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maddiebusick's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Not bad, lots of twists and turns but I felt it dragged on a little bit which took away from the thrill and suspense of a murder mystery
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Violence, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Misogyny
Moderate: Alcohol, Animal death, Confinement, Excrement, Gaslighting, Gore, Medical content, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Ableism, Alcoholism, Child death, Colonisation, War, Vomit, Slavery, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Rape, Pregnancy, Physical abuse, and Gun violence
literalottie's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I read Stuart Turton's previous book, The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle, a couple of years back, and found that the ending let it down for me (purely a matter of personal taste, it has a twist that didn't work for me but that I know a lot of other people love). However, I was still impressed by the ambitious and unique concept, and when I read the synopsis of The Devil and the Dark Water I found it also had an exciting premise (helped by the fact that it is heavily reminiscent of Return of the Obra Dinn, one of my favourite video games which also happens to feature a big mystery centred around a ship in a historical setting that sets out on a catastrophic journey that is plagued by potentially-supernatural happenings). So, I was more than willing to give the author another chance. And I'm glad that I did, because this was a really good mystery.
The setting of this book is executed brilliantly - you can really feel the growing tension on the ship as the rumours of a devil grow and become more frantic. The characters are all also really well written - I particularly really enjoyed the companionship that Sammy and Arent had. I also liked how Arent was the main "investigator" due to Sammy being imprisoned, it was an interesting subversion of the usual "detective & sidekick" trope.
I'm still trying to work out exactly how I feel about the ending - it was good but there were maybe a couple of details that I didn't quite pick up on throughout the book that I really should have in order for the reveals to have their intended impact. However, I will say that I did love how it kept me guessing, and how there were a number of little things that were slowly tied together as the truth came to be revealed. Overall, this was a great read, and I'll definitely be looking out for future books by Stuart Turton
The setting of this book is executed brilliantly - you can really feel the growing tension on the ship as the rumours of a devil grow and become more frantic. The characters are all also really well written - I particularly really enjoyed the companionship that Sammy and Arent had. I also liked how Arent was the main "investigator" due to Sammy being imprisoned, it was an interesting subversion of the usual "detective & sidekick" trope.
I'm still trying to work out exactly how I feel about the ending - it was good but there were maybe a couple of details that I didn't quite pick up on throughout the book that I really should have in order for the reveals to have their intended impact. However, I will say that I did love how it kept me guessing, and how there were a number of little things that were slowly tied together as the truth came to be revealed. Overall, this was a great read, and I'll definitely be looking out for future books by Stuart Turton
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Violence
Moderate: Animal death, Gore, and Vomit
Minor: Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, and Sexual violence
oliverlang's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Excrement, Grief, Gore, Infidelity, Misogyny, Murder, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, and Vomit
v171's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Michelle Obama voice: Stuart you have done it again, constantly raising the bar for us all, and doing it flawlessly.
I shouldn't be surprised that this was my first 2021 5 star read, but I'm just so blown away! I say it all the time, but I'm not big on murder mysteries, but this one really had everything, I don't know where to begin. The setting was so vivid and well developed. The atmosphere and culture of the world and setting was conveyed very naturally without blocks of exposition. The characters we were supposed to like were charming, and the characters we were supposed to hate were loathsome, but neither in a heavy handed way. I did find some of the dialogue to be a bit rushed and unnatural, but it was easy to look beyond. There were a few underlying themes around sexism and class disparity that were touched on in interesting ways. The author did a great job of painting a more... gritty? realistic?... picture of sailors than the oft romanticized versions we see today. This added to the danger and suspense for the female characters of the book, without using needless violence towards women as a tool for character development.
It goes without saying, but if you liked Evelyn Hardcastle, or if you like Agatha Christie-esque murder mysteries, you'll love this. I can't recommend it enough.
I shouldn't be surprised that this was my first 2021 5 star read, but I'm just so blown away! I say it all the time, but I'm not big on murder mysteries, but this one really had everything, I don't know where to begin. The setting was so vivid and well developed. The atmosphere and culture of the world and setting was conveyed very naturally without blocks of exposition. The characters we were supposed to like were charming, and the characters we were supposed to hate were loathsome, but neither in a heavy handed way. I did find some of the dialogue to be a bit rushed and unnatural, but it was easy to look beyond. There were a few underlying themes around sexism and class disparity that were touched on in interesting ways. The author did a great job of painting a more... gritty? realistic?... picture of sailors than the oft romanticized versions we see today. This added to the danger and suspense for the female characters of the book, without using needless violence towards women as a tool for character development.
