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troublesometailor's review
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
The 'mystery' of this novel was not really central to the plot. Rather than being focussed on solving a case, Joe seems to just get dragged through a string of violent events. This book leans further into the pulpy noir style than the first two books, which does fit the trajectory that the earlier books established, but wasn't really to my taste.
I found a lot of the depiction of religion in this book pretty distasteful. While that was clearly the point, I'm not sure this was the place to discuss some of the issues that were being raised.
I found a lot of the depiction of religion in this book pretty distasteful. While that was clearly the point, I'm not sure this was the place to discuss some of the issues that were being raised.
woody1881's review
4.0
The Joe Pitt Series does not fail!!! Great fast paced action and likable characters. There were some big changes in the Joe Pitt's life in this book. Can't wait until I get the next one!
mdstepp1998's review
3.0
Given how brutal, fast paced, and exciting the two previous Joe Pitt adventures, [b:Already Dead|21277|Already Dead (Joe Pitt Casebooks, #1)|Charlie Huston|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1167321241s/21277.jpg|1154196] and [b:No Dominion|7263|No Dominion (Joe Pitt Casebooks, #2)|Charlie Huston|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1165609939s/7263.jpg|10393], were Half the Blood of Brooklyn was a bit of a disappointment.
The pieces are still there. The main character, independently minded and often times violent Joe Pitt is still gritty, vulgar, and seemingly without regard for anyone. The plotting and politicking of the numerous rival vampyre clans are still unfolding and providing nice plot twists. Also, the surrounding cast of characters provide good comedy and a welcome alternative to Pitt's low life attitude.
The story was a drag for me though because it was like Pitt was picked up and thrust outside of the intriguing environment of the first two books for what seems no reason. The new characters are very much a flash in the pan (though it would have been great to flesh out The Freaks more). Never once do I really care about exploring the new areas outside of Manhattan because it seems to not matter in the grand scheme of Pitt's existence within the Clans or his relationship with Evie.
In fact, the result of Pitt's expedition to Brooklyn could have occurred as a result of situations not related to the story of the book. The story became even less intriguing upon reading the final two books because Pitt's actions in Brooklyn have no consequence on their plot.
In the end, it was still fun seeing what mess Pitt would get himself in and how bad he would come out in the end (there really are no happy endings it seems). The overall story arc, though, seemed pointless.
The pieces are still there. The main character, independently minded and often times violent Joe Pitt is still gritty, vulgar, and seemingly without regard for anyone. The plotting and politicking of the numerous rival vampyre clans are still unfolding and providing nice plot twists. Also, the surrounding cast of characters provide good comedy and a welcome alternative to Pitt's low life attitude.
The story was a drag for me though because it was like Pitt was picked up and thrust outside of the intriguing environment of the first two books for what seems no reason. The new characters are very much a flash in the pan (though it would have been great to flesh out The Freaks more). Never once do I really care about exploring the new areas outside of Manhattan because it seems to not matter in the grand scheme of Pitt's existence within the Clans or his relationship with Evie.
In fact, the result of Pitt's expedition to Brooklyn could have occurred as a result of situations not related to the story of the book. The story became even less intriguing upon reading the final two books because Pitt's actions in Brooklyn have no consequence on their plot.
In the end, it was still fun seeing what mess Pitt would get himself in and how bad he would come out in the end (there really are no happy endings it seems). The overall story arc, though, seemed pointless.
pizzasteve's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
creolelitbelle's review
3.0
Great story. Had a slow section that delayed me in finishing as fast as I did with the first two Joe Pitt casebooks. .
litwrite's review
3.0
2.75 stars. This time, Joe Pitt has to track down a particularly deadly 'Van Helsing', a human that has found out about the existence of Vampires and has taken on the task of destroying them, while simultaneously acting as Terry Bird's new enforcer. He and Lydia take meetings with important Clans in Brooklyn in an effort to expand Society territory. Unfortunately their foray into Brooklyn ends up a deadly mess.
Okay, Huston has been watching way too much Santa Sangre. This book really is stretching the edges of the 'noir' tone that the first book in this series did so well. I really wanted to like this book more than I did. I mean come on. Midget freakshow vampires and undead Orthodox Jews? Sounds awesome right?
Unfortunately I think that the awesome was actually strained by the writing style. Noir just did not suit the subject matter here. You have something so patently absurd, but the exposition is replayed in such a downtrodden, no frills style that it's hard to get excited about it.
As far as expanding the larger plot that Huston has been building regarding turf wars in the New York area, this felt a bit like an unecessary road trip. I didn't really get where this was going.
There is also one very important sentence in this book - a sentence that I felt really invalidated the entire last novel of this whole series. I'll mention it in my review of number 5.
Okay, Huston has been watching way too much Santa Sangre. This book really is stretching the edges of the 'noir' tone that the first book in this series did so well. I really wanted to like this book more than I did. I mean come on. Midget freakshow vampires and undead Orthodox Jews? Sounds awesome right?
Unfortunately I think that the awesome was actually strained by the writing style. Noir just did not suit the subject matter here. You have something so patently absurd, but the exposition is replayed in such a downtrodden, no frills style that it's hard to get excited about it.
As far as expanding the larger plot that Huston has been building regarding turf wars in the New York area, this felt a bit like an unecessary road trip. I didn't really get where this was going.
There is also one very important sentence in this book - a sentence that I felt really invalidated the entire last novel of this whole series. I'll mention it in my review of number 5.
csdaley's review
3.0
Quick read which I enjoyed. Although never as much as I think I am going to. I will keep reading the series though.