A review by blanchreads
Strange Houses by Uketsu

adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

 

I was so looking forward to reading this one because I love Strange Pictures. And after reading this, now I can’t wait for Strange Buildings! 

 

 

When a writer is approached by his friend who is about to buy a second hand house in Tokyo, the house seems perfect with its bright and spacious interior. But there’s a mysterious dead space hidden between the walls.  The writer consult his architect friend and they both discover more strange spaces in the house. Both of them are challenge to solve this puzzling floor plans and the plot behind it all. 

 

 

This one has the same mystery and strangeness as Strange Pictures but not  as jaw dropping and shocking.  It is a very interesting start and it will really captivate you to read further and find out what’s happening.  It is a quick and easy read, with all the floor plans to accompany the story.  As the story progresses, I start to realize that what the writer and the architect are doing are pure speculations and assumptions with not much basis.  This is the part  I didn’t like but as the story moves forward, things are starting to take shape and make more sense.   

 

I still love how the author can come up with this kind of story and can formulate a story based on the floor plans of the house. I also think that the hype it gets is  partly because of the author. Uketsu’s true identity is unknown and he always appears in wearing white mask, black body stockings with his digitally altered voice. He is a mystery as much as his books.