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akira_outofthegravity's reviews
173 reviews
Salvation of a Saint by Keigo Higashino
challenging
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
A really good murder mystery. As always it’s more focused on motive than the actual whodunnit. Which I really liked.
There was a really nice unravelling element to the story, like a snowball getting bigger and bigger until it reached the bottom of the mountain. Ayane is a really interesting character, and I liked her a lot. I also liked how Kusanagi was affected heavily by her and how that impeded his judgement but also aided the investigation.
Detective Galileo is, as always, a joy to read. A fascinating character that I have never disliked once.
While it’s not groundbreaking, it is a solid novel. Well written, well translated, well paced, and well plotted.
There was a really nice unravelling element to the story, like a snowball getting bigger and bigger until it reached the bottom of the mountain. Ayane is a really interesting character, and I liked her a lot. I also liked how Kusanagi was affected heavily by her and how that impeded his judgement but also aided the investigation.
Detective Galileo is, as always, a joy to read. A fascinating character that I have never disliked once.
While it’s not groundbreaking, it is a solid novel. Well written, well translated, well paced, and well plotted.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Infertility, Murder, Sexism, and Infidelity
Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
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
3.5
I think the last few pages really makes the book. It’s about Keiko, a convenience store worker who is unable to fit into society, instead making the store her society and living her life by the way the store works.
The story is about her troubles with friends and family, and her attempts to be perceived as normal. Then her acceptance into her role as a convenience store worker.
It’s a really clever book, and very relatable. I felt that I related to what Keiko said about copying peoples speech patterns in order to be liked, as I do that myself. I really liked the ending and thought it was actually pretty inspirational.
I think Shiraha is also really interesting- while Keiko is unable to fit into society and thus rejects it, Shiraha rejects society in order to be lazy. He is just as bad as the people who judge Keiko, but views himself as a victim. Basically he’s an incel.
I liked it!
The story is about her troubles with friends and family, and her attempts to be perceived as normal. Then her acceptance into her role as a convenience store worker.
It’s a really clever book, and very relatable. I felt that I related to what Keiko said about copying peoples speech patterns in order to be liked, as I do that myself. I really liked the ending and thought it was actually pretty inspirational.
I think Shiraha is also really interesting- while Keiko is unable to fit into society and thus rejects it, Shiraha rejects society in order to be lazy. He is just as bad as the people who judge Keiko, but views himself as a victim. Basically he’s an incel.
I liked it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexism
Moderate: Ableism
Supper Club by Lara Williams
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-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? Yes
4.5
This is like dark academia with food.
Honestly the food metaphors are incredible, the subtlety of the food reflecting the story arc is really cool. I loved Roberta, I loved her journey. I loved the imagery and I loved analysing this book.
I wish we knew what she chose, but I think it’s fairly clear that she chooses Adnan. I also think Stevie is a total controlling bitch, but she has her moments.
I like the themes of nonconformity, of trying to be yourself. Overall this is a really easy read, and a really interesting one.
Honestly the food metaphors are incredible, the subtlety of the food reflecting the story arc is really cool. I loved Roberta, I loved her journey. I loved the imagery and I loved analysing this book.
I wish we knew what she chose, but I think it’s fairly clear that she chooses Adnan. I also think Stevie is a total controlling bitch, but she has her moments.
I like the themes of nonconformity, of trying to be yourself. Overall this is a really easy read, and a really interesting one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Rape, Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Toxic friendship, and Vomit
Moderate: Alcohol, Body shaming, Bullying, Fatphobia, and Injury/Injury detail
Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer
adventurous
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I’m very conflicted with this book.
On one hand, the story is well paced and well written (in parts). Area X is described well enough to keep me interested while also maintaining an air of mystery. The tower is suitably creepy, as are the incidents mentioned to have happened to the previous explorers.
But at the same time I don’t give a shit about anything that happens. I think it’s a problem with the Biologist. She’s so blah and wishy washy that I really don’t care about her, the same goes for the Surveyor. The Psychologist is the most interesting and yet she doesn’t share anything.
