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anyajulchen's review against another edition
5.0
It was an amazing, well written story. What I loved the most where the trepidations in every corner, the little nuggets of informations and how the story unraveled itself without being preachy, or doubting the readers intelligence.
captainstarcat's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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
3.25
kbro08's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
informative
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
coriandercake's review against another edition
2.0
I waffled on whether I liked this book or not, but at the end of the day the cons outweigh the pros.
The biggest issue was prose, and I am not sure if that was an issue in the original or an issue of translation. At best, it is utilitarian, and at worst, it's choppy and uninteresting. The book gets into a nice groove for about 50 pages, but that doesn't happen until 300 pages in.
There would be random scenes where the perspective would switch but it wasn't sustained and it rarely added anything to the story.
The only major female character existed as a semi-love interest and was more of a plot device than a real character. All her development was explained to the reader because she didn't receive enough actual development/time on page for the reader to see this change naturally. In fact, the book would have been more unique and interesting if her perspective was followed instead.
Luo is a stereotypical detective type--unreadable, trustworthy, magnetic, intelligent. The other characters felt like caricatures.
This felt more like a mystery than a horror. Once again, I'm not sure if the translation is at fault for this.
The biggest issue was prose, and I am not sure if that was an issue in the original or an issue of translation. At best, it is utilitarian, and at worst, it's choppy and uninteresting. The book gets into a nice groove for about 50 pages, but that doesn't happen until 300 pages in.
There would be random scenes where the perspective would switch but it wasn't sustained and it rarely added anything to the story.
The only major female character existed as a semi-love interest and was more of a plot device than a real character. All her development was explained to the reader because she didn't receive enough actual development/time on page for the reader to see this change naturally. In fact, the book would have been more unique and interesting if her perspective was followed instead.
Luo is a stereotypical detective type--unreadable, trustworthy, magnetic, intelligent. The other characters felt like caricatures.
This felt more like a mystery than a horror. Once again, I'm not sure if the translation is at fault for this.
oneanjana's review against another edition
4.0
Valley of Terror is a mystery novel with a little touch of horror and based on the historical stories of Li Dingguo and his so-called demonic powers. The story begins with bizarre deaths of some people in Longzhou, but the similarity is that they all died because of acute fear. Later, Chief Inspector Luo, investigates the case along with Professor Zhou—a psychological scientist, and Yue Dongbei—a scholar with avid interest in Li Dingguo and his demonic power. Their investigation eventually leading them to the Valley of Terror. They set out with purpose to research the origins of the disease, but then they’re even more involved in confusing tribal conflicts.
The book has been consistently thrilling from beginning to end. It's so gripping and fast-paced (even though the progress is slow). Maybe at the beginning I was wondering where this book was directed? Will it eventually lead to scientific explanation, or perhaps more on the superstitious side? So, it was almost impossible for me to thinking about a possible villain. During my reading, there was just me leisurely following their adventures and enjoying every single historical story which was poured here and there along the story. Perhaps some people could get bored with the historical story because I also think the portion for it was plentiful. But personally, for me, who grew up playing video games like Samurai Warriors and Dynasty Warriors, reading every war and historical story make me imagine it as in the video games. He-he.
Some minus points that disturb me were the sudden POV turn, as well as the few scenes where Luo didn’t get involved (like side-stories) but then repeated as if it didn't exist before.
I think I also need to give praise for the translator. Bonnie Huie did a great job translating because occasionally I found translated books lost its dynamic. But, this translation got that dynamic, and I can follow the story very well.
The book has been consistently thrilling from beginning to end. It's so gripping and fast-paced (even though the progress is slow). Maybe at the beginning I was wondering where this book was directed? Will it eventually lead to scientific explanation, or perhaps more on the superstitious side? So, it was almost impossible for me to thinking about a possible villain. During my reading, there was just me leisurely following their adventures and enjoying every single historical story which was poured here and there along the story. Perhaps some people could get bored with the historical story because I also think the portion for it was plentiful. But personally, for me, who grew up playing video games like Samurai Warriors and Dynasty Warriors, reading every war and historical story make me imagine it as in the video games. He-he.
Some minus points that disturb me were the sudden POV turn, as well as the few scenes where Luo didn’t get involved (like side-stories) but then repeated as if it didn't exist before.
I think I also need to give praise for the translator. Bonnie Huie did a great job translating because occasionally I found translated books lost its dynamic. But, this translation got that dynamic, and I can follow the story very well.
wintermute9's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
iamnotkieltho's review against another edition
5.0
'On this clear, beautiful day, how many others out there were living a lie?'
This book is excellent. Although, I was skeptical when the plot had strangely pivoted from the original, but in the end, everything is connected and not meaningless. Certainly not for everyone as this book requires patience to really unravel the potential of the book. I did say I have no patience in slow-paced stories, but this one is worth it and has no boring chapters at all.
As it is fictional, we do not expect this to happen in near reality, more so similarly. A little less detective work, more on historical lessons which is fine to me, but might not be for the others. I learned a lot, very diversely if I say so. Not so much horrific than I anticipated, however, it was scary in the beginning but the scenes were much more suspenseful in my opinion.
There were a lot of values, beliefs, and life lessons in this book. It creates another window of someone else's world from mine, and I get to see it through this story. Although, I am not sure if information contained in the book is true, but what I know is that it is not far from the truth. If we learn through our history, the events in this book is quite plausible if I may say so.
Quite surprised goodreads rating on this book is bad. It must be because it is a translated one, so the book's potential is diminished by half than the original. But in my preference, this book is honestly captivating and educational.
This book is excellent. Although, I was skeptical when the plot had strangely pivoted from the original, but in the end, everything is connected and not meaningless. Certainly not for everyone as this book requires patience to really unravel the potential of the book. I did say I have no patience in slow-paced stories, but this one is worth it and has no boring chapters at all.
As it is fictional, we do not expect this to happen in near reality, more so similarly. A little less detective work, more on historical lessons which is fine to me, but might not be for the others. I learned a lot, very diversely if I say so. Not so much horrific than I anticipated, however, it was scary in the beginning but the scenes were much more suspenseful in my opinion.
There were a lot of values, beliefs, and life lessons in this book. It creates another window of someone else's world from mine, and I get to see it through this story. Although, I am not sure if information contained in the book is true, but what I know is that it is not far from the truth. If we learn through our history, the events in this book is quite plausible if I may say so.
Quite surprised goodreads rating on this book is bad. It must be because it is a translated one, so the book's potential is diminished by half than the original. But in my preference, this book is honestly captivating and educational.
cinemasimulacra's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0