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3.64 AVERAGE
3.64 AVERAGE
An okay read, the story was solid enough although at times I found myself bored, and some of the dialogues were a little bit childish but overall liked the plot.
My first Dead Space book. I was glad to finally get some info on what the marker really is and what exactly it does.
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This book will cure your imposter syndrome. Even if you are the biggest Dead Space fan on the planet, I implore you to skip reading this and just play the video games again. B.K. Evenson can't be bothered to do anything beyond take a blurry picture of Isaac Clarke and slap it on top of the myth of Unitologist martyr Michael Altman. The best example I can give you about the lack of care found in this measly excuse for a cash grab is that there is a single named woman in it - Michael Altman's girlfriend, Ada - and halfway through the book, her last name changes for no reason. I know why this book exists, but that doesn't mean it's worth the space it's taking up in the world.
I really love the idea of the marker as a virus of sorts.
A self-replicating entity that uses other intelligent life as a vector.
When I picked this book up, I was also obsessed with human's drive for purpose and divine meaning.
I was especially struck with how cult leaders (for example) can exploit this wish to touch the sublime, the desire for some higher purpose.
The marker, like a parasite, exploits this tendency in humans and makes them worship it.
I've also got a bit of a fable for cosmic horror and Lovecraft's writings, so I was pleasantly surprised when this felt quite similar.
Now, enough babbling about me and how I got here.
What about the book?
It did contain a bunch of harrowing and well written scenes from what I remember. And I really enjoy the descent into madness the book takes us on.
Sadly, the video game part drags the experience down (for me).
The militaristic setting that starts ?halfway? through the book isn't my jam.
Worse still, when at the end of the book we switch out psychological horror for tunnels of writhing flesh and a protagonist shooting necromorphs, I didn't really care anymore.
Plus, Altman, our protagonist, is not the most exciting character and the relationship to his girlfriend only really serves as a device to further the "marker" -plot.
I don't regret having read it though.
Good cosmic horror is hard to come by.
And if you don't mind some videogame-y parts in a book or are a huge dead space fan, this is probably for you!
For me, I still appreciated it's slower, more insidious parts and the creeping madness that eminates from the depth of Chicxulub.
If I ever went back to rereading it, I'd just stop halfway in-between, haha.
Or maybe even after the submarine coring test concludes.
A self-replicating entity that uses other intelligent life as a vector.
When I picked this book up, I was also obsessed with human's drive for purpose and divine meaning.
I was especially struck with how cult leaders (for example) can exploit this wish to touch the sublime, the desire for some higher purpose.
The marker, like a parasite, exploits this tendency in humans and makes them worship it.
I've also got a bit of a fable for cosmic horror and Lovecraft's writings, so I was pleasantly surprised when this felt quite similar.
Now, enough babbling about me and how I got here.
What about the book?
It did contain a bunch of harrowing and well written scenes from what I remember. And I really enjoy the descent into madness the book takes us on.
Sadly, the video game part drags the experience down (for me).
The militaristic setting that starts ?halfway? through the book isn't my jam.
Worse still, when at the end of the book we switch out psychological horror for tunnels of writhing flesh and a protagonist shooting necromorphs, I didn't really care anymore.
Plus, Altman, our protagonist, is not the most exciting character and the relationship to his girlfriend only really serves as a device to further the "marker" -plot.
I don't regret having read it though.
Good cosmic horror is hard to come by.
And if you don't mind some videogame-y parts in a book or are a huge dead space fan, this is probably for you!
For me, I still appreciated it's slower, more insidious parts and the creeping madness that eminates from the depth of Chicxulub.
If I ever went back to rereading it, I'd just stop halfway in-between, haha.
Or maybe even after the submarine coring test concludes.
medium-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:
No
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror
I really can't remember too much of this book other than it was surprisingly better than I expected. The characters were forgettable and the plot was meh, but the imagery and writing were better than I expected. This book is only enjoyable if you are a fan of the games though
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Unabashedly sci-fi horror at its pulpiest! If you love the games then you'll love this book! It took me a while to read, BUT I WAS GETTING READY TO HAVE A BABY LEAVE ME ALONE!