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elwirax's reviews
457 reviews
The Sun Down Motel by Simone St. James
Did not finish book. Stopped at 20%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 20%.
The writing style leaned heavily towards telling than showing, which diminished the sense of tension the author attempted to create.
I also found the portrayal of female characters quite unsavoury. They were often depicted as "not like other girls" or alongside a dig such as "she wasn't pretty but..." and "women's libbers" (though this one was understandable in context). I' not interested in this.
I also found the portrayal of female characters quite unsavoury. They were often depicted as "not like other girls" or alongside a dig such as "she wasn't pretty but..." and "women's libbers" (though this one was understandable in context). I' not interested in this.
Our Wives Under The Sea by Julia Armfield
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I found the plot to be very meandering and while I usually enjoy quiet, character driven books, it was not enough for me to be truly invested.
I think it is was good in its discussions of grief and the idea of grieving someone who is not really gone but who has substantially changed. For this reason, the choice to remain vague about what really happened during the expedition was much more impactful than leaning fully into monster/ creature horror.
The prose was nicely balanced, it was both lyrical and simplistic. However, it was also quite 'clinical' at times which significantly distanced the reader despite elaborately recounting Miri and Leah's history. I also found the characters to be very passive and their voices very similar.
Overall, I think this book is for a niche audience of which I am not. That being said, I did not hate it.
I think it is was good in its discussions of grief and the idea of grieving someone who is not really gone but who has substantially changed. For this reason, the choice to remain vague about what really happened during the expedition was much more impactful than leaning fully into monster/ creature horror.
The prose was nicely balanced, it was both lyrical and simplistic. However, it was also quite 'clinical' at times which significantly distanced the reader despite elaborately recounting Miri and Leah's history. I also found the characters to be very passive and their voices very similar.
Overall, I think this book is for a niche audience of which I am not. That being said, I did not hate it.
100 Queer Poems by Andrew McMillan, Mary Jean Chan
slow-paced
3.0
I am sure many of these poems will resonate with individuals who have perhaps experienced more in life than I have. I do not think that any of these were intrinsically bad and the rating is partially a reflection of my inability to dissect and understand the style of contemporary poetry. Unfortunately, I do not have a strong preference for free verse
poetry with frequent line breaks and structures that disturb the flow of reading. Many of the poems fell into these categories and therefore, I could not always enjoy them despite the interesting subject matter.
"The Loves" by Lord Alfred Douglas, "Elegy with Two Elk and A Compass" by Alycia Pirmohamed, "Maybe somewhere" by Clare Shaw and "Final Curve" by Langston Hughes were my only favourites in this collection.
poetry with frequent line breaks and structures that disturb the flow of reading. Many of the poems fell into these categories and therefore, I could not always enjoy them despite the interesting subject matter.
"The Loves" by Lord Alfred Douglas, "Elegy with Two Elk and A Compass" by Alycia Pirmohamed, "Maybe somewhere" by Clare Shaw and "Final Curve" by Langston Hughes were my only favourites in this collection.
You Don't Have a Shot by Racquel Marie
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The Secret of Matterdale Hall by Marianne Ratcliffe
dark
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? No
3.0
I always find that historical fiction tends to feel too modern in terms of the language used but this one was atmospheric and very much reminded me of a classic in the way it was written and how events played out.
I thought the LGBTQ+ and disability representation in this book was quite well done. I enjoyed the focus on sign language and the fact that deaf characters were at the forefront of the story rather than being relegated minor characters. The book balanced many themes such as the societal reactions to 'difference' and mental illness very well.
If anything, the plot was a bit slow moving and not always as fleshed out as I would have wanted. The epilogue felt slightly rushed and would have benefitted from being more extensive .
Overall, a very solid lesbian historical romance
I thought the LGBTQ+ and disability representation in this book was quite well done. I enjoyed the focus on sign language and the fact that deaf characters were at the forefront of the story rather than being relegated minor characters. The book balanced many themes such as the societal reactions to 'difference' and mental illness very well.
If anything, the plot was a bit slow moving and not always as fleshed out as I would have wanted. The epilogue felt slightly rushed and would have benefitted from being more extensive .
