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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
I borrowed this from libby bc I thought the cover looked cool and I'm so glad I did. This was fantastic!!
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
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:
Yes
Every time I finish a Victor LaValle book, I think "that was one of the most amazing things I've ever read!" This time was no different. Who but LaValle could have imagined a straight up changeling story set in the present day that also includes a secret witch colony on an island in the East River and a cyberstalking villain who is descended from a line of men enslaved by a troll to fill his child stealing needs?
The story line ambles along for a while with new father Apollo Kagwa's idyllic days balancing caring for newborn son Brian (named for the father who'd abandoned Apollo as a young boy) with his job as an antique book dealer. Concern grows as his wife Emma begins to sink into what appears to be post-partum depression, losing interest in Brian and life in general, then ultimately snaps, commits an inconceivable crime, and disappears. Apollo is left to try to put his life back together through support groups, along with the support of his friends, and eventually grabs hold of a sliver of hope that he may be able to locate Emma and find out the truth about what happened to his family.
This was definitely a 5-star story for me. I highly recommend it and look forward to my next LaValle experience!
The story line ambles along for a while with new father Apollo Kagwa's idyllic days balancing caring for newborn son Brian (named for the father who'd abandoned Apollo as a young boy) with his job as an antique book dealer. Concern grows as his wife Emma begins to sink into what appears to be post-partum depression, losing interest in Brian and life in general, then ultimately snaps, commits an inconceivable crime, and disappears. Apollo is left to try to put his life back together through support groups, along with the support of his friends, and eventually grabs hold of a sliver of hope that he may be able to locate Emma and find out the truth about what happened to his family.
This was definitely a 5-star story for me. I highly recommend it and look forward to my next LaValle experience!
Well-written atmosphere, complex, but I didn't think the characters were vivid enough for me to really enjoy (is enjoy the right word?) this book.
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It’s a gripping story, and unpredictable. I loved how old works magic was brought to modern day NYC. I also loved that the struggles of a single immigrant mother and black men in todays world were woven in, and the sort of prejudices they face. However the different parts of the story felt disjointed to me and the anti-technology message was a little too in your face.
Ok. I do give 5 stars for reads that I can't put down. They don't have to make me cry. But they do make me think. I love folk horror - this is folk horror at its best. This my second read of a LaValle book and I am addicted to his storytelling and his voice. He has magic woven into his words and makes for some terrifying stuff.
“There are no secrets anymore. Vampires can't come into your house unless you invite them. Posting online is like leaving your front door open and telling any creature of the night it can enter.”
“There are no secrets anymore. Vampires can't come into your house unless you invite them. Posting online is like leaving your front door open and telling any creature of the night it can enter.”
Apollo is a used book dealer who was raised by his single mother after his father disappeared. He vows he will be a better father to his own child. His wife starts acting strange with their newborn, and then after a horrific incident, she disappears. Now Apollo will go to any length to find his wife and find out the truth, but along the way, he finds out that there are strange things in this world and that he can’t trust everyone he thinks he can..
This was interesting, but it meandered a lot before it figured out what kind of story it wanted to tell or how it was going to tell it. Once it did figure it out, it got more interesting. It has lots of folklore stuff in it with some modern twists, and there is definitely a bit of horror, but mostly it’s about a guy who wants to be a good dad to his kid. Really, it’s an exploration of the aspirations and failings in parenthood. It wasn’t bad, but I just wish it figure out what story it wanted to be sooner.
This was interesting, but it meandered a lot before it figured out what kind of story it wanted to tell or how it was going to tell it. Once it did figure it out, it got more interesting. It has lots of folklore stuff in it with some modern twists, and there is definitely a bit of horror, but mostly it’s about a guy who wants to be a good dad to his kid. Really, it’s an exploration of the aspirations and failings in parenthood. It wasn’t bad, but I just wish it figure out what story it wanted to be sooner.
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated