A review by kerensa2108
The Ghost Theatre by Mat Osman

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective 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? Yes

5.0

I finished this last night - stayed up FAR too late as I couldn't put it down. That says it all - what a book. There aren't enough words to describe this novel, or how I felt when I'd finished it. It's beautifully written - the author's use of language is just stunning. There are too many examples of beautiful phrases to quote (and I read it in hard copy, not on my Kindle, so they're all underlined rather than highlighted electronically!) The descriptions are wonderfully lyrical, and not over-flowery or verbose - just right. The characters are so engaging and compelling, even the unlikeable ones. Evans, in particular - he's very complex and you can see little glimpses of goodness occasionally, before the greed and vanity overtake him again - but you can see why they do, what drives him. Nonesuch is also hugely complex and difficult to fathom, and as for Shay - one minute I wanted to hug her, the next minute give her a good shake, the next minute cheer her on, and then I was crying for her. When I'd finished I started writing a review but then had to put it down and sleep on it...I couldn't find the words, and I felt so bereft because the story was over and I had to say goodbye to Shay and her world. What a wonderful, beautiful, complex, fascinating, magical story. I am definitely going to read Mat Osman's other book (The Ruins) - I love his writing style and the world he's created in this one.