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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
Magical realism. Plus race and immigration. Very twisty and weird. Well written.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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
This book was so good! It started out slow but I really liked LaValle's writing style so I stuck with it. I could tell he was laying groundwork for what was to come in the story. When the expected turns arrived they didn't always go the way I would expected so it was surprise delight. Plus I really loved his take on what modern trolls might be/look/do as well as how we stay human in this modern age.
4.5 stars
An excellent book that deftly melds the monsters of the old world with those of the new. LaValle's voice feels firmly a product of his time and place and it provides a rich multi-dimensional aspect to the characters and their story.
The story itself is contemporary realism that slides into fantasy that slides into horror and circles back again. Real and fantasy horror combine in both subtle and sharp ways to create a violent and at times gory tale. Running throughout is an unavoidable social commentary on race and society, social media, family and parenting, and the tangled mess all of these make when combined.
The result is a disturbing but unique voyage of modern fantasy fiction. Highly recommended.
An excellent book that deftly melds the monsters of the old world with those of the new. LaValle's voice feels firmly a product of his time and place and it provides a rich multi-dimensional aspect to the characters and their story.
The story itself is contemporary realism that slides into fantasy that slides into horror and circles back again. Real and fantasy horror combine in both subtle and sharp ways to create a violent and at times gory tale. Running throughout is an unavoidable social commentary on race and society, social media, family and parenting, and the tangled mess all of these make when combined.
The result is a disturbing but unique voyage of modern fantasy fiction. Highly recommended.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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:
Yes
Creepy, gory, and well-written even if it got a little long in some parts! This story reminded me of Neil Gaiman’s American Gods. I'm a sucker for a story about myths in the modern world. There's not a lot of in-your-face action, but I'm okay with that because sometimes I get tired of artists always trying to top each other with STUFF HAPPENING. This was good old fashioned tension created with precise and vivid diction, comparisons, imagery, and allusions. I will say this isn't for readers who like to guess the twists because those are mostly straightforward. I listened to the author read the audiobook, which added to my enjoyment.
Lavalle has written an engrossing page-turner that is smart and full of heart. Supernatural and horror elements are there, but I'd consider the mood of the book more fabulist and dark fantasy. As a father of two young kids, I really connected with the novel's depiction of Apollo's complicated emotions about being a parent: pride, love, anxiety, doubt.
Like the author, I'm a native of Queens, NY. I really appreciate how Lavalle places this story in New York, and especially the attention given to Queens neighborhoods—including the boring ones! (I also loved the textured depiction of the Queens setting in _Devil in Silver_.)
This book has a lot going for it.
Like the author, I'm a native of Queens, NY. I really appreciate how Lavalle places this story in New York, and especially the attention given to Queens neighborhoods—including the boring ones! (I also loved the textured depiction of the Queens setting in _Devil in Silver_.)
This book has a lot going for it.
Hmmmm. What do I think? I think this was a super interesting read that surprised the crap out of me repeatedly! I mean, I guess I had some idea that there would be a tragedy, based solely on the previews I’d read. But it was one tho g after another after another. Not a simple read or even a feel-good read. But I found it edgy and kinda refreshing in the era of rom-coms and after all the YA I read.
This book just didn't do it for me.
The burbs on the cover: "mesmerizing" "bewitching masterpiece" "the thriller you won't be able to put down" promise more than this book delivers. About 1/4 of the way through I told myself, "OK this isn't going to live up to the blurbs, but it is a horror book, prepared to be scared." But that didn't turn out to be true. I was grossed out a few times.
The book really does capture the essence of "tale", not just a story, but a tale of mystery. But to me it fell short, had too many loopholes and unanswered questions. Also, there really was too much description of the most mundane things that bogged the tale down for me, the mac and cheese and the plastic utensils.......
Half way through the book is where there is a big surprise, but, it was a real let-down for me. I just finished the book to see what happens.
And really, in what, 199 years no one in that family
The burbs on the cover: "mesmerizing" "bewitching masterpiece" "the thriller you won't be able to put down" promise more than this book delivers. About 1/4 of the way through I told myself, "OK this isn't going to live up to the blurbs, but it is a horror book, prepared to be scared." But that didn't turn out to be true. I was grossed out a few times.
Spoiler
palmetto bugsThe book really does capture the essence of "tale", not just a story, but a tale of mystery. But to me it fell short, had too many loopholes and unanswered questions. Also, there really was too much description of the most mundane things that bogged the tale down for me, the mac and cheese and the plastic utensils.......
Half way through the book is where there is a big surprise, but, it was a real let-down for me. I just finished the book to see what happens.
And really, in what, 199 years no one in that family
Spoiler
TRIED TO GET THE TROLL IN THE SUN?????????
So incredibly boring, and by the time it gets marginally more interesting at around the 75% mark, I couldn't be bothered and just skimmed the rest of it.
This was a view of my home city that hadn't expected. Old tales with new twists. A blend of old fables and modern life to make a brand new story.