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librariansrule's review
4.0
Had to stick with it 'til the end, and it was worth it, but good heavens, abysmal personalities abound in this tale. It was a struggle, truly, to hang with it, but I love Lyga's other work so much that I had to persevere.
thewallflower00's review
2.0
The main character is SUPER unlikable. He's a douchebag that fucks multiple women, is vulgar, lazy, does stupid adult things. There's a lot of sex, to the point of being porn-like. And the things he does don't justify the ending.There's an underlying technique of "is this actually all in his mind?" that distracts from the text.
The central idea is "what if a down-on-his-luck author actually did make a deal with the devil for a bestselling book". The problem is that this is a character book. And the kind of character who would make this deal is a douchebag. Like if Stephen King drank a Jekyll-and-Hyde potion and all we saw was Hyde. Sad to say, Barry Lyga is no longer one of my favorite authors. I probably wouldn't have finished it if it hadn't been so short.
The central idea is "what if a down-on-his-luck author actually did make a deal with the devil for a bestselling book". The problem is that this is a character book. And the kind of character who would make this deal is a douchebag. Like if Stephen King drank a Jekyll-and-Hyde potion and all we saw was Hyde. Sad to say, Barry Lyga is no longer one of my favorite authors. I probably wouldn't have finished it if it hadn't been so short.
theoglibrarianmom's review
4.0
Talented writer
Barry Lyga has the ability to totally pull me into a story and not let go. I started reading this and without meaning to finished it in one sitting. There are some strange parts in it, and parts I didn't really necessarily like, but it also kept me reading until 5 am.
Barry Lyga has the ability to totally pull me into a story and not let go. I started reading this and without meaning to finished it in one sitting. There are some strange parts in it, and parts I didn't really necessarily like, but it also kept me reading until 5 am.
trisha_thomas's review
2.0
"Hey, did you ever notice that if you subtract the He, for hell, from writhing, it becomes writing?"
This was a very odd tale. Full of sex and and crude language, don't for one moment believe the "dirty" part is of the description is in jest. The book made me cringe - especially the dad parts (yikes!). It was funny in a few spots and kept me wondering how it would all end up. I enjoyed the adventure but I don't think I'd want to read another if it became a series.
This was a very odd tale. Full of sex and and crude language, don't for one moment believe the "dirty" part is of the description is in jest. The book made me cringe - especially the dad parts (yikes!). It was funny in a few spots and kept me wondering how it would all end up. I enjoyed the adventure but I don't think I'd want to read another if it became a series.
bookswithlukas's review
3.0
Not what I was expecting….
I was looking forward to Barry Lyga's first adult novel, as 'I Hunt Killers' is easily one of the best YA books I've read in the last few years and I was excited to see where an adult storyline would take him. In my head though, I guess I was just expecting something a bit more in tone with 'I Hunt Killers' and not the drama/dark comedy mashup that is 'Un'souled'. The synopsis for this book is especially intriguing and can be summed up in a simple question. 'What happens to you when you sell your soul to the Devil?'
If there is one thing to say about 'Un'souled' it's that it's get the tone of it's comedy right from the start, it's very dark and almost absurdist in places that it really sets the tone for the plot that is too come. It feels purposely over the top, and is probably the most enjoyable aspect of the story as whole. The chapter titles are a great idea, and something that I wish was used more, especially in novels more focused on comedy like this one.
With the adult nature of this book though, there also comes the ability to fuse the story with lots of sex talk, and I felt it a bit much to begin with. Our character is supposed to be in his thirties but he talks about sex like some desperate frat boy. Everything is tight ass this, and wet pussy that…it became a bit much in the end, although I guess it is used to prove a point that is explained at the end of the novel.
Speaking of the finale, it also takes a more realistic and deeper turn towards the end that I kind of liked, It's not so overly obvious that you instantly see it as the book trying to send a 'message', but deep enough and fixed within the narrative that it makes you think anyway..
Overall, I'd say this novel is worth a go (especially with that cheap kindle price tag), but if you're expecting the adult coming of 'I Hunt Killers' you will probably be disappointed.
I was looking forward to Barry Lyga's first adult novel, as 'I Hunt Killers' is easily one of the best YA books I've read in the last few years and I was excited to see where an adult storyline would take him. In my head though, I guess I was just expecting something a bit more in tone with 'I Hunt Killers' and not the drama/dark comedy mashup that is 'Un'souled'. The synopsis for this book is especially intriguing and can be summed up in a simple question. 'What happens to you when you sell your soul to the Devil?'
