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obscurepages's reviews
395 reviews
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
On one hand, the art is absolutely gorgeous. Like overall, it's haunting and visually stunning.
On the other hand, there are a few confusing parts (especially the first few parts of the book). Add to the fact that this is more of a psychological horror that explores mental illness, grief, and married lifeβyeah it's going to get trippy.
Still this was an interesting read. Would probably make a good A24 movie π
Exact rating: 3.75
Minor: Death, Suicide, Death of parent, and Murder
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This book caught my attention because of its similarities to the 2018 psychological horror movie, Cam (basically an evil doppelganger tries to take over a cam girl's account and identity). I loved watching this movie! I thought it was original and atmospheric. Glad to report that reading Such Lovely Skin is also an enjoyable experience! Instead of a cam girl though, we have a teenage girl coping with her sister's death through Twitch streams and horror games. And instead of a mysterious AI-like clone, it's a demonic mimic that enters her life.
While I found some of the scenes predictable (especially since I already watched Cam) and questionable (
On the other hand, I would have liked it if some of the subplots were wrapped up nicely. I'm talking particularly about Viv's identity crisis. She receives microaggressions from viewers/classmates/past boyfriends just because she's Japanese-American; there's also a touch of generational trauma from her dad's side as a Japanese descent trying to assimilate into the US. It just felt like a big thing reading the story from her perspective, so it would have been nice to see a proper closure to that element in the story and her character.
The internet slang acronyms were also a bit distracting? I just feel like we don't really say those acronyms out loud in our heads. But hey, maybe this says a lot about Viv and her perspective. She clearly has some addiction tendencies when it comes to Twitch and streaming. And while being a streamer/gamer can be an actual profitable job, I think this book does a good job of reminding people that getting in touch with the real world and our inner selves is still necessary.
Overall, I thought this was good! An entertaining yet eerie YA horror, perfect for horror gamers and readers.
CW: child's death, manipulation, violence, blood, fatal injury/injury detail gore, a bit of body horror, depression, grief, racism/racial microagressions
Graphic: Child death, Death, Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Body horror, Gore, and Grief
Minor: Racial slurs, Racism, and Alcohol
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Okay so I found this on Libby after finding out it's by the same author who wrote Shoestring Theory (which I really enjoyed) π Now this is wildly different from Shoestring (it's YA sapphic contemporary graphic novel), but the enjoyment I got from reading is prettying much the same.
This was so cute and wholesome, and yes this was also a little bit messy π but it's high school teens figuring themselves out, figuring their relationships out, and what it means to be a in relationship.
Belle and Chloe are so cute, and they might have made me realize that maybe I like the lost childhood friends trope?? π
These characters are in now way perfect, of course. It took a while before i liked Chloe and Regina. There's also some moments where the vibe immediately shifted, and those kinda felt jilted sometimes. The art though, was so good??? And I loved the pink shades and hues all throughout the book π₯Ή (Now I'm wondering if the author really likes pink? Because Shoestring Theory also has a gorgeous pink cover lol)
CW: bullying (minor), cheating, alcohol consumption
Minor: Bullying, Infidelity, and Alcohol
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
- Kali is an interesting character, but welp I definitely don't agree with a lot of her choices ππ and of course, I understand that she's a flawed character and it's part of her journey in the book.
- There was a slight noncon/dubcon scene and I'm convinced we need to reiterate what consent means to Kali π (yeah this is one of her big choices/actions I don't agree with)
- The romance is good, it's cute, but I guess I wanted more. Like I wanted to see Kali and Luca getting to know each other more before falling in love and whatnot? I don't know if that makes sense π
- And I don't know, maybe this is just me? But I wanted to have more closure and reconnection between Kali and her family. The complicated relationship with her family is a big part of the plot and her character, so it felt a little rushed/lacking for me at the end.
Moderate: Death, Sexual content, Grief, and Car accident
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
- 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
4.25
Moderate: Animal death, Violence, and Blood
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
There were a few standouts (creepy and disturbing) and some that are just okay. But overall, loved the way the author can build suspense and fear in a few paragraphs. Like this is 50 short stories/flash fiction! That's actually already impressive for me π
One favorite is the Balete Drive. Balete Drive is a street here in the Philippines known/mostly associated with the "white lady" urban legend. But here, the author was able to subvert that. I found that so interesting and effective π
Graphic: Gore, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Child death, Domestic abuse, Grief, and Death of parent
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Also Naraku is getting pretty annoying now ππ How many tricks does he have up his sleeve?!? He keeps creating new monsters and finding a way to evade Inugang AND Kikyo π«
And speaking of Kikyo, Inuyasha really has a lot of nerve getting jealous when Koga is there to woo Kagome ππ
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Okay so, I just finished this book, and I honestly feel like I just read a 100k-word AU fanfic with all the angst, pining, and entertainment that I want. And yes, that's a compliment! That's what this book felt like for me! And while I already had an inkling that I would like this book (it's queer fantasy, friends-to-lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers trope, plus time travel... what's not to like?), reading it and enjoying it is a delightful experience on its own.
This book starts a little heavy and dark, to be honest. I mean, the cat died. That was already sad enough for me. But our main character, Cyril, was going through a tough time. Not just because he was obviously filled with guilt, grief, and regret. And this darkness loomed over him and the story for the great part of the book. Fortunately, as the plot unraveled and the story progressed, there was little more life and lightheartedness. Not just in Cyril, but also in the dialogue, the scenes, and the story altogether.
Now, the plot is interesting and entertaining. But I'll admit the pacing isn't the best. A lot of the story, especially the first parts, are about Cyril's introspection, inner monologue, and scheming. And even when the story is progressing, it seems slow and tedious. The truly exciting parts for me are the twist reveals and the climax towards the end of the book. What makes up for it, though, are the characters.
Cyril was a great main character for me. I love that, in a way, he's the opposite of a Mary Sue character. He gets winded when he runs; he doesn't become amazing in combat after a few trainings; and doesn't magically defeat an army of mages (lol). He's just a flawed character that I've come to love. Eufrates is also an interesting character. Because on one hand, Cyril remembers him as this sweet, gentle bard prince, but on the other hand, he also knew what he had becomeβa mad and paranoid tyrant. I did like his and Cyril's chemistry though, and I loved the journey of them finding their way back to each other. Suffice it to say, I loved Eufrates' overall arc in this story.
When it comes to the world-building, I think it's just enough. It's not as intricate as other high fantasy/second world fantasy novels, and I think the focus was more on the magic system and the court politics of the world. I have to say though, the author is incredible when it comes to visualization and descriptions. Not just the sceneries and locations, but also when it comes to the emotions and thoughts of the main perspective. I really loved that.
Overall, this was such a fun and entertaining book with a lot of heart. Expect a lot of angst and pining, cute familiars, ridiculous shenanigans, and tropes that we've come to love in fanfiction. (And yep, there were a few parallels to Our Flag Means Death that I found absolutely funny, okay? Like, welcome back Stede Bonnet and Edward Teach π)
Anyway, I think this has gotten long enough. I'm saving my full review for my blog!
Exact rating: 4
CW: suicidal ideation, blood, death, animal death, murder, tyranny, slut shaming (in terms of court politics)
A big thank you to Angry Robot for sending an ARC my way in exchange for an honest review!
(This, of course, did not affect my overall opinion of the book.)
Graphic: Death and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, and Death of parent
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0