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The Monstrumologist #3
The Isle of Blood
When Dr. Warthrop goes hunting the "Holy Grail of Monstrumology" with his eager new assistant, Arkwright, he leaves Will Henry in New York. Finally, Will can enjoy something that always seemed out of reach: a normal life with a real family. But part of Will can't let go of Dr. Warthrop, and when Arkwright returns claiming that the doctor is dead, Will is devastated--and not convinced.
Determined to discover the truth, Will travels to London, knowing that if he succeeds, he will be plunging into depths of horror worse than anything he has experienced so far. His journey will take him to Socotra, the Isle of Blood, where human beings are used to make nests and blood rains from the sky--and will put Will Henry's loyalty to the ultimate test.
538 pages, Hardcover
First published September 13, 2011
116 people are currently reading
6,462 people want to read
About the author
Rick Yancey
39 books9,808 followersaka Richard Yancey.
Rick is a native Floridian and a graduate of Roosevelt University in Chicago. He earned a B.A. in English which he put to use as a field officer for the Internal Revenue Service. Inspired and encouraged by his wife, he decided his degree might also be useful in writing books and in 2004 he began writing full-time.
Since then he has launched two critically acclaimed series: The Extraordinary Adventures of Alfred Kropp, for young readers, and The Highly Effective Detective, for adults. Both books are set in Knoxville, Tennessee, where Rick lived for ten years before returning to Florida.
Rick is a native Floridian and a graduate of Roosevelt University in Chicago. He earned a B.A. in English which he put to use as a field officer for the Internal Revenue Service. Inspired and encouraged by his wife, he decided his degree might also be useful in writing books and in 2004 he began writing full-time.
Since then he has launched two critically acclaimed series: The Extraordinary Adventures of Alfred Kropp, for young readers, and The Highly Effective Detective, for adults. Both books are set in Knoxville, Tennessee, where Rick lived for ten years before returning to Florida.
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May 6, 2012
The study of Aberrant Biological Specimens...aka...monsters...
...is the purview of the Society for the Advancement of the Science of Monstrumology. Professor Pellinore Warthrop is the world’s foremost monstrumologist and, together with Will Henry, his teenage ward, the pair investigate the strange, mysterious and deadly biological phenomena of the 19th century.
A cross between Sherlock Holmes, the X-files, and the adventure tales of Jules Verne, with an added blanket of “lovecraftian” dread draped over the narrative. It is superb and I think it’s as good a YA series as is being produced today.
The first two books in the series were smart, original, and terrific fun. This third entry is the best novel of the three, and while I’m not rating it quite as highly because of some pacing issues, this work clearly shows Yancey’s continued growth on the road to becoming a master of his craft.
PLOT SUMMARY:
When a mysterious package sent by a Warthrop’s sometime colleague/mosttime nemesis Jack Kearnes (aka Jack the Ripper) is found to contain one of the rarest prizes in monstrumology, the Professor and Will Henry find themselves in a race to locate the “Holy Grail of Monstrumology.” Unfortunately, no one has ever seen the Typhoeus Magnificum , the father of all monsters, and the nefarious Jack Kearnes has put in motion schemes involving two national governments, a savage secret society, murders a plenty, and an expedition to secluded “Isle of Blood.” Along the way, the Professor’s prodigious skills will be tested to their limit, as will is fundamental view of the world, and his relationship with Will Henry will be forever altered.
How’s that for an enticement?
THOUGHTS:
The world-building, the characters, the writing...all are superb.
World-building:
Yancey has created a setting that feels like an homage to the “lost world” adventures of writers like Burroughs, Doyle, and Verne. Like the classics penned by those giants, the 19th century depicted by Yancey is not mapped down to the last acre, and there are still dark corners of the world where things fantastic and horrific exist beyond the control of man. This sense of Earth as exotic locale has always been an aspect of these types of stories that has appealed to me.
To this familiar, well established trope, Yancey layers in 20th century sensibilities, in terms of tone, content, and character interaction, as well as providing a modern connection through the story-within-a-story framing device. Plus, the crown jewel of Yancey’s world…the science of monstrumology, where you never know what bizarre, unheard of creature may pop up next. Could be something as threatening as a CrocaMan:
…or maybe just repulsively cuddly, like a Tarantula-Squirrel.
Whatever it is, Warthrop and his colleagues have heard about it and will be able to provide very interesting back story on its origin and history. Before they go kill it that is as they are “those who labor in darkness that the rest of us might live in the light.”
Characters
The first two books, in large part, focused on Pellinore Warthrop, who’s been shown to be a brilliant, but highly disagreeable cuss in the mold of Doyle’s Professor Challenger or TV’s Dr. House. While that persona continues, it has been significantly tempered by the revelation of how desperately he cares for Will Henry. This deep, paternal affection transforms Pellinore into a truly likeable character. Plus, he still gets to be an entertaining ass to the rest of the world so…bonus.
As for Will Henry, this third installment is his story. He is the primary focus from beginning to end, and his struggle with his “inner demons” is the central point of the story. We come to find that Will stands as surrogate for all of us, and his battle with the darkness inside him becomes a reflection of humanity’s struggle.
Writing
Yancey’s writing has engaged me from the first page of the first book of this series. I am a fan. And still, this latest novel shows a significant level of growth in his ability to incorporate more and more complex emotional/philosophical facets into the story.
This story has weight.
The primary theme running through the narrative is the concept of the “monster” within us all. The primordial darkness that cocoons in each of us and peers out through our eyes, while we spend our lives trying to keep it bottled up and controlled.
Jack Kearnes represents the failure of this inner fight, the removal of the veneer of civilization and the embracing of man as animal/monster. Warthrop, on the other hand, represents the polar opposite, as he so eloquently explains to his rival:
It is in the exploration of this concept that I think Yancey shows his greatest strides as a writer. The added depth and introspection were poignant and tugged at your feelings without being melodramatic, as when Will Henry describes the monster within us all:
As I mentioned above, I do have one criticism of the novel, and it kept me from giving it the full five stars (though I’m still having an internal debate with my own das Ungeheuer about this). My problem was the pacing, which was less brisk than the previous two stories. There were portions that I would have liked to have seen deleted or significantly shortened, mostly dealing with the period of Will’s separation from Warthrop.
I think this is probably the result of Yancey telling a more “grown up” tale, and I’m glad he did. Still, it did detract a bit from my enjoyment. Thus, I am left with the belief that this is a far better novel than the previous two books, but one I didn’t quite enjoy as much.
Almost…but not quite.
Still, this is among my favorite YA series, and I desperately hope that there are more stories to come.
4.0 stars. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
...is the purview of the Society for the Advancement of the Science of Monstrumology. Professor Pellinore Warthrop is the world’s foremost monstrumologist and, together with Will Henry, his teenage ward, the pair investigate the strange, mysterious and deadly biological phenomena of the 19th century.
A cross between Sherlock Holmes, the X-files, and the adventure tales of Jules Verne, with an added blanket of “lovecraftian” dread draped over the narrative. It is superb and I think it’s as good a YA series as is being produced today.
The first two books in the series were smart, original, and terrific fun. This third entry is the best novel of the three, and while I’m not rating it quite as highly because of some pacing issues, this work clearly shows Yancey’s continued growth on the road to becoming a master of his craft.
PLOT SUMMARY:
When a mysterious package sent by a Warthrop’s sometime colleague/mosttime nemesis Jack Kearnes (aka Jack the Ripper) is found to contain one of the rarest prizes in monstrumology, the Professor and Will Henry find themselves in a race to locate the “Holy Grail of Monstrumology.” Unfortunately, no one has ever seen the Typhoeus Magnificum , the father of all monsters, and the nefarious Jack Kearnes has put in motion schemes involving two national governments, a savage secret society, murders a plenty, and an expedition to secluded “Isle of Blood.” Along the way, the Professor’s prodigious skills will be tested to their limit, as will is fundamental view of the world, and his relationship with Will Henry will be forever altered.
How’s that for an enticement?
THOUGHTS:
The world-building, the characters, the writing...all are superb.
World-building:
Yancey has created a setting that feels like an homage to the “lost world” adventures of writers like Burroughs, Doyle, and Verne. Like the classics penned by those giants, the 19th century depicted by Yancey is not mapped down to the last acre, and there are still dark corners of the world where things fantastic and horrific exist beyond the control of man. This sense of Earth as exotic locale has always been an aspect of these types of stories that has appealed to me.
To this familiar, well established trope, Yancey layers in 20th century sensibilities, in terms of tone, content, and character interaction, as well as providing a modern connection through the story-within-a-story framing device. Plus, the crown jewel of Yancey’s world…the science of monstrumology, where you never know what bizarre, unheard of creature may pop up next. Could be something as threatening as a CrocaMan:
…or maybe just repulsively cuddly, like a Tarantula-Squirrel.
Whatever it is, Warthrop and his colleagues have heard about it and will be able to provide very interesting back story on its origin and history. Before they go kill it that is as they are “those who labor in darkness that the rest of us might live in the light.”
Characters
The first two books, in large part, focused on Pellinore Warthrop, who’s been shown to be a brilliant, but highly disagreeable cuss in the mold of Doyle’s Professor Challenger or TV’s Dr. House. While that persona continues, it has been significantly tempered by the revelation of how desperately he cares for Will Henry. This deep, paternal affection transforms Pellinore into a truly likeable character. Plus, he still gets to be an entertaining ass to the rest of the world so…bonus.
As for Will Henry, this third installment is his story. He is the primary focus from beginning to end, and his struggle with his “inner demons” is the central point of the story. We come to find that Will stands as surrogate for all of us, and his battle with the darkness inside him becomes a reflection of humanity’s struggle.
Writing
Yancey’s writing has engaged me from the first page of the first book of this series. I am a fan. And still, this latest novel shows a significant level of growth in his ability to incorporate more and more complex emotional/philosophical facets into the story.
This story has weight.
The primary theme running through the narrative is the concept of the “monster” within us all. The primordial darkness that cocoons in each of us and peers out through our eyes, while we spend our lives trying to keep it bottled up and controlled.
Jack Kearnes represents the failure of this inner fight, the removal of the veneer of civilization and the embracing of man as animal/monster. Warthrop, on the other hand, represents the polar opposite, as he so eloquently explains to his rival:
‘You may have fallen long ago over the edge of the world, John, but I have not. Not yet anyway. To show mercy is not naïve. To hold out against the end of hope is not stupidity of madness. It is fundamentally human. Of course, the child is doomed. We are all doomed; we are all poisoned from our birth by the rot of stars. That does not mean we should succumb like you to the seductive fallacy of despair, the dark tide that would drown us. You may think I’m stupid…a madman and a fool, but at least I stand upright in a fallen world.’Will Henry’s journey in this novel is about his decision regarding on which end of the spectrum he will reside.
It is in the exploration of this concept that I think Yancey shows his greatest strides as a writer. The added depth and introspection were poignant and tugged at your feelings without being melodramatic, as when Will Henry describes the monster within us all:
If I would speak plainly, I would call it das Ungeheuer, but that is only my name for the me/not-me, the unwinding thing that compelled and repulsed me, the thing in me--and the thing in you--that whispers like thunder, I AM.Even more impressive for me, was Yancey’s skill in tying in the primary narrative (i.e., the search for the magnificum) with Will’s personal journey. I thought Yancey really raised the bar again with his marrying of these two pieces:
You may have a different name for it.
But you’ve seen it. You cannot be human and not see it, feel its pull, hear its whisper like thunder. You would flee from it, but it is you, and so where might you run? You would embrace it, but it is not-you, and so how might you hold it?
Its name is Typhoeus magnificum, the Magnificent Father, the Faceless One we cannot help but turn and face. The One of a Thousand Faces that is there when we turn to look, and then looks back at us.He is right, you will, and it is wondrous and troubling and brilliant.
It is the magnificum. It lives in that space between spaces, in that spot one ten-thousandth of an inch outside your range of vision. You cannot see it. It sees you. And when it sees you, it does not see you. It has no conception of you. There is magnificum and nothing else.
You are the nest. You are the hatchling. You are the chrysalis. You are the progeny. You are the rot that falls from stars.
You may not understand what I mean.
You will.
As I mentioned above, I do have one criticism of the novel, and it kept me from giving it the full five stars (though I’m still having an internal debate with my own das Ungeheuer about this). My problem was the pacing, which was less brisk than the previous two stories. There were portions that I would have liked to have seen deleted or significantly shortened, mostly dealing with the period of Will’s separation from Warthrop.
I think this is probably the result of Yancey telling a more “grown up” tale, and I’m glad he did. Still, it did detract a bit from my enjoyment. Thus, I am left with the belief that this is a far better novel than the previous two books, but one I didn’t quite enjoy as much.
Almost…but not quite.
Still, this is among my favorite YA series, and I desperately hope that there are more stories to come.
4.0 stars. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
November 27, 2011
I don't know if I can write a review that captures this book (always a problem for me with this amazing series) but it was a wholly absorbing, disturbing, meaningful experience, I can say that. This is one of the best stories out there, though I think it's struggled to find a (large enough) audience that gets its mix of literary/philosophical musing and outright gore and slow-building dread and shrieking horror. I think this series is becoming quite Lovecraftian, especially in its frame tale of the author seeking the answers to Will Henry's "true" life. Just incredible stuff.
OLD COMMENTS:
Just learned, to my dismay, that this will be the last book published in this amazing, scary, heartfelt, literary horror series because sales were not "good enough" for S&S to continue publishing them. I don't want to be a child and cry "not fair, not fair", but I totally feel like it -- so many terrible books are being published with large, hugely publicized runs, while series of such incredible quality like this one are falling under the radar. Yes, there are still a lot of wonderful books being published out there, too, but I am really going to miss Will Henry's and Dr. Warthrop's adventures. This is one of my favorite series and I'm disheartened to hear that it won't continue.
UPDATE: I hear S&S just agreed to publish a fourth book in the Monstrumologist series! Stephanie's write-in campaign was a success! I saw Rick Yancey's post on Facebook celebrating the news. Here's an excerpt: "It gives me great pleasure to admit I underestimated the power of this bond we share with the written word. I have just received confirmation that one week after the campaign began, Simon & Schuster has reversed its decision and will publish the fourth volume of Will Henry's journals. Monstrumology lives. I didn't bring it back to life - so don't congratulate me. Toast yourselves, honorary monstrumologists, for YOU did it. In the words of Eliot Ness, 'Never stop. Never stop fighting till the fight is done. Here endeth the lesson.'"
YAY!
OLD COMMENTS:
Just learned, to my dismay, that this will be the last book published in this amazing, scary, heartfelt, literary horror series because sales were not "good enough" for S&S to continue publishing them. I don't want to be a child and cry "not fair, not fair", but I totally feel like it -- so many terrible books are being published with large, hugely publicized runs, while series of such incredible quality like this one are falling under the radar. Yes, there are still a lot of wonderful books being published out there, too, but I am really going to miss Will Henry's and Dr. Warthrop's adventures. This is one of my favorite series and I'm disheartened to hear that it won't continue.
UPDATE: I hear S&S just agreed to publish a fourth book in the Monstrumologist series! Stephanie's write-in campaign was a success! I saw Rick Yancey's post on Facebook celebrating the news. Here's an excerpt: "It gives me great pleasure to admit I underestimated the power of this bond we share with the written word. I have just received confirmation that one week after the campaign began, Simon & Schuster has reversed its decision and will publish the fourth volume of Will Henry's journals. Monstrumology lives. I didn't bring it back to life - so don't congratulate me. Toast yourselves, honorary monstrumologists, for YOU did it. In the words of Eliot Ness, 'Never stop. Never stop fighting till the fight is done. Here endeth the lesson.'"
YAY!
October 12, 2015
Review originally posted on Books With Chemistry (click to see it) on February 2015, but written on July 2014.
I wanted to tell you this is the very first book review I wrote. Aside from some corrections on obvious spelling and grammar mistakes, the review is the same. Basically, what I am telling you is that the impact this series caused on me was of such magnitude as to make me start my passion for reviewing. In other words, had I not read these books, you wouldn't probably even know about me, nor I about you.
...
The Monstrumologist series is one of those few that quickly became one of my favourites, and The Isle of Blood is, in my opinion, the best book in the series. I cannot put into words how truly amazing this book was, so if you find my review difficult to understand, it might be because of my confused feelings.
Mr. Yancey outstanded himself with this book. I thought the series couldn’t get any better, but then Yancey comes up with The Isle of Blood and surprises me. The word “perfect” is not even enough to describe this book. Very few authors can do that. I don’t even remember examples of any book that can be listed in that case.
In this case, Dr. Warthrop is sent a nidus that is supposed to be made by the Holy Grail of Monstrumology–the magnificum. No one has seen one–neither dead nor alive–, so this arouses Warthrop’s curiosity and he goes to hunt this creature.
However, this book is not only about this. This book is also about being human, what makes us human, what differentiates us from monsters. This installment, as well as the previous ones, explores the lines between monster/human and good/evil, but it does it in a much more profound way.
I love the writing style. I know I’ve said this like a million times, but I really love it. It’s so poetical, so dark, so atmospheric, so beautiful. It’s kind of ironic the fact that the writing is terrible and beautiful at the same time – the first because of the explicit violence that may bother some readers (but not me) and the second because its beauty will give you goosebumps. It fits the time in which the diaries were written, if I may add another praise. Also, it makes you feel closer to the characters.
But, of course, this series wasn’t written to please the majority of the YA audience. My main reason to say that is because it has no romance, it is very philosophical and it is slightly hard to understand what the author means. Also, because of the content of the book, it can be classified as a book meant for adults (excessive violence and gore). However, the protagonist is a boy, and that would mean it is either a children’s book or a YA’s book, and it is obviously the latter.
The characters are amazing. You can see how they develop throughout the series. Will Henry is not anymore the innocent boy we met in The Monstrumologist. He has grown up and is more independent; also, I really love his loyalty towards Warthrop, I don’t think someone could be more loyal to someone than him. Their relationship is also realistic: They have their ups and downs and it’s very complex and layered.
We get to see some more of Warthrop’s weakest side, meaning, we see him a little more human: He shows Will Henry that he cares for him, and sometimes, we see him fighting to keep his humanity.
“Please, do not leave me, Will Henry. I would not survive it. You were nearly right. What Mr. Kendall was, I am always on the brink of becoming. And you – I do not pretend to know how or even why – but you pull me back from the precipice. You are the one… You are the one thing that keeps me human.”
Also, I love how Mr. Yancey says human beings are just a depraved species that the only thing they do–I mean, we do–is to fight one another, and that the real monsters are not the creatures Warthrop and his colleagues hunt, but only us humans.
“What of men? I can’t think of anything more banal. I have no doubt — no doubt whatsoever — that once it has obtained the means to do so, the species will wipe itself off the face of the earth. There is no mystery to it; it is our nature. Oh, one might delve into the particulars, but really, what can we say about the species that invented murder? What can we say?”
While the previous installments focused more in the hunt for monsters, this one was more about the search for the monster inside us than the hunting for aberrant creatures, but if I’m honest with you, I kind of prefer this.
“You are the nest. You are the hatchling. You are the chrysalis. You are the progeny. You are the rot that falls from stars. You may not understand what I mean.
You will.”
And certainly you will understand it. It’s difficult to guess at that time, but in the end, you will, and it will blow your mind. Or at least my mind because I totally didn’t see it coming. I honestly expected something else, but I liked better what I got – it’s more powerful.
I don’t get why people don’t appreciate the great literary master piece that is this series. As I already said, I find it difficult to put into words how fantastic this book was, but I hope people realise what they are missing with not reading this series, because they are the best work ever made in the YA gender. No, scratch that – they’re the best work ever made in history (in my opinion, of course).
Anyway, I really loved this book and the series so far. I recommend it to everyone. It is worth all your time. And please, read it. I still feel I’m the sole person on Earth who has read this. I feel like my head is going to explode if I don’t talk to anyone about this. There is so much to discuss and I need to get everything out. So now, snap to!
“We are hunters all. We are, all of us, monstrumologists.”
December 23, 2015
"Everything is good in leaving the hands of the Creator of Things; everything degenerates in the hands of man." -Jean-Jacques Rousseau, 'Emile, or On Education'
God, this book gutted me. Absolutely gutted me. I'm not an emotional reader (or an emotional person), so I am incredibly surprised at how much this affected me. I didn't just cry over this, I wept- four times. Sobs and everything.
Usually I like to really analyse and pick apart the books I read- consider the book's plot, characters, setting, style, tone, themes, and then try to understand it as a whole.
Not so with The Isle of Blood.
Setting aside the fact that this may very well be the best book I have ever read, there's no way I can review it as I normally do. It's special. So the "review" that follows is really just me ruminating on the book's themes, with some synopses and analyses thrown in for the sake of coherence.
____________________
Nil timendum est.
This is the motto of the Society for the Advancement of the Science of Monstrumology. But, if anything, The Isle of Blood makes us question these words. It's a profoundly different book than The Monstrumologist and The Curse of the Wendigo, and leagues better- but it's not without all the same heartbreaks and dark beauty that weaves through this series.
In The Isle of Blood, Warthrop receives evidence that could mean that the "holy grail of monstrumology," the Typhoeus magnificum, not only exists but may be possible to find and study. The magnificum, nicknamed the Faceless One, is strange and shadowy- not much is known about it besides the rumour that it causes a mysterious phenomenon; pulverised bits of human viscera falling from the sky on remote islands. In short, finding it could mean the height of Warthrop's considerable scientific ambition- fame, accolades, a major monstrumological discovery, academic recognition. But as Warthrop and Will Henry prepare to venture to places unknown in search of this elusive monster, Warhtrop leaves Will in the middle of the night to journey with his new assistant, Arkwright. Will is understandably baffled, devastated, and furious, and when Arkwright comes back months later bearing news that Warthrop has died, Will cannot accept the information and decides to go searching for Warthrop and, in a roundabout sort of way, the fabled magnificum.
This book asks some really interesting questions (it's definitely the most philosophical one in the series so far) and the above quote embodies what is perhaps the central theme of this book: seeing the unseen, facing the Faceless One, striving to know things that seem unknowable. As Warthrop says to the unfortunate courier of Kearns' package early on: "'It is human to turn round, to stare into Medusa's face, to tie ourselves to the mainmast to hear the sirens' song, to turn back as Lot's wife turned back. I am not angry at you for looking. But you did look.'" The idea of "The Faceless One" and "The One of a Thousand Faces" factors into the ending and the reveal of the manificum as well, but I'll be discussing that later on.
The Isle of Blood very much represents the internalisation of the concepts explored in books one and two- monsters; good, evil, and the grey in between; god; Hell; and stepping a little too close to the abyss.
In it we see a Will Henry who is twisted and rent by internal conflict- a boy struggling to extricate his own identity from the dark, thorny, murky, and profoundly broken one of Pellinore Warthrop. He has to navigate the mire that lies between who he used to be and who he has become under Warthrop's care. This is further developed when Warthrop up and leaves Will in New York- now that he is alone, with no Warthrop to cook, clean, and work for, no master to yell at him or berate him or teach him, no monsters to battle... Who is he? What is Will without Warthrop- and, for that matter, what is Warthrop without Will? Their relationship is the paradox of paradoxes: pure but toxic, brilliant but damaging. There's hate, and certainly some measure of love, despite the fact that Warthrop never says it and Will swears up and down that he never loved the doctor. It's touching and terrible in equal measure- they are both so broken, but sometimes some light shines through the cracks.
This leads me to the theme that I found the most interesting in the novel: how we remake things in our own image. As god may shape us, as Warthrop shapes Will, and as Will shapes him, so too does the magnificum shape its victims. It is dark and beautiful and horrifying, considering the many ways which we project our own hopes, fears, dreams, and doubts onto others.
(I feel like I should just briefly note that this book is not nearly as grotesque as its predecessors. There's gore, of course, but most of it is in the first one hundred pages and the last fifty, and it doesn't come close to being as horrifying as, say, baby faces floating in rivers of shit or sheaths of skin sloughing off upon the removal of a boot- two memorably stomach-churning scenes from the second and first books, respectively.)
The Lady and the Tiger is a major motif in this story; the daunting presence of the unknown, and the crippling fear of choosing wrong, even when both options are equally horrible. The Lady and the Tiger is a short story by Frank Stockton involving an impossible choice between, well- a lady and a tiger. In The Isle of Blood, Torrance explains the story in detail, but you can still read it here. I encourage you to do so, as it's short, fascinating, and many of the ideas found there relate directly to this book:
I think the phrase "devious mazes of passion" describes this series rather well, don't you?
Oh, I nearly forgot to mention: there are some historical figures in this novel as well. Yancey tries his hand at imagining if Arthur Rimbaud and Arthur Conan Doyle met Will and Warthrop, and I think it's a great success. Yancey does really well in characterising actual historical figures like those mentioned previously, as well as Jacob Riis and Jack the Ripper. I especially loved when Doyle met Warthrop and was positively giddy- as though Holmes had walked right out of his story and shaken his hand.
(Come on, how could I resist adding this in?)
Now, I'm going to talk about the ending here, so I'm spoiler-tagging this entire section. I beg you not to succumb to your itchy fingers and not press the "show spoiler" button unless you've already read the book or have no intention or desire to, ever.
Because no matter the outside evil- the monsters, be they literal or figurative- we will always hurt ourselves the most, and we will always damn our own souls before anybody can do so for us.
I think Warthrop's reaction to the discovery speaks volumes about his character- specifically, how much he's grown since we first meet him in The Monstrumologist. There are three great Pellinore Warthrop quotes in this book. One is actually a full-fledged conversation Will has with an imaginary Warthrop, which I found both inventive, funny, and touching, but which is too long to past here, and the second one is this:
Beautiful, no? I would daresay that it is rather positive. But my most favourite is the final lines of the book, which I'm spoiler-tagging because nobody should ever read the final lines of a book before they finish the book itself. That is sacrilege.
Warthrop's final lines to Will Henry made me sob like a child, but I don't feel so bad because apparently Rick Yancey himself cried while writing that scene: "I vividly remember the night I wrote the final scene between them in The Isle of Blood, and I burst into extremely unmanly tears."
The biggest question The Isle of Blood leaves us with regards Will Henry- namely, his morality. Moral carelessness and evil- what Warthrop aptly names "the dark tide"- seem to encroach upon our Will at every corner. He is faced with several dilemmas and my heart ached for him every time he had to
There are so many wonderful and chilling questions in this book, questions of the best kind: hard, and perhaps impossible, to answer.
What happens when we stop fighting the darkness? When the battle is no longer good versus evil, but us versus ourselves? What happens when we let the the evil in? Does it consume us? Are we ruined forever, inextricably bound to death, decay, and darkness?
Aren't we already?
And what happens if we let the darkness in, only to find that it has already hollowed out a place inside of us?
God, this book gutted me. Absolutely gutted me. I'm not an emotional reader (or an emotional person), so I am incredibly surprised at how much this affected me. I didn't just cry over this, I wept- four times. Sobs and everything.
Usually I like to really analyse and pick apart the books I read- consider the book's plot, characters, setting, style, tone, themes, and then try to understand it as a whole.
Not so with The Isle of Blood.
Setting aside the fact that this may very well be the best book I have ever read, there's no way I can review it as I normally do. It's special. So the "review" that follows is really just me ruminating on the book's themes, with some synopses and analyses thrown in for the sake of coherence.
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Nil timendum est.
This is the motto of the Society for the Advancement of the Science of Monstrumology. But, if anything, The Isle of Blood makes us question these words. It's a profoundly different book than The Monstrumologist and The Curse of the Wendigo, and leagues better- but it's not without all the same heartbreaks and dark beauty that weaves through this series.
In The Isle of Blood, Warthrop receives evidence that could mean that the "holy grail of monstrumology," the Typhoeus magnificum, not only exists but may be possible to find and study. The magnificum, nicknamed the Faceless One, is strange and shadowy- not much is known about it besides the rumour that it causes a mysterious phenomenon; pulverised bits of human viscera falling from the sky on remote islands. In short, finding it could mean the height of Warthrop's considerable scientific ambition- fame, accolades, a major monstrumological discovery, academic recognition. But as Warthrop and Will Henry prepare to venture to places unknown in search of this elusive monster, Warhtrop leaves Will in the middle of the night to journey with his new assistant, Arkwright. Will is understandably baffled, devastated, and furious, and when Arkwright comes back months later bearing news that Warthrop has died, Will cannot accept the information and decides to go searching for Warthrop and, in a roundabout sort of way, the fabled magnificum.
"The world grows smaller, and little by little the light of our lamps chases away the shadows. All shall be illuminated one day, and we will wake with a new question: 'Yes, this, but now... what?'" He laughed softly. "Perhaps we should turn back and go home."
"Sir?"
"It will be a seminal moment in the history of science, Will Henry, the finding of the magnificum, and not without some ancillary benefit to me personally. If I succeed, it will bring nothing short of immortality- well, the only concept of immortality that I am prepared to accept. But if I do succeed, the space between us and the ineffable will shrink a little more. It is what we strive for as scientists, and what we dread as human beings. There is something in us that longs for the indescribable, the unattainable, the thing that cannot be seen."
This book asks some really interesting questions (it's definitely the most philosophical one in the series so far) and the above quote embodies what is perhaps the central theme of this book: seeing the unseen, facing the Faceless One, striving to know things that seem unknowable. As Warthrop says to the unfortunate courier of Kearns' package early on: "'It is human to turn round, to stare into Medusa's face, to tie ourselves to the mainmast to hear the sirens' song, to turn back as Lot's wife turned back. I am not angry at you for looking. But you did look.'" The idea of "The Faceless One" and "The One of a Thousand Faces" factors into the ending and the reveal of the manificum as well, but I'll be discussing that later on.
The Isle of Blood very much represents the internalisation of the concepts explored in books one and two- monsters; good, evil, and the grey in between; god; Hell; and stepping a little too close to the abyss.
In it we see a Will Henry who is twisted and rent by internal conflict- a boy struggling to extricate his own identity from the dark, thorny, murky, and profoundly broken one of Pellinore Warthrop. He has to navigate the mire that lies between who he used to be and who he has become under Warthrop's care. This is further developed when Warthrop up and leaves Will in New York- now that he is alone, with no Warthrop to cook, clean, and work for, no master to yell at him or berate him or teach him, no monsters to battle... Who is he? What is Will without Warthrop- and, for that matter, what is Warthrop without Will? Their relationship is the paradox of paradoxes: pure but toxic, brilliant but damaging. There's hate, and certainly some measure of love, despite the fact that Warthrop never says it and Will swears up and down that he never loved the doctor. It's touching and terrible in equal measure- they are both so broken, but sometimes some light shines through the cracks.
