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crusoe's reviews
239 reviews
Beyond the Black Door by A.M. Strickland
Did not finish book. Stopped at 54%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 54%.
I have thoughts...
First of all, I feel bad, because this was a gift and I always try to finish those. I just had a very difficult time getting through this book because it's very heavy on the ya side of fantasy.
I like the world, the concept of soulwalking is neat. The gods feel a tad generic but it's serviceable. But I love how nice the prose is, it salvages whatever is happening to the plot, at least a little bit. I also love the representation, especially the ace representation in our main character. There's a nice subplot of her figuring out what she wants.
I am really frustrated with the plot and our main character, however. There are a lot of interesting plotpoints running at the same time but the unravelling of these points of intrigue loses steam midway through. It made it hard to become invested in the mystery and characters; it very heavily skews towards fantasy ya and a lot of the tropes that follow it.
Probably would have been a 3-3,5⭐️ had I finished it; it's not bad just bland.
First of all, I feel bad, because this was a gift and I always try to finish those. I just had a very difficult time getting through this book because it's very heavy on the ya side of fantasy.
I like the world, the concept of soulwalking is neat. The gods feel a tad generic but it's serviceable. But I love how nice the prose is, it salvages whatever is happening to the plot, at least a little bit. I also love the representation, especially the ace representation in our main character. There's a nice subplot of her figuring out what she wants.
I am really frustrated with the plot and our main character, however. There are a lot of interesting plotpoints running at the same time but the unravelling of these points of intrigue loses steam midway through. It made it hard to become invested in the mystery and characters; it very heavily skews towards fantasy ya and a lot of the tropes that follow it.
Probably would have been a 3-3,5⭐️ had I finished it; it's not bad just bland.
Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
RIP Jane Austen, you would've love romance booktok.
Anyhow, I like Northanger Abbey just fine. It's a bit looser in the frivolities of it's characters and the societal commentary is not as sharp as in later Austen novels, but the characters are quite fun and I like our 'heroine' Catherine who is learning about the nuances of society. It's nice how Austen's own opinions shine through in the sections where she adresses the reader, especially the section on the value of novels, but I did not care much for the whole making fun of gothic tropes as it stood out of place in what is essentially another Austen romance.
Anyhow, I like Northanger Abbey just fine. It's a bit looser in the frivolities of it's characters and the societal commentary is not as sharp as in later Austen novels, but the characters are quite fun and I like our 'heroine' Catherine who is learning about the nuances of society. It's nice how Austen's own opinions shine through in the sections where she adresses the reader, especially the section on the value of novels, but I did not care much for the whole making fun of gothic tropes as it stood out of place in what is essentially another Austen romance.
House of Many Ways by Diana Wynne Jones
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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
4.0
This one is greatly charming and a lot of fun! Like Sophie in Howl's moving castle, I love how strongwilled Charmain is without coming across as annoying.
The story is a hoot and introduces a horde of interesting characters. It also reintroduces Sophie, Howl and their son Morgan. They were my least favourite part of the novel though. I don't think the story wraps up quite as neatly as Howl's moving castle does, but it still has a satisfying ending.
The story is a hoot and introduces a horde of interesting characters. It also reintroduces Sophie, Howl and their son Morgan. They were my least favourite part of the novel though. I don't think the story wraps up quite as neatly as Howl's moving castle does, but it still has a satisfying ending.
Watch Over Me by Nina LaCour
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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? Yes
4.5
I may need a forthnight to emotionally recover from this book, damn!
At first, the set-up almost felt like a horror story: a far away farm without cell-service, dreams that affect the living, matching golden bracelets... but as you get deeper into the story you start to realise with Mila that you can trust her newly found family. It takes a lot to unpack trauma, but with enough space and a safe environment it may allow you to move past what is holding you back.
So yeah, I loved this!
At first, the set-up almost felt like a horror story: a far away farm without cell-service, dreams that affect the living, matching golden bracelets... but as you get deeper into the story you start to realise with Mila that you can trust her newly found family. It takes a lot to unpack trauma, but with enough space and a safe environment it may allow you to move past what is holding you back.
