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3.93 AVERAGE
3.93 AVERAGE
The exciting conclusion! Overall liked it, well written, interesting story, and just beautiful to read at points. One thing I must mention, however, is that I don't think the non-chronologicalness of the chapters is useful here (actually gave away a plot point prematurely, in my mind). YMMV.
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
So. Much. Smoking
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The Lovecraftian inspired apocalypse continues to approach in the final volume of the Tinfoil Dossier. Novella length, this felt (like it's predecessors) more like a set of different vignettes, snapshots of the story rather than a novel. The points of view and characters involved change, as does the timeline. It brings the plot arcs to a satisfactory conclusion; overall a good series; in gaming terms this feels more 'Delta Green' adjacent than 'Call of Cthulhu' in its style.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse
Moderate: Alcoholism, Body horror, Suicide
Minor: Rape, Sexual assault
There's something about Kiernan's writing that begs you to slow down to read it. Sure, their unconventional narrative style is part of it, but there's also the fact that there are a lot of details that are easy to miss if you try to rush through one of their books. I think that's part of the reason why I rated Black Helicopters lower than Agents of Dreamland, and now The Tindalos Asset; I wasn't taking my time to revel in the narrative.
Kiernan's style reminds me a bit of Tanith Lee, and a bit of Kathe Koja. It's lush, but it's also impressionistic. I don't mind either (the characteristics help to create atmosphere, and make for very showy reads), but I hadn't made that connection until reading this novella. Like the other books in this series, it's a blend of Lovecraft and noir, populated with a mix of outcast characters. The story is told in an out-of-order chronology, but is also told in a way that, once you get to the end of it, feels as if it were told in order. It's impressive.
So far, my only experience with Kiernan is through this series. Happily, this won't be the last I read of their work.
Kiernan's style reminds me a bit of Tanith Lee, and a bit of Kathe Koja. It's lush, but it's also impressionistic. I don't mind either (the characteristics help to create atmosphere, and make for very showy reads), but I hadn't made that connection until reading this novella. Like the other books in this series, it's a blend of Lovecraft and noir, populated with a mix of outcast characters. The story is told in an out-of-order chronology, but is also told in a way that, once you get to the end of it, feels as if it were told in order. It's impressive.
So far, my only experience with Kiernan is through this series. Happily, this won't be the last I read of their work.
challenging
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No