Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.6 AVERAGE
3.6 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
The author’s prose is fantastic. However, this is a 10 hour audio book….
I reached the end and realized that no plots were actually resolved.
Characters are given lengthy backstories, which shaped their personalities, but rarely take action upon their current issues to progress their characters. Each character is fleshed out, but never advanced. The book explores a lot of interesting parallels for racism and sexism by looking at anti monster sentiment, but doesn’t provide significant character development. The split narrative bounces between too many threads for the reader to easily get any coherent understanding of the larger picture, which seems to be the authors intent. This produces a feeling disconnectedness with individual characters as there’s just so many, and there are long gaps between chapters of their stories. A seeming side character is introduced and given 30! Pages of backstory early in the story, then not mentioned again until the last 50 pages of the book.
All in all, it’s beautiful writing that ultimately goes no where. Perhaps the planned sequels will tie this plot together into a cohesive narrative instead of a scattering of individual narratives, but this book does not work as a standalone. 2.5 stars, rounded up for the author’s flowing prose, which really is quite beautiful. Despite this, the lack of plot progression or character development beyond detailing their past traumas to massive extent handicaps this book.
I reached the end and realized that no plots were actually resolved.
Characters are given lengthy backstories, which shaped their personalities, but rarely take action upon their current issues to progress their characters. Each character is fleshed out, but never advanced. The book explores a lot of interesting parallels for racism and sexism by looking at anti monster sentiment, but doesn’t provide significant character development. The split narrative bounces between too many threads for the reader to easily get any coherent understanding of the larger picture, which seems to be the authors intent. This produces a feeling disconnectedness with individual characters as there’s just so many, and there are long gaps between chapters of their stories. A seeming side character is introduced and given 30! Pages of backstory early in the story, then not mentioned again until the last 50 pages of the book.
All in all, it’s beautiful writing that ultimately goes no where. Perhaps the planned sequels will tie this plot together into a cohesive narrative instead of a scattering of individual narratives, but this book does not work as a standalone. 2.5 stars, rounded up for the author’s flowing prose, which really is quite beautiful. Despite this, the lack of plot progression or character development beyond detailing their past traumas to massive extent handicaps this book.
The story failed to draw me in. There was a lot more telling than showing, which hampered some otherwise great ideas.
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
It's possible I would have enjoyed this more as a physical book. I listened to the audiobook and I don't think the audiobook was the problem. I just have a hard time listening to anything but nonfiction, and this is a pretty confusing book. Regardless, I really liked the representation of casually queer characters and I'll be reading from this author again.
mysterious
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:
Complicated
I'd definitely re read this one to ses if it would improve my overall impression. There were A LOT of characters introduced quickly, and A LOT of aspects to the story. It all felt like too much, and that everything was touched on briefly and then moved along to a new concept. I am really interested by the story, but not fully impressed by the execution of it.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for a review.
This is a unique book. It's clearly fantasy, but unlike most fantasy that I've encountered. It seems to be fantasy that is trying to address current social issues with respect to race and gender identity. Lofty goals that the author doesn't completely hit the mark on. Those coming to this for a good fantasy book will likely be disappointed. Those coming to this for intriguing social issues will likely be similarly disappointed.
The frequent allusions to Ursula LeGuin invite comparisons between Turnbull and LeGuin. The comparison is not favorable to Mr. Turnbull.
Most of the book is world building and character development. On finishing it I felt like I'd been strung along for hundreds of pages with the promise of some pay off, that simply never came. I see now that it's part one of a "saga." I understand books being part of a series, but each book needs to be able to stand on their own. There isn't enough here. This feels like the beginning of a longer book.
The character development is difficult to follow at times. Some characters are introduced and extensive histories provided. Some are never introduced. Some chapters it takes a bit to figure out who the character is. Many chapters are from the perspective of a "monster" who has figured out how to drop into other universes and interact with people. Most people can't see him. But one can. Sometimes the author spends pages telling us about a character. Other times he lets the character develop through their actions. Ridley gets developed better than most. We learn through Ridley's interaction at a barber shop that he is trans. and how that played out via a strained dinner with his parents. Harry's development on the other hand is pages and pages of the narrator telling us about what happened in the past.
