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bibliophilicjester's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This is a weird one. I was compelled to keep reading/listening, but I can't say I was really enjoying it. There are a lot of characters who call largo a fool for not seeing what's "really" going on, but I didn't think it was super clear either. It also seems like largo is the single person in this city who knows all the streets and shortcuts. Everyone asks him for directions/needs his secret insider knowledge, which is just...odd.
I was interested in the maras and AI type things going on (also the chimeras) but since they were more world building than the point of the story, we get less of that. Which is a shame bc for me, those were the most interesting parts. The only character who really interested me was Rainer, and I really didn't like the voice the audio narrator did for him. And unless I missed it, I'm not sure what happened to him by the end of the book.
My book says the citizens "seek oblivion in sex and drugs" and wow does that sum it up. The very end of the book takes a much darker turn that isn't entirely believable, but most of it really is just about sex and drugs. I guess that's what makes it gritty? Idk.
Definitely not a bad reading experience, just another time I wanted to know more about the background stuff I suppose.
I was interested in the maras and AI type things going on (also the chimeras) but since they were more world building than the point of the story, we get less of that. Which is a shame bc for me, those were the most interesting parts. The only character who really interested me was Rainer, and I really didn't like the voice the audio narrator did for him. And unless I missed it, I'm not sure what happened to him by the end of the book.
My book says the citizens "seek oblivion in sex and drugs" and wow does that sum it up. The very end of the book takes a much darker turn that isn't entirely believable, but most of it really is just about sex and drugs. I guess that's what makes it gritty? Idk.
Definitely not a bad reading experience, just another time I wanted to know more about the background stuff I suppose.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Drug use, Suicidal thoughts, Gun violence, and Drug abuse
zwall3's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
3.0
The world that Kadrey has built is absolutely incredible. There are hundreds of unique stories that could be told throughout this desolate post-war dystopia.
The characters are fine. Some folks found our main character, Largo, likable, I did not.
The primary issue with this book is the pacing. The first half of the story drags on forever, there is no coherent plot or real development for the first 200 pages.
Then everything all happens at once. The story gets crazy and compelling, with unbelievable and exciting scenes! The trouble is that the author blows through all of these moments. Scenes that should be slow and significant take up only a few paragraphs. It feels rushed.
This book felt very unsatisfying. The second half should be dark and emotional, but Kadrey fails to deliver. Even the big moments near the end, where our plot is finally wrapped up, are quick and dirty. Disappointing.
The characters are fine. Some folks found our main character, Largo, likable, I did not.
The primary issue with this book is the pacing. The first half of the story drags on forever, there is no coherent plot or real development for the first 200 pages.
Then everything all happens at once. The story gets crazy and compelling, with unbelievable and exciting scenes! The trouble is that the author blows through all of these moments. Scenes that should be slow and significant take up only a few paragraphs. It feels rushed.
This book felt very unsatisfying. The second half should be dark and emotional, but Kadrey fails to deliver. Even the big moments near the end, where our plot is finally wrapped up, are quick and dirty. Disappointing.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
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