randi_jo's Reviews (420)

It's hard to pin this one down in terms of main theme. There are a few entangled together to Lydia's character; the idea of otherness, acceptance of the whole genuine self, the affect of immortality on ethics, art and commercialism, food and humanity.

In the end I enjoyed it but the modern changes to Lydia's vampirism were hit and miss with me.

Wasn't a fan of her being able to see lifespans after eating humans. That part felt odd even though I know it served somewhat of a narrative purpose. Also thought it was dumb she could "see" immorality in people to sort of absolve her ethically from eating people lol.

A super dry (translation or otherwise), basic magical realism, repetitive af, attempt at trauma porn. The best thing about it is that it's short and at least one character is interesting (Fumiko I see you).

Hello. I came for the dragons and was not emotionally prepared to have my heart carved from my chest, sent to hell, then resurrected within 350 pages. Thanks for that. The dragons are cool, too tho.

In all, I really like how it's written in the perspective an actual memoir, and that it preludes to things that happen in much later volumes, showing that there is a plan and forethought into how everything fits together. The dragons are treated as wild animals and aren't some manic pixie girl fantasy where they bond with MC and she's so special. Rather she's just an intrepid lady in regency era society who's trying to break a mold and I LIVE for it.

Sad I'm just now getting around to this series but also THANK GOD because I don't think I can handle waiting long to pick up the next installment lol.

I hope Tom Cruise reads this book.

I never imagined a book with borderline body horror, vaguely demon creatures, and mother-daughter discord would make me tear up and cry a little, but this did. It ended so innocently, sweetly, even, that the obsessiveness and darkness of the beginning led me to believe there was no way this could end peacefully; I'm having trouble coping. There are a few TWs to mind if you have some hard no's in horror/thrillers, such as gore, grooming, and Tom Cruise being considered hot.

Pros:

-Mirror Demon Tom Cruise

-Mom that tries and fucks up, a lot

-Vaguely creepy atmosphere at all times

-Tad

Cons:

-Lol what cons I'm kidding

Some of the best dark academia I've ever read. It has the real sense of obsession and cultish immersion that people get when studying something they're passionate about, surrounded only by people who do the same - how oblivious they become to everything outside of their bubble.

The murder/mystery isn't too intense here, but the real focus, I think, is on their group social dynamics, the power vacuum left behind, and their inability to cope individually. The closing is a bit predictable, but that Epilogue is <i>everything</i>. Loved it.

Worth reading whether you're a Shakespeare fan or not.

I was not ready for this. I really don't know if the author was arguing for or against society and societal norms, showing how both sides can take advantage of the most vulnerable citizens. But uh, I was really not ready for the Japanese sweet home Alabama, nor that ending. I just, was not. Will never be.

 An emotionally charged book by Britney, and honestly I was expecting to be upset by the conservatorship arc - but there's so much more to it, almost like her entire life was the perfect storm that led up to this very book. I wish nothing but the best for her going forward.

After reading Paris' memoir and now Britney's, I suppose I'm just waiting for Lindsay Lohan's to come out; the trifecta of celebrity women treated like shit in the 2000's. 

I mean I kinda knew what I was getting into based on who the author is, but this was just like 100 pages of inner monologues, thinking the other guy is weirdly sexy, and 1 long scene that maybe lasted 30 minutes in the book time.

I've read more interesting cereal boxes.

A fun little insight into the Locked Tomb series, featuring Palamedes and Camilla. Free short story available on Tor.com -- the prose is a bit different than Gideon the Ninth, but suits the characters it follows best. 

I've read worse, but am still of the opinion that his longer fiction is better than the short ones.