Reviews

The Beauty by Aliya Whiteley

rereader33's review

Go to review page

3.0

This...is a weird one for me. I think the writing was good, despite it being a bit too flowery for its own good (also no teen-20 something guy would EVER talk like Nate) and despite it being a novella I think it feels like a complete story. I think my biggest problem is I don't know what the ultimate message of said story is. Reversing gender roles to show the burden women experience? How dangerous generational divides can be? Ignorance truly isn't bliss? I honestly don't know.

That being said, I can't say I disliked this. Despite not knowing the message, the story was intriguing and kept me invested. I'm glad Whiteley didn't try to over explain what the Beauty were or over complicate the story, and while I didn't care for any of the characters they still served their purpose well. Overall, this was a quick yet solid horror novella in my humble, biased opinion. It may not be scary spoopy horror, but it was unsettling and let its horror moments shine, so that's a plus. If you want to give it a shot, I recommend it. It's not winning any awards or anything, but it was a nice, solid read.

alicebme's review

Go to review page

4.0

The Beauty: I really like eating mushrooms, but I have never seen a yellow one, so I handled the sensations of this book ok enough. The thing about mushrooms is their smell, but the book didn’t focus of the smell. Anyway...I am going to need to sleep on this book. It was like nothing I’ve read before, but the themes were familiar enough. I think the push and pull between men and women, youth and their elders, creative types and physical laborers, pliable minds and those set in their ways is a forever push and pull. This book reminded me that nobody is right, and nobody is wrong.

Peace, Pipe: TBA

jerbil's review

Go to review page

2.0

The weirdest book I’ve ever read, very happy it was a short read. I’m sure that many would like this but it just wasn’t for me. Almost a DNF

ladymaiq's review

Go to review page

dark mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

1.25

laurajaylive's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

What an odd story that defies all scientific possibilities. Dystopian, disturbing plants gaining consciousness, and a story of love and connection. It was so odd, but I have to admit, I got a little sucked in.

sprainedbrain's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

laurenxochitl's review

Go to review page

dark emotional mysterious reflective tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot

4.75

julesbarthe10's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

this was two short stories in one book. The first, the beauty, was a dystopian world where all of the women have died due to a weird fungus. None of the men were affected though and have created a new civilization amongst themselves. THEN mushrooms start growing to the size of human women and start portraying all of the function of women. Then men are torn on how to deal with this. Love them or Kill them?

The 2nd book i didnt really care about lol

mochipandabear's review

Go to review page

3.0

Redoing this long review. Wasn’t for me at the moment when I decided to pick it up. If you like commentary on gender roles then this is a great pick for you! I was just disappointed the buildup to the Beauty in the story wasn’t longer. It felt like it rushed to get them in the picture.
Maybe I’m just too used to some of the horror too. Whatever you think, give it a try if you even remotely think you’d like it! I think that’s the best way to go about this book :)

goblintales's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5