Reviews

The Descent of Monsters by Neon Yang

sofie_kell's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional 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

3.25

mkhare's review against another edition

2.0

I read this in a very disjointed manner, and not as directly after the second book as I would have liked. I didn’t really gel with the narration style of the new character introduced here, and couldn’t settle into the weight and atmosphere that was trying to be conveyed. I also didn’t understand why everyone automatically assumed that Rider’s twin was still a child - did I miss something that clued them into this fact before the investigation started? 2.5 stars

anixhz's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.25

midnarose's review against another edition

dark mysterious fast-paced

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

4.5

4.5 stars 

Out of the 3 novellas i have read so far as part of the tensorate series this was my favorite. However, you need to read the first two to truly appreciate this one. 

This novella takes place a few years after The red threads of fortune (novella #2) and many years after the black tides of Heaven. The format is an investigation. each chapter is a letter, diary entry, letter, report or transcripts from an interrogation. 

The story follows the investigator trying to figure out what happened at a research facility, how did the employees die, who is to blame and why are things being covered up. Throughout the investigation we get to see characters from the first two novellas and learn more about the tensorate world. 

If you enjoyed the first two novellas i would 100% recommend this one. 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Confinement and Child abuse

rinbee's review against another edition

4.0

When I began reading this book, I was a bit dismayed at the fact it didn't pick up where our beloved characters from the Red Threads of Fate left off. I was worried we left them in the dust and were continuing on with a new set of individuals, albeit in the same world. But I should've known better! The third book in the Tensorate series is an Akira-esque mystery that slowly gets unraveled through a new character, the headstrong investigator Tensor Chuwan Sariman's, perspective and in between we see glimpses of what has occurred between the main cast in the interim. Rather than building more on the characters we know, however, the Descent of Monsters focuses more on the setting and its corrupt politics and the shady morals of those in charge. Despite the grim subject matter, this book is a fun read through its epistolary format and charming narrator.

closteroven's review against another edition

5.0

(9/10)- This was incredible. I loved the style of having journal entries and letters. It worked very well with the type of book. I also found it to be extremely well written, especially the scenes of horror and just the atmosphere in general. There was even a bit of character development in these few pages. Overall this book was very well done and I really liked it.

jujuvansunshine's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious fast-paced

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

3.0

lady_moon's review

3.0

Wtf with that ending, this wasn't supposed to go like this-

foolzerrand's review against another edition

My favourite of the 3- I'm not always a mystery person but I loved the suspense of it in this! And I am a sucker for multimedia

emilyrandolph_epstein's review against another edition

4.0

Taking the form of an epistolary, this novella introduces us to a new character in Sariman and further expands the world and conspiracy hinted at in previous books. Looking forward to the next.