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iam's reviews
1528 reviews
Der dunkle Wald by Cixin Liu
3.5
I read this as the WDR audio drama adaption that is freely available in the ARD audio libary. https://www.ardaudiothek.de/sendung/cixin-liu-trisolaris-trilogie-sci-fi-hoerspiel-serie-wdr/13220399/
It is significantly adapted in length, with vey little narration. As such, it was hard to keep characters apart or to associate which voice was which character, because it wasn't always explained. It made it hard to understand character motivations in particular.
Still, fascinating story, though the narration is very emotionally removed from its characters.
It is significantly adapted in length, with vey little narration. As such, it was hard to keep characters apart or to associate which voice was which character, because it wasn't always explained. It made it hard to understand character motivations in particular.
Still, fascinating story, though the narration is very emotionally removed from its characters.
The Paper Magician by Charlie N. Holmberg
adventurous
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? No
3.0
Cute regency/victorian (?) era with an interesting magic system based on man-made materials.
The thought of paper magic was super unique and fascinating. The story of Ceony being forced into it and learning to appreciate it, as well as the (mis-)adventure's she's roped into due to her teacher's past and secrets, was fun too.
What I didn't particularly like was the romance. I'm not a fan of teacher-student/mentor-mentee romance in general, and it didn't feel particularly well developed either, given that for the biggest chunk they are not even spending time together, really. Ceony just finds out a lot about him through other means. Things that he never would have told or shown her otherwise. Idk, that just didn't feel like a good setup for a romance for me, along with the fact that he is her teacher and has a lot of power over her.
The thought of paper magic was super unique and fascinating. The story of Ceony being forced into it and learning to appreciate it, as well as the (mis-)adventure's she's roped into due to her teacher's past and secrets, was fun too.
What I didn't particularly like was the romance. I'm not a fan of teacher-student/mentor-mentee romance in general, and it didn't feel particularly well developed either, given that for the biggest chunk they are not even spending time together, really. Ceony just finds out a lot about him through other means. Things that he never would have told or shown her otherwise. Idk, that just didn't feel like a good setup for a romance for me, along with the fact that he is her teacher and has a lot of power over her.
The Sunshine Court by Nora Sakavic
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
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
3.0
This is the story of Jean after he leaves (or is taken from, rather) the Raven's Nest. It is the story of how he finds hope again after everything was taken from him so many years ago.
It is a good story, but I have to admit it was not what I expected, or wanted, from it.
In comparison to the original trilogy, it is very slow, introspective and focussed on the past. A long time is spent on Jean's (re-)living and remembering and reacting, and maybe even starting to process his trauma and the horrific abuse he suffered at the Moriyamas' hands. It reaches only a couple month's past the end of The King's Men, and doesn't reach past Jean finding that first spark of hope and realizing he really is free of Riko.
It's that what left me feeling really unsatisfied.
Not a lot of questions left over from the original trilogy are answered. Instead, a whole new slew of questions arrise, and very few of those are answered too.
Part of that is Jeremy. He is also a POV character, but less so than Jean. We get glimpses into the personal life, his struggles and hopes, and the issues he has going on too... but his main focus in on Jean. I honestly don't think his POV adds much other than more questions about what's going on with him, just to not get much info other than vague hints, and no closure. Why even open that can of worms when there isn't even an attempt to close it? We could have found out about him from Jean's POV as well.
I guess the issue is that just Jean's POV would have been really bleak, and he wouldn't have paid so much attention to the Trojans, so maybe Jeremy's POV is a blessing in disguise. Still, that was another reason why the book felt really unsatisfying to read.
Overall, this felt much more like a beginning than an ending. I get that it's supposed to be about closure, about closing one chapter of one's life and beginning a new one. But only getting teased with so many threads of it and how it could continued.... I hate that. I want definite happy endings. I won't want all these old and new questions to be left unanswered. If there really is a sequel (can't find any definite source on that) I sure hope they will be answered.