There are also a lot of characters to keep track of. Some are more interesting than others. After expensive development of Harry, he disappears for most of the book. His reappearance explains almost nothing and the story of what happened to him sounds more interesting than the story we actually got to read.
The book touches on identity and cooperative living. The cast of characters is quite diverse. The author is clearing trying to make a point on some social issues. That point was lost on me.
Fans of Turnbull's first book, "The Lesson" will enjoy a brief allusion to it towards the end. As a fan of of "The Lesson" I was let down by No Gods, No Monsters and likely would not pick up the next book in the saga.
This is a unique book. It's clearly fantasy, but unlike most fantasy that I've encountered. It seems to be fantasy that is trying to address current social issues with respect to race and gender identity. Lofty goals that the author doesn't completely hit the mark on. Those coming to this for a good fantasy book will likely be disappointed. Those coming to this for intriguing social issues will likely be similarly disappointed.
The frequent allusions to Ursula LeGuin invite comparisons between Turnbull and LeGuin. The comparison is not favorable to Mr. Turnbull.
Most of the book is world building and character development. On finishing it I felt like I'd been strung along for hundreds of pages with the promise of some pay off, that simply never came. I see now that it's part one of a "saga." I understand books being part of a series, but each book needs to be able to stand on their own. There isn't enough here. This feels like the beginning of a longer book.
The character development is difficult to follow at times. Some characters are introduced and extensive histories provided. Some are never introduced. Some chapters it takes a bit to figure out who the character is. Many chapters are from the perspective of a "monster" who has figured out how to drop into other universes and interact with people. Most people can't see him. But one can. Sometimes the author spends pages telling us about a character. Other times he lets the character develop through their actions. Ridley gets developed better than most. We learn through Ridley's interaction at a barber shop that he is trans. and how that played out via a strained dinner with his parents. Harry's development on the other hand is pages and pages of the narrator telling us about what happened in the past.
There are also a lot of characters to keep track of. Some are more interesting than others. After expensive development of Harry, he disappears for most of the book. His reappearance explains almost nothing and the story of what happened to him sounds more interesting than the story we actually got to read.
The book touches on identity and cooperative living. The cast of characters is quite diverse. The author is clearing trying to make a point on some social issues. That point was lost on me.
Fans of Turnbull's first book, "The Lesson" will enjoy a brief allusion to it towards the end. As a fan of of "The Lesson" I was let down by No Gods, No Monsters and likely would not pick up the next book in the saga.
I really had a hard time rating it. There is so much to like, but a lot that pushed me away. I'll be brief.
Positives: The characters were great and believable in a story where monsters are suddenly revealed to be real. You could feel how people would really react on many sides of the issue, from fear, allyship, and the newly outed. It looks at many different issues from social inequality to economic principles with the veneer of werewolves and wizards.
Negatives: (Note I'm sure many of these will be addressed or make more sense later in the series, but I will address how they made me feel with this book) The book jumped around a lot, and not just between characters and their individual stories, but between frames of references. It wouldn't have been terrible, but it happened so fast and so often I found it difficult to get into the story because it bounced around before I had the chance to become invested in anything before it moved on. Also the book deals a lot with secret societies and conspiracy and that part soured me to big chunks of the book.
Positives: The characters were great and believable in a story where monsters are suddenly revealed to be real. You could feel how people would really react on many sides of the issue, from fear, allyship, and the newly outed. It looks at many different issues from social inequality to economic principles with the veneer of werewolves and wizards.
Negatives: (Note I'm sure many of these will be addressed or make more sense later in the series, but I will address how they made me feel with this book) The book jumped around a lot, and not just between characters and their individual stories, but between frames of references. It wouldn't have been terrible, but it happened so fast and so often I found it difficult to get into the story because it bounced around before I had the chance to become invested in anything before it moved on. Also the book deals a lot with secret societies and conspiracy and that part soured me to big chunks of the book.
Toes the line between short stories and novel. Normally not a fan of trippy-reality fantasy, but this is just so layered and well-written that it was more than worth the read.