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ml115's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
emzapk's review against another edition
3.0
The first two thirds of this were unnecessarily drawn out and quite frustrating to read, with characters chasing each other about and collapsing right before important information was to be shared. But once it got going, the ending was excellent!
angus_mckeogh's review against another edition
2.0
For winning the Hugo and Nebula Awards in the same year I was expecting something truly amazing. Again, reviews frequently come down to expectations not met. I was really excited going into this book and just knew I was going to love it. Unfortunately to be honest the book was incredibly slow. I was expecting time travel back to the Middle Ages and multiple adventures thereafter; an incredible world built out of the past. So I was thoroughly disappointed when the main character traveled back in time and then proceeded to essentially sit motionless for 250 to 300 pages. Very little eventually occurred when the main character reached the past and moreover very little really occurred overall. Much too long and too little action. It took about 425 pages to get to the meat of the story and any reasonable conflict. Really just pretty continuously boring. If you’re looking for a rip-roaring sci-fi adventure set in the past, this is not your book. If you’re seeking something that’s more of a slow boil (or no boil) and a marginal mystery story with nothing all that exciting ultimately happening, then this might be the book for you.
bookph1le's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
For the most part, I really liked this book, but it was slow to get off the ground, and tended to meander. It was also repetitive at times.
However, it also had lots of sly wit and a whole lot of heart, and I really cared about the characters. Had it been slightly less cumbersome, I would have given it a higher rating.
Chances are I'll check out the next in the series.
For the most part, I really liked this book, but it was slow to get off the ground, and tended to meander. It was also repetitive at times.
However, it also had lots of sly wit and a whole lot of heart, and I really cared about the characters. Had it been slightly less cumbersome, I would have given it a higher rating.
Chances are I'll check out the next in the series.
johndoe15's review against another edition
informative
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Spoiler alert - not a fan.
Perhaps this might have been because I listened to the audiobook rather than read the book, but I found the characters very hard to sympathise with. Dunworthy sounded just too pompous and whilst I am aware of what 5 year olds can be like, Agnes was incredibly annoying!
The rants about Christianity were just boring after a while and the characters used to portray how Christians can be holier than thou were very one-dimensional.
Unintentionally perhaps the ongoing problems about toilet paper supply were the funniest moments in the book given recent pandemic experience.
The information about life during the black plague was interesting.
Perhaps this might have been because I listened to the audiobook rather than read the book, but I found the characters very hard to sympathise with. Dunworthy sounded just too pompous and whilst I am aware of what 5 year olds can be like, Agnes was incredibly annoying!
The rants about Christianity were just boring after a while and the characters used to portray how Christians can be holier than thou were very one-dimensional.
Unintentionally perhaps the ongoing problems about toilet paper supply were the funniest moments in the book given recent pandemic experience.
The information about life during the black plague was interesting.
mrsdaliborreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-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? Yes
4.75
cheetah26's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Pandemic/Epidemic, Blood, and Gore