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gia0203's reviews
140 reviews
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!
Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Slow and almost hypnotic… Rice’s writing style is absolutely gorgeous.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Violence, Murder
Moderate: Death, Injury/Injury detail
Horror Movie by Paul Tremblay
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I adore Paul Tremblay’s books and I always keep up with his new releases, I was especially anticipating “Horror Movie” as a horror lover! Something I like about Tremblay is that he is always trying new concepts and formats, his novels thematically touch on the same ideas but none of them could be accused of being unoriginal. Horror Movie is a new one for him, particularly in terms of the style of narration (the narrator, at times, can be quite unlikeable). I also think the book was a bit more mean spirited and slightly more pretentious than the ones that came before it.
I really enjoyed watching the narrator Become the Thin Kid. Method acting going too far is fascinating to me (I adored the Korean film Method) and I feel like this theme is done so well in the book. It was so unsettling to watch the main character take on the Thin Kid's identity, which I'm inclined to believe is because he struggled with his confidence and sense of self.
The inclusion of the screenplay was excellent, I found the relationship between the teenagers and the Thin Kid to be so incredibly disturbing and vivid. I did feel like I was watching a movie play out before me.
I would also like to say that the ending completely messed me up, lol.
I really enjoyed watching the narrator Become the Thin Kid. Method acting going too far is fascinating to me (I adored the Korean film Method) and I feel like this theme is done so well in the book. It was so unsettling to watch the main character take on the Thin Kid's identity, which I'm inclined to believe is because he struggled with his confidence and sense of self.
The inclusion of the screenplay was excellent, I found the relationship between the teenagers and the Thin Kid to be so incredibly disturbing and vivid. I did feel like I was watching a movie play out before me.
I would also like to say that the ending completely messed me up, lol.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide
Moderate: Body horror, Body shaming, Cancer, Death, Gore, Torture, Blood, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child abuse
Chlorine by Jade Song
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
A frightening come of age story that uses the metaphor of transformation to show how one girl frees herself from societal expectations. She untangles herself from her expectant family, her brutal coach, entitled teenage boys, and her codependent best friend… and it all culminates in a devastating open ending. Did Ren really become a mermaid? Or did she swim away, and eventually drown? I’m inclined to believe the latter, because this isn’t a hopeful story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror
Moderate: Addiction, Eating disorder, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
Bodies by Christine Anne Foley
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Bodies has a twist that comes to fruition slowly. There is so much tenderness in this book even as the violence begins. I loved it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content
Moderate: Misogyny, Suicide, Toxic relationship
Minor: Rape
Lu Xun's Diary of a Madman by Lu Xun
5.0
Reading about Lu Xun and his views on Chinese society before reading this made the reading experience so so interesting
The Teacher by Freida McFadden
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I respect McFadden because she knows what works for her and she sticks to it. All her books have this formulaic style of twist, twist, twist which is admittedly not complex yet is ridiculously entertaining. It’s so easy to devour her books!
I liked this one a lot, it gave me How To Get Away With Murder vibes! I actually liked it more than Never Lie.
I liked this one a lot, it gave me How To Get Away With Murder vibes! I actually liked it more than Never Lie.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Pedophilia
Moderate: Violence, Death of parent
Minor: Physical abuse, Sexual content
Life Ceremony by Sayaka Murata
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
I absolutely love sayaka murata and her writing style. life ceremony thematically is very similar to earthlings. they both explore society’s expectations, sexuality, and the body (particularly relating to food and hunger). personally, I enjoyed every story, which is rare for me in a short story collection. I found the book endearing and grotesque and oddly moving… I think I just enjoy her writing so much because I view the world in the same way she does. murata delights in exploring the unconventional, however discomfiting it may be.
consciously or not, her narratives echo the neurodivergent and queer experience. it’s very comforting to live in the minds of characters who don’t fit in.
consciously or not, her narratives echo the neurodivergent and queer experience. it’s very comforting to live in the minds of characters who don’t fit in.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Vomit, Cannibalism
Moderate: Animal death, Death, Sexual content, Grief
Minor: Misogyny, Violence, Excrement
Glass Houses by Rachel Caine
4.0
I devoured this series in the school library when I was a teen and reading it again gives me a keen sense of nostalgia.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Violence