This leads me to the theme that I found the most interesting in the novel: how we remake things in our own image. As god may shape us, as Warthrop shapes Will, and as Will shapes him, so too does the magnificum shape its victims. It is dark and beautiful and horrifying, considering the many ways which we project our own hopes, fears, dreams, and doubts onto others.
"Why do men pray to God, Kendall? I've never understood it. God loves us. We are his creation, like my spider; we are his beloved... Yet when faced with mortal danger, we pray to him to spare us! Shouldn't we pray instead to the one who would destroy us, who has sought our destruction from the very beginning? What I mean to say is... aren't we praying to the wrong person? We should beseech the devil, not God. Don't mistake me; I'm not telling you where to direct your supplications. I'm merely pointing out the fallacy of them- and perhaps hinting at the reason behind prayer's curious inefficaciousness."And yes, that was from Kearns, because who else would have said something so morally grey in such an elegant way?
(I feel like I should just briefly note that this book is not nearly as grotesque as its predecessors. There's gore, of course, but most of it is in the first one hundred pages and the last fifty, and it doesn't come close to being as horrifying as, say, baby faces floating in rivers of shit or sheaths of skin sloughing off upon the removal of a boot- two memorably stomach-churning scenes from the second and first books, respectively.)
The Lady and the Tiger is a major motif in this story; the daunting presence of the unknown, and the crippling fear of choosing wrong, even when both options are equally horrible. The Lady and the Tiger is a short story by Frank Stockton involving an impossible choice between, well- a lady and a tiger. In The Isle of Blood, Torrance explains the story in detail, but you can still read it here. I encourage you to do so, as it's short, fascinating, and many of the ideas found there relate directly to this book:
Now, the point of the story is this: Did the tiger come out of that door, or did the lady?
The more we reflect upon this question, the harder it is to answer. It involves a study of the human heart which leads us through devious mazes of passion, out of which it is difficult to find our way.
I think the phrase "devious mazes of passion" describes this series rather well, don't you?
Oh, I nearly forgot to mention: there are some historical figures in this novel as well. Yancey tries his hand at imagining if Arthur Rimbaud and Arthur Conan Doyle met Will and Warthrop, and I think it's a great success. Yancey does really well in characterising actual historical figures like those mentioned previously, as well as Jacob Riis and Jack the Ripper. I especially loved when Doyle met Warthrop and was positively giddy- as though Holmes had walked right out of his story and shaken his hand.
(Come on, how could I resist adding this in?)
Now, I'm going to talk about the ending here, so I'm spoiler-tagging this entire section. I beg you not to succumb to your itchy fingers and not press the "show spoiler" button unless you've already read the book or have no intention or desire to, ever.
Because no matter the outside evil- the monsters, be they literal or figurative- we will always hurt ourselves the most, and we will always damn our own souls before anybody can do so for us.
I think Warthrop's reaction to the discovery speaks volumes about his character- specifically, how much he's grown since we first meet him in The Monstrumologist. There are three great Pellinore Warthrop quotes in this book. One is actually a full-fledged conversation Will has with an imaginary Warthrop, which I found both inventive, funny, and touching, but which is too long to past here, and the second one is this:
"'You shouldn't be out here!' he screamed.
'Neither should you!' I hollered back.
'I will never sound the retreat! Never!'
He shoved me toward the stern and turned his back upon me, planting his legs wide for balance and spreading his arms as if inviting the fullness of God's wrath upon his head. A burst of lightning flashed, thunder shook the planks, and Warthrop laughed. The monstrumologist laughed, and his laughter overtook the wind and the lashing rain and the thunder itself, trampling the maelstrom under its unconquerable heels. Is it any wonder the power this man held over me- this man who did not run from his demons like most of us do, but embraced them as his own, clutching them to his heart in a choke hold grip. He did not try to escape them by denying them or drugging them or bargaining with them. He met them where they lived, in the secret place most of us keep hidden. Warthrop was Warthrop down to the marrow of his bones, for his demons defined him; they breathed the breath of life into him; and, without them, he would go down, as most of us do, into the purgatorial fog of a life unrealized.
You may call him mad. You may judge him vain and selfish and arrogant and bereft of all normal human sentiment. You may dismiss him entirely as a fool blinded by his own ambition and pride. But you cannot say Pellinore Warthrop was not finally, fully, furiously alive.
Beautiful, no? I would daresay that it is rather positive. But my most favourite is the final lines of the book, which I'm spoiler-tagging because nobody should ever read the final lines of a book before they finish the book itself. That is sacrilege.
Warthrop's final lines to Will Henry made me sob like a child, but I don't feel so bad because apparently Rick Yancey himself cried while writing that scene: "I vividly remember the night I wrote the final scene between them in The Isle of Blood, and I burst into extremely unmanly tears."
The biggest question The Isle of Blood leaves us with regards Will Henry- namely, his morality. Moral carelessness and evil- what Warthrop aptly names "the dark tide"- seem to encroach upon our Will at every corner. He is faced with several dilemmas and my heart ached for him every time he had to
There are so many wonderful and chilling questions in this book, questions of the best kind: hard, and perhaps impossible, to answer.
What happens when we stop fighting the darkness? When the battle is no longer good versus evil, but us versus ourselves? What happens when we let the the evil in? Does it consume us? Are we ruined forever, inextricably bound to death, decay, and darkness?
Aren't we already?
And what happens if we let the darkness in, only to find that it has already hollowed out a place inside of us?
September 1, 2015
*Rick Yancey: Hey Tash, how are you after The Isle of Blood?
That is to say, I am not. Not fine at all.
Three months after the events of The Curse of the Wendigo, Warthrop and Will go back to their normal (or as normal as a Monstrumologist’s household goes) routine, until they receive a delivery from Jack/John Kearns. This package contains a nidus, a zombie plague bearing bowl made from human body parts, held together by mucous.
You are quite welcome for that visual.
Warthrop and Will embark on an expedition to find the whereabouts of the maker of the nidus, Typhoeus magnificum aka “The Holy Grail of Monstrumology”, which takes them across four continents, and culminating in The Isle of Blood. In their journey, they meet literary personages, Arthur Conan Doyle and Arthur Rimbaud.
As with the previous books in the series, The Isle of Blood explores the nature of monsters and humans, and human monsters, but whereas the previous two explored this looking out, The Isle of Blood does this looking in. In The Monstrumologist, we have the Anthropapagi wreaking havoc in New Jerusalem, but were they truly evil for following their base instincts, or was it human avarice that’s truly to blame? In The Curse of the Wendigo, we have the Wendigo, a monster of the more supernatural bent, that lets us examine the dark side of love and the monsters it creates. In The Isle of Blood we read about what Will Henry calls das ungeheuer,or the monster we keep tightly leashed inside; the things we’re capable of if we unleash that monster and retaining our humanity once that monster is unleashed.
Yes, our little Will Henry is not so little anymore. This is his coming of age book complete with the first stirrings of love. If this is Will Henry’s coming of age, then this is Warthrop’s book of reckoning. Yes, very dramatic but I can’t find a more appropriate term, he is after all after The Holy Grail of Monstrumology. Warthrop’s massive ego also gives him Athazagoraphobia, a fancy sciency name for fear of being forgotten and this is Warthrop’s monster, but how does he, a monstrumologist dispel this fear when his profession necessitates it that he labor in darkness that the rest might live in the light .
The Isle of Blood is breathtakingly atmospheric, Yancey takes us to four continents but the stand-outs are really the Aden Governorate and the island of Socotra, both in Yemen. I am astounded by the amount of research that Rick Yancey did for the setting, it was just perfect.I felt the undulating, dusty dry heat reeking of decomposing flesh and sweat of the Aden Governate, the isolation and strangeness of Socotra. The setting gets all the stars and some more.
It sounds awesome so far yes? It is very much so, but for distinction’s sake, I gave it 4.5, rounded down to 4 stars. I maybe the black sheep here, seeing that this is the fan favorite, but it’s my least favorite of the three I’ve read so far. There were parts that I thought, although necessary to provide comparison, made my eyes glaze over and there was that death. I’m not gonna say much because he had to die but dear Jesus it hurt. It hurt.
Yes, yes, Martin Freeman I know that, but I am chest deep into Rick Yancey’s Monstrumologist world and it’s bringing forth the melodrama and some rage.
I’ve already mentioned this in my review for The Curse of the Wendigo, but I cannot say this enough. Only Rick Yancey can pull off this brand of prose, a bit purple with a touch of deadpan humor, and completely charming.
I’ll end this review right here because I’m starting The Final Descent, but I wanted to review The Isle of Blood minus the biases of whatever I find out in the culmination of the series, and I am frightened to find out how this ends. Or to be completely accurate, for this to end.
*P.S. Didn't really happen, but a girl can wish.
***Monster Buddy Read with Vane & Haley***
That is to say, I am not. Not fine at all.
Three months after the events of The Curse of the Wendigo, Warthrop and Will go back to their normal (or as normal as a Monstrumologist’s household goes) routine, until they receive a delivery from Jack/John Kearns. This package contains a nidus, a zombie plague bearing bowl made from human body parts, held together by mucous.
You are quite welcome for that visual.
Warthrop and Will embark on an expedition to find the whereabouts of the maker of the nidus, Typhoeus magnificum aka “The Holy Grail of Monstrumology”, which takes them across four continents, and culminating in The Isle of Blood. In their journey, they meet literary personages, Arthur Conan Doyle and Arthur Rimbaud.
As with the previous books in the series, The Isle of Blood explores the nature of monsters and humans, and human monsters, but whereas the previous two explored this looking out, The Isle of Blood does this looking in. In The Monstrumologist, we have the Anthropapagi wreaking havoc in New Jerusalem, but were they truly evil for following their base instincts, or was it human avarice that’s truly to blame? In The Curse of the Wendigo, we have the Wendigo, a monster of the more supernatural bent, that lets us examine the dark side of love and the monsters it creates. In The Isle of Blood we read about what Will Henry calls das ungeheuer,or the monster we keep tightly leashed inside; the things we’re capable of if we unleash that monster and retaining our humanity once that monster is unleashed.
Yes, our little Will Henry is not so little anymore. This is his coming of age book complete with the first stirrings of love. If this is Will Henry’s coming of age, then this is Warthrop’s book of reckoning. Yes, very dramatic but I can’t find a more appropriate term, he is after all after The Holy Grail of Monstrumology. Warthrop’s massive ego also gives him Athazagoraphobia, a fancy sciency name for fear of being forgotten and this is Warthrop’s monster, but how does he, a monstrumologist dispel this fear when his profession necessitates it that he labor in darkness that the rest might live in the light .
The Isle of Blood is breathtakingly atmospheric, Yancey takes us to four continents but the stand-outs are really the Aden Governorate and the island of Socotra, both in Yemen. I am astounded by the amount of research that Rick Yancey did for the setting, it was just perfect.I felt the undulating, dusty dry heat reeking of decomposing flesh and sweat of the Aden Governate, the isolation and strangeness of Socotra. The setting gets all the stars and some more.
It sounds awesome so far yes? It is very much so, but for distinction’s sake, I gave it 4.5, rounded down to 4 stars. I maybe the black sheep here, seeing that this is the fan favorite, but it’s my least favorite of the three I’ve read so far. There were parts that I thought, although necessary to provide comparison, made my eyes glaze over and there was that death. I’m not gonna say much because he had to die but dear Jesus it hurt. It hurt.
Yes, yes, Martin Freeman I know that, but I am chest deep into Rick Yancey’s Monstrumologist world and it’s bringing forth the melodrama and some rage.
I’ve already mentioned this in my review for The Curse of the Wendigo, but I cannot say this enough. Only Rick Yancey can pull off this brand of prose, a bit purple with a touch of deadpan humor, and completely charming.
I’ll end this review right here because I’m starting The Final Descent, but I wanted to review The Isle of Blood minus the biases of whatever I find out in the culmination of the series, and I am frightened to find out how this ends. Or to be completely accurate, for this to end.
*P.S. Didn't really happen, but a girl can wish.
***Monster Buddy Read with Vane & Haley***
May 31, 2020
فکر میکنم جزیرهی خون بهترین کتابی است که از ریک یانسی خواندهام و بهترین کتابی که فرصتش پیش آمده ترجمه کنم.
یانسی میداند در جلد سوم از مجموعهاش دیگر همراهی مخاطبینی را که باید، دارد؛ بنابراین بیشترین آزادی عمل را به خود میدهد تا داستانی دیوانهوار بنویسد. جنونآمیز از هر نظر. شخصیتهایش را تا لب پرتگاه میکشاند بیآنکه از سقوطشان ابایی داشته باشد. تخیلش را بالوپر میدهد تا از انواع شخصیتهای برجستهی زمان کمک بگیرد و طنز و هراس و جنون را به هم گره بزند. از اینسوی کرهی زمین رخت سفر میبندد و ما را به شهرهای مختلف میبرد. اتمسفر هر مکان را با دقت و وسواس زیاد ترسیم میکند و مردمان و فرهنگشان را با عناصر داستانش پیوند میدهد. از خواننده میخواهد پابهپایش جلو برود و نمیگذارد ذهن خوانندهاش به تنبلی بپردازد. مدام او را به تصویرگری و گمانهزنی در ذهن خود دعوت میکند. هیچ نمیترسد از ضرباهنگ داستانش بکاهد تا شخصیتهایش فرصت کافی برای هنرمندی داشته باشند و جاودان گردند؛ با اینهمه هیچیک از خطوط داستانیاش بیهوده و برای حجیمکردن قصه نیست. هر چه میبافد، جایی در داستان قد علم میکند و به بار مینشیند. پس اگرچه از خوانندهاش میخواهد صبورانه پیگیر قصه باشد، دستاخر به بهترین نحو پاداشش میدهد. بلی، این کتاب باوجود تمام پستیها و بلندیها، باوجود تمام غور و تفکرها، با وجود تمام توصیفات ریز مکانها، آیینها و عواطف شخصیتها، همچنان هراس میآفریند، دلهرهای سرد که از آغاز تا پایان خواننده را همراهی میکند و در فصول پایانی با ترس محض و خشونتبار یکی میشود.
خودخواهانه آرزو داشتم این آخرین جلد مجموعه باشد چون میترسم جلد چهارم نتواند با جزیرهی خون رقابت کند.
