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dana_naylor's review against another edition
medium-paced
2.5
Very disappointing.
I wanted to like this a lot more than I did. There’s so much potential, but it kept falling flat for me.
I almost just put the book down as a DNF at over 75% done; it was that bad.
I got so frustrated with the main character’s choices and with how she was described.
She’d make a decision and go off to be bold and investigate, and then she’d wimp out.
OVER AND OVER AND OVER.
The mystery is only adequate and the Black female detective in 1975 doesn’t read as real to me.
I liked the setting on New York City and the world of comics.
I liked the main character in theory.
I liked the comics pages in the book of the fictitious comic.
I may attempt the author’s next book in the same world.
Don’t go into this with high hopes.
I wanted to like this a lot more than I did. There’s so much potential, but it kept falling flat for me.
I almost just put the book down as a DNF at over 75% done; it was that bad.
I got so frustrated with the main character’s choices and with how she was described.
She’d make a decision and go off to be bold and investigate, and then she’d wimp out.
OVER AND OVER AND OVER.
The mystery is only adequate and the Black female detective in 1975 doesn’t read as real to me.
I liked the setting on New York City and the world of comics.
I liked the main character in theory.
I liked the comics pages in the book of the fictitious comic.
I may attempt the author’s next book in the same world.
Don’t go into this with high hopes.
gremlin_with_a_biscuit's review
adventurous
hopeful
relaxing
sad
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? No
3.0
mollygaug's review
Very obvious that a man was writing from a female perspective-didn't work for me.
duparker's review
4.0
What a great story. Fun interplay of comic books and murder/intrigue. The story is really solid and the comic book industry seems creepy and fun at the same time. Setting the book in the 70s was a great idea. Really plays well.
hellocookie's review
5.0
A compelling and thrilling noir that’s set within the comic book industry bringing mystery, intrigue, and more. I flew through this and couldn’t put it down—Alex Segura does an incredible job of bringing the character of Carmen Valdez to the page in an original story that expertly weaves fiction with real-life comics industry history and Easter eggs.
shanembailey's review
5.0
Absolutely loved this book! You don't have to be familiar with the comic business to love this book, but if you are it adds a whole other level. I fell in love with the characters in this book and they all felt very human and real to me, so much so that i audibly said "Oh no!" a few times when reading it!
ahlisa's review
I was gripped by the writing style and some of the emotional flashbacks about Carmen’s dad, but it feels a lot like this was written by a comic fan (and writer) for comic fans, which I am not. I also felt weird about Carmen being a self-described beauty that all the guys wanna be with. Just felt distracting. I would’ve maybe forgiven that part if this was written by a woman describing her firsthand experiences, but it wasn’t.
emckeon1002's review
3.0
A plot as thin and preposterous as a comic book. Two dimensional characters drawn as if by a second-string illustrator. A mystery tortured into existence by a lack of motive. A litany of comic book history details serving to advertise research. Did I like it? No.
junieburns's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0