dyslexzak's reviews
181 reviews

I Am a Hitman: The Real-Life Confessions of a Contract Killer by Anonymous Hitman

adventurous medium-paced

2.5

I’m not sure if I missed something going in to this, but I was under the admittedly whimsical impression that this was non-fiction.

I’m not convinced now. And as fiction, it’s nothing particularly notable.

The Road by Cormac McCarthy

challenging dark reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

This is a very difficult book to rate. There are things I think it does well.
A standout is the way the boy is written. I don’t believe we’re given a specific age for him, but I found his dialogue very real for a child in that situation.

The main drawback for me is just how slow it is. After DNFing it multiple times over the years I ended up getting the audiobook and listening to it on almost twice the speed in order to not get bored with so little going on.
With that said, once I was getting through it at a better pace, I did begin to enjoy it much more.

Berserk, Vol. 21 by Kentaro Miura

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

A fitting wrap up to the Conviction Arc. I look forward to beginning the next.

Berserk, Vol. 20 by Kentaro Miura

adventurous challenging dark inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

This volume feels like it progresses quite slowly.
It's obviously a middle chapter, with not much starting or ending to it.

Speechless: Controlling Words, Controlling Minds by Michael J. Knowles

informative reflective medium-paced

2.5

I read this book because of its inclusion on Chris Williamson's recommended reading list.
To be honest, there's nothing new being said here.

The Rime of the Ancient Mariner by Samuel Taylor Coleridge

adventurous challenging dark emotional inspiring mysterious reflective relaxing sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

 I read it on the recommendation of Philip Pullman in his book Daemon Voices.
I wasn't disappointed. 

A Creative Rebel's Guide to Writing Amazing Fiction by Meghan March

informative inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

4.0

Encouraging and motivating.
Some good tips too. Especially in the first half.

Philosophy in the Twilight Zone by

informative lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing medium-paced

3.5

Interesting ideas. Some of the essays more than others.

I’d recommend even if you’re not necessarily a fan of the series.

From the Oasthouse: The Alan Partridge Podcast (Series 2) by Alan Partridge

emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Listened to the whole thing in one go as I walked an impromptu marathon, chuckling and scoffing to myself all the way.

Dead Man's Hand: An Anthology of the Weird West by Ben H. Winters, John Joseph Adams, Christie Yant, David Farland, Tobias S. Buckell, Elizabeth Bear, Jonathan Maberry, Hugh Howey, Kelley Armstrong, Mike Resnick, Beth Revis, Seanan McGuire, Joe R. Lansdale, Alastair Reynolds, Tad Williams, Rajan Khanna, Laura Anne Gilman, Alan Dean Foster, Ken Liu, Orson Scott Card, Charles Yu, Fred Van Lente, Jeffrey Ford, Walter Jon Williams

adventurous dark emotional funny inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Always tough to rate anthologies. There are two five star reads towards the end.
The rest are varying from good but not my thing, to good and my thing.
I wish there were more anthologies like this for other niche genres.