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atalanta_nins's reviews
66 reviews
Winnie-the-Pooh by A.A. Milne
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-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? No
5.0
Good Girl, Bad Blood by Holly Jackson
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Okay, so this book is one hell of an emotional roller coaster. It tugs on you, like a dangle or a hook, that feeling you get when you're scared at something but can't help yourself to peek and see what's underneath. I think this is what the book is.
At first though, I wasn't expecting anything big, because I think that the first book is clearly established one of the most unexpected plot twists I may have read so when I read the second book, I could understand somehow if it wouldn't live up to the first book. It did, but I realize it like after fifteen chapters in. So, be warned and SPOILERS AHEAD:
Basically, following the first book, Pip has been somewhat established as a crime/mystery solver not just in her town but across the country. Of course, with fame comes a bunch of haters, not just people from the internet but also people in her town. So, diving into this book, I kept thinking what would be the next mystery that Pip will be solving and then it presented itself. One of her friends, Connor Reynolds, (who initially in the first book seems to have a crush on Pip) has an elder brother (who is on the same year as Andie Bell, Sal Singh, Naomi Ward, Nat De Silva and Max Hastings) named Jamie has gone missing after the memorial for the death anniversary of Andie Bell and Sal Singh. To be honest, I wasn't that invested in the first few chapters in, as it slowly unfolds and somehow I kinda believed that they are not looking for a missing person but perhaps a body. But like when the chapter where it was 3 days since Jamie has gone missing comes up, I felt this rush inside me like how Pip felt she needed to wrap things up as the more time she can't solve the mystery, the more high the stakes that Jamie may not be a person they'll be looking but perhaps a body. Also, I love the inner turmoil in Pip's, because she learned, in this book, that there is such a vague and questionable area between right and wrong. That there might be right actions for a bad cause and wrong actions for a good cause. Also, Pip had accepted herself, that this obsessive and a bit rash as she was during the mystery solving, this is in fact a part of the real her. And that's alright. She has grown.
So back to the story, like Pip, even I as a reader do not know what is going on and how the disappearance of Jamie Reynolds had come to be. Like, they kept digging things about Jamie that contradicts his personality and how they knew him. I kept thinking who would want to hurt Jamie, and how could you connect that. Also, a bit of an additional, it also fucking frightened me when they are trying to catfish this Layla Mead, that they chatted "Hello Pip, you are getting close :)" with a smiley thing at the end like you can't help but think if they were being watched as of that moment.
I wouldn't explain or narrate a lot of the things that have happened in the book as I was taken by surprise too as it soon unraveled in the last few chapters. I also genuinely thought that Jamie had died somehow and couldn't even grasp the connection of what the hell is happening. Of course, it wasn't until like the very end that the mystery had soon unfold, what was the cause and what the hell is happening. And to be honest, I don't have any idea that it would have come to that conclusion. Like, I don't know, but even I couldn't see what was happening until the very part of the book, the same time it dawned on Pip, what the mystery is about and what really is the mystery unfolding in her very eyes.
I wouldn't spoil you on that part, what was the mystery is about, because it was so hauntingly disturbing in a way that questions your morality. I just felt dumbfounded somehow, or maybe the mystery is meant to be narrated that way.
Anyway, I want to talk about Pip relationship with Ravi because they are indeed one of the best and healthiest relationship I may have read in the YA genre. Ravi has always been supportive of Pip (as she was even back on book 1) and calls out Pip when she seems to have strayed. It reminds me of this scene from a korean drama I have watched that to be able to stay good and true, you need atleast one to keep you on the right path, even just atleast one person who will tether you to do the right thing.
Also love the character build-ups of the following: Cara Ward, Connor Reynolds, Jamie Reynolds, Nat De Silva and Stanley Forbes. But especially particularly on Nat De Silva.