If there is one thing to say about 'Un'souled' it's that it's get the tone of it's comedy right from the start, it's very dark and almost absurdist in places that it really sets the tone for the plot that is too come. It feels purposely over the top, and is probably the most enjoyable aspect of the story as whole. The chapter titles are a great idea, and something that I wish was used more, especially in novels more focused on comedy like this one.
With the adult nature of this book though, there also comes the ability to fuse the story with lots of sex talk, and I felt it a bit much to begin with. Our character is supposed to be in his thirties but he talks about sex like some desperate frat boy. Everything is tight ass this, and wet pussy that…it became a bit much in the end, although I guess it is used to prove a point that is explained at the end of the novel.
Speaking of the finale, it also takes a more realistic and deeper turn towards the end that I kind of liked, It's not so overly obvious that you instantly see it as the book trying to send a 'message', but deep enough and fixed within the narrative that it makes you think anyway..
Spoiler
It's also always appealing to me when authors don't feel forced to right 'good characters, and I liked that the character ultimately came to the conclusion that he wasn't 'nice', and didn't care anywayOverall, I'd say this novel is worth a go (especially with that cheap kindle price tag), but if you're expecting the adult coming of 'I Hunt Killers' you will probably be disappointed.
aly36's review
3.0
Honestly, I was a little disappointed by this book. I really enjoyed some of this author's other books and I was hoping to get my niece into reading more of his work. This book has lots of foul language in it and is a little too sharing in some places for me. This book is not for her to read. I don't want to teach her things like this. I liked the book and I will check a few more books by this author because I loved his "I Hunt Killers" series soo much! This book for me was not as good by far!
bookwormlukas's review
3.0
Not what I was expecting….
I was looking forward to Barry Lyga's first adult novel, as 'I Hunt Killers' is easily one of the best YA books I've read in the last few years and I was excited to see where an adult storyline would take him. In my head though, I guess I was just expecting something a bit more in tone with 'I Hunt Killers' and not the drama/dark comedy mashup that is 'Un'souled'. The synopsis for this book is especially intriguing and can be summed up in a simple question. 'What happens to you when you sell your soul to the Devil?'
If there is one thing to say about 'Un'souled' it's that it's get the tone of it's comedy right from the start, it's very dark and almost absurdist in places that it really sets the tone for the plot that is too come. It feels purposely over the top, and is probably the most enjoyable aspect of the story as whole. The chapter titles are a great idea, and something that I wish was used more, especially in novels more focused on comedy like this one.
With the adult nature of this book though, there also comes the ability to fuse the story with lots of sex talk, and I felt it a bit much to begin with. Our character is supposed to be in his thirties but he talks about sex like some desperate frat boy. Everything is tight ass this, and wet pussy that…it became a bit much in the end, although I guess it is used to prove a point that is explained at the end of the novel.
Speaking of the finale, it also takes a more realistic and deeper turn towards the end that I kind of liked, It's not so overly obvious that you instantly see it as the book trying to send a 'message', but deep enough and fixed within the narrative that it makes you think anyway..
Overall, I'd say this novel is worth a go (especially with that cheap kindle price tag), but if you're expecting the adult coming of 'I Hunt Killers' you will probably be disappointed.
I was looking forward to Barry Lyga's first adult novel, as 'I Hunt Killers' is easily one of the best YA books I've read in the last few years and I was excited to see where an adult storyline would take him. In my head though, I guess I was just expecting something a bit more in tone with 'I Hunt Killers' and not the drama/dark comedy mashup that is 'Un'souled'. The synopsis for this book is especially intriguing and can be summed up in a simple question. 'What happens to you when you sell your soul to the Devil?'
If there is one thing to say about 'Un'souled' it's that it's get the tone of it's comedy right from the start, it's very dark and almost absurdist in places that it really sets the tone for the plot that is too come. It feels purposely over the top, and is probably the most enjoyable aspect of the story as whole. The chapter titles are a great idea, and something that I wish was used more, especially in novels more focused on comedy like this one.
With the adult nature of this book though, there also comes the ability to fuse the story with lots of sex talk, and I felt it a bit much to begin with. Our character is supposed to be in his thirties but he talks about sex like some desperate frat boy. Everything is tight ass this, and wet pussy that…it became a bit much in the end, although I guess it is used to prove a point that is explained at the end of the novel.
Speaking of the finale, it also takes a more realistic and deeper turn towards the end that I kind of liked, It's not so overly obvious that you instantly see it as the book trying to send a 'message', but deep enough and fixed within the narrative that it makes you think anyway..
Spoiler
It's also always appealing to me when authors don't feel forced to right 'good characters, and I liked that the character ultimately came to the conclusion that he wasn't 'nice', and didn't care anywayOverall, I'd say this novel is worth a go (especially with that cheap kindle price tag), but if you're expecting the adult coming of 'I Hunt Killers' you will probably be disappointed.
claudiaswisher's review
4.0
Barry Lyga...love the boy. His mind goes sick, sick places. He puts his characters into untenable situations. He toys with them. He does that here.
