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meliemelo's reviews
2210 reviews
A Darker Shade of Noir: New Stories of Body Horror by Women Writers by Joyce Carol Oates
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.5
I must admit I was a little disappointed overall. With one (very memorable) exception (that perhaps went even too far for my taste), the stories weren't creepy enough for me, I expected more chills and gruesomeness.
I did appreciate the variety of perspectives and ideas, including on the definition of body horror, but I guess most of it wasn't what I expected.
I did appreciate the variety of perspectives and ideas, including on the definition of body horror, but I guess most of it wasn't what I expected.
Whalefall by Daniel Kraus
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
What an amazing, breathtaking read. I was hooked right from the start.
This is a very different kind of initiatory journey, and there are various things to love, from the complicated family relationships to intense moments of body horror, all through very short chapters that do make it quite hard to put the book down. A lot of fascinating facts about the ocean and its inhabitants as well. As pointed out by others, it did remind me of <i>The Martian</i>, but with quite a different tone.
Also, I am pretty sure this is the only books where I have gone so starkly from "oh I hope they make a good movie adaptation of this, it would be great" to "actually I wouldn't have the stomach to watch it"!
This is a very different kind of initiatory journey, and there are various things to love, from the complicated family relationships to intense moments of body horror, all through very short chapters that do make it quite hard to put the book down. A lot of fascinating facts about the ocean and its inhabitants as well. As pointed out by others, it did remind me of <i>The Martian</i>, but with quite a different tone.
Also, I am pretty sure this is the only books where I have gone so starkly from "oh I hope they make a good movie adaptation of this, it would be great" to "actually I wouldn't have the stomach to watch it"!
One Piece (Omnibus Edition), Vol. 7: Includes Vols. 19, 20 & 21 by Eiichiro Oda
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
2.75
Little plot advancement beyond battles in this one, although there are cool moments.
Ronin: A Visions Novel by Emma Mieko Candon
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Having loved the <i>Visions</i> episode, I was delighted to find out that a novel had been inspired by it.
Unfortunately, it isn't canon, and thus, as I later found out, took a lot of liberties with the lore - that said, I can appreciate the author's goal of making the mythology her own, using her culture, which had inspired Star Wars to begin with. Furthermore, I really liked the Sith history as it was presented, hence my disappointment when I finally looked up the canon. I also enjoyed how the Jedi and Sith morals are examined in this version.
The characters are interesting (though perhaps a tad too numerous to be used properly), the story as well (although the pacing was a bit slow at time). All in all not a bad read and I'm glad I picked it up.
Unfortunately, it isn't canon, and thus, as I later found out, took a lot of liberties with the lore - that said, I can appreciate the author's goal of making the mythology her own, using her culture, which had inspired Star Wars to begin with. Furthermore, I really liked the Sith history as it was presented, hence my disappointment when I finally looked up the canon. I also enjoyed how the Jedi and Sith morals are examined in this version.
The characters are interesting (though perhaps a tad too numerous to be used properly), the story as well (although the pacing was a bit slow at time). All in all not a bad read and I'm glad I picked it up.
Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic by Alison Bechdel
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
3.75
Having seen (and been deeply moved by) the musical, I was happy to get the chance to read the original comic. Bechdel's account of her father's life and of her relationship with him is all at once touching, honest and sad. You feel for her trying to relate to this unlikeable, sometimes tyrannical character through their common points, without masking or excusing his flaws.
A heavy but valuable read.
A heavy but valuable read.
Realm Breaker by Victoria Aveyard
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
This has a lot of very good elements: an interesting, a high-stakes premise, a vast world, protagonists getting together, a very good writer at the helm... and yet, it didn't fully come together in my opinion.
The pacing was a big issue, especially as it clashed with the aforementioned high stakes. It didn't make sense to me why things weren't progressing more rapidly, especially on the part of the antagonist. The slow pace at which protagonists were assembled also created a disparity in how well we got to know them and like them - I feel the end of the book could have worked more effectively had it been its middle.