یانسی میداند در جلد سوم از مجموعهاش دیگر همراهی مخاطبینی را که باید، دارد؛ بنابراین بیشترین آزادی عمل را به خود میدهد تا داستانی دیوانهوار بنویسد. جنونآمیز از هر نظر. شخصیتهایش را تا لب پرتگاه میکشاند بیآنکه از سقوطشان ابایی داشته باشد. تخیلش را بالوپر میدهد تا از انواع شخصیتهای برجستهی زمان کمک بگیرد و طنز و هراس و جنون را به هم گره بزند. از اینسوی کرهی زمین رخت سفر میبندد و ما را به شهرهای مختلف میبرد. اتمسفر هر مکان را با دقت و وسواس زیاد ترسیم میکند و مردمان و فرهنگشان را با عناصر داستانش پیوند میدهد. از خواننده میخواهد پابهپایش جلو برود و نمیگذارد ذهن خوانندهاش به تنبلی بپردازد. مدام او را به تصویرگری و گمانهزنی در ذهن خود دعوت میکند. هیچ نمیترسد از ضرباهنگ داستانش بکاهد تا شخصیتهایش فرصت کافی برای هنرمندی داشته باشند و جاودان گردند؛ با اینهمه هیچیک از خطوط داستانیاش بیهوده و برای حجیمکردن قصه نیست. هر چه میبافد، جایی در داستان قد علم میکند و به بار مینشیند. پس اگرچه از خوانندهاش میخواهد صبورانه پیگیر قصه باشد، دستاخر به بهترین نحو پاداشش میدهد. بلی، این کتاب باوجود تمام پستیها و بلندیها، باوجود تمام غور و تفکرها، با وجود تمام توصیفات ریز مکانها، آیینها و عواطف شخصیتها، همچنان هراس میآفریند، دلهرهای سرد که از آغاز تا پایان خواننده را همراهی میکند و در فصول پایانی با ترس محض و خشونتبار یکی میشود.
خودخواهانه آرزو داشتم این آخرین جلد مجموعه باشد چون میترسم جلد چهارم نتواند با جزیرهی خون رقابت کند.
September 2, 2015
Rick Yancey:
I realized I have to write a review for this one because Tash and I are going to meet soon and we need something totalk fangirl.
The Isle of Blood is the 3rd book in the story and I think this one is the game changer. A lot of things happened in this book and I'm still feeling the aftermath of Yancey's madness.
This book is extreme. Loyalties were tested. Humanity was strained and emotions are rushing like a tsunami.
Will Henry's part in this book is equally heart breaking and horrible (he just wants to be loved Warthrop! How could you?!)
When I found out that Warthrop has a new assistant and he leaved poor Will Henry in New York, my little black heart was crushed.
The reunion of master and pupil later on was heart crushing. I cried a little when Will Henry demanded why he was abandoned.
I know that Warthrop loved Will Henry on his own way but it's quite difficult to see it seeing Warthrop is a cold bastard at times. He doesn't know how to show Will Henry that he cared and I think that's one of the factors why the characters changed big time in this book.
After I read the book, I was desperate to read the last one because the changes between Warthrop and Will Henry are quite obvious.
Rick Yancey, you did it again. I hate you.No wait, I lurv you.
I realized I have to write a review for this one because Tash and I are going to meet soon and we need something to
The Isle of Blood is the 3rd book in the story and I think this one is the game changer. A lot of things happened in this book and I'm still feeling the aftermath of Yancey's madness.
This book is extreme. Loyalties were tested. Humanity was strained and emotions are rushing like a tsunami.
Will Henry's part in this book is equally heart breaking and horrible (he just wants to be loved Warthrop! How could you?!)
When I found out that Warthrop has a new assistant and he leaved poor Will Henry in New York, my little black heart was crushed.
The reunion of master and pupil later on was heart crushing. I cried a little when Will Henry demanded why he was abandoned.
I know that Warthrop loved Will Henry on his own way but it's quite difficult to see it seeing Warthrop is a cold bastard at times. He doesn't know how to show Will Henry that he cared and I think that's one of the factors why the characters changed big time in this book.
After I read the book, I was desperate to read the last one because the changes between Warthrop and Will Henry are quite obvious.
Rick Yancey, you did it again. I hate you.No wait, I lurv you.
October 27, 2020
و هماینک، قصهای که دلم میخواد بذارمش روی رحل و براش تعظیم و تکریم کنم.
یه جورایی با خانم عبادی موافقم، کاش این جلد، جلد آخر بود. چون چیزی بهتر ازش توی ذهنم نمیگنجه. پایانی در اوج خیلی باشکوهه.
نحوه حل کردن گره و معمای داستان جذابه، زیادی جذابه، کوبنده و تاثیرگذاره! اما صحنهی پایانی... نچ. حالا چه اصراریه همه صحنهی پایانی رو یه چیز آروم و گل و بلبل و خوب و خوش نشون میدن!
در کل کتاب پتانسیلش رو داشت که بعد از خوندنش به دیوار خیره بشم و بگم، پشمام. دوست ندارم زیاد دربارهی حرف بزنم، چون انگار شکوه کتاب رو با این کلمات بیارزش پایین میآرم:))
در این حد بدونید که تعداد دفعاتی که با ذوق بلند شدم و یه جملهی قشنگ رو بلند برای هرکس که کنارم بود خوندم، از تعداد انگشتام بیشتر بودن.
یه جورایی با خانم عبادی موافقم، کاش این جلد، جلد آخر بود. چون چیزی بهتر ازش توی ذهنم نمیگنجه. پایانی در اوج خیلی باشکوهه.
نحوه حل کردن گره و معمای داستان جذابه، زیادی جذابه، کوبنده و تاثیرگذاره! اما صحنهی پایانی... نچ. حالا چه اصراریه همه صحنهی پایانی رو یه چیز آروم و گل و بلبل و خوب و خوش نشون میدن!
در کل کتاب پتانسیلش رو داشت که بعد از خوندنش به دیوار خیره بشم و بگم، پشمام. دوست ندارم زیاد دربارهی حرف بزنم، چون انگار شکوه کتاب رو با این کلمات بیارزش پایین میآرم:))
در این حد بدونید که تعداد دفعاتی که با ذوق بلند شدم و یه جملهی قشنگ رو بلند برای هرکس که کنارم بود خوندم، از تعداد انگشتام بیشتر بودن.
December 14, 2022
Unfortunately this didn't get more stars from me this time around either. It was an okay read but didn't grab me quite like the first ones. Still interested what happens next though
___
I don't really know why I continue to read the books, it's clearly not the monster books for me, don't know what I'm trying to find
___
I don't really know why I continue to read the books, it's clearly not the monster books for me, don't know what I'm trying to find
December 17, 2019
I don't know what to say right now, except that from start to finish, that was absolutely insane and absolutely incredible.
I'll do a full review when my heart stops feeling like it will explode. 😭
I'll do a full review when my heart stops feeling like it will explode. 😭
June 22, 2023
نمیدونم چرا، ولی بيشتر توقع داشتم
February 20, 2012
Rick Yancey's Monstrumologist books are some of the most impressive horror novels I've ever read. There, I said it. The second book wasn't quite as good as the first, but I think this one knocks it right back up to the top.
I've mentioned in my reviews of the previous volumes how incredibly gruesome, gory, and grim these books can be. Surprisingly, given the nature of the monster being hunted in this one, this may be the least gruesome (or maybe I'm just getting used to it), but it also pays off Will Henry's character arc beautifully. I think this book has probably the best development of Will Henry and Dr. Pellinore Warthrop of any of the books, and has a couple of really amazing scenes that I will probably never forget.
What surprises me most about these books (after I get over my surprise at how gory they are) is how robust their philosophical underpinnings are. And, though just as grotesque and grim as I implied, the books still never fail to channel enough of a sense of a boys adventure novel to keep them fun to read, even while you're flinching inwardly at the terrible things that happen.
This maybe isn't a very good review. I'm a little harried at present. But these books are amazing, full stop.
I've mentioned in my reviews of the previous volumes how incredibly gruesome, gory, and grim these books can be. Surprisingly, given the nature of the monster being hunted in this one, this may be the least gruesome (or maybe I'm just getting used to it), but it also pays off Will Henry's character arc beautifully. I think this book has probably the best development of Will Henry and Dr. Pellinore Warthrop of any of the books, and has a couple of really amazing scenes that I will probably never forget.
What surprises me most about these books (after I get over my surprise at how gory they are) is how robust their philosophical underpinnings are. And, though just as grotesque and grim as I implied, the books still never fail to channel enough of a sense of a boys adventure novel to keep them fun to read, even while you're flinching inwardly at the terrible things that happen.
This maybe isn't a very good review. I'm a little harried at present. But these books are amazing, full stop.
December 17, 2020
سهای که به ریک یانسی و هیولاشناس میدم شاید حکم چهار رو داشته باشه بیشتر. چون به لحاظ داستانی که نقدی ندارم به اون صورت. فقط چون داستان این جلد یه چیز فرعیه و بیشتر دربارۀ شخصیتهاست تا یه داستان اصلی. برای من حداقل. خیلی در راستای جلدهای قبل نبود انگار، بیشتر در راستای کشف و نگاه متفاوت به شخصیتها بود.
August 14, 2023
"دنیا خیلی بزرگه ویل عزیز، ما انسانها هر چقدر هم مایل باشیم خلاف واقع تظاهر کنیم، موجوداتی بس کوچکیم."
اولین پنج ستارهی این مجموعه برای من این جلد بود.
شروع کتاب مثل بقیه جلدها به سرعت جرقه میخوره اما بعد از اون جرقهی اولیه، نسبتا کُند پیش ��یره. تا الان فهمیدم که این مجموعه از اون کتابهاست که باید به شدت باهاشون صبور باشی و آروم مزه مزهاش کنی وگرنه ازش لذت نمیبری.
روند کلی داستان بالا و پایین زیاد داره. یه جاهایی نمیشه زمین گذاشتش از شدت هیجان، یه جاهایی هم باید باهاش بسازی و پیش بری. مخصوصا این یکی که پر از نکات ریز و درشت بود.
توی این جلد رشد اخلاقی شخصیتها به خوبی به تصویر کشیده شده. روابط بین کاراکترهای کتاب صمیمانهتر شده و در کل از نظر احساسی غنی شده. چیزی که توی جلد یک کمتر شاهدش بودیم.
ویل هنری توی این کتاب حسابی درخشید! تاثیر دکتر وارثروپ و شغلش روی زندگی و اخلاق ویل و همینطور تاثیر ویل روی وارثروپ خیلی واضح نشون داده شده بود.
یه سری اتفاقات و توصیفات بودند که اون اوایل فکر میکردم اصلا لزومی به بیانشون نبوده و یه جورهایی ایراد به حساب میآوردمشون اما نتیجه نظرمو عوض کرد. و وای از اون نتیجه نهایی=) چیزی که کل کتاب جلوی چشم بود اما متوجهاش نبودم!
حقیقتا که نویسنده کارش حرف نداشت. من عاشق این جلد شدم. جلد دو یکم دلسردم کرده بود اما این یکی عالی بود. مخصوصا نیمه دوم کتاب.
در کل خیلی راضی بودم. ذره ذرهاش زیبایی بود. امیدوارم جلد آخر شگفت زدهام کنه☆
اولین پنج ستارهی این مجموعه برای من این جلد بود.
شروع کتاب مثل بقیه جلدها به سرعت جرقه میخوره اما بعد از اون جرقهی اولیه، نسبتا کُند پیش ��یره. تا الان فهمیدم که این مجموعه از اون کتابهاست که باید به شدت باهاشون صبور باشی و آروم مزه مزهاش کنی وگرنه ازش لذت نمیبری.
روند کلی داستان بالا و پایین زیاد داره. یه جاهایی نمیشه زمین گذاشتش از شدت هیجان، یه جاهایی هم باید باهاش بسازی و پیش بری. مخصوصا این یکی که پر از نکات ریز و درشت بود.
توی این جلد رشد اخلاقی شخصیتها به خوبی به تصویر کشیده شده. روابط بین کاراکترهای کتاب صمیمانهتر شده و در کل از نظر احساسی غنی شده. چیزی که توی جلد یک کمتر شاهدش بودیم.
ویل هنری توی این کتاب حسابی درخشید! تاثیر دکتر وارثروپ و شغلش روی زندگی و اخلاق ویل و همینطور تاثیر ویل روی وارثروپ خیلی واضح نشون داده شده بود.
یه سری اتفاقات و توصیفات بودند که اون اوایل فکر میکردم اصلا لزومی به بیانشون نبوده و یه جورهایی ایراد به حساب میآوردمشون اما نتیجه نظرمو عوض کرد. و وای از اون نتیجه نهایی=) چیزی که کل کتاب جلوی چشم بود اما متوجهاش نبودم!
حقیقتا که نویسنده کارش حرف نداشت. من عاشق این جلد شدم. جلد دو یکم دلسردم کرده بود اما این یکی عالی بود. مخصوصا نیمه دوم کتاب.
در کل خیلی راضی بودم. ذره ذرهاش زیبایی بود. امیدوارم جلد آخر شگفت زدهام کنه☆
July 18, 2019
Once again I absolutely loved this book, a great instalment in the series and an opening to themes and character developments that were not pursued in the first two books.
What I liked most about this novel is that it brought the focus away from the actual monsters that Pellinor and Will hunt and instead focused on the relationship between the two as well as showing the people they are without each other's influence. While Will is away from his mentor you really get to know him better and see the relationships he has with other blossom, especially between him and Von Helrung (who is an excellent friend and father figure for Will) and between him and Lily, who brings out a playful and sensitive side to Will that we don't see when he is with the doctor.
However we also see more of Will's dark side in this novel, which, although sad to see, is definitely interesting and I think has been a long time coming. Although he has gone through countless difficulties and traumas, this is really the first time you start to see his innocence and morals slip away.
The best part about seeing this change is Will is seeing the change that it consequently brings in Pellinor. While the doctor has almost exclusively been a character that is shown to be cold-hearted and willing to do what ever he must, no matter how morally wrong, in this novel we see a softer side to him and come to understand that he isn't a monster by any means. Seeing the love he has for Will and the motivation he has to bring Will out of the darkness the same way Will his had for him on many occasions was incredibly inspiring to see.
Of course another great part of this book was the reintroduction of Jack Kearns, who is just such a brilliant character and such a complicated villain. He is truly just such an interesting character to read and I wish he had been in the novel more.
Overall this third instalment really brought something new to the table and went into depths that I'm so glad to finally see addressed in this series.
What I liked most about this novel is that it brought the focus away from the actual monsters that Pellinor and Will hunt and instead focused on the relationship between the two as well as showing the people they are without each other's influence. While Will is away from his mentor you really get to know him better and see the relationships he has with other blossom, especially between him and Von Helrung (who is an excellent friend and father figure for Will) and between him and Lily, who brings out a playful and sensitive side to Will that we don't see when he is with the doctor.
However we also see more of Will's dark side in this novel, which, although sad to see, is definitely interesting and I think has been a long time coming. Although he has gone through countless difficulties and traumas, this is really the first time you start to see his innocence and morals slip away.
The best part about seeing this change is Will is seeing the change that it consequently brings in Pellinor. While the doctor has almost exclusively been a character that is shown to be cold-hearted and willing to do what ever he must, no matter how morally wrong, in this novel we see a softer side to him and come to understand that he isn't a monster by any means. Seeing the love he has for Will and the motivation he has to bring Will out of the darkness the same way Will his had for him on many occasions was incredibly inspiring to see.
Of course another great part of this book was the reintroduction of Jack Kearns, who is just such a brilliant character and such a complicated villain. He is truly just such an interesting character to read and I wish he had been in the novel more.
Overall this third instalment really brought something new to the table and went into depths that I'm so glad to finally see addressed in this series.
September 2, 2015
Update September 1st, 2015. (Or September 2nd where I live)
4.5 DISTURBING stars
*** BUDDY READ WITH THE LOVELIES TASH & VANE (Click for their fantastic and more well-constructed reviews).
Why disturbing, you may ask?
