**spoiler alert** The lettering on the dust jacket glows in the dark. That's something I haven't seen before. Unfortunately, that's about the only thi**spoiler alert** The lettering on the dust jacket glows in the dark. That's something I haven't seen before. Unfortunately, that's about the only thing I found about this book that surprised me. Seriously, it felt as if the author tried to cram every horror convention into this novel: witches, giant insects, ghosts, people who see ghosts, child killers, scary woods, evil as old as time, old person who dies from fright, evil being disguised as person who should be dead, etc., etc. And the characters' motives never seemed quite believable (or stable). Then again, I'm jaded and well...books just don't scare me, so getting an overdose of things meant to scare me just works in the opposite manner.
Fortunately, even though the story itself felt as if Irwin was writing in a genre in which he was either not well read or too eager to encapsulate into one book, his writing was competent and enjoyable. He can definitely turn a poetic phrase and his description really helps set the tone. I'd be interested in reading something from him that was less genre. If horror/dark fiction is your sole cup of tea, you might like this novel....more
This was an interesting read, and I feel like if I re-read it and put forth some effort at analysis of the characters and plot then I would likely it This was an interesting read, and I feel like if I re-read it and put forth some effort at analysis of the characters and plot then I would likely it give another star. But I didn't enjoy doing that in high school or college. It always ultimately felt like pointless speculation. The author's message is important, but not as important (to me) as what I come away with from reading the work, the impression it leaves on me.
When I read a book now, I want to either connect to it on some deeper level or just have a good time reading it. NUMB did a little of both, but I never really connected with the main character. His motivation and disposition always seemed...well, numb. Even his desire to discover his true identity seemed half-hearted, which made him a little less interesting to me.
Overall, the story was interesting and did keep me reading. I enjoyed Ferrell's style: poetic at times but not overtly or forced. The story felt surreal at times, but not so much that it fell into the realm of fantasy. I can see myself reading more Ferrell in the future....more
Maybe it's the genre, but I was hard-pressed to find anything in this story that kept my interest. Granted, the author has a way with words and a veryMaybe it's the genre, but I was hard-pressed to find anything in this story that kept my interest. Granted, the author has a way with words and a very competent writing style that leans towards the poetic, but I never found myself caring one bit about the characters. I could tell where I should have been amused, scared, intrigued. I just never was. Save for one or two interesting concepts, I didn't much look forward to reading it after the first couple of chapters. Most of the magic and associated players never had the effect on me it seems was intended. But, again, the author has a strong writing style and I wouldn't be surprised if some of his other works were more suited to my tastes....more
Though lyrical at points, overall I don't think this book would qualify as such. The characters never seemed developed enough for me to connect with oThough lyrical at points, overall I don't think this book would qualify as such. The characters never seemed developed enough for me to connect with or care much about them. Whenever the plot seemed as if it was going to get interesting, it never fleshed out enough to leave me satisfied. It was a quick read, though, with occasional gems of insight. Perhaps if I'd been more interested in the back story and history of Kashmir, I would have enjoyed this more....more
I agree with many of the 1-2 star reviews here. This book seemed rushed, a bit predictable, and the ending didn't ring true for me in any way. Maybe II agree with many of the 1-2 star reviews here. This book seemed rushed, a bit predictable, and the ending didn't ring true for me in any way. Maybe I missed some things, but I never felt Pippa was fleshed-out enough to believe in much of what she did and why....more
I was surprised that I enjoyed this book for its historical context. I was never a big fan of history, so historical fiction has never been much of a I was surprised that I enjoyed this book for its historical context. I was never a big fan of history, so historical fiction has never been much of a draw for me, but I wanted to give it a shot. Stott does an excellent job of weaving history in with her story to make both more interesting. I'd go so far as to say it's piqued my interest in this genre and the history of France.
The story was compelling enough to keep me reading, though not necessarily unique or inspired. I enjoyed the main character's submersion into a part of France he likely never thought existed, much less expected himself to stumble into. The characters were well-drawn, though I can see where this book could have been much thicker had each character been fleshed-out a bit more. Still, there was enough of each to wrap my head around and enjoy their interactions.
In short, it was a quick, fun, and interesting read, as well as an enlightening glimpse at post-revolutionary France....more
"To understand the nature of a thing, it must be taken apart."
This is an integral part of this book's plot, so I'll use it to write my review. I'll st"To understand the nature of a thing, it must be taken apart."
This is an integral part of this book's plot, so I'll use it to write my review. I'll start with what I liked.
- The writing: McMahon has an efficient but complete way of setting the scene and creating believable interactions between her characters. Not once did I feel she was trying too hard or feel the narrative was lacking. Poetic and beautiful at times, but not overly so.
- The flow: Jumping back and forth between the past and present in a novel is not an easy thing, but McMahon pulled it off flawlessly for me. Not once did I wonder "when" I was, and the interlacing of the two time periods worked very well to build the story.
- The suspense: The only time I put down the book was when I didn't have the time to read or it was time to sleep. The chapters were relatively short but very effective.
- The characters: Okay, so I'm not sure I'd actually like these characters if I met them in life. But I did care about them, connect with them, and felt I was given a real account of their motivations and feelings.
- The exposition: Though many of the questions are answered at the end, it doesn't go on and on to feel like a tidy wrap-up. And as for the questions that might never be answered, we are given enough to make us wonder and think about the possibilities, which I always admire in a story.
Now on to what I wasn't so happy with, which is a bit tricky to do without giving too much away. I already knew this novel had a big twist at the end, and I dig a big twist. What I thought was the twist turned out not to be, but in the short interim I believed otherwise, I was disappointed. Fortunately, McMahon hit me with two bigger twists that felt less convenient and far more intriguing. Admittedly, I felt one of the surprises was on the verge of trickery (from a writer's standpoint), but it still worked.
I don't read a lot of suspense, but I can definitely see myself reading more by McMahon....more
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