If you remember, Nat De Silva has been one Pip's POI for the murder of Andie Bell and because Pip had created a podcast surrounding the Andie Bell murder case. Though, Nat had hated Pip because of this, it was also their hatred for Max Hastings that had brought them closer together. And thanks to Nat, Pip had been closer to solving the missing Jamie mystery. I kinda understand Nat's anger or hatred on Pip and the way she explained it to her makes sense as a character and I love, love it when women help each other.
Although, like Nat and Pip, I fucking hate it that Max Hastings, a serial rapist had gone free, just because he has money and power. And as much as I hate it, it is true that justice is blind sometimes, not everyone who are sentenced are actually criminals and not everyone who roam free are actually innocent.
All in all, this story is getting better and better but also so disturbing somehow that I felt bad for anyone suffering to the same sufferings as some of the people they could relate to in the book. But that's what books should be, like art, it should comfort the disturbed and disturbed the comfortable. But in the case of this book, we have to accept that life is like that sometimes. We win and we lose. But despite the losing, we have to stay vigilant and stay hopeful, that good things will come to people who do good, and bad things follow bad peple.
At first though, I wasn't expecting anything big, because I think that the first book is clearly established one of the most unexpected plot twists I may have read so when I read the second book, I could understand somehow if it wouldn't live up to the first book. It did, but I realize it like after fifteen chapters in. So, be warned and SPOILERS AHEAD:
Basically, following the first book, Pip has been somewhat established as a crime/mystery solver not just in her town but across the country. Of course, with fame comes a bunch of haters, not just people from the internet but also people in her town. So, diving into this book, I kept thinking what would be the next mystery that Pip will be solving and then it presented itself. One of her friends, Connor Reynolds, (who initially in the first book seems to have a crush on Pip) has an elder brother (who is on the same year as Andie Bell, Sal Singh, Naomi Ward, Nat De Silva and Max Hastings) named Jamie has gone missing after the memorial for the death anniversary of Andie Bell and Sal Singh. To be honest, I wasn't that invested in the first few chapters in, as it slowly unfolds and somehow I kinda believed that they are not looking for a missing person but perhaps a body. But like when the chapter where it was 3 days since Jamie has gone missing comes up, I felt this rush inside me like how Pip felt she needed to wrap things up as the more time she can't solve the mystery, the more high the stakes that Jamie may not be a person they'll be looking but perhaps a body. Also, I love the inner turmoil in Pip's, because she learned, in this book, that there is such a vague and questionable area between right and wrong. That there might be right actions for a bad cause and wrong actions for a good cause. Also, Pip had accepted herself, that this obsessive and a bit rash as she was during the mystery solving, this is in fact a part of the real her. And that's alright. She has grown.
So back to the story, like Pip, even I as a reader do not know what is going on and how the disappearance of Jamie Reynolds had come to be. Like, they kept digging things about Jamie that contradicts his personality and how they knew him. I kept thinking who would want to hurt Jamie, and how could you connect that. Also, a bit of an additional, it also fucking frightened me when they are trying to catfish this Layla Mead, that they chatted "Hello Pip, you are getting close :)" with a smiley thing at the end like you can't help but think if they were being watched as of that moment.
I wouldn't explain or narrate a lot of the things that have happened in the book as I was taken by surprise too as it soon unraveled in the last few chapters. I also genuinely thought that Jamie had died somehow and couldn't even grasp the connection of what the hell is happening. Of course, it wasn't until like the very end that the mystery had soon unfold, what was the cause and what the hell is happening. And to be honest, I don't have any idea that it would have come to that conclusion. Like, I don't know, but even I couldn't see what was happening until the very part of the book, the same time it dawned on Pip, what the mystery is about and what really is the mystery unfolding in her very eyes.
I wouldn't spoil you on that part, what was the mystery is about, because it was so hauntingly disturbing in a way that questions your morality. I just felt dumbfounded somehow, or maybe the mystery is meant to be narrated that way.
