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A review by hooksbookswanderlust
The Angel Maker by Alex North
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for an arc of this book.
I was so excited to have been approved to read this book, one of the most-anticipated thrillers of 2023. I really liked The Whisper Man and The Shadows, and this book has the same sinister quality.
One thing that North does well is write atmospheric stories. As in his other two novels, this one has a similar paranormal realism that you question the validity of the entire way through. I'm not sure quite how to classify this. Similar to magical realism, but bordering more on the occult. Either way, this aspect lends to the overwhelming creepiness of the book.
The thing I struggled with in this one was that with so many points of view and timelines jumping from present to recent past to present to farther back, it could be a bit tricky to follow along with. I think that this would have been easier to follow if reading the print version instead of listening to the audio, so if you prefer audio, just be aware of that.
I also had a problem with the narration of the audiobook. The diction of the reader was a bit difficult to make out at points and I had to listen very carefully to try to work out what she said. Overall, she had a nice cadence, but sometimes it was how she would say certain names or words that it took a few minutes to try to work out whose POV she was reading from. Since keeping up with those POVs and timelines was already a struggle, this was not helpful.
I had most of the reveals figured out long ahead of time, which took some of the fun out, but I never quite understood the motivations of Michael. Still, I enjoy how North delved into determinism and how that effected the motivations of the characters in the story. Combined with the atmosphere and quick pace, it still made for an enjoyable listen.
I think if you liked his previous work, you'll like this one well-enough, though I don't think it's as good as The Whisper Man, which still maintains its spot as my favorite of his books.
I was so excited to have been approved to read this book, one of the most-anticipated thrillers of 2023. I really liked The Whisper Man and The Shadows, and this book has the same sinister quality.
One thing that North does well is write atmospheric stories. As in his other two novels, this one has a similar paranormal realism that you question the validity of the entire way through. I'm not sure quite how to classify this. Similar to magical realism, but bordering more on the occult. Either way, this aspect lends to the overwhelming creepiness of the book.
The thing I struggled with in this one was that with so many points of view and timelines jumping from present to recent past to present to farther back, it could be a bit tricky to follow along with. I think that this would have been easier to follow if reading the print version instead of listening to the audio, so if you prefer audio, just be aware of that.
I also had a problem with the narration of the audiobook. The diction of the reader was a bit difficult to make out at points and I had to listen very carefully to try to work out what she said. Overall, she had a nice cadence, but sometimes it was how she would say certain names or words that it took a few minutes to try to work out whose POV she was reading from. Since keeping up with those POVs and timelines was already a struggle, this was not helpful.
I had most of the reveals figured out long ahead of time, which took some of the fun out, but I never quite understood the motivations of Michael. Still, I enjoy how North delved into determinism and how that effected the motivations of the characters in the story. Combined with the atmosphere and quick pace, it still made for an enjoyable listen.
I think if you liked his previous work, you'll like this one well-enough, though I don't think it's as good as The Whisper Man, which still maintains its spot as my favorite of his books.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse, Kidnapping, Child death, Addiction, Violence, and Stalking