We have no answers at the end of the book, which left it feeling unfulfilling and disappointing. If we did get any answers they are hidden in bloated writing and hard to distinguish. The ending is pretty good, I liked the tragedy of it, the final line in particular is haunting. It’s just a shame that the rest didn’t live up to the hype. If the Biologist had any personality I think things may have been different.
I’m not interested in the sequels.
On one hand, the story is well paced and well written (in parts). Area X is described well enough to keep me interested while also maintaining an air of mystery. The tower is suitably creepy, as are the incidents mentioned to have happened to the previous explorers.
But at the same time I don’t give a shit about anything that happens. I think it’s a problem with the Biologist. She’s so blah and wishy washy that I really don’t care about her, the same goes for the Surveyor. The Psychologist is the most interesting and yet she doesn’t share anything.
We have no answers at the end of the book, which left it feeling unfulfilling and disappointing. If we did get any answers they are hidden in bloated writing and hard to distinguish. The ending is pretty good, I liked the tragedy of it, the final line in particular is haunting. It’s just a shame that the rest didn’t live up to the hype. If the Biologist had any personality I think things may have been different.
I’m not interested in the sequels.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Body horror, Gaslighting, and Murder
Moderate: Suicide, Cancer, and Terminal illness
Cursed Bunny by Bora Chung
dark
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Make it past the first and second story and you will reach gold. A beautiful anthology discussing trauma, revenge, love, greed, guilt, with a mix of sci-fi and horror to really emphasise the themes.
I really loved the stories, I loved that despite everything it wasn’t all doom and gloom. There were some happy endings within it all.
My top three stories have to be:
1. Cursed Bunny
2. Home Sweet Home
3. Snare
But to be honest I loved all of them bar the first two.
I really loved the stories, I loved that despite everything it wasn’t all doom and gloom. There were some happy endings within it all.
My top three stories have to be:
1. Cursed Bunny
2. Home Sweet Home
3. Snare
But to be honest I loved all of them bar the first two.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Blood, Body horror, Car accident, Confinement, Child death, Death, Grief, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Suicide, Abandonment, Mental illness, Medical trauma, and Incest
Fish Swimming in Dappled Sunlight by Riku Onda
challenging
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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
3.75
This is a beautiful exercise in grief and remorse. It’s not so much a murder mystery, as it is an introspection into the lives of Hiro and Aki. Much like the Aosawa Murders. It’s about love and guilt and letting go of the past.
Honestly it’s really beautiful. I loved the scenery, and the writing is filled with such melancholy that it aches. Onda has some insane talent.
It’s probably going to be a book either you love or you hate.
Honestly it’s really beautiful. I loved the scenery, and the writing is filled with such melancholy that it aches. Onda has some insane talent.
It’s probably going to be a book either you love or you hate.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide and Child death
Moderate: Violence and Incest
World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War by Max Brooks
dark
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
I’ve been really into zombies lately, and I found that there’s usually a formula for these types of stories.
Unlikely middle class straight cis white guy becomes hero, does thing, saves world. End film. Roll credits.
This is nothing like that- which is what makes it so good. It is set in short bursts, with the “author” interviewing people who all were around when World War Z was happening. This ranges from suburban moms to illegal organ harvesters, those who were there at the beginning and the end. The soldiers, the general. The good and the evil. Those who purposefully sent people to die, those who purposefully made a false cure, those who- in the beginning- their government tried to cover up what they found.
It is fascinating and brings up points like economics, how would people survive, what an armed response would be like, the lasting damages to the planet, feral people, feral animals, people who were so convinced they were zombies that they’d actually bite people. It mentions the traitors, the loyalists, the heroes and the villains and manages to paint an entire story of a 10 year war in just over 300 pages. And for that I think this book is spectacular. But most of all it’s hopeful. The war ends, and people are allowed to move on. I think the horror in this book comes more from the human side of the war, but nevertheless this is a fantastic read and a must for any zombie lover- such as myself.
Unlikely middle class straight cis white guy becomes hero, does thing, saves world. End film. Roll credits.
