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mara19's review
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
faileskye's review against another edition
4.0
A 4.5 star book that I really couldn't decide on rounding up or rounding down.
My feeling at the end was that it was probably the best whodunit I've read yet, or at least lately. This is due to two primary reasons. First is the style, it's basically a modern Agatha Christie or Sherlock Holmes, that I just don't see anymore. You're presented with just enough facts to figure it out the mystery on your, it has locked room paradoxes and a number of other smaller mysteries. I figured out most of the mystery, but I didn't really. I had thought to myself, "this is what I'd do, but it's entirely too clever for the author." Well the author sure showed me.
The other reason is the protagonist and his internal monologues. I, and I would bet many others, could really relate to him. Basically it's a modern internal conflict that you really don't see in any other books.
Now why I couldn't decide: I just never got into the book. It took me awhile to read just because I never felt like it very much, even though I liked it a lot. Maybe it is just a side effect of the translation, but maybe not. However, the book did constantly make me keep thinking about it after I had put it down, so it met the main criteria I have for giving 5 stars.
My biggest complaint is I wish the names had been romanized (that's right, I said it). Seriously, would have been so much easier to follow then.
I recommend this book to anyone wanting a clever whodunit or is beleaguered by the monotony of life and could use a protagonist to relate to.
My feeling at the end was that it was probably the best whodunit I've read yet, or at least lately. This is due to two primary reasons. First is the style, it's basically a modern Agatha Christie or Sherlock Holmes, that I just don't see anymore. You're presented with just enough facts to figure it out the mystery on your, it has locked room paradoxes and a number of other smaller mysteries. I figured out most of the mystery, but I didn't really. I had thought to myself, "this is what I'd do, but it's entirely too clever for the author." Well the author sure showed me.
The other reason is the protagonist and his internal monologues. I, and I would bet many others, could really relate to him. Basically it's a modern internal conflict that you really don't see in any other books.
Now why I couldn't decide: I just never got into the book. It took me awhile to read just because I never felt like it very much, even though I liked it a lot. Maybe it is just a side effect of the translation, but maybe not. However, the book did constantly make me keep thinking about it after I had put it down, so it met the main criteria I have for giving 5 stars.
My biggest complaint is I wish the names had been romanized (that's right, I said it). Seriously, would have been so much easier to follow then.
I recommend this book to anyone wanting a clever whodunit or is beleaguered by the monotony of life and could use a protagonist to relate to.
callmepeace's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-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
3.5
kokuto45's review against another edition
3.0
Not as good as expected but still good. I heard Vol 2's better though so I'm excited ! 7/10
lovecommamelis's review against another edition
will read when i’m in supernatural/fantasy mood
elliotism's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Zaregoto most certainly is not at all what it entails initially. This is not simply a murder mystery but the beginning of a now 10 book long character study on somebody who truly lacks any sense of self worth, of somebody who can't do anything but put himself into the position of the narrator and judge other people based on his limited view of their outward appearances. I find it fascinating that so many people who review this book view it as if it were simply a cheap copy or an imitation of other greats in the genre like "And Then There Were None". Isin surely takes inspiration from them no questions asked but if anything he makes fun of the sheer lunacy of such a crime drama. The stupid amount of plot twists, the bigger than life characters and of course the main character who has to spurt out the entire solution to everything at the end. But in fact, Isin actually doesn't do anything akin to that. He astoundingly makes use of these tropes and works them in only to totally diverge from what you would expect to happen. I'm writing this only having read Decapitation and a few of his other works so I cannot judge as to how good of an entrypoint it serves but for now it is an excellent book with far more excellent ideas and even more excellent characters. (As for why this is not anything higher than 4 stars, I believe for this to be a mere introduction and thus lacking in actual high highs besides the final act which indeed was magnificent but not enough for me to rate it any higher)
xslaxerx's review
dark
informative
mysterious
tense
slow-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
4.0
oribentham's review against another edition
1.0
no sabía qué esperaba cuando lo empecé, pero me sorprendió :O no es el estilo de libro que suelo leer, pero se volvió mucho más ágil la lectura a medida que avancé y conocí mejor a los pjes (obvio pff)
cada tanto sentía que medio me embolaba el plot y de golpe tiraba una quote que me traía de nuevo a la lectura así o.o i like that
3 estrellas porque sentí que la primer mitad se me hizo muy lenteja antes de engancharme (?) y porque quiero cagar a palo al protagonista cada cinco páginas (pero lo amo he's just like me fr)
cada tanto sentía que medio me embolaba el plot y de golpe tiraba una quote que me traía de nuevo a la lectura así o.o i like that
3 estrellas porque sentí que la primer mitad se me hizo muy lenteja antes de engancharme (?) y porque quiero cagar a palo al protagonista cada cinco páginas (pero lo amo he's just like me fr)
david93's review against another edition
4.0
Was a really good read. Fast paced and with really intersting characters interacting with eachother. The dialogue between them was refreshing and entertaining. Going to continue getting more into the series.