apollo0325's reviews
367 reviews

Mortal Follies by Alexis Hall

adventurous hopeful mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

I had such a blast with this one. I tried reading Hall’s Boyfriend Material and just couldn’t get into it because I got too frustrated with the MC at the time, but I think this one was much more successful because of our fairy narrator. A great mix of Emily Wilde’s and novels of manners like Pride and Prejudice. I wish we got more of the supporting cast, but it makes sense within the narrative that we didn’t.

The Apothecary Diaries, Volume 4 by Itsuki Nanao, Nekokurage, Natsu Hyuuga

funny informative reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

So many good Maomao and Jinshi moments in this volume, I love them 😭😭😭

The Apothecary Diaries, Volume 3 by Itsuki Nanao, Nekokurage, Natsu Hyuuga

funny informative mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

Your honor, I love them (Maomao and Jinshi)!!!!!!!

Seeing Jinshi sulk and mope because of Maomao is genuinely hilarious

The Empress of Salt and Fortune by Nghi Vo

reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.5

Reads like an old mythological story or folktale, which I liked. Sometimes, I got a little lost, so I’ll probably revisit this in print format in the future.

Transmutation: Stories by Alex DiFrancesco

challenging dark emotional fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.0

Really interesting collection of short stories (mostly) centering the transformative experience of transness and queerness. Some I’ll think about after this, but I think many will be forgotten. Sawyer’s story was my favorite as well as the vampire’s.

Go For It, Nakamura! by Syundei

funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

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

5.0

Really sweet romcom sort of story about a boy obsessed with his classmate. I love that it’s exploring friendship, honesty, and being true to oneself and I really love how Nakamura is trying friendship first before romance. Also, this is just a really funny manga lol

The Apothecary Diaries, Volume 2 by Itsuki Nanao, Nekokurage, Natsu Hyuuga

funny informative mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

I love Maomao and her relationships with consort Gyokuyo and the handmaidens are my favorite 💖

The Apothecary Diaries, Volume 1 by Itsuki Nanao, Nekokurage, Natsu Hyuuga

funny informative mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

This manga is genuinely so funny and I love a man that simps so hard for someone. Maomao is a rabid icon 💖 we stan!!

Come Closer by Sara Gran

dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.0

I flew through this audiobook because it is so short and was an easy to digest horror. However, I felt the emotional connection to Amanda, Ed, and their overall relationship lackluster as the climax really hits IF you feel an ounce of anything for either of them. Amanda might be possessed, might not be. Ed might be a demanding husband, might just be tired of his wife’s erratic behavior.

I think for this being released in 2003, it was  doing stuff other horror authors didn’t want to touch since we had the Exorcist to fill the void of demonic possession stories BUT I think now, something like A Head Full of Ghosts by Paul Tremblay did the concept better.

Heart, Haunt, Havoc by Freydís Moon
Did not finish book. Stopped at 0%.

Noting to myself that Freydis Moon racebaited as a trans Latine author when they’re actually white and have done this under multiple pseudonyms. Yellowface wasn’t a manual, bestie 🫡