Beyond that, reading this was also heavy. So much focus is on Jean's trauma, and he's got a lot of it. The original trilogy is already heavy on the trigger warnings, but there, due to the characters' personalities, the faster pace, and the constant presence of Exy, there isn't as much in-depth lingering and focus on the horrible abuse. For Jean, it's different. He is much more introspective, and is constantly remembering the horrific things that happened to him. And it's so much worse than what's alluded to in the original trilogy. This made it a very bleak, heavy, sad and uncomfortable read.
The overall direction of the broader picture story about the Ravens, Foxes, Trojans, and Exy as a sport is very unsettling too - Jean is not too concerned with it, so there are not many details, but seeing it from his perspective rather than Neil's makes me antsy.
The Trojans are of course a beam of light in all that darkness, but as I said, the book ends right when Jean finds that first spark of real hope. We don't get to see him heal, we don't get to see him thrive, we don't get to see him fall in love or be loved, we don't get to see him claim his own life for himself. All that good stuff that I want to read about when I read about such an abused character is just omitted. Sure, it's in the future, but... yeah, it's just not satisfying!!
It is still good. Still emotional and heart-breaking but also giving hope. I also want to specifically recommend the author's writing style - it excells at being in a character's head incresibly organically. No exposition is given where a character wouldn't give it. It can be a bit frustrating at times when it's clear the character knows something the reader doesn't, but it also feels rewarding. And it's overally just super fun to read!
Absolutely hoping there will be a sequel answering all the open questions and threads. As a first book to a new story it works amazingly. As a standalone, it's not for me.
It is a good story, but I have to admit it was not what I expected, or wanted, from it.
In comparison to the original trilogy, it is very slow, introspective and focussed on the past. A long time is spent on Jean's (re-)living and remembering and reacting, and maybe even starting to process his trauma and the horrific abuse he suffered at the Moriyamas' hands. It reaches only a couple month's past the end of The King's Men, and doesn't reach past Jean finding that first spark of hope and realizing he really is free of Riko.
It's that what left me feeling really unsatisfied.
Not a lot of questions left over from the original trilogy are answered. Instead, a whole new slew of questions arrise, and very few of those are answered too.
Part of that is Jeremy. He is also a POV character, but less so than Jean. We get glimpses into the personal life, his struggles and hopes, and the issues he has going on too... but his main focus in on Jean. I honestly don't think his POV adds much other than more questions about what's going on with him, just to not get much info other than vague hints, and no closure. Why even open that can of worms when there isn't even an attempt to close it? We could have found out about him from Jean's POV as well.
I guess the issue is that just Jean's POV would have been really bleak, and he wouldn't have paid so much attention to the Trojans, so maybe Jeremy's POV is a blessing in disguise. Still, that was another reason why the book felt really unsatisfying to read.
Overall, this felt much more like a beginning than an ending. I get that it's supposed to be about closure, about closing one chapter of one's life and beginning a new one. But only getting teased with so many threads of it and how it could continued.... I hate that. I want definite happy endings. I won't want all these old and new questions to be left unanswered. If there really is a sequel (can't find any definite source on that) I sure hope they will be answered.
Beyond that, reading this was also heavy. So much focus is on Jean's trauma, and he's got a lot of it. The original trilogy is already heavy on the trigger warnings, but there, due to the characters' personalities, the faster pace, and the constant presence of Exy, there isn't as much in-depth lingering and focus on the horrible abuse. For Jean, it's different. He is much more introspective, and is constantly remembering the horrific things that happened to him. And it's so much worse than what's alluded to in the original trilogy. This made it a very bleak, heavy, sad and uncomfortable read.
The overall direction of the broader picture story about the Ravens, Foxes, Trojans, and Exy as a sport is very unsettling too - Jean is not too concerned with it, so there are not many details, but seeing it from his perspective rather than Neil's makes me antsy.
The Trojans are of course a beam of light in all that darkness, but as I said, the book ends right when Jean finds that first spark of real hope. We don't get to see him heal, we don't get to see him thrive, we don't get to see him fall in love or be loved, we don't get to see him claim his own life for himself. All that good stuff that I want to read about when I read about such an abused character is just omitted. Sure, it's in the future, but... yeah, it's just not satisfying!!
