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A review by depmythmoon
The Down Days by Ilze Hugo
adventurous
hopeful
tense
medium-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? Yes
4.0
It felt like a lot at first, but the multiple perspectives made this really enjoyable for me. Being able to spot characters going about their lives from another characters POV made it a lot like a scavenger hunt in the beginning.
Reading this now, after COVID, made this feel more real in a way. With a apocalyptic pandemic called the Laughter going around and forcing people to wear masks and gloves everywhere, it felt weird and interesting to read about. You could imagine what life could be like if the pandemic had done even more damage and supernatural and paranormal elements were involved. Of course, you’d have to suspend your belief a little, but that’s the joy of imagination.
My favorite concept of this book was how the truth was approached. A quote from early on in the book explains it: “The Truth entertains all these possibilities. You know that saying about innocent until proven guilty? That’s how we see it at the Truth. Everything’s possible until disproved. We keep an open mind.” I thought that was a great concept for the title of this conspiracy newspaper from the book. That just might be my favorite thing and biggest takeaway to be honest.
I will say, then ending did leave some questions unanswered, which bummed me out. It’s like the ending was meant to be that way so the author could come back with a sequel if they wanted. I’m impatient though, so I would have preferred all the answers payed out for me. It sucks, but it didn’t dull the enjoyment I’d got from reading and figuring out the other small mysteries.
I’d recommend the audio book. It’s 2 narrators, and their inflections when reading the character was enjoyable.
Reading this now, after COVID, made this feel more real in a way. With a apocalyptic pandemic called the Laughter going around and forcing people to wear masks and gloves everywhere, it felt weird and interesting to read about. You could imagine what life could be like if the pandemic had done even more damage and supernatural and paranormal elements were involved. Of course, you’d have to suspend your belief a little, but that’s the joy of imagination.
My favorite concept of this book was how the truth was approached. A quote from early on in the book explains it: “The Truth entertains all these possibilities. You know that saying about innocent until proven guilty? That’s how we see it at the Truth. Everything’s possible until disproved. We keep an open mind.” I thought that was a great concept for the title of this conspiracy newspaper from the book. That just might be my favorite thing and biggest takeaway to be honest.
I will say, then ending did leave some questions unanswered, which bummed me out. It’s like the ending was meant to be that way so the author could come back with a sequel if they wanted. I’m impatient though, so I would have preferred all the answers payed out for me. It sucks, but it didn’t dull the enjoyment I’d got from reading and figuring out the other small mysteries.
I’d recommend the audio book. It’s 2 narrators, and their inflections when reading the character was enjoyable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Terminal illness, Kidnapping, and Drug use