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mollywetta's review against another edition
4.0
With a cover, title, and synopsis like that, I was very intrigued by this debut novel. Luckily, it did not disappoint. I was instantly swept away in the magic and horror of this world. Part dreamy fairy tale and part guide to the nether realm, this book is perfect for readers looking for some urban fantasy that is more thoughtful, nuanced, and well-written than something like, oh, the Fever series.
The blurb doesn’t exactly tell you what this book is about, and I’m not going to even try and summarize the plot. I’m taking the Flannery O’Connor way out of that question by saying you just have to read it.
Okay, maybe I’ll give a few hints. This is a book review, after all.
This is a story of two boys, and a slew of supernatural creatures, including fairies, goblins, djinn, angels, and tricksters gods set a against a magical realm superimposed on our own just outside Austin, Texas. With equal parts philosophy and gore, this will satisfy those who enjoy thoughtful reflections as well as reader who prefer lots of action.
In between chapters of Ewan and Colby’s story are “nonfiction” sections that explain the history of the supernatural. While these sections were interesting, they did slow down the progression of the plot, and at times, duplicated it or “spoiled” what would happen in the next chapter. This also affected the pacing, which was uneven.
I enjoyed the writing style, which was a welcome reprieve from the simpler styles often seen in young adult literature, and the world-building was excellent, if overwhelming at times. It was moving, scary, funny, and overall, it was a satisfying read. It certainly inspired some crazy nightmares, and I won’t be going camping any time soon, especially while visiting my best friend in Austin.
The blurb doesn’t exactly tell you what this book is about, and I’m not going to even try and summarize the plot. I’m taking the Flannery O’Connor way out of that question by saying you just have to read it.
Okay, maybe I’ll give a few hints. This is a book review, after all.
This is a story of two boys, and a slew of supernatural creatures, including fairies, goblins, djinn, angels, and tricksters gods set a against a magical realm superimposed on our own just outside Austin, Texas. With equal parts philosophy and gore, this will satisfy those who enjoy thoughtful reflections as well as reader who prefer lots of action.
In between chapters of Ewan and Colby’s story are “nonfiction” sections that explain the history of the supernatural. While these sections were interesting, they did slow down the progression of the plot, and at times, duplicated it or “spoiled” what would happen in the next chapter. This also affected the pacing, which was uneven.
I enjoyed the writing style, which was a welcome reprieve from the simpler styles often seen in young adult literature, and the world-building was excellent, if overwhelming at times. It was moving, scary, funny, and overall, it was a satisfying read. It certainly inspired some crazy nightmares, and I won’t be going camping any time soon, especially while visiting my best friend in Austin.
rlspires08's review against another edition
2.0
I think I may need to try this book again in written format as the audiobook is difficult to get through for some reason. Maybe just not my cup o’ tea. DNF
rgag86's review against another edition
3.0
This was a crazy story, and not what I expected from the description on the back! This book is filled with all sorts of things that go bump in the night, most of which are different breeds of fairies. And there are some messed up fairies out there. Redcaps anyone? eesh. There are a lot of alternating points of views and some chapters are excerpts from a book on fairies and other supernatural beings, but overall the story focuses on the lives of 3 boys: Colby, a human (at least to begin with), Ewan (a human who was taken and raised by fairies), and Knocks (a changeling who was left in Ewan's place when he was taken). They all have complicated and tortured lives and we watch them grow older and fight their personal demons. This story is at times bloody and gruesome, the author not leaving out any details in the deaths or appearances of creatures. I was oftentimes confused by the sheer number of characters mentioned and what type of fairy they are; I wish their had been a glossary in the back describing what each was like - I wikipedia'd a lot while reading, and the politics of the fae were complicated. I very much enjoyed that this was set in Austin. Overall, this was a worthy go for a debut author, I just feel that maybe he was being a bit too ambitious at times.
lexi_spanier's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
missbookiverse's review against another edition
2.0
Was für ein verdammter Mogelpackungsreinfall! Titel toll, Cover cool, Klappen”text” märchenhaft-mysteriös und das erste Kapitel hat es zwar in sich, ist aber auch eher verträumt-schön-traurig. Genau das wollte ich, genau auf so was stehe ich. Ich dachte das wird so wie The Book of Lost Things, aber Dreams and Shadows würde garantiert eher mit Broms Child Thief ein Bier trinken gehen.
Obwohl der Autor durchaus weiß wie man Worte zu tollen Sätzen zusammenbastelt, nutzt er sie auch zu gern, um Brutalität und Ekelszenen zu beschreiben. Von eitrigen Wunden bis zu abgeschlagenen Köpfen ist alles dabei. In vielen Szenen fand ich so genaue Beschreibungen überhaupt nicht nötig, aber das ist wohl Geschmackssache.
Was nichts mit Geschmack zu tun hat, ist die Eindimensionalität der Charaktere, vor allem die Protagonisten Ewan und Colby (der übrigens manchmal Colby Stephens und manchmal Colby Stevens heißt… von der Erwähnung von Adolph Hitler mal ganz abgesehen). Die beiden sind furchtbar hohle Stereotype und ihre Schicksale waren mir egal.
Richtig ärgerlich ist das, weil die Story, die C. Robert Cargill sich ausgedacht hat, gar nicht so schlecht ist. Vor allem am Ende gibt es immer wieder ein paar tragisch-überraschende Wendungen, die ich super fand, die mich aufgrund der gesichtslosen Figuren aber überhaupt nicht gepackt haben.
Wenn euch Charaktere in Büchern wichtig sind, spart euch dieses Buch. Ich kann nicht fassen, dass dieses Jahr sogar noch eine Fortsetzung erscheint. Darauf falle ich nicht noch mal rein.
Obwohl der Autor durchaus weiß wie man Worte zu tollen Sätzen zusammenbastelt, nutzt er sie auch zu gern, um Brutalität und Ekelszenen zu beschreiben. Von eitrigen Wunden bis zu abgeschlagenen Köpfen ist alles dabei. In vielen Szenen fand ich so genaue Beschreibungen überhaupt nicht nötig, aber das ist wohl Geschmackssache.
Was nichts mit Geschmack zu tun hat, ist die Eindimensionalität der Charaktere, vor allem die Protagonisten Ewan und Colby (der übrigens manchmal Colby Stephens und manchmal Colby Stevens heißt… von der Erwähnung von Adolph Hitler mal ganz abgesehen). Die beiden sind furchtbar hohle Stereotype und ihre Schicksale waren mir egal.
Richtig ärgerlich ist das, weil die Story, die C. Robert Cargill sich ausgedacht hat, gar nicht so schlecht ist. Vor allem am Ende gibt es immer wieder ein paar tragisch-überraschende Wendungen, die ich super fand, die mich aufgrund der gesichtslosen Figuren aber überhaupt nicht gepackt haben.
Wenn euch Charaktere in Büchern wichtig sind, spart euch dieses Buch. Ich kann nicht fassen, dass dieses Jahr sogar noch eine Fortsetzung erscheint. Darauf falle ich nicht noch mal rein.
amylou_santos's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
cerysadarag's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I have never read fantasy like this, perfect for those wanting a grown up fairytale that reads more sinister and realistic. I enjoyed the ride but didn't feel much towards the end. An easy and interesting read.
nocturnalkitten's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0