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apollo0325's reviews
389 reviews
Fake Dates and Mooncakes by Sher Lee
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
An accessible rom-com that involves a lot of baking, kpop references, and young love. Is it the pinnacle of the genre? No. It’s not really doing anything new here, but did I have fun and read it all in a day? Absolutely!
Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation: Mo Dao Zu Shi (The Comic / Manhua), Vol. 1 by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Banger graphic novel adaptation. Only qualm would be some of the speech bubbles don’t really match the flow of the page.
I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
4.25
As an avid iCarly viewer in the mid-aughts, Sam Puckett was 100% my favorite character. Hilarious, strong, and absolutely wack, I loved her energy. So when Jennette McCurdy announced a memoir that chronicled her early childhood into her twenties that included snippets of her time on iCarly, I knew I had to read it. I hardly keep up with most celebrities, but I always wondered what had happened to Jennette over the years after iCarly (I never watched Sam & Cat because I don’t like Ariana Grande lmao).
This was such a heartbreaking memoir. It was simple in writing but so smart in a way that Jennette just didn’t hide her feelings or gave us information without any particular emotional attachment so we as the readers could assess the situation for ourselves. The situation was pretty fucked from beginning to end. As someone who is a recovering emotional binge eater, it was not easy to read those similar thoughts reflected through McCurdy’s experience. While the disorders may be different, the feelings are identical. Powerlessness, frustration, anxiety, it all coalesces into shame, guilt, and for some, tragedy.
McCurdy wrote a powerful and moving memoir. It was beautiful and tragic, and I hope one day, McCurdy finds the peace she deserves.
A small, personal critique I had with the book was some difficulty parsing the timeline. We spend a lot of our time in Jennette’s early childhood prior to being casted as a regular on iCarly, but from there, time seems to move much faster. Only slight pacing issues.
This was such a heartbreaking memoir. It was simple in writing but so smart in a way that Jennette just didn’t hide her feelings or gave us information without any particular emotional attachment so we as the readers could assess the situation for ourselves. The situation was pretty fucked from beginning to end. As someone who is a recovering emotional binge eater, it was not easy to read those similar thoughts reflected through McCurdy’s experience. While the disorders may be different, the feelings are identical. Powerlessness, frustration, anxiety, it all coalesces into shame, guilt, and for some, tragedy.
McCurdy wrote a powerful and moving memoir. It was beautiful and tragic, and I hope one day, McCurdy finds the peace she deserves.
A small, personal critique I had with the book was some difficulty parsing the timeline. We spend a lot of our time in Jennette’s early childhood prior to being casted as a regular on iCarly, but from there, time seems to move much faster. Only slight pacing issues.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Vomit, Child abuse, Physical abuse, and Alcoholism
Moderate: Cancer and Terminal illness
Minor: Stalking and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
DEFINITELY be cautious if you struggle with eating disorders, abuse by parental figures, and alcoholism
Camp Damascus by Chuck Tingle
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.5
I was really intrigued to see Chuck Tingle, an author well known for his spoofy/satirical erotica release a traditionally published horror novel, and the premise hooked me immediately. Unfortunately, I felt the execution was fairly lackluster, and while the concept of a conversion camp mixed with horror elements was super cool, it didn’t feel like enough.
Spoilers ahoy!
Don’t get me wrong, the body horror and the horrific imagery were baller as hell. Tingle does a great job of making you feel unsettled with his descriptions, but the rest of the book was lacking in coherency. Why the Peter Pan/shadow reference? It felt very out of place especially because we’re having characters recite Bible verses every chapter at least once if not multiple times. The conversion camp part was cool, but it didn’t feel like enough. I wanted to see more of the camp and Rose interacting with other campers. The pacing of the book was FAST which I don’t think was a bad thing initially because it got you into the momentum of the story. However, the pacing sacrificed characterization for both the protagonists and the antagonists. Rose’s dad is obviously heavily involved in the conversion camp; why was his plot almost immediately dropped after Rose left? Also, why was Pastor Ben the BBEG?? That felt odd too. And Rose’s mom, why was nothing followed up there? Lastly, what forces your conversion camp demon to kill you? When is the line drawn? The rules of this universe were confusing at best and convoluted and convenient at worst.
I think there was a lot of ideas and moments that definitely felt thought of first before the plot was present. Even if that wasn’t the case, then it feels like that was the case. Was not impressed and even a bit disappointed :(
Spoilers ahoy!
I think there was a lot of ideas and moments that definitely felt thought of first before the plot was present. Even if that wasn’t the case, then it feels like that was the case. Was not impressed and even a bit disappointed :(
The Seep by Chana Porter
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I was really intrigued by this book because of the concept of a “quiet” alien invasion that turns into a symbiotic relationship between said aliens and humans exploring grief, love, and the human experience. I think it definitely achieved what it was trying to do, but it had the subtlety of an Acme anvil in a Looney Tunes episode. Perhaps the book wasn’t necessarily about subtlety and wanted to be overt in its themes and characters, but I don’t think it was developed enough to really drive home Trina’s emotions.
