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icarusandthesun's reviews
142 reviews
In the Miso Soup by Ryū Murakami
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
a wild read. the first half was extremely compelling, and then there was The Club Scene and everything derailed and became wholly deranged.
a fever dream.
gory, supernatural, hallucinogenic.
a little bit boring after the twist.
a fever dream.
gory, supernatural, hallucinogenic.
a little bit boring after the twist.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Mental illness, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Stalking, and Suicide attempt
A Separate Peace by John Knowles
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
i read this book because it was recommended in an essay by M. L. Rio. she described the boarding school setting, and that, as well as the blurp, enticed me enough to immediately order the book and read it.
it had potential, i think. the first 70 pages were catchy, then the whole plot, atmosphere, pacing went downhill. reading the rest of the book was torturously boring.
it had potential, i think. the first 70 pages were catchy, then the whole plot, atmosphere, pacing went downhill. reading the rest of the book was torturously boring.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War
Minor: Death, Violence, and Alcohol
Graveyard Shift by M.L. Rio
dark
mysterious
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
4.0
rio is a genius and that’s not because i was so convinced by this novella. actually, i thought the novella was okay. a good piece of literature.
it was interesting to observe and follow these strange, quizzical and unpredictable characters through a spooky and hallucinogenic night. i liked the apocalyptic vibe, and the whole concept and revelation were chilling and took me by surprise no doubt.
this story definitely has the feeling of something groundbreaking and new; something you’d find in area 51 maybe.
but it wasn’t quite for me. i’m not a huge fan of spooky things, nor am i incredibly keen on mysteries.
and still i think that rio is a genius. because reading that essay at the end of the book was like looking in a distorted mirror. i saw in it something of myself, though not quite. the fabric of my soul put into incredibly eloquent and thoughtful prose. sentences that were so beautiful, they made me smile.
it reminds me so distinctly of If We Were Villains and how much i loved it because it reminded me so passionately and violently of why i love words and language and literature and writing so much.
m. l. rio’s got a voice that appeals to me on such a profound level, because it captures the essence of my sense of self like no other author has done before.
she captures in words what i failed to communicate all my life.
it was interesting to observe and follow these strange, quizzical and unpredictable characters through a spooky and hallucinogenic night. i liked the apocalyptic vibe, and the whole concept and revelation were chilling and took me by surprise no doubt.
this story definitely has the feeling of something groundbreaking and new; something you’d find in area 51 maybe.
but it wasn’t quite for me. i’m not a huge fan of spooky things, nor am i incredibly keen on mysteries.
and still i think that rio is a genius. because reading that essay at the end of the book was like looking in a distorted mirror. i saw in it something of myself, though not quite. the fabric of my soul put into incredibly eloquent and thoughtful prose. sentences that were so beautiful, they made me smile.
it reminds me so distinctly of If We Were Villains and how much i loved it because it reminded me so passionately and violently of why i love words and language and literature and writing so much.
m. l. rio’s got a voice that appeals to me on such a profound level, because it captures the essence of my sense of self like no other author has done before.
she captures in words what i failed to communicate all my life.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism and Animal death
Moderate: Cancer and Injury/Injury detail
Die Verwandlung by Franz Kafka
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Mann bewirft Käfer mit Äpfeln und ich sympathisiere mit dem Käfer.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Death, Physical abuse, Violence, and Abandonment
Beautiful World, Where Are You by Sally Rooney
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
insufferable people with weird opinions yap about love, the economy, art, beauty, philosophy and god.
yes, that's it — that's the plot.
childish will-they/won't-they relationships, girls giving head, people who don't actually love their partners (seriously, what was felix's spiel with all his "i know you love me" instead of saying i love you back) and tragically mundane social commentary fill up these 320 pages of suffering.
the characters were horribly unlikable, i wanted to gouge my eyes out multiple times.
i enjoyed sally rooney's normal people, and conversations with friends was also fine, as well as her short story mr salary and i read this book as a preparation for intermezzo, but now i'm actually quite sure i won't be reading intermezzo anytime soon.
yes, that's it — that's the plot.
childish will-they/won't-they relationships, girls giving head, people who don't actually love their partners (seriously, what was felix's spiel with all his "i know you love me" instead of saying i love you back) and tragically mundane social commentary fill up these 320 pages of suffering.
the characters were horribly unlikable, i wanted to gouge my eyes out multiple times.
i enjoyed sally rooney's normal people, and conversations with friends was also fine, as well as her short story mr salary and i read this book as a preparation for intermezzo, but now i'm actually quite sure i won't be reading intermezzo anytime soon.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Alcohol
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Alcoholism
Ready Player Two by Ernest Cline
Did not finish book. Stopped at 47%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 47%.
boring boring boring.
gone is the geeky whimsy of book one; instead we have wade, who sounds like a bitter middle-aged man, and an evil "superhuman" villain who forces the characters to complete another mystery hunt–but make everything as deadpan, unspectacular and tiring as possible.
a waste of time, truly.
gone is the geeky whimsy of book one; instead we have wade, who sounds like a bitter middle-aged man, and an evil "superhuman" villain who forces the characters to complete another mystery hunt–but make everything as deadpan, unspectacular and tiring as possible.
a waste of time, truly.
Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood
emotional
funny
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
2.0
exasperating and unrealistic.
the feminist commentary did little to spice things up. the way mallory and her family didn't communicate for the longest time was the worst – i didn't like her nor her weird family with both sisters being annoying to the moon and back. there was nothing cute or comforting about their family dynamic. the only person who didn't piss me off all of the time was nolan, because he seemed sensible, and like an emotionally mature person and was the most relatable with the way he didn't whine about absolutely everything.
the chess in this chess romance was alright, the references to chess players and moves plenty, so at least one can't complain about that.
i thought mallory's backstory was overdramatized and so over-the-top, i couldn't really sympathise with her at all. there was basically no conflict in this book that couldn't have been solved by a medium-long serious conversation.
not one of ali hazelwood's best books, imo.
the feminist commentary did little to spice things up. the way mallory and her family didn't communicate for the longest time was the worst – i didn't like her nor her weird family with both sisters being annoying to the moon and back. there was nothing cute or comforting about their family dynamic. the only person who didn't piss me off all of the time was nolan, because he seemed sensible, and like an emotionally mature person and was the most relatable with the way he didn't whine about absolutely everything.
the chess in this chess romance was alright, the references to chess players and moves plenty, so at least one can't complain about that.
i thought mallory's backstory was overdramatized and so over-the-top, i couldn't really sympathise with her at all. there was basically no conflict in this book that couldn't have been solved by a medium-long serious conversation.
not one of ali hazelwood's best books, imo.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Cursing, Infidelity, and Death of parent
Moderate: Death
Minor: Violence, Forced institutionalization, and Car accident
Schoolgirl by Osamu Dazai
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
this novella follows an eponymous schoolgirl, documenting an ordinary day in her life.
filled with self-hatred, self-deprecation, reflections on life and society and what is "normal" (and yes, also the occasional misogynistic comment), it is unmistakably an osamu dazai book.
beautiful as much as it is strange and truthful; thoughts scattered everywhere; lots of morbid topics – death and death and more death.
the schoolgirl's a "heroine" that is, as osamu dazai's characters tend to be, not quite likable, but relatable, laying bare the ugly and ponderous sides of being human.
there's something to his books, always, that makes me want to come back.
filled with self-hatred, self-deprecation, reflections on life and society and what is "normal" (and yes, also the occasional misogynistic comment), it is unmistakably an osamu dazai book.
beautiful as much as it is strange and truthful; thoughts scattered everywhere; lots of morbid topics – death and death and more death.
the schoolgirl's a "heroine" that is, as osamu dazai's characters tend to be, not quite likable, but relatable, laying bare the ugly and ponderous sides of being human.
there's something to his books, always, that makes me want to come back.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Misogyny
Ms Ice Sandwich by Mieko Kawakami
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
cute – and surprisingly relatable!
written from the naive and innocent perspective of a 4th grader, this was shockingly insightful in the sense that we don't question things, situations and people quite like children do.
kawakami succeeded in writing a great novella with a perfectly realistic child-narrator.
as sweet as it was strange and unusual.
