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blissfuljoe's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Very intriguing concept and setting, which spurred me on. However, I found the dialogue clunky and my edition had so many errors and duplicated words, probably the worst edited book I've read. I wonder if it's down to the translation and maybe in Russian it's better.
Still, I am intrigued to find out more about the world so I will read the sequel, but I'm in no rush to and will definitely be reading something else in between
Still, I am intrigued to find out more about the world so I will read the sequel, but I'm in no rush to and will definitely be reading something else in between
sci_fi4life_lol's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
arjohnson5623's review against another edition
4.0
The first thought to come to mind when I think of this novel is chilling. Through the sometimes awkward translation (because there is always something lost there) the world that you find yourself in is bleak. The horrors only vaguely described in order for you, yourself, to fill in the gaps. The world building is elaborate and complex, coming alive as the main character explores the metro in post-apocalyptic Moscow. The politics left me wanting to go educate myself further on Russian history, and despite heavy horror elements I have been up late immersed in its pages (despite the threat of radioactive nightmares). 4/5, would recommend to dystopian horror fans.
schokomami's review against another edition
2.0
Jesus..... I've never forced myself this much to finish a book....
I'm a big fan of post-apocalyptic media. So I was obviously intrigued by this world.
However the chapters felt more like a checklist for lore and philosophical conversations.
The constant meeting of allies to losing them the next chapter were so repetitive, that new side characters didn't interest me that much. This should imply, that the protagonist, Artyom, could have been at least a little compelling. But he had as much personality as a bowl of potato soup.
By the way where were the female characters? I do understand in this world the women do not have high ranking positions or have an important role, but Artyom met so many people and not one of them could have been a woman with thoughts? If I remember correctly there were 3 women, who he personally talked to. 1. His mother (we don't know anything about his mother). 2. The woman who wanted to sell her child to him. 3. The old lady in the end. Other minor female characters was the wife of Anton, which only trait was worrying about her son and husband and the wife of some commander, who looked so young Artyom thought she was the commander's daughter.
Additionally I think the book was this tedious to me because I read the translation and I'm not russian. Specifically the plethora of stations and their names confused me because I'm not familiar with the underground system of Moscow.
Altogether the world building was pretty interesting and I will watch some videos on the games/gameplays because I think the whole book makes more sense as a game. I mean the constant setting change would be more fun in a game and most characters already behaved like NPCs.
I'm so exhausted now....
I'm a big fan of post-apocalyptic media. So I was obviously intrigued by this world.
However the chapters felt more like a checklist for lore and philosophical conversations.
The constant meeting of allies to losing them the next chapter were so repetitive, that new side characters didn't interest me that much. This should imply, that the protagonist, Artyom, could have been at least a little compelling. But he had as much personality as a bowl of potato soup.
By the way where were the female characters? I do understand in this world the women do not have high ranking positions or have an important role, but Artyom met so many people and not one of them could have been a woman with thoughts? If I remember correctly there were 3 women, who he personally talked to. 1. His mother (we don't know anything about his mother). 2. The woman who wanted to sell her child to him. 3. The old lady in the end. Other minor female characters was the wife of Anton, which only trait was worrying about her son and husband and the wife of some commander, who looked so young Artyom thought she was the commander's daughter.
Additionally I think the book was this tedious to me because I read the translation and I'm not russian. Specifically the plethora of stations and their names confused me because I'm not familiar with the underground system of Moscow.
Altogether the world building was pretty interesting and I will watch some videos on the games/gameplays because I think the whole book makes more sense as a game. I mean the constant setting change would be more fun in a game and most characters already behaved like NPCs.
I'm so exhausted now....
kalldimma's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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? No
4.0
walker5510's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75