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bookph1le's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars
I don't know if I loved this book quite as much as The Girl with All the Gifts, but then, it's a very different book from that one. Either way, it was a fantastic book.
I don't want to spoil things, so I won't give any real details away, other than to say that this book is very violent and deals in many, many shades of gray. The characters are complex, and whether you'll root for any of them is the question. These are not nice people, and some of them are the very extreme opposite of nice.
But the characters are this book's--and The Girl, in my opinion--true strength. M.R. Carey is breathtakingly masterful at creating complex, distinct characters. He does not truck in cardboard cutouts, crafting this novel with such deft care that it's not so much the plot that's the complicated part of this book, it's the intricate mindset of Fellside he establishes. I was consistently, page after page, paragraph after paragraph, blown away by how vivid his characters are. I read a LOT and rarely do I ever read books with characters as fully realized, complicated, and just plain real as his are.
I'm definitely on board for whatever this author writes next. I know his next book is set in the same world as The Girl with All the Gifts, but at this point, he could write a cereal box and I'd read it, that's how in awe of his skills I am. If you love books featuring deep, complex characters whose psyches you're going to spend a lot of time exploring, his books are for you.
I don't know if I loved this book quite as much as The Girl with All the Gifts, but then, it's a very different book from that one. Either way, it was a fantastic book.
I don't want to spoil things, so I won't give any real details away, other than to say that this book is very violent and deals in many, many shades of gray. The characters are complex, and whether you'll root for any of them is the question. These are not nice people, and some of them are the very extreme opposite of nice.
But the characters are this book's--and The Girl, in my opinion--true strength. M.R. Carey is breathtakingly masterful at creating complex, distinct characters. He does not truck in cardboard cutouts, crafting this novel with such deft care that it's not so much the plot that's the complicated part of this book, it's the intricate mindset of Fellside he establishes. I was consistently, page after page, paragraph after paragraph, blown away by how vivid his characters are. I read a LOT and rarely do I ever read books with characters as fully realized, complicated, and just plain real as his are.
I'm definitely on board for whatever this author writes next. I know his next book is set in the same world as The Girl with All the Gifts, but at this point, he could write a cereal box and I'd read it, that's how in awe of his skills I am. If you love books featuring deep, complex characters whose psyches you're going to spend a lot of time exploring, his books are for you.
gh00st13's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
inspiring
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
aceinit's review against another edition
4.0
For a book in which very little actually happens, it's a fascinating read. The narrative flows like the dreamscape Jess and her fellow inmates navigate. The narration of the audiobook was so superb that I had a very hard time taking breaks, and always looked forward to being able to press "play" again.
If you're looking for a plot-driven novel, this isn't for you. In a lot of ways, this book reminded me of Neil Gaiman's adult novels: Fellside isn't about the destination or the plot or the action. Instead, it's about the slow journey through a very scenic landscape.
If you're looking for "The Girl With All The Gifts," this isn't that book, and there aren't a lot of similarities to be found. This is a very different style of story, and the kind of slow, meandering narrative I don't normally enjoy. But Carey is one of my favorite writers, dating back to his days penning "Lucifer," and I always look forward to each new release. He has yet to disappoint.
If you're looking for a plot-driven novel, this isn't for you. In a lot of ways, this book reminded me of Neil Gaiman's adult novels: Fellside isn't about the destination or the plot or the action. Instead, it's about the slow journey through a very scenic landscape.
If you're looking for "The Girl With All The Gifts," this isn't that book, and there aren't a lot of similarities to be found. This is a very different style of story, and the kind of slow, meandering narrative I don't normally enjoy. But Carey is one of my favorite writers, dating back to his days penning "Lucifer," and I always look forward to each new release. He has yet to disappoint.
swyant42's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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? Yes
3.5
tishywishy's review against another edition
4.0
Flew through this novel. The Girl with All the Gifts was a good book but Fellside really drew me in. Jess was a bit of an unlikely heroine. There were moments when I wanted to shake some sense into her because she was utterly frustrating in her naiveté. The other characters really brought this novel together as the author wrote their histories into the storyline. The ending was unexpected but I guess M.R Carey has a penchant for non-fairy tale endings.
lolajoan's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
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? Yes
4.0
This book is incredibly dark and sad and distressing, but somehow it doesn't leave you with a bad feeling. It isn't exactly hopeful, and throughout the whole thing everyone's pretty miserable, but there's a lightness to it and I guess the sort of surrealness of parts takes the edge off so it's not just a big depression fest. It's beautifully written.
crimsoncor's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely fantastic. Very different in a lot of ways from the girl with all the gifts, though the empathetic main character who has an odd relationship with a child was not a wholly unfamiliar character turn from Carey. The ending is just superb. Unexpected, thrilling, and quite satisfying.