Helpful Score: 3
Full Disclosure: I received my copy of "This Book is Full of Spiders" from one of the many tor.com free book giveaways. And it's an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy).
And? Loved it. This book was *great*. Action-packed without being too confusing. Interesting, other-worldly antagonists and secrets. A narrator (for some of the book, anyway), that was fun to read. From about halfway through the book, I kept expecting the story to end and was wondering how the heck half the book was still unread. And yet, I was really kept on my seat all the way to the final pages.
Some of the writing seemed a bit "new writer"-ish; for instance the book starts off strongly first-person, but shifts to third person from time to time, like the author realized he couldn't tell parts of the story he wanted to without shifting the perspective.
So there was some "technique" that felt rushed. But the story *itself* never did. The "rushed plot" syndrome that I always seem to run across with other authors on the "finish the book" slog really wasn't here at all. And that was a lovely surprise.
Is there penis humor? A touch of crass? Yes. Yes there is. If that's off-putting to you, stay away. If you're looking for deep, thinking themes, and heavy intellectualism, stay away. But if you want a humorous adventure that starts by peeing off a water tower, give this a shot.
5 of 5 stars.
And? Loved it. This book was *great*. Action-packed without being too confusing. Interesting, other-worldly antagonists and secrets. A narrator (for some of the book, anyway), that was fun to read. From about halfway through the book, I kept expecting the story to end and was wondering how the heck half the book was still unread. And yet, I was really kept on my seat all the way to the final pages.
Some of the writing seemed a bit "new writer"-ish; for instance the book starts off strongly first-person, but shifts to third person from time to time, like the author realized he couldn't tell parts of the story he wanted to without shifting the perspective.
So there was some "technique" that felt rushed. But the story *itself* never did. The "rushed plot" syndrome that I always seem to run across with other authors on the "finish the book" slog really wasn't here at all. And that was a lovely surprise.
Is there penis humor? A touch of crass? Yes. Yes there is. If that's off-putting to you, stay away. If you're looking for deep, thinking themes, and heavy intellectualism, stay away. But if you want a humorous adventure that starts by peeing off a water tower, give this a shot.
5 of 5 stars.
This book is off-the-wall!
Well-written, the author takes a lot of liberties even for Sci-Fantasy, and manages to combine some cryptic language, outrageous visuals and off-the-chart thoughts on a whole lot of things.
This went down like an ice cold lemonade - spiked - on a hot day.
Funny book!
Well-written, the author takes a lot of liberties even for Sci-Fantasy, and manages to combine some cryptic language, outrageous visuals and off-the-chart thoughts on a whole lot of things.
This went down like an ice cold lemonade - spiked - on a hot day.
Funny book!
I. Hate. This. Book.
Okay, not really, but the ending, which I won't spoil, was upsetting.
So let me tell you, this book was well and truly full of spiders. Gross. It made me shudder just reading about them!!!! This sequel was all together creepier, and more serious than it's predecessor. John Dies At The End, while creepy, and it had it's sad parts, was a lot lighter and more humorous. Things in this book escalated quickly. Stuff got serious within the first chapter or two.
It doesn't take away from the book at all. This was equally good, and it was evident that things clearly had to get worse this time around. John and Dave are thrown into save-the-world situations, again, only this time they get separated and have to work toward the same goals while apart. It definitely made for some anxious moments and the reader routing for them to make their way back together.
There was still humor, and John and Dave's shenanigans will probably always be epic. I am very much looking forward to the next installment!
Okay, not really, but the ending, which I won't spoil, was upsetting.
So let me tell you, this book was well and truly full of spiders. Gross. It made me shudder just reading about them!!!! This sequel was all together creepier, and more serious than it's predecessor. John Dies At The End, while creepy, and it had it's sad parts, was a lot lighter and more humorous. Things in this book escalated quickly. Stuff got serious within the first chapter or two.
It doesn't take away from the book at all. This was equally good, and it was evident that things clearly had to get worse this time around. John and Dave are thrown into save-the-world situations, again, only this time they get separated and have to work toward the same goals while apart. It definitely made for some anxious moments and the reader routing for them to make their way back together.
There was still humor, and John and Dave's shenanigans will probably always be epic. I am very much looking forward to the next installment!