written from the naive and innocent perspective of a 4th grader, this was shockingly insightful in the sense that we don't question things, situations and people quite like children do.
kawakami succeeded in writing a great novella with a perfectly realistic child-narrator.
as sweet as it was strange and unusual.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming and Chronic illness
Moderate: Death
Minor: Death of parent
Love on the Brain by Ali Hazelwood
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
30% cute, 70% questionable.
the cute: romance, science, social commentary!
i liked nearly everything about levi, from his calm demeanor, to his rationality, attitude and (soft) personality. bee and levi shared some cute moments, and their relationship seemed genuine and built on common interests and values (veganism, science, cats, hummingbirds, movies and music), which i enjoyed. i liked the banter, and both characters as a couple were likable enough. i enjoyed the science talk, and the feminist and social commentary, and the facts about Marie Curie!
the questionable: everything else.
the characters, especially rocío and kaylee, seemed like cheap clichés. the 'villain' was disney-esque (seriously, there is an "i'm telling you all about my evil plans and schemes" scene, which could've been copy-pasted into a mystery book for children and no one would've batted an eye).
bee started to seriously get on my nerves circa 60% into the book. she makes my sense of delusion seem like a daydream in comparison: "he hates me", "this is not a date", "we're just friends-with-benefits", la di da – girl, he literally asked you to move in with him, be for fucking real.
the miscommunication was hard to read sometimes, and so was her crying over every single roadkill (she's an empath and i'm a cold bastard, apparently).
the plotline with her ex-fiancé tim and ex-best friend annie was anticlimactic, utterly pointless and boring – first and foremost because tim has no redeeming qualities, is a completely unambiguous, black-and-white character that served only as a tragic background for bee and to explain her immense fear of social commitment. he's shoved into the readers' faces ("he's bad!") and it stays that way from start to finish. (nearly the same thing applies to annie.)
the ending (and big reveal) was goofy at best, and a shitshow at worst. it completely took me out of the illusion of the book.astronaut with gun pressuring scientist to suicide. Félicette, a CAT, jumping the villain so that bee could escape. need i say more? seriously, whom was this written for? 6-year-olds? (i briefly considered throwing my copy against the nearest wall.)
levi and bee got some closure and a nice ending, which is cool. the romance was the only thing carrying this book at this point, so an epilogue that was not completely disappointing seems like a big-enough win to happily accept and glutton over.
fun! wouldn't read again.
the cute: romance, science, social commentary!
i liked nearly everything about levi, from his calm demeanor, to his rationality, attitude and (soft) personality. bee and levi shared some cute moments, and their relationship seemed genuine and built on common interests and values (veganism, science, cats, hummingbirds, movies and music), which i enjoyed. i liked the banter, and both characters as a couple were likable enough. i enjoyed the science talk, and the feminist and social commentary, and the facts about Marie Curie!
the questionable: everything else.
the characters, especially rocío and kaylee, seemed like cheap clichés. the 'villain' was disney-esque (seriously, there is an "i'm telling you all about my evil plans and schemes" scene, which could've been copy-pasted into a mystery book for children and no one would've batted an eye).
bee started to seriously get on my nerves circa 60% into the book. she makes my sense of delusion seem like a daydream in comparison: "he hates me", "this is not a date", "we're just friends-with-benefits", la di da – girl, he literally asked you to move in with him, be for fucking real.
the miscommunication was hard to read sometimes, and so was her crying over every single roadkill (she's an empath and i'm a cold bastard, apparently).
the plotline with her ex-fiancé tim and ex-best friend annie was anticlimactic, utterly pointless and boring – first and foremost because tim has no redeeming qualities, is a completely unambiguous, black-and-white character that served only as a tragic background for bee and to explain her immense fear of social commitment. he's shoved into the readers' faces ("he's bad!") and it stays that way from start to finish. (nearly the same thing applies to annie.)
the ending (and big reveal) was goofy at best, and a shitshow at worst. it completely took me out of the illusion of the book.
levi and bee got some closure and a nice ending, which is cool. the romance was the only thing carrying this book at this point, so an epilogue that was not completely disappointing seems like a big-enough win to happily accept and glutton over.
fun! wouldn't read again.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Infidelity, Sexual content, and Death of parent
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders