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carryfiasco's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
emeraldreviews's review against another edition
5.0
Wind in the willows meets the godfather!
Ragged is a different kind of story for me. I normally like my fantasy stories to be based around humanoid type characters/races with fantastical counterparts. This, however, converted me! Christopher Irvin has created a beautiful forest world in this story full of a vast array of animal characters.
The foundation of the story is based around a forest dwelling town of sentient animals who are so much like humans but encompassing their individual animal based characteristics. Each of the animal groups in the story has unique personalities which provides a wealth of intrigue around so many different characters. There is so much to learn about each of them and this just maintains the beauty of this character driven novel. As with all ‘civilised’ societies, there is unfortunately prejudice involved. Each animal group tends to make sly digs at the others and ultimately creates masses of friction between them at times. There is also a faction/gang that live on the outskirts of the village that prey on the supply caravans and those that stray too far from town which brings in the godfather, gang warfare aspect of the story. Needless to say the townsfolk have their own opinions of these ragged villains!
The family values of this novel are beautifully portrayed. Based around a father whose wife disappeared and subsequently died, looking after his pups whilst investigating her disappearance and also trying to hold his standing in a town who are suspicious of his past. I felt such a connection to Cal as a husband and father of two, I couldn't begin to imagine how I would cope in his shoes…or should I say fur!
Ultimately Ragged is a superb novel which had me hooked from the very beginning. The heartfelt family values along with standing up for what is right and bringing society together made this story one that creates such positive feelings about life. Regardless of your background or genetic make up, everyone has the ability to do right in this world, to be anything. Embrace who you are. We are all special.
Ragged is a different kind of story for me. I normally like my fantasy stories to be based around humanoid type characters/races with fantastical counterparts. This, however, converted me! Christopher Irvin has created a beautiful forest world in this story full of a vast array of animal characters.
The foundation of the story is based around a forest dwelling town of sentient animals who are so much like humans but encompassing their individual animal based characteristics. Each of the animal groups in the story has unique personalities which provides a wealth of intrigue around so many different characters. There is so much to learn about each of them and this just maintains the beauty of this character driven novel. As with all ‘civilised’ societies, there is unfortunately prejudice involved. Each animal group tends to make sly digs at the others and ultimately creates masses of friction between them at times. There is also a faction/gang that live on the outskirts of the village that prey on the supply caravans and those that stray too far from town which brings in the godfather, gang warfare aspect of the story. Needless to say the townsfolk have their own opinions of these ragged villains!
The family values of this novel are beautifully portrayed. Based around a father whose wife disappeared and subsequently died, looking after his pups whilst investigating her disappearance and also trying to hold his standing in a town who are suspicious of his past. I felt such a connection to Cal as a husband and father of two, I couldn't begin to imagine how I would cope in his shoes…or should I say fur!
Ultimately Ragged is a superb novel which had me hooked from the very beginning. The heartfelt family values along with standing up for what is right and bringing society together made this story one that creates such positive feelings about life. Regardless of your background or genetic make up, everyone has the ability to do right in this world, to be anything. Embrace who you are. We are all special.
screamdogreads's review against another edition
4.0
It truly is a fantastic feeling when a book you know nothing about, a book you've never even heard of, wows you, impresses you, and becomes one of your favorite reads of the month. This was my experience with Ragged. Having never even heard of the author before, what started as a cover buy that sat on my tbr shelf for months, turned into a book that contains everything I seek out, plenty of violence, a bleak and horrific storyline, and characters that captivate the soul.
A cross between Fantastic Mr Fox and an extremely gritty detective noir, Ragged is a book that contains more humanity than most other novels, despite its characters being anything but human. This novel contains a deep sense of family, of community, of care for each other. Of course this also comes with long buried secrets bubbling to the surface. This may seem like it's something geared towards children, a whodunit full of walking, talking animals living out in the woods, but I can assure you, this book is absolutely not for kids.
A fast moving and relatively short story that cuts deep, that hurts and shocks, Ragged is the book I never knew I needed.
A cross between Fantastic Mr Fox and an extremely gritty detective noir, Ragged is a book that contains more humanity than most other novels, despite its characters being anything but human. This novel contains a deep sense of family, of community, of care for each other. Of course this also comes with long buried secrets bubbling to the surface. This may seem like it's something geared towards children, a whodunit full of walking, talking animals living out in the woods, but I can assure you, this book is absolutely not for kids.
A fast moving and relatively short story that cuts deep, that hurts and shocks, Ragged is the book I never knew I needed.
annarella's review against another edition
5.0
This is quite an unusual and original fantasy, it's not the first thriller/mystery that features animals as main characters but it's surely the only i read that could be classified as a noir or hard boiled.
You can feel the influence of writers like Hammett or Chandler and of classic fantasy writers.
There's violence, there's sad moments but there's also lighter and witty parts.
it isn't a long story and it kept me turning pages.
I loved Cal and loved the well developed characters and the plot.
I'm curious about future books by this author.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
You can feel the influence of writers like Hammett or Chandler and of classic fantasy writers.
There's violence, there's sad moments but there's also lighter and witty parts.
it isn't a long story and it kept me turning pages.
I loved Cal and loved the well developed characters and the plot.
I'm curious about future books by this author.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
anothergirlanotherbook's review against another edition
5.0
An incredibly original book-anthropomorphic forest creatures meets gritty crime in a riveting tale of revenge, redemption and ultimately, love. I picked this up by chance on the new release shelf at the library and was so glad that I did. I will read anything Christopher Irvin writes from now on!
thewoollygeek's review against another edition
5.0
This book, this piece of literature (future classic to me) is fabulous, amazing , there aren’t enough superlatives for how good this is. It’s not a long read, but it’s powerful, it’s dark, I always love how these books always show how humans are more animalistic and vase, via this metaphor. The writing is fantastic, such a beautiful talent to take ‘humanity’ and transplant it into ‘animals’ Ragged is a book that will be with you long after you read it and still find something new to ponder on. Ragged is an enjoyable, complex and interesting read, it’s definitely one you want to read, especially if you’re looking for something a bit different.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
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