Scan barcode
alic_is_bored's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death of parent, Death, Child death, and Violence
booksthatburn's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
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
4.0
Nobody Owens ("Bod") is raised by the denizens of a graveyard after the rest of his family is killed when he's a baby.
Bod grows from a baby into a teenager over the course of the book, and he feels distinct at each age in how he interacts with the world and what kinds of questions he asks. His world is built from his relationships with the others in the graveyard, whether they're consistent visitors or permanent residents. It's also shaped by his attempts to be around living people, most of which go poorly and all of which are complicated. Because Bod’s perspective is the main (but not quite only) one in the book, his understanding is the filter for most of the worldbuilding. There are things he’s told but lacks additional context to understand, and some things he knows intimately but which are just mentioned.
The first two-thirds of the book is a series of vignettes of events which happened to Bod as he grows up. The episodic pacing culminates in one major event which comprises the final third of the book and is built on everything that happened until this point. It makes this large section feel important, tense, and distinct from the other sections while complementing them perfectly.
Bod grows from a baby into a teenager over the course of the book, and he feels distinct at each age in how he interacts with the world and what kinds of questions he asks. His world is built from his relationships with the others in the graveyard, whether they're consistent visitors or permanent residents. It's also shaped by his attempts to be around living people, most of which go poorly and all of which are complicated. Because Bod’s perspective is the main (but not quite only) one in the book, his understanding is the filter for most of the worldbuilding. There are things he’s told but lacks additional context to understand, and some things he knows intimately but which are just mentioned.
The first two-thirds of the book is a series of vignettes of events which happened to Bod as he grows up. The episodic pacing culminates in one major event which comprises the final third of the book and is built on everything that happened until this point. It makes this large section feel important, tense, and distinct from the other sections while complementing them perfectly.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Kidnapping, Death, Murder, Child death, and Violence
Minor: Ableism, Suicide, and Cannibalism
toffishay's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Such a fun middle-grade read that was emotional and exciting with some surprising twists. Neil Gaiman, at his best (which he isn't always, in my opinion), has a great writing style and it makes his work very readable.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death of parent, and Death
Minor: Violence
bhopeu's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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? No
5.0
I just want to say that after I read this book, I can’t remove the smile on my face. Although I did cry a little bit at the end. Loved the illustrations and little extras in the book. Nobody and Silas will always have a soft spot in my heart ❤️.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Violence
kylajaynebooks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
This gave me spooky stories around the campfire vibes and I loved it so much. Neil Gaiman books are like reading a Tim Burton movie and I’m obsessed
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Suicide and Violence
sofipitch's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-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? No
4.0
Nothing really wrong with this book, it was just not for me, in that it's definitely geared towards kids and I just wanted something more complex as an adult. I did love the relationship between Bod and Silas, I didn't get why bod had a set of parents and Silas as his guardian, when it felt like Silas did most of the work raising Bod.
Content Warnings
Minor: Body horror, Death of parent, and Violence
jmcampbell57's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
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? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Violence
binreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
reflective
sad
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? No
4.25
A great read. At moments, I really had to try and use my imagination to the best of my ability to really understand what was happening.
It was a slow burn, but it’s builds up and the story just gets better up to the very end. I loved following Bod through his adventures in the graveyard. Bittersweet ending.
It was a slow burn, but it’s builds up and the story just gets better up to the very end. I loved following Bod through his adventures in the graveyard. Bittersweet ending.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Death of parent, Bullying, Confinement, and Abandonment
miandi's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Minor: Murder and Violence
kryskross's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Child death, Death of parent, Murder, and Violence