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3.61 AVERAGE
3.61 AVERAGE
The second book was better written and structure than the first one, easier to follow and better to understand the story. It was also exciting to see Sherlock's thoughts and how he solves a mystery, getting insight into his thoughts, as if we were there with him. Although, one thing I would argue is that at time the books got too descriptive which was unnecessary.
I understand why this is the lowest rated Sherlock Holmes book, it should’ve been longer and gone in more depth and we should’ve had a bit more Watson and Holmes and a bit less of Small rambling on about a what he did for 30 pages when none of it really makes sense.
I still loved it.
I still loved it.
3.5
Not so much a review, but a comment: Watson and Mary Morstan were in each other's presence what, two, three times? And all of a sudden they're in love and he's proposing and she's accepting?
Not so much a review, but a comment: Watson and Mary Morstan were in each other's presence what, two, three times? And all of a sudden they're in love and he's proposing and she's accepting?
adventurous
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Ok, wow, mixed bag on this one. On one hand, the mystery its self is very fun; locked room, treasure, a mysterious calling card, its all cool. On the other hand, good God is this one racist. Most of the ACD Sherlock stories I've read keep that good ole' English racism to a minimum, but The Sign of Four seems to have dialed it up to ten to make up for that. I don't think you can go two pages here without reading multiple paragraphs of Watson or some other character just using the rudest, most vile descriptions possible for Indian people. I can't say I didn't expect it, because I know just how horribly the English viewed Indian people at the time, but that doesn't make it any more pleasant to read. I'm not kidding, though, the racism in this one is really really bad, especially because we don't get the usual Holmes thing of having the story at least somewhat go 'um, actually, the people society hates are actually just people and it is in fact the rich bastards who suck'. Just yikes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Colonisation, Classism
Moderate: Addiction, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, War
Minor: Ableism, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Confinement, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Sexism, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Acephobia/Arophobia, Murder, Abandonment, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
I am just devouring the Sherlock books, reading them is so fun!!!
The chase on the Thames was the best part for me, the scene is laid out so clearly and it feels I'm watching it on a screen. It was also nice to see the more human side of Sherlock -- his problem with cocaine but also cooking and playing violin for John :)
I'm so happy for John and Mary!! Could not have turned out better for them :)
I understand the need for backstory when explaining Small's motives but establishing brand new characters right at the end of the book is kind of tiring to get through, I didn't enjoy reading that bit and I felt like I was just trying to get it over with; I had the same problem with A Study in Scarlet, though it's not as bad in this book.
In the end, I had a good time reading it and I would recommend. 4 stars :)
The chase on the Thames was the best part for me, the scene is laid out so clearly and it feels I'm watching it on a screen. It was also nice to see the more human side of Sherlock -- his problem with cocaine but also cooking and playing violin for John :)
I'm so happy for John and Mary!! Could not have turned out better for them :)
I understand the need for backstory when explaining Small's motives but establishing brand new characters right at the end of the book is kind of tiring to get through, I didn't enjoy reading that bit and I felt like I was just trying to get it over with; I had the same problem with A Study in Scarlet, though it's not as bad in this book.
In the end, I had a good time reading it and I would recommend. 4 stars :)
Sherlock Holmes kicks this book off by shooting cocaine directly into his veins so I expected a wild, drug-fueled 19th century epic, but I don’t think Sherlock even really reacted to it. It was more like Watson asking what drug Holmes was using today, and Holmes is like “Well damn it all to hell my good man, I think today I’m just gonna skip right past the coffee and go with cocaine instead.” Watson is just like whatever like he’s indifferent to the whole thing, and Sherlock just rambles on about a seven percent solution like what’s happening is just completely normal everyday stuff, but it’s not. This was not part of their roommate agreement in the last book, but here we go anyway. Waking up, giving our heart a heavy jolt of white-powdered electricity, meeting a woman named Mary, and then solving another mystery. Just another day in the life of Sherlock Holmes. What a rockstar, this guy. What a true weekend warrior and American hero, this guy, am I right? I can’t solve mysteries like what did I even have for dinner last night or where did my car keys go, but this guy can just snort a bunch of powder into his nose and go about his day solving big mysteries like how someone died or what the sign of the four is all about. God, what a legend. What a man, what a man, what a man, what a might good man. Yes he is. Gotta say it again now. I wanna take a minute or two and give much respect to...
The story’s alright, like the one before it. It was more fun meeting Mary and watching things blossom with her and Dr. W. The mystery wasn’t the greatest thing in the world, but I’m now excited to read the Adventures of.. short stories. Man, this guy. I tell ya. He always has every conversation for the mind, which means a lot to me ‘cause those men are hard to find.
The story’s alright, like the one before it. It was more fun meeting Mary and watching things blossom with her and Dr. W. The mystery wasn’t the greatest thing in the world, but I’m now excited to read the Adventures of.. short stories. Man, this guy. I tell ya. He always has every conversation for the mind, which means a lot to me ‘cause those men are hard to find.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
mysterious
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:
Complicated
racism
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced