Thank you to Owen King, Scribner, and NetGalley for an eARC of The Curator!

I want to start off by saying this book just was not for me, but it could be the right book for another person! Unfortunately I DNFed this book at about 25%.

Overall, I thought the writing was well done from a descriptive standpoint. King's descriptions helped me to create incredibly vivid scenes in my head. That, however, is where my interest stopped.

The reader is dropped into the end of a revolution where a new government is taking over. This type of situation takes a lot of set up and I understand that, but with the plot of the book not even being hinted at within the first 25%, the story moved a bit too slow for me. I couldn't even really get a read on the characters.

I started and stopped this book so many times hoping I would get into it and I just couldn't.

I rated this book 3 stars because even though I didn't enjoy it, that doesn't mean someone else will!

Owen King's The Curator presents an immersive narrative that thoughtfully delves into the themes of memory, loss, and the intricacies of human emotion. Set in a world where the ordinary seamlessly intertwines with the extraordinary, King's storytelling captivates from the very first page, inviting readers into a richly woven tapestry of experiences.

The protagonist is a deeply relatable character, grappling with insecurities and the burdens of past decisions. King skillfully examines this character's inner turmoil, highlighting the delicate balance between personal aspirations and the responsibilities that come with them. This internal conflict not only engages readers but also serves as a poignant reflection of the universal challenges many encounter in their own lives.

King’s prose is both lyrical and evocative, painting vivid imagery that lingers long after the reading experience. His gift for incorporating intricate details enhances the story's atmospheric quality, making each scene feel vibrant and tangible. The pacing is expertly crafted, alternating between moments of tension and quieter, more reflective passages that invite deeper contemplation.

At the heart of The Curator are themes of memory and the profound impact of the past on our identities. King’s nuanced approach encourages readers to engage deeply with the text, prompting introspection about their own experiences and the ways they curate and reinterpret their memories over time.

The Curator is a masterful work that showcases Owen King's exceptional storytelling prowess. It offers a poignant exploration of the human condition, rich with emotion and insight. This novel is a must-read for anyone who appreciates literature that challenges and resonates, leaving a lasting impression long after the final page is turned.

Owen King’s dad is one of my favorite horror writers, naturally I need to check if the Apple don’t fall far from the tree with this book. Set in a seemingly ordinary small town, the story follows a curator who discovers an eerie and unsettling collection of artifacts that begin to have disturbing effects on the community. King’s prose is atmospheric and evocative, drawing readers into a chilling narrative that explores themes of fear, history, and the unknown. Read this is you’re a fan of both psychological and supernatural horror.

yikes. this book is flabby and desperately needed a strong guiding hand because while it attempts many things, it doesn't succeed in any of them. so weird. did not like this

DNF @ 30%

I wanted to like this book so much. The premise fascinated me, then throw in some shady corrupt folks, secret societies, and magical cats and I was sold. But the reality of this book drained all the joy from these elements that I typically love so much. The writing is dry and pretentious and cold. The story meanders about without answering any questions or giving you much solid plot to sink your teeth into. There wasn't a single likeable character to be found.

I forced myself to pick this up again and again, but I'm finally throwing in the towel.

Ahh I have tried this author before but wanted to give him anther chance- same. The book just wasn't for me but I am sure his followers will love it. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher!

I really liked this story. It was a fun idea and well executed. The characters were well fleshed out and the story was cohesive and well planned. It was definitely hard to follow at times and IMO will only appeal to true sci/fi readers but I liked it.

The Curator
Written by Owen King
Read by Marin Ireland
Genre: Fantasy
Format: Audio/Digital, ARC
Pages/Time: 480/14hr 19min
Published: 2023
Rating: DNF @ 22%

"If immortals don’t eventually long for their own deaths, they must surely long for the deaths of fellow immortals."

One of my New Year's Resolutions was to give into mood reading. This is going to require me to DNF books that I am just not feeling. Unfortunately for The Curator, this is a book I was just not feeling. I could not get invested in these characters. I didn't find any of them interesting to read and that their dialogue was clunky and obnoxious. This one just wasn't for me.

The plot of this book seemed like a great fit for me. Unfortunately, the writing style was overwrought and slow paced. I could not finish it.

DNF.
This title really wasn’t my style. Started off really slow and was confusing to me. There were too many societies and entities introduced at the very beginning for me to even grasp what was going on. I had high hopes because of its description but I never felt like I got a footing in the world created. Maybe if I had stuck with the book would have been everything that I wanted.

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to review. I apologize that it just was not for me.

I absolutely loved it. I love Owen Kings novels in general and specifically the Swann especially with Cat as God’s. he just keeps getting better and better with every novel.

The author has crafted a peculiar, untamed, and, I must emphasize, occasionally delightful Dickensian narrative.

Initially, I found myself disliking and struggling to comprehend the book’s content. However, it wasn’t until I was almost halfway through the story that the pieces of the puzzle began falling into place. Suddenly, the actions and motivations of the characters came into focus, and I found myself enjoying the tale from that point onward.

Within the pages of this book, Owen King has bestowed upon us a world where the boundaries of possibility are stretched, and the unexpected reigns supreme. If you have an affinity for Dickensian themes—orphans, the clash between determination and adversity, and the spectre of revolution—then there’s a good chance you’ll find something to appreciate within these pages.

3.5 stars rounded upto 4.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for sending a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

DNF-I think I made it to 10% on my third attempt of this.

I received an ARC of this through Netgalley and was very excited. I loved Sleeping Beauties, the book King wrote with his father, and had high hopes. I liked what I saw in the summary-"Dickensian fantasy of illusion and charm where cats are revered as religious figures, thieves are noble, scholars are revolutionaries, and conjurers are the most wonderful criminals you can imagine." This seemed to check all the boxes of something I liked.

And it just..wasn't. I attempted to finish this prior to release date in March. I made it a few chapters in and just wasn't connecting. It felt pretentious and I was overall bored. I waited a few months and attempted the audiobook and after listening for a while realized it was just background noise for. I tried one more time with the audiobook today and I just can't justify sending myself into a reading slump to finish this.

Thank you Negalley for providing this ARC to me!

This book was awesome! Sorry for the late review.

This book was spooky and entertaining. Which isn’t a surprise based on who wrote it.

Thank you for the advanced copy!

While I was looking forward to this book, I ended up DNFing it fairly early on. When I wasn't reading the book, I had no sense of urgency to pick it back up. The writing felt pretentious, and not in an endearing way, more like in a try-hard way. The worldbuilding and plot were confusing, meandering, and all over the place. From what I've seen from other reviews, these things do not get better as the book progresses. For these reasons, I decided to stop reading the book.

I wanted to like this book. Based on the preliminary information, I expected to, but as I started reading, I really don't like it. There is little character development, They are flat, emotionless. The worldbuilding was somewhat interesting but not enough to save the book. I read the first half and quit. It is seldom a book hits my DNF list, but this one did.

***Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for providing me with a digital copy of this book to review.***

This novel had such a promising premise--magical kingdoms, political intrigue, and mystery. Unfortunately, the writing was hard to digest and the characters felt two-dimensional.
I would recommend trying Double Feature or Sleeping Beauties if you're hoping to try an Owen King novel.

This book was a bit difficult for me to follow at times, but had an interesting premise. I didn’t feel connected to the characters as much as I would have liked to but I was interested in the outcome. It’s a fantastical story and I am intrigued enough to want to read the authors other works.

This book was absolutely fantastic. I've already added it to our list for order next year and will recommend it to students.