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fox_at_the_circus's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
I enjoyed this book immensly! I always love a good heist and found family plot and this book really gives us great characters with great relationships. I loved the character development of the faceless old woman who secretly lives in your home and seeing how she became the person we know and love from WTNV. She has a really interesting character arc and seeing her revenge story unfold is very interesting and tragic.
This book is full of mystery and plot twists and intrigue and it is so fun to theorise while reading. And sometimes I saw things coming, but never the whole twist, never all of it; great foreshadowing with great pay-off!
It also has some amazing prose in it, in the earlier flashbacks especially with the "what X smells like" paragraphs, those really hit hard for me
This book is full of mystery and plot twists and intrigue and it is so fun to theorise while reading. And sometimes I saw things coming, but never the whole twist, never all of it; great foreshadowing with great pay-off!
It also has some amazing prose in it, in the earlier flashbacks especially with the "what X smells like" paragraphs, those really hit hard for me
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Violence, Body horror, Death, and Death of parent
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Physical abuse, and Car accident
nihane's review
1.0
I don’t like writing reviews that are negative, but I feel like I need to for this one. This wasn’t very Nightvale. It was hyper violent, gross, not very humorous, vindictive, and just not Nightvale. I felt uncomfortable reading it in some parts. I hope if there is ever another original novel from them in this world that it be more like the first two books. Less like V for Vendetta.
prairie_meg's review against another edition
4.0
I’ve tried listening to the Night Vale podcast several times and just can’t get into it. So I picked up this book on a whim based on the title. Other reviews state that it doesn’t feel like a Night Vale story. That’s probably why I enjoyed it so much.
rakoerose's review against another edition
5.0
I’m incredibly biased, because I love the entirety of Night Vale, but I’m also genuinely fascinated by this tale of a faceless woman.
You’re thoughtful and tender, Craig. It makes my task difficult sometimes.
The dual timeline perspectives for this novel really made the reveals hit hard. Some things I could sense, others were a surprise, and I enjoyed all of it. The sheer scale in how manipulation and revenge can create a life so complicated yet singularly focused. And when you look so closely, you’re blind to the rest. Really well done! I will say if you’re not one for “pirate crew and thievery/heist” shenanigans it may not be your cup of tea. It happens to be something I do like.
I also liked the crew. Andrés, Lora, and Rebekah all grew on me as their adventures played out. Their doing-crime-yet-minimizing-harm. A backwards way of existence that was cool to see. I particularly liked that Andrés is a bit of (not named) ace-aro representation and Rebekah ending up sapphic. It’s these little details and nuances that makes these stories so interesting to read. The depth! Night Vale has always been quite inclusive and it’s what makes it feel both like home and eerily not at the same time.
I will say I had great fun learning what all the elements of the cover symbolized over the course of the book. It’s always so fun when that happens.
Idk. I love Night Vale. I really adored this book, it was great to see the origins of this unique character they’ve developed over all these years. Yet somehow we still don’t know her name. Truly, faceless.
You’re thoughtful and tender, Craig. It makes my task difficult sometimes.
The dual timeline perspectives for this novel really made the reveals hit hard. Some things I could sense, others were a surprise, and I enjoyed all of it. The sheer scale in how manipulation and revenge can create a life so complicated yet singularly focused. And when you look so closely, you’re blind to the rest. Really well done! I will say if you’re not one for “pirate crew and thievery/heist” shenanigans it may not be your cup of tea. It happens to be something I do like.
I also liked the crew. Andrés, Lora, and Rebekah all grew on me as their adventures played out. Their doing-crime-yet-minimizing-harm. A backwards way of existence that was cool to see. I particularly liked that Andrés is a bit of (not named) ace-aro representation and Rebekah ending up sapphic. It’s these little details and nuances that makes these stories so interesting to read. The depth! Night Vale has always been quite inclusive and it’s what makes it feel both like home and eerily not at the same time.
I will say I had great fun learning what all the elements of the cover symbolized over the course of the book. It’s always so fun when that happens.
Idk. I love Night Vale. I really adored this book, it was great to see the origins of this unique character they’ve developed over all these years. Yet somehow we still don’t know her name. Truly, faceless.
finneasty's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
Easily the weakest Nightvale novel to date
yersomyapestis's review against another edition
4.0
Loved it! Definitely geared more towards the horror side than I was expecting ar some points, but I loved the blend of action/adventure with the cynical horror thats normally acociated with this character. However, I do wish there was a content warning before the chapter 'Craig 2020,' because it was REALLY intense... But overall, a phenomenal read!
professorbageldorf's review against another edition
5.0
I was genuinely surprised how much I loved this book. I listened to the audiobook which was read by…Matilda?? Added bonus. This book somehow combines revenge plot / origin story and horror. There were some truly eerie moments that I LOVED.
sirlaurel's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
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
4.25