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tobin_elliott's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
There was a point where I'd thought this was going to be the best of the three Limbus collections. Most of the stories didn't really break any new ground, and much of them tended to still centre heavily on the Limbus, Inc. method of recruitment which, by the third book, isn't truly necessary anymore, though I feel like only Maberry seems to get that.
Regardless, the first four stories were very good with, as per usual, Maberry's Sam Hunter stealing the damn show for the third time running. He just...gets it.
But I have to talk about Laird Barron's entry. I know he took pride of place to close off the collection, as he's possibly the biggest name in the novel (though I'd argue that point), or maybe because the editor didn't really know what else to do with it. Not sure, but...it was...not good. It was mostly nonsensical. It often felt like a random collection of sentences that really didn't fit together all that well. It was virtually unreadable, though I did get through it, mostly skimming and really not picking anything much up after the first third.
Without that story, this book would be an easy five stars. But it was bad enough to tear two of them away.
Regardless, the first four stories were very good with, as per usual, Maberry's Sam Hunter stealing the damn show for the third time running. He just...gets it.
But I have to talk about Laird Barron's entry. I know he took pride of place to close off the collection, as he's possibly the biggest name in the novel (though I'd argue that point), or maybe because the editor didn't really know what else to do with it. Not sure, but...it was...not good. It was mostly nonsensical. It often felt like a random collection of sentences that really didn't fit together all that well. It was virtually unreadable, though I did get through it, mostly skimming and really not picking anything much up after the first third.
Without that story, this book would be an easy five stars. But it was bad enough to tear two of them away.
morganhazelwood's review
5.0
I picked this up thinking it was a short story collection with some of my favorite, so I could easily set it down between authors.
WRONG.
True, it has novelettes, but in between is an overarching meta-plot, a detective tracking down the killer of a young woman he can't even identify.
If you're down on your luck, if you seem to have no way out, that's when you'll get the card: LIMBUS. An employment agency with a phone number and the phrase, "Do you feel lucky?" You have to sign the DNA and contract before they'll tell you your job.
The vignettes follow the stories of a few luckless people who end up signing on.
Limbus is a world of bio-tech, time travel, elder gods, and The Corporation.
I'd highly recommend this book--only not just before bedtime.
WRONG.
True, it has novelettes, but in between is an overarching meta-plot, a detective tracking down the killer of a young woman he can't even identify.
If you're down on your luck, if you seem to have no way out, that's when you'll get the card: LIMBUS. An employment agency with a phone number and the phrase, "Do you feel lucky?" You have to sign the DNA and contract before they'll tell you your job.
The vignettes follow the stories of a few luckless people who end up signing on.
Limbus is a world of bio-tech, time travel, elder gods, and The Corporation.
I'd highly recommend this book--only not just before bedtime.
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