Reviews

Black Mad Wheel by Josh Malerman

sparklepony503's review against another edition

2.0

I wanted to like this book. The concept was interesting and I normally don't have a hard time with letting some things slide if it builds a good narrative or has a good pay off in the end. Black Mad Wheel unfortunately didn't seem to be worth the journey for me. Phillip the main character didn't seem fully formed and it was hard to really care what was going to happen to him next. The love story between Phillip and Ellen seemed forced as well. What really got me with this book is that we never really understand what the sound in the desert was. I understand that for Phillip it was a piano but for other people it might be something different but I don't understand how that would manifest itself in the same way. For all the Danes, it was a sound but for the World War II musician, it was a canvas? I am not sure I understand what Josh Malerman was trying to go for there. I really wanted to like this book, especially since I loved Bird Box but I feel like it was just a bit to complicated without a pay off at the end of getting a clear explanation of what was happening through out the book.

jenhurst's review against another edition

2.0

No thank you

rainbowbookworm's review against another edition

Josh Malerman's tales are not masterpieces, but they do not need to be. He is a master at creating characters and situations that pull you in and don't release you. (All of the books by him that I have read have been read in one sitting.) This book is not exception. I had a bit of trouble understanding when the story took place, but ultimately I discovered that it is not necessary to identify a time period to understand the novel's message.

badseedgirl's review against another edition

5.0

Easily one of the creepiest books I have read in a long time!

And Now I can not get this song out of my head

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSTkybe7IaE

When you read this book, this will make more sense.

sandygx260's review against another edition

4.0

BMW is an extremely trippy, bizarre story. A few lapses in logic provided reading speed bumps, but it still held together.

laurenplug's review against another edition

3.0

I'm still kind of confused but the whole book was very intriguing

emc62803's review against another edition

challenging mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No

2.25

The plot seemed interesting but in the end the story was not very captivating and sort of confusing. I didn’t care much about the characters so neither did I care what happened to them. 

stephaniealysse's review against another edition

3.0

This was a good book. The first half, in particular, was incredibly thrilling. The author has such a talent for suspense and psychological terror. There were moments that actually triggered a physical response from me. (I got goose bumps on more than one occasion!) That being said, the ending was a little confusing. I can't say much without spoiling... The comparisons to LOST, one of my favorite shows, are justified. I think I'll like this book more on the reread. I just need a bit more time to sit on that ending. Until then, I look forward to reading Bird Box and other novels by the author.

booksasmeals's review against another edition

3.0

3.5

My favorite thing about Malerman's books are how different they are from each other. They all feel like photographs, snapshots of a different time in his life. Black Mad Wheel is no different, and I love how the title of it comes together at the end of the book.

jac5ob's review against another edition

4.0

I'm not sure I could exactly describe to you what happened in this novel BUT I was absolutely here for the ride. It's so wild and unlike anything I've read before. Hell yeah.