Lee
This is my fourth Buehlman book and I feel like I have not loved any of his third acts yet. He does an excellent job with building ragtag team dynamics and setting the atmosphere, but I just don't know why I always gradually lose interest as we get in sight of the finish line. I've actually read halfway through this book already two years ago, but decide that it was so long ago, I should just restart. Sure the Berserk x Souls vibes are present (although I'd say more Bloodborne if set during the 14th century black death and crusades), but something about his climaxes just don't hit as hard as you'd expect given the brutality and dark historical fiction horror he conjures. It's totally a me thing, but given how I've felt a similar disappointment in emotion in the final act of just about all his books, perhaps it's a narrative arc issue. Contrary to word of mouth, I think of what I've read, Lesser Dead might be my fave of his.
This is my fourth Buehlman book and I feel like I have not loved any of his third acts yet. He does an excellent job with building ragtag team dynamics and setting the atmosphere, but I just don't know why I always gradually lose interest as we get in sight of the finish line. I've actually read halfway through this book already two years ago, but decide that it was so long ago, I should just restart. Sure the Berserk x Souls vibes are present (although I'd say more Bloodborne if set during the 14th century black death and crusades), but something about his climaxes just don't hit as hard as you'd expect given the brutality and dark historical fiction horror he conjures. It's totally a me thing, but given how I've felt a similar disappointment in emotion in the final act of just about all his books, perhaps it's a narrative arc issue. Contrary to word of mouth, I think of what I've read, Lesser Dead might be my fave of his.
Added to listMovie Is Better Than The Bookwith 6 books.
Updated a reading goal:
Read 50 books in 2026
Progress so far: 50 / 50 100%
The film adaptation is much better. I actually didn't even connect that these were connected till I was returning it; that's how different they are.
The film adaptation is much better. I actually didn't even connect that these were connected till I was returning it; that's how different they are.
Added to listShould Be Adapted To Film/TVwith 66 books.
If you enjoyed Calypso Protocol, this will be right up your alley. Imagine that Dead Space influenced space prison barge setting of infected zombie convicts paired with the a Star Wars theme. Less Jedi/Sith than in the previous book Red Harvest, but more eerie atmosphere and gore with the entrapped and dark setting. There’s also a pretty cool cameo I was not expecting!
If you enjoyed Calypso Protocol, this will be right up your alley. Imagine that Dead Space influenced space prison barge setting of infected zombie convicts paired with the a Star Wars theme. Less Jedi/Sith than in the previous book Red Harvest, but more eerie atmosphere and gore with the entrapped and dark setting. There’s also a pretty cool cameo I was not expecting!
I like the mixed media formatting of having to follow along with blueprint diagrams and maps of the houses in question. That said, I found the mystery and eerie atmosphere to be nonexistent, as you could immediately point out the titular strangeness of the house the moment you take one look. I was hoping for the reveal to be much darker and twisted as many Japanese tales go.
I like the mixed media formatting of having to follow along with blueprint diagrams and maps of the houses in question. That said, I found the mystery and eerie atmosphere to be nonexistent, as you could immediately point out the titular strangeness of the house the moment you take one look. I was hoping for the reveal to be much darker and twisted as many Japanese tales go.
Added to listBody Horrorwith 28 books.
Added to listBooks Of Interest By Osmosiswith 63 books.
A short and easy psychological eco-horror read of how we are poisoning ourselves by killing our planet.
A short and easy psychological eco-horror read of how we are poisoning ourselves by killing our planet.
Added to listShould Be Adapted To Film/TVwith 66 books.
“Money is like acid. It burns through everything: friendships, family, lovers, husbands and wives. What ever bond you think you have, money will make that bond dissolve, it's acid.”
Believe the hype. King of Ashes is a highly entertaining and well-crafted crime revenge thriller with some really fun characters. This is my first experience with S.A. Cosby, and now I'm eager to explore his other books. I was told this book has some terrific villains, and it definitely delivers with the sadistic Tranquil & Torrent. Reading this book made it very easy to picture a movie adaptation in my mind, as Cosby’s writing flows smoothly and clearly captures these living characters right off the page. My only major gripe is that the ending feels rushed and comes together too quickly, especially after all the buildt up tension and raised stakes preceding it. That said, I very much enjoyed it from start to finish and was upset it ended. This would make an excellent double read or a future double feature film billing alongside Don Winslow’s City on Fire.
—
Fancast:
- Roman: Michael B. Jordan / John David Washington - Dante: Damson Idris - Naveah: Teyonah Parris / Zazie Beetz - Mr. Carruthers: Forest Whitaker / Sam Jackson - Torrent: Daniel Kaluuya - Tranquil: Trevante Rhodes - Yellaboy: Lakeith Stanfield - Splodie: 21 Savage / Jason Mitchell - Khalil: Yahya Abdul-Mateen II / Winston Duke - Chauncey: Aldis Hodge - Jealousy: Anitta - Shade: Brian Tyree Henry
“Money is like acid. It burns through everything: friendships, family, lovers, husbands and wives. What ever bond you think you have, money will make that bond dissolve, it's acid.”
Believe the hype. King of Ashes is a highly entertaining and well-crafted crime revenge thriller with some really fun characters. This is my first experience with S.A. Cosby, and now I'm eager to explore his other books. I was told this book has some terrific villains, and it definitely delivers with the sadistic Tranquil & Torrent. Reading this book made it very easy to picture a movie adaptation in my mind, as Cosby’s writing flows smoothly and clearly captures these living characters right off the page. My only major gripe is that the ending feels rushed and comes together too quickly, especially after all the buildt up tension and raised stakes preceding it. That said, I very much enjoyed it from start to finish and was upset it ended. This would make an excellent double read or a future double feature film billing alongside Don Winslow’s City on Fire.
—
Fancast:
- Roman: Michael B. Jordan / John David Washington - Dante: Damson Idris - Naveah: Teyonah Parris / Zazie Beetz - Mr. Carruthers: Forest Whitaker / Sam Jackson - Torrent: Daniel Kaluuya - Tranquil: Trevante Rhodes - Yellaboy: Lakeith Stanfield - Splodie: 21 Savage / Jason Mitchell - Khalil: Yahya Abdul-Mateen II / Winston Duke - Chauncey: Aldis Hodge - Jealousy: Anitta - Shade: Brian Tyree Henry