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ciara_g's reviews
317 reviews
Long Island by Colm Tóibín
3.0
I truly don’t know why it didn’t click with me that this was a sequel to Brooklyn so wish I’d reread it before Long Island to add a little more context to the characters. In any case, this was a great story about family, its intricacies, secrets and intimacies.
I love anything Toibín and this was no exception, an excellent read that made me want to go back to the start and begin Éilís’ story again.
I love anything Toibín and this was no exception, an excellent read that made me want to go back to the start and begin Éilís’ story again.
Cut & Thirst: A Short Story by Margaret Atwood
3.0
A humorous short-story, Cut and Thirst follows three retired professors musing about the possibility of committing murder over cheese and wine on a Thursday evening.
I know Atwood is an excellent writer, but I have to say, a lot of this story went over my head. I don’t know if it was the writing style or the language used but I found myself having to reread paragraphs trying to comprehend their meaning.
A quick, dark read but personally, I’ve enjoyed Atwood’s other works a lot more.
I know Atwood is an excellent writer, but I have to say, a lot of this story went over my head. I don’t know if it was the writing style or the language used but I found myself having to reread paragraphs trying to comprehend their meaning.
A quick, dark read but personally, I’ve enjoyed Atwood’s other works a lot more.
Fire by John Boyne
4.0
Fire follows, Freya’s story (from Earth) and as we jump through her past and her present, the more sickened I was by her character and fucked-up version of vigilantism.
Another brilliant story in the Elemental series - I really enjoy how all the characters are beginning to connect, interact and influence each other. Personally, I thought Vanessa Carvin’s daughter (from Water) was the perfect voice to summarise how the message of this book needed to be framed.
Another brilliant story in the Elemental series - I really enjoy how all the characters are beginning to connect, interact and influence each other. Personally, I thought Vanessa Carvin’s daughter (from Water) was the perfect voice to summarise how the message of this book needed to be framed.
Again, some incredibly heavy themes that are delivered in such a short timeframe. This series and its characters will have you pondering them for weeks after finishing.
Nightbitch by Rachel Yoder
I’m not sure what I was expecting but Nightbitch was an… interesting read. Aside from some really punchy one liners and a few relatable moments like, “she wanted only silence and not to be touched” and “So much effort and worry put in to understanding and explaining and thinking and thinking. At least for an afternoon, couldn’t she just be?”.
But unfortunately the majority of the story turned my stomach. I’m fairly indifferent to darker themes but I draw the line at animal abuse (animals necks being snapped and a family cat being brutally murdered).
Can appreciate the storytelling and if magic realism is your thing you might enjoy it but it’s a no from me 🙅♀️
2.0
…she was Nightbitch, and she was fucking amazing…
I’m not sure what I was expecting but Nightbitch was an… interesting read. Aside from some really punchy one liners and a few relatable moments like, “she wanted only silence and not to be touched” and “So much effort and worry put in to understanding and explaining and thinking and thinking. At least for an afternoon, couldn’t she just be?”.
But unfortunately the majority of the story turned my stomach. I’m fairly indifferent to darker themes but I draw the line at animal abuse (animals necks being snapped and a family cat being brutally murdered).
Can appreciate the storytelling and if magic realism is your thing you might enjoy it but it’s a no from me 🙅♀️
The Gift by Freida McFadden
3.75
An interesting, fast-paced short story that seemed slightly different to McFadden’s usual prose, but I liked it.
Based on the short story, The Gift of the Magi, (which I hadn’t heard of before but am definitely going to read), the entire story was eerie with the creepiness, the ambiguous witchcraft, and the pile of unanswered questions. 🫠 I enjoyed the characters but I found the dialogue between them slightly unnatural at times. Upon reflection, it honestly added another layer to the whole uncanny vibe. 🤷♀️
Overall, an entertaining (and Christmassy!!) read that I wished was a bit longer.
Based on the short story, The Gift of the Magi, (which I hadn’t heard of before but am definitely going to read), the entire story was eerie with the creepiness, the ambiguous witchcraft, and the pile of unanswered questions. 🫠 I enjoyed the characters but I found the dialogue between them slightly unnatural at times. Upon reflection, it honestly added another layer to the whole uncanny vibe. 🤷♀️
Overall, an entertaining (and Christmassy!!) read that I wished was a bit longer.
The Female by Invi Wright
2.0
A load of drivel, truly. No matter what the premise promises, this book focused far too much on the feelings of jealousy and obsession between the incubus, his demon friends and their “female”.
