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3.85 AVERAGE
3.85 AVERAGE
4-4.5 stars, I think. I liked it as much as I did, in part because it was nice to revisit old friends and see how they had changed (or not). I predicted some of the ending, but was kind of sad about it, but at the same time knew it had to be that way. I don't want to spoil any of it for potential readers, but I really liked Laura Hayward and as intended, I wanted to slap Waxie into kingdom come. But it was a fast-paced book and I imagine this is what the rest of the books will be like. I'm going to take a brief break and visit the Lady Sherlock books (talk about a completely different feel) but will be back to this world, beginning with Thunderhead and then Cabinet of Curiosities. Definitely looking forward to it!
A sequel to Relic, this novel picks up from the previous (excellent!) twist ending. It's a fun read, as the Pendergast novels always are, but I would have been more pleased if they'd let the cliffhanger from the first novel stand on its own. Resolving the mystery and tying everything up neatly weakened the plot, imo.
Sequels are often difficult, but Reliquary didn't fall into the trap. New characters and a new setting helped ensure that this wasn't a carbon copy of Relic. I thoroughly enjoyed the travels into the underground Manhattan world - it gave the book the creepy vibe that the museum at night had in the first. The characters also seemed to develop as it went, although a little superficially.
I was definitely disappointed with the "big reveal", though - it seemed a little forced and cheesy in my opinion. The sophistication of the elite mob and the depth of the research into the Manhattan homeless (or "houseless") seemed forgotten when the true villain was revealed.
I was definitely disappointed with the "big reveal", though - it seemed a little forced and cheesy in my opinion. The sophistication of the elite mob and the depth of the research into the Manhattan homeless (or "houseless") seemed forgotten when the true villain was revealed.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Such terrible reviews! I thought this sequel was very well constructed and scary. The vast underworld of Manhattan was a creepy and horrific environment for the book and it tied in perfectly with the first book.
Randomly went to the library and came back with books 1 & 2 of the series. I last read them in 2016, but first read them in high school or college. I only completed the series after grad school though. About time for a reread of a few!
In Reliquary, only some of the characters of the first book survived to struggle with new terror and tragedy. There is consequently a slightly different character mix, this crew explores the New York underground, with rumors of monsters killing homeless tunnel dwellers. Surprise twist carries arc through from first book, and there are plenty of incompetents to judge.
In Reliquary, only some of the characters of the first book survived to struggle with new terror and tragedy. There is consequently a slightly different character mix, this crew explores the New York underground, with rumors of monsters killing homeless tunnel dwellers. Surprise twist carries arc through from first book, and there are plenty of incompetents to judge.
I liked this sequel to Relic with its mix of horror and mystery. I especially liked how different events all intersected in interesting ways.
adventurous
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes