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akira_outofthegravity's reviews
179 reviews
Life Ceremony by Sayaka Murata
dark
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
A series of short stories that have the same themes of Convenience Store Woman but with added fuckery.
As someone who is an asexual lesbian I didn’t find a lot of the stories particularly disturbing, maybe that’s the point, but a lot of people found this to be crazy weird and while it was definitely that, it wasn’t as weird as I’d thought.
As in Convenience Store Woman, Murata talks about asexuality, aromanticism, life, sex, and the idea of not fitting into society. I enjoyed this collection!
The highlights were:
Life Ceremony
Hatchling
A clean marriage
Two’s family
Poochie
As someone who is an asexual lesbian I didn’t find a lot of the stories particularly disturbing, maybe that’s the point, but a lot of people found this to be crazy weird and while it was definitely that, it wasn’t as weird as I’d thought.
As in Convenience Store Woman, Murata talks about asexuality, aromanticism, life, sex, and the idea of not fitting into society. I enjoyed this collection!
The highlights were:
Life Ceremony
Hatchling
A clean marriage
Two’s family
Poochie
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Vomit, and Cannibalism
Moderate: Death, Gore, Incest, Sexual content, Medical content, Stalking, and Pregnancy
Minor: Alcohol
A lot of talk about semen.
Confessions by Kanae Minato
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A 4.5 ⭐️ read turned to a 5⭐️ with the last page.
Every chapter felt like a slap in the face in the best way possible. It is absolutely like Camus meets Heathers, filled with characters who are shitty but you can’t help kind of rooting for?
The revenge is absolutely gorgeous, and it’s a really interesting tale about cycles of abuse and grief, and how revenge isn’t always the answer but sometimes does make you feel better.
A really satisfying read.
Every chapter felt like a slap in the face in the best way possible. It is absolutely like Camus meets Heathers, filled with characters who are shitty but you can’t help kind of rooting for?
The revenge is absolutely gorgeous, and it’s a really interesting tale about cycles of abuse and grief, and how revenge isn’t always the answer but sometimes does make you feel better.
A really satisfying read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child death, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Murder
Moderate: Terminal illness, Blood, Grief, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Animal death, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Miscarriage, Transphobia, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
The Old Guard, Book three: Tales Through Time by Vita Ayala, Kelly Sue DeConnick, Jason Aaron, Brian Michael Bendis, Greg Rucka
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
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
3.75
Very cute collection of stories from the old guard :’) I really liked Joe and Nicky’s one (story 2).
I didn’t like some of the art, but overall I enjoyed it. It’s nice to see them as people doing stuff yknow?
I didn’t like some of the art, but overall I enjoyed it. It’s nice to see them as people doing stuff yknow?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Murder
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, and Racism
Minor: Homophobia and Sexual content
The Old Guard, Book One: Opening Fire by Greg Rucka
dark
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
3.0
I watched the film first, I love all of the characters. And surprisingly I loved them in here too!
The story was a little different but I enjoyed it, I think the style and the dialogue are really good. It was a little fast paced for me, but I don’t know if that’s a standard thing with comics that I’m just not used to.
A good, quick read with decent gore and nice art :)
JoeNicky forever <3
The story was a little different but I enjoyed it, I think the style and the dialogue are really good. It was a little fast paced for me, but I don’t know if that’s a standard thing with comics that I’m just not used to.
A good, quick read with decent gore and nice art :)
JoeNicky forever <3
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Gun violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Body horror and Blood
Minor: Slavery, Trafficking, and War
Heartstream by Tom Pollock
challenging
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I think I’m finally getting too old for YA…
I skimmed this book, mostly. The book has an interesting premise where you can stream your emotions to random people. For Amy this means she has gained a cult following as she documents her mothers cancer journey, and her death.
It’s a dual narrative from the perspective of Amy (as above) and Cat- a fan of a boy band who is secretly in a relationship with the lead member. Her best friend is a total freak obsessed with them.
