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3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
Really good! Mystery, murder, magic, all on a boat? Can't go wrong.
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Ending felt weak. In the end note he states his wife didn't like the original ending and I would be intruiged to see how his first idea would have worked.
Just not as good as the first book in the level of cleverness of the plot.
Just not as good as the first book in the level of cleverness of the plot.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
In the 1630s, a United East Trading Company ship sailing from Batavia to Argentina with very important and valuable cargo is threatened by a leper at the docks who hisses his threat and then bursts into flames. Their journey across the ocean is then plagued by a demon known as Old Tom who rains down fear and unholy miracles upon the passengers and crew alike. A small group of passengers work hard to uncover exactly what is happening and who is behind it.
What I love about Stuart Turton’s books is that they are always really complex mysteries that I’m never able to completely figure out, but I don’t find them frustrating or pretentious.
The characters, relationships, and plot are written so well. The characters are so likeable and the unlikeable are so interesting!
The mystery was wrapped up and all the questions were answered. I was able to guess a couple of things but there were more than a few surprises.
The ending was satisfying but did feel a little rushed.
Loved reading this though. Very, very fun!
What I love about Stuart Turton’s books is that they are always really complex mysteries that I’m never able to completely figure out, but I don’t find them frustrating or pretentious.
The characters, relationships, and plot are written so well. The characters are so likeable and the unlikeable are so interesting!
The mystery was wrapped up and all the questions were answered. I was able to guess a couple of things but there were more than a few surprises.
The ending was satisfying but did feel a little rushed.
Loved reading this though. Very, very fun!
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Ah, maybe a 4.5 or 4.75 but I’m riding a high having just finished this and HOW CLEVER!!!
No spoilers. Just read it and enjoy the ride!
I’ll definitely be reading everything Stuart Turton puts out. I enjoyed being winked at by novels.
No spoilers. Just read it and enjoy the ride!
I’ll definitely be reading everything Stuart Turton puts out. I enjoyed being winked at by novels.
adventurous
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:
Complicated
This was an engaging mystery that felt a little rushed at the end, but I did enjoy it the entire way through. Mild spoilers below!
To me the strongest aspects were the characters, and how many layers were added to the mystery without it becoming impossible to solve or truly unwieldy. The supernatural elements remain difficult to explain for much of the book, that suspension of disbelief was held far longer than I would have anticipated, especially considering how well everything was explained. The mystery itself was intricate and thoroughly engaging.
I do think both the historical setting and research around it were fairly strong. My book had an authors note admitting that some historic timelines were gently bent and some norms of the day adapted to make a better story, and honestly, I am all for that. I hold a grad degree in history, and generally prefer historical fiction that will deviate from the strictly correct and accurate for the sake of a more well done or tighter story. Besides some dialogue and dressing choices, nothing felt anachronistic, and overall nothing felt blatantly out of place for the time or location.
That being said, I didn't love the last sixth or so of the book. I know mysteries can get much faster around the end when everything is unraveling, but the last part of the book really felt rushed. I think a large part of that was a major upheaval that happens with the ship, and that part of the story felt almost unfinished even as the mystery is all worked out and tied up fairly neatly. I don't want to give anything else away, and I do still recommend this book for anyone who enjoys mysteries.
To me the strongest aspects were the characters, and how many layers were added to the mystery without it becoming impossible to solve or truly unwieldy. The supernatural elements remain difficult to explain for much of the book, that suspension of disbelief was held far longer than I would have anticipated, especially considering how well everything was explained. The mystery itself was intricate and thoroughly engaging.
I do think both the historical setting and research around it were fairly strong. My book had an authors note admitting that some historic timelines were gently bent and some norms of the day adapted to make a better story, and honestly, I am all for that. I hold a grad degree in history, and generally prefer historical fiction that will deviate from the strictly correct and accurate for the sake of a more well done or tighter story. Besides some dialogue and dressing choices, nothing felt anachronistic, and overall nothing felt blatantly out of place for the time or location.
That being said, I didn't love the last sixth or so of the book. I know mysteries can get much faster around the end when everything is unraveling, but the last part of the book really felt rushed. I think a large part of that was a major upheaval that happens with the ship, and that part of the story felt almost unfinished even as the mystery is all worked out and tied up fairly neatly. I don't want to give anything else away, and I do still recommend this book for anyone who enjoys mysteries.
Questions are swords and answers are shields, persisted Sammy, still staring at Sara. I’m begging you, armor yourself.
This was incredible!!!
This was incredible!!!
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced