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poisoned_icecream's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
motherhorror's review
5.0
Thank you to PS Publishing for this beautiful, limited, signed edition of Plague of Gulls in exchange for an honest review.
You know I love good book design. Everything about this edition is perfection. The book's cover art and colors are vintage-goodness. The end pages are deliciously illustrated and colored. Even the size of the book was amazing-it was a hardback, but it didn't feel heavy in my hands when I read it in my bed at night. It's smaller than the average hardback.
ANYHOODLES
It felt so satisfying each and every time I picked up where I left off with this one. It's one of those stories where the narrative is engaging, the story is expertly paced and the characters are interesting-and could do something unexpected at any moment!
(and they do)
The protagonist is a boy on the brink of manhood, I think he's 18. He lives with his stepdad because his father died in a tragic accident and his mother is away in a third world country for some medical charity work. So our young man obviously is struggling through some feelings.
I love how Stephen Gregory took this boy's coming of age story and mixed it with some psychological horror--my favorite combination.
As we watch David Kewish go through some pretty serious events and transitions, we also feel this growing tension building. Each chapter brings the reader closer and closer to a boiling point--that feeling where things can't keep going the way they're going--something has to give.
I could have read this book forever and ever.
The ending, while totally satisfying and wonderful was bittersweet. I'll definitely be looking for more from this talented author.
You know I love good book design. Everything about this edition is perfection. The book's cover art and colors are vintage-goodness. The end pages are deliciously illustrated and colored. Even the size of the book was amazing-it was a hardback, but it didn't feel heavy in my hands when I read it in my bed at night. It's smaller than the average hardback.
ANYHOODLES
It felt so satisfying each and every time I picked up where I left off with this one. It's one of those stories where the narrative is engaging, the story is expertly paced and the characters are interesting-and could do something unexpected at any moment!
(and they do)
The protagonist is a boy on the brink of manhood, I think he's 18. He lives with his stepdad because his father died in a tragic accident and his mother is away in a third world country for some medical charity work. So our young man obviously is struggling through some feelings.
I love how Stephen Gregory took this boy's coming of age story and mixed it with some psychological horror--my favorite combination.
As we watch David Kewish go through some pretty serious events and transitions, we also feel this growing tension building. Each chapter brings the reader closer and closer to a boiling point--that feeling where things can't keep going the way they're going--something has to give.
I could have read this book forever and ever.
The ending, while totally satisfying and wonderful was bittersweet. I'll definitely be looking for more from this talented author.
charshorrorcorner's review
5.0
4.5 stars!
Yesterday the fourth and final stave of Plague of Gulls was released. Unfortunately, I was so tired I didn't get to read it until today. I finished the book just now, and I'm a little stunned. So much happened in the last two staves of this book, it was crazy! I never saw any of it coming and I love when that happens. Now, I can add this book to my list of favorites, which already includes a couple of Mr. Gregory's books.
This reading experiment by The Pigeonhole was a big success as far as I'm concerned. Delayed gratification is sometimes difficult and it was hard to wait for each stave to be released. If I had my druthers, I would have sat my butt down and read this story all in one sitting. I will admit though, that the waiting increased my anticipation and whetted my appetite.
As I mentioned in previous posts, certain parts of the website become available as staves are released. This time it was a story from a young woman that was attacked by a gull trying to get her pasties. (Apparently, this is a food from across the pond that looks like a Hot Pocket, not the items that women wear, as it means here.) I've also previously mentioned that there is a discussion board there. This past week, Mr. Gregory himself showed up and I thought that was super cool.
All that's left in this experiment is to see how The Pigeonhole charges for the book. (It was very inexpensive, at only .85 USD for each stave, and there is no charge until you've received all 4 staves. However, you do have to give a credit card number to subscribe.) I can't see anything going wrong with that-it's all very straightforward .
I'm looking forward to doing this again in the future, depending on the books and/or authors available. It was a lot of fun, made even more pleasurable by the fact that the book was superb. Thanks to The Pigeonhole and to Mr. Gregory for the opportunity to experience something new in the world of reading.
Yesterday the fourth and final stave of Plague of Gulls was released. Unfortunately, I was so tired I didn't get to read it until today. I finished the book just now, and I'm a little stunned. So much happened in the last two staves of this book, it was crazy! I never saw any of it coming and I love when that happens. Now, I can add this book to my list of favorites, which already includes a couple of Mr. Gregory's books.
This reading experiment by The Pigeonhole was a big success as far as I'm concerned. Delayed gratification is sometimes difficult and it was hard to wait for each stave to be released. If I had my druthers, I would have sat my butt down and read this story all in one sitting. I will admit though, that the waiting increased my anticipation and whetted my appetite.
As I mentioned in previous posts, certain parts of the website become available as staves are released. This time it was a story from a young woman that was attacked by a gull trying to get her pasties. (Apparently, this is a food from across the pond that looks like a Hot Pocket, not the items that women wear, as it means here.) I've also previously mentioned that there is a discussion board there. This past week, Mr. Gregory himself showed up and I thought that was super cool.
All that's left in this experiment is to see how The Pigeonhole charges for the book. (It was very inexpensive, at only .85 USD for each stave, and there is no charge until you've received all 4 staves. However, you do have to give a credit card number to subscribe.) I can't see anything going wrong with that-it's all very straightforward .
I'm looking forward to doing this again in the future, depending on the books and/or authors available. It was a lot of fun, made even more pleasurable by the fact that the book was superb. Thanks to The Pigeonhole and to Mr. Gregory for the opportunity to experience something new in the world of reading.
lauriereadslohf's review
4.0
4 1/2 Find this book at The Pigeonhole.com.
If you’re looking for dark fiction that keeps you guessing, Plague of Gulls is a definite recommend. It is filled with upsetting and disturbing turns and nowhere along the way could I anticipate where things were going. I love when that happens and it doesn’t happen nearly enough in my reading life.
I also love a well written sense of creeping dread and writing that can turn the mundane into something just slightly ominous with a turn of phrase and Plague of Gulls captures those feelings perfectly and maintains them throughout the piece. I could not put this one down.
“Kenny watches, the smile like a wound on his mouth.”
So, what’s it about? I’m going to be vague so as not to ruin it. Basically it’s about a young man named David going through an extremely low point in his life. He had visions of a summer filled with music and friendship but because of circumstances, he spends his time mostly alone or at a quarry that hides pain deep within its depths. And then a baby seagull comes into his life and things go from awful to tragically dark. And that’s all I’m giving you.
I despise poor-me types and was a little worried at the beginning that David was going to be one of those oh woe-is-me whiny boys that give Eeyore a run for his money.
Even David admits that he’s not sympathetic but after a few chapters I didn’t find that to be true at all. This kid had been dealt a hand of poo that festered and continued to grow with every move he made and it would’ve been hard for me not to sympathize with him.
It’s creepy, it’s sad and it has moments of unexpected humor but the descriptive prose is what grabbed me and won me over. I can’t wait to read more by this author.
“I wait for the pain to ease. The walls of the castle and the old town lean around the house and smother it with their shadows.”
If you’re looking for dark fiction that keeps you guessing, Plague of Gulls is a definite recommend. It is filled with upsetting and disturbing turns and nowhere along the way could I anticipate where things were going. I love when that happens and it doesn’t happen nearly enough in my reading life.
I also love a well written sense of creeping dread and writing that can turn the mundane into something just slightly ominous with a turn of phrase and Plague of Gulls captures those feelings perfectly and maintains them throughout the piece. I could not put this one down.
“Kenny watches, the smile like a wound on his mouth.”
So, what’s it about? I’m going to be vague so as not to ruin it. Basically it’s about a young man named David going through an extremely low point in his life. He had visions of a summer filled with music and friendship but because of circumstances, he spends his time mostly alone or at a quarry that hides pain deep within its depths. And then a baby seagull comes into his life and things go from awful to tragically dark. And that’s all I’m giving you.
I despise poor-me types and was a little worried at the beginning that David was going to be one of those oh woe-is-me whiny boys that give Eeyore a run for his money.
Even David admits that he’s not sympathetic but after a few chapters I didn’t find that to be true at all. This kid had been dealt a hand of poo that festered and continued to grow with every move he made and it would’ve been hard for me not to sympathize with him.
It’s creepy, it’s sad and it has moments of unexpected humor but the descriptive prose is what grabbed me and won me over. I can’t wait to read more by this author.
“I wait for the pain to ease. The walls of the castle and the old town lean around the house and smother it with their shadows.”
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