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eyeowna's reviews
158 reviews
Ink Blood Sister Scribe by Emma Törzs
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
This is a dark academia (?) type of fantasy novel set in a contemporary world like ours in which some people can use magic through certain books/book making. The novel first follows two sisters from a family that protects their library of magic books from the world (and some secret enemy) before things get twisty.
I feel like this book was brewed in a cauldron of hot book soup (blood in this case) specifically for me. There’s beautiful libraries, bookbinding, making ink out of blood, sisters, twists and secrets on secrets, magic spells, and a general love for rare books and reading. This would’ve been the perfect novel for me if the pacing didn’t feel bloated and uneven. There’s a lot (about 150-200 pages) of build up to a certain event. After the middle/two thirds of the book, the pay off was fun but very quick and didn’t match the first half of the book.
I loved the writing style, descriptions, and dialogue, though! I’m going to keep an eye out for whatever Torzs writes next.
I feel like this book was brewed in a cauldron of hot book soup (blood in this case) specifically for me. There’s beautiful libraries, bookbinding, making ink out of blood, sisters, twists and secrets on secrets, magic spells, and a general love for rare books and reading. This would’ve been the perfect novel for me if the pacing didn’t feel bloated and uneven. There’s a lot (about 150-200 pages) of build up to a certain event. After the middle/two thirds of the book, the pay off was fun but very quick and didn’t match the first half of the book.
I loved the writing style, descriptions, and dialogue, though! I’m going to keep an eye out for whatever Torzs writes next.
A Sorceress Comes to Call by T. Kingfisher
adventurous
dark
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
A fun time, quick read.
Loved: the older lady characters who have to step up against the sorceress. That more than anything else makes this book charming and sets it apart from other fairy tale retellings I’ve read. The magic was fairy tale-esque with some internal logic that I liked. The demonic horse was chef’s kiss.
Wanted more: depth or backstory or character something! I think this would’ve been a 4 or even 5 star read for me if it had backstory for the antagonist or more of an arc for the sorcerer’s daughter (she gets some but I wanted more).
Overall though, a fun fairy tale romp with murder, child abuse, manners, and geese.
Loved: the older lady characters who have to step up against the sorceress. That more than anything else makes this book charming and sets it apart from other fairy tale retellings I’ve read. The magic was fairy tale-esque with some internal logic that I liked. The demonic horse was chef’s kiss.
Wanted more: depth or backstory or character something! I think this would’ve been a 4 or even 5 star read for me if it had backstory for the antagonist or more of an arc for the sorcerer’s daughter (she gets some but I wanted more).
Overall though, a fun fairy tale romp with murder, child abuse, manners, and geese.
Moomin Book One: The Complete Tove Jansson Comic Strip by Tove Jansson
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Delightful! Zany! I love how the moomins are always running from the police!
Welcome to the Hyunam-dong Bookshop by Hwang Bo-Reum
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I started this book in March and then set it down until reading about 2/3rds (if not more) of it in the last few days. I had to be in the right mood/headspace, but once I was, I loved it.
I don’t think this book is everyone’s cup of tea: this book is COZY. More than that, it’s really a book about burnout and a reflection on trying to find meaning/happiness/pleasure in modern day South Korea and late stage capitalism in general. It’s also about running an independent bookshop. It’s also about connecting with others through reading. It’s also about making coffee. It’s also about lying on the floor and drinking with friends as you laugh together.
As someone who is a reader and is recovering from burnout/mild depression, this book was so comforting and healing. For someone else, it might be too emotional or sappy. If you like slice of life and comforting books (or kdramas… which I do), this is your vibe. Also reminded me of a grown up Studio Ghibli’s Whisper of the Heart. Is it over the top of me to gift this book to friends I know are burnt out at work? Probably…
I don’t think this book is everyone’s cup of tea: this book is COZY. More than that, it’s really a book about burnout and a reflection on trying to find meaning/happiness/pleasure in modern day South Korea and late stage capitalism in general. It’s also about running an independent bookshop. It’s also about connecting with others through reading. It’s also about making coffee. It’s also about lying on the floor and drinking with friends as you laugh together.
As someone who is a reader and is recovering from burnout/mild depression, this book was so comforting and healing. For someone else, it might be too emotional or sappy. If you like slice of life and comforting books (or kdramas… which I do), this is your vibe. Also reminded me of a grown up Studio Ghibli’s Whisper of the Heart. Is it over the top of me to gift this book to friends I know are burnt out at work? Probably…
The Bog Wife by Kay Chronister
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Dark Archives: A Librarian's Investigation Into the Science and History of Books Bound in Human Skin by Megan Rosenbloom
informative
medium-paced
3.75
This is less the grisly and sensational narrative about books bound in human skin that I thought it was going to be and more a thoughtful examination of human remains, medical history and ethics, the history and evolution of doctor-patient relationships (and the lack of / importance of consent in medical experimentation throughout history), and the role and importance of libraries and museums’ as stewards of history in all its darkness. In short, for human skin bound (anthropodermic) books, think less occultists and more doctors who have access to corpses and an interest in the prestige of rare book collecting.
