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willow1113's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
myranda_the_bookwyrm's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
I don't often enjoy scifi, but this was incredibly well done, with excellent world building. I sometimes couldn't quite remember how the characters we ebb and flow through are connected since there are quite a few of them, but overall this is really well done and I think I'll be picking up the sequel.
trapwomanistcyborgwitch's review against another edition
4.0
The Convergence Saga This literary series unfolds as a captivating masterpiece, exhibiting a rare dynamism that has been absent from my recent reading endeavors. The eloquence of the writing is both beautiful and intricate, crafting a complex and fantastical tapestry that remains remarkably relatable. The narrative seamlessly weaves together diverse worlds and creatures, establishing a secret realm that subtly underlies our reality. Beyond surface appearances, it delves into themes ranging from police brutality to familial bonds, shedding light on monsters that exist not only in the tangible world but also in the realms beyond. In essence, the series presents a profound and thought-provoking journey that left a lasting impression on my literary palate.
A significant thematic undercurrent that deeply resonated with me was the exploration of substance abuse and mental health. The portrayal of Lania’s brother, Lincoln, who tragically falls victim to the Boston Police in the first book, is a heartbreakingly honest and visceral depiction of his struggles. The narrative unravels the intricacies of his mental state, offering a poignant insight into why he sought solace in substances. This theme adds a layer of depth to the series, addressing the complexities of personal demons and the pursuit of inner peace with a genuine and empathetic touch.
Moreover, the pervasive theme of relationships in the series is another standout element. The narrative skillfully navigates romantic, platonic, and familial connections, providing a rich exploration of diverse relationships. Notably, the inclusion of various queer representations contributes to the series’ authenticity, showcasing the vast spectrum of how individuals forge meaningful bonds. The exploration of complex dynamics within relationships, coupled with interactions involving law enforcement and family members, adds a layer of depth and realism to the narrative. This overarching focus on relationships, presented in a multifaceted manner, further enhances my appreciation for the series as a whole. Thank you @hearourvoicestours for letting me be a part of this wonderful tour and for the amazing audiobooks!
A significant thematic undercurrent that deeply resonated with me was the exploration of substance abuse and mental health. The portrayal of Lania’s brother, Lincoln, who tragically falls victim to the Boston Police in the first book, is a heartbreakingly honest and visceral depiction of his struggles. The narrative unravels the intricacies of his mental state, offering a poignant insight into why he sought solace in substances. This theme adds a layer of depth to the series, addressing the complexities of personal demons and the pursuit of inner peace with a genuine and empathetic touch.
Moreover, the pervasive theme of relationships in the series is another standout element. The narrative skillfully navigates romantic, platonic, and familial connections, providing a rich exploration of diverse relationships. Notably, the inclusion of various queer representations contributes to the series’ authenticity, showcasing the vast spectrum of how individuals forge meaningful bonds. The exploration of complex dynamics within relationships, coupled with interactions involving law enforcement and family members, adds a layer of depth and realism to the narrative. This overarching focus on relationships, presented in a multifaceted manner, further enhances my appreciation for the series as a whole. Thank you @hearourvoicestours for letting me be a part of this wonderful tour and for the amazing audiobooks!
scamp1234's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- 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
3.5
tomasalbanez's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Really a crazy book. It's a great update to the Lovecraftian vibe, adding diversity in place of the bigotry. The language and characters are the main stars, with the plot itself being a bit sidelined and even convoluted. It's really worth the read.
aranafyre's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book was very interesting. The timelines are very complicated and convoluted but I enjoyed it for it’s disjointed storytelling.
okevamae's review against another edition
5.0
I’m having a hard time finding the words to describe this one (in the best possible way.) No Gods, No Monsters explores what happens when the world finds out that monsters are real. What begins as narratives following several disparate characters slowly draws together, observed by a mysterious narrator whose own story is slowly revealed. Literary Urban Fantasy is the closest to a genre I can come up with, with a side of intense, nearly Lovecraftian creepiness. The writing is simply gorgeous, and the representation is stellar, with lesbian, bisexual, asexual, NB and trans rep, as well as Black, Latinx and Asian rep. It’s easy to get lost between all the different characters at first, but if you can stick with it, it’s worth the effort.
tw: drug abuse, domestic abuse, gore
I received a copy of this ebook from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
tw: drug abuse, domestic abuse, gore
I received a copy of this ebook from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
fell4's review against another edition
Unsettling. read it on libby. Very disjointed.
thehumanmuseym's review against another edition
4.0
First take: a wildly uneven novel that’s saved by a ton of heart. You’re left wondering where the series will go, and if the author has any idea. It’s spaghetti thrown against the wall. But it’s spaghetti made from love. 4 stars in the hope and faith it gets tightened up.
bonesandmountains's review against another edition
3.0
Don't get me wrong, the three stars are not because this book is bad. On the contrary, this is a good book. A clever one, and one that is not afraid to do something interesting with its story-telling. The fact that the whole thing is recounted by a character - an actual character, one that is always observing and reporting - is brilliant. It's such an original way to tell a story and it explains while we don't really follow one particular character but many of them, and we observe them in different moments in time as they try to adapt to the world changing around them.
The cast is diverse, with each of the characters having a unique voice and a compelling backstory and I enjoyed seeing how their paths met toward the end. I liked them and liked how everyone gave a different perspective on the situation.
The monsters too are terribly fascinating. There are so many different types and it feels like there is still an entire world to explore!
Thus said, I struggled to get invested in the story. It might be the fact that the narration was so fractured, that we didn't spend much time with each character, that I found some storylines more interesting than others; I just didn't enjoy reading this book as much as I would have liked. Often I was left confused, and the book didn't answer many of my questions. This is fine, considering that this is only the first book of a saga, but made the entire experience a bit less enjoyable for me.
All things considered, this is a book I would recommend. The story is good and fresh and told in such an interesting way. As for me, I think I'll wait a little bit before picking up the sequel. I need to let this sit for a while.
I just hope someone is going to give poor Dragon some cookies. That boy deserves the world.
The cast is diverse, with each of the characters having a unique voice and a compelling backstory and I enjoyed seeing how their paths met toward the end. I liked them and liked how everyone gave a different perspective on the situation.
The monsters too are terribly fascinating. There are so many different types and it feels like there is still an entire world to explore!
Thus said, I struggled to get invested in the story. It might be the fact that the narration was so fractured, that we didn't spend much time with each character, that I found some storylines more interesting than others; I just didn't enjoy reading this book as much as I would have liked. Often I was left confused, and the book didn't answer many of my questions. This is fine, considering that this is only the first book of a saga, but made the entire experience a bit less enjoyable for me.
All things considered, this is a book I would recommend. The story is good and fresh and told in such an interesting way. As for me, I think I'll wait a little bit before picking up the sequel. I need to let this sit for a while.
I just hope someone is going to give poor Dragon some cookies. That boy deserves the world.