It is still good. Still emotional and heart-breaking but also giving hope. I also want to specifically recommend the author's writing style - it excells at being in a character's head incresibly organically. No exposition is given where a character wouldn't give it. It can be a bit frustrating at times when it's clear the character knows something the reader doesn't, but it also feels rewarding. And it's overally just super fun to read!
Absolutely hoping there will be a sequel answering all the open questions and threads. As a first book to a new story it works amazingly. As a standalone, it's not for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Bullying, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Blood, Death, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Vomit, Sexual violence, Child abuse, and Confinement
Moderate: Eating disorder and Adult/minor relationship
Minor: Murder and Pedophilia
Vessel by Lisa A. Nichols
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Interesting SciFi thriller about an astronaut who, after years of being presumed lost/dead in space, returns to earth - without the rest or her crew, or any memories about what happened to them, or herself, really.
The reactions of her and the people around her, both NASA, her colleagues, and her family, were reasonable and realistic, heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time.
The mixed in flashbacks gave great context, though I found the break between what she did and what present-prptagonist didn't remember a bit unclear.
The final reveal of what happened wasn't entirely what I expected, but at the same time, also very obvious (given the book's name, I mean, duh.)
The ending was very satisfying and left me itching for more - I wouldn't mind reading a sequel.
The one thing I found a bit clumsily executed was the romance. It felt half hearted and like the author didn't really want to write about it, just slapping it on because it should be there, kinda.
The reactions of her and the people around her, both NASA, her colleagues, and her family, were reasonable and realistic, heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time.
The mixed in flashbacks gave great context, though I found the break between what she did and what present-prptagonist didn't remember a bit unclear.
The final reveal of what happened wasn't entirely what I expected, but at the same time, also very obvious (given the book's name, I mean, duh.)
The ending was very satisfying and left me itching for more - I wouldn't mind reading a sequel.
The one thing I found a bit clumsily executed was the romance. It felt half hearted and like the author didn't really want to write about it, just slapping it on because it should be there, kinda.
The Invocations by Krystal Sutherland
adventurous
dark
funny
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Solid witchy YA about three teen girls, all with their own connections to witchcraft, who get drawn into a series of murders of women who also have magical involvements.
I enjoyed the characters, especially Jude, but I have to say that the cover doesn't fit their vibes at all. Both Jude and Emer are, haircolour aside, described completely different than the artist is portraying them, which is a bit disappointing. I also wouldn't say that Jude is the central character at all.
While I enjoyed Jude the most, I think Emer was the most central to the story. It's her around which everything develops, she is at the enter of everything, though of course all three girls are involved. If anything, Zara felt a bit like the odd one out, both in motive and due to the dynamic that develops between the others.
I wish the book had had a bit more lore about the magic and witches, about how it ties in with history, as well as the culture and exact definitions of all the terms. Despite me using the term "witch" a lot, it's not used super much in the book, if when it is, it never is quite clear what it really describes. The titual invocations are deals with demons that leave marks on the skin, and the women with those marks seem to be witches - even though they themselves have no "magic" per see outside of the deal they have made. And they didn't even make the invocation themselves, needing a third party to make it for them.
I did have a good time reading this, but it doesn't take long to find plotholes or inconsistencies when thinking about this book. Not necessaily a bad thing, I really liked how things fit together in the end, but it wasn't the most neatly packaged up plot.
I enjoyed the characters, especially Jude, but I have to say that the cover doesn't fit their vibes at all. Both Jude and Emer are, haircolour aside, described completely different than the artist is portraying them, which is a bit disappointing. I also wouldn't say that Jude is the central character at all.
While I enjoyed Jude the most, I think Emer was the most central to the story. It's her around which everything develops, she is at the enter of everything, though of course all three girls are involved. If anything, Zara felt a bit like the odd one out, both in motive and due to the dynamic that develops between the others.
