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archaicrobin's reviews
622 reviews
Burn the Negative by Josh Winning
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.5
Burn the Negative is a horror thriller that starts off strong but slowly fizzles out. I was hooked when I started this horror/thriller. I loved the premise, I loved the homage to classic 80s horror like poltergeist, and I liked the fast pace writing that made the characters initially interesting.
Unfortunately once I reached the halfway point this story began to feel dragged out with the same conflicts appearing with no growth. The mystery part of this was messy and there’s a lot of false culprits which gets a bit exhausting. Where I was at first struggling to put this down, I was now struggling to pick it up.
Along with the lack of momentum, I also was very underwhelmed by the ending. It didn’t make much sense in my opinion and erased all the character growth that occurred making the novel somewhat pointless. This book reminded me of a horror film that starts off with such potential but ends up as a mid b flick.
While I didn’t enjoy this novel all the way though, I did love the first half of this book and recommend to those looking for fast paced analogue horror who has a soft spot for old horror movies.
Unfortunately once I reached the halfway point this story began to feel dragged out with the same conflicts appearing with no growth. The mystery part of this was messy and there’s a lot of false culprits which gets a bit exhausting. Where I was at first struggling to put this down, I was now struggling to pick it up.
Along with the lack of momentum, I also was very underwhelmed by the ending. It didn’t make much sense in my opinion and erased all the character growth that occurred making the novel somewhat pointless. This book reminded me of a horror film that starts off with such potential but ends up as a mid b flick.
While I didn’t enjoy this novel all the way though, I did love the first half of this book and recommend to those looking for fast paced analogue horror who has a soft spot for old horror movies.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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
2.0
I have had The Silent Patient on my TBR for years and was initially very excited to read it. I first added it back when I was naive and thought that being in the Best Seller list actually meant something, but now I know it’s where mediocre and terrible books are highlighted for all the wrong reasons.
The Silent Patient is incredibly mid, it’s your stereotypical thriller that starts off fine, nothing groundbreaking, but unfortunately disintegrates into this poorly written mess. I was interested for about half of the book then it just tanked completely for me.
The writing is erratic, the twist is confusing, the plot is slow and honestly boring, and the main character Theo is a dull man with white savior complex. Overall, I wouldn’t really recommend this, there are far better thrillers out there to spend you time on.
The Silent Patient is incredibly mid, it’s your stereotypical thriller that starts off fine, nothing groundbreaking, but unfortunately disintegrates into this poorly written mess. I was interested for about half of the book then it just tanked completely for me.
The writing is erratic, the twist is confusing, the plot is slow and honestly boring, and the main character Theo is a dull man with white savior complex. Overall, I wouldn’t really recommend this, there are far better thrillers out there to spend you time on.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Grief, and Gaslighting
Choosing to Run: A Memoir by Des Linden
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
4.0
Des Linden’s memoir is one I would recommend to those that are runners or enjoy the sport of running. While she does throw in some inspirational moments, a majority of this memoir is an in depth look at her running career and has a lot of information about professional running that I feel could bore those not interested in the sport.
Since I am a runner, I found this incredibly inspiring and it was motivating to read about Des’s journey prior to her Boston Marathon career while simultaneously reading about her headspace during that life changing race.
While I loved this memoir I do think the pacing was a little off and it was hard to get through at points when the writing became more technical, but never enough to lose my interest. Again I feel if you’re not into running, these parts would definitely bore you!
I can’t wait to see Des Linden in future events! Watching Linden’s 2018 Boston Marathon run again after reading this memoir made the moment even more powerful!
Since I am a runner, I found this incredibly inspiring and it was motivating to read about Des’s journey prior to her Boston Marathon career while simultaneously reading about her headspace during that life changing race.
While I loved this memoir I do think the pacing was a little off and it was hard to get through at points when the writing became more technical, but never enough to lose my interest. Again I feel if you’re not into running, these parts would definitely bore you!
I can’t wait to see Des Linden in future events! Watching Linden’s 2018 Boston Marathon run again after reading this memoir made the moment even more powerful!