Randall is a published author who wants more. He hasn't had any real success...and is willing to sell his soul to the....whoops. There is the devil, surfer-dude, snarky to the max. Ready to give Randall everything he wants.
Randall is not likable...he is fixated on sex, a symptom of his disconnect which the real world. Randall is a little man, with talent, but a disaster in many ways. That's exactly WHY the devil wants him. The world is too hopeful, too willing to read uplifting, inspiring stories (one author is descriped in sufficient detail to be identified)! Of course, Randall and the reader are not privy to the devil's motivation until much later...The deal is sealed, and the story takes off.
I liked the conversations between Randall and the devil -- always lower case. They're equally matched intellectually...they spar and argue. The devil has to explain the metaphor in the story of the Garden of Eden. Funny!
How low will Randall fall on his rise to the top? Is there any hope? Most of the people in his life are as screwed up as he is...except his best friend Trayvon...the women are interchange-able and one dimensional, because that's the only way he sees them. He is trying to substitute this revolving door of beautiful women, all of whom probably deserve much more than he can ever give thme, for real relationships, true caring...all that good stuff that happens when people really care for each other.
Fascinating book about fame and creativity and good and evil....and waaay too much sex - but Randall is developmentally about 17 when it comes to women.
Randall is a published author who wants more. He hasn't had any real success...and is willing to sell his soul to the....whoops. There is the devil, surfer-dude, snarky to the max. Ready to give Randall everything he wants.
Randall is not likable...he is fixated on sex, a symptom of his disconnect which the real world. Randall is a little man, with talent, but a disaster in many ways. That's exactly WHY the devil wants him. The world is too hopeful, too willing to read uplifting, inspiring stories (one author is descriped in sufficient detail to be identified)! Of course, Randall and the reader are not privy to the devil's motivation until much later...The deal is sealed, and the story takes off.
I liked the conversations between Randall and the devil -- always lower case. They're equally matched intellectually...they spar and argue. The devil has to explain the metaphor in the story of the Garden of Eden. Funny!
How low will Randall fall on his rise to the top? Is there any hope? Most of the people in his life are as screwed up as he is...except his best friend Trayvon...the women are interchange-able and one dimensional, because that's the only way he sees them. He is trying to substitute this revolving door of beautiful women, all of whom probably deserve much more than he can ever give thme, for real relationships, true caring...all that good stuff that happens when people really care for each other.
Fascinating book about fame and creativity and good and evil....and waaay too much sex - but Randall is developmentally about 17 when it comes to women.
thelibrarianmom's review
4.0
Talented writer
Barry Lyga has the ability to totally pull me into a story and not let go. I started reading this and without meaning to finished it in one sitting. There are some strange parts in it, and parts I didn't really necessarily like, but it also kept me reading until 5 am.
Barry Lyga has the ability to totally pull me into a story and not let go. I started reading this and without meaning to finished it in one sitting. There are some strange parts in it, and parts I didn't really necessarily like, but it also kept me reading until 5 am.
mdbow22's review
3.0
This book is hard to review, because I am pretty torn about how I feel about it. So I want to mention some key points about it:
1. It is hilarious. You will laugh, if not aloud at least in your head (and you will smirk while doing so).
2. The slight twist at the end was beautiful, and definitely the kind of ending this novel needed.
3.The protagonist is wonderfully crafted, and he really drives the whole novel the way good writing should.
The reason this doesn't get more stars:
Too much sex. I'm sure plenty of people out there are saying the exact opposite. To me, it seemed some parts were about building up to the next sex scene rather than building the character arc. This is Lyga's first adult novel, but he should know that adult does not mean sex.
I do hope he continues to write more for adults, because there is a lot to this book. You should read it, and you might like it more than me. I'm hoping he steps it up for his next endeavor. I'll be looking out for it.
1. It is hilarious. You will laugh, if not aloud at least in your head (and you will smirk while doing so).
2. The slight twist at the end was beautiful, and definitely the kind of ending this novel needed.
3.The protagonist is wonderfully crafted, and he really drives the whole novel the way good writing should.
The reason this doesn't get more stars:
Too much sex. I'm sure plenty of people out there are saying the exact opposite. To me, it seemed some parts were about building up to the next sex scene rather than building the character arc. This is Lyga's first adult novel, but he should know that adult does not mean sex.
I do hope he continues to write more for adults, because there is a lot to this book. You should read it, and you might like it more than me. I'm hoping he steps it up for his next endeavor. I'll be looking out for it.