This is nothing like that- which is what makes it so good. It is set in short bursts, with the “author” interviewing people who all were around when World War Z was happening. This ranges from suburban moms to illegal organ harvesters, those who were there at the beginning and the end. The soldiers, the general. The good and the evil. Those who purposefully sent people to die, those who purposefully made a false cure, those who- in the beginning- their government tried to cover up what they found.
It is fascinating and brings up points like economics, how would people survive, what an armed response would be like, the lasting damages to the planet, feral people, feral animals, people who were so convinced they were zombies that they’d actually bite people. It mentions the traitors, the loyalists, the heroes and the villains and manages to paint an entire story of a 10 year war in just over 300 pages. And for that I think this book is spectacular. But most of all it’s hopeful. The war ends, and people are allowed to move on. I think the horror in this book comes more from the human side of the war, but nevertheless this is a fantastic read and a must for any zombie lover- such as myself.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Grief, War, Blood, Cannibalism, and Suicide
Moderate: Animal death, Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, and Forced institutionalization
I Married My Best Friend to Shut My Parents Up by Kodama Naoko
funny
lighthearted
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? Yes
3.0
Not bad! It’s a lighthearted story about two friends who marry for convenience, and then realise that they should remain married.
Not perfect, Hana is annoying sometimes but I really liked the main character Morimoto.
Not perfect, Hana is annoying sometimes but I really liked the main character Morimoto.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Lesbophobia and Homophobia
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Alcohol, and Child abuse
Minor: Sexual assault and Sexual content
Delilah Green Doesn't Care by Ashley Herring Blake
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
5.0
Have you ever read a romance book that had you sighing like a teenager reading Twilight for the first time? I hadn’t- until I read this book.
This is the cutest book ever, and I’m not typically a romance fan. It had lesbians, bisexuals, a favourite trope of mine (the dating bet trope), a small amount of angst, a ton of love and heart and joy.
Delilah is such a lovely character and honestly I loved her development. I think that it’s a really interesting arc for her- going from being bitter and lonely to opening up and also realising just how much grief can blind you. I think she and Isabel are two sides of the same coin, which is why they don’t get along, but where Isabel controls Astrid, Delilah controls herself.
Also Claire is toooootally my type. She’s such a sweetheart and it’s nice having a plus sized woman be so happy and loved and confident in herself. I really liked Astrid and Iris too. Watching Claire come out of her shell and learn to trust others is really gorgeous.
The smut is soooooo good 👀 not over the top but gentle and sweet and pretty hot too. An instant favourite and I cannot wait for the sequels! Especially the next book with Astrid as the main lady.
This is the cutest book ever, and I’m not typically a romance fan. It had lesbians, bisexuals, a favourite trope of mine (the dating bet trope), a small amount of angst, a ton of love and heart and joy.
Delilah is such a lovely character and honestly I loved her development. I think that it’s a really interesting arc for her- going from being bitter and lonely to opening up and also realising just how much grief can blind you. I think she and Isabel are two sides of the same coin, which is why they don’t get along, but where Isabel controls Astrid, Delilah controls herself.
Also Claire is toooootally my type. She’s such a sweetheart and it’s nice having a plus sized woman be so happy and loved and confident in herself. I really liked Astrid and Iris too. Watching Claire come out of her shell and learn to trust others is really gorgeous.
The smut is soooooo good 👀 not over the top but gentle and sweet and pretty hot too. An instant favourite and I cannot wait for the sequels! Especially the next book with Astrid as the main lady.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, and Sexual content
Moderate: Cancer and Abandonment
Minor: Infidelity
Boys of the Dead by Douji Tomita
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
3.5
I like the stories! Some are better than others but I like the setting and the art is great. Wish there was less incest/rape but like, it’s not super prominent. Just a bit icky.
I like how all the stories tied together at the end, and I think my favourite story was Linus and Conor.
Pretty fucked up but entertaining!
I like how all the stories tied together at the end, and I think my favourite story was Linus and Conor.
Pretty fucked up but entertaining!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Cannibalism, Toxic relationship, Suicide, Sexual content, Incest, and Death
Moderate: Rape, Confinement, Kidnapping, and Gore
Minor: Death of parent