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mehitabels's review
4.0
Jeeeezzzz. This was a doozy of a read. Adventure and suspense and revenge and all the screaming "Don't DO it!!"
prek's review
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
straycat264's review
5.0
I'm in awe of Claire North. She seems to have a knack for thinking up a wonderfully simple, but original concept - and then thinking through a logical progression of that idea, taking it to places I'd never have dreamed of.
The idea in this case - William Abbey has been cursed, and his curse takes the form of a ghost - which will chase him down - at walking pace - wherever he goes. When it is close, he sees the truth in men's hearts. If it touches him, the person he loves the most will die - and the pursuit will begin again. So far so "It Follows" - but true to form, Claire North dwells moves quickly away from the horror of that pursuit, instead choosing a wider scope for the story.
Set in Victorian times, and taking us on a prolonged tour of the British Empire of the time, the book very deliberately shows us some of the worst and most heart-breaking aspects and consequences of British colonialism - while progressing that idea in a very cynical direction: when such a curse or gift comes to the attention of the powers that be (and William is far from the only person in the book with this affliction)... they'll work out how to weaponise it.
It's a great book - if not a very optimistic one - William is a deeply flawed protagonist, makes serious mistakes and is rarely brave or heroic - so he's hard to really care for (although, perhaps - if I'm honest - easy to identify *with*) - but I found the story captivating. If the picture it paints of the "golden age" of the British Empire is a tarnished one (to say the least) - that is no bad thing either.
In short - a thought provoking book, and a great read. Highly recommended.
The idea in this case - William Abbey has been cursed, and his curse takes the form of a ghost - which will chase him down - at walking pace - wherever he goes. When it is close, he sees the truth in men's hearts. If it touches him, the person he loves the most will die - and the pursuit will begin again. So far so "It Follows" - but true to form, Claire North dwells moves quickly away from the horror of that pursuit, instead choosing a wider scope for the story.
Set in Victorian times, and taking us on a prolonged tour of the British Empire of the time, the book very deliberately shows us some of the worst and most heart-breaking aspects and consequences of British colonialism - while progressing that idea in a very cynical direction: when such a curse or gift comes to the attention of the powers that be (and William is far from the only person in the book with this affliction)... they'll work out how to weaponise it.
It's a great book - if not a very optimistic one - William is a deeply flawed protagonist, makes serious mistakes and is rarely brave or heroic - so he's hard to really care for (although, perhaps - if I'm honest - easy to identify *with*) - but I found the story captivating. If the picture it paints of the "golden age" of the British Empire is a tarnished one (to say the least) - that is no bad thing either.
In short - a thought provoking book, and a great read. Highly recommended.
_b_a_l_'s review against another edition
5.0
An exploration of what truth is and what love means set across beautifully authentic swathes of an early 19th century world.
"I have witnessed sunrise in the frozen steppes of Asia: symphonies of azures and silvers, punched through with snowy whiteness as if the sun was sending sharpened heralds to announce its progress. I have watched dawn on the China Sea, the water a mirror of slippery gold that burns the sky to puffy white. I have stood on the shores of Japan and heard the temple bell; watched the shadows chased out of the canyons of North America like dogs before the wolf. But that morning in the grasslands, I ran with the shadow at my back, and the sky was the purple of an emperor’s robes, shredded with blood, and the land seemed to swallow the crimson whole and bleed with the day."
"I have witnessed sunrise in the frozen steppes of Asia: symphonies of azures and silvers, punched through with snowy whiteness as if the sun was sending sharpened heralds to announce its progress. I have watched dawn on the China Sea, the water a mirror of slippery gold that burns the sky to puffy white. I have stood on the shores of Japan and heard the temple bell; watched the shadows chased out of the canyons of North America like dogs before the wolf. But that morning in the grasslands, I ran with the shadow at my back, and the sky was the purple of an emperor’s robes, shredded with blood, and the land seemed to swallow the crimson whole and bleed with the day."
chantedsnicker's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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? Yes
4.0
cxthyreads's review against another edition
4.0
Enjoyable
I really enjoyed this book, although not as much as the other Claire North books I've read. some parts are excellent, but others were a little lacking for me, and I wasn't sure on the ending. However if still recommend it to any Claire North fans and those you like stuff like historical fiction
I really enjoyed this book, although not as much as the other Claire North books I've read. some parts are excellent, but others were a little lacking for me, and I wasn't sure on the ending. However if still recommend it to any Claire North fans and those you like stuff like historical fiction
johannaerikaly's review
4.0
Detta var den första boken av North jag läst, men jag vill definitivt läsa fler. Blev dock lite besviken - boken stod på skräckhyllan på Science Fiction-bokhandeln, men jag skulle definitivt inte klassa den som det.
w0wenwils0n's review
4.0
Very interesting read about the incredible effects love can have on life and death. Did feel it ran a bit too long though, loose ends could have been tied off quicker than she wrote them. What an incredible life it would be to travel all over the world though!
minty's review against another edition
1.0
I don't even know how I made it 26% into this book. First, I had to restart it several times because the opening was so boring/dull I kept realizing I hadn't paid any attention. But then it turns out that the opening is really unnecessary? Maybe it comes back to that in the end, but the actual story is just all flashback/storytelling within the book, so why bother with this entirely stifling introduction. I muddled my way, probably missing tons of things because my mind could not get into this in the slightest. Have decided I gave it a fair shot and not going to waste my time further.
sepptb's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
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? Yes
4.25