I wish the book had had a bit more lore about the magic and witches, about how it ties in with history, as well as the culture and exact definitions of all the terms. Despite me using the term "witch" a lot, it's not used super much in the book, if when it is, it never is quite clear what it really describes. The titual invocations are deals with demons that leave marks on the skin, and the women with those marks seem to be witches - even though they themselves have no "magic" per see outside of the deal they have made. And they didn't even make the invocation themselves, needing a third party to make it for them.
I did have a good time reading this, but it doesn't take long to find plotholes or inconsistencies when thinking about this book. Not necessaily a bad thing, I really liked how things fit together in the end, but it wasn't the most neatly packaged up plot.
Ghost Station by S.A. Barnes
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I adore SciFi horror, and already loved Dead Silence by SA Barnes as well, so I was thrilled for Ghost Station - and it did not disappoint.
With an estranged psychologist who's just had a patient commit suicide right after a session with her and set in a corporate ruled world, this already had the perfect setup. Add said psychologist to a crew that also just lost a member, sent to recover an abandoned station on a planet with an extinct alien civilisation, and you have an even better start for your plot. Add in the claustrophobic feel of the abandoned station, a big mystery around why its abandoned, and a healthy dose of mistrust between the limited cast of characters, and you have a perfect SciFi horror.
Ghost Station shines with its atmosphere and feelings of paranoia and oppression. Phe, the main character, could never feel safe, could never rely on anyone to help her, and couldn't even trust herself due to her own secrets.
I loved the various mysteries and secrets that help appearing. Some had mundane answers, others horrifying ones, and yet others... well, I guess that's my biggest gripe with the book. Some of the mysteries, the whys and hows and what even really is happening, aren't explained.
While the ending felt nice, there was no sense of satisfaction because some really important questions were unanswered. That was a bit of a bummer, but I still really enjoyed the book, and I'm happy for all additions to the subgenre.
I received an ARC and reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
With an estranged psychologist who's just had a patient commit suicide right after a session with her and set in a corporate ruled world, this already had the perfect setup. Add said psychologist to a crew that also just lost a member, sent to recover an abandoned station on a planet with an extinct alien civilisation, and you have an even better start for your plot. Add in the claustrophobic feel of the abandoned station, a big mystery around why its abandoned, and a healthy dose of mistrust between the limited cast of characters, and you have a perfect SciFi horror.
Ghost Station shines with its atmosphere and feelings of paranoia and oppression. Phe, the main character, could never feel safe, could never rely on anyone to help her, and couldn't even trust herself due to her own secrets.
I loved the various mysteries and secrets that help appearing. Some had mundane answers, others horrifying ones, and yet others... well, I guess that's my biggest gripe with the book. Some of the mysteries, the whys and hows and what even really is happening, aren't explained.
While the ending felt nice, there was no sense of satisfaction because some really important questions were unanswered. That was a bit of a bummer, but I still really enjoyed the book, and I'm happy for all additions to the subgenre.
I received an ARC and reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
Walking to Aldebaran by Adrian Tchaikovsky
dark
reflective
tense
fast-paced
5.0
This started out fun and ordinary and then turned absolutely fascinating. I don't want to give away too much, but the twist is really cool, and I haven't seen it done super much in SciFi fiction yet! I wish it had been a biiit more excplicit towards the end, but totally get why it wasn't.
Protagonist turning into the horrifying crypt monster, not realizing, but steaddily dropping hints that you as the reader only notice when the full picture comes up? Absolutely chefs kiss!
Apparently it's a reimagining/inspiration taken from of Grendel from Beowulf, as the protagonist literally is called Gary (G.) Rendel, plus some Danish influences, and he looses his arm.
Apparently it's a reimagining/inspiration taken from of Grendel from Beowulf, as the protagonist literally is called Gary (G.) Rendel, plus some Danish influences, and he looses his arm.
Molters by C. a. Gleason
2.0
So much casual misogyny. Weird story directions and choices? Idk just kinda underwhelming.
Whalefall by Daniel Kraus
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
To be completely fair to the book, I was fully aware that this wouldn't be entirely up to my speed. But I am committed to finding more SciFi/deep sea horror books, so I gave it a chance.
