The Burn Line

Got this as An ARC from NetGalleyI do want to say I was a bit disappointed with this one. I have read books from this author and really enjoyed it! it had great tension, horror and characters. For this book, it started off mostly okay, things were explained a little too much for my liking and it was very much a slow burn (ha) to start with. The chapters are split to each one in each part is a different character which is quite fun, yet I felt the character voices were a bit weak. They kind of mixed together in a way that I would sometimes struggle to remember who's chapter it was meant to be if all the characters are together. There were some lines I felt that suited one character but then something similar is said for another and the only clear distinction in voice was between who was male and who was female in each chapter. It did well to make them feel like a cohesive unit of people but not so much to let their individuality shine through. Which is a shame as there is a diverse selection of characters and lived experiences that are relevant to the story and do lend a hand to some of the tension presented. With all that said the I would not say I disliked any character. I think they all worked to show a real world group of Londoners and helps show that the horrors can persist for almost all of us.Due to the chapters being different characters I did feel there were more than a few points that were explained or described multiple times, but coming through someone else's eyes (though the outcome wasn't really any different between them, apart from maybe will once or twice) This did mean that some parts dragged as I felt like I was a toddler who might forget what happened 2 chapters ago if it wasn't mentioned again. It did help with some points and give hints to a wider theory of what was going on, but I could have done with less as that theory (that ended up being right) was made so quickly I didn't feel like I could be wrongTo flip to a good point - the initial horror scenes were very well done. There is a clear sense of dread that they bring and these parts were described in just the right detail to give me a clear an horrid picture but also room for my imagination to really make it creepy. This is the parts Sims excels at and I was sad to not have more of this (but makes sense why we didn't). One particular thing that I really liked was the fact that *minor spoiler* <spoiler>the characters are mostly paralyzed during these moments. it allows them time to really see all that is happening around them, letting their own imaginations run wild with possibilities, and allows them to explain to us in a far more granular way what is happening </spoiler>*minor spoiler over*It left me trying to puzzle out what was happening and what it was that was hunting them all.The twist in the mid point of the book is what really caused a pain point for me. It was a proper 'oh F**k off' moment, one even a character has. I really didn't like it and by the time I got to the end it really felt more of like a oh its stupid because it is and that will mean your not surprised by another twist later. It took out all tension for later in the book, especially when during that tension it all but tells you what will happen first then explains how it will go. I just felt like you were given the story on a plate and it tried to hone in a narrative that jus had me rolling my eyes. *minor spoiler again* <spoiler>There was such a theme of capitalism is bad, all money is corrupt! Look it makes monsters!! The Queen is in on it too!! I ended up getting to the end like jeez I get it reel it in a little! it did make a good story line but I feel that in a different order (middle twist either being when they are betrayed or just not in it at all) it would have had more impact and I would have been rooting more for the characters than I was. </spoiler>*minor spoiler over*Over all it was an okay book but it didn't do itself justice by explaining everything that it could. nothing was left to be implied, themes were very black and white and I just wanted it to be a bit more. I do see this having a certain appeal for some readers and could be quite an enjoyable book if you don't mind being beaten with a metaphor. but in the end was just not for me

I enjoyed this book so much. I'm a fan of the Magnus Archives as well as Sims' other works and this did not disappoint. Jonathan Sims has the ability to turn the mundane into creeping dread.

Seven people on a subway car in the middle of summer encounter a horrifying monster. None of them can remember that the monster eats one of their number and they go their separate ways. The story follows five of these individuals as they realize they're being stalked by whatever is living in the subway tunnels.

I found the beginning of the book to be a little slow, but not unbearable. The whole book feels a bit like Scooby Do done by John Carpenter. You can spot the 'bad guy' from a mile away, but it didn't deter from the story.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the copy in exchange for an honest review.