It goes without saying, but if you liked Evelyn Hardcastle, or if you like Agatha Christie-esque murder mysteries, you'll love this. I can't recommend it enough.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Violence, Death, Murder, Sexism, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Alcoholism, Animal death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, and Slavery
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Confinement, Excrement, Gore, Infertility, Infidelity, Miscarriage, and Rape
yambooks's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Blood, Domestic abuse, Gore, and Misogyny
lilifane's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Misogyny, and Violence
Moderate: Confinement
Minor: Animal death
tashadandelion's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I don't even know where to start with this book. OK, I'll start with the quality of the writing mechanics -- smooth and readable, a page-turner's worth of fast-moving, byzantine plot. Then there's the actual plot itself -- completely impossible to guess where it's going, and the switchbacks on the road to the climax are dizzying and constant. In a word, this plot is BONKERS. No, you will never, ever guess it before the full insanity is unveiled to you, because it's intricate, complicated, and you're not given enough hints to figure it all out (maybe, like 25% of it you'll kind of-sort of have a suspicion about in all fairness but the rest? Nah.). So don't bother -- just read along and enjoy the rollercoaster. Oh, and if it bothers you when the author goes on and on about pockets in clothing in the early 17th century or people speak to each other using modern-day phrasing, just Stuff Those Feelings right down, because his afterword openly apologizes to people who care about such things and he admits to throwing out realistic details like that because, well, he feels like it. Points for the honesty and cutting us pedants off at the pass! Anyway, if you like intricate mysteries with a touch of historical weirdness, or maybe if you're just someone who really, really hates the people who hunted witches and demons in the 17th century, this book is totes for you. If you hate boats, avoid.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Gore, and Violence
Minor: Animal death
kathryn_changedbychrist's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Death
Moderate: Confinement, Domestic abuse, Excrement, Gore, and Vomit
Minor: Sexual assault
ellekreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
An impossible murder.
A remarkable detective duo.
A demon who may or may not exist.
It's 1634 and Samuel Pipps, a world-renowned detective, is being transported from the Dutch East Indies to Amsterdam, to face trial and execution for a crime he may or may not have committed. Travelling alongside him is his loyal companion and bodyguard - Arent Hayes - who is determined to prove his friend innocent.
Once their voyage begins, devilry begins to blight the journey. A strange symbol appears on the sail, a dead leper stalks the deck, livestock are slaughtered in the night, and passengers begin to hear a strange voice whispering to them in the night, promising them three unholy miracles are to occur. Could a demon be responsible?
With Pipps imprisoned, it is down to Arent to solve a mystery that appears to stretch into his past, while threatening the future of the ship, and the lives of those on board.
First of all, I absolutely adored Evelyn Hardcastle. I had tentatively high hopes for this one, and I'm happy to report that it definitely lived up to my self-imposed hype. Isolated murder mysteries are one of my favourite tropes - but on a boat! Excellent. Historical elements! Excellent. Supernatural elements!!!! Excellent!!!!
I'm not gonna lie, this boasts a large cast of characters that all seem to be interlinked one way or the other. It took a little while to get into, mainly due to the concentration required. It didn't, however, ever bore. After the first 25% I was tearing through it, determined to know more about the characters, more about their involvement, more about the devil plaguing the ship.
Turton writes atmosphere impressively. It's easy to picture the settings, to feel the claustrophobia and confusion, to understand the motivations and fears of the crew. He has a flair for pulling you into the world he created, making it endlessly interesting, and continuously answering questions with more questions until the grand finale when the veil is lifted.
Overall it has big Sherlock vibes, compelling writing, a satisfying and twist-packed finale, and plenty of demons - both real and imagined. Turton writes both male and female characters in a well-rounded, fleshed-out way, with futures and pasts and motivations other than propping up a handful of the main characters - which is appreciated. This novel lives up to the hype that his first paved the way for, it's smart and satisfying and if you loved Evelyn Hardcastle then you're in for a treat.
Big thanks to the author, NetGalley, and Raven Books for the review copy. This one is available to purchase on the 01/10/20!
A remarkable detective duo.
A demon who may or may not exist.
It's 1634 and Samuel Pipps, a world-renowned detective, is being transported from the Dutch East Indies to Amsterdam, to face trial and execution for a crime he may or may not have committed. Travelling alongside him is his loyal companion and bodyguard - Arent Hayes - who is determined to prove his friend innocent.
Once their voyage begins, devilry begins to blight the journey. A strange symbol appears on the sail, a dead leper stalks the deck, livestock are slaughtered in the night, and passengers begin to hear a strange voice whispering to them in the night, promising them three unholy miracles are to occur. Could a demon be responsible?
With Pipps imprisoned, it is down to Arent to solve a mystery that appears to stretch into his past, while threatening the future of the ship, and the lives of those on board.
First of all, I absolutely adored Evelyn Hardcastle. I had tentatively high hopes for this one, and I'm happy to report that it definitely lived up to my self-imposed hype. Isolated murder mysteries are one of my favourite tropes - but on a boat! Excellent. Historical elements! Excellent. Supernatural elements!!!! Excellent!!!!
I'm not gonna lie, this boasts a large cast of characters that all seem to be interlinked one way or the other. It took a little while to get into, mainly due to the concentration required. It didn't, however, ever bore. After the first 25% I was tearing through it, determined to know more about the characters, more about their involvement, more about the devil plaguing the ship.
Turton writes atmosphere impressively. It's easy to picture the settings, to feel the claustrophobia and confusion, to understand the motivations and fears of the crew. He has a flair for pulling you into the world he created, making it endlessly interesting, and continuously answering questions with more questions until the grand finale when the veil is lifted.
Overall it has big Sherlock vibes, compelling writing, a satisfying and twist-packed finale, and plenty of demons - both real and imagined. Turton writes both male and female characters in a well-rounded, fleshed-out way, with futures and pasts and motivations other than propping up a handful of the main characters - which is appreciated. This novel lives up to the hype that his first paved the way for, it's smart and satisfying and if you loved Evelyn Hardcastle then you're in for a treat.
Big thanks to the author, NetGalley, and Raven Books for the review copy. This one is available to purchase on the 01/10/20!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Animal death, Gore, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Violence
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