Kyle
I'm honestly so shocked at how disappointed I found this sequel. After the incredible emotional high that My Heart Is a Chainsaw left me with, I was so excited to dive back into this world. I'm not even sure I would say this is a bad book, but it unfortunately was just not the sequel that I wanted and I can't reconcile my expectations with the reality of the book I read.
While I do feel I understood the plot by the end, the story at times felt overly convoluted, which was exacerbated by the million and one new POVs introduced in this book. With the exception of the first chapter in MHIAC, that book was exclusively told from Jade's POV, which was an amazing reading experience despite a frustrating beginning (and middle). I wanted to be back in her head, but this book seemed hellbent on jumping around to every other person in town at times.
Even if a new POV was going to be added, I would have been totally down for a sequel told from Jade and Letha's POVs only, as I think Letha had an interesting story I wanted to follow as well, but this story felt absolutely bloated with random cutaways to characters I simply was never going to care about in their random 10 pages of screen time. It made the narratively feel bloated and intentionally convoluted.
There was an emotional through line that I was invested in seeing through, but I really hope SGJ streamlines the storytelling for this last book. I think this is one that I maybe would be able to appreciate more on a reread, but I have to rate this one on my first-time reading experience for now.
2.25 stars
This was unfortunately a disappointment for me. I was really looking forward to reading this one, but I found it somewhat of a struggle to stay engaged with.
I think there was a lot of interesting ideas and some of the satirical parts of the book did genuinely make me laugh out loud, but I found the prose to feel a bit too YA for the content. The story itself began to feel extremely underwhelming even as the blood started flowing. I really do think there is a great book in the bones of this one, but with the wrong execution.
I also have never been someone who is anti-dream sequence in books/movies, but this was simply far too many. The first was effective enough, but quickly had diminishing returns.
Also, what was the point of introducing that brain tumor right at the very end? Just momentary doubt? It was very quickly dispelled only pages later, so it felt very oddly placed.
I think I'm probably too stupid for this book.
I read this for a book club I'm a part of, but otherwise I'm not sure I could have forced myself to finish. I did quite enjoy the more essay/memoir portions of the book, but almost everything deviating from that was simply not for me. I can't say I understood even a fraction of those sections.
Daniel Lavery is not someone I'm familiar with, although my understanding is he's had a career for a while now as a columnist. I'm not sure if being more familiar with his previous work would have enhanced the reading experience, but the style of this novel unfortunately puts me off from picking up any more long-form work by him.
I'd be open to reading something shorter and less experimental since I did enjoy his insights, and hopefully that may click more for me.
3.5 stars
Compulsively readable and an interesting storyline.
I do wish the book was a bit longer and was able to explore some of its themes a bit more in depth, but I did really enjoy what was on the page and found the character dynamics intriguing.
I'm sure there are also aspects of the story I didn't understand the full weight or context of not being Nigerian, but it was fascinating to read about this type of story being set in Lagos, as I initially thought it was going to be set in America when I started. It added more nuance and depth to our main character from what I expected to be more of a pulpy airport thriller.
Would definitely read more from this author, but would prefer to try something longer.
(Update: 5/28/25): After completing the trilogy, I have to up my original rating from a 4.25 to 5 stars. The foundation set up in this one for the payoff Jade's character arc truly has from the first book to the last is incredible and I find this is the book that I think I have thought about the most since finishing this year. Between My Heart Is a Chainsaw and [b:All the Colors of the Dark|215153740|All the Colors of the Dark|Chris Whitaker|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1719171667l/215153740.SY75.jpg|178254142], I've really read some of my favorites of the decade so far.
This is a blood-soaked character study with some serious payoff for those willing to stick it out through a frustrating main character.
Stephen Graham Jones' prose can be a little jarring with its flow and stream-of-consciousness style, but it helps create a book that feels very singular. Jade is a rather off-putting narrator but who has an arc that helps complete the story, with so much room to explore in the later two books.
While at first I felt a little mixed on this one while reading, this book has one incredible third act, although it maybe got a bit too chaotic with too many reveals and revelations happening towards the end.
The very last scene will really stick with me. I have no idea where the next two books will go, but I'm officially locked in for the ride.
I can't pretend this is anything other than a very flawed book, almost at every conceivable level, but I don't think anything new I have read this year has moved me or kept me as emotionally engaged as this one.