So yeah, I loved this!
Life of Pi by Yann Martel
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Made a travel copy of this book for my bookclub and I was pleasantly surprised! It caught me from the first chapter and did not let me go.
The middle sags a bit but in the context of the last and first chapters, they gain fascinating meaning. Besides, the prose is so gorgeous that I did not mind. Very good read!
The middle sags a bit but in the context of the last and first chapters, they gain fascinating meaning. Besides, the prose is so gorgeous that I did not mind. Very good read!
Foxhole Court by Nora Sakavic
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I never understood why people think this series is dark or addicting, but now I do! The writing isn't spectacular but it's very fanficy in a good way: you want to keep reading to know what's going to happen next. The characters are compelling too; some of them are hard to read and I can't wait to see how they develop over the rest of the series.
Unfortunately I'm stuck on a bookbuying ban because I really want to continue reading!!
Unfortunately I'm stuck on a bookbuying ban because I really want to continue reading!!
Vector by Simon de Waal
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Niet een heel bijzondere novella, plus het had een vrij cliché plot. Wel prima voor in de trein om een uurtje te doden. De twist op het einde met het graf vond ik dan wel weer leuk.
Bride by Ali Hazelwood
adventurous
funny
tense
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
My love for Ali Hazelwood was tempered when I read the STEMinist novellas but we're so back, baby!!!
I revel in the stupid banter, the hunky love interests and the million cliches... I'm overjoyed, however, that this is full on fantasy rather than a contemporary read.
The Vamp/Were lore adds a fascinating point of interest. Don't expect high fantasy but it does mean this book has more going for it than just to romance.
Does this deserve a 5? Possibly not, but I enjoyed myself immensely and read this book in a day so I'll give it 5 stars anyway.
I revel in the stupid banter, the hunky love interests and the million cliches... I'm overjoyed, however, that this is full on fantasy rather than a contemporary read.
The Vamp/Were lore adds a fascinating point of interest. Don't expect high fantasy but it does mean this book has more going for it than just to romance.
Does this deserve a 5? Possibly not, but I enjoyed myself immensely and read this book in a day so I'll give it 5 stars anyway.
No Longer Human by Osamu Dazai
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This book was a nice break from the ya I've been reading.
Whether you read Yozo's actions as taken out of egotism or a lack of agency will determine how you judge his character. Although I would personally find his behaviour inexcusable, it is refreshing that he makes no excuses for the result of his actions.
His hatred for his life and his selfsabotaging is born from an inherent feeling of otherness that eats at him from within. Because the book is based on his perspective, the prologue adds another layer to an already fascinating character study of a book. Never a fan of the Japanese brand of sexism that seeps through the pages, but I do appreciate this.
Whether you read Yozo's actions as taken out of egotism or a lack of agency will determine how you judge his character. Although I would personally find his behaviour inexcusable, it is refreshing that he makes no excuses for the result of his actions.
His hatred for his life and his selfsabotaging is born from an inherent feeling of otherness that eats at him from within. Because the book is based on his perspective, the prologue adds another layer to an already fascinating character study of a book. Never a fan of the Japanese brand of sexism that seeps through the pages, but I do appreciate this.
Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
Seldom have I been so disappointed in a book. I was really looking forward to this read: a rivalry to romance, a war amongst gods, magical typewriters... It sounded right up my ally! Unfortunately, I have to report this as a rather surfacelevel romantasy.
The main couple is cute, but in my view, their character quirks and the circumstances of their life feel forced. Maybe this is just me being bitter but reading this felt like chewing on the pulp of pages: it was dry and bland. There's no bigger crime in telling a story than being a bore.
So yeah, lots of wasted potential, wasn't for me.
The main couple is cute, but in my view, their character quirks and the circumstances of their life feel forced. Maybe this is just me being bitter but reading this felt like chewing on the pulp of pages: it was dry and bland. There's no bigger crime in telling a story than being a bore.
So yeah, lots of wasted potential, wasn't for me.