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mysterykez's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
3.75
christinesreads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture
Moderate: Alcoholism, Violence, Miscarriage, Murder, Rape, and Stalking
lenore13's review against another edition
5.0
Espectacular, es la única palabra que puede definirlo. El cierre perfecto a la saga del cementerio de los libros olvidados. Grande, Carlos Ruiz Zafon.
drjoannehill's review against another edition
4.0
I have been on an ultra marathon reading all the Cemetery of Forgotten Books in order, this autumn. This last one was a marathon in itself. Having been with these characters for so long brings interest and affection in their lives and the progress of the story. And the (very obviously stated, a few times) multiple entry points to the stories, playing with memory and retellings, is an interesting read. If you like Barcelona or books that are very much set in a city, these are great. But this one fell a little flat for me in the eventual story conclusion, how there's kind of a Mary Sue character, and the meta book-within-a-book-within-a-book chapters at the end, which didn't really add to the story.
You could read The Shadow of the Wind and The Angel's Game and be happy and done with this series. The Prisoner of Heaven and The Labyrinth of the Spirits are not nothing books, but they didn't have the excitement for me. They change the storyline of the first two books and hence mess with how I remember what happened (maybe that's the point). I wish I had read them electronically, and been able to search for characters who I didn't think I had come across before, but who were suddenly crucial parts of the characters' lives despite never being mentioned in a previous book.
Plus, women are repeatedly objectified and sexualised all through this series. Don't tell me it's historically accurate.
You could read The Shadow of the Wind and The Angel's Game and be happy and done with this series. The Prisoner of Heaven and The Labyrinth of the Spirits are not nothing books, but they didn't have the excitement for me. They change the storyline of the first two books and hence mess with how I remember what happened (maybe that's the point). I wish I had read them electronically, and been able to search for characters who I didn't think I had come across before, but who were suddenly crucial parts of the characters' lives despite never being mentioned in a previous book.
Plus, women are repeatedly objectified and sexualised all through this series. Don't tell me it's historically accurate.
mayray58's review against another edition
5.0
I am not quite done this book, and not sure I ever want to finish.
I love getting lost in romantic, old, Barcelona following the words of Carlos Ruiz Zafon, a genius with language and a master of literary atmosphere. I have read Shadow of the Wind and now, Labyrinth of the Spirits. These books make me feel things I have felt before and have given me the privilege of visiting old Spain and the graveyard of forgotten books.
The is a place that is grounded in real history but blurs around the edges with magic realism. Death is ever-present. Alicia Gris is very much like Liz Salander of the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo-- a damaged doll with mad skills. This book is so moving and beautiful-- I really cannot review or describe properly except to say that this is as good contemporary fiction gets.
I love getting lost in romantic, old, Barcelona following the words of Carlos Ruiz Zafon, a genius with language and a master of literary atmosphere. I have read Shadow of the Wind and now, Labyrinth of the Spirits. These books make me feel things I have felt before and have given me the privilege of visiting old Spain and the graveyard of forgotten books.
The is a place that is grounded in real history but blurs around the edges with magic realism. Death is ever-present. Alicia Gris is very much like Liz Salander of the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo-- a damaged doll with mad skills. This book is so moving and beautiful-- I really cannot review or describe properly except to say that this is as good contemporary fiction gets.
willemijn2302's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
5.0
dhoofwijk's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
grapecandy's review against another edition
4.0
This would have had five stars if not for the last chapter which, to me, should not have made it into the book. This has everything fans of Ruiz Zafón love and it felt like the perfect way to end the series. But that last chapter just didn't fit.
guinevere_s1994's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0