Reviews tagging 'Alcoholism'

The Stranger Times by C.K. McDonnell

9 reviews

natashaleighton_'s review against another edition

adventurous funny mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Weird, witty and hilariously addictive! The Stranger Times is a Neil Gaiman/Terry Pratchett-esque paranormal Fantasy that I had soo much fun reading. 

The prose was incredibly engaging with plenty of laugh out banter and the magic system was really intriguing. I loved the little newspaper articles that begin each chapter, an enjoyably immersive element that brought The Stranger Times newspaper (and employees) to life. 

The pacing was a bit slow at first but as we get further into the story (alternating between the shadowy dealings of our mysterious villain & protagonist Hannah as she embarks on her new job at The Stranger Times) the action and page-turning mystery really amps up. 

But it wasn’t just the action and intrigue that had me soo invested. I also really liked the cast of eccentric but loveable characters, each of whom had their own unique personalities, motivations and secrets that kept me fully invested and eager to know more about them. Especially Manny who, though not in very many scenes, was easily one of my favourite characters (along with Banecroft, Stella, Hannah and Grace.)

Though, I have to say for a book as humorous as this, I was rather impressed with the nuance and emotion that C.K. McDonnell skilfully weaves into the lives of soo many characters. Divorce, death, grief (and even the desperate attempts of a parent trying to save their child) all play a role in propelling the narrative and giving us a deeper understanding of what made each character tick. 

I genuinely loved every second and cannot believe it took me soo long the finally read this—it’s AMAZING! 

Overall, an incredibly strong series starter that has me super excited to read the rest of the series. If you love misfit-esque, found family dynamics and tons of humour with your mystery —then I highly recommend picking this up.

Also, a huge thank you to Transworld for the finished PB copy. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Death, and Alcoholism

Moderate: Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Kidnapping, and Cursing

Minor: Gun violence, Murder, Cancer, and Toxic relationship

mondmaunz's review against another edition

adventurous funny mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcoholism

Minor: Murder and Grief

sebsjazzclub's review against another edition

adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism

Moderate: Terminal illness

ophycore's review against another edition

adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Murder, Racial slurs, Suicide attempt, and Suicidal thoughts

Moderate: Cursing, Gun violence, Xenophobia, Police brutality, Fire/Fire injury, and Racism

Minor: Cancer, Toxic relationship, Drug use, and Infidelity

raichou's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny mysterious 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? No

4.0

Auf Empfehlung einer Freundin habe ich das Buch gelesen und wurde nicht enttäuscht. 

Die gesamte Geschichte ist sehr humorvoll geschrieben. Die Charaktere sind alle ein wenig stereotypisch und dramatisch, aber das macht sie auf eine Weise sehr sympathisch. 

Die Art wie das Übernatürliche in der Welt vorkommt, ist meine Meinung nach sehr realistisch. Die "normalen" Menschen würden durch drehen, wenn sie merken, dass es noch andere Wesen als sie selbst auf der Erde gibt. Da ist die beste Möglichkeit wirklich versteckt/verdeckt halten.

Alles in allem ein lustiger, sich selbst nicht zu ernst nehmeder Serienstart. Ich bin schon sehr gespannt auf den zweiten Teil und was dort noch alles offenbart wird.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcoholism, Suicidal thoughts, and Blood

tessamcevan's review

funny mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Kidnapping, Alcoholism, Animal death, Death, Animal cruelty, Alcohol, Bullying, Cursing, Emotional abuse, and Suicide

Minor: Death of parent, Torture, Cancer, Police brutality, Gaslighting, Gun violence, and Medical content

refrejarator's review against another edition

dark funny lighthearted mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

Very fun to read - comedy is definitely this author's forte.
Provided a spin on several fantasy creatures and myths - I'd love to learn more about this world! There's also a bunch of free short stories by C.K. available online which I'll definitely be reading.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol and Alcoholism

Moderate: Body horror, Police brutality, Blood, Death, and Confinement

jemmabrown's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny mysterious tense fast-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? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Alcohol, and Addiction

Moderate: Body horror, Cursing, Drug abuse, Suicide, Child death, Gaslighting, Homophobia, Police brutality, Suicide attempt, Racism, Sexism, Blood, Torture, Animal death, Violence, Bullying, Drug use, Kidnapping, and Murder

abbiesbones's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny 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? Yes

3.5

I bought this book excited by the premise of the newspaper itself. but, after I started this book i was determined not to like it (i hate comedy that relies on it's 'britishness' as a selling point) but as the book went on i got completely hooked in by the plot. Stella was by far my favourite of the Stranger Times bunch.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide and Violence

Moderate: Alcoholism

Minor: Racism, Racial slurs, Toxic relationship, and Emotional abuse