john_opalenik's reviews
662 reviews

Howls From Hell by Grady Hendrix

dark emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

The Wild Robot by Peter Brown

adventurous dark emotional funny inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Tower by Daniel Arthur Smith

adventurous dark fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

The Tindalos Asset by Caitlín R. Kiernan

challenging dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

The Hellbound Heart by Clive Barker, Paul Kane

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

The Ballad of Black Tom by Victor LaValle

dark mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Black Helicopters by Caitlín R. Kiernan

challenging dark medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Books of Blood: Volumes One to Three by Clive Barker

dark emotional funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

It's classic Clive Barker walking that line between dark fantasy and horror. This collection is a must-have for horror fans. 

A Study in Emerald by Neil Gaiman

adventurous dark funny fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

It's the perfect blend of Neil Gaiman, Sherlock Holmes, and the Cthulhu mythos, and it left me ready to read more of all three. 

Agents of Dreamland by Caitlín R. Kiernan

adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

With a heavy tone and tons of atmosphere this quick little novella evokes the exact feelings that it wants to. My one and only complaint is that for such a short work I spent a lot of time uncertain of how certain threads would connect by the end.