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3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
funny
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
a little tough cause im not really the biggest fan of random nonsense worlds, but still had characters and plots interesting and charming enough to hold me. what can i say i likea da funky
2 months later, i’m reducing the rating on this because the more i think about it the more my gut review was correct. i think if you’re not already emotionally invested in night vale this book is likely baffling and tedious, even if you’re willing to buy into some of the in-jokes. i still LIKED it but i don’t know if it was good ?
3.75 for me! surprisingly moving like night vale often is. i love how straightforward this book was about its topics - which were important and tenderly handled. part of me wants to say “it’s nothing special” (it is, kinda) but i think what i mean is it is a fairly uncomplicated story and it was not earth shattering or unexpected, but it was comfy and delightful and pretty scawy sometimes :’) i liked it !
3.75 for me! surprisingly moving like night vale often is. i love how straightforward this book was about its topics - which were important and tenderly handled. part of me wants to say “it’s nothing special” (it is, kinda) but i think what i mean is it is a fairly uncomplicated story and it was not earth shattering or unexpected, but it was comfy and delightful and pretty scawy sometimes :’) i liked it !
I started listening to the Night Vale podcast this pandemic (I know... way late, but time is so strange) and then, when the time was right, I bought this book. My timing was about 3 hours off, as I finished to book 3 hours after I heard the podcast epilogue episode. So close, but not quite correct, so now I have to start all over. But the book was a fun ride — able to evoke real feelings and even tears once — despite being placed in a universe of absurdity and horror. I do prefer the podcast a bit (Cecil’s voice, really) but the book is quite good and so I’m looking forward to my second and subsequent attempts to get all my floating cats in a row and finish the book moments *before* I hear the epilogue. Challenge accepted!
I highly suggest listening to at least a couple episodes of the podcast before reading this book. It's not that you won't understand it without the podcast, but the podcast will put you in the right mindset to read the book. In other words, don't go into this book expecting every sentence to be pertinent. Some sentences are purposely random and weird.
Overall, I'd give the plot a B-. But the classic Night Vale quirkiness and ridiculous one-liners an A.
Overall, I'd give the plot a B-. But the classic Night Vale quirkiness and ridiculous one-liners an A.
I've been a fan of Welcome to Nightvale, the podcast, for several years now, so I was really looking forward to this novel. Alas, some of the problems that plague the podcast are even more glaring in book form. The constant, nonsensical asides become downright distracting in a book, rather than amusing. The voice of Cecil is still written well, as it is in the podcast, but I had trouble imagining Jackie's voice and seeing her as a relatable character. Diane is a better-written character, and her relationship and feelings toward her son are believable and sympathetic. However, the plot meanders and the writing style gets old quickly. In the end, I liked how the book added to more context to the Nightvale universe, but was disappointed with how it was done. 2.5 stars.
Absolutely phenomenal. I haven't enjoyed a book like this in a long time. Someone described the writing as "whimsical" and "clever" and I couldn't agree more with both. Night Vale is a strange town with strange occurences that may take some getting used to, but once you're there, the book is a fun ride that I didn't want to stop. Rarely do I feel like books end well, but Fink and Cranor nailed it. 10/10 would read again.
On a second read, this one gets five stars.
I can't really imagine this would be very good if you don't listen to the WTNV podcast. I was doing a re-listen of WTNV and came to the point in which the book was published. It's a really great read in the context of the surrounding episodes as well. Audiobook is fantastic, of course.
I can't really imagine this would be very good if you don't listen to the WTNV podcast. I was doing a re-listen of WTNV and came to the point in which the book was published. It's a really great read in the context of the surrounding episodes as well. Audiobook is fantastic, of course.
very fun listen! nightvale shines at making the surreal normal, best read as an audiobook rather than physically, you can definitely tell the authors come from a podcast background and I think it would’ve been a little dry in physical format
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
informative
mysterious
medium-paced