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jlannh's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ieatdirtformoney's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
If there's one thing I adore in a book, it's consistent characterization that draws the reader in. I will forgive a lukewarm plot in a heartbeat if I like the characters; this, fortunately, was not necessary, as this is not one of those books.
The Lesser Dead brings so many things to the table, including a creative take on vampiric myth and the cultural mores that would follow, a delightfully well-paced plot, and a wonderful inner dialogue that made reading the story engaging even when nothing of great importance was happening.
Once again, Christopher Buehlman has reminded me why he is one of my favourite authors. If you have any interest in modern vampires, or vampires at all for that matter, read this book.
Now, this next section is reserved for those who have read this book, and those who do not particularly care about spoilers...
...holy shit, this book's coda is relentlessly bleak. Very infrequently am I struck dumb from a plot twist, and yet this ending forced me to sit in silence with it, letting it sink in just how truly fucked from the beginning the nocturnal inhabitants of Manhattan's subway system were. An excellent execution of a "bad ending" that felt earned and fitting, rather than spiteful and out of place. Well played, Mr. Buehlman, well played.
The Lesser Dead brings so many things to the table, including a creative take on vampiric myth and the cultural mores that would follow, a delightfully well-paced plot, and a wonderful inner dialogue that made reading the story engaging even when nothing of great importance was happening.
Once again, Christopher Buehlman has reminded me why he is one of my favourite authors. If you have any interest in modern vampires, or vampires at all for that matter, read this book.
Now, this next section is reserved for those who have read this book, and those who do not particularly care about spoilers...
zachdelf's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.25
alexchandler's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
skylercauldron's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
sad
tense
slow-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? Yes
3.0
klparmley's review against another edition
3.0
This was fun. Joey is neither particularly good, nor especially bad. He is a vampire. And sometimes a jerk. Other are better, or worse.
I'm not much interested in riding NYC subways any time soon.
I'm not much interested in riding NYC subways any time soon.
qjbrown96's review against another edition
1.0
After LOVING Those Across The River it was only natural for me to give this a shot, especially since I like Vampire Tales. The authors accents in the Audiobook were very well done but the story was just horrendous. The entire first half was the main characters meandering thoughts that just meant nothing to the story. I had to DNF with about 2 hours left in the story.
jacobpdxreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
badseedgirl's review
5.0
The Lesser Dead
Read September 2017
I loved, loved, loved this book. Christopher Buehlman is a new author to me, and he is amazing. The voices of his characters were so strong they drew me into the tunnels of 1970’s New York City. New York of this time was known as a dirty, dangerous place and this was conveyed with aplomb.
Character development was the crowning jewel of this book. The voice of each character was unique and independent. Because the voices were so well developed, I was sucked into the story. And because I was sucked in so completely, the final chapter shocked and killed me.
Read September 2017
I loved, loved, loved this book. Christopher Buehlman is a new author to me, and he is amazing. The voices of his characters were so strong they drew me into the tunnels of 1970’s New York City. New York of this time was known as a dirty, dangerous place and this was conveyed with aplomb.
Character development was the crowning jewel of this book. The voice of each character was unique and independent. Because the voices were so well developed, I was sucked into the story. And because I was sucked in so completely, the final chapter shocked and killed me.