Reviews

Shriek: An Afterword by Jeff VanderMeer

alexhaydon's review

dark mysterious slow-paced

I love Ambergris but this was slow…I really enjoyed the structure and playful writing style, Duncan interrupting his sister Janice’s storytelling. The depictions of Ambergris are mesmerising and done superbly, and yet, I found myself completely bored at times. I was wanting loads and given a smidge. I can’t help but feel like this is intentional on Vandermeer’s part. Compelling and desirable, but never truly within your grasp. Onto Finch it is then.

jetpackdracula's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide attempt, War, Violence, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Death of parent, Forced institutionalization, and Xenophobia

lilyhouse's review

adventurous dark mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.5

While this book offers a unique perspective from the Janice Shriek, the sister of the Duncan Shriek, the historian who authored the first book of this series, it is a very slow, dragged 
-on “Afterword” of Duncan’s disappearance. I found the most interesting part of the book to be the actual recounting of the war, which is action packed, unlike the other 90% of this book. I have a love-hate relationship with this series and thus  will be reading the final book of this series.

patkohn's review against another edition

adventurous dark inspiring mysterious reflective tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

stepriot's review against another edition

3.0

While this is a much more straightforward narrative, its self-indulgence is louder. It meanders too much and is exhausted.

luetob's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

creadsagain's review against another edition

dark mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

cem_spicer's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious tense medium-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? Yes

4.0

schuster_s's review

4.0

Vandermeer always has a way with stories. This novel jumps from place to place: Mary Sabon’s flesh necklace, before dad died, The Shift, and more. It unravels in a very disorganized and intentional way, showing Janice’s personal unraveling with it.

Shriek: An Afterword shows a realistic sibling situation; so accurate, that I saw myself and my brother represented by these characters. The distance and the deep love for each other is exactly what real siblings experience in their lives.

Can’t wait to read the final book in this series and see how Ambergris is full of more journeys and surprises.

linneasofia's review

challenging informative mysterious reflective tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0