Chlorine by Jade Song
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Chlorine is a hauntingly twisted coming of age tale about a girl obsessed with mermaids and professional swimming. Ren is such a compelling character and the sapphic romance is bittersweet and enthralling. I honestly could not put this book down even during some of the most gruesome scenes in the story. I loved the sports centric plot and loved reading about a strong, athletic, female character slowly losing her touch with reality. The only reason I didn’t give this 5 stars is because the ending fell flat for me, I can see why it ends the way it does and it fits the story but personally it was not to my liking. If you’re looking for a weird, slow burn horror with a strong female lead I highly recommend Chlorine. This book was so disturbing to me, I’ll be haunted by for it months…
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Blood, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
The Haunting of Alejandra by V. Castro
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Castro’s writing is very blunt and it’s always hard for me to get into at first which affects my overall enjoyment of her books, but it’s very much a personal taste. If you’re looking for flowery, descriptive prose or a complex horror novel I wouldn’t recommend this one, as it’s very point blank and you have to accept a lot and just move on.
If you can do that though, this novel tells and eerie tale of a woman stuck in her depression hating her life, her children, her husband, and herself, all while being haunted by an entity she assumes is La Llorona. Alejandra at first is insufferable because she is so miserable but once she starts seeing a therapist and valuing herself, she begins to find the power within her self to not only change her life but defeat the curse of La Llorona for good.
While Castro’s writing style isn’t my favorite I always love her strong female characters, her ability to create terrifying imagery, and the strong cultural elements she weaves into her story. If you’re looking for a well crafted supernatural tale about strong women, generational trauma, and identity this one is worth trying!
If you can do that though, this novel tells and eerie tale of a woman stuck in her depression hating her life, her children, her husband, and herself, all while being haunted by an entity she assumes is La Llorona. Alejandra at first is insufferable because she is so miserable but once she starts seeing a therapist and valuing herself, she begins to find the power within her self to not only change her life but defeat the curse of La Llorona for good.
While Castro’s writing style isn’t my favorite I always love her strong female characters, her ability to create terrifying imagery, and the strong cultural elements she weaves into her story. If you’re looking for a well crafted supernatural tale about strong women, generational trauma, and identity this one is worth trying!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, Self harm, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
Red Rising by Pierce Brown
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
0.0
This “novel” is absolute garbage. How this book was published let alone praised is mind boggling.
Why does this book suck?
-characters are weak, unoriginal, and poorly crafted. Every female in this story is raped, tortured, and valueless. The only merit a female has in this novel is what she offers a man, or what a man does to her, or how she can be used against a man. There is rape or mentions of rape in almost every chapter and it’s thrown in like it’s nothing. Pierce Brown should take some classes on sexism and how writing scenes like this when they have no context of what they are talking about is harmful. Along with the lack of any actual female characters, the main character is a joke. His alliances change every page or so, he is a misogynist, he is a Mary-Sue amazing at everything and he is overall dull.
-The Plot. The plot is a mash up of every single YA apocalyptic story you’ve ever read but the cheap knock off version. You have Hunger games, Divergent, and even Harry Potter all thrown in to create this monstrosity. Nothing is original, everything is taken from something else, and the plot of Darrow rising to I guess avenge his people is lost in the silly “war school” which is basically Harry potter but without the magic, atmosphere, gripping characters, exciting trials, or anything of merit really. The plot devolves into raping young girls while the men suck their own dicks to claim the title of “proctor” or “primus”. The misogyny is absolutely rampant.
- this “novel” is the biggest toxic masculinity, misogynistic, idiotic, compilation of text I have ever seen. This is by far the WORST book I have read this year and I think it is actually detrimental to society.
Do not read this book where women are raped and considered things, where the main character justifies the rape by saying it’s simply “war crimes” where men are emasculated every page and beaten down to make the main character look valuable. There is nothing good about this book and I’m personally offended that this was published let alone allowed to continue in a series. Do not let your teen read this, do not let anyone you care about read this. This is MY OPINION and I am not ashamed to share it. Whoever read this and decided to market it let alone published at all should be ashamed.
Why does this book suck?
