Scan barcode
A review by sgbrux
The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black
4.0
"She had shrieked and shrieked for her mother, but her mother was already there. Her mother was the monster."
Dark. Atmospheric. Emotional.
Just when I think I've read all the different varieties of a vampire story, Holly Black surprises me. Being familiar with her fae series, the Cruel Prince trilogy—or rather, all the books she's written in her Folk of the Air world—I find Black's writing to be lush and descriptive without going too over-the-top. There's a certain dark-whimsy to her storytelling.
I read the ebook of The Coldest Girl in Coldtown while listening to the audiobook version, and let me tell you: the audio narration is one of the most well-done performances I've experienced. The voice actress and the accompanying music at certain bits give the storytelling a rich dreamlike quality—just completely sweeps you in. It gives off a very dark fairytale kind of atmosphere and tone.
Black excels at writing gritty characters who feel 100% real—handsome deadbeat boys, flawed mothers and fathers, complicated sibling relationships, close friendships—while also writing scenes that completely envelop the reader. Glittering parties, romantic dialogue, even the quotes she places at the beginning of each chapter—all of it together makes the story feel somehow both gloomy and lavish. I love it.
The ending is left intentionally open, which some might not like, but I really enjoyed the book. This was a refreshing standalone YA vampire story, one I'll most likely give another read in the future.
Dark. Atmospheric. Emotional.
Just when I think I've read all the different varieties of a vampire story, Holly Black surprises me. Being familiar with her fae series, the Cruel Prince trilogy—or rather, all the books she's written in her Folk of the Air world—I find Black's writing to be lush and descriptive without going too over-the-top. There's a certain dark-whimsy to her storytelling.
I read the ebook of The Coldest Girl in Coldtown while listening to the audiobook version, and let me tell you: the audio narration is one of the most well-done performances I've experienced. The voice actress and the accompanying music at certain bits give the storytelling a rich dreamlike quality—just completely sweeps you in. It gives off a very dark fairytale kind of atmosphere and tone.
Black excels at writing gritty characters who feel 100% real—handsome deadbeat boys, flawed mothers and fathers, complicated sibling relationships, close friendships—while also writing scenes that completely envelop the reader. Glittering parties, romantic dialogue, even the quotes she places at the beginning of each chapter—all of it together makes the story feel somehow both gloomy and lavish. I love it.
The ending is left intentionally open, which some might not like, but I really enjoyed the book. This was a refreshing standalone YA vampire story, one I'll most likely give another read in the future.