Reviews

The Plucker by Brom

podanotherjessi's review

adventurous dark 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? No

Not rating this one because I'm just not sure how I would. I think if this book was just the text, I wouldn't like it very much. The story is surprisingly slow, and the writing style is incredibly dry. The Plucker is an interesting villain, and Jack at least was fun to follow, but the other characters don't have much if any depth.
But the art does add a lot. All the depth missing in the text itself is provided by Brom's beautiful illustrations. That said, I don't know if they were always place appropriately. There were multiple times I found the story spoiled by the illustrations because the art was shown before a scene had happened in the text.

woodsybookworm's review

challenging dark tense fast-paced

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

5.0

Jack (and the box), a forgotten toy, must fight against the evil Plucker, a demonic spirit, to protect his fellow toys and his human child Thomas. 

Think of a terrifying Toy Story, it's even laid out like a kid's picture book. This is probably the most whimsically dark book I've ever read. Set up like a kid's book with large print and overlay images you'd think it'd be a cute story about a toy protecting its child but this is Brom so there are more than cute little monsters to go up against there are literal demons for Jack to battle. 

If you've always wanted to see your toys fight against the actual monster under the bed this is the book for you.

clearlybones's review

dark medium-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

3.75

fucazombie's review

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

Having fallen in love with Brom's latest novel Slewfoot, I decided to acquire all of his previous works and started with The Plucker.

First off I'm highly impressed, and astonished that Brom's debut novel was THIS good. With The Plucker, looks can be deceiving, what starts out as a light hearted toy story-like fairytale quickly turns into a dark, twisted dive into a world of voodoo spirits, devils and devil slayers. 

Need I say more?

toxic_jelly's review

adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious sad tense medium-paced

3.5

mooba77's review

adventurous dark hopeful mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

5.0

nerdtasticnoms's review

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? Yes

4.0

pheonixangel84's review

dark tense medium-paced

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

5.0

jcbruin's review

4.0

This was like a demented Toy Story. A "demon" tries to take over a child's soul and the toys come to the rescue. It's a twisted fairy tale that definitely has some creepiness to it. If you're a fan of the darker side of fairy tales then this one is right up your alley.

blocksbiloxi's review

3.0

Not as good as The Child Thief but still pretty good, and SUPER creepy.