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3.37 AVERAGE
3.37 AVERAGE
Going into this I thought that I would really like this. By the blurb I was promised a disappearing town, which is a trope I enjoy. One summer r/no sleep went crazy for this trope and I read so many creepy pastas about disappearing towns. Plus, I really liked the other Blake crouch books that I’ve read (Recursion, dark matter, wayward pines, summer frost). But this was just not it. The characters motivations weren’t great. They say no bodies were found, but there was someone found in the snow. And all the bodies were in literally the most obvious place of all time. The writing was engaging enough to finish, hence the 2 stars but that was about it. The middle went on really long and didn’t develop the interesting parts and the end was rushed at breakneck speed. At one point I was hoping for wendigos, zombies, humanoid cave dwellers, something to happen but alas, no. It didn’t. There was nothing supernatural and it just turned into a survival story on a mountain.
It was okay...it took lots of turns that’s for sure. Honestly, I was hoped for some serious paranormal stuffs.
This novel had a strong start and I enjoyed his Wayward Pines, and REALLY enjoyed Dark Matter. I made it to 60% and I just couldn't make myself finish...I googled the ending.
They had crossed the plains and made homes in these savage mountains and borne their myriad afflictions not because they were brave pioneers pursuing a dream. They had come for no other reason but that their ravenous hearts raged with greed.
3.5 stars. I picked up this book after loving Blake Crouch's newest release, Dark Matter, and found it to be entertaining and enjoyable, but ultimately just ok.
It's split between two timelines - a dying mining town called Abandon on Christmas Day in 1893 and the same town in 2009, dead and gone, the site of archeological and paranormal exploration by a small group of explorers that includes estranged father and daughter, history professor Lawrence and Abigail.
For most of the book, this works. The two timelines tell a parallel story, bringing Abigail and her father closer to the town before switching back to 1893 and telling the tale of the residents set in roughly the same area. It was a cool parallel effect that made for some interesting storytelling. However, towards the end of the story, Crouch went back and forth between the timelines rapidly to the point where it became increasingly hard to follow. It would have benefited from a few longer sections in each world rather than a few pages in each timeline before swapping back to the other like earlier in the novel.
The other little issue I had with this book was believability. Sure, you have to suspend your disbelief in a thriller, especially one set up in extreme outdoor conditions. But I'm sorry, there were many times I said "oh come on really??" out loud while reading. A knife wound, a blizzard, and some duct tape and you think I'm gonna buy his survival? Come on.
But all in all I did enjoy this. Historical horror is my favorite mixture of genres and this book told a good story.
Also Lana. My child. I weep for you.
3.5 stars. I picked up this book after loving Blake Crouch's newest release, Dark Matter, and found it to be entertaining and enjoyable, but ultimately just ok.
It's split between two timelines - a dying mining town called Abandon on Christmas Day in 1893 and the same town in 2009, dead and gone, the site of archeological and paranormal exploration by a small group of explorers that includes estranged father and daughter, history professor Lawrence and Abigail.
For most of the book, this works. The two timelines tell a parallel story, bringing Abigail and her father closer to the town before switching back to 1893 and telling the tale of the residents set in roughly the same area. It was a cool parallel effect that made for some interesting storytelling. However, towards the end of the story, Crouch went back and forth between the timelines rapidly to the point where it became increasingly hard to follow. It would have benefited from a few longer sections in each world rather than a few pages in each timeline before swapping back to the other like earlier in the novel.
The other little issue I had with this book was believability. Sure, you have to suspend your disbelief in a thriller, especially one set up in extreme outdoor conditions. But I'm sorry, there were many times I said "oh come on really??" out loud while reading. A knife wound, a blizzard, and some duct tape and you think I'm gonna buy his survival? Come on.
But all in all I did enjoy this. Historical horror is my favorite mixture of genres and this book told a good story.
Also Lana. My child. I weep for you.
My review here: https://beingfictional.wordpress.com/2016/12/28/abandon/
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This was definitely a whirlwind read. I had no idea where the story was going to land at all. I loved the alternating timelines and the storyline, but it did have more violence in it than I normally read, so heads up if you're sensitive.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Another well written book from Blake with some great twists. The characters are incredibly written and the book, like most of his others, is very bittersweet.