The writing itself was good and accessible and the world building was well done that it didn’t bonk you over the head over-explaining and instead showed how the Seep changes and interacts with daily human life.
The writing itself was good and accessible and the world building was well done that it didn’t bonk you over the head over-explaining and instead showed how the Seep changes and interacts with daily human life.
The Ballad of Black Tom by Victor LaValle
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? No
1.5
I love seeing modern takes on Lovecraftian/cosmic horror in a vast array of media because people can take this literature that is chest deep in racism and xenophobia and class to breathe it new life. I had high hopes for the Ballad of Black Tom, but I think it falls into the inherit problems of Lovecraft’s work.
The character motivations are messy and confusing and/or characters are simply one dimensional with no substance and simply lets the story happen to them. The vagueness can be effective, but I felt in the Ballad of Black Tom, it didn’t work in its favor. This story didn’t scratch the cosmic horror itch I was hoping, and it’s probably been one of my most disappointing reads of this year alongside the Last Tale of the Flower Bride.
It’s very short though so that’s a plus.
The character motivations are messy and confusing and/or characters are simply one dimensional with no substance and simply lets the story happen to them. The vagueness can be effective, but I felt in the Ballad of Black Tom, it didn’t work in its favor. This story didn’t scratch the cosmic horror itch I was hoping, and it’s probably been one of my most disappointing reads of this year alongside the Last Tale of the Flower Bride.
It’s very short though so that’s a plus.
Untethered Sky by Fonda Lee
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
ANOTHER ABSOLUTE BANGER FROM FANTASY QUEEN, FONDA LEE!!!!!
Fun, exciting, and wild, Untethered Sky is a short story examining bravery, camaraderie, and nature vs nurture. It was sort of a character study, but honestly, this felt like it could have been a companion novel to an existing series. Fonda Lee’s world-building is complex but accessible and her characterizations are equally complex and nuanced.
Fonda Lee, I will literally buy anything you release. Don’t ever stop writing.
Fun, exciting, and wild, Untethered Sky is a short story examining bravery, camaraderie, and nature vs nurture. It was sort of a character study, but honestly, this felt like it could have been a companion novel to an existing series. Fonda Lee’s world-building is complex but accessible and her characterizations are equally complex and nuanced.
Fonda Lee, I will literally buy anything you release. Don’t ever stop writing.
This Thing Between Us by Gus Moreno
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
First, I'd like to say the length of this novel saved this from being a DNF for me. I almost DNF'd midway through part one, but I said fuck it, it's only a 6 hour audiobook and I decided to keep going. I'm glad I did. This book encompasses such a specific angle of grief that isn't explored enough in literature especially under the lens of psychological horror/body horror/cosmic horror (of sorts).
I won't lie, the beginning is VERY slow because it's setting up Thiago's relationship with Vera, his mental state at her loss, and what life was like with her. However, after part one, we really get a grasp of what this novel is going to be in a way. I kept seeing people online pitch this book as one about grief and a "haunted Alexa" but babes, the haunted Alexa part is maybe 10% of the novel within part one and mentioned later on. I'd pitch this book as a psychological horror examining grief and how one deals with loss as someone basically loses their grip on reality (psychosis). Thiago is someone who is absolutely stricken with bad luck 100% of the time, and you learn this very quickly in part one. It makes this book all the more tragic.
If you're sensitive to animal death/violence especially with dogs, please cautiously read this book. It doesn't occur until part two, but everything snowballs very quickly after that point.
The ending was simultaneously confusing and tragic. I knew Thiago was succumbing to his grief, but it was really unclear as to what was actually happening to him. That's more of a me problem + listening through the audiobook. NGL, I also kind of hate the idea that people's tragedies/fates are inescapable, especially when it is based on generational trauma. It makes it feel like there is no hope at all and instead you should just die to save the people around you. It's a very hopeless ending, but that's also my interpretation. Others may feel differently! I think the open ending allows the reader to draw their own conclusions on what was going on with Thiago.
This book was brutal, unsettling, and tragic. The audiobook narrator was also FANTASTIC. I loved his narration. I'd read another book with him narrating it for sure.
I won't lie, the beginning is VERY slow because it's setting up Thiago's relationship with Vera, his mental state at her loss, and what life was like with her. However, after part one, we really get a grasp of what this novel is going to be in a way. I kept seeing people online pitch this book as one about grief and a "haunted Alexa" but babes, the haunted Alexa part is maybe 10% of the novel within part one and mentioned later on. I'd pitch this book as a psychological horror examining grief and how one deals with loss as someone basically loses their grip on reality (psychosis). Thiago is someone who is absolutely stricken with bad luck 100% of the time, and you learn this very quickly in part one. It makes this book all the more tragic.
