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tyrshand's review against another edition
4.0
Emrys continues to write beautifully about a diverse cast of characters and cosmic horrors that are much more "human" than we'd expect from their appearance. I loved and the exploration of what an "I'm right" -- with no room for discussion -- type group mentality can do and the problems they can generate. Really, Emrys explores the mental states of so many different kinds of people and how those can clash or meld so well. I think she may write the most nuanced characters I've read in fantasy recently. Once again, the story is slower than some may like, but I actually count that a strength of the novel. The pacing allows the relationships to be explored thoroughly, and I think that's exactly what makes these novels so good. I dearly hope the series continues for a long while.
tacanderson's review against another edition
3.0
I love the premise of getting to see Lovecraftian monsters as characters. I really enjoyed the first book in this series but this one took me forever to finish, probably partially because it was on Kindle and I’ve really drifted away from digital for physical or audio lately, but I also just had a harder time staying engaged with this.
queenpebbles's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
linneahedvig's review against another edition
4.0
Really enjoyed this one, just as much as Winter Tide. There was less research fun times but there were a lot of interesting discussions about the philosophy of the universe.
ielerol's review against another edition
4.0
I didn't love this one quite as much as Winter Tide, but it was still very good. The story is more plot-focused, less interior, but even as the characters felt a lot of pressure to act quickly, most of what the actually do is talk and argue with each other. Honestly I understood that the stakes were high but not quite why acting was so desperately urgent. I really wanted Aphra to take a damn nap and I'm still not sure why she couldn't? None of what was happening seemed immediately irreversible. But maybe I'm underestimating the perception that someone in the FBI or military could order a nuclear attack out of fear as soon as they learned about the Outer Ones.
Early on I kept finding myself asking, "But are the Outer Ones good guys or bad guys?" and the answer is of course, they're people, complicated and messy as all the rest of us.
From the book description I thought there would be more time spent on contacting people with Deep Ones blood and trying to rebuild Innsmouth's community, and there wasn't actually much of that, but I'm still satisfied with the story I did get.
Early on I kept finding myself asking, "But are the Outer Ones good guys or bad guys?" and the answer is of course, they're people, complicated and messy as all the rest of us.
From the book description I thought there would be more time spent on contacting people with Deep Ones blood and trying to rebuild Innsmouth's community, and there wasn't actually much of that, but I'm still satisfied with the story I did get.
benzetsu's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
genehack's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
jonmhansen's review against another edition
4.0
I want these things to be real: the intelligences from beyond the Earth; the cities that rose in golden splendor millennia before our own histories begin; the scholars who consort with dark forces, who sacrifice air and light and their human forms in exchange for unimaginable secrets. I want to see them. I want to talk with them, to decide for myself whether that deal is worth taking.