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despinareviews's reviews
134 reviews
Strangers on a Train by Patricia Highsmith
3.0
Plot: Guy Haines is an upstanding member of society, an architect on a train down to obtain a divorce from his wife. On the train he meets Charles Bruno, a man who becomes quickly obsessed with him and makes a suggestion: 'You kill my father, I'll kill your wife ...'. With their lack of connection in their everyday life, who would suspect either of them for the killings?
Review: This book was very eloquently written but incredibly slow-paced, hence my rating. It is a mystery and in a way I wasn't quite sure how it would get to the ending, which it delivered really well. I think the story is strong and Bruno being such an unpredictable character really made this work. The third person narration in my opinion described a bit too much of everything, but that is definitely personal taste. I am glad to have read it, but it definitely took a lot longer due to the pacing.
Review: This book was very eloquently written but incredibly slow-paced, hence my rating. It is a mystery and in a way I wasn't quite sure how it would get to the ending, which it delivered really well. I think the story is strong and Bruno being such an unpredictable character really made this work. The third person narration in my opinion described a bit too much of everything, but that is definitely personal taste. I am glad to have read it, but it definitely took a lot longer due to the pacing.
A Veil of Gods and Kings by Nicole Bailey
5.0
This book was divine (pun intended!). Based on Greek mythology, this LGBT+ enemies-to-lovers story takes place in an Ancient-Greece inspired fantasy world. Apollo, a half-God and half-mortal who has yet to ascend and take his role in Olympus is fighting against his destiny - he does not want to become a God. Living with his younger sister Temi (who he loves dearly), he has fallen in love with the mortal world and despises his godly nature. In anger, Zeus sends Apollo to Prince Hyacynth, whom he considers a diligent son to his father, to be mentored for one year, after which he will be forced to ascend.
Apollo is childish and (seemingly) irresponsible. Hyacynth is hardworking and dedicated to his duties. The banter between them was top notch. Though I said above it is enemies to lovers, it's more 'I am annoyed by this person - grr' to 'uh-oh this is ... something' and this is honestly the best kind of dynamic for me.
Beautifully poetic language balanced with dialogue which feels realistic and the character interactions are so good. I absolutely loved the relationship between siblings - Cyn and Epiphany (Emrin is not as prominent in the story whereas we get perspectives from both Hyacynth and Epiphany throughout) but primarily the relationship between Temi and Apollo.
Despite its classification as NA, I would almost consider (minus one or two scenes) to be YA, but I am not convinced that makes a big difference.
This story is the first in a series, and I absolutely cannot WAIT to dive into the rest of this world. The summer vibes are really strong in this book so perfect to read for an inspiration.
Many thanks to Victory Editing Netgally Co-op for the e-ARC (via NetGalley) in exchange for an honest review.
Apollo is childish and (seemingly) irresponsible. Hyacynth is hardworking and dedicated to his duties. The banter between them was top notch. Though I said above it is enemies to lovers, it's more 'I am annoyed by this person - grr' to 'uh-oh this is ... something' and this is honestly the best kind of dynamic for me.
Beautifully poetic language balanced with dialogue which feels realistic and the character interactions are so good. I absolutely loved the relationship between siblings - Cyn and Epiphany (Emrin is not as prominent in the story whereas we get perspectives from both Hyacynth and Epiphany throughout) but primarily the relationship between Temi and Apollo.
Despite its classification as NA, I would almost consider (minus one or two scenes) to be YA, but I am not convinced that makes a big difference.
This story is the first in a series, and I absolutely cannot WAIT to dive into the rest of this world. The summer vibes are really strong in this book so perfect to read for an inspiration.
Many thanks to Victory Editing Netgally Co-op for the e-ARC (via NetGalley) in exchange for an honest review.
The Cupid Mixup by L. Penelope
4.0
Really enjoyable steamy romance in the form of a short story with a hint at a paranormal element towards the end. 18+ only.
Dealing with emotional baggage from her past, our main character meets an attractive stranger in the hotel bar and the sparks fly. Will she be able to work through the feelings of inadequacy caused by her rough past?
Dealing with emotional baggage from her past, our main character meets an attractive stranger in the hotel bar and the sparks fly. Will she be able to work through the feelings of inadequacy caused by her rough past?
Ladies with Guns - Part 1 by Bocquet Olivier
4.0
Based in the Wild West, this comic book puts forth a number of diverse, strong female characters. All badass, all different from different walks of life. Different ages, races and experiences with one thing in common - they are surviving on their own in what appears to be a man's world.
I thoroughly enjoyed this comic - the art style is clean and the colouring was really vibrant. I could understand what was going on in every single panel and I found myself really intrigued by the storyline. The characters however are definitely the focal point. A British woman, a Native American, a young black girl who is a former slave, an older white lady (who is badass) and a black sex worker all coming together to form a group in one of their defence. The story felt very mature and some of the content was quite dark which I really enjoyed.
Many thanks to Europe Comics who provided an ARC of this volume via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
I thoroughly enjoyed this comic - the art style is clean and the colouring was really vibrant. I could understand what was going on in every single panel and I found myself really intrigued by the storyline. The characters however are definitely the focal point. A British woman, a Native American, a young black girl who is a former slave, an older white lady (who is badass) and a black sex worker all coming together to form a group in one of their defence. The story felt very mature and some of the content was quite dark which I really enjoyed.