Anyway, I want to talk about Pip relationship with Ravi because they are indeed one of the best and healthiest relationship I may have read in the YA genre. Ravi has always been supportive of Pip (as she was even back on book 1) and calls out Pip when she seems to have strayed. It reminds me of this scene from a korean drama I have watched that to be able to stay good and true, you need atleast one to keep you on the right path, even just atleast one person who will tether you to do the right thing.
Also love the character build-ups of the following: Cara Ward, Connor Reynolds, Jamie Reynolds, Nat De Silva and Stanley Forbes. But especially particularly on Nat De Silva.
If you remember, Nat De Silva has been one Pip's POI for the murder of Andie Bell and because Pip had created a podcast surrounding the Andie Bell murder case. Though, Nat had hated Pip because of this, it was also their hatred for Max Hastings that had brought them closer together. And thanks to Nat, Pip had been closer to solving the missing Jamie mystery. I kinda understand Nat's anger or hatred on Pip and the way she explained it to her makes sense as a character and I love, love it when women help each other.
Although, like Nat and Pip, I fucking hate it that Max Hastings, a serial rapist had gone free, just because he has money and power. And as much as I hate it, it is true that justice is blind sometimes, not everyone who are sentenced are actually criminals and not everyone who roam free are actually innocent.
All in all, this story is getting better and better but also so disturbing somehow that I felt bad for anyone suffering to the same sufferings as some of the people they could relate to in the book. But that's what books should be, like art, it should comfort the disturbed and disturbed the comfortable. But in the case of this book, we have to accept that life is like that sometimes. We win and we lose. But despite the losing, we have to stay vigilant and stay hopeful, that good things will come to people who do good, and bad things follow bad peple.
A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Okay, so I just finished this book and all I can think is Woah. You know, for a YA novel, this book creatively narrates the whole story without sounding so juvenile but has that innocence for a YA book. The writing is incredible, as it was well-paced and makes you really question what is happening and that all I can say is maybe the only YA aspect of the book is the fact that our main lead, Pippa Fitz-Amobi is only a teenager. Apart from that, the book is a great start if you want to delve into mystery/thriller genre and if you are just starting to read (better try reading YA, as most YA books are easier to read than the classics, especially if you're like me who isn't a native English speaker).
So, a bit of Spoilers Ahead:
I do not have any problem/s about the book although, (hopefully this is not too cocky of me), I actually had my eyes on Mr. Ward less than 10 chapters in. So it actually bummed me out that Pip removed his name so soon on her POI because Mr. Ward was easily the most suspected person in the POI. It solidify during that chapter where Pip and her friends decided to have a camping on the woods, he's the logical and rational suspect who'd most likely do that as he's one of the early POI. Also, there was something hauntingly disturbing in his comment about Andie dressing up provocatively and him calling that out that sounds so pervert and also like he have two daughters and he'd give a comment like that on a girl the same age as his daughter? Hmm, that's just weird to me somehow. What I didn't expect and probably just clicked on my mind the same time it did for Pip was that there would be another player in the murder and it's someone that you kinda wish wouldn't be the suspect. Also, Pip was right, that weirdly enough, there were people in her POI's who maybe not criminally indicted but are morally corrupted or bad. And in a way, it's easier to think of them as evil even when they are not criminally indicted as they do morally questionable things that makes you decide if they are evil or not. Anyways, I knew from the get go that this is a trilogy so off I go to the next book. Hopefully, it's as thrilling as this one and just as many twists and turns like this one.
