Scan barcode
steveatwaywords's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
First, this review is actually about Volumes 4-7 which track the entire Trepidation story cycle. I wanted to complete this series before completing the review. And this review is repeated on all four Volumes, 4-7.
I should say, too, that I generally like Tynion's works, especially his horror stuff, for its original conception and decent character design. So in some ways, I am comparing <i>Something is Killing the Children</i> to his darker DC stuff, <i>The Woods, Nice House on the Lake, and The Department of Truth. </i>
I know that this series is routinely given great praise by critics and fans. Even so, my strengths and flaws from the first three volumes are here in these works with minor variations: largely, the stories are quite gory (and since many victims are children, not for the meek) and, unfortunately, this is the focus of the horror, kind of a one-trick pony. Because this is not wholly sustainable across the series, then, Tynion offers us the major sub-plot (really enhanced in this series) of a secret cabal of monster hunters and the amoral politics which drives it. Our hero, Erica, of course, sits apart from its corruption, which makes her a kind of horror-noir lone gunman for America monster-hunting. It's an interesting idea (especially since she is not emotionally whole, either). Like King's Gunslinger series, a lot of the best action in Tynion mirrors the duller sequences of storytelling in King. And, like a decent George R R Martin, Tynion makes no promises which characters will survive any scene. I should note, too, that the artwork by Dell'Edera and Muerto is startlingly good.
Overall, this storyline is more developed in the political intrigue, but often at the cost of the monster lore. Our most terrifying monster yet, especially in its last incarnation, is given precious few frames of development or interest. Mindless and ruthless, it appears in order to squash or be squashed. Tynion allows the artwork to carry this horror. So much for the monster-hunting. And this will explain why the entire Volume 7 is mostly given to action-based silent boss-battles.
Even so, Tynion's best volume is probably the 4th, the "interim" series which looks back at Erica's backstory and initiation and helps us see the relationships she has built and will grow. We learn more, too, about the toy totems the hunters carry and some of the motivations between competing schools in the secret society. But . . . and this is a big but for me, a lot of it has all the import of learning why Han Solo has fuzzy dice on the Millennium Falcon. Just because we can create back stories and answer plot-level questions about the "How-did-this-happen?" and "What-happens-to-character-x?" doesn't mean that we automatically have good story or good writing. At its base, and at its summit, the "Something is Killing" series is a solid horror-action story with visually fascinating characters. And if that's all you're looking for--you don't want to ask questions about child death, about the nature of horror, or even the lore of psychological projection and daemon/demon guides, all within easy reach of the storyteller--you will be satisfied.
I should say, too, that I generally like Tynion's works, especially his horror stuff, for its original conception and decent character design. So in some ways, I am comparing <i>Something is Killing the Children</i> to his darker DC stuff, <i>The Woods, Nice House on the Lake, and The Department of Truth. </i>
I know that this series is routinely given great praise by critics and fans. Even so, my strengths and flaws from the first three volumes are here in these works with minor variations: largely, the stories are quite gory (and since many victims are children, not for the meek) and, unfortunately, this is the focus of the horror, kind of a one-trick pony. Because this is not wholly sustainable across the series, then, Tynion offers us the major sub-plot (really enhanced in this series) of a secret cabal of monster hunters and the amoral politics which drives it. Our hero, Erica, of course, sits apart from its corruption, which makes her a kind of horror-noir lone gunman for America monster-hunting. It's an interesting idea (especially since she is not emotionally whole, either). Like King's Gunslinger series, a lot of the best action in Tynion mirrors the duller sequences of storytelling in King. And, like a decent George R R Martin, Tynion makes no promises which characters will survive any scene. I should note, too, that the artwork by Dell'Edera and Muerto is startlingly good.
Overall, this storyline is more developed in the political intrigue, but often at the cost of the monster lore. Our most terrifying monster yet, especially in its last incarnation, is given precious few frames of development or interest. Mindless and ruthless, it appears in order to squash or be squashed. Tynion allows the artwork to carry this horror. So much for the monster-hunting. And this will explain why the entire Volume 7 is mostly given to action-based silent boss-battles.
