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yodamom's review
4.0
4.4 stars
The inside of Terrible's mind is a sad and lonely place. His past broke my heart, but it also made him the outstanding character he is. The thoughts behind his work, his interactions with Bump, Amy, Chess and other street folks from his perspective was enlightening. His lack of self-esteem battles with his known physical abilities. It was beautifully painful.
He fears, as tough as he is he fears what we all fear. Terrible is even more vulnerable than I knew.
Chess, and her drug use. He does have worries, who wouldn't and what does she say...
I loved his voice, even if I had some difficulty with the flow as I stumbled over some of the slang. I wanted more Chessiebomb but that comes later in the story. I hope there will be more of Terrible's words from Terrible. I will be ready with my finger on the buy now button.
The inside of Terrible's mind is a sad and lonely place. His past broke my heart, but it also made him the outstanding character he is. The thoughts behind his work, his interactions with Bump, Amy, Chess and other street folks from his perspective was enlightening. His lack of self-esteem battles with his known physical abilities. It was beautifully painful.
He fears, as tough as he is he fears what we all fear. Terrible is even more vulnerable than I knew.
Chess, and her drug use. He does have worries, who wouldn't and what does she say...
I loved his voice, even if I had some difficulty with the flow as I stumbled over some of the slang. I wanted more Chessiebomb but that comes later in the story.
daniellejones1992's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
somasunshine's review
dark
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.25
Terrible is so adorable in a way
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape
divapitbull's review
3.0
Wrong Ways Down was a bit like reading The Canterbury Tales. Eventually you get used to it, but initially it’s exhausting. The story is told from Terrible’s point of view, so it’s written entirely in Downside-speak, or whatever it’s called. It was intriguing in Unholy Ghosts and lent atmosphere to the scenes Terrible was in, but for a 240-page book, it’s…. ambitious. I wasn’t sure if 1.5 was required reading, however I figured since I found myself falling into Team Lex, it would be helpful to refocus. Terrible is a decent guy, which I knew before reading Wrong Ways. It did help paint him as an engaging character, learning a little about his early life, his code and sense of ethics and morality, his daughter and shitty baby momma and of course, his genuine love, care and concern for Chess.
The story itself is interesting, but not exactly riveting. Someone sliced and diced one of Bump’s dealers and now they’re running around raping his whores. Terrible, being more intelligent than people take him for; realizes there’s some sex magic in the works and he struggles not to involve Chess, mainly because everyone around him seems to know he has a crush on her and is questioning his motivation for wanting to consult “Bump’s Churchwitch”. While this story is mostly Terrible, he does spend some time with his Chessie and it seems clear that she likes and respects him. Terrible knows that her past and her issues are stopping her from being able to have a healthy romantic relationship and he won’t risk their budding friendship.
The story itself is interesting, but not exactly riveting. Someone sliced and diced one of Bump’s dealers and now they’re running around raping his whores. Terrible, being more intelligent than people take him for; realizes there’s some sex magic in the works and he struggles not to involve Chess, mainly because everyone around him seems to know he has a crush on her and is questioning his motivation for wanting to consult “Bump’s Churchwitch”. While this story is mostly Terrible, he does spend some time with his Chessie and it seems clear that she likes and respects him. Terrible knows that her past and her issues are stopping her from being able to have a healthy romantic relationship and he won’t risk their budding friendship.
suzemo's review
4.0
I gave this novella four stars, because it's from the POV of Terrible, and I really like his character. Kane managed to take the bruiser from her Downside Ghosts series and make him interesting, complex, and human.
And a bit of a feminist (go you, Kane).
But, I don't think I would rate any further Terrible-POV stories as high. While I like the character, and I thought the novella was fun, I don't care about his POV like I do Chess's; it's just not as interesting, and to be honest, the Downside-speak got a little old.
So it's a solid 3-stars for me, with a bonus star for pulling off the "love interest/side kick" POV well.
I just hope she doesn't go there again.
And a bit of a feminist (go you, Kane).
But, I don't think I would rate any further Terrible-POV stories as high. While I like the character, and I thought the novella was fun, I don't care about his POV like I do Chess's; it's just not as interesting, and to be honest, the Downside-speak got a little old.
