Reviews

The North Water by Ian McGuire

veep23's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No

4.0

smjohns91's review against another edition

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adventurous dark tense

4.0

angus_mckeogh's review against another edition

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4.0

So this was a Booker nominated novel from a year back. That being said I have yet to read the winner from 2015 mainly because it doesn't sound very entertaining in the write up. This book was fairly short. When I reached the end I did have the feeling he could have possibly done more with the story; however, it was an excellent read. Sometimes shorter is better.

alghesny's review against another edition

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5.0

Dark, gorey, but brilliant and keeps one on edge!

marina_michelle's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • 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

brandongryder's review against another edition

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5.0

Corkscrew McCarthy meets Herman Melville. Not for the squeamish. I have never read a book that used words like "miasma" and "flense" with more effect. The lack of humanity and any basic morality makes Henry Drax one of the sickest and evil characters I've ever come across.

vanderweerdt's review against another edition

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adventurous dark fast-paced

3.5

bayburay's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

mpc0812c's review against another edition

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adventurous dark reflective sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

ttodd86's review against another edition

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5.0

I don't want to give away any of the plot points, but I will say that this book is more than might be implied by some reviews. Going in, I expected a book about two men essentially trying to kill each other while stranded in the arctic. I will only say that it is not that -- it is much more.

Extremely readable with a great plot/story and some solid writing. I enjoyed it very much and while I am not a fan of book series, I would eagerly read either a prequel or sequel to this work.