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imaginary_space's reviews
216 reviews
No Longer Human by Osamu Dazai
Did not finish book. Stopped at 20%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 20%.
I feel I got a really shitty translation from the library, done by someone who clearly isn't a native English speaker. Will go looking for another, possibly in German.
What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
A nice take on the story, I enjoyed the setting and worldbuilding in general, but unfortunately I found the story lacking. I think the pacing and writing were off to me, there was too much exposition and too little story progression, and specially towards the ending this didn't create much suspense.
Our Wives Under The Sea by Julia Armfield
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Slow-burn, tense horror that's more in your head than on the page with great writing is definitely my thing, so to nobody's surprise I really liked this book. Add the ocean and I'm sold.
I have a hard time connecting with characters when a relationship is the focus of the story, but here, I didn't mind. I understood why the romance was there. It seemed so authentic and raw. That contrast ... wow. The flow of it all seemed so organic and damn, Julia Armfield can write! I love her descriptions and non-descriptions, how she explored so many themes in this story and none of it felt forced. Her writing definitely made this book and I will be reading more of her work.
I listened to the audiobook with two narrators, which was really well produced.
I have a hard time connecting with characters when a relationship is the focus of the story, but here, I didn't mind. I understood why the romance was there. It seemed so authentic and raw. That contrast ... wow. The flow of it all seemed so organic and damn, Julia Armfield can write! I love her descriptions and non-descriptions, how she explored so many themes in this story and none of it felt forced. Her writing definitely made this book and I will be reading more of her work.
I listened to the audiobook with two narrators, which was really well produced.
Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning
slow-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
1.0
I originally gave this 2 stars a few years ago and wanted to try it again because I read a lot of articles, posts etc. telling me this book series is "not like the other urban fantasy series" and "does not have such a dumb and questionable romance" etc.
I don't particularly enjoy romance in my urban fantasy, but I am on a constant quest to find a good urban fantasy series and those usually come with romance, so I want the romance to at least be believable and not creepy.
Based on the articles, and because I couldn't remember much about the book, I thought maybe I missed something the first time around and wanted to try again.
Well ... my rating went from 2 stars to 1 star.
The protagonist is your typical "I'm just a normal southern girl but I'm not like the other girls" girl - seriously, what is up with all those "southern girl" protagonists!? At least she's not religious. To be fair, she was a little more clearly characterized than other protagonists in similar series, I appreciate that.
The guy is your typical "I'm dark and brooding and bad for you and also kinda rapey" love interest. He also does this annoying thing where he tells her what he's like, but then doesn't do it ... e.g. warning her about how impatient he is, while being extremely patient with her bratty ass. Oh, and of course he constantly violates her personal space and he hurts her, but he's hot so it's okay.
The writing is ... not that great. In fact, it's bad.
Most conversations between the two protagonists are probably supposed to be witty banter, but they just drag on and do not reflect the actions of the characters - they will say they are one thing, but then go on and actually show the complete opposite.
The constant descriptions of how the protagonist looks, how she does her nails, what she is wearing... just stop already!
The author is weirdly fascinated by race and just racist. We learn what exact "mix" certain characters are when it's supposed to be something bad. One time the protagonist comments on the heritage of a character "there cannot be a more barbaric mix of genes", another time it was important that a character had "something dark, one of those dangerous arabic genes" and I just found that repulsive. You can't tell me it's supposed to be the main character's prejudices, because it's never adressed later and never challenged. So yeah ... that's a writing choice I guess.
The setting seems interesting and I do think the author could craft a good story, it just wasn't the focus of the book. There was a lot of exposition and I think the book would have benefited from some editing. I did read the first book is supposed to be the worst in the series, so I'll give the second one another chance.
I don't particularly enjoy romance in my urban fantasy, but I am on a constant quest to find a good urban fantasy series and those usually come with romance, so I want the romance to at least be believable and not creepy.
Based on the articles, and because I couldn't remember much about the book, I thought maybe I missed something the first time around and wanted to try again.
Well ... my rating went from 2 stars to 1 star.
The protagonist is your typical "I'm just a normal southern girl but I'm not like the other girls" girl - seriously, what is up with all those "southern girl" protagonists!? At least she's not religious. To be fair, she was a little more clearly characterized than other protagonists in similar series, I appreciate that.
The guy is your typical "I'm dark and brooding and bad for you and also kinda rapey" love interest. He also does this annoying thing where he tells her what he's like, but then doesn't do it ... e.g. warning her about how impatient he is, while being extremely patient with her bratty ass. Oh, and of course he constantly violates her personal space and he hurts her, but he's hot so it's okay.
The writing is ... not that great. In fact, it's bad.
Most conversations between the two protagonists are probably supposed to be witty banter, but they just drag on and do not reflect the actions of the characters - they will say they are one thing, but then go on and actually show the complete opposite.
The constant descriptions of how the protagonist looks, how she does her nails, what she is wearing... just stop already!
The author is weirdly fascinated by race and just racist. We learn what exact "mix" certain characters are when it's supposed to be something bad. One time the protagonist comments on the heritage of a character "there cannot be a more barbaric mix of genes", another time it was important that a character had "something dark, one of those dangerous arabic genes" and I just found that repulsive. You can't tell me it's supposed to be the main character's prejudices, because it's never adressed later and never challenged. So yeah ... that's a writing choice I guess.
The setting seems interesting and I do think the author could craft a good story, it just wasn't the focus of the book. There was a lot of exposition and I think the book would have benefited from some editing. I did read the first book is supposed to be the worst in the series, so I'll give the second one another chance.
Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I liked this one more than the first book, mostly because there's not such a focus on a developing love story. Kaz and Inej are still edgy af, and my inner teenager still appreciates that. Overall entertaining and the city of Ketterdam is an interesting setting and a nice diversion from the usual fantasy settings.
Leech by Hiron Ennes
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
This was, first and foremost ... long. I like all the tropes, the setting and the characters were interesting, but the story itself was just ... long and sometimes rambling. I slept through most of the last third.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape and Body horror
Minor: Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Child death, and Fire/Fire injury
Battlestar Galactica: The Final Five by David Reed, Seamus Kevin Fahey, Nigel Raynor
challenging
dark
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
2.0
Motherthing by Ainslie Hogarth
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is deeply uncomfortable to read. (in a 'what great writing'-way)
This protagonist has issues. Everyone in this book has issues. Horrifyingly enough, they are issues that exist in the real world.
They all need to go and see a therapist.
The narrator is insane.
Good for her.
Loved it.
5*****, but I wouldn't read it again any time soon.
This protagonist has issues. Everyone in this book has issues. Horrifyingly enough, they are issues that exist in the real world.
They all need to go and see a therapist.
The narrator is insane.
Good for her.
Loved it.
5*****, but I wouldn't read it again any time soon.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Toxic relationship, Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Cannibalism, Sexual content, and Suicide
Minor: Drug use and Child abuse
My Immortal by Tara Gilesbie
challenging
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Ist Mr. Marx zu hause? Anekdoten by Margarete Drachenberg
funny
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
4.0
Unterhaltsame kleine Sammlung von Anekdoten.