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ryrichards's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
luminous's review against another edition
5.0
Five stars in spite of flaws. Because overall it's always engaging, full of twists and turns. Flaws: the two sidekicks are not as fully realized as they should be. The audio narration is either divine or cringe worthy, depending on who Weber is voicing. If it's the protagonist, he's wonderful. If it's any other character, he's at best listenable. But most often his other voices jolt you out of the narrative. And if he's voicing someone speaking English as second language, he makes them sound like idiots.
kilobravo's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
honnari_hannya's review against another edition
4.0
Thoroughly enjoyed this one. No one was likeable, but not all stories are meant to have likeable characters. In fact, the characters are even more compelling for how deeply flawed they are—you couldn't trust the any of their motivations outright, and the readers definitely sensed that each one of them was always holding something back. McGrath makes for a really interesting unreliable narrator, especially when you consider his outlook from the beginning compared to how he is at the end. That journey from scepticism to faith and back again happens multiple times throughout the story, oscillating sometimes even within pages of one another, but never unbelievably so.
This is also one of the more successful horror books I've read in a long time. There are cults, forbidden films, witchdoctors, devils, reclusive shut-in directors who live in a haunted house—all of it fairly campy, but not gimmicky. I was able to suspend my disbelief throughout and really get into the mystery surrounding Cordova and his family and fans.
This is also one of the more successful horror books I've read in a long time. There are cults, forbidden films, witchdoctors, devils, reclusive shut-in directors who live in a haunted house—all of it fairly campy, but not gimmicky. I was able to suspend my disbelief throughout and really get into the mystery surrounding Cordova and his family and fans.
mhorne's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
This book was very thrilling, but I found the twist to be a bit of a let-down. I think I wanted it to stay more in the realm of the supernatural, and it came back more into reality than I would have wanted.
noragrace89's review against another edition
4.0
I’m exhausted and overwhelmed… it’s a very well written book, the amount of details is mind blowing. So glad that I finally read it.
carissa230's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
When Ashley Cordova is found dead journalist Scott McGrath knows it's time for him to finally figure out the mystery of Cordova. The man that legends are made of. Scott is using the death of Ashley to investigate Scott.
Cordova was a hugely famous director that kept his and his families lives very private. There was always a sense of the unknown about him. The people that were in his films often had major life changes after the completion of the films.
Scott is joined by Nora and Hopper in his search to find out what happened to Ashley. Turns out that the life was far stranger than any of them could have imagined. There are spells, devils, and possible children sacrifice.
The book was slow paced and well told. It had my attention the entire time even though it took it's time in telling a full story.
Cordova was a hugely famous director that kept his and his families lives very private. There was always a sense of the unknown about him. The people that were in his films often had major life changes after the completion of the films.
Scott is joined by Nora and Hopper in his search to find out what happened to Ashley. Turns out that the life was far stranger than any of them could have imagined. There are spells, devils, and possible children sacrifice.
The book was slow paced and well told. It had my attention the entire time even though it took it's time in telling a full story.
harleyrae's review against another edition
While I hate to put books down. I just feel that right now that is the best decision for this book. I am enjoying reading this book, but right now I have no interest in reading this and I don't want to force myself to read a book.
I will one day pick this book up again.
I will one day pick this book up again.
chelseatm's review against another edition
4.0
Pessl developed such a wonderful, deep, and elaborate plot that at times, it was hard to surface and so readily return to the real world.
She create complex characters and a twisting, multi-layered story.
Recommended to all!
She create complex characters and a twisting, multi-layered story.
Recommended to all!