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gardens_and_dragons's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I think I liked the concept of this book more than its execution. The characters were fun, unique, but I feel like they all feel a little bit flat compared to others of Blake’s stories. The philosophical conversations on mortality versus immortality felt like it could have benefited more from a cast that was less juvenile.
I think since this technically is an earlier work that got republished, it definitely could have gotten some more editing to have the story and the dialogue mesh a bit better. I found the plot confusing to follow until about halfway thru - while the characters made it fun enough to stick with it, I feel like it could be a no go for some folks.
What I did like was the imagination and prose regarding the afterlife, the realms of gods and demons, and how the author paints a picture of how dull a life of immortality might be.
I think since this technically is an earlier work that got republished, it definitely could have gotten some more editing to have the story and the dialogue mesh a bit better. I found the plot confusing to follow until about halfway thru - while the characters made it fun enough to stick with it, I feel like it could be a no go for some folks.
What I did like was the imagination and prose regarding the afterlife, the realms of gods and demons, and how the author paints a picture of how dull a life of immortality might be.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Abandonment
Moderate: Death and Toxic relationship
robyn_fenix's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
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? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Abandonment, Murder, and Death
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor: Death of parent
vanesst's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
3.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Addiction, Blood, Cursing, and Abandonment
mothmanisbbygrl's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-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
4.75
This was one of my absolute favorite reads of 2023, Olivie Blake has a magical way of weaving so many mysterious lives and storylines together into one beautiful ending. I loved it so much.
Content Warnings
Minor: Abandonment and Death
kal517's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Death
Moderate: Abandonment, Blood, Toxic relationship, and Grief
Minor: Death of parent
risaleel's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Blood, and Death
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Grief, and Abandonment
Minor: Confinement, Bullying, Classism, and Incest
thecourtofreading's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
slow-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
4.75
i enjoyed this so so so much more than i enjoyed the atlas six. it's october, so i figured i'd read a book centred around the paranormal and death and whatnot, and this was SO GOOD. granted, there wasn't really much plot, it was a very character driven book with the bare bones of a plot, but the characters are what makes this book worthwhile. it was funny, entertaining and all of the characters genuinely seemed real and have minds of their own. my favourite had to be fox, or mayra. i would probably read this again, because i had such a good time reading it
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, Abandonment, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Cursing and Addiction
Minor: Death of parent and Confinement
natashaleighton_'s review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
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? Yes
5.0
Darkly satirical and bursting with an eclectic, found family style cast of characters (and creatures) that I found thoroughly endearing.
I didn’t know too much about the plot, just that a vampire estate agent calls on the services of a medium (and godson of Death) to help her with the ghost currently haunting one of her listings. Which sounded like an incredibly fun read, but what we get is soo much more.
With her deliciously descriptive prose, Blake immerses us in a world of immortals, a high stakes game against death and a pretty deep (at least I thought so) exploration into mortality, life and it’s emotional vulnerabilities that really brought our flawed and loveably chaotic characters to life.
The complexity involved in manoeuvring soo many interconnected characters through multiple timelines (and flashbacks), without losing any of its light-hearted whimsy was remarkably impressive.
And though I loved soo many characters,I have to admit Viola’s demonic bestie Isis —and her penchant for winding up Fox— quickly made her one of my favourite characters who I’d absolutely love to see more of in any future projects… perhaps even a prequel or spinoff of some sort.
Overall, this was a satisfyingly pacy and unputdownable read that will definitely appeal to fans of Good Omens, whimsical paranormal fantasy or the found family trope.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Death, and Abandonment
Moderate: Addiction, Cursing, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Death of parent, Confinement, and Infidelity
aliyachaudhry's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
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? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Cursing, Death, Gore, Murder, Sexual content, Confinement, Kidnapping, Violence, Blood, and Body horror
Moderate: Addiction, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, and Classism
Minor: War
leedolee's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
medium-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? It's complicated
5.0
If I could give this book a 10/10, I would.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Cursing, Abandonment, and Blood
Minor: Sexual content