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4.19 AVERAGE
4.19 AVERAGE
i’m screaming, i’m crying, i’m possibly throwing up slightly from the intense nausea this book gave me towards the end because my frail body couldn’t handle the tension. i went through the five stages of grief so rapidly through the duration of this book that i have whiplash and probably some more PTSD. this book tore through me so mercilessly. it was like trying to stay standing during a tornado tearing through a narrow pathway. it absolutely fucking destroyed me.
and all because i read The Gathering Dark and fell in love with Polydoros’ writing in that. i sought out his books because i couldn’t get that one short story out of my brain and now here i am.
i don’t think i have the mental or emotional capacity to write a proper review for this book right now or even ever, i’m not sure. my wife asked me how i felt when i finished it and i did lightly scream at her with a thumbs up because i can’t even begin to put into words how i feel. the writing is astounding and destructive in the most meticulous way, lyrical and dark and poetic, while delivering the most soul crushing content. the characters are so well-written, it made me sick when horrible things were even threatened to happen to them. the murder-mystery element kept me so tightly wound up, i could have made diamonds out of goddamn coal.
i loved this book. i adored this book. i will be buried with 18 copies of this book cradled gently between my arms and no one can stop me. i am in ruins, thank you.
and all because i read The Gathering Dark and fell in love with Polydoros’ writing in that. i sought out his books because i couldn’t get that one short story out of my brain and now here i am.
i don’t think i have the mental or emotional capacity to write a proper review for this book right now or even ever, i’m not sure. my wife asked me how i felt when i finished it and i did lightly scream at her with a thumbs up because i can’t even begin to put into words how i feel. the writing is astounding and destructive in the most meticulous way, lyrical and dark and poetic, while delivering the most soul crushing content. the characters are so well-written, it made me sick when horrible things were even threatened to happen to them. the murder-mystery element kept me so tightly wound up, i could have made diamonds out of goddamn coal.
i loved this book. i adored this book. i will be buried with 18 copies of this book cradled gently between my arms and no one can stop me. i am in ruins, thank you.
adventurous
dark
tense
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
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:
Complicated
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was a good read, it had a gripping story. It's not always an easy read, due to the subject matter, but it's a book I'm glad that I read. I didn't connect with the writing itself as much as I wanted to, but overall, it was a well-written, gripping story.
dark
tense
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I first want to thank NetGalley and Inkyard Press for giving me free access to this book in exchange for an honest review.
I was hooked and felt fully invested in Alter and his story by the end of chapter one. Polydoros does a phenomenal job of developing the characters in this book. And while the book was sometimes hard to read because of the racism and blatant hate many of the characters were confronted with, I nevertheless found this book incredibly hard to put down. I felt so fully drawn into the world and didn't want to leave at the end of the book.
Having read Erik Larson's "The Devil in the White City," I was so fascinated to read this book that looked at everything from such a different perspective. And for that, I am so grateful to Polydoros for writing this book.
I hope Polydoros continues to write amazing novels and that more novels with such amazing Jewish characters get published.
Content Warnings: Racism, mentions of rape, violence, death, murder, and hate crimes
I was hooked and felt fully invested in Alter and his story by the end of chapter one. Polydoros does a phenomenal job of developing the characters in this book. And while the book was sometimes hard to read because of the racism and blatant hate many of the characters were confronted with, I nevertheless found this book incredibly hard to put down. I felt so fully drawn into the world and didn't want to leave at the end of the book.
Having read Erik Larson's "The Devil in the White City," I was so fascinated to read this book that looked at everything from such a different perspective. And for that, I am so grateful to Polydoros for writing this book.
I hope Polydoros continues to write amazing novels and that more novels with such amazing Jewish characters get published.
Content Warnings: Racism, mentions of rape, violence, death, murder, and hate crimes
This is one of the most beautifully atmospheric books I’ve ever read, and overflowing with all the emotion one could possibly want. Not to mention the romantic plot is one of the best, most healing I’ve seen. My heart is very full.
dark
emotional
hopeful
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:
Yes
A historical fantasy from a Jewish perspective - what a unique read. There are some dark and heavy elements, especially considering the real-life events surrounding the story, but I loved the sweet and gay protagonist. Top notch storytelling.
dark
emotional
mysterious
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