So, a bit of Spoilers Ahead:
I do not have any problem/s about the book although, (hopefully this is not too cocky of me), I actually had my eyes on Mr. Ward less than 10 chapters in. So it actually bummed me out that Pip removed his name so soon on her POI because Mr. Ward was easily the most suspected person in the POI. It solidify during that chapter where Pip and her friends decided to have a camping on the woods, he's the logical and rational suspect who'd most likely do that as he's one of the early POI. Also, there was something hauntingly disturbing in his comment about Andie dressing up provocatively and him calling that out that sounds so pervert and also like he have two daughters and he'd give a comment like that on a girl the same age as his daughter? Hmm, that's just weird to me somehow. What I didn't expect and probably just clicked on my mind the same time it did for Pip was that there would be another player in the murder and it's someone that you kinda wish wouldn't be the suspect. Also, Pip was right, that weirdly enough, there were people in her POI's who maybe not criminally indicted but are morally corrupted or bad. And in a way, it's easier to think of them as evil even when they are not criminally indicted as they do morally questionable things that makes you decide if they are evil or not. Anyways, I knew from the get go that this is a trilogy so off I go to the next book. Hopefully, it's as thrilling as this one and just as many twists and turns like this one.
Plus One by Elizabeth Fama
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I wouldn't say a lot about this book, just that: this book has a great beginning and has a promising world-building. Classic Dystopian with a bit of political topics that includes Racism and Classism. Maybe because it's YA, that I find it lacking somehow? I felt like the ending was a bit rushed and I was hoping for a continuation. I felt this has a potential to be a good dystopian series but sadly it never went up.
The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
5.0
This is actually my first audiobook. I just saw it free on the Audrey app, and because I have a few minutes to spare, i decided to listen and read at the same time with the audiobook. Very nice storytelling. So, about the book, there's a lot of imagery here but sometimes, most of the imagery are not visionary imagery but more on sensory imagery in terms of feelings. (I apologize, English is not my first language or my native one either). The poem itself reminds me so much of Poe's other poem entitled Annabel Lee although that I think describes more of a romantic-longing that transcends over time and afterlife while the poem The Raven deals with grief and loss. I can't help but feel sad in a way as it felt like the story describes like the stages of grief (denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. Although, I think it more focuses on the denial, anger and depression part. All in all, I loved the poem very much. Might listen again soon and might edit this too if ever.
White Nights by Fyodor Dostoevsky
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
This felt like a lengthy review, probably because I initially thought I'd write a review per chapter but then I finished like the last 3 chapters in one sitting so my reviews are all mushed up together thus creating a mixture of reviews from all those chapters. Be warned then that this will contain spoilers.
The first night described a beautiful scenery of Petersburg. Not just the place but also like the community, the vibe of everything and everyone. Genuinely thought it would be like he was just in love with the place and its people. Loved the speaker's conversation with the woman, can't help but feel that the speaker itself gets panicky when meeting new people but in his case he is afraid of talking to women. Particularly women around his age. Also, can absolutely relate in the he said that he's inlove with the idea of love, like I could dream of being in love with someome and do romantic things with them but couldn't muster the courage to do it with someone in real life.
I honestly have no idea where the hell the story goes. I genuinely thought that it'd be how lovers meet and talk and connect but there's something so relatably guttaral about the way the man talks to the lady (Nastenka). In the first parts of the story the two strangers decided to tell a little history about themselves. The history told by the man, at first, I thought he was describing imagery of Petersburg but as he goes on further, there is something about him that is painfully sad and lonely and to be honest, I find it hauntingly beautiful but that's because I somehow could relate on his restlessness about his life. How, he often lives in his dreams because they are so much better than his reality. And I felt sad that he too felt so restless about his reality, particularly his future as he can't seem to see a good future for himself. I felt, as though he and I were the same in that sense, living in daydreams because it's much better than our reality. Also, even though he is lonely, he doesn't dwell much on his sadness as he still sees that there are still good things in life. His life felt bleak for him but he still holds onto the little things in life like strangers he saw in Petersburg, even without actually connecting with them personally, he felt like he knows them, like how a watcher observes a movie.