Overall, a very solid lesbian historical romance
Other Words for Smoke by Sarah Maria Griffin
Other Words for Smoke was an interesting wee book. However, while it had all the ingredients of a peculiar book, the atmosphere and lack of tension didn't do them much justice.
The second person for Bevan's character was an interesting choice and I enjoyed the subtle point of view changes within chapters. However, the flow got strange halfway through where a whole section was dedicated to previous and future summers before proceeding to the twins returning 3 years later. I think that many of the past summers could have been woven into the previous chapters or perhaps in the footnotes where other parts of the backstory were placed.
The overall atmosphere of the second summer didn't do much for me. The blurb suggests a mystery but this was very anti-climactic. The point of the competition between Sweet James and Bobby Dear is never really explained nor is the source of the magic. I'm sure there is a moral message in this book somewhere but it is buried amongst the plot (though the social commentary on the mistreatment of women and power was definitely there).
I must admit that the ending was very good and wrapped up the story wonderfully.
Overall, I think this book was definitely my vibe but some parts just didn't work for me.
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
"James. What an ordinary name for a terrible thing..."
Other Words for Smoke was an interesting wee book. However, while it had all the ingredients of a peculiar book, the atmosphere and lack of tension didn't do them much justice.
The second person for Bevan's character was an interesting choice and I enjoyed the subtle point of view changes within chapters. However, the flow got strange halfway through where a whole section was dedicated to previous and future summers before proceeding to the twins returning 3 years later. I think that many of the past summers could have been woven into the previous chapters or perhaps in the footnotes where other parts of the backstory were placed.
The overall atmosphere of the second summer didn't do much for me. The blurb suggests a mystery but this was very anti-climactic. The point of the competition between Sweet James and Bobby Dear is never really explained nor is the source of the magic. I'm sure there is a moral message in this book somewhere but it is buried amongst the plot (though the social commentary on the mistreatment of women and power was definitely there).
I must admit that the ending was very good and wrapped up the story wonderfully.
Overall, I think this book was definitely my vibe but some parts just didn't work for me.
I Want to Die But I Want to Eat Tteokbokki by Baek Se-hee
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
2.5
Unfortunately, this book lacked the depth the topic warranted. I suspect this may be due to cultural differences and approaches to discussing mental health. I thought the reflective parts were perhaps the strongest areas of this book and the transcripts were the weakest. I took issue with some of the advice given by the psychiatrist and it's impact on the one step forward two steps back nature of the author's 10 year therapy process. Due to the shallow advice given, the author would recognise patterns and behaviours but would not be given proper ways to manage or mitigate them. However, I empathised with the author's experiences and her willingness to express them and believe that this book is valuable in its discussion.
The Mimicking of Known Successes by Malka Ann Older
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
A fantastic idea with an execution that leaves much to be desired. Unfortunately, much of the characterisation and worldbuilding fell flat and the mystery was half baked at best. However, I did appreciate and enjoy the writing style.
Out There Screaming: An Anthology of New Black Horror by Jordan Peele, John Joseph Adams
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
There were some interesting concepts and themes in this anthology. Unfortunately, the conclusions and overall executions for many of them didn't work out for me.
Reckless Eyeballing: 2.5
Eye and Tooth: 3.5
Wandering Devil: 3
Invasion of the Baby Snatchers: 3
The Other One: 2
Lasirén: 2.5
The Rider: 3
The Aesthete 2.5
Pressure: 2.5
Dark Home: 3
Flicker: 3
The Most Strongest Obeah Woman of the World: 3
The Norwood Trouble: 3
A Grief of the Dead: 1
A Bird Sings by the Etching Tree: 2
An American Fable: 3
Your Happy Place: 2
Hide and Seek: 3
Origin Story: 2.5
Reckless Eyeballing: 2.5
Eye and Tooth: 3.5
Wandering Devil: 3
Invasion of the Baby Snatchers: 3
The Other One: 2
Lasirén: 2.5
The Rider: 3
The Aesthete 2.5
Pressure: 2.5
Dark Home: 3
Flicker: 3
The Most Strongest Obeah Woman of the World: 3
The Norwood Trouble: 3
A Grief of the Dead: 1
A Bird Sings by the Etching Tree: 2
An American Fable: 3
Your Happy Place: 2
Hide and Seek: 3
Origin Story: 2.5