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joshhall13's review
2.0
The style of writing smacks of an author trying really hard to turn a phrase clever. While there are echoes of Clive Barkeresque imagery, and a really intriguing story lurking underneath its over-stylized word play... It felt like I had to work hard to get through this short book, so couldn't enjoy the story and characters. I especially disliked the first half, where making a cohesive and concise sentence was clearly not a priority.
An extra star for the story and the fact that a main character was gay, and that fact wasn't essential to the story. It just was... Which is nice.
An extra star for the story and the fact that a main character was gay, and that fact wasn't essential to the story. It just was... Which is nice.
amybraunauthor's review
4.0
I wasn't sure what I wanted to rate this one, but I gave it bonus stars for being one of the strangest, creepiest books I've ever read. Seriously, this was book was messed up. But I'm not saying that in a bad way. On the contrary, its bizareness made it memorable and definitely added to the horror element. The story just started off a little slow for me and it took a while for me to figure out what the plot was going to be. Plus it touched on some highly sensitive issues near the beginning and end that I really didn't feel comfortable with. The descriptions Buehlman used were vivid and unique, and they truly tested my imagination as I tried to decipher what I was supposed to be "seeing." The horror factor was strong and I was definitely creeped out more than a few times. I loved the references to classic Russian folklore and unconventional mythology. And the ending, holy crap THE ENDING!!! It was completely wild. Seriously insane. I've never read a book like this and was glad to have experienced it. Great for horror fans who really want to suspend their beliefs!
impalingheaven's review
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
I would give the book a higher rating, but the first half is so slow and boring I almost gave up. This book is a meandering urban fantasy with wizards in all the worst ways. The first half doesn't really do anything for the plot. Just a bunch if short scenes of the main character, half of which dies very little for the plot. Maybe it was meant to develop the characters, but they're very cardboard all the way through, so it doesn't pay.
I almost gave up. Even when the bad guys reveal themselves to the main character, it takes almost 200 pages to even begin acting upon that plot. I almost gave up. Only halfway through the book did it begin to have the horror scenes Buehlman is famous for. Once that began, the going was better, but felt like a lot of work to get there. The book goes quickly, because each paragraph is only a single sentence on average, so there's actually very few word count numbers.
Plot was unique enough. Very Beuhlman-y. But the characters were pretty staid. With the beginning half, I wouldn't be surprised if this was a passion piece for CB, sort of fantasizing himself as a wizard and unrequited love bit.
2/5, probably won't read ever again. I can see how some people might love this, it just wasn't for me.
I almost gave up. Even when the bad guys reveal themselves to the main character, it takes almost 200 pages to even begin acting upon that plot. I almost gave up. Only halfway through the book did it begin to have the horror scenes Buehlman is famous for. Once that began, the going was better, but felt like a lot of work to get there. The book goes quickly, because each paragraph is only a single sentence on average, so there's actually very few word count numbers.
Plot was unique enough. Very Beuhlman-y. But the characters were pretty staid. With the beginning half, I wouldn't be surprised if this was a passion piece for CB, sort of fantasizing himself as a wizard and unrequited love bit.
2/5, probably won't read ever again. I can see how some people might love this, it just wasn't for me.
bigjohnspud's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
hgraham98's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
alliehwilliams's review
5.0
WOW. It's not every day I find a book with this quality of writing, with characters and magic and settings that are just made for the screen, that scared the crap out of me and made me cry like a little girl. More later...
srhhelm's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
dhlunique's review
4.0
Early-to-mid impressions. This is a good story. I've occasionally had trouble tracking conversations, as they are quickly introduced into narrative, and as quickly drop away, but the writing is pretty tight, and so far I do like the story!
Strong characters; good story line; classical and modern monsters with powers that surprise. It was a good read, all in all.
Strong characters; good story line; classical and modern monsters with powers that surprise. It was a good read, all in all.
mnordhof's review
3.0
This book could have easily been a 4 star rating for me, but I really disliked the ending of the book.
jamesbullinger's review
5.0
Really fun ideas written well. I just wish it was the third book in a series instead of just throwing us into the action and relationships already in progress. But otherwise very good. 4.5