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daisymaytwizell's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Turton describes in the author's note that he believes the book's genre is up to the reader - I definitely see that fluidity in the text itself, and I think it makes for a wonderful read. It helps to maintain that tension and confusion regarding the nature of the mystery, because the reader experiences the shifts in atmosphere just like the characters do.
He also does a fantastic job of making you root for objectively unlikeable characters. A theme in this book is the terrible things mankind is capable of and why we might choose to do them, so there's a great deal of unsavoury characters present, but Turton recognizes who he can humanise and who is beyond that attention, which really pays off in the reading experience.
Also, the thing that really tied this incredible book together for me: Turton writes good sentences. The novel is good and careful and well-paced, but that attention reflects in every sentence throughout. Genuinely a phenomenal piece of work, and I'm excited to aggressively recommend it to everyone in my life who likes reading.
He also does a fantastic job of making you root for objectively unlikeable characters. A theme in this book is the terrible things mankind is capable of and why we might choose to do them, so there's a great deal of unsavoury characters present, but Turton recognizes who he can humanise and who is beyond that attention, which really pays off in the reading experience.
Also, the thing that really tied this incredible book together for me: Turton writes good sentences. The novel is good and careful and well-paced, but that attention reflects in every sentence throughout. Genuinely a phenomenal piece of work, and I'm excited to aggressively recommend it to everyone in my life who likes reading.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Blood, Rape, and Sexism
Minor: Animal death, Sexual harassment, and Excrement
None of the above is gratuitous; everything is included either because of its relation to the ship's evil or its contextual presence on a long-haul 1600s ship.aimsro's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Murder, Animal death, Animal cruelty, Confinement, Blood, Physical abuse, Sexism, and Toxic relationship
dani_saur30's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Violence, Torture, Slavery, Sexism, Physical abuse, Misogyny, and Death
Moderate: Rape, Death of parent, Animal death, Toxic relationship, and Abandonment
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
taymariereads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Blood, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Excrement, Genocide, Murder, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Violence, and Vomit
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
motherelectricity's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Okay, he's done it again? It's really good!
The thing here is, many books get labeled as both: thriller and mystery as if they're fully interchangeable regardless of the book content. This is not a thriller in my mind but a dark, atmospheric murder mystery.
The characters feel very real, it's easy to warm up to them and relationships between them are written very nicely and I cared about them so much (cough especially between two specific characters cough)!
What I didn't like was the info dump in the end. I think his first book suffered from the same problem? I might be wrong here, it's been a while since I've read it. I feel like there are many little details that could've been sprinkled throughout the story itself instead of just throwing them into the final reveal as well. I think this way it'd have more of a gradual build up, that I felt was missing.
There are some things that usually make me doubt my desire to pick up a book (historical fiction that goes waaay back to the past & boat stuff), but! I had zero negative feelings about these while reading this book. And it actually does take you on an adventure!
(i HAVE to say, Arent is a weird ass name lol)
The thing here is, many books get labeled as both: thriller and mystery as if they're fully interchangeable regardless of the book content. This is not a thriller in my mind but a dark, atmospheric murder mystery.
The characters feel very real, it's easy to warm up to them and relationships between them are written very nicely and I cared about them so much (cough especially between two specific characters cough)!
What I didn't like was the info dump in the end. I think his first book suffered from the same problem? I might be wrong here, it's been a while since I've read it. I feel like there are many little details that could've been sprinkled throughout the story itself instead of just throwing them into the final reveal as well. I think this way it'd have more of a gradual build up, that I felt was missing.
There are some things that usually make me doubt my desire to pick up a book (historical fiction that goes waaay back to the past & boat stuff), but! I had zero negative feelings about these while reading this book. And it actually does take you on an adventure!
(i HAVE to say, Arent is a weird ass name lol)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Domestic abuse, Sexism, Misogyny, and Animal death
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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