Scan barcode
emilyoh's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
toriann0926's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
beans_r_life's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
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? No
5.0
wayward_flowers's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jazjoyner91's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-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? No
5.0
This book was mesmerizing. Clarke's weaves a story that sucks you in amd keeps you guessing. I was often in awe of how beautifully she described the locations. I say read this book as soon as possible.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Kidnapping, and Violence
andyras's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
zuly's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
effaly's review against another edition
1.0
I don't get it. Why is this book so hyped? Can someone please explain?
For 40% - 50% the book doesn't seem to have a plot at all. We're following Piranesi doing boring things and explaining statues to us. At this time, I already hated the book because it was so repetitive, and came up with the most ridiculous periphrases for the most normal things. You can only read "Entry for the [number]th day of the [number]th month in the year of the albatross came to the south-western halls" so often, before running out of patience.
In case someone is wondering, here are the numbers of how often certain words are repeated.
Hall(s): 488
Statue: 194
Journal: 123
Vestibule: 114
Water: 115
South-Western: 88
albatross: 82
fish: 70
Yeah, it's a nightmare.
So what is left to say? Once the actual "plot" begins, it's very obvious where it's heading. The plot could have been resolved in less than 100 pages when Piranesi wasn't a complete idiot. The thing about "the puzzle" some people have mentioned is, that the author doesn't give us the pieces, no, the throws them in our face and then pieces them together herself. There is no guessing or wondering.
That's why I won't call it "the twist". A twist, so I understand, is something unexpected. When the plot heads in one direction but then suddenly changes. This doesn't happen here. It was always heading in this direction and leaves with a "solution" 99% of other books with his trope have. There is nothing new, besides it happening in a weird house full of water and halls.
For 40% - 50% the book doesn't seem to have a plot at all. We're following Piranesi doing boring things and explaining statues to us. At this time, I already hated the book because it was so repetitive, and came up with the most ridiculous periphrases for the most normal things. You can only read "Entry for the [number]th day of the [number]th month in the year of the albatross came to the south-western halls" so often, before running out of patience.
In case someone is wondering, here are the numbers of how often certain words are repeated.
Hall(s): 488
Statue: 194
Journal: 123
Vestibule: 114
Water: 115
South-Western: 88
albatross: 82
fish: 70
Yeah, it's a nightmare.
So what is left to say? Once the actual "plot" begins, it's very obvious where it's heading. The plot could have been resolved in less than 100 pages when Piranesi wasn't a complete idiot. The thing about "the puzzle" some people have mentioned is, that the author doesn't give us the pieces, no, the throws them in our face and then pieces them together herself. There is no guessing or wondering.
That's why I won't call it "the twist". A twist, so I understand, is something unexpected. When the plot heads in one direction but then suddenly changes. This doesn't happen here. It was always heading in this direction and leaves with a "solution" 99% of other books with his trope have. There is nothing new, besides it happening in a weird house full of water and halls.