_gail_'s reviews
30 reviews

We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson

challenging dark mysterious tense slow-paced

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

3.75

Carmilla by J. Sheridan Le Fanu

dark mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

4.5

An Absolutely Remarkable Thing by Hank Green

adventurous funny hopeful inspiring mysterious medium-paced

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

4.0

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

3.25

The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

3.75

Good Omens by Neil Gaiman, Terry Pratchett

4.0

The Hobbit: or There and Back Again by J.R.R. Tolkien

4.5

My Best Friend's Exorcism by Grady Hendrix
Did not finish book.

0.5

I really wanted to like this book. I liked the way it was written, but unfortunately it's racist and homophobic. one of the main characters admitted to doing blackface multiple times ( which had nothing to do with the plot) they participated in a 'slave day' at school (also not important to the plot).  there were also quite a few odd interactions between the characters as children, for instance put their foots in each other's crotches ( they were 11 at the time). I like campy horror but the good parts of this book are made uncomfortable by all the unnecessary racism, homophobia, and grossness. I get it's set in the 80's but it is a work of fiction and the author came up with and chose to add those things to the book. I do not recommend this book to anyone. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Self harm, and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Ableism, Eating disorder, Racism, and Kidnapping

Minor: Child death, Homophobia, and Sexual assault

Coraline by Neil Gaiman

adventurous dark hopeful inspiring mysterious tense medium-paced

4.25

Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

4.75