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oldenglishrose's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
billymac1962's review
3.0
Deity is the fifth and next to last entry in this Six Stories series.
I'm sorry to say that this one left me rather ambivalent. The story itself seemed redundant as it also followed the mystery surrounding an enigmatic rock star, giving Michael Jackson vibes this time rather than the Marilyn Manson vibes from an earlier episode. A lot of the similar themes and as a result, I was less than keen on it.
But I loved this series up until now, enough to buy all books after reading the first, and I've had a hard time deciding what to read next, so I figured I might as well grab this one.
I won't say I didn't like it, but it seems he's running dry on ideas here. There is only one book left, and I will certainly start reading it soon. But if it's not doing it for me after the first guest, I'm probably doing a quick exit.
Excellent series through four books though.
Stay tuned.
Three stars for this one.
I'm sorry to say that this one left me rather ambivalent. The story itself seemed redundant as it also followed the mystery surrounding an enigmatic rock star, giving Michael Jackson vibes this time rather than the Marilyn Manson vibes from an earlier episode. A lot of the similar themes and as a result, I was less than keen on it.
But I loved this series up until now, enough to buy all books after reading the first, and I've had a hard time deciding what to read next, so I figured I might as well grab this one.
I won't say I didn't like it, but it seems he's running dry on ideas here. There is only one book left, and I will certainly start reading it soon. But if it's not doing it for me after the first guest, I'm probably doing a quick exit.
Excellent series through four books though.
Stay tuned.
Three stars for this one.
ericburns's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
shaouais's review
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
per_fictionist's review against another edition
4.0
Matt never disappoints! Can't wait for the sixth in this series!
kellyvandamme's review against another edition
5.0
Deity is the fifth instalment in the Six Stories series, time really does fly when you’re having fun! It can be read as a standalone: once again Six Stories podcast creator and host Scott King is trying to get to the bottom of an entirely new case, and he is literally the only constant throughout the entire series. There is, however, a treat for those who have read Hydra: Deity makes reference to the Arla Macleod case and one of the interviewees from that case pops up in this case as well. But don’t let that scare you off if you haven’t read Hydra: everything you need to know is explained and there are no spoilers either, should you want to catch up with the series afterwards.
With all the formalities out of the way, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty!
Scott King is back! Six new podcast episodes, six interviews, six stories about one case: Zach Crystal.
In 2018, enigmatic superstar Zach Crystal disappeared from his 500-acre property, nicknamed Crystal Forest, in the Scottish Highlands. Crystal, described as the sultan of song-writing, the personification of the dream to grow up and be Someone, the walking rags-to-riches fairy, remained missing for an entire year before popping back up, only to die in a fire at Crystal Forest a few months later.
One might describe Zach Crystal as Britain’s answer to Michael Jackson, or that’s who he reminded me of in any case: a brilliant artist, a musical legend on the one hand, a bit of a weirdo entertaining questionable relationships on the other. Even after his death there’s this whole polemic: his fans believe he was a good guy, a charitable man and everything else is just rumours; his haters call him a predator: it’s not normal for a guy his age to invite teenage girls to stay at his private estate, even if he does invite their parents as well, and that’s not even mentioning the girls who were found dead at Crystal Forest and his closest advisor / PA / friend who had a fatal accident there.
Once again, Matt Wesolowski has created a story that is somehow utterly believable. As usual I will treat myself to the audiobook as soon as it’s out, which will be February 2021 if it’s to match the paperback publication date, although this year’s Beast took a while longer because Audible did a dramatisation, and I have a feeling they might do the same for Deity, they could do great audio things with one, let me tell you! But I digress. If it seems this real on paper, I already know that listening to the audiobook I will have to remind myself constantly that it is not an actual podcast, not an actual case, not a real person, not factual history.
It’s the manner in which Deity is composed that brings about that eerie feeling of reality. Like all Six Stories instalments, Scott King is either addressing his listeners or interviewing someone, and it creates such intimacy, like an actual person is, for instance, telling you about that awful moment when he found two dead girls in the woods, or that awe-inspiring moment when she met the man behind the legend and found him to be kind and sincere.
