Reviews tagging 'Violence'

Die Bibliothek am Mount Char by Scott Hawkins

260 reviews

syddevo's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

A common review I've seen about this book is that you can't really describe it in a good enough way, you just have to read it. Now that I have finished the book, I understand this statement entirely. I would HIGHLY recommend reviewing content warnings if you have any strong stances on topics you do not wish to read about.
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gladiolus17's review against another edition

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dark funny mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I am so torn, because on one hand I had a viciously wonderful jaunty good time, and on the other, there were some tropes I didn’t enjoy. I also underestimated the amount of violence and gore in the book, so don’t go in here thinking it’ll be lighthearted!

I really loved hearing the backstories of the characters. The author does a very good job characterizing people in a short amount of time. Irwin’s backstory made me tear up. 

This is just personal preference, but I dislike “red herrings” or how to describe this? The first 75% of the book has the characters scrambling against challenges that actually have 1% meaning in the end, it was just all randomly set up for Carolyn’s gain. Even though I loved the lions and the weirdness with the dogs, it only mattered that Steve dropped the gun magazine.


I also didn’t like the slight instances of male gaze when Steve ogles Carolyn, but this is totally a personal preference.


I have mixed feelings, but overall I think I enjoyed this?
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mistressvulca's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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floressius's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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ahoyitsjoy's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Such a good book. Very confusing, but everything comes together well in the end. I found the librarians, and especially Carolyn, so fascinating. The book almost never explicitly tells you what's going on with her, but there's so much between what's said and unsaid that makes her one of the most interesting characters I've ever read about. The writing is so good at effortlessly moving between brutal violence and horror, absurd humor, and brief moments of quiet contemplation of what it means to be human. I'll be thinking about this one for a long time.
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pinkyoshi's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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melgal's review against another edition

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4.75

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tetrootz's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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wyabook234's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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memyselfandbecca's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

This is a very ambitious book that throws you in and you either sink or swim. But if you keep going it is a massive pay off. 
The world slowly comes together and I'd love to read more within it. 
The charters that are focused on are engaging and complex but can take some time to get your head around. 
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