Even so, Tynion's best volume is probably the 4th, the "interim" series which looks back at Erica's backstory and initiation and helps us see the relationships she has built and will grow. We learn more, too, about the toy totems the hunters carry and some of the motivations between competing schools in the secret society. But . . . and this is a big but for me, a lot of it has all the import of learning why Han Solo has fuzzy dice on the Millennium Falcon. Just because we can create back stories and answer plot-level questions about the "How-did-this-happen?" and "What-happens-to-character-x?" doesn't mean that we automatically have good story or good writing. At its base, and at its summit, the "Something is Killing" series is a solid horror-action story with visually fascinating characters. And if that's all you're looking for--you don't want to ask questions about child death, about the nature of horror, or even the lore of psychological projection and daemon/demon guides, all within easy reach of the storyteller--you will be satisfied.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Body horror, Violence, Child death, and Death
swimfast724's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
3.5
So basically this volume is the backstory of how Erica became part of the monster hunter group of St. George in the Slaughter family, which is obviously important; however, it was not tied well into the other volumes. It felt like a full stand alone volume compared to the other 3 and especially since the thing at Archers Peak was killed and that story seemed to be finished.
It was important to go through this backstory and it was a good backstory, well told and thorough. It was just out of place and did not tie into the other 3 volume and Erica was the only character that was in the previous issues. I did like how they explained how the organization worked and it was well thought out. The story was just not well organized.
It was important to go through this backstory and it was a good backstory, well told and thorough. It was just out of place and did not tie into the other 3 volume and Erica was the only character that was in the previous issues. I did like how they explained how the organization worked and it was well thought out. The story was just not well organized.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Blood, Violence, Death of parent, Death, Child death, and Grief
Moderate: Cursing
Minor: Emotional abuse, Alcohol, Bullying, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
This book didn't further the plot. It was only part of Erica's backstory.karli_linne's review against another edition
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Child death, Death of parent, and Death
Minor: Grief
scottishvix's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
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? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Child death, Death of parent, and Violence
Moderate: Bullying
nerdysread's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
J’ai ADORÉ voir les débuts d’Erica, mais aussi Aaron dans sa jeunesse. Jessica est un si bon personnage, elle est empathique, forte mais aussi fatiguée par son travail. Mais on voit clairement pourquoi Erica est comme elle est dans le futur. Bref j’adore cette série. Sûrement un de mes tomes fav. Hâte de commencer House of Slaughter
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Body horror, Gore, Death of parent, Bullying, Violence, and Blood
howlinglibraries's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
I love this series so much. One thing I've been itching for since the very beginning was a peek at Erica's past and how she came to be the renowned Erica Slaughter, Monster Killer, and it was so cool to finally get to see her origin story! She's exactly how I imagined she would be as a kid. I loved watching how her friendship with Aaron formed (no surprise that it began with a kick in the nuts), even though there's a definite ache in my heart, knowing the pain awaiting them both.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Bullying, Death, Gore, Death of parent, and Violence
robinks's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
tense
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
I really enjoyed getting to know more about Erica and the House of Slaughter in this volume. Some of the more violent scenes were hard to follow though.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death, Child death, Death of parent, and Blood
navayiota's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I liked this one the most, loved the lore about the different colours of the house. Wish we saw a little more of it. I empathise with Erica a lot more now, and am way more invested in her future than I was when I read the previous ones. Might stick around for the next ones!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Abandonment, Blood, Bullying, Child death, Gore, and Violence
Moderate: Alcohol and Cursing
acetheticallyy's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Body horror, Death, Gore, and Blood
tabby2920's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
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? Yes
5.0
To do an issue with Erica Slaughter's origin story?! Yes please! You think that you can't dive into the amazing series but there are just so many untold stories we learn from this series and I am definitely down for the ride!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, Blood, and Death of parent