hqilse's reviews
131 reviews

The Decagon House Murders by Yukito Ayatsuji

adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

i had it figured out, then i didn’t, but apparently i did? or not? 

you can tell this book was written in the 80s, but alas it was still a good read, amazing even. had me on edge the entire time. finished it in a couple days so that says a lot. 

bought an e-reader and this is the first book i read on that thing so nothing can stop me now 

Family of Liars by E. Lockhart

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

i read we were liars way back in 2018 during a road trip and i inhaled it then, loved it so much. though now thinking back, i honestly don’t remember much of the book, only that it had me hooked and shooked. but this book did next to nothing for me.

it was quite a slow story, even though the book itself is couple hundred pages. 

and the random poetically formatted paragraphs?? took me out. some parts had me a lil shook, but still quite predictable considering the entire family had issues so immense even therapy wouldn’t be able to fix them. the parts with rosemary just had me cringing. pfeff is an absolute garbage can, even his name sounds disgusting. and all the names in the books sound ridiculous, yardley??? tipper???? nah

one of the few things i gathered reading this, is how id love to be rich and live on a little island during the summer (but less problematic)

Winter in Sokcho by Elisa Shua Dusapin

2.5

That’s it?

The Chalk Man by C.J. Tudor

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

This book had me on edge until the very end. The plot twists just kept on coming and coming, even when you thought you had it all figured out. It really did feel like someone just sat down and wrote their story, it felt very real. But oh boy, THE CLIFFHANGERS. The book changed time period every chapter so the cliffhangers really fucked me up. Overall, great read, had my bams boozled. Really recommend it. Exceeded my expectations.

Until the Shadows Lengthen by Hannah Clayton

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad medium-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

3.5

And now what..? I’m supposed to move on????

[longer review coming soon]

Hell Bent by Leigh Bardugo

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny mysterious sad 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

i’m barking

How Not to Drown in a Glass of Water by Angie Cruz

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-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

Write this down! Cara Romero deserves the world.

The Secret History by Donna Tartt

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious sad 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

4.0

how do you make murder romantic? 
look no further, the gang has all the answers you desire.

there’s something so poetic about this book, but disturbing and fascinating at the same time. 

such complex characters, loveable and unlovable at the same time. 

what a masterpiece, modern classic all the way.

Earthlings by Sayaka Murata

dark medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

0 to 100 real quick 

Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

new favourite book??? hello??? 

brb mental breakdown time 😍🤪🫡😩✊🏻