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vgdesigns's review
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Expect the Unexpected
Jeff VanderMeer explores the duology of word meanings in a world unlike our own filled with odd creatures, and even odder motivations. Jonathan Lambshead is due to inherit a mansion after his grandfather’s death, with one stipulation that he must catalogue all of its odd collections. With the mystery of his missing mother, he is determined find out his family’s secrets. With the help of his two friends, he finds himself exploring another world in search of answers from The Order.
Jeff VanderMeer is known for his play with words, and the interesting double meanings found in commonly used phrases. The plot of this story centers on Jonathan, who is an average American/English boy who has a lot of questions. His ability to accept the weird, allows him to understand the world he falls into. His various companions are comparatively ordinary as well. Except they all enjoy endless conversations involving wordplay. From his first experience in the world of Aurora, each location is more fanciful than the last. Involving talking animals, talking vegetables, and a lot of marmots. All living under an evil and irrational empire ruled by Crowley.
The other main character is the villainous Crowley who has various nonsensical motivations, and his familiar Wretch. Who both are currently ruling Aurora, and looking for spies from The Order. Which involves a lot of nonsensical conversations about spies, duplicity, beheading, and evil laws. The question is who is ruling who, and for what reason. Though they can all agree that they must stop the Golden Sphere, a Celestial Beast with a terrible purpose. The Golden Sphere is entirely chaotic and murderous, which is quite morbidly violent in this story. The Golden Sphere’s intentions are also not explained, except for self-preservation.
Including quite a few side characters who receive their own backstories, and the mysteries of The Builders. Unfortunately, Jonathan receives more questions than answers. What the readers do get is a lot of butt jokes, occasional swearing, randomness, blood, and unnecessarily morbid situations. A Peculiar Peril is the type of book to read for interesting nonsense, and peculiar events.
Jeff VanderMeer explores the duology of word meanings in a world unlike our own filled with odd creatures, and even odder motivations. Jonathan Lambshead is due to inherit a mansion after his grandfather’s death, with one stipulation that he must catalogue all of its odd collections. With the mystery of his missing mother, he is determined find out his family’s secrets. With the help of his two friends, he finds himself exploring another world in search of answers from The Order.
Jeff VanderMeer is known for his play with words, and the interesting double meanings found in commonly used phrases. The plot of this story centers on Jonathan, who is an average American/English boy who has a lot of questions. His ability to accept the weird, allows him to understand the world he falls into. His various companions are comparatively ordinary as well. Except they all enjoy endless conversations involving wordplay. From his first experience in the world of Aurora, each location is more fanciful than the last. Involving talking animals, talking vegetables, and a lot of marmots. All living under an evil and irrational empire ruled by Crowley.
The other main character is the villainous Crowley who has various nonsensical motivations, and his familiar Wretch. Who both are currently ruling Aurora, and looking for spies from The Order. Which involves a lot of nonsensical conversations about spies, duplicity, beheading, and evil laws. The question is who is ruling who, and for what reason. Though they can all agree that they must stop the Golden Sphere, a Celestial Beast with a terrible purpose. The Golden Sphere is entirely chaotic and murderous, which is quite morbidly violent in this story. The Golden Sphere’s intentions are also not explained, except for self-preservation.
Including quite a few side characters who receive their own backstories, and the mysteries of The Builders. Unfortunately, Jonathan receives more questions than answers. What the readers do get is a lot of butt jokes, occasional swearing, randomness, blood, and unnecessarily morbid situations. A Peculiar Peril is the type of book to read for interesting nonsense, and peculiar events.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Death
Moderate: Cursing, Blood, Grief, Kidnapping, War, and Animal death
Minor: Death of parent and Cannibalism
mayr3adsab00k's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Animal death, Animal cruelty, Blood, Body horror, Bullying, Chronic illness, Cursing, and Death
Moderate: Cannibalism and Cancer
Minor: Murder, Terminal illness, Violence, Car accident, Dementia, Death of parent, Grief, Excrement, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, and Kidnapping
vita_s_west's review
adventurous
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
A wild ride, with lots of good bits, but this needed a better editor. It was too tangential. Also, the audience was unclear. The grotesque body horror and themes suggest an older audience, while the sheer amount of butt and poo jokes suggest a younger set.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror
Moderate: Animal death and Cannibalism
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