The story began to shift when the lady (Nastenka) told her story. She told how she lived with her grandmother most of her life and how she met this man who is actually their lodger and whom she's inlove with. This actually taken me aback because I genuinely thought this would be a budding romance between two strangers only to present me with this story of unrequited love. Of course, this went on for the third night as it was revealed that Nastenka was actually waiting for a year for that lodger man in the same place she and the man-protagonist stays and talks. They formed a relationship, friendship as it turns out and it turned to unrequited love to the man-protagonist part. The thing was, even this was such a short read, it led me to think that maybe the lady would be inlove with the protagonist man but the thing is the lodger man returned and married the lady and despite all that, the protagonist man continued to love her and support her with his love, though unrequited. Which I think is what love should be, a selfless act, just you wanting your loved one to be happy even if it breaks you so much. Anyways, I think this is a great short read and great first book this year. Might reread this again, just because.
The first night described a beautiful scenery of Petersburg. Not just the place but also like the community, the vibe of everything and everyone. Genuinely thought it would be like he was just in love with the place and its people. Loved the speaker's conversation with the woman, can't help but feel that the speaker itself gets panicky when meeting new people but in his case he is afraid of talking to women. Particularly women around his age. Also, can absolutely relate in the he said that he's inlove with the idea of love, like I could dream of being in love with someome and do romantic things with them but couldn't muster the courage to do it with someone in real life.
I honestly have no idea where the hell the story goes. I genuinely thought that it'd be how lovers meet and talk and connect but there's something so relatably guttaral about the way the man talks to the lady (Nastenka). In the first parts of the story the two strangers decided to tell a little history about themselves. The history told by the man, at first, I thought he was describing imagery of Petersburg but as he goes on further, there is something about him that is painfully sad and lonely and to be honest, I find it hauntingly beautiful but that's because I somehow could relate on his restlessness about his life. How, he often lives in his dreams because they are so much better than his reality. And I felt sad that he too felt so restless about his reality, particularly his future as he can't seem to see a good future for himself. I felt, as though he and I were the same in that sense, living in daydreams because it's much better than our reality. Also, even though he is lonely, he doesn't dwell much on his sadness as he still sees that there are still good things in life. His life felt bleak for him but he still holds onto the little things in life like strangers he saw in Petersburg, even without actually connecting with them personally, he felt like he knows them, like how a watcher observes a movie.
The story began to shift when the lady (Nastenka) told her story. She told how she lived with her grandmother most of her life and how she met this man who is actually their lodger and whom she's inlove with. This actually taken me aback because I genuinely thought this would be a budding romance between two strangers only to present me with this story of unrequited love. Of course, this went on for the third night as it was revealed that Nastenka was actually waiting for a year for that lodger man in the same place she and the man-protagonist stays and talks. They formed a relationship, friendship as it turns out and it turned to unrequited love to the man-protagonist part. The thing was, even this was such a short read, it led me to think that maybe the lady would be inlove with the protagonist man but the thing is the lodger man returned and married the lady and despite all that, the protagonist man continued to love her and support her with his love, though unrequited. Which I think is what love should be, a selfless act, just you wanting your loved one to be happy even if it breaks you so much. Anyways, I think this is a great short read and great first book this year. Might reread this again, just because.
Apple and Knife by Intan Paramaditha
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Blood and Knife Review
I didn't know that this was initially a collection of short stories which centers on women from different walks of life or just women in general. I liked how this book has this fairytale like storytelling, reminds me so much of Grimm's fairytales with a mixture of urban legends you hear from barrios and such. I loved the book in general, although there were stories that i liked more than the others. I'll try to discuss some of them here so be warned for spoilers.
The Blind Woman Without a Toe
I liked this story. I loved how twisted this one was. This is kinda similar to the story of Cinderella. I wouldn't delve so much into this because I think just casually dropping the Cinderella word would have given you an idea what the story is about.
