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gabiirayner's reviews
46 reviews
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
4.0
4.5/5
When I say I was not expecting that, it is a gross understatement. What a beautifully creative story told in a beautifully creative way.
I don't want to post any spoilers so I will simply say that I am so glad I read this. There were moments where I truly struggled to put the book down, which I haven't had for a little while; it's just such an easy read but without being too surface level or simplistic!!
Characters are, for the most part, all gorgeously, humanly complex and morally interesting (Celia you are everything) and whilst things get a tad complicated and lull ever so slightly towards the end, the overall impact of this book cannot be overstated. Sometimes tiktok gets things right after all.
When I say I was not expecting that, it is a gross understatement. What a beautifully creative story told in a beautifully creative way.
I don't want to post any spoilers so I will simply say that I am so glad I read this. There were moments where I truly struggled to put the book down, which I haven't had for a little while; it's just such an easy read but without being too surface level or simplistic!!
Characters are, for the most part, all gorgeously, humanly complex and morally interesting (Celia you are everything) and whilst things get a tad complicated and lull ever so slightly towards the end, the overall impact of this book cannot be overstated. Sometimes tiktok gets things right after all.
Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
3.0
3.5
Whilst she's a little story-thin, the world building and characters and gorgeous imagery more than make up for it!! I'd love to know more about the Velvets and I will most definitely be reading the Seven Sisters book when it's out because I can't wait to delve into their world and characters.
Whilst she's a little story-thin, the world building and characters and gorgeous imagery more than make up for it!! I'd love to know more about the Velvets and I will most definitely be reading the Seven Sisters book when it's out because I can't wait to delve into their world and characters.
Open Water by Caleb Azumah Nelson
3.0
part of me truly despises the fact that I now feel I have to log and quantify every single piece of media I consume because my numerical rating of 3.5 is absolutely NOT a reflection of how incredible the lyrical prose of the author is.
he is so clearly a poet, and just because I'm not accustomed to it does not mean it's not beautiful and tender and powerful because it definitely is, it's just a touch too ?? cloying? nebulous? for my personal taste. but maybe that's the point.
this book is important and touching in its overt Blackness and its intertwined themes of masculinity and systemic racism told through the eyes of one young man (I particularly love the choice of second person to pull the reader into the life of a Black man, so powerful), and I wish that I was more well-versed in the poetic narrative style because I want to enjoy this to the level it deserves.
he is so clearly a poet, and just because I'm not accustomed to it does not mean it's not beautiful and tender and powerful because it definitely is, it's just a touch too ?? cloying? nebulous? for my personal taste. but maybe that's the point.
this book is important and touching in its overt Blackness and its intertwined themes of masculinity and systemic racism told through the eyes of one young man (I particularly love the choice of second person to pull the reader into the life of a Black man, so powerful), and I wish that I was more well-versed in the poetic narrative style because I want to enjoy this to the level it deserves.
Normal People by Sally Rooney
2.0
2.5
I'm sorry lads I just think I'm not an "ordinary life drama" story kind of gal :(
I'm sorry lads I just think I'm not an "ordinary life drama" story kind of gal :(
Vengeful by V.E. Schwab
3.0
As much as I want to rate this higher, it just felt a little unnecessary unfortunately. What worked in the first book (the time jumps, the questionable morality, the dark interpretations of death and superpowers) seemed to be a little forced this time around and led to a fairly messy structure that lacked the thrill and complexity of Vicious.
I enjoyed it nonetheless of course, and the characters are all so interesting and likeable in different ways that it certainly wasn't a waste of time. But the uniqueness of Vicious didn't translate in exactly the same way in Vengeful which is a pity. Still good though!
I enjoyed it nonetheless of course, and the characters are all so interesting and likeable in different ways that it certainly wasn't a waste of time. But the uniqueness of Vicious didn't translate in exactly the same way in Vengeful which is a pity. Still good though!
Ariadne by Jennifer Saint
3.0
I have mixed feelings I think! For the most part this is a gorgeous focus on women in Greek mythology who so often go overlooked or discarded, and I really enjoyed the exploration of motherhood and its various interpretations.
The story does feel a little unguided overall though, relying a bit too much on previous knowledge of myths and figures whilst forgetting to structure a coherent plot narrative in favour of description and characterisation which is a bit of a shame.
I also think there could've been a clearer decision on how dark/mature the book was going to be; in places it is very clean and PG and in others it is incredibly disturbing (That Bit towards the end really turned my stomach and it would've been incredible to have that level of powerful evocation throughout).
HOWEVER I absolutely enjoyed it nonetheless and very very very much appreciate it as a female-centric retelling.
The story does feel a little unguided overall though, relying a bit too much on previous knowledge of myths and figures whilst forgetting to structure a coherent plot narrative in favour of description and characterisation which is a bit of a shame.
I also think there could've been a clearer decision on how dark/mature the book was going to be; in places it is very clean and PG and in others it is incredibly disturbing (That Bit towards the end really turned my stomach and it would've been incredible to have that level of powerful evocation throughout).
HOWEVER I absolutely enjoyed it nonetheless and very very very much appreciate it as a female-centric retelling.
The Girl of Ink and Stars by Kiran Millwood Hargrave
3.0
Just good fun!! I especially love the focus on cartography and the use of it as the medium for description.
It felt like a really fresh, unique piece of fiction but seemed to be unsure of what demographic it was for? Overall it suits a younger audience thematically and in its protagonist but there were moments of real darkness and gruesomeness that surprised me. The 'resolution' was a little bit confusing but I enjoyed the story as a whole for definite!
It felt like a really fresh, unique piece of fiction but seemed to be unsure of what demographic it was for? Overall it suits a younger audience thematically and in its protagonist but there were moments of real darkness and gruesomeness that surprised me. The 'resolution' was a little bit confusing but I enjoyed the story as a whole for definite!
James Acaster's Classic Scrapes by James Acaster
3.0
2.75???
FUN I just wish I could've seen each scrape performed as a stage bit instead - they need the Acaster delivery
FUN I just wish I could've seen each scrape performed as a stage bit instead - they need the Acaster delivery
Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
3.0
super sweet but a lil slow, lil mundane for my liking :(