is the fact that author is effectively telling the story even though his protagonists don't speak. It's essentially "On the Road" dark adventure, with Vagrant who doesn't talk, a baby and a goat. And it doesn't lose on dynamic or narration one iota.
My only complaint is that author used a lot overwrought, worded and winded descriptions that sound like dark metal song lyrics:
High atop, figures move, tiny specks armed with lances that spit fire down on the hordes below. Against the glare of the fortification the Uncivil’s troops are silhouettes, a Half-alive wave that probes, falls back, waits and probes again.
All in all, a good book (which I picked because of the cover) an I need to get on sequel.
A formal review is coming soon on my blog ... the short version is that this is a very entertaining story and there is a lot of meat within the tale. I know everyone seems enchanted with the goat, which is good too, but I think the story is a little deeper than that. ;-)
I'll have more for you when I've had time to sit down and formulate my thoughts into a proper review. Meanwhile, if you like dark fiction that also satisfies the need for redemption, this one is for you.
I'll have more for you when I've had time to sit down and formulate my thoughts into a proper review. Meanwhile, if you like dark fiction that also satisfies the need for redemption, this one is for you.