-characters are weak, unoriginal, and poorly crafted. Every female in this story is raped, tortured, and valueless. The only merit a female has in this novel is what she offers a man, or what a man does to her, or how she can be used against a man. There is rape or mentions of rape in almost every chapter and it’s thrown in like it’s nothing. Pierce Brown should take some classes on sexism and how writing scenes like this when they have no context of what they are talking about is harmful. Along with the lack of any actual female characters, the main character is a joke. His alliances change every page or so, he is a misogynist, he is a Mary-Sue amazing at everything and he is overall dull.
-The Plot. The plot is a mash up of every single YA apocalyptic story you’ve ever read but the cheap knock off version. You have Hunger games, Divergent, and even Harry Potter all thrown in to create this monstrosity. Nothing is original, everything is taken from something else, and the plot of Darrow rising to I guess avenge his people is lost in the silly “war school” which is basically Harry potter but without the magic, atmosphere, gripping characters, exciting trials, or anything of merit really. The plot devolves into raping young girls while the men suck their own dicks to claim the title of “proctor” or “primus”. The misogyny is absolutely rampant.
- this “novel” is the biggest toxic masculinity, misogynistic, idiotic, compilation of text I have ever seen. This is by far the WORST book I have read this year and I think it is actually detrimental to society.
Do not read this book where women are raped and considered things, where the main character justifies the rape by saying it’s simply “war crimes” where men are emasculated every page and beaten down to make the main character look valuable. There is nothing good about this book and I’m personally offended that this was published let alone allowed to continue in a series. Do not let your teen read this, do not let anyone you care about read this. This is MY OPINION and I am not ashamed to share it. Whoever read this and decided to market it let alone published at all should be ashamed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Child death, Death, Hate crime, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Murder, Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment, Colonisation, War, and Classism
Helpmeet by Naben Ruthnum
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A very strange, gruesome and haunting novella about an unfaithful husband and the undiagnosed disease he contracts. Full of body horror and disgusting scenes this one is way out there! Really enjoyed the weird gruesomeness of this novella
The Sign of the Beaver by Elizabeth George Speare
adventurous
challenging
funny
hopeful
sad
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
First time using this as a read aloud for 5th. I think it goes along well with our social studies units and brought up some interesting conversations but it wasn’t the most interesting book. Students weren’t as engaged as when we read Restart, this is definitely for those that enjoy historical fiction but it did its
The September House by Carissa Orlando
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The September House was absolutely gruesome in so many ways, I absolutely loved it. I am always on the search for the next great haunted house read and September House is now one of my top ten. Margaret is living in a haunted house that acts up every September but she’s learned to live with it. According to Margaret everything is survivable, as long as you follow the rules….
Filled with real and supernatural terrors, this book was addictive and hard to out down. Highly recommend especially if you love haunted house horror.
Filled with real and supernatural terrors, this book was addictive and hard to out down. Highly recommend especially if you love haunted house horror.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Misogyny, Torture, Violence, Blood, Dementia, Grief, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
Last Days by Adam L.G. Nevill
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-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
Adam Nevill is one of my all time favorite horror authors. This is the third book I’ve read by this author and was not disappointed!
Kyle is an indie documentarian offered the deal of a lifetime: to shoot an exclusive documentary with never before interviewed members from the gruesome Last Days cult. As Kyle and his friend Dan interview ex members and slowly begin unraveling the truth behind this cult the less likely they are to survive…
Ghosts, cults, possessions, and the mix of lore that Nevill is so gifted at make this another must read in my opinion. If you’re looking for some fast paced, lore centric, truly terrifying horror I’d recommend anything by Adam Nevill.
Kyle is an indie documentarian offered the deal of a lifetime: to shoot an exclusive documentary with never before interviewed members from the gruesome Last Days cult. As Kyle and his friend Dan interview ex members and slowly begin unraveling the truth behind this cult the less likely they are to survive…
Ghosts, cults, possessions, and the mix of lore that Nevill is so gifted at make this another must read in my opinion. If you’re looking for some fast paced, lore centric, truly terrifying horror I’d recommend anything by Adam Nevill.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Cannibalism, and Alcohol