So it's a solid 3-stars for me, with a bonus star for pulling off the "love interest/side kick" POV well.
I just hope she doesn't go there again.
thereadingrobyn's review
5.0
The Deal: As an enforcer for one of Downside’s most ruthless criminal bosses, Terrible is used to being the one who frightens, who injures, the one who kills. But when someone starts murdering dealers and attacking prostitutes, Terrible must use his talent for violence to protect the rest of Bump’s ragged flock. This time, though, he’ll be forced to keep his wits as sharp as his knife, and use a few of the sleuthing skills he’s learned from Chess, if he hopes to find those responsible for the attacks.
(Read the full review at http://96eustonroad.wordpress.com/2013/08/11/youre-terrible-muriel/)
Robyn says: I may fancy myself a writer, and the gods know when it comes to putting pen to paper there’s no one more prolific than me (er, we will not mention the quality of this output)… but there are times when words fail me. And in such situations, only a gif will suffice:
Swooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooon.
A Downside story, told from Terrible’s point of view, written in Kane’s delightfully inventive “Downside speech” – was there a chance that this book would NOT rock the casbah? No, there was not. I warn you, Terrible fans, you will adore him more than you ever thought possible. You heart will break a thousand times, reading about his insecurities and his past and his love for Chess. You will realize yet again that fictional men are infinitely more entertaining than any so-called ‘real men’ you have yet encountered. You will probably consider changing your cat’s name to Terrible, because YOLO. You will close the book (metaphorically, because it’s an ebook) feeling that distinctive, bittersweet mix of perfect joy, regret, and hunger for more that one always feels upon finishing a wonderful story. And if you had the lack of foresight to begin reading at 5:00 in the evening, you will wake from a very brief slumber with eyes as red as Bump’s living room.
Verdict: Um, duh? READ IT. Or if you haven’t read the rest of the Downside books, what is wrong with you, didn’t you see the gif party, then read them first, and then READ THIS. And reread it, probably, maybe a couple (dozen) times while waiting for the next book in the series.
Best lines: Can I just say all of it? No? Okay, how about… “First time a dame ever gave him a book to read. Definitely the first time a dame ever cared what he thought on a book, He wanted to get it right, especially since it was Chess asking.” (Chapter 12). I’m a sucker for romance nourished by reading.
Rating: Five out of five black 1969 Chevelles. You know why. (Or if you don’t then READ THE DAMN BOOKS!)
(Read the full review at http://96eustonroad.wordpress.com/2013/08/11/youre-terrible-muriel/)
Robyn says: I may fancy myself a writer, and the gods know when it comes to putting pen to paper there’s no one more prolific than me (er, we will not mention the quality of this output)… but there are times when words fail me. And in such situations, only a gif will suffice:
Swooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooon.
A Downside story, told from Terrible’s point of view, written in Kane’s delightfully inventive “Downside speech” – was there a chance that this book would NOT rock the casbah? No, there was not. I warn you, Terrible fans, you will adore him more than you ever thought possible. You heart will break a thousand times, reading about his insecurities and his past and his love for Chess. You will realize yet again that fictional men are infinitely more entertaining than any so-called ‘real men’ you have yet encountered. You will probably consider changing your cat’s name to Terrible, because YOLO. You will close the book (metaphorically, because it’s an ebook) feeling that distinctive, bittersweet mix of perfect joy, regret, and hunger for more that one always feels upon finishing a wonderful story. And if you had the lack of foresight to begin reading at 5:00 in the evening, you will wake from a very brief slumber with eyes as red as Bump’s living room.
Verdict: Um, duh? READ IT. Or if you haven’t read the rest of the Downside books, what is wrong with you, didn’t you see the gif party, then read them first, and then READ THIS. And reread it, probably, maybe a couple (dozen) times while waiting for the next book in the series.
Best lines: Can I just say all of it? No? Okay, how about… “First time a dame ever gave him a book to read. Definitely the first time a dame ever cared what he thought on a book, He wanted to get it right, especially since it was Chess asking.” (Chapter 12). I’m a sucker for romance nourished by reading.
Rating: Five out of five black 1969 Chevelles. You know why. (Or if you don’t then READ THE DAMN BOOKS!)