pkc's reviews
392 reviews

Hyde by Craig Russell

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adventurous challenging dark informative mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

This is one of the best books I’ve read in ages. I’m a sucker for books set in Edinburgh anyway, but this is a gothic masterpiece - there! I said it! It takes the theme of duality of man explored in Robert Louis Stevenson’s ‘Jekyll & Hyde’ (full titles omitted for long term finger health) and digs deep into some of the more contemporary readings without feeling prescriptive and overtly scholarly. I don’t want to spoil anything about this book, but it’s really really good. The plot is excellent, so twisty, very gruesome. The writing as well is sublime. The descriptions of gothic Edinburgh with its woven in celtic history are oddly homely. I can’t explain it. There’s a warmth in the darkness of Russell’s Edinburgh. This book is a triumph. 
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The Foundling by Stacey Halls

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challenging dark emotional 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? No

3.0

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All That's Left in the World by Erik J. Brown

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dark emotional funny hopeful 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? It's complicated

4.0

A queer take on a post apocalyptic narrative. I was so enamoured by this book. The characters were beautifully formed, the romance was a tantalising slow burn and so achingly tender. Enough plot to keep me engaged too! I just wish there had been some more resolution to threads that appeared early on. I thought as well that it was particularly intriguing that this was a pandemic story that referenced Covid but didn’t rely too heavily on it. It framed Covid in a more hopefully light merely by including it.
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Sixteen Horses by Greg Buchanan

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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84 Charing Cross Road / The Duchess of Bloomsbury Street by Helene Hanff

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funny lighthearted reflective sad medium-paced

3.5

Bossypants by Tina Fey

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funny informative fast-paced

4.0

This was a reread and my first listen to the audiobook, read by Tina Fey and I found myself enjoying it even more with Tina’s narration. I deducted a star because some of it hasn’t aged particularly well since it’s initial release
This is How You Lose the Time War by Max Gladstone, Amal El-Mohtar

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

3.0

I’m not sure what the hell I just read, but I will say it was lyrical, decadent and stunning. The writing was unbelievable.

I don’t know that I’d recommend the book on the merits of the writing alone, but if you do pick it up, approach it like an abstract painting. Squint a bit, look for the colours that aren’t necessarily on the canvas and keep an open mind.
Death on the Pier by Jamie West

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adventurous funny mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

This was a gorgeously stagey cosy mystery set in the 30s. As well as being an intriguing solution to the murder, the characters were wonderful! The quiet unrequited affection from Bertie to Hugh was gorgeous and I loved the character of Teddy. As much as I loved the mystery element, the characters and settings are what gave this it’s charm and brilliance!
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Aristotle and Dante Dive Into the Waters of the World by Benjamin Alire Sáenz

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense 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? It's complicated

5.0

I fell in love with Ari and Dante when they set out to discover the secrets of the universe and I had measured hopes here. I’ve been burned when it comes to sequels that weren’t necessarily pre-planned and how they treat their characters and advance their story. This was equally wrenching and beautiful. There’s a fair amount of tragedy, and framing it in the context of the height it the AIDS pandemic grounded it in some much needed (albeit sobering) realism. This book is accessibly esoteric - grand thoughts that everyone can relate to but might not have the words to give context and light to. I certainly wouldn’t have the words or ability. The story ends definitively, but do I want a third instalment? You bet your sweet bippy I do.
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Ascension by Nicholas Binge

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challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I r njoyed the plot here. So much going on, all of it resolved to some extent which I loved. Questions about humanity are explored using this metaphor and while there can never be answers, it was intriguing to ponder them within the setting. If you’re looking for a book with likeable protagonists, personally, I’d swerve this one. You may like Harold but I found him reasonably ineffectual and awful. That being said, I thought the plot was super inventive, adventurous and wild. The mountain as a character was intriguing and made for some epic set pieces 
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