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kaylies_reads's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
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? It's complicated
5.0
This was the first folk-cosmic horror book I have ever read and quite frankly the first book I have ever read by this author. Let me just tell you it absolutely won't be the last. The buildup is slow, but it is intense. This book did a fantastic job of keeping you interested the entire time. At no point could I have guessed on what was going to happen next. The author does an amazing job with his point of view that he almost invites you into the mind of the Main character himself. You almost become that character. You are provided with his account of events but also with his thoughts and even his fear. There are monsters, gore, cannibalism and so much more. I have never read a book like it! Over a week after reading it and I still can't get it out of my head. If you are considering buying this book, just do it! You will not be disappointed!!
tobin_elliott's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This one took me a long time to read, but it was due more to circumstance than anything.
There's enough other reviews that fill you in on plot and character details that I won't bother. Here's what you probably need to know...
Page wears a lot of his influences on his sleeve and they show up on the page. However, that being said, despite the obvious influences, he's developed his own very unique style of telling a story. For me, I will say I found it intensely readable, but I can also see how some may find it off-putting. Basically, unlike most novels, Page tends to eschew the standard practice of climbing inside the character's head, then giving the reader only the observations and thoughts of that viewpoint character. You do get those thoughts and observations, but Page also gives you more of a god's eye view of the proceedings, often adorning his characters' observations with parenthetical asides that could only come from an all-knowing narrator.
Most of the time, I had no problem with this, though I did find it a little heavier toward the end and I personally felt it slowed the pacing just a touch.
There was also an interlude toward the end that I honestly could have done without, where one character ruminates that, if he was a character in a novel, this is likely what the author would have done with him, but here's what happened instead.
So, while I wasn't crazy about that section—and really, it was only three or four pages—here's what I will say about the narrative style Page chose: it was a very bold choice, it was a very unconventional choice, and I absolutely applaud him for the the courage and willingness to try something different. Because, quite frankly, 99% of the time, it succeeded. I really did enjoy the writing style, more than I have in a long time.
I'm guessing I probably missed some fun stuff, as the author states that this book is a rather obvious love letter to Resident Evil, a game I am completely unaware of. But overall, I really enjoyed the book, and I am looking forward to seeing what else is crawling around inside Page's brain.
There's enough other reviews that fill you in on plot and character details that I won't bother. Here's what you probably need to know...
Page wears a lot of his influences on his sleeve and they show up on the page. However, that being said, despite the obvious influences, he's developed his own very unique style of telling a story. For me, I will say I found it intensely readable, but I can also see how some may find it off-putting. Basically, unlike most novels, Page tends to eschew the standard practice of climbing inside the character's head, then giving the reader only the observations and thoughts of that viewpoint character. You do get those thoughts and observations, but Page also gives you more of a god's eye view of the proceedings, often adorning his characters' observations with parenthetical asides that could only come from an all-knowing narrator.
Most of the time, I had no problem with this, though I did find it a little heavier toward the end and I personally felt it slowed the pacing just a touch.
There was also an interlude toward the end that I honestly could have done without, where one character ruminates that, if he was a character in a novel, this is likely what the author would have done with him, but here's what happened instead.
So, while I wasn't crazy about that section—and really, it was only three or four pages—here's what I will say about the narrative style Page chose: it was a very bold choice, it was a very unconventional choice, and I absolutely applaud him for the the courage and willingness to try something different. Because, quite frankly, 99% of the time, it succeeded. I really did enjoy the writing style, more than I have in a long time.
I'm guessing I probably missed some fun stuff, as the author states that this book is a rather obvious love letter to Resident Evil, a game I am completely unaware of. But overall, I really enjoyed the book, and I am looking forward to seeing what else is crawling around inside Page's brain.
thathorrorbish's review
adventurous
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? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
charmandi's review
5.0
I am absolutely blown away with how fantastic this book was. It's unequivocally riveting. Mixing equal parts monster horror, splatter punk, eldritch horror, and sci-fi, you really get a good mixture of everything. You can definitely see the influences in the work, but you're getting a unique novel with its own voice. I've never read anything like this before and I wish I had more to read. Sometimes bordering on (dare I say?) artistic and experimental styles of writing and execution; you get a surprising challenge without it being frustrating with one hell of a story on the way.
Seriously, such a contemporary masterpiece and one like nothing I've experienced (old or new.) I truly hope this gets more readers because it's well deserving of the high praise.
Seriously, such a contemporary masterpiece and one like nothing I've experienced (old or new.) I truly hope this gets more readers because it's well deserving of the high praise.
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