Many thanks to Europe Comics who provided an ARC of this volume via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Heartstopper Volume 2 by Alice Oseman
5.0
**SQUEAL**
Continuing Nick and Charlie's romance, with an emphasis on Nick working out his sexuality and the two growing closer, I genuinely was grinning from ear to ear reading this. Volumes 3 & 4, here I come!
Continuing Nick and Charlie's romance, with an emphasis on Nick working out his sexuality and the two growing closer, I genuinely was grinning from ear to ear reading this. Volumes 3 & 4, here I come!
Heartstopper Volume 3 by Alice Oseman
5.0
This was fantastic. The romance - phenomenal. The depictions of mental health struggles - incredibly accurate. Depictions of eating disorders - sensitive.
Thank you Alice Oseman ... thank you!
Thank you Alice Oseman ... thank you!
Heartstopper Volume 4 by Alice Oseman
5.0
This was a perfect example of a healthy relationship where one of the members is struggling with mental illness. Absolutely amazing and written truly sympathetically I shed a few tears reading this. Beautiful and cannot wait for the fifth and final installation ... now onto read Alice Oseman's entire catalog!
When a Cat Faces West, Volume 1 by Yuki Urushibara
5.0
A science fiction manga which involves a cute (and lazy!) cat? Sign me up!
I really enjoyed this a lot more than I expected. I wasn't sure whether the pacing (which was fairly medium-paced as opposed to some fast-paced manga I am used to) would put me off but I think the storyline, characters and context work really well. The art is really good too.
I am going to continue this series, there's some interesting concepts brewing and I genuinely think this could turn out to be a good series to keep an eye out on.
Thank you to Kodansha and NetGalley for the ARC of this volume in exchange for an honest review. My review was not impacted by this
I really enjoyed this a lot more than I expected. I wasn't sure whether the pacing (which was fairly medium-paced as opposed to some fast-paced manga I am used to) would put me off but I think the storyline, characters and context work really well. The art is really good too.
I am going to continue this series, there's some interesting concepts brewing and I genuinely think this could turn out to be a good series to keep an eye out on.
Thank you to Kodansha and NetGalley for the ARC of this volume in exchange for an honest review. My review was not impacted by this
Mistress of Death by Kathryn Trattner
4.0
Plot:
Gabriel is an assassin, and apprentice of the most well renowned assassin, Arno Mercer (aka Death). When her first solo assassination goes wrong, she encounters a police officer, Matthew, who is intrigued by her and helps her despite his logic telling him otherwise.
Review:
This book was really enjoyable. It was steampunk vibes with an unapologetically badass female MC. Gabriel really made this book pleasant, and the worldbuilding of society was pretty well-developed. There was politics and betrayal and a lot of growth for our main character. The story is medium-paced (though I did find some parts of the book got a lot slower) but it starts and ends with a good amount of action.
High key - this is a Vivian stan-account, she was my favourite character by a mile.
I will say the main reasons I didn't give this a 5 star review are:
- I am not a fan of and this trope is prominent in this book in my opinion
- I didn't quite feel like I understood the main couple's romance and motivations ... I didn't mind it, but I didn't feel like I fully understood them, or that they had the depth I wanted them to have.
- There were a very small number of typos which should have been caught in a proofread but were not [I want to note that this book was indie published and that may explain it - none of the typos impacted my reading experience honestly]
Overall this was a good experience and I'm glad it ended the way it did, despite the fact that isn't where I thought it would go - I thought this would be the start of a series but the way it ended, I think it is a stand-alone with a definitive ending.
I received an advance review copy via BookSirens in exchange for an honest review, which I am leaving voluntarily.
Gabriel is an assassin, and apprentice of the most well renowned assassin, Arno Mercer (aka Death). When her first solo assassination goes wrong, she encounters a police officer, Matthew, who is intrigued by her and helps her despite his logic telling him otherwise.
Review:
This book was really enjoyable. It was steampunk vibes with an unapologetically badass female MC. Gabriel really made this book pleasant, and the worldbuilding of society was pretty well-developed. There was politics and betrayal and a lot of growth for our main character. The story is medium-paced (though I did find some parts of the book got a lot slower) but it starts and ends with a good amount of action.
High key - this is a Vivian stan-account, she was my favourite character by a mile.
I will say the main reasons I didn't give this a 5 star review are:
- I am not a fan of
Spoiler
the instalove trope- I didn't quite feel like I understood the main couple's romance and motivations ... I didn't mind it, but I didn't feel like I fully understood them, or that they had the depth I wanted them to have.
- There were a very small number of typos which should have been caught in a proofread but were not [I want to note that this book was indie published and that may explain it - none of the typos impacted my reading experience honestly]
Overall this was a good experience and I'm glad it ended the way it did, despite the fact that isn't where I thought it would go - I thought this would be the start of a series but the way it ended, I think it is a stand-alone with a definitive ending.
I received an advance review copy via BookSirens in exchange for an honest review, which I am leaving voluntarily.
Star by Yukio Mishima
3.0
A snapshot into the life of an unhappy and disillusioned movie star
Well written though the characters were a bit unlikable but written that way unapologetically in a way you don't often see.
Talks of the futility of showbusiness and the attitude of those within it, the mechanical nature of filmmaking in contrast to the heavily emotive output, the idea of dying young ... So many ideas covered so succinctly!
Rating 3.5 rounded up
Well written though the characters were a bit unlikable but written that way unapologetically in a way you don't often see.
Talks of the futility of showbusiness and the attitude of those within it, the mechanical nature of filmmaking in contrast to the heavily emotive output, the idea of dying young ... So many ideas covered so succinctly!
Rating 3.5 rounded up