jessicaxmaria's Reviews (1.04k)

Like most of I've read so far, I love this series and I think it's a fun read. However, was totally thrown off in this volume by the guest artist in the first two issues. Looked like straight anime, and I was questioning which characters were which - not cool. Couldn't wait to finish those parts.

I do love these characters, but for the first time in the series, I felt like there was some unwieldy and sometimes unnecessary new characters/plotlines. Perhaps since the original Book 4 had to be split into this and the next - but still, there were chapters (the Iron Men/Greyjoys) that moved slowly and didn't hold much interest in me at all. I missed many of the characters that were cut to save for the next book.

That said, the book was still great, and the last few chapters were really building in momentum.

Ever since I started reading Didion I've been enamored, and this, her first novel, did not disappoint. It's bleak, impossibly sad, and tragic. And I loved every sentence. I would re-read paragraphs just to take in the prose again, and nearly every page is earmarked for a passage I liked. But, fair warning - it's depressing and the characters aren't exactly the most likable. But that's part of what I loved about it. I understand not everyone likes reading sad novels...particularly those about a dismal marriage.

A truly great series; completely captivating from beginning to end with rich characters and thoughtful storylines. I slowed down halfway through the book because I didn't want it to end.

It's interesting how straight-forward the writing is here, given how emotional it made me while I read it. Like another novel I read recently about a sad marriage (Run River by Joan Didion), the prose is bleak, blunt, and the characters are not entirely likable. But I loved them both - maybe the depressing aspects of a relationship are just much more tangible than the flowery, romantic ones. Intensely enjoyed Revolutionary Road in all its depressing and vile moments.

(A couple of lines made me take in my breath aloud, so shocking were the utterances by certain characters.)

A classic I'd heard of but never read for many years, it lived up to the eerieness. Even with a character a plot I was somewhat familiar with, it was still worth the read. Really liked it.

I started reading this book having really no idea what it was about; I honestly thought it may have been a romance of some sort. Come to find it's a masterfully written novel about five people who are completely different, but all alike in their loneliness. Their experiences are varied, with one character as their common thread. A powerful book, and inherently sad.

Highly recommend - also in awe of the world view that the author, Carson McCullers, had at that time she wrote it. She was only twenty-three when this book was published.

Really enjoyed reading this, even though zombies seemed so "played out" at this point. Started off a little predictable, but quickly shocked me time after time with events and character decisions. Looking forward to the AMC series as well as the 2nd volume!

When I first read this 12 years ago, I liked it, but didn't love it. Now, at twenty-seven, rereading it, I fell completely in love with Jane, Rochester, Thornfield Hall, and the writing. Way more action than I remember there being - and far more creepy! Loved it - going from four to five stars!

I can appreciate the interesting structure and point-of-view of the novel, but the story itself wasn't as moving as most of her writing usually is. I liked it! A quick read, and another check as I continue through Didion's works.