Well, apart from the gore, which, both thankfully and pitifully, doesn't occupy as much room in this third installment of the series as the previous two did, Will Henry's character development proves one of the most disturbing and enthralling characters ever created.
The Isle of Blood focuses on the character development of Will Henry and the growing bond between Will and his master - Pellinore Warthrop. Now, I'm not going reblurb this book, as many before me have done such perfect jobs I'm now too intimidated to try. Thus, I'm just going to jump right into 2 main reasons behind my withholding of 0.5 star in my rating.
***Warning: The following parts contain minor spoilers (spoilers nonetheless). Please take this warning into your consideration if you are not one for spoilers.
1/ Serious lack of the interactions between Will Henry and Lily Bates
While the prologue led me to believe more focus on said characters' relationship would be in order, the reality proved otherwise. There were several scenes where Will and Lily both make their appearances all right; and every time that happened my heart seemed to dance with joy, just because the two are just so exceedingly cute together.
- ...But who is Emily, and why does she send her love? - Dr. Warthrop
- Emily is Mrs. Bates, sir, Dr. Von Helrung's niece. - Will
- That's odd. Why does she send her love to me? I've never even met the woman.
- I think, sir... (clearing throat). I think she is sending it to me.
Read the above dialogue and tell me you did not laugh, or maybe not chuckle one bit. I don't know about you, but it freaking cracked me up.
And I seriously needed to get cracked up more often while reading such a dark and disturbing book, for that would be as pleasant as it can get.
To be fair, this is only a matter of expectation; once it does not get to be met, the outcome is a perfect synonym to disappointment. I expected much more Lily, and I dit not get it. In return, Will Henry's scenes dominated the entire book, which was not very much to my liking considering the monstrosity he is becoming, bringing me to my second reason as to why this book did not make a round 5-star read for me.
1/ Will Henry's horrifying growth in character
Will Henry is on the way to his maturity, growing into a 14-year-old whose past, present and possibly future contain such a truckload of the inconceivable by no means can Will get to be an ordinary teenager. Indeed he does not become one. As a witness to and a participant in various unspeakable things, the boy of present days, understandably, has very little resemblance to the 2-year-earlier version of himself. He starts to talk back to the doctor, making his own decissions and taking actions accordingly.
My place is with the doctor.
A peaceful life with Lillian Bates, the lady of his dreams, could be Will's, as proposed to him by the mother of said lady, and yet appeal to him it does not. Such a life does not fit him; whether or not it is among his wishes, he is now a son of monstrumology, just as his warden -Pellinore Warthrop, whose life up to now has been devoted to the study of monsters, has been. Above all else, it is Will's fierce love for the monstrumologist that thwarts all ambitions of his own from enticing him. Admirable, yes, but the love is scary, as well. The path on which Will chose to walk, if not to trample, only lead him to one end, which is the end of his humanity.
There are no monsters. There are only men.
, 14-year-old Will Henry harbors not the most minuscule fraction of remorse afterwards, which was most terryfying for me to think of how young he is at the time of . At this point in my reading experience, I had already thought Will to be the terror; but as the story reached its big climax, I was literally stupified and knew not of a more fitting label that can be stuck onto Will's forehead in order for people to keep a real watchful eye on this morally impaired young boy.
Apparently Will's . After , Will lies to the doctor with a face so straight fear litterally overcame me when my eyes was passing through the scene where Will is explaining to Warthrop how the trouble that was , while in fact, that was not entirely how everything went down. And yet, Will keeps Dr. Warthrop in the dark, which shows the coat of independence Will is wearing does not precisely look good on him.
Now. Now. I admit I have never been a big fan of this cunning individual - Kearns, though I do kind of like him. Kearns is indeed a fascination, and my buddy read partners know it. did not affect me in the way it affected my friends, but that is not to say it did not at all. In fact, I was literally numb when I reached that part. Staring at the screen of my e-reader, I could only think of how bright it was. And God... What a completely nonsense and unrelated detail that was! Bright screen??? Seriously??? But oh well, that happened.
I could not tell you enough what went through my head during that climax, for I am myself not sure what did. But thinking about it now makes me realize part of why such a numbness happened; it was fear. Fear is the answer. To tell the truth, I'm not a weaking for gore; I am a sucker for it, as long as it is done well, and Mr. Yancey had damn well done it right with his masterful writing skill. So no, the gore has never been a problem to my enjoyment. But it's human's nature that has always fascinated me and has me contently wrapping myself in the safety of my blanket.
So yep, all in all, an unmet expectation, regarding the deficiency of concentration in the relationship between Will Henry and Lily Bates, and Will Henry's evilness, which is such a compelling and terrifying character growth I couldn't help getting disturbed by the actions of his choosing, contribute to discouraging me from rating the book 5 stars. And everyone knows how sucking Goodreads's rating system is, hence the round-up to 5 stars.
...
August 27th, 2015
4.5 stars.
Too busy for a review. Maybe later.
4.5 DISTURBING stars
*** BUDDY READ WITH THE LOVELIES TASH & VANE (Click for their fantastic and more well-constructed reviews).
Why disturbing, you may ask?
Well, apart from the gore, which, both thankfully and pitifully, doesn't occupy as much room in this third installment of the series as the previous two did, Will Henry's character development proves one of the most disturbing and enthralling characters ever created.
The Isle of Blood focuses on the character development of Will Henry and the growing bond between Will and his master - Pellinore Warthrop. Now, I'm not going reblurb this book, as many before me have done such perfect jobs I'm now too intimidated to try. Thus, I'm just going to jump right into 2 main reasons behind my withholding of 0.5 star in my rating.
***Warning: The following parts contain minor spoilers (spoilers nonetheless). Please take this warning into your consideration if you are not one for spoilers.
1/ Serious lack of the interactions between Will Henry and Lily Bates
While the prologue led me to believe more focus on said characters' relationship would be in order, the reality proved otherwise. There were several scenes where Will and Lily both make their appearances all right; and every time that happened my heart seemed to dance with joy, just because the two are just so exceedingly cute together.
- ...But who is Emily, and why does she send her love? - Dr. Warthrop
- Emily is Mrs. Bates, sir, Dr. Von Helrung's niece. - Will
- That's odd. Why does she send her love to me? I've never even met the woman.
- I think, sir... (clearing throat). I think she is sending it to me.
Read the above dialogue and tell me you did not laugh, or maybe not chuckle one bit. I don't know about you, but it freaking cracked me up.
And I seriously needed to get cracked up more often while reading such a dark and disturbing book, for that would be as pleasant as it can get.
To be fair, this is only a matter of expectation; once it does not get to be met, the outcome is a perfect synonym to disappointment. I expected much more Lily, and I dit not get it. In return, Will Henry's scenes dominated the entire book, which was not very much to my liking considering the monstrosity he is becoming, bringing me to my second reason as to why this book did not make a round 5-star read for me.
1/ Will Henry's horrifying growth in character
Will Henry is on the way to his maturity, growing into a 14-year-old whose past, present and possibly future contain such a truckload of the inconceivable by no means can Will get to be an ordinary teenager. Indeed he does not become one. As a witness to and a participant in various unspeakable things, the boy of present days, understandably, has very little resemblance to the 2-year-earlier version of himself. He starts to talk back to the doctor, making his own decissions and taking actions accordingly.
My place is with the doctor.
A peaceful life with Lillian Bates, the lady of his dreams, could be Will's, as proposed to him by the mother of said lady, and yet appeal to him it does not. Such a life does not fit him; whether or not it is among his wishes, he is now a son of monstrumology, just as his warden -Pellinore Warthrop, whose life up to now has been devoted to the study of monsters, has been. Above all else, it is Will's fierce love for the monstrumologist that thwarts all ambitions of his own from enticing him. Admirable, yes, but the love is scary, as well. The path on which Will chose to walk, if not to trample, only lead him to one end, which is the end of his humanity.
There are no monsters. There are only men.
, 14-year-old Will Henry harbors not the most minuscule fraction of remorse afterwards, which was most terryfying for me to think of how young he is at the time of . At this point in my reading experience, I had already thought Will to be the terror; but as the story reached its big climax, I was literally stupified and knew not of a more fitting label that can be stuck onto Will's forehead in order for people to keep a real watchful eye on this morally impaired young boy.
Apparently Will's . After , Will lies to the doctor with a face so straight fear litterally overcame me when my eyes was passing through the scene where Will is explaining to Warthrop how the trouble that was , while in fact, that was not entirely how everything went down. And yet, Will keeps Dr. Warthrop in the dark, which shows the coat of independence Will is wearing does not precisely look good on him.
Now. Now. I admit I have never been a big fan of this cunning individual - Kearns, though I do kind of like him. Kearns is indeed a fascination, and my buddy read partners know it. did not affect me in the way it affected my friends, but that is not to say it did not at all. In fact, I was literally numb when I reached that part. Staring at the screen of my e-reader, I could only think of how bright it was. And God... What a completely nonsense and unrelated detail that was! Bright screen??? Seriously??? But oh well, that happened.
I could not tell you enough what went through my head during that climax, for I am myself not sure what did. But thinking about it now makes me realize part of why such a numbness happened; it was fear. Fear is the answer. To tell the truth, I'm not a weaking for gore; I am a sucker for it, as long as it is done well, and Mr. Yancey had damn well done it right with his masterful writing skill. So no, the gore has never been a problem to my enjoyment. But it's human's nature that has always fascinated me and has me contently wrapping myself in the safety of my blanket.
So yep, all in all, an unmet expectation, regarding the deficiency of concentration in the relationship between Will Henry and Lily Bates, and Will Henry's evilness, which is such a compelling and terrifying character growth I couldn't help getting disturbed by the actions of his choosing, contribute to discouraging me from rating the book 5 stars. And everyone knows how sucking Goodreads's rating system is, hence the round-up to 5 stars.
...
August 27th, 2015
4.5 stars.
Too busy for a review. Maybe later.
June 28, 2012
I'm probably going to rush somewhat through this review. First of all, I have a much longer review to do and I want to get to that. Secondly, I've already reviewed the first two books and I don't have many different things to say about this one ... (Um, also I read the second and third ones so close together that I'm kind of getting them mixed up, but I'LL TRY NOT TO.)
Anyway. This book is fantastic, just like the two books before it. (I'm also quite surprised that this has less than 600 ratings and only about 120 reviews ... Where are all the people who should be reading this? Off reading Fifty Shades of Grey?)
So, the Isle of Blood, like the other books in the series, is full of lots of excitement and bloodshed and horror. Yay! People get made into nests, get torn apart and have their guts rain from the sky ... you know, stuff like that. Pretty cool.
But, as usual, my favorite thing was the Will/Warthrop relationship. Like psh, who cares there's barely any romance in this series because ... it's just such an amazing friendship. They're totally my favorite fictional friendship besides Sherlock/John.
Speaking of which, Arthur Conan Doyle himself appeared as a character in this book... WHAAAT.
I guess Rick Yancey realized the similarities between Warthrop and Sherlock Holmes. Haha. So yeah, I was immensely pleased by that.
BUT ANYWAY, back to the Will/Warthrop feels. Because man were they especially heart-wrenching in this book. I could barely take it. It was just like:
I mean first of all, you have the part at the beginning where Will nearly dies––and Warthrop is all beaten up about it and begging him not to die, and saying Will is the only thing that keeps him human ... Just ...
And then there's the part where Warthrop leaves Will behind because he doesn't want him to get hurt again. And Will is all sad and depressed without him and it's just like:
And then later on they're reunited at last! And Warthrop kind of implied that he actually freaking DELIVERED WILL WHEN HE WAS BORN.
Okay okay I'm sorry, I'll stop now.
So I guess I'm pretty much done now. This book (and the whole series so far) is equally terrifying and moving. The characters are terrific and I love them so much. Just ... everything about this series is wonderful and it's one of the best things I've read in ages. Can't wait for the next one. And PLEASE can some other people read these, because I'm tired of being the only one. THANKS!
Anyway. This book is fantastic, just like the two books before it. (I'm also quite surprised that this has less than 600 ratings and only about 120 reviews ... Where are all the people who should be reading this? Off reading Fifty Shades of Grey?)
So, the Isle of Blood, like the other books in the series, is full of lots of excitement and bloodshed and horror. Yay! People get made into nests, get torn apart and have their guts rain from the sky ... you know, stuff like that. Pretty cool.
But, as usual, my favorite thing was the Will/Warthrop relationship. Like psh, who cares there's barely any romance in this series because ... it's just such an amazing friendship. They're totally my favorite fictional friendship besides Sherlock/John.
Speaking of which, Arthur Conan Doyle himself appeared as a character in this book... WHAAAT.
I guess Rick Yancey realized the similarities between Warthrop and Sherlock Holmes. Haha. So yeah, I was immensely pleased by that.
BUT ANYWAY, back to the Will/Warthrop feels. Because man were they especially heart-wrenching in this book. I could barely take it. It was just like:
I mean first of all, you have the part at the beginning where Will nearly dies––and Warthrop is all beaten up about it and begging him not to die, and saying Will is the only thing that keeps him human ... Just ...
And then there's the part where Warthrop leaves Will behind because he doesn't want him to get hurt again. And Will is all sad and depressed without him and it's just like:
And then later on they're reunited at last! And Warthrop kind of implied that he actually freaking DELIVERED WILL WHEN HE WAS BORN.
Okay okay I'm sorry, I'll stop now.
So I guess I'm pretty much done now. This book (and the whole series so far) is equally terrifying and moving. The characters are terrific and I love them so much. Just ... everything about this series is wonderful and it's one of the best things I've read in ages. Can't wait for the next one. And PLEASE can some other people read these, because I'm tired of being the only one. THANKS!
June 16, 2021
همين اول بگم
اصلا كارى به بعد فلسفى و عميق كتاب ندارم چون اگه چنين مفاهيمي هم داشته در حد درك من نبوده و اصلا هم دغدغم نيست.
به عنوان كسى كه عاشق ديدن اعضاى بدن انسان سر ميز غذا تو سريال هانيباله،
به عنوان كسى كه عاشق رنگ خون تو فيلماى تارانتينوييه،
به عنوان كسى كه به احتمال زياد بعد از نوشتن اين ريويو بايد بره تيمارستان بسترى بشه😂
واقعا شيفته اين كتاب شدم
از تقابل شخصيت ها و ديالوگ ها هم كه نگم براتون(جذاب-خنده دار-رو مخ)
شخصيت پردازى دكتر وارثروپ هم خيلى كامل تر شده بود.
ويل هنرى البته خيلى از كلمات قلمبه سلمبه استفاده ميكنه انگار نه انگار ١٣سالشه
حالا درسته دو سه ساله با دكتر زندگى ميكنه ولى اينهمه تغيير شخصيتى هم عجيبه.
از قسمت هايى كه خيلى راوى سعي ميكرد از هر چيزى يه فلسفه اى در بياره زياد خوشم نيومد حس اضافه گويى و توضيح واضحات بهم دست ميداد.
اما در كل راضيم.
3.75 / 5
اصلا كارى به بعد فلسفى و عميق كتاب ندارم چون اگه چنين مفاهيمي هم داشته در حد درك من نبوده و اصلا هم دغدغم نيست.
