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biteintobooks's review
3.0
Thanks to the author for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book was quite intriguing to me. There were no written conversations in this book, but I didn't even mind. It was easy to read and easy to follow as well.
Full review can be found at BiteIntoBooks
There were a lot of dark and awful things happening in this book and that took away some of the fun to read this book. The word Dark in the title is well chosen, but the little parts there was fun, did not add up to the horrible things happening.
This book was quite intriguing to me. There were no written conversations in this book, but I didn't even mind. It was easy to read and easy to follow as well.
Full review can be found at BiteIntoBooks
There were a lot of dark and awful things happening in this book and that took away some of the fun to read this book. The word Dark in the title is well chosen, but the little parts there was fun, did not add up to the horrible things happening.
wittyandsarcasticbookclub's review
3.0
http://wittyandsarcasticbookclub.home.blog/2020/02/16/the-dark-stalkers-by-henry-bassett/
Have you ever seen one of those artsy films? You know, the ones where the story-telling is so different, and the camera shots are so distinct, that you know there will never be another movie like that made, no matter how many other people try to mimic the style? This felt a bit like that.
The story itself is a simple one, but the execution is so unique that the story-line in and of itself really doesn’t matter. I’m used to books that attempt to make the reader a part of the world. This one deliberately keeps the reader at arms’ length, allowing a glimpse into what’s happening, but never opening the door all the way. It lent the book a sinister vibe, like there was a secret being held which added a sense of urgency.
The point of view switches back and forth from that of Martha and the stalkers. Martha never really reveals much personality at all. Because of that, certain things that happened in the book didn’t hit me the way I think they were supposed to. This is one of six novellas and I wonder if possibly combining them all into one full-length novel might help the characters come to life a bit more.
I can’t sum up my opinion of this book in a neat “I liked it” or “I didn’t”. I’ll settle for this: the book is intriguing and will stick with me for quite a while.
Have you ever seen one of those artsy films? You know, the ones where the story-telling is so different, and the camera shots are so distinct, that you know there will never be another movie like that made, no matter how many other people try to mimic the style? This felt a bit like that.
The story itself is a simple one, but the execution is so unique that the story-line in and of itself really doesn’t matter. I’m used to books that attempt to make the reader a part of the world. This one deliberately keeps the reader at arms’ length, allowing a glimpse into what’s happening, but never opening the door all the way. It lent the book a sinister vibe, like there was a secret being held which added a sense of urgency.
The point of view switches back and forth from that of Martha and the stalkers. Martha never really reveals much personality at all. Because of that, certain things that happened in the book didn’t hit me the way I think they were supposed to. This is one of six novellas and I wonder if possibly combining them all into one full-length novel might help the characters come to life a bit more.
I can’t sum up my opinion of this book in a neat “I liked it” or “I didn’t”. I’ll settle for this: the book is intriguing and will stick with me for quite a while.
inkslinger's review
3.0
ARC provided by Henry Bassett. All opinions are mine and freely given.
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03-12: 'I: The Dark Stalkers (The Dead Chronicles of Martha Railer #1)' by Henry Bassett is an incredibly unusual story and not simply for the most obvious reason.. that there's absolutely zero dialogue.
Told from a sort of.. drifting point of view between a handful of characters, some human.. and some shadows, it seems to lack any specific direction. Though in this case, that's also not a bad thing. Rather than a story with any discernible plot, it reads more like a glimpse in the lives of these characters. There's no indication of a purpose and much of the circumstances actually appear to be outside the reader's range of observation.
Initially, the story begins by following the main character.. Martha, as she rides a train through the city. There's emphasis put on the darkness and isolation she feels, as well as the reality of it around her. The shadows are somehow both menacing and almost sympathetic, simultaneously.
Throughout the days, we get peeks of Martha with her friends, more sightings of the shadows, and even a bit of drama. We learn a bit about the shadows.. but just enough to leave us with a lot of questions. And by the end, we almost wonder how much of it was real.. if not for.. certain remnants of evidence along the way.
It feels very metaphorical, but even if that's the case.. who's to say what's being philosophized? How much theoretically could just be manifest of the mind? The collapse beneath the weight of all that lonely isolation.. or a uniquely literal, yet wholly unbelievable experience?
There are a couple of minor issues where the author uses two divergent ideas together, the combination of which seems to make no sense. But after reading it in its entirety, I have to wonder if they're intentional.
I'll tell you, I enjoyed the book and I certainly have my own theories, but perception is everything. It's a short read, that will leave you pondering it longer than it takes to reach that final page. Hours later, that's exactly what I'm doing.. and that.. if anything.. is a sign of skill.
I do believe this is going to be a very niche book. It's stylistic and unlikely to appeal to the average reader, but I know there are others like me out there. Others who will read it.. and find themselves fascinated.
PURCHASE LINK: AMAZON
---------------------------
03-11: Review to come, such an interesting read.
03-09: Getting ready to start this one, the synopsis is intriguing and apparently the storytelling approach is unique.
bewarethebookwyrm's review
3.0
I struggled a little with this book. There was absolutely no dialogue, which was weird for me. I really love character interaction and I felt I missed that. However, I kind of wonder if that was the point. This book follows Martha as she goes throughout her day doing her normal, everyday tasks. But there are dark these dark, showdow-like figures that follow her through everything. Then the reader questions – are these figures real or are they in Martha’s head. She sees the darkness all the time – even when she’s with her friends.
It’s an intriguing story that makes you question a lot.
*I received this book in exchange for an honest review.*
It’s an intriguing story that makes you question a lot.
*I received this book in exchange for an honest review.*
ws_bookclub's review
3.0
http://wittyandsarcasticbookclub.home.blog/2020/02/16/the-dark-stalkers-by-henry-bassett/
Have you ever seen one of those artsy films? You know, the ones where the story-telling is so different, and the camera shots are so distinct, that you know there will never be another movie like that made, no matter how many other people try to mimic the style? This felt a bit like that.
The story itself is a simple one, but the execution is so unique that the story-line in and of itself really doesn’t matter. I’m used to books that attempt to make the reader a part of the world. This one deliberately keeps the reader at arms’ length, allowing a glimpse into what’s happening, but never opening the door all the way. It lent the book a sinister vibe, like there was a secret being held which added a sense of urgency.
The point of view switches back and forth from that of Martha and the stalkers. Martha never really reveals much personality at all. Because of that, certain things that happened in the book didn’t hit me the way I think they were supposed to. This is one of six novellas and I wonder if possibly combining them all into one full-length novel might help the characters come to life a bit more.
I can’t sum up my opinion of this book in a neat “I liked it” or “I didn’t”. I’ll settle for this: the book is intriguing and will stick with me for quite a while.
Have you ever seen one of those artsy films? You know, the ones where the story-telling is so different, and the camera shots are so distinct, that you know there will never be another movie like that made, no matter how many other people try to mimic the style? This felt a bit like that.
The story itself is a simple one, but the execution is so unique that the story-line in and of itself really doesn’t matter. I’m used to books that attempt to make the reader a part of the world. This one deliberately keeps the reader at arms’ length, allowing a glimpse into what’s happening, but never opening the door all the way. It lent the book a sinister vibe, like there was a secret being held which added a sense of urgency.
The point of view switches back and forth from that of Martha and the stalkers. Martha never really reveals much personality at all. Because of that, certain things that happened in the book didn’t hit me the way I think they were supposed to. This is one of six novellas and I wonder if possibly combining them all into one full-length novel might help the characters come to life a bit more.
I can’t sum up my opinion of this book in a neat “I liked it” or “I didn’t”. I’ll settle for this: the book is intriguing and will stick with me for quite a while.
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