Blood
This story hits differently for me. Especially when you grew up in a very conservative country that speaking about the female genitalia and what happens to every girl when they reaches that stage to womanhood, they consider menstruation as a very taboo topic. (Although, lucky for me, I'm surrounded by women and they don't try to hide these things and answer every uncomfortable question regarding the female body especially the female genitalia). I think, that it's very upsetting that in a patriarchial society that we live in, women are reduced to a person whose entire life is decides and that is to give birth to another human being. It's like women do not have any other dream than being a mother and a housewife. I mean sure, some of us dreams this but I just loathe the idea of steorotyping people in general.
Doors
This story is more on the horror genre with a mix of a telenovela type of story. Kinda dramatic but loved the horror parts of the story.
Kuchuk Hanem
This story reminds me of how much western countries view the eastern part. Always describing women in eastern countries exotic or something. Can't contemplate enough if the story is surrounded by mystery or by vagueness because there were parts that are a bit unclear to me.
Scream in a Bottle
Also has some vagueness in the story. But I have my theory on the story although I think it's more on how the reader interpret the story.
The Queen
I loved this story. Like really loved this story. It reminds me so much of how barrios in our country tells a story. This story serves as a mythical story, also with a moral lesson in the end. Won't say mich but this story for me stands out than the rest. Won't say it was my top one but this is one of the storiea in this book that I'd put on the highest place as a must read.
The Vampire
Is this a metaphor on how people give in to lust? Or interchange familiarity with like/love? I don't know if my interpretation of the story is what actually happened but I would like it very much so to be what happened in the story.
Beauty and The Seventh Dwarf
I support women's rights and women's wrongs, maybe this is just my take on this story. There is something so bewithching and hauntingly captivating about the story although it's kinda messed up in a way (which i kinda loved about it).
The Well
This was short and a bit unclear but like most horror stories, it'll lead you on until you can't escape the end either.
The Obssessive Twist
This was a bit unexpected. Kinda like horror stories you hear from barrios (we have a lot from where I'm from btw). Although I felt like most of the women in the collection of these stories are either groomed or manipulated by men. This story will catch you by surprise (hopefully, like it did with me).
The Porcelain Doll
This is a bit complicated in a sense that it didn't stayed in one point of view of one of the characters (I know, the way the stoey is told is on the third person POV, but read and finished thia till the end).
Apple and Knife
Like the very title of the book, this was one of my favorite story. It reminds me that sometimes, as women build other women, some women also bring down other women.
A Single Firefly, A Thousand Rats
I also liked this story, above among the others. Like some of the previous stories, the story takes place on a different time. I wouldn't spoil much about the story just that this story reminds me that not everyone who looks like monsters are monsters. Also, it's crazy how news and stories are delivered and interpreted from just an interaction.
I didn't know that this was initially a collection of short stories which centers on women from different walks of life or just women in general. I liked how this book has this fairytale like storytelling, reminds me so much of Grimm's fairytales with a mixture of urban legends you hear from barrios and such. I loved the book in general, although there were stories that i liked more than the others. I'll try to discuss some of them here so be warned for spoilers.
The Blind Woman Without a Toe
I liked this story. I loved how twisted this one was. This is kinda similar to the story of Cinderella. I wouldn't delve so much into this because I think just casually dropping the Cinderella word would have given you an idea what the story is about.
Blood
This story hits differently for me. Especially when you grew up in a very conservative country that speaking about the female genitalia and what happens to every girl when they reaches that stage to womanhood, they consider menstruation as a very taboo topic. (Although, lucky for me, I'm surrounded by women and they don't try to hide these things and answer every uncomfortable question regarding the female body especially the female genitalia). I think, that it's very upsetting that in a patriarchial society that we live in, women are reduced to a person whose entire life is decides and that is to give birth to another human being. It's like women do not have any other dream than being a mother and a housewife. I mean sure, some of us dreams this but I just loathe the idea of steorotyping people in general.
Doors
This story is more on the horror genre with a mix of a telenovela type of story. Kinda dramatic but loved the horror parts of the story.
