A review by josiah17
The Troop by Nick Cutter

challenging dark slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

1.0

I thought a horror/thriller might be able to break my post Sun Eater reading slump, but nope. However, to me, this book simply wasn't good either. There was a very specific moment around halfway through (animal cruelty) where I realized this, and that I was pushing through because I thought it might help me get into a rhythm again. I regret not trusting my gut and finally choosing to DNF a book, but unfortunately I'm too stubborn to do so.

I did kinda enjoy the beginning. But otherwise I found Cutter's writing forcefully verbose at times in an attempt to seem flowery and complex. I also hated the way the kids were written, besides Newt who was genuinely endearing. The characterization rubbed me the wrong way at several points. The writing ultimately falls incredibly flat. I was actually more interested in the intermittent scientist logs, newspaper articles, and courtroom transcripts between the chapters than the present narrative. 

This is the last Nick Cutter novel I'll be reading. Seemed promising in premise, but it was a chore to read.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings