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nathalyalvarez's review against another edition
4.0
Eres maligno —dijo mi yo—, eres Mr. Monster. Tú no eres nada, eres yo
Si te gusta Criminal Minds, Dexter, Hannibal, ese tipo de series, entonces tal vez te guste este libro.
Dan Wells nos cuenta la historia de John Wayne Cleaver, un adolescente con un gran interés (y digo interés para no decir obsesión) en asesinos en serie. Él sabe las características que muestra cuando una persona podría convertirse en un asesino en serie como ser pirómano, mojar la cama o matar animales pequeños; también sabe que el mismo tiene estas características. Pero cuando un asesino ataca la pequeña cuidad en la que vive, John deberá utilizar sus conocimientos para investigar quien tiene aterrorizado al vecindario.
Perturbador, aterrador, extraño, confuso. Así se sintió comenzar a leer este libro. Comenzando por la parte en que en las primeras cinco paginas describen detalladamente como embalsaman un cadáver, te haces una idea de cuan perturbador puede ser este libro. Y ese es solo el principio.
Me gusta lo perturbador, y de hecho, la parte en que John explica como cada vez que quiere matar a alguien le dice algo agradable es mi favorita. Para mi sorpresa, no es desagradable leer los pensamientos de John, sobre todo porque tiene estas reglas que le impiden hacer cosas que hacen los asesinos en serie.
Literalmente estas en suspenso mientras lees esperando que algo pase, esperando y esperando que John se desate y mate a alguien. Hasta que llegas a un punto en que la trama da un giro inesperado y es como que no te lo puedes creer. Y lees lo mas que puedes solo para intentar comprender hasta que lo terminas y te das cuenta que es una trilogía y maldita sea, quiero leer Mr. Monster.
Es fácil de leer y lo digo porque le preste el libro a cinco personas mientras lo leía y a todas les gusto y llegaron a más de 20 páginas. Y según uno de ellos, es “traumático pero interesante”
thisisthelion's review against another edition
2.0
Al principio recuerda vagamente a Dexter, pero llega un momento en el que da un giro que le da la vuelta a la historia. Sin desvelar nada, ya que es mejor saber lo mínimo, solo puedo decir que ha sido uno de los libros más interesante y emocionantes que he leído. Muy buen comienzo para una trilogía que promete.
noonebuthappy's review against another edition
dark
emotional
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? Yes
4.0
guillevaldata's review against another edition
5.0
Wow!! Quien hubiera dicho que ese libro que tengo abandonado hace 3 años me iba a encantar tanto?
La verdad es que fue excelente, me mantuvo todo el tiempo atrapada, fascinada y con el estómago revuelto. La forma de narrar de Dan Wells es super fluida y entretenida!
Me da un poco de flojera saber que hay 5 más, pero en algún momento de mi vida los voy a seguir 🙌🏻
La verdad es que fue excelente, me mantuvo todo el tiempo atrapada, fascinada y con el estómago revuelto. La forma de narrar de Dan Wells es super fluida y entretenida!
Me da un poco de flojera saber que hay 5 más, pero en algún momento de mi vida los voy a seguir 🙌🏻
curiouslyjade's review against another edition
3.0
Satisfyingly fast-paced and different, though I couldn't help but feel I was reading about Dexter's teenage years.
youngthespian42's review against another edition
3.0
I had a pretty mixed experience with this book. It was really hard for me to like the protagonist. His inner voice was really rough for me. The mystery around the story kept me engaged and I am curious to try one more but if I am still struggling I will DNF quick. I loved the writing and want to read more Dan.
earthier's review against another edition
1.0
If you've seen the movie, you basically read this book not much is different and the additional details or perspective provided from John's internal dialogue is minimal. For the first time, I think I'd prefer the movie to the book.
I think anyone who's taken an intro Psychology course could acknowledge this book really emphasizes John's disorder- sort of beats you over the head with it. But that's why I didn't like it especially paired with the supernatural demon comparison. It's offensive to mental illness and I feel it's too easy of a route from personal experience as a psychology student and just a general person who has consumed media about serial killers. It's dehumanizing and though I understand people like to distance themselves from what they perceive is the darker side of humanity, but I emphasize it's still humanity no matter how much you don't like it. It literally says that a demon can love and be more compassionate at times than a teenage boy with a mental disorder. I've never been one to be enthralled with serial killers but this book brought up the issue I have with the field of Abnormal psychology. People even those with disorders aren't just their disorder, everything they do can't or shouldn't go back to their disorder -like the Rosenhan study once you've been labeled the perception of all the actions that follow changes. Maybe it's meant to make the reader question this dynamic of mental illness and literal demon but it's fucked up. Even John reviews serial killer profiles and self-diagnosed himself. And the way his "friend" playfully gest that he'll be a surpass other serial killers. I don't know it was too much for me, the glamourizing, idolizing, and dehumanizing mixed with murder, self-loathing, and self-isolation. Then this idea that by killing this demon he's somehow redeemed himself as a human or more human. (Which doesn't really equate in my eyes since he is so intelligent/self-aware and in some ways self counseled himself up to this point. It seems like a major character shift. But then again there is a demon. And John completely seems to see this disorder as something brought on himself through his own actions, completely dismissing his environmental factors such as his upbringing and the genetics that could have lead to John having Anti-social personality disorder.)