Kuchuk Hanem
This story reminds me of how much western countries view the eastern part. Always describing women in eastern countries exotic or something. Can't contemplate enough if the story is surrounded by mystery or by vagueness because there were parts that are a bit unclear to me.
Scream in a Bottle
Also has some vagueness in the story. But I have my theory on the story although I think it's more on how the reader interpret the story.
The Queen
I loved this story. Like really loved this story. It reminds me so much of how barrios in our country tells a story. This story serves as a mythical story, also with a moral lesson in the end. Won't say mich but this story for me stands out than the rest. Won't say it was my top one but this is one of the storiea in this book that I'd put on the highest place as a must read.
The Vampire
Is this a metaphor on how people give in to lust? Or interchange familiarity with like/love? I don't know if my interpretation of the story is what actually happened but I would like it very much so to be what happened in the story.
Beauty and The Seventh Dwarf
I support women's rights and women's wrongs, maybe this is just my take on this story. There is something so bewithching and hauntingly captivating about the story although it's kinda messed up in a way (which i kinda loved about it).
The Well
This was short and a bit unclear but like most horror stories, it'll lead you on until you can't escape the end either.
The Obssessive Twist
This was a bit unexpected. Kinda like horror stories you hear from barrios (we have a lot from where I'm from btw). Although I felt like most of the women in the collection of these stories are either groomed or manipulated by men. This story will catch you by surprise (hopefully, like it did with me).
The Porcelain Doll
This is a bit complicated in a sense that it didn't stayed in one point of view of one of the characters (I know, the way the stoey is told is on the third person POV, but read and finished thia till the end).
Apple and Knife
Like the very title of the book, this was one of my favorite story. It reminds me that sometimes, as women build other women, some women also bring down other women.
A Single Firefly, A Thousand Rats
I also liked this story, above among the others. Like some of the previous stories, the story takes place on a different time. I wouldn't spoil much about the story just that this story reminds me that not everyone who looks like monsters are monsters. Also, it's crazy how news and stories are delivered and interpreted from just an interaction.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape and Sexual content
The Centre by Ayesha Manazir Siddiqi
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Coraline by Neil Gaiman
adventurous
dark
inspiring
mysterious
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? It's complicated
5.0
I actually read this book way back 2020 but I was unable to write a review. So, anyways, I have just finished rereading it after almost a week (i am currently reading 2 books and even if this was the latter book of the two, somehow, I finished this faster compared to the former).
If you are familiar with Henry Selick's animated movie adaptation of Coraline, I still urged you to read this one. I know that even some young adults my age find the animated movie creepy and scary and I can say for certain that it's way more creepy and scary in the book.
This, I think partly, is because unlike in the movie, Coraline is the only kid (apart from the ghost kids). Although, Wybie's family name is mentioned, Wybie in the movie does not appear in the book, which makes the story scarier in the book.
But, if you are not familiar with the movie and just really happened to look for a book to read (especially this spooky season) then I suggest to read this book. I think, one of the best thing to describe this book is refreshingly creepy and how even if this is a children's book, it is true that you are never too old to read this book.
So, a bit of spoilers ahead, basically we are introduced to Coraline Jones as her family moved to this old house. But, this house is so big that there are other people living in it and her family lives in a certain part of the house.
Coraline then went exploring and met her neighbors. They were two old women who lived at the lower part of the house and an eccentric old man at the above part of the house. All of these old people mistakenly says Coraline's name as Caroline (which is kind of a common mistake as most old people have trouble with hearing). All of these old people somehow gave sort of a warning to Coraline like how she is in danger and how she should not enter
the door but of course, she doesn't know what it means, yet.
Then as we read further, she explored around the house and had stumbled upon this door at the far corner of the drawing room. She asked her mother about the door and where it goes. When her mother said that it leads to nowhere, Coraline then insists her mother to open it only to see for herself that it did lead to nowhere and just a brick wall. Of course, as we read the book further, we will be introduced to this other world beyond the door that magically appeared when Coraline was home alone.
