You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
plindq 's review for:
When Devils Sing
by Xan Kaur
adventurous
dark
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
PLS i wanted to love this so bad. but this fell so flat for me. the plot and idea, amazing, and the character creation was awesome. i usually have a much harder time following an ensemble cast this full, but kaur created beautiful, interesting, and distinct concepts for each of them
i prayyyy that kaur keeps writing because the potential is so there. i feel like a few more swipes and a way better editor and there is an amazing book here. in fact, i blame most of the missed opportunities for writing on the editor. the writing is FULL of overused phrases, often that don’t make any sense in context. the whole time i was thinking about george orwell’s #1 rule for writing: “Never use a metaphor, simile, or other figure of speech which you are used to seeing in print.” on top of that, a lot of telling not showing.
okay and then also the pace/setup. there was a lot of character setup in the beginning but MOST of the plot does not happen until the last third. i would have loved to see more pieces coming together earlier, rather than at the last moment when they need to. dare i say, the pace felt maasian. by the same token, the plotting felt haphazard and unfulfilling. kaur creates vibrant characters, throws them into an elaborate and fantastic surreal plot, only to have them IMMEDIATELY believe everything happening, have the exact resources they need to fix the problem, and only act vaguely afraid of the consequences. don’t get me wrong, i was TOLD they were scared, but i didn’t really feel it or see it.
setting aside my tall glass of haterade, i will, in fact, be keeping a close eye on kaur. i genuinely hope that other people like this enough that it sells well and kaur gets a better editor for her next book because the foundations for such a cool career are THERE.
i prayyyy that kaur keeps writing because the potential is so there. i feel like a few more swipes and a way better editor and there is an amazing book here. in fact, i blame most of the missed opportunities for writing on the editor. the writing is FULL of overused phrases, often that don’t make any sense in context. the whole time i was thinking about george orwell’s #1 rule for writing: “Never use a metaphor, simile, or other figure of speech which you are used to seeing in print.” on top of that, a lot of telling not showing.
okay and then also the pace/setup. there was a lot of character setup in the beginning but MOST of the plot does not happen until the last third. i would have loved to see more pieces coming together earlier, rather than at the last moment when they need to. dare i say, the pace felt maasian. by the same token, the plotting felt haphazard and unfulfilling. kaur creates vibrant characters, throws them into an elaborate and fantastic surreal plot, only to have them IMMEDIATELY believe everything happening, have the exact resources they need to fix the problem, and only act vaguely afraid of the consequences. don’t get me wrong, i was TOLD they were scared, but i didn’t really feel it or see it.
setting aside my tall glass of haterade, i will, in fact, be keeping a close eye on kaur. i genuinely hope that other people like this enough that it sells well and kaur gets a better editor for her next book because the foundations for such a cool career are THERE.