This book almost unfolds as some sort of dark fairy tale, in many ways reminding me of a slightly more restrained Stephen King, with a simultaneously intimate yet epic scale and scope. I'm not sure I've ever read anything quite like this, or not for a very long time at least.
Despite the book running for far too long, I closed it so satisfied that I didn't regret a single page.
I loved the melodrama, the ridiculous and overly sentimental dialogue, the seemingly impossible story, the moral unflappability of the characters. This one just really blew me away, even if I could totally understand someone giving this 1 star.
1.5 stars
Very standard Frida McFadden, while surprisingly straightforward and relatively predictable. One of the twists was too offensively lame and out of left field (still saw it coming, but the explanation itself was just laughable), so I knocked it down from a 2.
I do have a hard time putting these down, and I can't explain why I keep reading when I know what the quality will be. Just too addictive.
This one started out a little rough for me, but has a really strong ending (although I could've done without another reprisal of The Raven).
I think this shares some of the weaknesses of Ballad but does overall have a more emotionally engaging core shifting the series back to District 12, but I would like to visit a new setting if this isn't the final book. While it does make sense to tie in certain character appearances given the proximity to the start of the original trilogy, having so many introduced in that first chapter certainly threw me off and I was afraid of what the remainder of the book would look like.
The pacing of this one feels a little off in places, but the reduction in page count compared to Ballad definitely brings the series closer to the near-perfection of pacing in the original books. I disagree with this book not having anything new to say that hasn't already been covered in the original books, although I wouldn't say the perspective itself is as powerful as especially Mockingjay.
I did feel that some of the characterizations and development of the new side characters were lacking a bit of depth than I would've liked, but I think we get what we need from our central cast (and of course, Haymitch).
The epilogue was chef's kiss- no notes.
I actually think my opinion on this one will improve with time, but for now I'm sticking with a 4.25 while I wait to see how much staying power this one has in my memory.
A really unique exploration of familiar themes. The prose sometimes frustrated me, but I appreciated how distinct the voice truly was.
Was a little let down by the resolution of one of the particular subplots, and kind of wanted a little more exploration of the implications left by the answers to the overarching mystery, but was overall satisfied with the direction of the story.
A horror novel definitely, but more psychological than blood and guts for anyone expecting a straightforward ghost/haunted house story.
Would read more by Solomon.
3.5 stars
This one really took me by surprise in the second half after a rocky start. The emotional catharsis towards the end was so strong.
At first I thought the characters and world were a bit too shallow for me, but Stephen King really had some interesting psychological landscapes for many of them. The Vietnam War allegory is biting as well, reminds me so much of why I love dystopian novels and want to dive back into them this year.
If the movie adaptation is faithful, this one will be a tearjerker.
2.5 stars
Curious what the film adaptation of this will be like. It's not the most eventful story.
I struggled with the comedic tone of this one. It has some interesting ideas, but I really couldn't bring myself to get attached to any of the characters. A few laughs here and there, but I'm not sure it really worked for me.
Not bad, but not something I'll think back to much.
I expected to enjoy this one going in, but it really surpassed my expectations.
Really satisfied by the story and conclusion to the mystery. Kept me engaged the entire way. I can definitely see why some may have issue with the pacing and number of POV characters, but I really enjoyed how thorough the narrative was and found myself intrigued by most of the characters, although of course there were POVs I found myself much more engaged by.
My only complaints are the resolution of Alice's POV, of which I wanted more from at the end, and some of the repetitiveness of the prose, especially given how long the book is. Far from a perfect book, but one I closed content upon finishing.
3.5 stars
I enjoyed this one, but not nearly as much as The Girl on the Train and A Slow Fire Burning. I think the story is just a little too slow, meandering, with too many threads that just don't have sufficient pay-off.
I do always love the way Hawkins writes, and her characters, but I just don't feel this is her strongest work. Still look forward to whatever she publishes next.
This was my first read for a book club I'm joining and it was such a strange experience to read a book set right down the street from where I lived for multiple years, at a time I lived there, by someone who lived there at the same time I did.
A huge part of reading about Iowa City felt so nostalgic, even reading about some of the beauty of the area during such a strange and daunting time. There were so many truly beautiful passages in this book (“I have the germs of every human infirmity in me” will stick in my head for a long time), although I do think some of the stream-of-consciousness elements could have been trimmed down.