I wouldn't spoil anything further. But weirdly enough, I liked Coraline's attitude although truth be told I don't know if such a kid or person exists. I kept thinking if I would be able to be as courageous and wise as Coraline was in the book.
Sure, she had some help but most of the things she'd done to escape the Bedlam was not anything that I could have thought of or imagine.
Anyway, whether you watched the adaptation of this book, I still hope that you'll read this and enjoy it. Plus, this is a short read, you'd be able to finish this in one sitting.
If you are familiar with Henry Selick's animated movie adaptation of Coraline, I still urged you to read this one. I know that even some young adults my age find the animated movie creepy and scary and I can say for certain that it's way more creepy and scary in the book.
This, I think partly, is because unlike in the movie, Coraline is the only kid (apart from the ghost kids). Although, Wybie's family name is mentioned, Wybie in the movie does not appear in the book, which makes the story scarier in the book.
But, if you are not familiar with the movie and just really happened to look for a book to read (especially this spooky season) then I suggest to read this book. I think, one of the best thing to describe this book is refreshingly creepy and how even if this is a children's book, it is true that you are never too old to read this book.
So, a bit of spoilers ahead, basically we are introduced to Coraline Jones as her family moved to this old house. But, this house is so big that there are other people living in it and her family lives in a certain part of the house.
Coraline then went exploring and met her neighbors. They were two old women who lived at the lower part of the house and an eccentric old man at the above part of the house. All of these old people mistakenly says Coraline's name as Caroline (which is kind of a common mistake as most old people have trouble with hearing). All of these old people somehow gave sort of a warning to Coraline like how she is in danger and how she should not enter
the door but of course, she doesn't know what it means, yet.
Then as we read further, she explored around the house and had stumbled upon this door at the far corner of the drawing room. She asked her mother about the door and where it goes. When her mother said that it leads to nowhere, Coraline then insists her mother to open it only to see for herself that it did lead to nowhere and just a brick wall. Of course, as we read the book further, we will be introduced to this other world beyond the door that magically appeared when Coraline was home alone.
I wouldn't spoil anything further. But weirdly enough, I liked Coraline's attitude although truth be told I don't know if such a kid or person exists. I kept thinking if I would be able to be as courageous and wise as Coraline was in the book.
Sure, she had some help but most of the things she'd done to escape the Bedlam was not anything that I could have thought of or imagine.
Anyway, whether you watched the adaptation of this book, I still hope that you'll read this and enjoy it. Plus, this is a short read, you'd be able to finish this in one sitting.
The Flat Share by Beth O'Leary
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
First things first. I think I might have judged this book all too quickly but it's kinda okay for me. So, I'll just tell you something about the book that might contain spoilers or just my full honest opinion.
First, I'm glad that even there were love/sex scenes, I loved that the author didn't explicitly narrated or described it. Also, at the first part of the book, I was kinda worried that it'll include a cheating arrangement and I am glad that the author didn't. The relationships and situations was justified to turn out the way it did. The characters are flawed in a way that at first, it was a bit infuriating but I guess don't judge a book by its cover coz I grew to like them especially the male lead Leon. Although, if there were characters that got me really curious, I'm kind of invested on Mo and Gerty's story.
Still, this book is a good book, but maybe not for me. If you want fluff romance with a bit of drama then this is for you.
First, I'm glad that even there were love/sex scenes, I loved that the author didn't explicitly narrated or described it. Also, at the first part of the book, I was kinda worried that it'll include a cheating arrangement and I am glad that the author didn't. The relationships and situations was justified to turn out the way it did. The characters are flawed in a way that at first, it was a bit infuriating but I guess don't judge a book by its cover coz I grew to like them especially the male lead Leon. Although, if there were characters that got me really curious, I'm kind of invested on Mo and Gerty's story.
Still, this book is a good book, but maybe not for me. If you want fluff romance with a bit of drama then this is for you.