breezer's Reviews (553)

Disfigured: On Fairy Tales, Disability, and Making Space

3.75

challenging emotional reflective medium-paced

Important, enlightening insights, although a little repetative at times.
A particularly depressing statement that stuck with me:

In the stories, beauty comes to those who deserve it.

Content Warnings

Iron Widow

Xiran Jay Zhao

4.0

adventurous challenging dark tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

This was such a unique concept. I loved the influences of Chinese culture and mythology that I rarely come across in sci-fi novels. Even more rarely there was a poly relationship that was so refreshing instead of the usual 'love triangle'.

The strong feminist themes and excellent discussions on gendered society really sung throughout. I could highlight quotes from this for DAYS. Also, giant mechas. I cannot stress how cool this was to read about!

Some of the parts I enjoyed less includes some of the secondary characters who felt a little shallow and I struggled to warm to them. It was also a little slow around the 50% mark due to the focus on politics. (This is mainly a personal preference)

Our protagonist Zetain was one of the fiercest females I have ever seen and so much fun (well not always fun but definitely compelling) to follow. This didn't pull any punches and was way more intense than I was expecting so please check out the content warnings. I would recommend for those who love feminist tellings, powerful female protagonists, GIANT MECHAS, lgbt+ rep and novels inspired by Chinese culture.

Thank you to NetGalley and Rock the Boat for the Advanced Readers Copy.

Content Warnings

The Spook's Apprentice

Joseph Delaney

3.0

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: No

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Mildly sexist and annoyingly predictable but spooky enough to be entertaining

Content Warnings

The Thursday Murder Club

Richard Osman

4.0

emotional funny lighthearted mysterious sad medium-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

Surprising humerous and with alot of heart.

Content Warnings

Legendborn

Tracy Deonn

5.0

adventurous challenging emotional inspiring mysterious sad tense 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: Yes

Powerful in all sense of the word.
*Insert that gif of Kylo Ren screaming MORE*

Content Warnings

White Sand, Volume 1

Brandon Sanderson, Rik Hoskin

4.0

adventurous mysterious fast-paced

The Box in the Woods

Maureen Johnson

3.75

adventurous funny mysterious 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

Enjoyed being back with the characters but missed Ellingham and the reveal really came out of nowhere. So much love for Nate!

Content Warnings

Sensor

Junji Ito

3.0

challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I have previously read four of Junji Ito's published works and although this wasn't my favourite I still had a great time!

A weird, creepy story about a girl who wanders into this village that is covered in golden 'hair' and a reporter who is trying to investigate her story. Cosmic horror only follows.

This (to me) wasn't overly scary or horrifying however there was definately a sense of dread running throughout. As usual the illustrations were outstanding, with some truely disturbing faces and the odd jump scare that Ito seems to excel at.

Sadly I did feel that the chapters felt very disjointed as they each were about a slightly different horror concept, which made me work a bit harder to follow the plot.

Overall this was a more unusual novel on cosmic horror from Junji Ito that I would reccomend to existing fans.

Thank you to NetGalley and Viz Media for gifting me an advanced reader's copy.

Content Warnings