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sarahmcg's review against another edition
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? It's complicated
3.25
Thanks to Celadon Books for the gifted copy in exchange for an honest review!
This book kept me engaged, but ultimately left me with more questions than answers at the end. I listened on audiobook, while my husband read the physical copy, and I found myself having to rewind and re-listen to certain parts to get a handle on the characters’ various storylines - who was who, and how did they relate to each other?
I would have liked further explanations on certain storylines, I feel like some just ended up being red herrings. This bummed me out because I really enjoyed the Whisper Man! As a fellow reviewer mentioned, it felt more philosophical than a thriller.
Despite my complaints, I still would describe it as an engaging read, and it was fun to discuss theories with my husband as we read along.
This book kept me engaged, but ultimately left me with more questions than answers at the end. I listened on audiobook, while my husband read the physical copy, and I found myself having to rewind and re-listen to certain parts to get a handle on the characters’ various storylines - who was who, and how did they relate to each other?
I would have liked further explanations on certain storylines, I feel like some just ended up being red herrings. This bummed me out because I really enjoyed the Whisper Man! As a fellow reviewer mentioned, it felt more philosophical than a thriller.
Despite my complaints, I still would describe it as an engaging read, and it was fun to discuss theories with my husband as we read along.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Fire/Fire injury, Death, Violence, Murder, and Kidnapping
Minor: Child death
readingwithkaitlyn's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Murder, Death, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Drug abuse, Stalking, and Child death
Minor: Child abuse, Suicide, Misogyny, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Pedophilia
jazzyjbox's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
4.5
Part philosophy, this is a twisted mystery about fate, determinism, and choice.
The Angel Maker is a multi-POV story about the murder of a man connected to others in a peculiar way. Two sons of a serial killer, a woman and her brother who was strangely attacked as a teen, and a detective investigating the murder.
This is one book that will stick with me for a while.
Thank you to Celadon Books for the opportunity to read and review!
The Angel Maker is a multi-POV story about the murder of a man connected to others in a peculiar way. Two sons of a serial killer, a woman and her brother who was strangely attacked as a teen, and a detective investigating the murder.
This is one book that will stick with me for a while.
Thank you to Celadon Books for the opportunity to read and review!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Murder and Drug use
Minor: Child death
hooksbookswanderlust's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for an arc of this book.
I was so excited to have been approved to read this book, one of the most-anticipated thrillers of 2023. I really liked The Whisper Man and The Shadows, and this book has the same sinister quality.
One thing that North does well is write atmospheric stories. As in his other two novels, this one has a similar paranormal realism that you question the validity of the entire way through. I'm not sure quite how to classify this. Similar to magical realism, but bordering more on the occult. Either way, this aspect lends to the overwhelming creepiness of the book.
The thing I struggled with in this one was that with so many points of view and timelines jumping from present to recent past to present to farther back, it could be a bit tricky to follow along with. I think that this would have been easier to follow if reading the print version instead of listening to the audio, so if you prefer audio, just be aware of that.
I also had a problem with the narration of the audiobook. The diction of the reader was a bit difficult to make out at points and I had to listen very carefully to try to work out what she said. Overall, she had a nice cadence, but sometimes it was how she would say certain names or words that it took a few minutes to try to work out whose POV she was reading from. Since keeping up with those POVs and timelines was already a struggle, this was not helpful.
I had most of the reveals figured out long ahead of time, which took some of the fun out, but I never quite understood the motivations of Michael. Still, I enjoy how North delved into determinism and how that effected the motivations of the characters in the story. Combined with the atmosphere and quick pace, it still made for an enjoyable listen.
I think if you liked his previous work, you'll like this one well-enough, though I don't think it's as good as The Whisper Man, which still maintains its spot as my favorite of his books.
I was so excited to have been approved to read this book, one of the most-anticipated thrillers of 2023. I really liked The Whisper Man and The Shadows, and this book has the same sinister quality.
One thing that North does well is write atmospheric stories. As in his other two novels, this one has a similar paranormal realism that you question the validity of the entire way through. I'm not sure quite how to classify this. Similar to magical realism, but bordering more on the occult. Either way, this aspect lends to the overwhelming creepiness of the book.
The thing I struggled with in this one was that with so many points of view and timelines jumping from present to recent past to present to farther back, it could be a bit tricky to follow along with. I think that this would have been easier to follow if reading the print version instead of listening to the audio, so if you prefer audio, just be aware of that.
I also had a problem with the narration of the audiobook. The diction of the reader was a bit difficult to make out at points and I had to listen very carefully to try to work out what she said. Overall, she had a nice cadence, but sometimes it was how she would say certain names or words that it took a few minutes to try to work out whose POV she was reading from. Since keeping up with those POVs and timelines was already a struggle, this was not helpful.
