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akira_outofthegravity's reviews
179 reviews
PTSD Radio 3 (Vol. 5-6) by Masaaki Nakayama
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
A short story collection where the closer the frequency next to the story is (1.5 hz etc) to another story, the closer related they are.
Spooky! I loved it! I prefer Junji Ito’s storytelling but honestly this art is so jarring I love it.
Spooky! I loved it! I prefer Junji Ito’s storytelling but honestly this art is so jarring I love it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
There’s a reason this is a classic.
For those who don’t know the twist- there can’t be many of you, this is a fantastic detective book. For those who do this is an incredible piece of art that plays with word choice.
I knew the twist, and this is actually a reread (but it was so long ago I read it I’ve decided just to mark it as read once) and I was astounded by how clever the wording was. Certain phrases that have a double meaning depending on if you know the ending, I think this is a rare book, in that you can enjoy it regardless of if you know how it ends.
Highly recommend!
For those who don’t know the twist- there can’t be many of you, this is a fantastic detective book. For those who do this is an incredible piece of art that plays with word choice.
I knew the twist, and this is actually a reread (but it was so long ago I read it I’ve decided just to mark it as read once) and I was astounded by how clever the wording was. Certain phrases that have a double meaning depending on if you know the ending, I think this is a rare book, in that you can enjoy it regardless of if you know how it ends.
Highly recommend!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Suicide, and Murder
The Thirteen Problems by Agatha Christie
challenging
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
A solid 3 stars.
It’s more of a short story collection than an actual book, if that makes sense, but I really enjoyed it! Each chapter could be made into their own story and be very effective.
That being said, it wasn’t groundbreaking, or particularly clever. So I enjoyed it, but don’t go into it expecting a big twist.
It’s more of a short story collection than an actual book, if that makes sense, but I really enjoyed it! Each chapter could be made into their own story and be very effective.
That being said, it wasn’t groundbreaking, or particularly clever. So I enjoyed it, but don’t go into it expecting a big twist.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship and Misogyny
Lapvona by Ottessa Moshfegh
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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
I don’t know if I’ve been lied to, or if I’ve just read a lot of fucked up stuff, but this wasn’t as messed up as I’d thought it would be. It was just kind of weird.
I didn’t dislike it, the writing is beautiful, but I do wonder what the point of it all is.
I loved all the religious references, marek and Jacob, Jude (Judas), etc etc, but something fell flat for me. I think overall the story is good, but it’s missing something. I think Marek could have been focused on more, as well as Lapvona as a place.
That being said I love the cyclical nature of the storyline, and I liked how I was sympathetic for certain characters and then it would slap me in the face with something horrible they’ve done and I’d be like “wow fuck that”.
Ultimately, I believe this is a story of a boy so starved of love and for a mother that he will search for it anywhere. Whether in punishment or in false love, eventually trying to force people to love him.
Lispeth deserved the world.
I didn’t dislike it, the writing is beautiful, but I do wonder what the point of it all is.
I loved all the religious references, marek and Jacob, Jude (Judas), etc etc, but something fell flat for me. I think overall the story is good, but it’s missing something. I think Marek could have been focused on more, as well as Lapvona as a place.
That being said I love the cyclical nature of the storyline, and I liked how I was sympathetic for certain characters and then it would slap me in the face with something horrible they’ve done and I’d be like “wow fuck that”.
Ultimately, I believe this is a story of a boy so starved of love and for a mother that he will search for it anywhere. Whether in punishment or in false love, eventually trying to force people to love him.
Lispeth deserved the world.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Rape, and Cannibalism
Moderate: Animal death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Pedophilia, and Murder
Minor: Body horror, Incest, Miscarriage, and Toxic relationship
Every Word You Never Said by Jordon Greene
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-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
4.0
A fun and lighthearted read. Don’t go into this expecting a masterpiece, it’s a really cute love story that I really enjoyed.
Makes me sad that I will never get something like this lmao
Makes me sad that I will never get something like this lmao
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Hate crime, Homophobia, and Transphobia
Moderate: Cursing and Religious bigotry
Minor: Death and Sexual content
Plain Bad Heroines by Emily M. Danforth
Did not finish book. Stopped at 24%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 24%.
Need to start it new when I’m more committed to such a big book :) I really enjoyed what I read tho!
Yellowface by R.F. Kuang
challenging
mysterious
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? Yes
4.5
A beautifully stunning critique of racism in modern day America and in the modern book-sphere.
Juniper is such an interesting character, because at points I almost do feel sorry for her. It’s difficult putting yourself out there, especially when your friend seems preordained for greatness. I’ve been there. My best friend was everything I wanted to be, she was blonde, beautiful, and funny. She was insanely intelligent and good at everything. Her poetry made a teacher cry, her grades were the highest in my year. No one wanted to know me, they wanted to know her. I understand Juniper, better than I’d like to admit.
But Juniper’s downfall comes in the form of her unwillingness, or perhaps her lack of ability, to take any responsibility. She’s judgemental and rude and turns on people at any given moment. She’s incredibly selfish and bitchy, but at points she is sympathetic.
I love how Kuang dips between timelines, showing both Athena and Juniper in a sympathetic and unsympathetic light- but the fact is that none of Athena’s acts are terrible enough to have her life’s work stolen and her identity as a woman of colour stolen.
I think this is a very sharp thought out critique and I hope that Kuang writes more thrillers in the future!
