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poppyseedromance's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
corrint's review against another edition
3.0
When I began reading, I expected to find a traditional horror novel; this book is not that. However, it does weave elements of horror with murder mystery, thriller, and historical fiction to create an engaging tale that kept me interested until the end. The story is strong and well crafted, with numerous twists and turns, including some that I foresaw and some that took me by surprise.
Although the book has been translated into English, the authorial voice remains smooth and consistent throughout, and the writing is enjoyable and easy to fall into.
I did find some of the characterization a little flat. Some of that comes down to point of view, which shifted from time to time, sometimes in unusual places, making it difficult to relate to any one character. The book is definitely more story driven than character driven.
On the whole, however, it was an enjoyable read.
Although the book has been translated into English, the authorial voice remains smooth and consistent throughout, and the writing is enjoyable and easy to fall into.
I did find some of the characterization a little flat. Some of that comes down to point of view, which shifted from time to time, sometimes in unusual places, making it difficult to relate to any one character. The book is definitely more story driven than character driven.
On the whole, however, it was an enjoyable read.
drakaina16's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
deadmadeline's review
adventurous
dark
informative
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
read_amanda_read's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
informative
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
theworstofit's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
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? Yes
2.5
The plot twist(s) gave me whiplash. Maybe it's because I came in expecting everything to turn out to be supernatural in the end, or at least for the book to focus on a scientific explanation for the actually-real supernatural event, but the reveal that it was drugs all along was so anticlimactic that it ruined the rest of the book for me. I actually loved the first 2/3s of the book and the historical bits with the characterization between General Li and Bai Wenxuan, but not much else. Disappointed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Confinement, Gore, and Death
Moderate: Body horror and Drug use
jl_shioshita's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
moonlightpgs's review against another edition
4.0
A translated Chinese book about a mysterious disease happening in Longzhou, China.
This book gave me suspense all the way through it. I don’t usually read books with an MC being a detective or policeman but this one is actually a good read.
This book gave me suspense all the way through it. I don’t usually read books with an MC being a detective or policeman but this one is actually a good read.
lamusadelils's review against another edition
4.0
Confieso que caí y pensaba que era un libro de terror común, pero en realidad resultó ser un misterio al más puro estilo de Sherlock Holmes (referencia obvia con el titulo y eso) aunque debo decir que hay partes con una excelente atmósfera donde no sabes qué es real y quien tiene la razón.
No soy fan del género pero debo reconocer que si está bueno. Puntos menos porque odio que expliquen todo paso a paso al final como si no pudiera uno unir los cabos solo. Punto extra porque es la clase de final que me gusta en mis libros sobre demonios con vendettas.
No soy fan del género pero debo reconocer que si está bueno. Puntos menos porque odio que expliquen todo paso a paso al final como si no pudiera uno unir los cabos solo. Punto extra porque es la clase de final que me gusta en mis libros sobre demonios con vendettas.
whitelotusreads's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.5