Reviews

Dearly Devoted Dexter by Jeff Lindsay

alindeman's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.25

lethaldose's review against another edition

3.0

The first book followed the show up to a point, there were some changes but a person reading the first book and watching the first season would still be ok with it.

No more, now by the second book we are parting deeply from the show. No problem with that in and of itself, but the problem here is the second season of the show is better than the first, and the second book in the series isn't even really as good as the first book. The second season of the show was great tv, this is mediocre book.

I know I shouldn't compare the two but it is impossible, I actually quite enjoyed the mystery killer in the book, really I did and the book has some great moments to it. The problem is the worst thing about books is Dexter, and Jeff Lindsay has to love and hate Michael C Hall in equal measures, he magnificient brought his charater to life, but the Michael C Hall Dexter is the better Dexter. Dexter of the books lacks the charm of Michael C Hall, and lacks most of the redeeming qualities. In the show you get the feeling that Dexter is more human that he lets on, here you realize that he may actually be less human than he thinks he is.

I can honestly say I found the book entertaining, but I also can say I much prefer the show to the books and that is a rare thing to say

mystrbear's review against another edition

dark 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

5.0

trin's review against another edition

1.0

Oh, why do I do these things to myself? I knew from reading [b: Darkly Dreaming Dexter|17231|Darkly Dreaming Dexter (Dexter, #1)|Jeff Lindsay|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1557598685l/17231._SY75_.jpg|2113743] last November that I really preferred the TV show to the books, but curiosity won out and I read the second novel anyway. Big mistake. While Dearly Devoted is actually in many ways a better book than Darkly Dreaming—it’s way less rushed, for one, and funnier—it is so deeply disturbing that I’m still feeling freaked out several days after finishing it. And not in a fun way. The show, yes, is also disturbing—but it’s an interesting disturbing. What makes Dexter the way he is and the ways in which he interacts with other people are fully explored—interesting questions are raised, and there is emotional development, even if it’s in Dexter-appropriate tiny, stunted, sick amounts. The books, though…they’re disturbing to no purpose. All the characters besides Dexter are cardboard-thin, which may be in part due to the limits of the books’ first person POV, but is especially frustrating if you’ve watched the show and are used to the rounder versions. And the violence is excessive and meaningless: people are reduced to meat. Maybe that’s the point—our little peek into how people like Dexter see the world—but if so, that would be interesting once. As part of a series, where things would (I would hope) change and develop, it’s just gratuitous slaughter, and it made me feel icky. I’m still eagerly awaiting the start of the show’s 2nd series, but I don’t think I’ll be reading the third book.

skarijay's review against another edition

4.0

Enjoyed it as much as the first, the serial killer in question I don't remember from the TV series, so it was fresh. Pretty gruesome predator action, not for the very sensitive, the touch of the victims being

Spoiler

not truly dead but perhaps wishing they were

was definitely interesting and added to the aforementioned "ick" factor. Loved every second of it. On to the next.

em_i_a's review against another edition

dark tense fast-paced

• 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? Yes

5.0

This was much better than the first book, things ramp up and the risks are higher. I found this to be an even faster read than the last book. Love the twists and prefer this over the show

roshek's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark funny mysterious fast-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? Yes

3.75

heathercottledillon's review against another edition

3.0

I love the subtle humor of this second Dexter novel, which I think is more clever than the first one. The end is way too rushed, though. There's basically no wrap-up at all.

ameliahayez's review against another edition

dark funny mysterious tense slow-paced

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

4.75

cdarlinggg's review against another edition

dark fast-paced

3.75