Juniper is such an interesting character, because at points I almost do feel sorry for her. It’s difficult putting yourself out there, especially when your friend seems preordained for greatness. I’ve been there. My best friend was everything I wanted to be, she was blonde, beautiful, and funny. She was insanely intelligent and good at everything. Her poetry made a teacher cry, her grades were the highest in my year. No one wanted to know me, they wanted to know her. I understand Juniper, better than I’d like to admit.
But Juniper’s downfall comes in the form of her unwillingness, or perhaps her lack of ability, to take any responsibility. She’s judgemental and rude and turns on people at any given moment. She’s incredibly selfish and bitchy, but at points she is sympathetic.
I love how Kuang dips between timelines, showing both Athena and Juniper in a sympathetic and unsympathetic light- but the fact is that none of Athena’s acts are terrible enough to have her life’s work stolen and her identity as a woman of colour stolen.
I think this is a very sharp thought out critique and I hope that Kuang writes more thrillers in the future!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, and Cultural appropriation
Moderate: Body horror, Bullying, Rape, Sexual assault, Vomit, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Eating disorder and Gaslighting
The Decagon House Murders by Yukito Ayatsuji
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
A really enjoyable murder mystery novel that kept me guessing until the very end.
I felt that the solution was a little far fetched, but I have to say I didn’t guess it lol. I felt bad because I really liked all the characters and then they all died, and it felt like the murderers motive wasn’t really all there?
if chiori had been more prevalent in the lead up, perhaps with the members feeling guilt over her death, then maybe it would have seemed less out the blue. Her death from alcohol consumption is fine, but no one remembers her or even cares that she died apart from Orczy and the murderer.
While I have a couple of issues with the story, what this book gets really well is ATMOSPHERE. The second to last chapter seriously spooked me, maybe because murder mysteries tend not to talk too much about how a body looks and so it threw me off.
A unique and atmospheric story that I felt could have been fleshed out a little more, from the author of one of my favourite manga’s (Another).
I felt that the solution was a little far fetched, but I have to say I didn’t guess it lol. I felt bad because I really liked all the characters and then they all died, and it felt like the murderers motive wasn’t really all there?
While I have a couple of issues with the story, what this book gets really well is ATMOSPHERE. The second to last chapter seriously spooked me, maybe because murder mysteries tend not to talk too much about how a body looks and so it threw me off.
A unique and atmospheric story that I felt could have been fleshed out a little more, from the author of one of my favourite manga’s (Another).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Body horror, Panic attacks/disorders, and Alcohol
Minor: Child death, Vomit, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
Earthlings by Sayaka Murata
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Wow. I was not expecting that.
Honestly I need to gather my thoughts a little. That was such a clusterfuck that I’m having trouble processing it. On the outside this is a quirky story about two kids discovering themselves. In reality it’s about two abused children leaving reality, and liberating themselves at any cost.
I did skip a few bits in this book. But I loved the end, the fire was impeccable, and I also loved the bond that grew between the trio. I really wanted Natsuki to thrive, and I guess in a way she did.
She did nothing wrong, and I will defend her until I die.
After the halfway mark it becomes more funny than the first half, but it’s still a deeply sad book. I enjoyed it! Not everyone’s cup of tea tho.
Honestly I need to gather my thoughts a little. That was such a clusterfuck that I’m having trouble processing it. On the outside this is a quirky story about two kids discovering themselves. In reality it’s about two abused children leaving reality, and liberating themselves at any cost.
I did skip a few bits in this book. But I loved the end, the fire was impeccable, and I also loved the bond that grew between the trio. I really wanted Natsuki to thrive, and I guess in a way she did.
She did nothing wrong, and I will defend her until I die.
After the halfway mark it becomes more funny than the first half, but it’s still a deeply sad book. I enjoyed it! Not everyone’s cup of tea tho.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Incest, Pedophilia, Rape, and Cannibalism
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Self harm, Grief, and Murder
Minor: Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Vomit, and Toxic friendship
Ring by Kōji Suzuki
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I saw the film (Ringu) recently and really enjoyed it, so I decided to finally get around to reading this.
Much like the film it’s a slow burn that gradually speeds up towards the end. I prefer the book purely because it goes more in depth about Sadako and her reasons for becoming an Onryo, but I prefer the movies version of Asakawa.
That being said This Asakawa is a really compelling protagonist. Despite everything he really cares about his family.
There were various elements that made me uncomfy, such as Asakawa’s attitude towards intersexuality, and generally the way women are portrayed, however I wonder if (for the time) it may have been considered progressive? I don’t know, I think it’d be interesting to research and I like how the story has evolved over the time.
A solid read!
Much like the film it’s a slow burn that gradually speeds up towards the end. I prefer the book purely because it goes more in depth about Sadako and her reasons for becoming an Onryo, but I prefer the movies version of Asakawa.
That being said This Asakawa is a really compelling protagonist. Despite everything he really cares about his family.
There were various elements that made me uncomfy, such as Asakawa’s attitude towards intersexuality, and generally the way women are portrayed, however I wonder if (for the time) it may have been considered progressive? I don’t know, I think it’d be interesting to research and I like how the story has evolved over the time.
A solid read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Rape, Suicide, Transphobia, and Murder
Moderate: Body shaming, Blood, Grief, and Alcohol
Minor: Sexism, Violence, and Vomit