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brian_huot's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
themadmadmadeline's review against another edition
2.0
That was freaking weird. At times, poetic and almost good and at other times freaking bizarre and awful. It was like watching an action movie with more inexplicable scenes stitched together by the minute but then with very little meat to it. There was a lot of running around for no reason. Totally odd
sonia_reppe's review against another edition
3.0
The book starts slow and then builds and builds. The writing is beautiful at times, but the story was too bleak. I didn't root for any of the characters. I hated the character Rylee, she was so despicable and so dumb. I knew she was there to cause havoc, but why then was the other minor female, Jim's daughter, also written as the same type of character? The most likable character was the horse. Intensifying pace. 3.5
natesea's review against another edition
2.0
The latest from Mr. Meno is ultimately a let-down having loved so many of his previous works. I like the pulpish style of Marvel and Wonder, but have a hard time connecting with the characters, and feel parts of the plot disjointed, unbelievable, and not contributing much to the whole. Maybe this would have been better as a short story. The past few Meno publications have fallen flat, so here's hoping he can recapture the magic of his earlier books.
jodyjsperling's review against another edition
4.0
Tough ending. Maybe soured my overall impression some.
rivvas's review against another edition
2.0
I received an ARC of this book from a Goodreads Giveaway.
This synopsis of this book intrigued me, and I was excited to receive a copy. Unfortunately, this was not the book for me. I did not like the writing style at all. I felt that the two main characters, the grandfather and the boy, were supposed to be sympathized with. Ultimately one remained unlikable and the other knowable, leading to a weird disconnect with the reader. Hopefully others will be able to enjoy this book more than I did.
This synopsis of this book intrigued me, and I was excited to receive a copy. Unfortunately, this was not the book for me. I did not like the writing style at all. I felt that the two main characters, the grandfather and the boy, were supposed to be sympathized with. Ultimately one remained unlikable and the other knowable, leading to a weird disconnect with the reader. Hopefully others will be able to enjoy this book more than I did.
emilyinherhead's review against another edition
4.0
This story took its time unfolding, but once things got going, it drew me in. The action centers around a mysterious horse, whose origin isn't quite clear, and a surprising number of people become entangled by the novel's end. I particularly appreciated the way Joe Meno uses the animal's presence to explore the relationship between the two main characters, the grandfather (Jim) and the boy (Quentin). Dude can also set a scene, using beautiful, almost poetic language. For example: "Nighttime once again; the moon one evening larger, a glowing porcelain figure, a knickknack on a cloudless mantle." Ugh.
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