I had most of the reveals figured out long ahead of time, which took some of the fun out, but I never quite understood the motivations of Michael. Still, I enjoy how North delved into determinism and how that effected the motivations of the characters in the story. Combined with the atmosphere and quick pace, it still made for an enjoyable listen.
I think if you liked his previous work, you'll like this one well-enough, though I don't think it's as good as The Whisper Man, which still maintains its spot as my favorite of his books.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse, Kidnapping, Child death, Addiction, Violence, and Stalking
savvyrosereads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Out February 28, 2023 [Thank you to the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!]
Rating: 4/5 stars
The lives and secrets of Katie Shaw, a wife and mother who lived through a violent tragedy in her family’s past, and Detective Laurence Page, investigating the brutal murder of a former philosophy professor, intersect with one another and with the legacy of a gruesome serial killer who believed he could see the future.
I love Alex North’s writing and I love any serial killer thriller, so I was particularly excited for The Angel Maker, and I really enjoyed it! It’s a fast and smooth read, with just the right amount of “wtf did I just read?” mind-bending moments and lots and lots of creepy chills.
I did mostly see the main twist coming, but the real attraction of this book comes less from the plot and more from the fascinating commentary on fate, free will, and religion, which was presented here in a way I’ve never before encountered in a thriller. The Angel Maker is a novel that raises fascinating and important questions and keeps you on your toes until the very last page.
Recommended to anyone, but especially if you like: serial killer thrillers; ensemble casts; paranormal vibes
CW: Murder/blood/violence (including violence towards children and child death); kidnapping; drug use/abuse (off-page); domestic violence/physical abuse
Rating: 4/5 stars
The lives and secrets of Katie Shaw, a wife and mother who lived through a violent tragedy in her family’s past, and Detective Laurence Page, investigating the brutal murder of a former philosophy professor, intersect with one another and with the legacy of a gruesome serial killer who believed he could see the future.
I love Alex North’s writing and I love any serial killer thriller, so I was particularly excited for The Angel Maker, and I really enjoyed it! It’s a fast and smooth read, with just the right amount of “wtf did I just read?” mind-bending moments and lots and lots of creepy chills.
I did mostly see the main twist coming, but the real attraction of this book comes less from the plot and more from the fascinating commentary on fate, free will, and religion, which was presented here in a way I’ve never before encountered in a thriller. The Angel Maker is a novel that raises fascinating and important questions and keeps you on your toes until the very last page.
Recommended to anyone, but especially if you like: serial killer thrillers; ensemble casts; paranormal vibes
CW: Murder/blood/violence (including violence towards children and child death); kidnapping; drug use/abuse (off-page); domestic violence/physical abuse
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Kidnapping, Violence, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, Physical abuse, and Blood
Moderate: Drug abuse
oracle_of_madness's review
4.25
Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!!
I'm reading lots of good books lately and this is another one. Super dark and absolutely thrilling, this book had me hooked, especially with the back story of the murder victim.
Allan Hobbes was murdered in his creepy mansion, and the detectives are on the case. However, this leads them in a lot of directions, making it seem like there is an underlying connection between everything.
Sarah is a protective sister with her own family, a daughter, and her husband. However, she hasn't had a chance to be that protective sister for her little brother in over a decade. When she finds out her brother, Chris, is missing, she immediately takes it upon herself to start the search.
Chris is, in fact, in hiding. But it is not for what I first believed. There are connections, like a spiderweb, over the different character's and their pasts. This story really drew me in with the brutal history of serial killer jack lock and his creation of a book that reveals the future. It's almost as if the future is laid out, pre-ordained, and nobody even has any real choices. (A very interesting and quite depressing thought🤣🤣)
I loved this. I loved the darkness of the theme that ran through this story and following these characters. Definitely recommend for fans of thrillers!
Out February 28, 2023!
Content Warnings for violence and disturbing imagery
I'm reading lots of good books lately and this is another one. Super dark and absolutely thrilling, this book had me hooked, especially with the back story of the murder victim.
Allan Hobbes was murdered in his creepy mansion, and the detectives are on the case. However, this leads them in a lot of directions, making it seem like there is an underlying connection between everything.
Sarah is a protective sister with her own family, a daughter, and her husband. However, she hasn't had a chance to be that protective sister for her little brother in over a decade. When she finds out her brother, Chris, is missing, she immediately takes it upon herself to start the search.
Chris is, in fact, in hiding. But it is not for what I first believed. There are connections, like a spiderweb, over the different character's and their pasts. This story really drew me in with the brutal history of serial killer jack lock and his creation of a book that reveals the future. It's almost as if the future is laid out, pre-ordained, and nobody even has any real choices. (A very interesting and quite depressing thought🤣🤣)
I loved this. I loved the darkness of the theme that ran through this story and following these characters. Definitely recommend for fans of thrillers!
Out February 28, 2023!
Content Warnings for violence and disturbing imagery
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Stalking, and Violence
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