tobin_elliott's reviews
489 reviews

In a lot of ways, this series, to me, feels a lot like Tynion's DEPARTMENT OF TRUTH, in that there's a lot going on, there's a lot of backstory, and it all has to play out methodically for the reader to understand it...

...but there's so much going on, and the pace is so slow, that it's obviously going to take a hell of a long time to understand...if ever.

Because there's also the problem of Tynion's A NICE HOUSE ON THE LAKE, that was interesting, had an endpoint and...didn't end. It was all a prologue for another story. So, I've been both burned by Tynion with that series, and lulled into a story that took forever to get anywhere with DEPARTMENT. 

And now, I'm at the same stage with this one. 

Like the others, there's a really interesting story at its core, and I'd love to know where it's all leading...but I feel like the story's being drawn out far too long.

So, yeah, as interesting as this volume was, I didn't really need a long explanation of how the Lane's decided to name their kids Asimov, Clarke, and Bradbury, and how Winter liked Asimov's name. I love a good story, but I do require a touch more forward momentum than I'm being given here.

I will say, the art? While not the usual style I enjoy, I absolutely loved. Perfect for the atmosphere Tynion's going for here.

That being said, I need more than what I'm being given, so, I'm out.

It's almost embarrassing, how much I enjoy Tim McGregor's writing. He's got this way of seizing upon the exact right words, the exact right phrases, the precise characters and events and observations to not just tell an entertaining—and haunting—story, but also one that captures the reader's imagination and absolutely sells the small town setting and its inhabitants. He's done this (in the books I've read so far) so well in WASPS IN THE ICE CREAM, the incredible HEARTS STRANGE AND DREADFUL, the absolutely gorgeous EYNHALLOW, and now, here again in this slim book.

It blows me away how, in a few deft sentences, he can set tone and atmosphere, then hold it like a stubborn fog that won't lift as he weaves the story. And this one? It's haunting.

And Kelly Williams's illustrations? They simply add to the story. 

It's probably the most "horror" of his books I've read thus far, and that goes to show that McGregor can dive into the most overt scares, or go far more subtle, as he has in both WASPS and EYNHALLOW.

If you haven't read his stuff, this is something you should remedy immediately. His writing is freaking magical.

This book was an absolute blast. Behrens has crafted a simple, compelling story that beautifully captures the atmosphere, the horror, and the cosmic unknowables of the Lovecraftian mythos.

I enjoyed the hell out of this one. BUY THIS BOOK.

Absolutely gorgeous book. Incredible illustrations, and the writing just adds to it. Brilliant.

I have no idea how Butcher does it, but damn...he just keeps raising the stakes, throwing the curveballs, and sucking me in.

I'm still a little in shock at the events of this one, in a good way, and yet again, I barreled through this, because I was enjoying the ride so freaking much.

What a great series.

Pleasantly surprised at the quality of the art and stories in this one. Loved this.

Only okay.

I was expecting a lot more oomph out of this one. Yes, it brought a bunch of REH heroes together, but there didn't seem to be big stakes, and virtually no consequences to the deaths.

I was really hoping for a lot more out of this.

Tapping out on this one about a quarter of the way through. There's nothing wrong with it, it's just not grabbing me as I'd expected it to.

Absolute awesome collection of five short, very different stories, each packing its own punch. "Wish" and "Penance" are definitely the standouts, but there isn't a stinker in the bunch.

Honestly, if you haven't checked out Knott's stuff, this is the perfect place to onboard. He has a wonderful style of writing that easily captures very common, very realistic characters, then he drops them in his various black holes of horror.

But I have to say, from the very humble beginning of the first story, Wish, it just blows up into this cosmic mind-blowing story with some of the best writing I've ever read, period. Why Knott hasn't been snapped up by a major publisher, I'll never understand.

Read this.

Truly a fascinating, if brief, look into the carefully described world of Brian Epstein. Written at the literal height of Beatlemania, and published less than two years before his death, we get a cautious, self-effacing look into the man who helped put the Beatles on the map. His importance with the band cannot be overstated, and despite his having little experience in managing any band, let alone the biggest one the world has ever seen, the aftermath of his death also shows what a steadying influence he was on them.

This is a good book, but also a tragic one, knowing all that we know in the almost sixty years since his passing.