به عنوان كسى كه عاشق ديدن اعضاى بدن انسان سر ميز غذا تو سريال هانيباله،
به عنوان كسى كه عاشق رنگ خون تو فيلماى تارانتينوييه،
به عنوان كسى كه به احتمال زياد بعد از نوشتن اين ريويو بايد بره تيمارستان بسترى بشه😂
واقعا شيفته اين كتاب شدم
از تقابل شخصيت ها و ديالوگ ها هم كه نگم براتون(جذاب-خنده دار-رو مخ)
شخصيت پردازى دكتر وارثروپ هم خيلى كامل تر شده بود.
ويل هنرى البته خيلى از كلمات قلمبه سلمبه استفاده ميكنه انگار نه انگار ١٣سالشه
حالا درسته دو سه ساله با دكتر زندگى ميكنه ولى اينهمه تغيير شخصيتى هم عجيبه.
از قسمت هايى كه خيلى راوى سعي ميكرد از هر چيزى يه فلسفه اى در بياره زياد خوشم نيومد حس اضافه گويى و توضيح واضحات بهم دست ميداد.
اما در كل راضيم.
3.75 / 5
January 10, 2015
The monsters in this were more of the psychological kind. I only realized this halfway through the book and it explained why there wasn't much of a monster hunt. I couldn't really get behind how the relationship between Will Henry and Warthrop changed. It was all very strange. On top, I found the ending to be unsatisfying. All in all, very meh.
October 3, 2014
The Monstrumologist series continues strong, and continues to get darker. I love listening to these books, although I’m always relieved when I’m done, as it’s hard to be in such a dark place for so long! The characters are so well-drawn, I really have to hand it to Rick Yancey.
June 28, 2024
Trečioji serijos knyga išlaiko gerumą. Siaubas, monstrai ir tie filosofiniai vidiniai monologai apie tai, kokia plona riba tarp monstro ir žmogaus. Nuostabūs personažai, siužetas, geros idėjos ir filosofinė dalis tai the best.💚🎀
September 12, 2011
Originally Reviewed on The Book Smugglers: http://thebooksmugglers.com/2011/09/b...
For two years, William James Henry has lived with and served the most preeminent Monstrumologists the world has ever known, Dr. Pellinore Xavier Warthrop. For two years, he has skittered around the abyss of ultimate darkness, narrowly averting the onslaught of Anthropophagi and the madness of the Outiko, all in service to the Monstrumologist, who is the only thing young Will has in the world. In The Isle of Blood, a mysterious package borne by a terrified courier lands on the Monstrumologist's doorstep in New Jerusalem, Massachusetts - a "gift" from the charismatic Englishman and madman (as well as nemesis to Pellinore Warthrop), Jack Kearnes. The package is one of the greatest prizes in Monstrumology: a nidus ex magnificum, or nest made of human entrails, preserved and held together by the pwder ser, the rot of the stars. This nidus promises madness and horror to any that touch it, infecting man with an incurable affliction that will consume and ravage his mind and body. Will gets to see this firsthand, as the unfortunate courier could not resist curiosity, and has touched the nidus. The man begins to change, his skin rotting and translucent, his eyes sensitive to light, his appetite so great that he begins to consume his own organs and appendages.
While the nidus is one of the greatest prizes in Monstrumology and Pellinore now is in possession of the only nest, the true prize and holy grail of the study is the creator of the nidus: the fearful Typhoeus Magnificum. The father of all monsters. The Unseen One. Kearnes gifting the nidus to the Warthrop can only mean that he is on the way to find the magnificum - and that is something Warthrop cannot stand to suffer. The race is on to find the great monster, with Will Henry once again following his doctor - but perhaps this time, he follows him too far to ever truly return.
These are dark times, and The Isle of Blood is a dark, dark book. I cannot even begin to truly explain the depths that consume our heroes in this installment, or the impossible questions that Will and Warthrop are forced to answer. Unlike the first two books, this third installment has Will journeying into the heart of darkness, scaling the mountains of madness, and gazing into the Oculos Dei. It is in this novel that Will finds and confronts the Typhoeus Magnificum; the Faceless One of a Thousand Faces; das Ungeheuer; the Monster.
And it is terrifying.
While the other two books, or folios i-vi, are similarly narrated by Will Henry, they have dealt largely with the figure of the Monstrumologist and his motivations and complexity. In contrast, The Isle of Blood is undoubtedly Will Henry's book. Not only are Will and his Monstrumologist separated for the first time (when Pellinore takes his leave and decides to find the magnificum on his own), but Will is also forced to decide what he needs, to whom he is bound, and the lengths to which he will go to save the doctor. Will is given a chance at normalcy here, given the opportunity to become a regular boy - that is, one that does not associate the color red with the crimson of freshly spilled blood - as once again we meet the irascible Miss Lillian Bates when Will is taken in by her wealthy Upper West Side family. But, as they say, the bell cannot be unrung, and Will is a boy that has seen and done far too much to be able to ever really be "normal" again. His place is with the Monstrumologist, and in this book Will finally gets a chance to make that choice, instead of passively accepting it. As snarled and complicated as their connection is, the bond between the apprentice and his master is, if nothing else, powerful. Will crosses many lines in this book, too, and I am honestly frightened by Will's thoughts and rationalizations. What kind of man is Will Henry, the aged narrator recalling his past in these folios? What kind of man can grow from a boy that has seen so much horror and done so many terrible things? For the first time in the series, I find myself frightened - truly frightened - for the lost innocence of young Will, and I have no idea how the next book will turn out. I think Warthrop is just as frightened for his ward, too.
While this is predominantly a character-driven book, it also features the most fearsome of any monster we have seen to date in the series. More gory and fearsome than the first two books, The Isle of Blood features the most frightening of infections that could wipe out the human race with a mere touch; a monster that is as old as the stars and just as mysterious. I won't spoil anything, but this monster, the magnificum, is the most terrible and awesome of all monsters. I loved the way Mr. Yancey handles this particular terror, which resonates in the book's powerful, deafening climax. While the characterizations and plotting are superb, per usual, my only criticism of this book is that it tends towards self-indulgence at times and reads a tad overlong in some parts. I love the poetic turns of phrases and allegories used by Will throughout (something new and unique to this third novel), but he tends to internalize and repeat the same metaphors on and on, which begins to feel tiresome and somewhat forced.*
That minor criticism aside, this is a harrowing, nightmare of a book, beautiful in its cruelty and coldness. I loved it, moreso than the first two books in the series, and it is in the running for one of my favorite books of the year. I just don't know if it's the kind of book I'd want to read again because it is that incredibly draining. I mean this in the best way. If you have not read Mr. Yancey's Monstrumologist series yet, you must. This is one of the most complex horror novels that I have ever read, adult or young adult. And I am so glad we will be getting one more adventure with Will Henry and Pellinore Warthrop.
-----
*I should note that The Isle of Blood is the longest of the three books and I've noticed that my digital ARC has almost 100 more pages than the final book does, so perhaps this is something that has been changed in the final edit stage.
For two years, William James Henry has lived with and served the most preeminent Monstrumologists the world has ever known, Dr. Pellinore Xavier Warthrop. For two years, he has skittered around the abyss of ultimate darkness, narrowly averting the onslaught of Anthropophagi and the madness of the Outiko, all in service to the Monstrumologist, who is the only thing young Will has in the world. In The Isle of Blood, a mysterious package borne by a terrified courier lands on the Monstrumologist's doorstep in New Jerusalem, Massachusetts - a "gift" from the charismatic Englishman and madman (as well as nemesis to Pellinore Warthrop), Jack Kearnes. The package is one of the greatest prizes in Monstrumology: a nidus ex magnificum, or nest made of human entrails, preserved and held together by the pwder ser, the rot of the stars. This nidus promises madness and horror to any that touch it, infecting man with an incurable affliction that will consume and ravage his mind and body. Will gets to see this firsthand, as the unfortunate courier could not resist curiosity, and has touched the nidus. The man begins to change, his skin rotting and translucent, his eyes sensitive to light, his appetite so great that he begins to consume his own organs and appendages.
While the nidus is one of the greatest prizes in Monstrumology and Pellinore now is in possession of the only nest, the true prize and holy grail of the study is the creator of the nidus: the fearful Typhoeus Magnificum. The father of all monsters. The Unseen One. Kearnes gifting the nidus to the Warthrop can only mean that he is on the way to find the magnificum - and that is something Warthrop cannot stand to suffer. The race is on to find the great monster, with Will Henry once again following his doctor - but perhaps this time, he follows him too far to ever truly return.
These are dark times, and The Isle of Blood is a dark, dark book. I cannot even begin to truly explain the depths that consume our heroes in this installment, or the impossible questions that Will and Warthrop are forced to answer. Unlike the first two books, this third installment has Will journeying into the heart of darkness, scaling the mountains of madness, and gazing into the Oculos Dei. It is in this novel that Will finds and confronts the Typhoeus Magnificum; the Faceless One of a Thousand Faces; das Ungeheuer; the Monster.
And it is terrifying.
While the other two books, or folios i-vi, are similarly narrated by Will Henry, they have dealt largely with the figure of the Monstrumologist and his motivations and complexity. In contrast, The Isle of Blood is undoubtedly Will Henry's book. Not only are Will and his Monstrumologist separated for the first time (when Pellinore takes his leave and decides to find the magnificum on his own), but Will is also forced to decide what he needs, to whom he is bound, and the lengths to which he will go to save the doctor. Will is given a chance at normalcy here, given the opportunity to become a regular boy - that is, one that does not associate the color red with the crimson of freshly spilled blood - as once again we meet the irascible Miss Lillian Bates when Will is taken in by her wealthy Upper West Side family. But, as they say, the bell cannot be unrung, and Will is a boy that has seen and done far too much to be able to ever really be "normal" again. His place is with the Monstrumologist, and in this book Will finally gets a chance to make that choice, instead of passively accepting it. As snarled and complicated as their connection is, the bond between the apprentice and his master is, if nothing else, powerful. Will crosses many lines in this book, too, and I am honestly frightened by Will's thoughts and rationalizations. What kind of man is Will Henry, the aged narrator recalling his past in these folios? What kind of man can grow from a boy that has seen so much horror and done so many terrible things? For the first time in the series, I find myself frightened - truly frightened - for the lost innocence of young Will, and I have no idea how the next book will turn out. I think Warthrop is just as frightened for his ward, too.
While this is predominantly a character-driven book, it also features the most fearsome of any monster we have seen to date in the series. More gory and fearsome than the first two books, The Isle of Blood features the most frightening of infections that could wipe out the human race with a mere touch; a monster that is as old as the stars and just as mysterious. I won't spoil anything, but this monster, the magnificum, is the most terrible and awesome of all monsters. I loved the way Mr. Yancey handles this particular terror, which resonates in the book's powerful, deafening climax. While the characterizations and plotting are superb, per usual, my only criticism of this book is that it tends towards self-indulgence at times and reads a tad overlong in some parts. I love the poetic turns of phrases and allegories used by Will throughout (something new and unique to this third novel), but he tends to internalize and repeat the same metaphors on and on, which begins to feel tiresome and somewhat forced.*
That minor criticism aside, this is a harrowing, nightmare of a book, beautiful in its cruelty and coldness. I loved it, moreso than the first two books in the series, and it is in the running for one of my favorite books of the year. I just don't know if it's the kind of book I'd want to read again because it is that incredibly draining. I mean this in the best way. If you have not read Mr. Yancey's Monstrumologist series yet, you must. This is one of the most complex horror novels that I have ever read, adult or young adult. And I am so glad we will be getting one more adventure with Will Henry and Pellinore Warthrop.
-----
*I should note that The Isle of Blood is the longest of the three books and I've noticed that my digital ARC has almost 100 more pages than the final book does, so perhaps this is something that has been changed in the final edit stage.
May 18, 2018
Love this entire series. Would make a great Netflix original. Great writing and the main characters are reminiscent of Watson and Holmes, not because they solve crimes but because of their complicated relationship.
September 16, 2019
just like the first two books, it was wonderful.
the literature was exquisite and beautiful, the characters were also professionally created.
a perfect experience
the literature was exquisite and beautiful, the characters were also professionally created.
a perfect experience
December 19, 2012
Yancey's most magnificent yet?
My devotion to the Monstrumologist series grows with each superbly crafted novel that Yancey writes. In drafting this review, I wrestle only with this query: is Isle of Blood equal to or greater than the previous installments? I may never figure the answer to that, just as I may never figure out how I will be able to wait for the next one - which appears to be another 9 months from now. Sigh. Simon and Schuster should really rethink their decision to end this uniquely amazing series after the fourth book.
What makes this series so unique is even more evident in Isle of Blood. If you want horror - my goodness, like all the others before it, there are scenes here that terrified and disgusted me (i.e. an infection whereby the infected starts making a nest of his/her body parts). From the moment the Typhoeus magnificum is mentioned, I was in horrified anticipation. Billed as the Holy Grail of monstrumology, I turned each page with increasing dread, waiting for Warthrop and Will Henry to finally find it and face it. Yancey is brilliant in building suspense of this elusive, never-before-captured monster.
"Its name is Typhoeus magnificum, the Magnificent Father, the Faceless One we cannot help but turn and face. The One of a Thousand Faces that is there when we turn to look, and then looks back at us.
"It is the magnificum. It lives in that space between spaces, in that spot one ten-thousandth of an inch outside your range of vision. You cannot see it. It sees you. And when it sees you, it does not see you. It has not conception of you. There is magnificum and nothing else.
"You are the nest. You are the hatchling. You are the chrysalis. You are the progeny. You are the rot that falls from stars.
"You may not understand what I mean.
"You will."
"The faceless one" "the rot of stars" "The magnificent father"- in Warthrop's quest for the Magnificum and in Will Henry's stubborn devotion to Warthrop, Yancey draws a riveting parallel. Not only is the reader accompanying our two heroes on their most perilous and frightening journey yet, but also witnessing a transformation in Will Henry as well. A transformation that by the end of the book, is perhaps as terrifying as the magnificum itself.
And this is where Yancey wins me. Okay, Yancey wins me with his exceptional writing, thrilling plot, and moments between horrific scenes where I unexpectedly laugh out loud. His characters are larger than life, complex - they leap off the page. Even the secondary characters are memorable, the most memorable and enigmatic of whom makes his flamboyant return in Isle of Blood. As added bonuses, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Arthur Rimbaud grace its pages as well.
Isle of Blood plumbs new depths; there is always a compelling philosophical vein running through each book, but in this venture, Will Henry is overwhelmed with an existential crisis. Who is he? Who does he want to be? And is it already too late for him - is he already lost to the violent life of monstrumology?
My devotion to the Monstrumologist series grows with each superbly crafted novel that Yancey writes. In drafting this review, I wrestle only with this query: is Isle of Blood equal to or greater than the previous installments? I may never figure the answer to that, just as I may never figure out how I will be able to wait for the next one - which appears to be another 9 months from now. Sigh. Simon and Schuster should really rethink their decision to end this uniquely amazing series after the fourth book.
What makes this series so unique is even more evident in Isle of Blood. If you want horror - my goodness, like all the others before it, there are scenes here that terrified and disgusted me (i.e. an infection whereby the infected starts making a nest of his/her body parts). From the moment the Typhoeus magnificum is mentioned, I was in horrified anticipation. Billed as the Holy Grail of monstrumology, I turned each page with increasing dread, waiting for Warthrop and Will Henry to finally find it and face it. Yancey is brilliant in building suspense of this elusive, never-before-captured monster.