Like, it’s fine? I guess? But to be frank I couldn’t stand Cat for a good portion of the book. I skimmed most of her chapters. She had all the personality of a wet sponge. But I liked that as time went on she gained some kind of feeling that separated her from being just a blank canvas.
Amy was pretty good too, I liked her as a character. I think her actions were pretty rational and I liked her.
It’s not the worst story in the world, at all, but it’s not good. I don’t like the writing style, I think it could have done with another draft, and I think the story is dumb.
Evie as a villain doesn’t make logical sense. A fan so obsessed with her blorbo’s being gay that she traps her best friend (who is pregnant with her blorbo’s child) in an asylum and steals her baby and blackmails the psychiatrist with a dick pick?
Also, Ryan being the mayor was a fuckin stupid plot point. It just???? The last 100 pages was a clusterfuck of “reasons” why Cat couldn’t become public. Most of which were dumb. The only legit one is that the police/Ryan could silence her.
I guess I just don’t understand what the author was trying to say. There is a clear parallel between Amy and heartstream and Cat with Tumblr. But like, okay? So what? I don’t like when people try to make critiques of fandom spaces because they usually get it wrong. They don’t understand the fandom space- not to say they aren’t toxic, they absolutely can be, but it’s clear that the only point they can make is “obsessive fan bad”, but then make them comically obsessive, so much so that it’s funny and not creepy. I dunno. This book felt very wishywashy, but like I said maybe I’m too old for it lolz
I skimmed this book, mostly. The book has an interesting premise where you can stream your emotions to random people. For Amy this means she has gained a cult following as she documents her mothers cancer journey, and her death.
It’s a dual narrative from the perspective of Amy (as above) and Cat- a fan of a boy band who is secretly in a relationship with the lead member. Her best friend is a total freak obsessed with them.
Like, it’s fine? I guess? But to be frank I couldn’t stand Cat for a good portion of the book. I skimmed most of her chapters. She had all the personality of a wet sponge. But I liked that as time went on she gained some kind of feeling that separated her from being just a blank canvas.
Amy was pretty good too, I liked her as a character. I think her actions were pretty rational and I liked her.
It’s not the worst story in the world, at all, but it’s not good. I don’t like the writing style, I think it could have done with another draft, and I think the story is dumb.
Also, Ryan being the mayor was a fuckin stupid plot point. It just???? The last 100 pages was a clusterfuck of “reasons” why Cat couldn’t become public. Most of which were dumb. The only legit one is that the police/Ryan could silence her.
I guess I just don’t understand what the author was trying to say. There is a clear parallel between Amy and heartstream and Cat with Tumblr. But like, okay? So what? I don’t like when people try to make critiques of fandom spaces because they usually get it wrong. They don’t understand the fandom space- not to say they aren’t toxic, they absolutely can be, but it’s clear that the only point they can make is “obsessive fan bad”, but then make them comically obsessive, so much so that it’s funny and not creepy. I dunno. This book felt very wishywashy, but like I said maybe I’m too old for it lolz
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Forced institutionalization, Pregnancy, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Gaslighting
Minor: Cancer, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
slow-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
I can’t help but love Rochester. I can’t. I adore him and his sarcasm and charm. I think his romance with Jane (wives and age gaps aside) is very sweet. He’s like a total weirdo tho, but idk I like that he doesn’t want to change Jane (like a certain someone does). That being said it is absolutely not the basis of a healthy relationship and it should be read for enjoyment purposes only, as opposed to something to strive to.
Jane Eyre is the knockout star. I loved reading about her. I kind of wish I was born before it was published, so I could read it when it came out. It feels like a story that would have caused major scandal. Maybe it changed the traverse of a young woman’s life.
It drags a little at around page 300, but I enjoyed every second. Jane is such a pleasure. I loved reading about her and I loved that even in spite of her hardships she was kind, and kept true to herself. She did not let anyone dampen her flame, and I think that’s beautiful. She’s the classic strong heroine and her story was so satisfying.
