I just have a quick note since you included so many! I'm impressed by your thorough examination of the book.
While reading the summary and your commentary, I was reminded of the good things from the book. I loved how the book didn't always take the obvious plot route! But in the audio version, I felt like the creepy imagery resulted in something really slow and dull with tedious "emo" moments of self doubt. It's really interesting that the same content can completely change with the delivery. Maybe when I've got more time on my hands, I will try it again - thanks for sharing your review!
tl;dr - the book sounds really promising, but do not recommend the audio
Thanks! I got a little carried away doing this review.
I've never been able to get into audio books, because my mind wanders, but I agree that the narrator's style of reading would totally affect how I feel about a book. The only one I've ever liked is listening to Neil Gaiman read The Graveyard Book, and that was partly just the novelty of having the author narrate in his British accent.
Great review! (Followed your link from bookish.)I managed to get this from the library because I kept seeing people posting about it everywhere. Overall I enjoyed it and agree with everything you said here. I don't seek out YA books, but I find that there are many YA authors who write darker fairy stories, which I prefer to what else is out there.
I'm curious if you've read Tithe by Holly Black? The Replacement reminded me a lot of that series and I wish I could find more books like these.
Thanks! I haven't read Tithe yet, but it's on my list. I loved Holly Black's White Cat so much that I'd like to read her other novels. I've really only read her short stories and graphic novels before.
I don't know if you've read these, but you might like Melissa Marr's books if you like dark faerie stories. I think the later books in the series are weaker than the first two (Wicked Lovely and Ink Exchange), but it's a really popular series and has an interesting faerie mythology. I like Lesley Livingston's Wondrous Strange series too, a lot, and the third book is out really soon, if not already.
Comments 5
While reading the summary and your commentary, I was reminded of the good things from the book. I loved how the book didn't always take the obvious plot route! But in the audio version, I felt like the creepy imagery resulted in something really slow and dull with tedious "emo" moments of self doubt. It's really interesting that the same content can completely change with the delivery. Maybe when I've got more time on my hands, I will try it again - thanks for sharing your review!
tl;dr - the book sounds really promising, but do not recommend the audio
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I've never been able to get into audio books, because my mind wanders, but I agree that the narrator's style of reading would totally affect how I feel about a book. The only one I've ever liked is listening to Neil Gaiman read The Graveyard Book, and that was partly just the novelty of having the author narrate in his British accent.
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I'm curious if you've read Tithe by Holly Black? The Replacement reminded me a lot of that series and I wish I could find more books like these.
Reply
I don't know if you've read these, but you might like Melissa Marr's books if you like dark faerie stories. I think the later books in the series are weaker than the first two (Wicked Lovely and Ink Exchange), but it's a really popular series and has an interesting faerie mythology. I like Lesley Livingston's Wondrous Strange series too, a lot, and the third book is out really soon, if not already.
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Thank you, I'll check out Lesley Livingston!
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