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flintsloveofbooks's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this and I want the next one immediately
charl149's review
funny
lighthearted
tense
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? It's complicated
4.0
erclark13's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
Very Pratchetty, which is a high compliment imo. Loved Janusz and Richard the most. Unexpectedly sad at points. Very open-ended, which is mildly frustrating but I guess that’s how series work sometimes and I’ll just have to read the next one!
alongreader's review
4.0
Well, that was rather more body horror than I expected from lovely Gabby Crouch!
I very much enjoyed the Darkwood series and have been known to chase customers around to get them to try it (not really; I did follow one, but we were going to the till for her to pay, so...) This is rather darker and more grown up, and I'm not sure I'd give it to kids the same way. It's still funny, but not every-other-second funny.
There's some very clever story telling here, and bits of language that made me think 'this is absolutely Gabby.' I did kind of feel like I'd dropped into the middle of the story at the start, but as it went on things started to fall into place. I was a little confused by parts of the ending, but I'm sure they'll be cleared up in the next installments (which I can't wait to read. Is this a trilogy, does anyone know?)
Fantastic, clever, funny, not really spooky - maybe creepy? - read, with a great hook for the next part. I can't wait.
I very much enjoyed the Darkwood series and have been known to chase customers around to get them to try it (not really; I did follow one, but we were going to the till for her to pay, so...) This is rather darker and more grown up, and I'm not sure I'd give it to kids the same way. It's still funny, but not every-other-second funny.
There's some very clever story telling here, and bits of language that made me think 'this is absolutely Gabby.' I did kind of feel like I'd dropped into the middle of the story at the start, but as it went on things started to fall into place. I was a little confused by parts of the ending, but I'm sure they'll be cleared up in the next installments (which I can't wait to read. Is this a trilogy, does anyone know?)
Fantastic, clever, funny, not really spooky - maybe creepy? - read, with a great hook for the next part. I can't wait.
seang81's review
4.0
When reading reviews you want to cut to the chase - I enjoyed this book. It’s escapism with witty dialogue and some great characters. A plot that zips by and does not take itself seriously. A book you can read in a day and sit back with ‘yeah, that was fun, what next?’
It’s a story of, well, exorcists? Ghost hunters? Family dynamics? All of those mixed together with humour and enough mystery to keep the novel going. The only issue is one that kicks in around the final 3rd with the ‘big bad’ of the novel. Personally, I found its reveal a little confusing, however, this is the first in a series so hopefully it’s explained a lot more in the next book.
Ultimately, it’s a recommendation from me - a palate cleanser from those heavy novels you have lying on the bedside table. Fun times to be had here.
It’s a story of, well, exorcists? Ghost hunters? Family dynamics? All of those mixed together with humour and enough mystery to keep the novel going. The only issue is one that kicks in around the final 3rd with the ‘big bad’ of the novel. Personally, I found its reveal a little confusing, however, this is the first in a series so hopefully it’s explained a lot more in the next book.
Ultimately, it’s a recommendation from me - a palate cleanser from those heavy novels you have lying on the bedside table. Fun times to be had here.
lydtt's review
4.0
I’ve never read a book quite like this. I enjoy how her chapters aren’t too long, and it’s very funny. I will be reading the second one.
annieb123's review
5.0
Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
Wish You Weren't Here is the first book in an urban fantasy mash-up series by Gabby Hutchinson Crouch. Released 7th Oct 2021 by Farrago, it's 240 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.
This is a completely bonkers full-bore action UF comedy which reminds me of the comedy/horror aspects of Buffy and Supernatural, but not derivative at all and with its own British self-deprecating humour. The ensemble crew of ghost hunters are fundamentally a family with the rich comedic possibilities that entails, alongside each having their own particular talents (clairvoyant, telekinetic, possessed by ancient mostly benignly cooperative demon, accountant, etc). The world building is by turns complex and comedic including an apocalyptic fight in an abandoned Tesco store on a possessed island.
The humour relies heavily on sight gags and slapstick, but happily, the author's up to the task of writing quite cinematically, so it never drags or bogs down. The entire book is a potty, very trippy, out of control end-of-the-world extravaganza. The author even manages some sly foreshadowed twists which she ties up into a satisfying denouement and resolution.
I've been a fast fan of her Darkwood series, and this is both a departure with different settings and themes, but also resonant with the same bouncy repartee and humour as her other series (but alas, no Trevor the spider to liven things up here).
This book includes positive representation of LGBTQIA+ relationships, family/sibling relationships, British (and Polish) pluck and esprit de corps and I frankly loved it to bits. I'm waiting on tenterhooks for more. It's weird and funny and wonderful. It might require readers to be in a particular mood for fantasy humour, but otherwise is very well written, immersive, and engaging.
Four and a half stars. More, please.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Wish You Weren't Here is the first book in an urban fantasy mash-up series by Gabby Hutchinson Crouch. Released 7th Oct 2021 by Farrago, it's 240 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately.
This is a completely bonkers full-bore action UF comedy which reminds me of the comedy/horror aspects of Buffy and Supernatural, but not derivative at all and with its own British self-deprecating humour. The ensemble crew of ghost hunters are fundamentally a family with the rich comedic possibilities that entails, alongside each having their own particular talents (clairvoyant, telekinetic, possessed by ancient mostly benignly cooperative demon, accountant, etc). The world building is by turns complex and comedic including an apocalyptic fight in an abandoned Tesco store on a possessed island.
The humour relies heavily on sight gags and slapstick, but happily, the author's up to the task of writing quite cinematically, so it never drags or bogs down. The entire book is a potty, very trippy, out of control end-of-the-world extravaganza. The author even manages some sly foreshadowed twists which she ties up into a satisfying denouement and resolution.
I've been a fast fan of her Darkwood series, and this is both a departure with different settings and themes, but also resonant with the same bouncy repartee and humour as her other series (but alas, no Trevor the spider to liven things up here).
This book includes positive representation of LGBTQIA+ relationships, family/sibling relationships, British (and Polish) pluck and esprit de corps and I frankly loved it to bits. I'm waiting on tenterhooks for more. It's weird and funny and wonderful. It might require readers to be in a particular mood for fantasy humour, but otherwise is very well written, immersive, and engaging.
Four and a half stars. More, please.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
meezy's review
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75