Not a 5 star read for me (casual racism, antisemitism, and ableism) but a read that I found to be very wholesome and interesting. It’s absolutely worth it, I will be thinking about Jane for a while to come.
Jane Eyre is the knockout star. I loved reading about her. I kind of wish I was born before it was published, so I could read it when it came out. It feels like a story that would have caused major scandal. Maybe it changed the traverse of a young woman’s life.
It drags a little at around page 300, but I enjoyed every second. Jane is such a pleasure. I loved reading about her and I loved that even in spite of her hardships she was kind, and kept true to herself. She did not let anyone dampen her flame, and I think that’s beautiful. She’s the classic strong heroine and her story was so satisfying.
Not a 5 star read for me (casual racism, antisemitism, and ableism) but a read that I found to be very wholesome and interesting. It’s absolutely worth it, I will be thinking about Jane for a while to come.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Confinement, Emotional abuse, and Mental illness
Moderate: Bullying, Child death, Forced institutionalization, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Misogyny and Suicide
One Rainy Night by Richard Laymon
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Pulp fiction at its finest.
Could have done without the rape and racism but it’s a quick easy read. A lot of gore, which I liked. I particularly liked the bit where Trev thinks a boy is holding a ball on a string, but it turns out to be some poor girls head.
I guess I would describe it as a video-nasty in a book.
A cheesy slasher in a book.
Not for thinking too much about, yknow?
Could have done without the rape and racism but it’s a quick easy read. A lot of gore, which I liked. I particularly liked the bit where Trev thinks a boy is holding a ball on a string, but it turns out to be some poor girls head.
I guess I would describe it as a video-nasty in a book.
A cheesy slasher in a book.
Not for thinking too much about, yknow?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Racism, Rape, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Confinement, Sexual violence, and Violence
Minor: Child death, Misogyny, Cannibalism, Car accident, and Fire/Fire injury
Mostly Void, Partially Stars by Joseph Fink, Jeffrey Cranor
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
A collection of my favourite episodes from my favourite podcast- what could I hate?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, and Blood
Silent Parade by Keigo Higashino
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? It's complicated
3.75
It’s honestly like coming home to a warm hug when I read a Detective Galileo novel.
This book was pretty good! It’s nicely written and structured well. The story is filled with twists and turns as usual. Most I didn’t see coming, but a couple I did which I felt very good about lol. I think the connection between the cases was pretty good. The motive reminded me a bit of his previous work Malice.
I found the conclusion and ending to be a bit rushed, and I wasn’t totally satisfied with who actually killed Saori. But aside from that I really liked it! I loooooved all the literary references and I loved the reference to The Devotion of Suspect X!
While not as great as his other books I think it’s still a worthy read.
This book was pretty good! It’s nicely written and structured well. The story is filled with twists and turns as usual. Most I didn’t see coming, but a couple I did which I felt very good about lol. I think the connection between the cases was pretty good. The motive reminded me a bit of his previous work Malice.
I found the conclusion and ending to be a bit rushed, and I wasn’t totally satisfied with who actually killed Saori. But aside from that I really liked it! I loooooved all the literary references and I loved the reference to The Devotion of Suspect X!
While not as great as his other books I think it’s still a worthy read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Death, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Suicide, Stalking, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Infertility and Rape
Surrendering to the Italian's Command by Kim Lawrence
lighthearted
fast-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
3.0
I didn’t hate this!
The main guy isn’t as insufferable as I’d expected, I really liked Tess. I think the exploration of trauma and guilt was p interesting for a Mills & Boone. I liked that the disabled character called out Danilo for infantilising her.
Over all I didn’t hate it, or laugh at it, as much as I thought I would!
The main guy isn’t as insufferable as I’d expected, I really liked Tess. I think the exploration of trauma and guilt was p interesting for a Mills & Boone. I liked that the disabled character called out Danilo for infantilising her.
Over all I didn’t hate it, or laugh at it, as much as I thought I would!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Ableism and Medical content
Minor: Pregnancy