The FMC, Charlotte, is the definition of Stockholm syndrome. And she’s inconsistent; Her father dies dramatically and his body is left on the sitting room floor (bearing in mind he and her mother were the only people Charlie spent her entire twenty years of life with, so far) and she doesn’t give them a second thought. Instead, I’m being forced to read chapters of utter brain rot with some thrilling suspense like “does Aziel like me” and “will Gray want to be my mate”. Please, at this point I’m begging for a plot -Mediocre at best.
The FMC, Charlotte, is the definition of Stockholm syndrome. And she’s inconsistent; Her father dies dramatically and his body is left on the sitting room floor (bearing in mind he and her mother were the only people Charlie spent her entire twenty years of life with, so far) and she doesn’t give them a second thought. Instead, I’m being forced to read chapters of utter brain rot with some thrilling suspense like “does Aziel like me” and “will Gray want to be my mate”. Please, at this point I’m begging for a plot -Mediocre at best.
Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree
3.75
Legends and Lattes follows a retired bounty-hunter turned coffee-shop-owner orc called Viv as she goes about setting up a new life for herself in the city of Thune.
This story was definition cosy fantasy; with low stakes, mostly likeable characters and an unholy amount of time spent describing pastries. I listened on audio, and although I'm not a huge cosy fantasy reader, it was an enjoyable read.
In saying that, it was also hugely overhyped as a fantasy (but I blame TikTok for that 🫠). The overarching storyline was a bit simple and the story and characters didn’t have that much of an impact for me to continue the series.
An easy-read fantasy with little suspense and lots of baking.
This story was definition cosy fantasy; with low stakes, mostly likeable characters and an unholy amount of time spent describing pastries. I listened on audio, and although I'm not a huge cosy fantasy reader, it was an enjoyable read.
In saying that, it was also hugely overhyped as a fantasy (but I blame TikTok for that 🫠). The overarching storyline was a bit simple and the story and characters didn’t have that much of an impact for me to continue the series.
An easy-read fantasy with little suspense and lots of baking.
The Bee Sting by Paul Murray
5.0
Admittedly, I had to sit on this review for a few days after listening to The Bee Sting for almost 27 hours on audio because that ending felt like a slap. in. the. face.
BUT upon reflection (and after reading other [much smarter] people’s reviews) I’ve decided the ambiguous ending was literal perfection. The subtle foreshadowing and the climactic build-up, the depth of each character and how their stories begin to intertwine as the story develops and weave in and out of each others plot lines. Potentially my favourite read of 2024 🫶
BUT upon reflection (and after reading other [much smarter] people’s reviews) I’ve decided the ambiguous ending was literal perfection. The subtle foreshadowing and the climactic build-up, the depth of each character and how their stories begin to intertwine as the story develops and weave in and out of each others plot lines. Potentially my favourite read of 2024 🫶
Murray so perfectly depicts family life in Ireland, relationships between siblings, parents, partners, the perceptions within communities and the facades people uphold, the secrecy, the shame!! So. Bloody. Good. And definitely recommend the audio version, the multiple narrators nailed it.
My Evil Mother by Margaret Atwood
4.0
A surprising tale of witchcraft, superstition, mother/daughter relationships and full circle moments. It reminded me of when I was a mean, moody teenager and my mother used to always tell me, “no matter how you feel about me now, we all turn into our mothers in the end”.
I’ve seen this short story recommended a number of times on Kindle Unlimited and I’m glad I finally picked it up. An entertaining and thought-provoking read delivered in 30 pages.
The Burnout by Sophie Kinsella
3.75
The Burnout follows Sasha as she undergoes.. you’ve guessed it ✨burnout✨ from a shitty job where she’s undervalued, underpaid and understaffed. Sounds familiar 🙃
Sasha, with the help of her mum, heads off on a retreat to her childhood holiday destination with the hopes that some beach yoga and inedible green smoothies will cure her.
This story was definition Kinsella; silly, fun and easily read. Personally, I didn’t find the storyline all that interesting, however I got a good laugh out of the Mum/Assistant scenes and the Sasha/Finn rock fighting.
Sasha, with the help of her mum, heads off on a retreat to her childhood holiday destination with the hopes that some beach yoga and inedible green smoothies will cure her.
This story was definition Kinsella; silly, fun and easily read. Personally, I didn’t find the storyline all that interesting, however I got a good laugh out of the Mum/Assistant scenes and the Sasha/Finn rock fighting.