Scan barcode
magicalghoul's reviews
71 reviews
Yellowface by R.F. Kuang
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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? Yes
4.75
I enjoy when media engages in talking about the industry in which it is produced (movies about movie making, books about book publishing, etc) and this is one of those, with the added angle of racism in the industry and the moral debacle of exploiting others and ourselves for The Spectacle ™️
I couldn't stop listening until I had finished. June and and Athena re such nuanced characters, it really speaks to the merit of the Kuang that it was enjoyable to read about them despite disliking them.
Also the turn into horror at the end was very fun, kinda wish there was more of that. I was expecting something else, so the ending Did feel out of the left field for me but not enough to sour the entire thing. Great read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Death of parent
What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Although it feels at times like the writing insists on holding the readers by the hand instead of letting the mystery linger and the reader follow along, I enjoyed the resolution a lot. Very creepy!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Gore, and Terminal illness
Black Days by Jackson Ellis
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Got a copy of this e-book from a giveaway, thank you so much!
The writing and the dialogue were a bit too stiff for my liking but the story was interesting and what ultimately made me stay. Capitalism structural violence as the real horror. Still, I feel it could've pushed the envelope a bit more.
I liked the resolution a lot, and was disturbed by the latter developments as much as the protagonist was— mostly because of the scale of things and the corporative horror of it all, not so much the treatment we saw of their last volunteer (Fuck pedophiles and rapists, there's no rehabilitation from that).
Mind the warnings before diving in.
The writing and the dialogue were a bit too stiff for my liking but the story was interesting and what ultimately made me stay. Capitalism structural violence as the real horror. Still, I feel it could've pushed the envelope a bit more.
I liked the resolution a lot, and was disturbed by the latter developments as much as the protagonist was— mostly because of the scale of things and the corporative horror of it all, not so much the treatment we saw of their last volunteer (Fuck pedophiles and rapists, there's no rehabilitation from that).
Mind the warnings before diving in.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content and Medical trauma
Moderate: Gun violence, Pedophilia, Rape, and Trafficking
Walking Practice by Dolki Min
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Wow, what a read! Mumu's voice is so distinct and particular, I couldn't stop until I finished. The experience of an alien living in a society they feel barred from because they deviate from the norm is #relatable and a brilliant way to talk about lgbt issues.
Doubly recommend the audiobook, the narration is so funny and vivid and heartwrenching.
Doubly recommend the audiobook, the narration is so funny and vivid and heartwrenching.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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
5.0
Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke by Eric LaRocca
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I'll be honest..... Big fan of the format and concept, not a big fan of the content.
It's the kind of horror that makes you uncomfortable, not because it succeeds in instilling a sense of dread, but because it's just telling you disturbing things. Like, yeah, of course I'm going to squirm when you give me detailed descriptions of child abuse, animal abuse, and unsanitary food practices, Obviously.
Some of the reviews say that they think the relationship happened too fast but having grown up on the Internet, that's probably the more realistic part of the story.
It's the kind of horror that makes you uncomfortable, not because it succeeds in instilling a sense of dread, but because it's just telling you disturbing things. Like, yeah, of course I'm going to squirm when you give me detailed descriptions of child abuse, animal abuse, and unsanitary food practices, Obviously.
Some of the reviews say that they think the relationship happened too fast but having grown up on the Internet, that's probably the more realistic part of the story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Lesbophobia
Breasts and Eggs by Mieko Kawakami
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-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
I didn't think the second part would win me over because I loved the first part so much, but it actually ended up being my favorite of the two. I loved the style, it did get meandering, but I was also very invested in all these little "inconsequential" routine details about everyday life and the characters and their interiority that the author went on about.
According to some reviews there's something of the writing that gets lost in translation, which is really a shame. I can only imagine how good it is in the original language.
According to some reviews there's something of the writing that gets lost in translation, which is really a shame. I can only imagine how good it is in the original language.
O pior pesadelo de um homem by Marina Feijóo
adventurous
mysterious
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? No
3.25
Where Sleeping Girls Lie by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé
Did not finish book. Stopped at 11%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 11%.
The prose didn't draw me in which in itself isn't an issue if I find the setting to be interesting, but I think I'm not the target for this type of dark academia book? so I didn't really find it interesting.