"Its name is Typhoeus magnificum, the Magnificent Father, the Faceless One we cannot help but turn and face. The One of a Thousand Faces that is there when we turn to look, and then looks back at us.
"It is the magnificum. It lives in that space between spaces, in that spot one ten-thousandth of an inch outside your range of vision. You cannot see it. It sees you. And when it sees you, it does not see you. It has not conception of you. There is magnificum and nothing else.
"You are the nest. You are the hatchling. You are the chrysalis. You are the progeny. You are the rot that falls from stars.
"You may not understand what I mean.
"You will."
"The faceless one" "the rot of stars" "The magnificent father"- in Warthrop's quest for the Magnificum and in Will Henry's stubborn devotion to Warthrop, Yancey draws a riveting parallel. Not only is the reader accompanying our two heroes on their most perilous and frightening journey yet, but also witnessing a transformation in Will Henry as well. A transformation that by the end of the book, is perhaps as terrifying as the magnificum itself.
And this is where Yancey wins me. Okay, Yancey wins me with his exceptional writing, thrilling plot, and moments between horrific scenes where I unexpectedly laugh out loud. His characters are larger than life, complex - they leap off the page. Even the secondary characters are memorable, the most memorable and enigmatic of whom makes his flamboyant return in Isle of Blood. As added bonuses, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Arthur Rimbaud grace its pages as well.
Isle of Blood plumbs new depths; there is always a compelling philosophical vein running through each book, but in this venture, Will Henry is overwhelmed with an existential crisis. Who is he? Who does he want to be? And is it already too late for him - is he already lost to the violent life of monstrumology?
June 17, 2016
Audiobook
I am going to miss reading about the Monstrumologist and his adventures.
I loved (almost all of) the characters. Steven Boyer is one of the most talented narrators I have ever heard. He does so many characters, both male and female, with several realistic accents. I always knew which character was speaking, and believed them to be actual individual people.
The story is interesting, humorous, and exciting.
I'm sad that I have only one more book to read in this tetralogy.
I am going to miss reading about the Monstrumologist and his adventures.
I loved (almost all of) the characters. Steven Boyer is one of the most talented narrators I have ever heard. He does so many characters, both male and female, with several realistic accents. I always knew which character was speaking, and believed them to be actual individual people.
The story is interesting, humorous, and exciting.
I'm sad that I have only one more book to read in this tetralogy.
November 16, 2016
Wow. I read this and then the next book in the series back to back and that is all I have to say right now. Wow. Rick Yancey blew my mind. Let's focus on book #3 right now though.
Will Henry is now 13 (still small) and still serving the doctor. He starts to realize that a part of himself is becoming cold and hard due to the things he has seen and the things he has done. We once again get shifting perspectives of Will as the writer at 13 and Will as an old man looking back.
"The Isle of Blood" starts with Will Henry and the doctor receiving a man who was poisoned by John Kearns (from book #1) and realize that the man has a package that the doctor (Warthrop) will be most interested in. This man's appearance leads to Will Henry becoming infected and causes the doctor to become afraid that his lifestyle may end up killing his young charge. For all of the talk of Will Henry that the doctor doesn't love him and he doesn't love the doctor, you start to realize that the Will Henry looking back into his life may have his own reasons for saying that and needing to believe it.
Will Henry and the doctor being separated leaves Will Henry floundering under the care of Abram von Helrung and then Helrung's niece Emily Bates, mother to Lilian (who we are introduced to in book #2). Will is able to see a different life for himself away from the doctor, but resists it, because he finds himself bound to the doctor and knows the doctor needs him to keep the darkness at bay. But what of the darkness in Will Henry?
Will at times with his interaction with Emily and Lilian Bates you can see how things could potentially change for the better for him. In this book, Will keenly feels the loss of his father and his mother and all he wants to do is be with them. In the end, Will decides serving the doctor is what he is meant for and all he wants to do.
When Will realizes there is a traitor in their midst, he once again is made to witness things no 13 year old boy should witness. You see the hardening of Will and him deciding if he has to be a man more like Torrance and Kearns that is fine with him. He refuses to be left behind by the doctor again.
This book moves so fast. It is really long, but I honestly didn't notice that at all. The writing was so lyrical at times and also I laughed more while reading this book than the previous 2 books. We also have Yancey inserting real life people like Arthur Conan Doyle and Arthur Rimbauld. We also have reappearances of several monstrumologists like Jacob Torrance. And we also get to see the dark in Jack Kearns which I thought was very important for what is coming our way for book #3.
The writing does get a bit gruesome per usual, and a few times I felt my stomach heave (Yancey can describe things in such a way you can feel it, smell it, and even taste it). I thought this book was more about finding the monsters within us all and when the doctor and others do finally find the biggest monster ever in monstrumology, the reveal of what it really is should not be surprising to us who have read through three books at this point.
The setting of the book moves from New Jerusalem, to New York, to London, and to the so-called Isle of Blood, and even Venice.
The ending made me sad, because in the end we can see that though the doctor wants to keep Will Henry safe, he may have ultimately failed.
Will Henry is now 13 (still small) and still serving the doctor. He starts to realize that a part of himself is becoming cold and hard due to the things he has seen and the things he has done. We once again get shifting perspectives of Will as the writer at 13 and Will as an old man looking back.
"The Isle of Blood" starts with Will Henry and the doctor receiving a man who was poisoned by John Kearns (from book #1) and realize that the man has a package that the doctor (Warthrop) will be most interested in. This man's appearance leads to Will Henry becoming infected and causes the doctor to become afraid that his lifestyle may end up killing his young charge. For all of the talk of Will Henry that the doctor doesn't love him and he doesn't love the doctor, you start to realize that the Will Henry looking back into his life may have his own reasons for saying that and needing to believe it.
Will Henry and the doctor being separated leaves Will Henry floundering under the care of Abram von Helrung and then Helrung's niece Emily Bates, mother to Lilian (who we are introduced to in book #2). Will is able to see a different life for himself away from the doctor, but resists it, because he finds himself bound to the doctor and knows the doctor needs him to keep the darkness at bay. But what of the darkness in Will Henry?
Will at times with his interaction with Emily and Lilian Bates you can see how things could potentially change for the better for him. In this book, Will keenly feels the loss of his father and his mother and all he wants to do is be with them. In the end, Will decides serving the doctor is what he is meant for and all he wants to do.
When Will realizes there is a traitor in their midst, he once again is made to witness things no 13 year old boy should witness. You see the hardening of Will and him deciding if he has to be a man more like Torrance and Kearns that is fine with him. He refuses to be left behind by the doctor again.
This book moves so fast. It is really long, but I honestly didn't notice that at all. The writing was so lyrical at times and also I laughed more while reading this book than the previous 2 books. We also have Yancey inserting real life people like Arthur Conan Doyle and Arthur Rimbauld. We also have reappearances of several monstrumologists like Jacob Torrance. And we also get to see the dark in Jack Kearns which I thought was very important for what is coming our way for book #3.
The writing does get a bit gruesome per usual, and a few times I felt my stomach heave (Yancey can describe things in such a way you can feel it, smell it, and even taste it). I thought this book was more about finding the monsters within us all and when the doctor and others do finally find the biggest monster ever in monstrumology, the reveal of what it really is should not be surprising to us who have read through three books at this point.
The setting of the book moves from New Jerusalem, to New York, to London, and to the so-called Isle of Blood, and even Venice.
The ending made me sad, because in the end we can see that though the doctor wants to keep Will Henry safe, he may have ultimately failed.
February 13, 2019
Habis baca buku ini, ceritanya masih terngiang - ngiang. Walau buku ini punya lebih sedikit adegan gore dibanding novel pendahulunya, tapi rasanya tetap dark.
Pencarian Doktor Warthrop terhadap sosok monster Magnificum yang disebut - sebut sebagai 'holy grail'nya bidang Monstrumologi (atau, seperti kata Doktor Warthrop, bidang ilmu alam biologi menyimpang) membawa sang Doktor & Will Henry pergi ke bagian lain dunia demi mengejar sang Magnificum.
Novel ini, lebih banyak dramanya, juga lebih banyak menggambarkan interaksi Will Henry dengan orang lain selain Doktor Warthrop. Tentunya para Monstrumolog lainnya yang tergabung dalam The Monstrumolog Society seperti Von Helrung & Jacob Torrance. Juga hubungan Will Henry dengan keluarga Bates yang mencoba mengadopsinya.
Kegelapan buku ini menurutku, bukan hanya sekedar monster - monsternya, tapi juga tokoh - tokohnya. Doktor Warthop, Dr. Kearns.. dan terutama Will Henry, yang akhirnya bertumbuh menjadi seorang anak yang... yah.. begitulah. Oh, my poor Will Henry!!!
Di buku ketiga ini aku mulai bisa membaca tema besar series ini. Bahwa setiap orang memiliki monsternya masing - masing, dan semua orang adalah pemburu. Pilihannya adalah, sisi mana yang mau kita menangkan?
Deimmmmmm! Buku ini yang buku pertamanya fun and all, berburu monster sana sini, jadi dalem banget maknanya. Ga sabar nunggu terjemahan buku ke-4 nya. I'm obssesed!!
Pencarian Doktor Warthrop terhadap sosok monster Magnificum yang disebut - sebut sebagai 'holy grail'nya bidang Monstrumologi (atau, seperti kata Doktor Warthrop, bidang ilmu alam biologi menyimpang) membawa sang Doktor & Will Henry pergi ke bagian lain dunia demi mengejar sang Magnificum.
Novel ini, lebih banyak dramanya, juga lebih banyak menggambarkan interaksi Will Henry dengan orang lain selain Doktor Warthrop. Tentunya para Monstrumolog lainnya yang tergabung dalam The Monstrumolog Society seperti Von Helrung & Jacob Torrance. Juga hubungan Will Henry dengan keluarga Bates yang mencoba mengadopsinya.
Kegelapan buku ini menurutku, bukan hanya sekedar monster - monsternya, tapi juga tokoh - tokohnya. Doktor Warthop, Dr. Kearns.. dan terutama Will Henry, yang akhirnya bertumbuh menjadi seorang anak yang... yah.. begitulah. Oh, my poor Will Henry!!!
Di buku ketiga ini aku mulai bisa membaca tema besar series ini. Bahwa setiap orang memiliki monsternya masing - masing, dan semua orang adalah pemburu. Pilihannya adalah, sisi mana yang mau kita menangkan?
Deimmmmmm! Buku ini yang buku pertamanya fun and all, berburu monster sana sini, jadi dalem banget maknanya. Ga sabar nunggu terjemahan buku ke-4 nya. I'm obssesed!!
July 20, 2012
Petualangan Will dan Dr. Warthop kali ini sudah menyeberangi batas2 benua, dari Amerika ke Britania Raya di Inggris, dan ke Arab di Asia. Semuanya bermula dari kemunculan seorang laki2 Inggris yang dikirim oleh Dr. Jack Kearns, karakter yang sempat absen di buku kedua serial ini, nampaknya Jack tidak ingin terlalu lama menghilang di balik layar dan ingin segera mengejar skor. Tidak tanggung2, Dr. Kearns meracuni pria malang bernama Mr. Kendall dan menyuruhnya membawa sebuah paket misterius untuk diantarkan pada Dr. Pellinore Warthop yang dikatakannya memiliki penawar bagi racun maha dashyat itu.
Meskipun terbukti Dr. Kearns hanya menipu Mr. Kendall soal racun, justru rasa ingin tahu terkutuk pria itulah yang mengakhiri nasibnya. Dia merogoh benda yang dititipkan padanya untuk diberikan pada Dr. Warthop, benda yang disebut nidus ex magnificum. Bentuknya serupa sarang hanya saja tidak terbuat dari ranting dan daun melainkan pecahan tulang2 manusia yang direkat oleh semacam getah yang ternyata mengandung racun biologis mematikan. Kontak langsung manusia dengan nidus ex magnificum artinya maut yang tak terelakkan melalui transmogrifikasi menjadi sejenis monster yang mengerikan. Dalam satu dua hal, korban dari racun yang disebut pwedre ser bisa disebut zombie baik dari sosok maupun dorongan kanibalistiknya yang luarbiasa.
Dalam proses ini Will kehilangan jari kirinya yang terpaksa diamputasi akibat serbuan Mr. Kendall yang menjadi mayat hidup buas, sebab setiap korban pwedre ser juga memiliki potensi untuk menularkan 'kutukannya' pada orang yang disentuhnya.
Dr. Warthop dan Will kemudian bertolak ke New York untuk mendiskusikan penemuan menggemparkan ini dengan mentornya Dr. Von Helsrung. Nidus ex magnificum merupakan mitos di dunia monstrumologi mengenai monster yang tak pernah bisa ditemukan keberadaannya. Monster ini disebut Typhoes Magnificum, The Faceless One atau Si Tanpa Wajah, sebab tak ada yang pernah bisa menemukannya. Menemukan Si Tanpa Wajah merupakan keberhasilan tertinggi seorang monstrumologis. Dikuasai ambisi akan kemasyhuran, Dr. Warthop pun meninggalkan Will dalam penjagaan Mr. dan Mrs. Bates untuk bertolak menuju Inggris bersama seorang monstrumologis muda bernama Dr. Arkwright. Keputusan yang sangat mengecewakan, Will.
Pada akhirnya Will merasa yakin bahwa Dr. Arkwright adalah seorang penipu, hal ini diperjelas dengan kabar kematian Dr. Warthop. Hanya saja Will percaya mentornya itu belum meninggal seperti yang dikatakan Dr. Arkwright. Dengan bantuan Dr. Jacob Torrance, Dr. Arkwright kemudian diinterogasi habis2san sebelum mengakui bahwa dia adalah mata2 Inggris yang dikirim untuk mengawasi komunitas monstrumologis. Dia juga mengakui bahwa Dr. Warthrop belum mati dan disekap di rumah sakit jiwa di London.
Bersama Dr. Jacob Torrance, Dr. Von Helsrung dan Dr. Walker, mereka menyusul koleganya di Inggris untuk menyelamatkan Dr. Warthop mengandalkan bantuan dari seorang kawan baik yang tak lain adalah dr. Arthur Conan Doyle. Perjalanan ini pun rupanya juga tidak mudah sebab ternyata berbagai pihak mengincar informasi mengenai monster yang disebut Typhoes Magnificum ini. Badan intelejen Inggris dan Rusia yang dibantu oleh dr. Kearns yang picik ternyata turut mengincar makhluk yang sama. Meskipun berhasil mengakali pihak Inggris, para monstrumologis ini mendengar bahwa orang2 Rusia sudah berhasil menemukan tempat tinggal sang Magnificum. Tak mau ketinggalan, Dr. Warthop langsung pergi berburu monster yang akan memberikannya puncak kemashyuran menuju Socotra atau yang dikenal juga dengan Isle of Blood.
Socotra sendiri merupakan bagian dari Yaman dan mendapatkan sebutan Galapagos dari Timur sebab seluruh flora dan fauna pulau itu merupakan endemis yang artinya hanya hidup di tempat itu secara eksklusif.
