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bumblemee's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
There's a lot to like about this book. Most of all, I loved the atmosphere. The writing style fits it perfectly and paints a picute of 1920s London that feels very alive. From the very first scene I was very immersed. The author also did a good job with the bad guy, he really was terrifying. In general the mysteriousness of everything was well established through the writing style, very cool.
I also liked the characters, I don't think there's anyone I disliked. Sure, we see most of Evie and she's a little pain in the ass sometimes - you can just see her making decisions without thinking a single thought beforehand - but she's a seventeen year old teenager and I do think there are a lot of teenagers like her in this world. She and the others were fun to follow and I'm excited to get to know them better over the course of the series.
One of the reasons why we get to know the characters enough to care was because we spent a lot of time reading how the relationships between them form. I understood why they clicked or didn't click with eachother, which is always a good sign for well fleshed our characters. However, this aspect also contributes to this book being quite slow paced. A lot of things happen, but it still feels slow, because while there's a good amount of mystery and murder, the tension takes its time building up. So if you're someone who wants a lot of action and moving fast towards the solution of the main mystery, I fear you might get frustrated ove the cause of these over 500 pages. I personally was entertained enough the whole time, especially because of the atmospheric writing.
Still, I was a a bit confused by the way the story was told - and I think that might be a frustrating aspect for some readers: The reader knows a lot of things before the characters do. You can pick up different pieces and put them together to the point where you're sometimes like: "Oh my god, can these two please meet and then stumble upon this one topic somehow?? It could be so much easier!"
Sometimes you read about characters figuring something out that you already put together or were told about upfront. It was a little much.I still don't get why there's a scene from Ida Knowles perspective when her diary is found later on and everything important is in there as well? Even the knowledge the characters gained over the course of the story never felt surprising, nor were there any plot twists (in my opinion). Everything just fit together. That doesn't mean that the story wasn't exciting to me, it was just not as exciting as it could have been.
All in all I liked this book a lot and read it surprisingly fast for its slow pace, the book being over 500 pages and me being a slow reader. That is a good sign and I'd definitely recommend this book to people who are fine with the flaws mentioned above.
I also liked the characters, I don't think there's anyone I disliked. Sure, we see most of Evie and she's a little pain in the ass sometimes - you can just see her making decisions without thinking a single thought beforehand - but she's a seventeen year old teenager and I do think there are a lot of teenagers like her in this world. She and the others were fun to follow and I'm excited to get to know them better over the course of the series.
One of the reasons why we get to know the characters enough to care was because we spent a lot of time reading how the relationships between them form. I understood why they clicked or didn't click with eachother, which is always a good sign for well fleshed our characters. However, this aspect also contributes to this book being quite slow paced. A lot of things happen, but it still feels slow, because while there's a good amount of mystery and murder, the tension takes its time building up. So if you're someone who wants a lot of action and moving fast towards the solution of the main mystery, I fear you might get frustrated ove the cause of these over 500 pages. I personally was entertained enough the whole time, especially because of the atmospheric writing.
Still, I was a a bit confused by the way the story was told - and I think that might be a frustrating aspect for some readers: The reader knows a lot of things before the characters do. You can pick up different pieces and put them together to the point where you're sometimes like: "Oh my god, can these two please meet and then stumble upon this one topic somehow?? It could be so much easier!"
Sometimes you read about characters figuring something out that you already put together or were told about upfront. It was a little much.
All in all I liked this book a lot and read it surprisingly fast for its slow pace, the book being over 500 pages and me being a slow reader. That is a good sign and I'd definitely recommend this book to people who are fine with the flaws mentioned above.
cutenanya's review against another edition
5.0
This is a real surprise for me because I have never imagined myself capable of reading such as long book continuously without losing interest and get distracted by other books. Although there is a string of murders going on, the murders are definitely not the core of this book. It is the unique abilities of the characters and the shifts in POV that keep my attention focused. Nearly all the characters in this book are likable but have their own faults! I gather that makes them human. Unfortunately, this is only the beginning of a series and just like most series, the story ends at a point that makes you want to scream "I need the second book NOW!!!!!"
Strengths of this book:
#1 The plot is dense enough to keep readers' attention throughout the book.
#2 The characters are all alive and likable, even though I can't help but want to smack some of their heads occasionally.
#3 The constant shifts in POV and the historical period (The twenties a pretty interesting period)
Problems with this book:
#1 Way too long!
#2 The conclusion is not at all satisfying, not only is it predictable, it also drags and then leaves you pondering when can you read the next book.
#3 The use of slangs that can be annoying when the characters overdo them.
Overall, I think this is a great book and I'll be looking forward to reading other Libba Bray's books, as long as they aren't longer than this one.
Strengths of this book:
#1 The plot is dense enough to keep readers' attention throughout the book.
#2 The characters are all alive and likable, even though I can't help but want to smack some of their heads occasionally.
#3 The constant shifts in POV and the historical period (The twenties a pretty interesting period)
Problems with this book:
#1 Way too long!
#2 The conclusion is not at all satisfying, not only is it predictable, it also drags and then leaves you pondering when can you read the next book.
#3 The use of slangs that can be annoying when the characters overdo them.
Overall, I think this is a great book and I'll be looking forward to reading other Libba Bray's books, as long as they aren't longer than this one.
stephtherose_'s review against another edition
3.0
DNF.
I've been trying my HARDEST to get through this via audiobook but maybe the story translates better from the actual book. Giving it a 3 star for now just because I know I will probably like it but I didn't find myself wanting to come back to it.
I promise to pick it back up when the time feels right!
I've been trying my HARDEST to get through this via audiobook but maybe the story translates better from the actual book. Giving it a 3 star for now just because I know I will probably like it but I didn't find myself wanting to come back to it.
I promise to pick it back up when the time feels right!
noragrace89's review against another edition
3.0
I don’t know if it’s an unpopular opinion or not but I didn’t enjoy the book as much as I wanted.
Evie was so annoying and the book is huge however it wasn’t satisfying, I really struggled to finish it
I don’t think I’ll continue with this series with its gigantic books
P.S someone told me that the second book is an asylum one, and I still don’t care.. That says A LOT...
Evie was so annoying and the book is huge however it wasn’t satisfying, I really struggled to finish it
I don’t think I’ll continue with this series with its gigantic books
P.S someone told me that the second book is an asylum one, and I still don’t care.. That says A LOT...
paigeturner04's review against another edition
4.0
I have a love, hate relationship with this book. I absolutely loved the story, but I couldn't stand most of the characters, especially BLOODY EVIE!!!!!
kikala's review against another edition
5.0
What I love about Libba Bray's work is that I can be completely terrified but I still want to keep reading. I am also obsessed with the historical context. I am so looking forward to the next in the series.
jordan97's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
jenns0226's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
slow-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
5.0
qkat's review against another edition
2.0
Didn’t capture me. I felt like I was forcing myself to read it.