The ethics of this topic are gnarly but, as of right now, I found Rosenbloom’s moments of geeking out about rare books charming (that’s why I wanted to read this book in the first place). On a reread or further thinking/research, I might find myself debating some of Rosenbloom’s stance. Still, I thought she did a good job of explaining the ethical questions and debate surrounding anthropodermic books and where she lands in that discourse.
Some of this book was slow to get through for me. The different narratives and their connection to the anthropodermic books sometimes felt meandering. It picked up at about 50%, especially since I switched to the audiobook. If you go along for the ride willing to learn about medical history and other things related to anthropodermic books (such as the practice of criminal’s bodies being donated to physicians for dissection in England at one stage), then you’ll have a good time.
The ethics of this topic are gnarly but, as of right now, I found Rosenbloom’s moments of geeking out about rare books charming (that’s why I wanted to read this book in the first place). On a reread or further thinking/research, I might find myself debating some of Rosenbloom’s stance. Still, I thought she did a good job of explaining the ethical questions and debate surrounding anthropodermic books and where she lands in that discourse.
Some of this book was slow to get through for me. The different narratives and their connection to the anthropodermic books sometimes felt meandering. It picked up at about 50%, especially since I switched to the audiobook. If you go along for the ride willing to learn about medical history and other things related to anthropodermic books (such as the practice of criminal’s bodies being donated to physicians for dissection in England at one stage), then you’ll have a good time.
The Salt Grows Heavy by Cassandra Khaw
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
Fever dream of a horror (and romance?) novella that is loosely a Little Mermaid retelling with a lot of plague doctor and Frankenstein-monster stuff added in. Some lovely writing. A lot of words for like the SAT or something (I have a nice list of new words now! Thank you for expanding my vocab, Khaw). Would not recommend unless you like body horror weirdness.
I personally loved it when the mermaid ate people. And also the descriptions of mermaid memories.
I mean just read THIS: “I allow myself, for the gash of a moment, to remember what I once possessed: the abyssal ocean, the song in those depths like swimming down the black throat of a god; the searing colors moting my sisters’ coils, sapphire and quartz crushed into constellations, patterns and prisms of incandescence spiraling through the dark, our tails in endless, restless motion; our mother’s eyes colossal, phosphorescent; our father’s ribs, still studded with our egg sacs, his heartbeat in our veins. I’d been happy there. I could have been happy there forever” (page 59 ebook edition).
I mean just read THIS: “I allow myself, for the gash of a moment, to remember what I once possessed: the abyssal ocean, the song in those depths like swimming down the black throat of a god; the searing colors moting my sisters’ coils, sapphire and quartz crushed into constellations, patterns and prisms of incandescence spiraling through the dark, our tails in endless, restless motion; our mother’s eyes colossal, phosphorescent; our father’s ribs, still studded with our egg sacs, his heartbeat in our veins. I’d been happy there. I could have been happy there forever” (page 59 ebook edition).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror
A Dowry of Blood by S.T. Gibson
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.25
Hmm didn’t vibe with this as much as I thought I would. Overall a lot of flash but I wanted more substance. It was somewhat fun and a quick read. Most interesting parts were the peeling back of the abusive relationship (but even then I was just like yeah okay I know this guy sucks? I didn’t find him *that* interesting?).
Delicious in Dungeon, Vol. 1 by Ryoko Kui
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Another read that I can’t decide if it’s a 4 or 5 star for me!! I think my ratings are skewed bc if I finish something, I probably really liked it.
This might be my first manga ever? I love the anime and the concept of this series as a whole. I’ve always thought eating monsters (like pokemon for the internet meme) was a funny idea and then this series takes it further with environmental world building logic. This series take on monsters (and how to eat them) is clever and obviously based in a love for the natural world that is so charming.
Also, I’ve always bounced off of what I’ve seen of dnd and dungeon-like fantasy (with Zelda being the main exception) bc it seemed to have a lack of deeper lore/in-story explanation for the dungeon exploring loop. This series not only has lore but hints of an even more deeper backstory to come. The comedy and art puts all this into an appealing package. I will definitely keep reading the series between other books.
Tl;dr: the manga is worth the read for fans of the anime even though the anime is faithful/repeats the story. There are funny moments and lovely illustrations that you don’t get in the anime. I loved the little extras about the monsters!
This might be my first manga ever? I love the anime and the concept of this series as a whole. I’ve always thought eating monsters (like pokemon for the internet meme) was a funny idea and then this series takes it further with environmental world building logic. This series take on monsters (and how to eat them) is clever and obviously based in a love for the natural world that is so charming.
Also, I’ve always bounced off of what I’ve seen of dnd and dungeon-like fantasy (with Zelda being the main exception) bc it seemed to have a lack of deeper lore/in-story explanation for the dungeon exploring loop. This series not only has lore but hints of an even more deeper backstory to come. The comedy and art puts all this into an appealing package. I will definitely keep reading the series between other books.
Tl;dr: the manga is worth the read for fans of the anime even though the anime is faithful/repeats the story. There are funny moments and lovely illustrations that you don’t get in the anime. I loved the little extras about the monsters!
Good Bones and Simple Murders by Margaret Atwood
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5