Gosh, this is a heartbreaking but excellent book: emotional, tense, terrifying, yet hopeful and reassuring. I don’t know if I’ve ever read a book as gGosh, this is a heartbreaking but excellent book: emotional, tense, terrifying, yet hopeful and reassuring. I don’t know if I’ve ever read a book as genre-spanning and emotionally tugging as this was.
Be wary as there are some shocking and very upsetting scenes in this story. It’s not gratuitous but you’ll want to ensure you’re in the right headspace to read it.
The characters felt so real and human. They were frustrating and stubborn at times but so genuine that you can’t help but get invested. Characterizations were strong and very distinct. Even Heather, who was written almost entirely in the past-tense, had a strong sense of character and personality. Litta was a character unto itself - this book had an exceptional sense of place.
I'm going to need some time to fully process this one; I reckon it’ll be on my mind for a while!...more
This was slow to start but really picked up after 100 pages or so! I enjoyed the premise and the location. The storyline around the witches was well dThis was slow to start but really picked up after 100 pages or so! I enjoyed the premise and the location. The storyline around the witches was well done too!
The sheer amount of spelling and grammar mistakes were really distracting; but, my main quarrel was with the (view spoiler)[ totally saccharine ending (hide spoiler)]....more
Don’t be fooled by the size of it, this little book packs a punch! While very difficult reading in parts, this s4.5
A well-written and gripping story.
Don’t be fooled by the size of it, this little book packs a punch! While very difficult reading in parts, this such an engaging and profoundly real book.
I loved the wolves so much.
I was impressed by Inti’s growth and while she’s not a likeable character, she was real. Her pain felt so authentic and it was easy to understand why she lashed out so much.
I thought the ending fell a little flat and weakened the story a wee bit. (view spoiler)[ I was annoyed that number ten had to die because the sister was a loon. I was so scared it was going to be number ten attacking people that I was initially relieved it wasn't; but, the more I thought about how it was the sister responsible, the more flaky it felt. She should have been institutionalized. Inti was not able to provide the care and supervision she clearly needed. Duncan covering it up also lowered my opinion of him. It didn’t feel very authentic either. (hide spoiler)]
There is a lot of violence in this book: to animals, to people, to pets. It can be really difficult reading at times and very upsetting....more
While a bit predictable (and a wee bit stomach-churning at times), this is a highly readable book. It’s a time capsule to Victorian Edinburgh with a hWhile a bit predictable (and a wee bit stomach-churning at times), this is a highly readable book. It’s a time capsule to Victorian Edinburgh with a host of interesting characters. ...more
While I was excited to return to the world of the hungries, this book wasn’t quite as good as The GiBecause of the ending, I’m bumping this to a 3.5.
While I was excited to return to the world of the hungries, this book wasn’t quite as good as The Girl With All The Gifts.
The characters weren’t as interesting and I didn’t care one whit for the two main protagonists: I wasn’t keen on Dr Khan from the beginning. The fact that she’s stupid enough to compromise everyone’s safety is pretty astounding. Meanwhile, Stephen infuriated me. He caused so many problems, deaths, and frustration due to his refusal to communicate. He came across as daft, simple and a big baby. The dynamic between the two of them was pretty uncomfortable too.
The military vs scientists got really tedious. There wasn’t as much action and adventure in this book as TGWATG and there’s a lot of “waiting around”. However, the final 80 pages or so redeemed the book and kept it from being a total washout. The ending was wonderful!
TL;DR: This book does fill in some gaps when it comes to early days of hungries and the Breakdown, but it lacks the charm and engagement of it’s predecessor....more
This was very different than I thought it would be and much darker.
I love selkie folklore and Scotland so the subject and setting were wonderful. 3.5
This was very different than I thought it would be and much darker.
I love selkie folklore and Scotland so the subject and setting were wonderful.
Overall, I liked the Reverend’s story much more than the modern story. I just didn’t like Ruth, I thought she was a bit nutty to be honest; and the other characters that lived with her didn’t seem to have much going on either.
Overall, not what I thought but an enjoyable story!
I’ve never felt more manipulated by an unreliable narrator in my life!
4.5
While slow to start, (it took me five days to read the first 50 pages), it hI’ve never felt more manipulated by an unreliable narrator in my life!
4.5
While slow to start, (it took me five days to read the first 50 pages), it hooks you and doesn’t let you go (I finished the remaining 455 pages in one day)!
The story is excellent. The characters are good. There is an undercurrent of spooky/chilling that really leaves you questioning everything by the end!...more