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alexandriam_rose's review against another edition
3.0
this was a weird one - I ended up listening to the audiobook, which definitely helped with me initially liking the overall tone and atmosphere of the book, especially the first 25% or so.
It is all old maps, def a New York book with the library, mysterious murders, secrets, a thing that is apparently actually real called phantom settlements, secret shops in chinatown, and slightly dark academia. All of this starts out as a very cool and interesting premise, but I don't know if it holds up for the entire story.
I was interested in the book the whole time, again audiobook + sort of a thriller plot helped, but the magical element felt oddly unbelievable even though it is meant to be actually magic... I am usually here for fantastical elements but as more events happened and things were explained it felt like things didn't quite add up and there were some plot holes. I don't usually need everything wrapped up, but the execution felt a little confusing at times. The character motivations/decisions also probably contributed to that, for the most part I could go along with it, but when I really stopped to think about it they felt a bit strange, maybe over the top, or just without a little common sense? Though maybe they were justified in being scared of the villain, who was pretty obsessive...
reading some other reviews, I get the frustrations/critiques, but I liked the ideas around maps and the premise.
It is all old maps, def a New York book with the library, mysterious murders, secrets, a thing that is apparently actually real called phantom settlements, secret shops in chinatown, and slightly dark academia. All of this starts out as a very cool and interesting premise, but I don't know if it holds up for the entire story.
I was interested in the book the whole time, again audiobook + sort of a thriller plot helped, but the magical element felt oddly unbelievable even though it is meant to be actually magic... I am usually here for fantastical elements but as more events happened and things were explained it felt like things didn't quite add up and there were some plot holes. I don't usually need everything wrapped up, but the execution felt a little confusing at times. The character motivations/decisions also probably contributed to that, for the most part I could go along with it, but when I really stopped to think about it they felt a bit strange, maybe over the top, or just without a little common sense? Though maybe they were justified in being scared of the villain, who was pretty obsessive...
reading some other reviews, I get the frustrations/critiques, but I liked the ideas around maps and the premise.
sleightoffeet's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
mrsrccockrell's review against another edition
4.0
This book was a little slow to start, but once it picked up it REALLY picked up! I love the concept. I've never read a story quite like this one. I do have a few questions about the plot that weren't really answered and are bothering me, and that's what kept me from giving it 5 stars. But it was a fun story to read.
anaknien's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
muirk128's review against another edition
4.0
This is close to a 5 for me. But I'm confused on the almost -ending and I guessed a few twists along the way. However, definitely one of those magical realism books I greatly enjoy!
aqeela's review against another edition
4.0
3.75 stars, rounded up.
This would’ve gotten 4 or even 4.25 stars if not for the ending and the minor plot holes.
This would’ve gotten 4 or even 4.25 stars if not for the ending and the minor plot holes.
gracereadsit's review against another edition
3.0
This book took me forever to finish and super dragged in the middle.
Cons
- plot holes
- easy to guess the mystery andwho Wally is and that Tam is still alive
-cheesy
- deaths weren’t sad / I didn’t care
- poorly written and cheesy villain
- I absolutely hated the way the flashback stories were written. They made no sense. Either fully flashback and have us read it as a flashback, or have them tell it like a story. Why were they combined? Very jarring for the reader
- got soooo slow and sluggish in the middle that I almost put it down
Pros
- cool premise
- I liked the cliffhanger ending
Would’ve preferred this as a movie
Cons
- plot holes
- easy to guess the mystery and
-cheesy
- deaths weren’t sad / I didn’t care
- poorly written and cheesy villain
- I absolutely hated the way the flashback stories were written. They made no sense. Either fully flashback and have us read it as a flashback, or have them tell it like a story. Why were they combined? Very jarring for the reader
- got soooo slow and sluggish in the middle that I almost put it down
Pros
- cool premise
- I liked the cliffhanger ending
Would’ve preferred this as a movie
attackofthetitans's review against another edition
5.0
I didn't agree with some of the character choices and it became long in some parts.
This book was not what I was expecting but it got me out of a reading funk.
This book was not what I was expecting but it got me out of a reading funk.
jdschnieders's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0