If you're sensitive to animal death/violence especially with dogs, please cautiously read this book. It doesn't occur until part two, but everything snowballs very quickly after that point.
This book was brutal, unsettling, and tragic. The audiobook narrator was also FANTASTIC. I loved his narration. I'd read another book with him narrating it for sure.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Death of parent, and Grief
Moderate: Alcohol, Racism, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Abandonment and Classism
If you are sensitive to animal death / viscera, I would not recommend this book unless you feel okay going in knowing it WILL be descriptive and detailed. The body horror in this one is also very well described.
not necessarily a spoiler but to be safe, sticking it here. The book can also be interpreted as a psychosis/psychological break of the protagonist.
As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow by Zoulfa Katouh
challenging
emotional
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Recommended by Anne Marie 😊
I had a really great time with this book. Not in the sense of a carnival great time but more like watching a war documentary that was well researched and constructed narratively.
This book had been teetering at a 3 for me until the twist which had me going :O “what the fuck” and it was set up very well to the point where these small details would be overlooked until the reader re-reads or recalls those moments. The structure of the story was well thought out and made for a really engaging story about a young woman struggling to balance her life, her family, and her love and loyalty for her country. Katouh does an amazing job of really placing the reader in Salama’s shoes. You hope for her survival and joy very early on.
Here are the few qualms I had with the book but they also contain spoilers. Here goes -
Khawf played on a very annoying type of character that I really don’t care for in almost any media which is your omniscient voice of reason/conscious. For most of the book, I felt he could have been fulfilled by an actual person. HOWEVER, the major plot twist would not have worked had we not had Khawf. Khawf showed us the hallucinatory state Salama was in, and it sort of forces us to not question anything as far as Leila goes. I can sort of forgive Khawf’s existence as a character because of this, but the idea that he just stops existing outside of Syria almost immediately was a little… lazy. It would have been more impactful had we seen Salama confront Khawf rather than speak to him as if they were old friends. Throughout the entirety of the book, he terrorizes her and while yeah that’s a good representation of fear itself, it feels lazy to have him just peace out once she’s on her way out. It didn’t feel closed off enough for me.
This one is a personal pet peeve of mine and not necessarily a ‘negative’ but I straight up cannot handle a character that constantly references shit unrelated to the moment as an anxiety coping mechanism. I know it is a valid coping mechanism to think/verbalize things to calm down, but in an audiobook, it is irritating. I think in book form, it may not have come across as annoying, but I listened to the audiobook so… yeah. Again, VERY personal nitpick.
Not a qualm but still a spoiler: I’m so glad they made it out :(
Glad I read this book though! It’s probably one I’d be happy to recommend to others.
I had a really great time with this book. Not in the sense of a carnival great time but more like watching a war documentary that was well researched and constructed narratively.
This book had been teetering at a 3 for me until the twist which had me going :O “what the fuck” and it was set up very well to the point where these small details would be overlooked until the reader re-reads or recalls those moments. The structure of the story was well thought out and made for a really engaging story about a young woman struggling to balance her life, her family, and her love and loyalty for her country. Katouh does an amazing job of really placing the reader in Salama’s shoes. You hope for her survival and joy very early on.
Here are the few qualms I had with the book but they also contain spoilers. Here goes -
This one is a personal pet peeve of mine and not necessarily a ‘negative’ but I straight up cannot handle a character that constantly references shit unrelated to the moment as an anxiety coping mechanism. I know it is a valid coping mechanism to think/verbalize things to calm down, but in an audiobook, it is irritating. I think in book form, it may not have come across as annoying, but I listened to the audiobook so… yeah. Again, VERY personal nitpick.
Not a qualm but still a spoiler: I’m so glad they made it out :(
Glad I read this book though! It’s probably one I’d be happy to recommend to others.
The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.25
Heard a lot of good things about this one, but I don’t think it hit quite as hard as I had hoped. The pacing was VERY fast, but this story suffered the most from having waaaay too many characters for such a tight story with some convoluted plotting here and there and some middling world building.
It was a quick read though and the narrator’s voice definitely fit the tone of the novel; she was pleasant to listen to. Wasn’t a bad book considering how fast I read it. I wish the romance had developed more as I felt they only had a couple of mediocre interactions before there were some sudden declarations of love.
It was a quick read though and the narrator’s voice definitely fit the tone of the novel; she was pleasant to listen to. Wasn’t a bad book considering how fast I read it. I wish the romance had developed more as I felt they only had a couple of mediocre interactions before there were some sudden declarations of love.