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dogearedbooks's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Graphic: Bullying, Classism, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Violence, and Blood
Minor: Alcoholism, Bullying, Addiction, Confinement, Fire/Fire injury, Slavery, Violence, Cannibalism, and Grief
bsmucker's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The way that Jonny Sims manages to build toward and deliver a payoff through an Agatha Christie-style reveal is one of the most satisfying aspects of his work (again, see The Magnus Archives, which I truly regard as one of the best pieces of fiction I've ever experienced). The ending of this book is no different, but it felt a bit laborious getting there. Each story ended predictably in service of the overarching narrative, but it made the weaker stories feel more like
Again, I cannot express enough admiration for Jonny Sims and his talent, but, even though Thirteen Storeys delivered a satisfying conclusion, the individual stories felt more like chapters out of Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark. Jonny's earned my support because I eagerly anticipate more of his work, but don't expect the same level of suspense, mystery, and horror as The Magnus Archives if you, like me, are looking for anything to fill the void it has left.
Graphic: Classism, Chronic illness, Violence, Addiction, and Cannibalism
ambers's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Each chapter is both self contained and connected to the main plot/the other chapters, which is a lot of fun to engage with. The characters are all unique and well-written, although I did have my favorites. I actually kept some notes on my phone while I listened too, which helped a lot for recall. This book also made me talk out loud to myself, multiple times - sometimes because something horrified me, and sometimes, as strange as it sounds, because something delighted me (maybe I'm easy to win over, but I was THRILLED to have a character mention his binder, and I distinctly recall reacting out loud to that one).
I do see some comments saying there were parts that were difficult to get through, and while I see where they're coming from, I don't personally agree. I loved the slow burn to the ending, and I found it suitably creepy throughout. I would definitely recommend this to horror fans, especially if they enjoy blatant leftie theory in their horror (I certainly do).
Graphic: Body horror, Murder, Gore, Violence, Cannibalism, and Classism
Moderate: Police brutality
Minor: War, Deadnaming, Addiction, and Transphobia
miss_sunshine's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Gaslighting, Gore, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Cannibalism, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Addiction, Alcohol, Child death, Colonisation, Genocide, Medical content, and Toxic friendship
librariangeorgia's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Violence, Cannibalism, Body horror, Gore, Death, and Confinement
Minor: Transphobia, Deadnaming, and Addiction
wayward_books's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Cannibalism
Moderate: Blood, Body horror, Confinement, Death, Drug use, Gore, Mental illness, Murder, and Addiction
tieflingkisser's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Gore, Blood, Body horror, and Murder
Moderate: Suicide, Child death, and Cannibalism
Minor: Addiction, Transphobia, and Alcoholism
klavin_lovell's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Now I wouldn't recommend reading the book expecting another Magnus Archives as that's not what it is. It is, however, fantastic.
It can become gruesome so I would recommend practicing caution but if you've listened to the more violent Magnus Archives episodes it should be bearable.
In my opinion the story is fascinating, an intelligent statement about morality and self preservation. The ideologies that may come with one's experiences and backgrounds. It can be a little difficult to follow with every chapter being a different narrative and keeping up with the large main cast can be tricky if you don't have the best memory, like myself.
However the cast is diverse and some characters are very memorable, Jonny has shown his skill with a wide range of characters and themes and I am definitely looking forward to his next project.
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Cannibalism, Violence, Police brutality, Murder, and Mental illness
Moderate: Bullying, Cursing, and Grief
Minor: Alcoholism, Addiction, Transphobia, Deadnaming, Homophobia, Child death, Death of parent, and Drug abuse
keen's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Police brutality, Violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, Terminal illness, Murder, Body horror, Blood, Cannibalism, Physical abuse, Gore, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Death
Moderate: Kidnapping and Child death
Minor: Deadnaming, Suicide, Addiction, and Transphobia
karinh's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Cannibalism, Death, Kidnapping, and Violence
Moderate: Confinement and Gore
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child death, Deadnaming, Terminal illness, Transphobia, and Xenophobia