As always, there’s an occult thread woven into the story, muddying the waters. This time it is the legend of the Frithghast, some kind of spectre with horns and hooves, a dark half-rotten deer or stag roaming the forest. I found it such interesting folklore that I went looking for more information, but there isn’t any: the Frithghast sprung from the dark crevices of Matt Wesolowski’s mind. Clearly a master of suggestion, the creepiness and eeriness of his stories lies in insinuation, which somehow makes the narrative a lot scarier than it would have been with full-on monster action scenes galore.
I would love to talk more, but I don’t want to spoil things. And what’s more, whatever else I might say, I will still leave things knowing I haven’t done Deity justice so I might as well call it a day! I will just add this: knowing what came before, I went in with the highest expectations, still Deity blew my socks off, the suspense mounting until it becomes positively unbearable, relief only to be had with the very last story. A top-notch thriller with thought-provoking themes and a dark folklore element, Deity held me captive from intriguing start to mind-blowing finish, even when I had to put it down and long after I’d finished it. Highly recommended!
With all the formalities out of the way, let’s get down to the nitty-gritty!
Scott King is back! Six new podcast episodes, six interviews, six stories about one case: Zach Crystal.
In 2018, enigmatic superstar Zach Crystal disappeared from his 500-acre property, nicknamed Crystal Forest, in the Scottish Highlands. Crystal, described as the sultan of song-writing, the personification of the dream to grow up and be Someone, the walking rags-to-riches fairy, remained missing for an entire year before popping back up, only to die in a fire at Crystal Forest a few months later.
One might describe Zach Crystal as Britain’s answer to Michael Jackson, or that’s who he reminded me of in any case: a brilliant artist, a musical legend on the one hand, a bit of a weirdo entertaining questionable relationships on the other. Even after his death there’s this whole polemic: his fans believe he was a good guy, a charitable man and everything else is just rumours; his haters call him a predator: it’s not normal for a guy his age to invite teenage girls to stay at his private estate, even if he does invite their parents as well, and that’s not even mentioning the girls who were found dead at Crystal Forest and his closest advisor / PA / friend who had a fatal accident there.
Once again, Matt Wesolowski has created a story that is somehow utterly believable. As usual I will treat myself to the audiobook as soon as it’s out, which will be February 2021 if it’s to match the paperback publication date, although this year’s Beast took a while longer because Audible did a dramatisation, and I have a feeling they might do the same for Deity, they could do great audio things with one, let me tell you! But I digress. If it seems this real on paper, I already know that listening to the audiobook I will have to remind myself constantly that it is not an actual podcast, not an actual case, not a real person, not factual history.
It’s the manner in which Deity is composed that brings about that eerie feeling of reality. Like all Six Stories instalments, Scott King is either addressing his listeners or interviewing someone, and it creates such intimacy, like an actual person is, for instance, telling you about that awful moment when he found two dead girls in the woods, or that awe-inspiring moment when she met the man behind the legend and found him to be kind and sincere.
As always, there’s an occult thread woven into the story, muddying the waters. This time it is the legend of the Frithghast, some kind of spectre with horns and hooves, a dark half-rotten deer or stag roaming the forest. I found it such interesting folklore that I went looking for more information, but there isn’t any: the Frithghast sprung from the dark crevices of Matt Wesolowski’s mind. Clearly a master of suggestion, the creepiness and eeriness of his stories lies in insinuation, which somehow makes the narrative a lot scarier than it would have been with full-on monster action scenes galore.
I would love to talk more, but I don’t want to spoil things. And what’s more, whatever else I might say, I will still leave things knowing I haven’t done Deity justice so I might as well call it a day! I will just add this: knowing what came before, I went in with the highest expectations, still Deity blew my socks off, the suspense mounting until it becomes positively unbearable, relief only to be had with the very last story. A top-notch thriller with thought-provoking themes and a dark folklore element, Deity held me captive from intriguing start to mind-blowing finish, even when I had to put it down and long after I’d finished it. Highly recommended!
wickedbookwitch's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars rounded up. I love this series! So entertaining and I don't ever want to put it down once I start.
pickwickthedodo's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this instalment of the Six Stories series. I thought it was better than a few of the earlier books, and on par with the quality of others. I loved the way the story unfolded and kept me guessing right to the end.
