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gia0203's reviews
138 reviews
Bloom by Delilah S. Dawson
4.0
My heart raced so fast in that last part! The Hannibal inspiration was obvious. Really enjoyed it.
it was never going to be okay by jaye simpson
reflective
sad
4.0
Honest and raw poetry. I particularly liked boy, haunting, her (ii.), metal // biting down, healing//sacrifice//necessity, and about the ones I want to love. haunted was my favourite and I was in tears by the end of it.
Catherine House by Elisabeth Thomas
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
4.5
This was so slow and dreamy with the most delicious prose. Catherine House has gotten a lot of criticism, but I adored every minute of it, from the mystery at the core of the narrative to the little mundane details. It felt like a special experience to read it. Love love love.
Hell Followed with Us by Andrew Joseph White
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
A gut punch. Visceral body horror and interesting characters. So refreshing to see an autistic character whose autism is a central part of their character but has strengths as well as weaknesses. A little on the nose at times but very moving at the end, I loved it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, Transphobia, Violence
Moderate: Death, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, Vomit, Fire/Fire injury, Dysphoria, Injury/Injury detail
Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
Annihilation was my first book of the year. It follows a biologist who ventures on an expedition to the mysterious “Area X” along with a team of three other specialists. But all is not as it seems. As the narrative goes on, you find out why the biologist has such a vested interest in Area X, and why all of the previous expeditions have failed…
I’ve been in the mood for a Sci-Fi horror recently and this book definitely sated my hunger. I was thoroughly creeped out by Area X and I was invested in its mysteries. One of the themes of the book was not being able to trust your senses, and this made the events of the novel even more horrifying. I particularly liked the use of hypnosis and how that inspired a feeling of paranoia but also comfort for the characters.
The pace moved slowly, as the book is in the form of a journal, and it has a lot of rambling passages. I actually really enjoyed this, as I found the biologist to be an interesting character. You feel like you’re exploring the terrain along with her and experiencing things through her eyes. Every character in the book reacts differently to Area X depending on their personalities and motivations, so the biologist’s backstory helped to explain her actions.
I’ll definitely be reading the next book in the series, although not for a while. Though the book was short, there was a lot to digest. Overall, I really liked Annihilation and I will be watching the movie inspired by it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Body horror, Suicide, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
The Luminous Dead by Caitlin Starling
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This was absolutely delicious. On the surface, this story is a claustrophobic nightmare about a caving mission that, from the outset, should be completely doomed. Beneath that, the narrative represents the cyclical nature of trauma and how grief can make monsters of us all.
The twisted and codependent relationship between Gyre and Em is the strongest part of the novel. Even as they betray one another, they must rely on each other, and this dynamic means that the long climbing sequences and continuous fights for survival never seem dull. They’re so messed up and yet you root for both of them, despite everything.
There is also always hope. Against all the odds, Gyre and Em still believe things will work out. And I’m thankful that this hope meant something, and that the author honoured it in the ending.
The twisted and codependent relationship between Gyre and Em is the strongest part of the novel. Even as they betray one another, they must rely on each other, and this dynamic means that the long climbing sequences and continuous fights for survival never seem dull. They’re so messed up and yet you root for both of them, despite everything.
There is also always hope. Against all the odds, Gyre and Em still believe things will work out. And I’m thankful that
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Death, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Grief, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Gaslighting
Minor: Blood
Pretty Girls by Karin Slaughter
Did not finish book. Stopped at 0%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 0%.
I didn’t enjoy the style unfortunately and the plot wasn’t for me either.
She's Always Hungry by Eliza Clark
dark
emotional
funny
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
This was an absolutely wonderful short story collection. So sharp, funny and dark. I enjoyed every single one, and my favourites were Extinction Event, Hollow Bones, and She’s Always Hungry
Based on some of these stories, I think Clark would write an incredible sci-fi horror novel. The way she explored cosmic horror and climate change was just so riveting. I lived every single moment.
The stories were also really heartfelt sometimes! Nightstalker and Extinction Event made me particularly emotional.
Clark has a talent for capturing different POVs. Her narrators take on a life of their own. Some stories were serious and more grounded in prose. Others had a more relaxed, personal style that was reminiscent of Boy Parts.
I think Clark is a very, very strong author. I wasn’t a fan of Boy Parts but that was just personal preference. Both of its successors have absolutely blown me away. I’m excited to see what she comes up with next.
Based on some of these stories, I think Clark would write an incredible sci-fi horror novel. The way she explored cosmic horror and climate change was just so riveting. I lived every single moment.
The stories were also really heartfelt sometimes! Nightstalker and Extinction Event made me particularly emotional.
Clark has a talent for capturing different POVs. Her narrators take on a life of their own. Some stories were serious and more grounded in prose. Others had a more relaxed, personal style that was reminiscent of Boy Parts.
I think Clark is a very, very strong author. I wasn’t a fan of Boy Parts but that was just personal preference. Both of its successors have absolutely blown me away. I’m excited to see what she comes up with next.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Eating disorder, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Body shaming, Death, Gore, Homophobia, Rape, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicide, Violence, Kidnapping, Alcohol
Minor: Racism, Vomit, Cannibalism, Pregnancy, War
Think Again by Jacqueline Wilson
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
slow-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
4.0
This was so lovely. Wilson managed to capture Ellie’s voice again so perfectly!