Scan barcode
angus_mckeogh's review
3.0
I’m really enamored with Hill’s writing style and storytelling technique, both of which I find to be top notch. And this story started great but ultimately ended with a bit of a corny flourish which I found slightly deflating. So a smidgen above okay but nothing fabulous.
universalbookworm's review
4.0
With many (intentional?) references to classics like I Know What You Did Last Summer, Dark Coursel teaches a simple truth:
Don't pick on defenceless creatures. They are not without their strengths.
This is a good read if you miss summer event (fairs, circuses, the board walk). Additionally, the audio book - which is available on vinyl, how cool! - has some original music and a killer vibe.
Don't pick on defenceless creatures. They are not without their strengths.
This is a good read if you miss summer event (fairs, circuses, the board walk). Additionally, the audio book - which is available on vinyl, how cool! - has some original music and a killer vibe.
kandicez's review
3.0
First, all the stars for this lovely, lovely piece of art! The sleeve is a beautiful thing, but then you pull out the vinyl and it just pops! It's this viscous yellow with slips, drips and splatters of darkest grey. Absolutely gorgeous. Added to the thrill is my name, in Joe's hand, in the upper right. I have every book he has released as a signed copy, so of course I needed this!
The story was ok. I think it actually suffered a bit from the narrator. I have not heard him read anything else, and may actually avoid him in the future. He wasn't bad, just would have been better reading straight fiction. I'm not sure this qualifies as horror, but it is at the very least unreliable narrator fantasy.
It's set in the 90s which is another thrill since Joe and I were born around the same time so have the same touchstones fo our youth. Much like Martha Quinn in The Fireman, there were a ton of year references that really touched my nostalgia bone.
I must say that my very favorite part is a quick glance at what at first appears to be a eiche uise, or water horse from [a:Maggie Stiefvater|1330292|Maggie Stiefvater|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1460918410p2/1330292.jpg]'s [b:The Scorpio Races|10626594|The Scorpio Races|Maggie Stiefvater|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1461209661s/10626594.jpg|15535056]! Lovely and more terrifying to me than any other paragraph. I can't wait until this is released in print.
The story was ok. I think it actually suffered a bit from the narrator. I have not heard him read anything else, and may actually avoid him in the future. He wasn't bad, just would have been better reading straight fiction. I'm not sure this qualifies as horror, but it is at the very least unreliable narrator fantasy.
It's set in the 90s which is another thrill since Joe and I were born around the same time so have the same touchstones fo our youth. Much like Martha Quinn in The Fireman, there were a ton of year references that really touched my nostalgia bone.
I must say that my very favorite part is a quick glance at what at first appears to be a eiche uise, or water horse from [a:Maggie Stiefvater|1330292|Maggie Stiefvater|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1460918410p2/1330292.jpg]'s [b:The Scorpio Races|10626594|The Scorpio Races|Maggie Stiefvater|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1461209661s/10626594.jpg|15535056]! Lovely and more terrifying to me than any other paragraph. I can't wait until this is released in print.
emmarj's review
3.0
MOST IMPORTANTLY: Where do I know this carousel from? I KNOW I have read a story featuring a creepy carousel with antique horses/animals, one of which was burned in a fire. Was it in Joyland? I sincerely hope someone comments and helps me out because it's driving me mad.
Anyway, it's a short story. I read the ebook so I cannot comment on the narration. It's not bad. It's not great. Hill relies heavily on gore and body horror in this story so... It's not that I'm angry with him, I'm just a little disappointed.
Anyway, it's a short story. I read the ebook so I cannot comment on the narration. It's not bad. It's not great. Hill relies heavily on gore and body horror in this story so... It's not that I'm angry with him, I'm just a little disappointed.
bethreadsandnaps's review
3.0
I thought this just ok. It needed to be longer because I feel it didn’t go much into characters at all. It had a really good setting though.
secondhandbookshelves's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
kmk182's review
4.0
Joe Hill writes characters beautifully. When the "horror" element hit I found it a little laughable, but Hill saves it in the end. As its currently only available as a vinyl audio book I was a little skeptical in shelling out $30 for it, but it was worth it. The bonus cover of The Rolling Stone's "Wild Horses" by Matthew Ryan is a great coda.