The SciFi part felt misleading to me. I guess it is a much broader term than I like to think, but for me it implied a futuristic setting, or speculating about sciences, but this was... none of that. Maybe some people count the "getting swallowed by a whale" scenario as speculative and scientific, but.... nah, not to me in this case. If it had been more focussed on the horror or science of it, maybe, but that's not what this way.
I cannot entirely speak to the realism and scientific accurary of the book, about sperm whale and other oceanic animal behaviour and anatomy.
That said, the main focus of the book was not the science or horror of getting swallowed by a whale. Instead it's about family relationships, maybe the dysfunctional dynamic between the protagonist, teenager Jay, and his father. I expected that, so I was ready for the constant and numerous flashbacks. I found them a bit disjointed, but they frequently fed perfectly into the happenings of the current "present tense" timeline, which I appreciated.
What I didn't entirely appreciate or expect was the almost spiritual elements. While inside the whale, Jay hears and talks to a voice, which is seemingly his father and the whale in one being. It was bizarre, though I sort of compmarentalized it as that phenomenon when someone in a life or death situation hears an outside voice telling them how to act. In a way that makes sense to me, too, as that is exactly what happens, with Jay remembering past conversations and experiences with his family that help him deal with the situations he's in.
However, some of the things just seemed a bit too convenient, or bizarre. Like the whale just HAPPENING to have swallowed exactly the things that Jay needs to survive. Or Jay being able to tell the whale to call for help when it gets attacked by Orcas, and there being a whole massive showdown between a pod of orcas and a bunch of sperm whales??? I may be completely wrong, but idk, that just broke my suspension of disbelief.
To keep it short: overall I this was a rounded story with a quite satisfying ending. However, I wasn't a fan of the execution or themes, but I knew that going in. It could have been a solid three star read for me, but the part towards the end that tries to absolve the abusive father of any guilt and says it's actually also the son's fault that he was abused, knocked that down for me.
The SciFi part felt misleading to me. I guess it is a much broader term than I like to think, but for me it implied a futuristic setting, or speculating about sciences, but this was... none of that. Maybe some people count the "getting swallowed by a whale" scenario as speculative and scientific, but.... nah, not to me in this case. If it had been more focussed on the horror or science of it, maybe, but that's not what this way.
I cannot entirely speak to the realism and scientific accurary of the book, about sperm whale and other oceanic animal behaviour and anatomy.
That said, the main focus of the book was not the science or horror of getting swallowed by a whale. Instead it's about family relationships, maybe the dysfunctional dynamic between the protagonist, teenager Jay, and his father. I expected that, so I was ready for the constant and numerous flashbacks. I found them a bit disjointed, but they frequently fed perfectly into the happenings of the current "present tense" timeline, which I appreciated.
What I didn't entirely appreciate or expect was the almost spiritual elements. While inside the whale, Jay hears and talks to a voice, which is seemingly his father and the whale in one being. It was bizarre, though I sort of compmarentalized it as that phenomenon when someone in a life or death situation hears an outside voice telling them how to act. In a way that makes sense to me, too, as that is exactly what happens, with Jay remembering past conversations and experiences with his family that help him deal with the situations he's in.
However, some of the things just seemed a bit too convenient, or bizarre. Like the whale just HAPPENING to have swallowed exactly the things that Jay needs to survive. Or Jay being able to tell the whale to call for help when it gets attacked by Orcas, and there being a whole massive showdown between a pod of orcas and a bunch of sperm whales??? I may be completely wrong, but idk, that just broke my suspension of disbelief.
To keep it short: overall I this was a rounded story with a quite satisfying ending. However, I wasn't a fan of the execution or themes, but I knew that going in. It could have been a solid three star read for me, but the part towards the end that tries to absolve the abusive father of any guilt and says it's actually also the son's fault that he was abused, knocked that down for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Animal death, Animal cruelty, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Vomit, Body horror, Grief, and Cancer
Moderate: Alcohol, Self harm, and Suicide