A lot of this book reads like the Iowa Writers' Workshop, in the best and worst ways. I did overall love the writing, but this and Nightbitch do read similar in many stylistic ways, choices that I don't particularly care for and vary in effectiveness, in my opinion.
The fear and claustrophobia of the medical crisis was very harrowing and overwhelming, especially listening to the audiobook with all of the run-on sentences and anxiety. The ending is satisfying and feels so beautiful and bittersweet. I'll be thinking about this one for a while.
This was a wild ride. Han Kang says so much in so little, and I'm not sure I know what it all means, but I enjoyed the ride.
I think the first and last part are the strongest, but the second part also kept me engaged. Really glad I heard of this one out of the blue and I'm curious to see what else by Kang has been translated.
I wouldn't say this was a particularly bad book, but just completely not for me.
I really enjoyed Incidents Around the House by Malerman last year, but this is clearly geared towards a much younger audience. I was aware it wasn't truly going to fall into the horror category going in, but I hoped the fairy tale nature of it would be able to hold my interest. The writing felt too juvenile, too much telling vs. showing, with characters that had no real depth or intrigue and completely murky motivations.
I think this is something I might have somewhat enjoyed 10 years ago when I would've fallen closer to the intended demographic, but I can't pinpoint any aspect of the book I enjoyed, so I'm going to have to settle for 1 star. I'm honestly pretty baffled this was marketed in the adult horror section of Barnes & Noble other than it would be able to be shelved with Malerman's other books.
I probably won't remember much of this in a couple weeks, which is a real disappointment.
Liked a lot about this one, the story went in a lot of completely unexpected directions. Reading this with my roommate out of town also added to the creep factor.
Still some unanswered questions at the end, which is fine, but the final confrontation also felt a little jarring and rushed. The children also drove me insane, but obviously some grace there.
Some may find the pacing and background chapters a little jarring, but I appreciated how much we got to know the narrator.
Looking forward to reading more from this author and seeing how she grows.
I felt like this was overall weaker than the first book, much less gripping and tense, but that ending really solidified it for me.
I'm really, really surprised that this is the end of the series. I'm usually okay with an ambiguous ending, but it's such a frustrating place to be left with these characters that I've come to know over two books. I was also frustrated by the sidelining of many of the ensemble from the first book, as I never felt connected to the new group that took center stage. It was also surprisingly predictable, which is disappointing but not the end-all-be-all.
I did appreciate getting to know Jerry more intimately, and there were absolutely moments I was glued to the page, but I'm going to need some time to let this one sink in. I'm going with a 3-star because I did enjoy the read, but my immediate reaction is definitely the things I didn't enjoy.
Devastating novel, but such an important story. The real life basis for this is even more sickening, especially reading that it was still open until 2011- proving even more how timely this book truly is.
The ending is such a gut wrench that I didn't see coming, although I'd picked up some peculiarities that made so much more sense once I reached the epilogue.
Looking forward to seeing the film adaptation and seeing the approach they take towards the source material. Have heard nothing but good things so far, but heard the style is very distinct and unique.
I received an e-ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I'm very curious to see what the response to this book is when it releases in March. I'm not sure of what my own thoughts are. It was meandering for a significant portion of it, but with grotesque and somewhat captivating imagery.
In parts I found the writing beautiful, others repetitive and meaningless. The cross out technique really didn't add too much to this one either, although I understand the approach and why it was attempted.
The main character and the world that she inhabits feels so unknown and opaque in many ways, despite the details we're given and that this story rests so heavily on her own internal thoughts and observations.
I didn't enjoy the novel very much, but it felt wrong giving it 1 star, since I believe there is so much in theory that is good, but falls flat on execution. I wish this same story had been told in a completely different manner.
A huge step down from Tender Is the Flesh, but I will probably continue to give Bazterrica more chances despite not enjoying both of her two follow-ups so far.
1.5 stars
I don't necessarily think this is a bad book, but I believe I've phased out of YA enough to where this just did not work for me on any level really.
The writing feels too immature and juvenile to tackle all of the mature topics in the story, with a plot built off too many conveniences for my taste. Dialogue is awkward and unrealistic, and has plenty of outdated sayings (that may have already been outdated when it was published).
I think there's an interesting story here that would have been better suited for an adult novel. I picked this one up to knock off an older book from my physical TBR that I'd owned for far too long, but the moment where I would've enjoyed this book was far past.
Probably better suited for its target audience, although I think some of my criticisms still stand.