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reader_in_the_meadow's reviews
172 reviews
Plain Bad Heroines by Emily M. Danforth
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- 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
4.75
Even though I gound the book to be starting teally slow, keeping that pacing through the entirety of thefirst third, the second and last third gradually üushed the oacing which I liked, since I think the faster pacing suited the story much better.
The two different time periods explored and their interconnected stories were really really interesting, although I have to admit that I liked the plotlike set in the past a lot more captivating, especially because I also found the characters in it a lot more relatable and likable.
And since I'm already talking about the characters, I have to say that the cast is very diverse in its queerness, which I quite liked, as that is something not much common in horror and mystery narratives. However, I have to admit that I had a really hard time to connect to some of them in the first half of the book, especially Merritt and Audrey, which did change in the latter half however in which both grew on me.
I also liked the idea about a story set around a haunted or cursed film set, which are stories and narratives that are not new to especially horror cinema, so to see that as the idea to a horror novel was teally nice.
All in all I would really recommend the book if you're a horror movie enthusiast or just a jorrir enthusiast in general, especially a queer one.
The two different time periods explored and their interconnected stories were really really interesting, although I have to admit that I liked the plotlike set in the past a lot more captivating, especially because I also found the characters in it a lot more relatable and likable.
And since I'm already talking about the characters, I have to say that the cast is very diverse in its queerness, which I quite liked, as that is something not much common in horror and mystery narratives. However, I have to admit that I had a really hard time to connect to some of them in the first half of the book, especially Merritt and Audrey, which did change in the latter half however in which both grew on me.
I also liked the idea about a story set around a haunted or cursed film set, which are stories and narratives that are not new to especially horror cinema, so to see that as the idea to a horror novel was teally nice.
All in all I would really recommend the book if you're a horror movie enthusiast or just a jorrir enthusiast in general, especially a queer one.
Tender Is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I think I had high expectationd for this book going in and while I wouldn't say that they were not met, I think my exoectations were a bit too high.
This is by all means a very interesting book dealing with a very dark but also very intriguing idea, which it also oerfectly portrays on page.
However, I do think that it was a bit shallow for my taste. I think it could have benefitted from being just a bit longer, but then, the short length it does have plays perfectly into the whole of it as an artwork.
I also couldn't really connect to the characters and even the main character only started to actually grow on me duting the last few chapters. Still, can't it be argued that the point is to dislike the characters due zo the themes and topics discussed in this book?
All in all I feel very conflicted about this novel but I fo see it as a literary piece of art working with very prominent topics that need to be discussed in relation to modern pop culture, seeing the rise of cannibalism as part of ever more mainstream media.
This is by all means a very interesting book dealing with a very dark but also very intriguing idea, which it also oerfectly portrays on page.
However, I do think that it was a bit shallow for my taste. I think it could have benefitted from being just a bit longer, but then, the short length it does have plays perfectly into the whole of it as an artwork.
I also couldn't really connect to the characters and even the main character only started to actually grow on me duting the last few chapters. Still, can't it be argued that the point is to dislike the characters due zo the themes and topics discussed in this book?
All in all I feel very conflicted about this novel but I fo see it as a literary piece of art working with very prominent topics that need to be discussed in relation to modern pop culture, seeing the rise of cannibalism as part of ever more mainstream media.
Watching Women & Girls by Danielle Pender
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
When You Call My Name by Tucker Shaw
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
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? Yes
5.0
Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Jay's Gay Agenda by Jason June
Did not finish book. Stopped at 80%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 80%.
It made me feel really uncomfortable, especially the way Jay acts and it really brings up old feelings I hate so yeah. Not a finish for me.
Days at the Morisaki Bookshop by Satoshi Yagisawa
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
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
5.0
This book...wow, just wow. I genuinely didn't expect this book to touch me like it did.
I'm getting more and mire into east asian literature in recent years and this book once again showed me why exactly. There is just something about, especially Japanese, books that just get to me like no other books really can. I think it's the way Japanese authors like Yagisawa can describe characters and landscapes as well as their inner going-on's in such a magical way.
Of course I also have to give credit to the translator Eric Ozawa whose translation is just as much a work of art as the szory itself!
I'm getting more and mire into east asian literature in recent years and this book once again showed me why exactly. There is just something about, especially Japanese, books that just get to me like no other books really can. I think it's the way Japanese authors like Yagisawa can describe characters and landscapes as well as their inner going-on's in such a magical way.
Of course I also have to give credit to the translator Eric Ozawa whose translation is just as much a work of art as the szory itself!
The Grimoire of Grave Fates by Margaret Owen, Hanna Alkaf
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Edgar Allan Poe: Collected Works by Edgar Allan Poe
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-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
4.75
Husband Material by Alexis Hall
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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? Yes
4.75