Did I enjoy exploring the world? Yes, except that it felt that we were going from location to location, only getting a little bit of story resolved at each time, and even at the expense of that same exploration since we didn't stay there that long anyways.
Will I read the next one? Possibly, especially if I find it at the library. I did thoroughly enjoy Victoria Aveyard's previous series and she DOES write pretty well, so I'm willing to give it another chance.
The pacing was a big issue, especially as it clashed with the aforementioned high stakes. It didn't make sense to me why things weren't progressing more rapidly, especially on the part of the antagonist. The slow pace at which protagonists were assembled also created a disparity in how well we got to know them and like them - I feel the end of the book could have worked more effectively had it been its middle.
Did I enjoy exploring the world? Yes, except that it felt that we were going from location to location, only getting a little bit of story resolved at each time, and even at the expense of that same exploration since we didn't stay there that long anyways.
Will I read the next one? Possibly, especially if I find it at the library. I did thoroughly enjoy Victoria Aveyard's previous series and she DOES write pretty well, so I'm willing to give it another chance.
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
adventurous
funny
fast-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? No
3.5
Look. Is this well-written? Not really, and it gets quite bad at some point.
But is this entertaining? YES.
It hits all the beats of a fun YA and I thoroughly enjoyed myself reading it.
Sometimes, you don't need a literary masterpiece. You just need dragons.
But is this entertaining? YES.
It hits all the beats of a fun YA and I thoroughly enjoyed myself reading it.
Sometimes, you don't need a literary masterpiece. You just need dragons.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Ableism, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, War, Toxic friendship, Fire/Fire injury, Death, Animal death, and Murder
Moderate: Grief and Abandonment
Lone Women by Victor LaValle
adventurous
informative
mysterious
medium-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
3.75
A very cool and interesting western with supernatural/horror undertones. I did not know anything about the "lone women" who settled on Montana lands in the early 20th century, and it made a great basis for this story.
As often with horror, I felt it lost a bit of "oompf" with the reveal of what was actually going on, but it did manage to get back and keep my attention in several ways which I will not spoil here.
In other things I really liked: the main cast of characters (although the others could have deserved to be as fleshed out as Adelaide), the efficient writing, the ways violence was used and described. The ending felt a bit rushed unfortunately, but does pack a punch in its own way (just a too speedy one, perhaps because it knows, on certain points, that it's hitting expected beats).
As often with horror, I felt it lost a bit of "oompf" with the reveal of what was actually going on, but it did manage to get back and keep my attention in several ways which I will not spoil here.
In other things I really liked: the main cast of characters (although the others could have deserved to be as fleshed out as Adelaide), the efficient writing, the ways violence was used and described. The ending felt a bit rushed unfortunately, but does pack a punch in its own way (just a too speedy one, perhaps because it knows, on certain points, that it's hitting expected beats).
The Dark Forest by Cixin Liu
challenging
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
A very, very, very slow burn that hinges on quite an interesting concept. I especially enjoyed the end, and did appreciate said concept, but struggled with the pace at times.
Candela Obscura: Core Rulebook by Karen Twelves
adventurous
dark
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
Absolutely amazing from start to finish, I can't wait to run my first game!
The rules are explained very clearly, and the (fascinating) universe still has a lot of room for your own creations, which I love. The art is gorgeous and exactly as creepy as it needs to be, and I absolutely adored the little "side story" in the margins - which may end up being an interesting assignment.
Kudos to all involved!
The rules are explained very clearly, and the (fascinating) universe still has a lot of room for your own creations, which I love. The art is gorgeous and exactly as creepy as it needs to be, and I absolutely adored the little "side story" in the margins - which may end up being an interesting assignment.
Kudos to all involved!
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Gore, Body horror, Injury/Injury detail, and Death
Moderate: Alcohol and Drug use
Minor: Cannibalism