Reviews by librarymouse | The StoryGraph

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This whole book has an odd pro-Israel tilt, most directly addressed in the second to last chapter. The author notes the Zionist roots of many of the cults without ever considering or critiquing the role of Zionism in the destructive and deadly nature of the cults. Overall, this reads more like a poorly thought through encyclopedia of cult activity than the human-framed perspective promised by the title. In the chapters about the more violent acts committed by cult leaders or in the name of their beliefs, the author's focus was more on the act than the aftermath, which was unexpected with the title framing this book as focusing on the people who joined and the impact their respective cults had on them.
I will not be listening to the podcast, and after the overt praise for Israel, I finished this book as a hate read.

The narrators of the audio version of the book pronounce religious terms like "vicar" oddly. There should have been some oversight to make sure a book about cults and religious movements that became cults had their terms pronounced correctly

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The Society for Soulless Girls

Laura Steven

4.5

adventurous dark medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

This was not what I was expecting from a book advertised as a retelling of Jekyll and Hyde, but it was immensely enjoyable.

the society soulless girls not being at the root of the deaths preceding and during the events of the novel was also not what I was expecting, but I really appreciated the twist. The dark academia society with engraved name plaques for the new girls who performed the ritual is a strange touch, but fits the setting. One thing that also felt odd is the headmistress not reading the investigation notebook before she burned it. However, I do understand her not wanting to learn about atrocities she may have committed and the horror she thought the murdered student might of felt for her. Lottie and Alice are adorable together and I love the bloody and devoted relationship that evolved from their semi-mutual animosity. The council of horrific old white men experimenting on their peers and the young women they're supposed to be mentoring feels a bit too true to life, but I like how it tied together the frayed ends of the storytelling. The ghost of the nun was also a nice touch, guiding Lottie through the task she already wanted to do and helping her solve the mystery. One thing I would critique is the repeated reference to Lottie not being asexual with her newfound attraction to Alice. Asexuality is an umbrella term, and if she's only attracted to Alice, she may still be able to identify with a term under the umbrella.

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While Idaho Slept: The Hunt for Answers in the Murders of Four College Students

J. Reuben Appelman

2.5

challenging dark informative medium-paced

It's a true crime book. I think it might have been too early to publish about this case, as the book was published before it even gone to trial. As a story it would have been more fulfilling to wait for conclusion. As an account of real life, it seems strange to publish before trial.

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They Can't Kill Us Until They Kill Us

Hanif Abdurraqib

4.5

challenging emotional funny reflective medium-paced

There is so much contained is such a short book. I really enjoyed the author's reflections and interjections about the contents of the essays in the audiobook.

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The Wicker King

K. Ancrum

4.25

adventurous emotional 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

I love the short chapters and the way K. Ancrum blends fantasy into realism, especially with the devotion between Jack and August. They are codependent and delusional to varying degrees.

having Jack's delusions caused by an easily and completely curable tumor is an ending I wasn't expecting. Jack and August are the type of couple you can root for only in fiction. They are codependent in a bad way, craving causing harm to each other and devoted enough to allow it happen to themselves. One thing I hate is when adopted sibling characters kiss and/or close friends who are in love play off the queerness of situations by claiming a sibling relationship. The latter happens once in this book. However: I loved this book enough that this is a 5 star read despite that moment. I adore the secondary characters very much, especially the group of Alex, Gordy, Peter and Roger - Alex especially for her muffins and awkward love in tough times. Reena is also very cool, though I take issue with a 19ish year old meeting and starting a sexual relationship with a seventeen year old.

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She Who Became the Sun

Shelley Parker-Chan

4.0

adventurous dark emotional medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I really enjoyed the way Shelley Parker-Chan builds characters who are not necessarily sympathetic, in that they're willing to do terrible things to survive, yet familiarizes them in such a way that readers find ourselves rooting for them. I also really enjoyed watching Zhu's journey with gender, and her shift through the identities she embodies. I was invested in this book from start to finish.

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The Gulf: A Novel

Rachel Cochran

4.0

dark emotional mysterious 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

This was a really engaging read, but after reading the majority of the book in a single day, most of my thoughts on it summarize down into "what the fuck?"
It's honestly a really good read, looking at the interconnectedness of families in small towns and the insidious nature of cults and religions that prey on the vulnerable in order to grow their flock. Lou is an empathetic, if unreliable narrator - though she's also unreliable to herself, not hiding the truth on purpose. There's such interesting growth and change for all the characters.
Also, surprisingly, very queer.

the blood transfusion thing made me hate Kate. She may have been seeking redemption, but she, with the help of Peg, killed her daughter.
Joanna, becoming more sympathetic as a character throughout the novel, was such an interesting arc, even after the infidelity. The fact that they can remain friends is narratively interesting

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The Wall

John Lanchester

4.0

reflective slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Complicated

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

The voice of the narrator, the militarism, and the pacing of the novel really reminded me of All Quiet on the Western Front. It's slow paced, but also a quick and enjoyable read, spending quite a lot of time in the narrator's head.

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Who Killed These Girls?: The Twenty-Five-Year History of Austin's Yogurt Shop Murders

Beverly Lowry

DID NOT FINISH: 45%

The short amount of time spent humanizing the girls, as opposed to the long amount of time spent on exploring the investigator's methods and the history of violence in police work in the first 45% didn't sit right with me. It's also very slow and spends far too much time giving details of individual interviews and interrogations.

The Halloween Moon

Joseph Fink

4.5

funny mysterious 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

I really enjoyed reading this. It reminded me of a combination of the Scary Godmother movies and The Halloween Tree by Ray Bradbury, with some added flair of a heist novel. There's a quirk to middle grade that goes away in YA and adult fiction, where there are fun and interesting work arounds to avoid killing off characters. I liked having a reprieve from character death. This book also does a good job addressing bullying and anger issues without becoming a PSA. Esther is a fun character, and I was very much like her as a Halloween-obsessed youth (minus the scary movies. I do not like visual gore). Fink weaves a really fun and pleasantly spooky narrative about growing up and learning to face your fears, and I would highly recommend this to anyone looking for a middle grade fantasy novel for a middle grader or otherwise! My only critique is that thirteen is most definitely not too old to be trick or treating.

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