I think anyone who's taken an intro Psychology course could acknowledge this book really emphasizes John's disorder- sort of beats you over the head with it. But that's why I didn't like it especially paired with the supernatural demon comparison. It's offensive to mental illness and I feel it's too easy of a route from personal experience as a psychology student and just a general person who has consumed media about serial killers. It's dehumanizing and though I understand people like to distance themselves from what they perceive is the darker side of humanity, but I emphasize it's still humanity no matter how much you don't like it. It literally says that a demon can love and be more compassionate at times than a teenage boy with a mental disorder. I've never been one to be enthralled with serial killers but this book brought up the issue I have with the field of Abnormal psychology. People even those with disorders aren't just their disorder, everything they do can't or shouldn't go back to their disorder -like the Rosenhan study once you've been labeled the perception of all the actions that follow changes. Maybe it's meant to make the reader question this dynamic of mental illness and literal demon but it's fucked up. Even John reviews serial killer profiles and self-diagnosed himself. And the way his "friend" playfully gest that he'll be a surpass other serial killers. I don't know it was too much for me, the glamourizing, idolizing, and dehumanizing mixed with murder, self-loathing, and self-isolation. Then this idea that by killing this demon he's somehow redeemed himself as a human or more human. (Which doesn't really equate in my eyes since he is so intelligent/self-aware and in some ways self counseled himself up to this point. It seems like a major character shift. But then again there is a demon. And John completely seems to see this disorder as something brought on himself through his own actions, completely dismissing his environmental factors such as his upbringing and the genetics that could have lead to John having Anti-social personality disorder.)
ingo_lembcke's review against another edition
3.0
Started January, 7th 2013 (Yesterday deep in the night, 00:15 am or so). Interesting idea and setting.
Now that the great reveal is done, I must say: arghhh!!! Bad, very bad surprise.
Before I buy a book, even from someone I have not read before, I make a point not to read about it (too much) as not to spoil it. Well, that did not work here, total backfire. Nothing against the genre, but when I want to buy a book about a serial killer, I do not expect a genre change as this one.
Fair warning to every would-be buyer: try to find out what this book is really about, so you know what you are getting into when reading it. As it is not very long, and I am now 65% finished, I will finish it, and I will make it soon, as I have hopefully better books to read soon.
Depending on the ending I might give more stars. So far for a good idea and a bad twist I would say 2.
And if it stays that way it will be the last book I buy from this writer for the foreseeable future.
Finished just now. WIthout spoiling it, it is not advisable to read this as a "Dexter"-like book about an adolescent Serial Killer in development.
That was a letdown.
The ending was ok, with a nice showdown, but after that it was too cuddly-mushy.
As stated before, I will not read another book by that writer anytime soon.
For the the thought-process growing up of John I give 4 stars, but for the reveal-twist and a predictable ending that is far too much, that part would warrant 2 stars - that would also mean no recommendation! So I settle for 3 stars, but before spending money on it or waste time, I suggest to find out, what this book really is about. Clearly it is not bad, but I wanted something different and based that only on the title, so I am partly to blame myself for this disappointment.
Now that the great reveal is done, I must say: arghhh!!! Bad, very bad surprise.
Before I buy a book, even from someone I have not read before, I make a point not to read about it (too much) as not to spoil it. Well, that did not work here, total backfire. Nothing against the genre, but when I want to buy a book about a serial killer, I do not expect a genre change as this one.
Fair warning to every would-be buyer: try to find out what this book is really about, so you know what you are getting into when reading it. As it is not very long, and I am now 65% finished, I will finish it, and I will make it soon, as I have hopefully better books to read soon.
Depending on the ending I might give more stars. So far for a good idea and a bad twist I would say 2.
And if it stays that way it will be the last book I buy from this writer for the foreseeable future.
Finished just now. WIthout spoiling it, it is not advisable to read this as a "Dexter"-like book about an adolescent Serial Killer in development.
That was a letdown.
The ending was ok, with a nice showdown, but after that it was too cuddly-mushy.
As stated before, I will not read another book by that writer anytime soon.
For the the thought-process growing up of John I give 4 stars, but for the reveal-twist and a predictable ending that is far too much, that part would warrant 2 stars - that would also mean no recommendation! So I settle for 3 stars, but before spending money on it or waste time, I suggest to find out, what this book really is about. Clearly it is not bad, but I wanted something different and based that only on the title, so I am partly to blame myself for this disappointment.
drphillgucci's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
crowsandprose's review against another edition
4.0
Fans of the Dexter TV show, look no further: Here is your serial killer. Here is your sociopath. Presented in a far better manner than Lindsay's schlocky, wish-fulfillment character Dexter Morgan (who in the books is a shallow mirror of his tv persona) John Wayne Cleaver is a young, dangerous man with tho emotional range of a teaspoon and all the problems that come with it.
I found the character engaging, the writing tight -- though it was short read, it remained an engaging book, which I cannot really say for either of Lindsay's. Yes, it's got an occult angle, but that doesn't attract from the sound character writing behind John. The character's foils and failings are just right, no one is so stupid that they never see the proto-killer in their midst.
My only problem is the relatively neat wrap up of the "Who Did It" and "What Happens To Them" come the end of the book. It's all a little too neat there, but it's a minor flub and I have every faith that Wells will get better in his next book.
So pick these up and put Dexter down. You'll be glad you did.
I found the character engaging, the writing tight -- though it was short read, it remained an engaging book, which I cannot really say for either of Lindsay's. Yes, it's got an occult angle, but that doesn't attract from the sound character writing behind John. The character's foils and failings are just right, no one is so stupid that they never see the proto-killer in their midst.
My only problem is the relatively neat wrap up of the "Who Did It" and "What Happens To Them" come the end of the book. It's all a little too neat there, but it's a minor flub and I have every faith that Wells will get better in his next book.
So pick these up and put Dexter down. You'll be glad you did.