grey_jayne's reviews
782 reviews

Damned by Chuck Palahniuk

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dark funny hopeful reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This was a reread and I was struggling with believing the narrator as a 13 year old girl so I listened along to Sophie Amoss on the audiobook while also reading my book. This really helped.

I do adore when Chuck Palahniuk leans into horror fantasy so this did still hook me after a while. Lurid creativity abounds with a thick layer of grime. You do need a steel stomach for these descriptions, as per usual.

Excited for the sequel now. Gonna get the print book and audiobook ready together soon.
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How to Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy by Jenny Odell

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 28%.
This is my second time DNFing this book. The first time, I tried to read it myself and didn't get very far. This time, the audiobook got me a bit farther but it's so meandering without clearly describing its main points. I'd rather do nothing... instead of reading this book. So here we are.
Pageboy by Elliot Page

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emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective medium-paced

5.0

I listened to Elliot Page read this on audiobook and it was everything. The book is written well and the shared intimacy and authenticity are excellent. Another important Trans memoir and I hope there are many more to come. 
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Goddess of Filth by V. Castro

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adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-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? It's complicated

5.0

Goddess of Filth is excellent. A Bruja riff on The Craft that fully admits to and lovingly embraces that aspiration, while still being something very different. The Aztec focus of this novella was truly fascinating.

I will read anything V. Castro creates. Such a strong voice in horror. Badass!
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In the Vanishers' Palace by Aliette de Bodard

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 0%.
No fault of the book. May try some other time. I got the ebook from the library when I wasn't sure if I was getting my current read back...and then I did. Now I want to read something else.
The Year of the Witching by Alexis Henderson

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dark emotional hopeful mysterious tense 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? It's complicated

4.5

This novel is dark and tense, set in a puritanical fantasy land called Bethel as witch plagues start drawing people into the Darkwoods, where the witches live. It's really good, told modernly while echoing the religious patriarchal stranglehold humans have been in for ages now and the feminist rage from its mark on femmes. 

I wasn't sure if this was going to be my thing and the narrative voice totally sold me. I'd recommend trying it if you are on the fence too because The Year of the Witching has plenty of surprises.
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Even Though I Knew the End by C.L. Polk

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adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious medium-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

5.0

I don't know how C.L. Polk manages to make dark and sometimes violent stories about institutional corruption so damn cozy and romantic but please don't stop. This book is brilliant.
The Inhuman Condition by Clive Barker

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 22%.
Haven't returned to the book to read another story so DNF after the first story for now. Will pick it back up later.
Yours Cruelly, Elvira: Memoirs of the Mistress of the Dark by Cassandra Peterson

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adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective medium-paced

5.0

This memoir does what the best of them do: I now feel like I know who Elvira is. Yours Cruelly, Elvira is a fearless tell-all of both a life of showbiz and a tireless journey into the spotlight and acceptance. The narrative covers 70 years of her life and is candidly thorough. This book is also fantastically queer throughout and should be read by both horror fans and lovers of queer memoirs. Check the content warnings though.

I chose to listen to the audiobook because Cassandra Peterson read it herself. I really don't know if there could be a better way to experience it, if possible. Elvira does the voices, like all great storytellers. Loved it and love her.
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Testing Pandora by Kaia Sønderby

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adventurous hopeful mysterious medium-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? It's complicated

3.75

Testing Pandora is a decent prequel. Great proof of concept while having a controlled focus. I don't know if it could stand on its own, but I intentionally bought all three books in the series so that won't be a problem.

Xandri is fantastic representation in a number of ways and I look forward to her further adventures. In truth, I was drawn to the series because the third book has space whales. This book does have space rays, like manta rays, and I was appreciative of that.