obscurepages's Reviews (410)

"Life was a like a language I couldn't speak."

Wow. I dove into this book not knowing much other than it's an Indigenous horror novella. What I got now is a brilliant character study of a woman struggling with her mental health, insecurities, Indigenous identity, her drive to create art, and her reconciling nature with life and death.

I have to say, the imagery and the prose in this book is something else. Something entirely its own.

Overall, this was an incredible mix of both unsettling and profound.

Okay. This is probably the funniest installation so far?? I mean the plot is complex, just like with the first two books in the series. But idk, something about Murderbot being annoyed by humans and feelings and thinking like an introvert feels so funny and relatable at the same time 😭

NOT ME CRYING BECAUSE I DID NOT EXPECT TO FIND SUCH A WHOLESOME, DELIGHTFUL STORY 😭

Picked this up as part of my Halloween reads. Ended up reading a wonderful story about queer love through the years, queer identity, the magic around us, and finding your own power 🥹🥹🥹

This was just so, so good. The art, the colors, the storytelling, the atmosphere?? I just loved everything about this 😭 I need to see more people talk about this book.

Okay this was good. I love the concept, the story, the world-building (hello Filipino mythology and magic 😭), but I feel like it needs a bit more polishing.

It can get a bit confusing in some scenes/timelines. However, I have to say the story was atmospheric and the plot twists were just so good. Because of that, it felt like this book packed quite a punch even though this was a short read.

Would have loved to see more stories from this world 🥺 The Filipino mythology interweaved with urban/modern life? Very nice. Loved the small bit of queer rep as well. And the colors were on point!

Okay reading the last two chapters of this book is a complete roller coaster ride 😭😂 But that ending? You know what, I love it.

Did I wish it was a bit scarier or had more lore? Yeah, a bit. But did I love the graphic writing style? Yes, I do 😭 Because the scenes come so vividly to my mind and that kind of gives me the feeling of watching a movie.

I love Charity and Bezi. I don't know, but I think they do embody what Final Girls stand for. Hope and resilience.

Overall, this was just wildly fun and entertaining. And if you love slashers and the final girl trope, you might want to give this a try.

And just like the first book, this was funny as hell too 😭😂 I particularly loved it when Murderbot, with thousands of new media in storage, chose to rewatch their comfort show instead. They're just like me fr 😂

I think I like the pacing and character build-up better in the first book though. However, I just really loved the writing style and the tone of the book. The perfect balance of funny and suspenseful.

I have absolutely no expectations about this except there's a murderbot who wants to watch TV shows?? I was not prepared for how hilarious and relatable and exciting this was 😭😂 So yep. That's another fave for me 😂

THIS WAS ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT WTF WTF 😭😂

I've only read middle grade from Kalyn Josephson, so while I was expecting something good, I also didn't know much yet about their writing style in YA. But wow wow wow wow.

<b>The world-building was complex and enchanting, the characters were all compelling, the political intrigue was just suspenseful, the plot was carefully woven and definitely stress-inducing </b> 😭😂 I was actually a little afraid I wouldn't really connect to this book because it's about horse-racing. But damn, how wrong was I. Because this was more than just horse-racing. It was about the bad and ugly sides of humanity, the immense power that the elites hold, about our own desires, and coming to terms with our own power and growing in confidence. <b> This was just brilliant, riveting, and breathtaking. </b>

(I also just loved seeing aroace/demi rep, as well as bi rep from the two main characters 🥹)


This took me in a rollercoaster ride I never really expected, and for that, this book is one of my favorites this year 😭

Full review in my blog soon!

(Received an e-arc from the author in exchange for an honest review.)

Okay so this had potential, but I feel like a couple of elements fell flat.

The sisterhood and the found family that I was initially expecting was just not there. Or it was there, but it was a skewed version. The way the MC tried so hard to fit into these girls was just not working (or maybe I'm just too introverted for this 😂) Also the fatphobia and the racist micro aggressions from your supposed "friends"?? No thanks 😭

The feminist theme was good at first too (werewolves preying on boys who manipulate and take advantage of girls). But then it got weird. I know they got desperate and they were starving and all, but still doesn't sit right with me.

That being said, the art style and the colors was just too good. I loved flipping the page and getting to see the art there. I also loved the queer/sapphic rep. That one was a lovely surprise.

Listen I liked Vampires Never Get Old, but I think Mermaids Never Drown is on another level 😭👏

This was brilliantly executed—all the stories captured the essence of a mermaid's beauty, power, and danger as a myth, while also bringing a new twist or significance from the authors' various perspectives. We see queer identity, romance, environmental issues, racism, self-discovery, and so much more.

Overall, these stories just worked so good together and this anthology is one for the books. I can't wait to see a third installment from this series! 

Exact rating: 4.75/5 
Full review on my blog soon!

(Received an e-arc from the publisher as part of the upcoming tour with Turn the Pages Tour. This, of course, did not affect my overall opinion of the book.)

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Marking this book as part of reading challenge: <a href="https://app.thestorygraph.com/reading_challenges/de133357-4196-421b-8d50-0445bfec4ec3/">#ReadQueerly2023</a>.