adamcordner's reviews
56 reviews

Roadside Picnic by Boris Strugatsky, Arkady Strugatsky

adventurous dark tense slow-paced

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

3.0

Unfortunately, I was quite disappointed with this read. The premise sounded infinity interesting and full of potential, but I found the execution to be honestly quite boring. 

The Jaunt by Stephen King

fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.0

I'm a fan of the eventual horror revealed. The concept itself could be truly terrifying, but the story fails to deliver on that potential. 

Piranesi by Susanna Clarke

mysterious reflective relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Clarke conjures a terrifyingly beautiful and magical world - a world of never ending secrets and grandeur. The otherworldly atmosphere is amplified by the unravelling mystery that is the story of Piranesi.

BEASTARS, Vol. 16 by Paru Itagaki

fast-paced

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

4.5

As always the artwork is incredible. Some of the story beats in this volume don't add anything to the plot, but they're still entertaining. Also... HAPPY BIRTHDAY LEGOSI! 

At the Mountains of Madness (Illustrated, Vol. 2) by H.P. Lovecraft

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

On a purely visual level, this book is a masterpiece. It contains some of my absolute favourite depictions of Lovecraft's creatures and settings. This story is also one of Lovecraft's best, despite it's problematic elements that come from the author's worldview, and one that any fan of the genre should consider. 

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense fast-paced

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

5.0

The love portrayed in this book between Achilles and Patroclus is magnificent and so rich. You really feel the overwhelming love and passion of their relationship throughout the whole book. Completely uplifting and yet utterly heartbreaking. 

Coraline by Neil Gaiman

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.0

I Am Legend by Richard Matheson

dark mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

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

3.75

A very compelling take on the vampire genre. I'm a huge fan of the scientific approach to explaining the supernatural like this, although I liked that not everything was explained or made sense from the point of view of our protagonist. I  found the protagonist to be unlikeable, in an intended way, but he was a bit too horny given the situation imo (like, the world has been taken over by vampires, c'mon man). Overall, I think I would recommend it.

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

God, this book. Never has a book given me such a warm and fuzzy feeling inside. I fell in love with every character and I couldn't stop reading. Honestly a must-read. 

The Things by Peter Watts

challenging dark reflective tense medium-paced

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

4.0

A deeply unsettling story that challenges the presumptions about life we all share. I am always intrigued by stories about, or from the perspective of, those whose perspectives and motivations cannot be understood through a human lens, as it inspires great introspection into our own nature and the human condition. Regardless of whether you are a fan of the film which inspired this story, I would wholeheartedly recommend it.