Scan barcode
waqas's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-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? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
pho_ar's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
To be fair, Gaiman is one of my favorite authors so I expected to like it, but what I didn't expect was to be sitting on my couch near tears and being confused as to why and maybe that just makes sense for this book.
But I guess with this review, I will attempt to explain myself.
The best way I can describe this book is cozy, dark, fantasy that borders on thriller, perhaps some horror elements. I found this intriguing and perhaps why I like this book. It was like you were terrified, but you were with friends and had a comfy blanket for protection(because nothing can get you if you are under a protective blanket).
The whole story feels like this dream that plays on what is reality and what isn't, and it's told through the lense of someone remembering their childhood, which makes this very interesting and in some ways easier, like less worrisome, considering what happens because you know the main character is fine.
I guess what got me was the Hempstocks. The fact that there were literal monsters outside, but they kept the main character safe. They always did, even if it meant they got hurt. And that was beautiful and gut-wrenching, I guess, in the way that it ends, but they continue to be his safe place.
So this was oddly comforting in a way that stirred tears. Maybe it just felt nice to be protected from the dark.
But I guess with this review, I will attempt to explain myself.
The best way I can describe this book is cozy, dark, fantasy that borders on thriller, perhaps some horror elements. I found this intriguing and perhaps why I like this book. It was like you were terrified, but you were with friends and had a comfy blanket for protection(because nothing can get you if you are under a protective blanket).
The whole story feels like this dream that plays on what is reality and what isn't, and it's told through the lense of someone remembering their childhood, which makes this very interesting and in some ways easier, like less worrisome, considering what happens because you know the main character is fine.
I guess what got me was the Hempstocks. The fact that there were literal monsters outside, but they kept the main character safe. They always did, even if it meant they got hurt. And that was beautiful and gut-wrenching, I guess, in the way that it ends, but they continue to be his safe place.
So this was oddly comforting in a way that stirred tears. Maybe it just felt nice to be protected from the dark.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse and Child abuse
torismazarine's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Death, Suicide, Infidelity, and Child abuse
jolineliest's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Violence
Moderate: Animal death, Blood, Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Suicide, Body horror, Death, and Infidelity
Minor: Confinement, Vomit, Bullying, Car accident, Child death, and Grief
starbits140's review
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
grclnntt's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
Minor: Infidelity
liz_rath's review against another edition
challenging
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Well when I started reading I was pretty sure this book would make me cry. It did.
It's an absolutely beautiful book both the prose and Elise Hurst's illustrations. I highly recommend this to anyone who likes Neil Gaiman's writing even just a little bit.
It's an absolutely beautiful book both the prose and Elise Hurst's illustrations. I highly recommend this to anyone who likes Neil Gaiman's writing even just a little bit.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse
Moderate: Animal death and Body horror
Minor: Infidelity
michael_richter's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Suicide, Child abuse, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Blood
Minor: Bullying and Child death
jessers13's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death
Minor: Child abuse
sabrinalefebvre's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I dont know about his adult books but from now on, I’m going to only read his children and ya books in audiobook format, especially if they’re narrated by him. He has a writing style that tells a story, which means, in my personal opinion, that it is better told through oral story format.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Violence