I felt like the end of the book (literally the last like 7 minutes) got away from him a little bit. The issue I think authors run into when doing a book very much centred on the Me Too movement is that it can feel a bit preachy. Wesolowski balanced everything really well for literally 99% of the book but the last 1% felt a bit overdone. It isn't that what he said isn't correct or important (it is!), it's just that the same things had been said previously in the book so for me, it felt repetitive.
Anyway! Aside from that I loved this book. I listened to the audio version, and there's a new narrator for Scott King (at least, I think there is... by the time the book was over, it felt like he'd always been reading them, but he was unfamiliar at the start), but he's great.
I felt like the end of the book (literally the last like 7 minutes) got away from him a little bit. The issue I think authors run into when doing a book very much centred on the Me Too movement is that it can feel a bit preachy. Wesolowski balanced everything really well for literally 99% of the book but the last 1% felt a bit overdone. It isn't that what he said isn't correct or important (it is!), it's just that the same things had been said previously in the book so for me, it felt repetitive.
Anyway! Aside from that I loved this book. I listened to the audio version, and there's a new narrator for Scott King (at least, I think there is... by the time the book was over, it felt like he'd always been reading them, but he was unfamiliar at the start), but he's great.
btpbookclub's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely love this series and author. From book one till now it is an amazing series I will always shout about and throw all the stars at. They seem to just get better and better for me.
I just love the whole lay out of each book in this series. A podcast style. Interview style. Makes easy reading. Split into six episodes. Six differing views. It always leaves the reader open to their own interpretation of what happened or what they think. Its cleverly written and absolute perfection. It is easily devourable (is that a word?) And will be over before you think. So... This time I paced myself! I did 2 episodes each day just to make the book last that little bit longer for me. But now... A long wait till the next one. :(
This book focuses on the god of the music industry Zach Crystal. I must admit I'm still very undecided on my views over it all! Hmm. A very dark, deadly, twisted and part horror story I would say. But I loved it all! Very descriptive and I loved the tree house hide out setting and the woods too adds a bit of darkness and suspense amongst the stories and accusations.
Whose side are you on? Who do you believe? What is the truth here? An outstanding series. Another well deserved five stars. Highly recommend the whole series. My first book in my top twenty reads of 2021! Well deserved.
I just love the whole lay out of each book in this series. A podcast style. Interview style. Makes easy reading. Split into six episodes. Six differing views. It always leaves the reader open to their own interpretation of what happened or what they think. Its cleverly written and absolute perfection. It is easily devourable (is that a word?) And will be over before you think. So... This time I paced myself! I did 2 episodes each day just to make the book last that little bit longer for me. But now... A long wait till the next one. :(
This book focuses on the god of the music industry Zach Crystal. I must admit I'm still very undecided on my views over it all! Hmm. A very dark, deadly, twisted and part horror story I would say. But I loved it all! Very descriptive and I loved the tree house hide out setting and the woods too adds a bit of darkness and suspense amongst the stories and accusations.
Whose side are you on? Who do you believe? What is the truth here? An outstanding series. Another well deserved five stars. Highly recommend the whole series. My first book in my top twenty reads of 2021! Well deserved.
beytwice's review
4.0
I remain hooked to the podcast-style format this series induces! Deity is part of the Six Stories series, one I haven’t read to completion but after reading and enjoying Beast I can say this one equally impressed me. Deity can absolutely be read as a stand-alone so is hugely welcoming to new readers such as myself with the previous instalment.
I thoroughly enjoyed the commentary on celebrity status delved into in this one; it is nigh impossible to read Zach Crystal’s story and not feel reminiscent of some of the cancelled and accused of our day. Again I loved the ambiguity of literal interweaved with supernatural and the potential, even at the end, of both being involved in the story’s climax. This reads like a documentary and I enjoyed every step of the ride, even if it felt like the pacing slowed at some points.
I thoroughly enjoyed the commentary on celebrity status delved into in this one; it is nigh impossible to read Zach Crystal’s story and not feel reminiscent of some of the cancelled and accused of our day. Again I loved the ambiguity of literal interweaved with supernatural and the potential, even at the end, of both being involved in the story’s climax. This reads like a documentary and I enjoyed every step of the ride, even if it felt like the pacing slowed at some points.