Apakah Will dan Dr. Warthop berhasil menemukan monster yang disebut Magnificum? Atau ada lelucon di balik seluruh mitos yang terbangun mengenai monster yang tak pernah bisa ditemukan ini?
Unsur filosofi dalam buku ketiga ini terasa begitu kuat. Bagaimana reaksi seseorang saat dia menghadapi pilihan yang sama2 sulitnya? Di sini kita melihat bagaimana Will bereaksi terhadap setiap masalah yang dilemparkan padanya, tidak semuanya berakhir secara ideal. Begitu abu2nya cerita ini sehingga bahkan pengarang membiarkan pembacanya bertanya2 apakah Will akan berakhir menjadi orang yang memegang cahaya seperti Dr. Warthop (yang meskipun dengan segenap kebrengsekannya dia berusaha menghalau kegelapan hatinya) atau dia akan berakhir seperti Dr. Kearns, psikopat yang menerima kegelapan dalam dirinya?
Dalam proses pencarian identitas Will, gue menyaksikan dengan sedih seorang bocah yang kehilangan kepolosan masa kanak2nya di usia yang terbilang sangat muda, tigabelas tahun! Usia dimana anak2 masih sibuk dengan Justin Bieber dan menjerit2 melihat artis pujaan di televisi.
Gue meratapi hilangnya kepolosan Will. Tidak ada yang lebih memilukan melihat seorang bocah menembak mati seseorang dengan berdarah dingin hanya karena dia tak mau ditinggal oleh mentornya. Meskipun alasan Will sangat masuk akal, untuk membela diri, pada prosesnya gue merasa dia sesungguhnya 'merencanakan pembunuhan'. And it's a very disturbing fact which will haunt me for a week.
Will menggambarkan hati manusia seperti dua kutub magnet yang saling tarik menarik, dia menyebut energi tarik menarik ini sebagai Das Ungehuer. Apakah hasil akhir dari das ungehuer ini adalah manusia atau monster?
Monster dalam cerita ini, Typhoes Magnificum, lebih merupakan metafora manusia. Penjelasannya sangat mendalam dan benar2 menuntut pembacanya berpikir lebih dalam ketimbang novel2 sebelumnya. Sepertinya dengan bertumbuhnya karakter Will, maka pengarang menantang pembacanya untuk berpikir lebih dalam dan mematangkan pikirannya. Ini adalah kualitas yang nyaris tak pernah gue temui dalam novel2 remaja jaman sekarang dan ini yang membuat serial The Monstrumologis tidak sepopuler novel semisal, Twilight dan pengikutnya.
Tapi bahkan dengan filosofi yang begitu mendalam, unsur horor dalam buku ini pun tidak mau ketinggalan. Tidak tanggung2, mulai dari bab2 pertama The Isle of Blood, Rick Yancey menggeber pembaca dengan dengan detail transmogrifikasi yang sedikit mengingatkan gue pada manga Uzumaki karangan Junji Ito, salah satu cerita horor yang berhasil meneror gue sampai berhari2 ke depan karena kesintingannya yang sangat melintir. Jangan dibaca kalau kalian tidak punya mental baja, manga itu cuma buat pembaca horor kelas tinggi doang. Gue aja tidak sanggup!
Perubahan manusia yang terkena racun biologis dari nidus ex magnificum atau karena ekspos terhadap makhluk yang terinfeksi benar2 bikin sakit kepala. Mereka berubah menjadi makhluk nokturnal dengan iris yang begitu besar sehingga hanya kegelapan yang nampak pada bola matanya, kuku dan gigi bertumbuh dan mengeras. Kulitnya membusuk dan mengering seperti mumi, dan otaknya meleleh hanya menyisakan bagian paling primitif, ditambah lagi dorongan kanibalistik yang tidak terkendali.
Seperti apakah wajah Typhoes Magnificum ini, monster yang begitu mengerikan sehingga bisa menghasilkan keturunan2 monster hanya dengan sentuhan? Nah... itu gue rahasiakan, silahkan baca bukunya sendiri.
Hakekatnya, buku ini merupakan serial horor terbaik yang gue baca sampe saat ini. Disusun dengan gaya Sherlock Holmes, bernuansa X-Files ato Fringe, sekaligus dipengaruhi kisah2 petualangan klasik karya Jules Verne. It's a great genre cross over.
Meskipun terbukti Dr. Kearns hanya menipu Mr. Kendall soal racun, justru rasa ingin tahu terkutuk pria itulah yang mengakhiri nasibnya. Dia merogoh benda yang dititipkan padanya untuk diberikan pada Dr. Warthop, benda yang disebut nidus ex magnificum. Bentuknya serupa sarang hanya saja tidak terbuat dari ranting dan daun melainkan pecahan tulang2 manusia yang direkat oleh semacam getah yang ternyata mengandung racun biologis mematikan. Kontak langsung manusia dengan nidus ex magnificum artinya maut yang tak terelakkan melalui transmogrifikasi menjadi sejenis monster yang mengerikan. Dalam satu dua hal, korban dari racun yang disebut pwedre ser bisa disebut zombie baik dari sosok maupun dorongan kanibalistiknya yang luarbiasa.
Dalam proses ini Will kehilangan jari kirinya yang terpaksa diamputasi akibat serbuan Mr. Kendall yang menjadi mayat hidup buas, sebab setiap korban pwedre ser juga memiliki potensi untuk menularkan 'kutukannya' pada orang yang disentuhnya.
Dr. Warthop dan Will kemudian bertolak ke New York untuk mendiskusikan penemuan menggemparkan ini dengan mentornya Dr. Von Helsrung. Nidus ex magnificum merupakan mitos di dunia monstrumologi mengenai monster yang tak pernah bisa ditemukan keberadaannya. Monster ini disebut Typhoes Magnificum, The Faceless One atau Si Tanpa Wajah, sebab tak ada yang pernah bisa menemukannya. Menemukan Si Tanpa Wajah merupakan keberhasilan tertinggi seorang monstrumologis. Dikuasai ambisi akan kemasyhuran, Dr. Warthop pun meninggalkan Will dalam penjagaan Mr. dan Mrs. Bates untuk bertolak menuju Inggris bersama seorang monstrumologis muda bernama Dr. Arkwright. Keputusan yang sangat mengecewakan, Will.
Pada akhirnya Will merasa yakin bahwa Dr. Arkwright adalah seorang penipu, hal ini diperjelas dengan kabar kematian Dr. Warthop. Hanya saja Will percaya mentornya itu belum meninggal seperti yang dikatakan Dr. Arkwright. Dengan bantuan Dr. Jacob Torrance, Dr. Arkwright kemudian diinterogasi habis2san sebelum mengakui bahwa dia adalah mata2 Inggris yang dikirim untuk mengawasi komunitas monstrumologis. Dia juga mengakui bahwa Dr. Warthrop belum mati dan disekap di rumah sakit jiwa di London.
Bersama Dr. Jacob Torrance, Dr. Von Helsrung dan Dr. Walker, mereka menyusul koleganya di Inggris untuk menyelamatkan Dr. Warthop mengandalkan bantuan dari seorang kawan baik yang tak lain adalah dr. Arthur Conan Doyle. Perjalanan ini pun rupanya juga tidak mudah sebab ternyata berbagai pihak mengincar informasi mengenai monster yang disebut Typhoes Magnificum ini. Badan intelejen Inggris dan Rusia yang dibantu oleh dr. Kearns yang picik ternyata turut mengincar makhluk yang sama. Meskipun berhasil mengakali pihak Inggris, para monstrumologis ini mendengar bahwa orang2 Rusia sudah berhasil menemukan tempat tinggal sang Magnificum. Tak mau ketinggalan, Dr. Warthop langsung pergi berburu monster yang akan memberikannya puncak kemashyuran menuju Socotra atau yang dikenal juga dengan Isle of Blood.
Socotra sendiri merupakan bagian dari Yaman dan mendapatkan sebutan Galapagos dari Timur sebab seluruh flora dan fauna pulau itu merupakan endemis yang artinya hanya hidup di tempat itu secara eksklusif.
Apakah Will dan Dr. Warthop berhasil menemukan monster yang disebut Magnificum? Atau ada lelucon di balik seluruh mitos yang terbangun mengenai monster yang tak pernah bisa ditemukan ini?
Unsur filosofi dalam buku ketiga ini terasa begitu kuat. Bagaimana reaksi seseorang saat dia menghadapi pilihan yang sama2 sulitnya? Di sini kita melihat bagaimana Will bereaksi terhadap setiap masalah yang dilemparkan padanya, tidak semuanya berakhir secara ideal. Begitu abu2nya cerita ini sehingga bahkan pengarang membiarkan pembacanya bertanya2 apakah Will akan berakhir menjadi orang yang memegang cahaya seperti Dr. Warthop (yang meskipun dengan segenap kebrengsekannya dia berusaha menghalau kegelapan hatinya) atau dia akan berakhir seperti Dr. Kearns, psikopat yang menerima kegelapan dalam dirinya?
Dalam proses pencarian identitas Will, gue menyaksikan dengan sedih seorang bocah yang kehilangan kepolosan masa kanak2nya di usia yang terbilang sangat muda, tigabelas tahun! Usia dimana anak2 masih sibuk dengan Justin Bieber dan menjerit2 melihat artis pujaan di televisi.
Gue meratapi hilangnya kepolosan Will. Tidak ada yang lebih memilukan melihat seorang bocah menembak mati seseorang dengan berdarah dingin hanya karena dia tak mau ditinggal oleh mentornya. Meskipun alasan Will sangat masuk akal, untuk membela diri, pada prosesnya gue merasa dia sesungguhnya 'merencanakan pembunuhan'. And it's a very disturbing fact which will haunt me for a week.
Will menggambarkan hati manusia seperti dua kutub magnet yang saling tarik menarik, dia menyebut energi tarik menarik ini sebagai Das Ungehuer. Apakah hasil akhir dari das ungehuer ini adalah manusia atau monster?
Monster dalam cerita ini, Typhoes Magnificum, lebih merupakan metafora manusia. Penjelasannya sangat mendalam dan benar2 menuntut pembacanya berpikir lebih dalam ketimbang novel2 sebelumnya. Sepertinya dengan bertumbuhnya karakter Will, maka pengarang menantang pembacanya untuk berpikir lebih dalam dan mematangkan pikirannya. Ini adalah kualitas yang nyaris tak pernah gue temui dalam novel2 remaja jaman sekarang dan ini yang membuat serial The Monstrumologis tidak sepopuler novel semisal, Twilight dan pengikutnya.
Tapi bahkan dengan filosofi yang begitu mendalam, unsur horor dalam buku ini pun tidak mau ketinggalan. Tidak tanggung2, mulai dari bab2 pertama The Isle of Blood, Rick Yancey menggeber pembaca dengan dengan detail transmogrifikasi yang sedikit mengingatkan gue pada manga Uzumaki karangan Junji Ito, salah satu cerita horor yang berhasil meneror gue sampai berhari2 ke depan karena kesintingannya yang sangat melintir. Jangan dibaca kalau kalian tidak punya mental baja, manga itu cuma buat pembaca horor kelas tinggi doang. Gue aja tidak sanggup!
Perubahan manusia yang terkena racun biologis dari nidus ex magnificum atau karena ekspos terhadap makhluk yang terinfeksi benar2 bikin sakit kepala. Mereka berubah menjadi makhluk nokturnal dengan iris yang begitu besar sehingga hanya kegelapan yang nampak pada bola matanya, kuku dan gigi bertumbuh dan mengeras. Kulitnya membusuk dan mengering seperti mumi, dan otaknya meleleh hanya menyisakan bagian paling primitif, ditambah lagi dorongan kanibalistik yang tidak terkendali.
Seperti apakah wajah Typhoes Magnificum ini, monster yang begitu mengerikan sehingga bisa menghasilkan keturunan2 monster hanya dengan sentuhan? Nah... itu gue rahasiakan, silahkan baca bukunya sendiri.
Hakekatnya, buku ini merupakan serial horor terbaik yang gue baca sampe saat ini. Disusun dengan gaya Sherlock Holmes, bernuansa X-Files ato Fringe, sekaligus dipengaruhi kisah2 petualangan klasik karya Jules Verne. It's a great genre cross over.
March 30, 2023
توی جلد سوم ما شاهد بزرگ شدن ویل هنری هستیم.
چه از نظر عقلی و چه سنی.
داستان از رسیدن بستهایی مرموز شروع میشه و به جدا شدن ویل و وارثروپ ختم میشه.
مثل دو جلد قبل
حرفهای فلسفی کاراکتر ها ، دیالوگ های طولانی ، تشریح بدن و در نهایت علاقه یا عادت ویل هنری به وارثروپ رو داریم.
همچنان شخصیت پردازی قوی داریم و نکته مثبتی که داشت خیلی خوب تونسته بود این تغییر ویل هنری رو نشون بده.
اما در هر صورت ویل به وارثروپ عادت کرده یا شاید بشه گفت دوستش داره.
جالب بود شخصیتی که ویل رو از بچگی اذیت کرد و محبورش کرده بود که چیزهایی ، که بچه ها تحمل دیدنش رو ندارن، ببینه و با جنازه و کثافت بزرگ بشه، حالا به خاطر ویل اون رو کنار میزاره و ویل پسری که اذیت شده و این رو خودش میدونه نمیتونه وارثروپ رو کنار بزاره و برای برگشتش هرکاری میکنه با اینکه موقعیت عالی برای خودش پیدا کرده اما بازم به سمت وارثروپ میره.
همه این موارد رو توی داستانی معمایی دیگه تصور کنید
همه به دنبال فرستنده بسته مرموز و ویل به دنبال وارثروپ
وارد ماجرایی جدید میشن.
از سمت دیگه کسی که دست نوشته های ویل هنری رو میخونه تونسته ردی از خانواده ویل پیدا کنه.
امتیاز ۴
چه از نظر عقلی و چه سنی.
داستان از رسیدن بستهایی مرموز شروع میشه و به جدا شدن ویل و وارثروپ ختم میشه.
مثل دو جلد قبل
حرفهای فلسفی کاراکتر ها ، دیالوگ های طولانی ، تشریح بدن و در نهایت علاقه یا عادت ویل هنری به وارثروپ رو داریم.
همچنان شخصیت پردازی قوی داریم و نکته مثبتی که داشت خیلی خوب تونسته بود این تغییر ویل هنری رو نشون بده.
اما در هر صورت ویل به وارثروپ عادت کرده یا شاید بشه گفت دوستش داره.
جالب بود شخصیتی که ویل رو از بچگی اذیت کرد و محبورش کرده بود که چیزهایی ، که بچه ها تحمل دیدنش رو ندارن، ببینه و با جنازه و کثافت بزرگ بشه، حالا به خاطر ویل اون رو کنار میزاره و ویل پسری که اذیت شده و این رو خودش میدونه نمیتونه وارثروپ رو کنار بزاره و برای برگشتش هرکاری میکنه با اینکه موقعیت عالی برای خودش پیدا کرده اما بازم به سمت وارثروپ میره.
همه این موارد رو توی داستانی معمایی دیگه تصور کنید
همه به دنبال فرستنده بسته مرموز و ویل به دنبال وارثروپ
وارد ماجرایی جدید میشن.
از سمت دیگه کسی که دست نوشته های ویل هنری رو میخونه تونسته ردی از خانواده ویل پیدا کنه.
امتیاز ۴
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