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jamieleepilk's reviews
621 reviews
DallerGut Dream Department Store by Miye Lee
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.25
'The Dallergut Dream Department Store' focuses on Penny who after years of trying gets her dream job at the Dream Department store! The story weaves Penny's life with those of her co-workers, the dream-makers and the dreamers.
I'd heard a lot of good things about Dallergut and it did not disappoint! It was so easy to get lost in the story and the wonderful whimsey of it all. It's so fantastical but they way it's written you just take everything at face value and just know not to question it.
The quiet heartfelt nature of it is simply beautiful. There was a chapter in this book about a pre-order/delivery service for dreams, this allows dreamers to order dreams for their loved ones to be delivered at a different date, I had to put this aside and take a breather. The descriptions of how it feels to have a dream about a loved one you've lost hit far to close to home but were nothing short of stunning.
I'm so excited for number 2 in the series for more of Penny and the wonderful Department store.
I'd heard a lot of good things about Dallergut and it did not disappoint! It was so easy to get lost in the story and the wonderful whimsey of it all. It's so fantastical but they way it's written you just take everything at face value and just know not to question it.
The quiet heartfelt nature of it is simply beautiful. There was a chapter in this book about a pre-order/delivery service for dreams, this allows dreamers to order dreams for their loved ones to be delivered at a different date, I had to put this aside and take a breather. The descriptions of how it feels to have a dream about a loved one you've lost hit far to close to home but were nothing short of stunning.
I'm so excited for number 2 in the series for more of Penny and the wonderful Department store.
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying, Child death, Death, and Grief
Young Hag and the Witches' Quest by Isabel Greenberg
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
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
4.25
I love stories about the importance of stories.
'Young Hag' is Isabel Greenberg's spin on the tales of King Arthur, focusing on Morgan Le Fey and the return of magic to the human land. Isabel's storytelling is warm and witty and a winning combination with her whimsical illustration style.
'Young Hag' is Isabel Greenberg's spin on the tales of King Arthur, focusing on Morgan Le Fey and the return of magic to the human land. Isabel's storytelling is warm and witty and a winning combination with her whimsical illustration style.
BRAT: A Ghost Story by Gabriel Smith
challenging
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
3.0
'Do you believe in ghosts?' I said.
'Yes,' she said.
'Me, too, I think,' I said.
'I think-' she said, then stopped.
'What?'
'There are lots of universes. There are all the universes, with all the possibilities in them. And humans can imagine all of those universes.'
'Yeah,' I said.
'That's what I think ghosts are,' she said.
I was so excited for this book. The concept was incredible and I felt like I was hooked from page one but the longer it went on the more repetitive certain parts became.
While the format was interesting and I became invested in wanting to find out what was happening to Gabriel I found the inserts of scripts and the ex's short stories a little jarring.
Some sentences were gut punching and beautiful -"The stain of something that was briefly perfect."- while some parts seemed childish in nature (which I'm not 100% sure if they were intentional or not with the narrator returning to live in his childhood home) but contrasted with dark and after crude notions.
I will say the things I liked - concept, idea and tone/vibes - will make be pick up anything Gabriel produces in the future.
'Yes,' she said.
'Me, too, I think,' I said.
'I think-' she said, then stopped.
'What?'
'There are lots of universes. There are all the universes, with all the possibilities in them. And humans can imagine all of those universes.'
'Yeah,' I said.
'That's what I think ghosts are,' she said.
I was so excited for this book. The concept was incredible and I felt like I was hooked from page one but the longer it went on the more repetitive certain parts became.
While the format was interesting and I became invested in wanting to find out what was happening to Gabriel I found the inserts of scripts and the ex's short stories a little jarring.
Some sentences were gut punching and beautiful -"The stain of something that was briefly perfect."- while some parts seemed childish in nature (which I'm not 100% sure if they were intentional or not with the narrator returning to live in his childhood home) but contrasted with dark and after crude notions.
I will say the things I liked - concept, idea and tone/vibes - will make be pick up anything Gabriel produces in the future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Dementia, Grief, Death of parent, and Alcohol
First Light by Liz Kerin
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
4.75
Hahahahahaha I'm not okay.
Night's Edge: I'm a wholly original queer vampire story that will hurt your heart.
First Light: Ha, Hold my beer.
This was phenomenal. A non-stop, horror filled revenge thrill ride. This story picks up straight after the ending of 'Night's Edge' and you are thrown right back into the story.
New characters and Old are mixed together really well. The twists and revelations in this book had me wanting to hurl the book across the room (in a loving way of course).
That epilogue destroyed me I'm not going to lie. Who do I bill for therapy?
Liz Kerin has done it again. Mia is one of my favourite POV characters. Liz is now firmly an auto-buy author for me!
Night's Edge: I'm a wholly original queer vampire story that will hurt your heart.
First Light: Ha, Hold my beer.
This was phenomenal. A non-stop, horror filled revenge thrill ride. This story picks up straight after the ending of 'Night's Edge' and you are thrown right back into the story.
New characters and Old are mixed together really well. The twists and revelations in this book had me wanting to hurl the book across the room (in a loving way of course).
That epilogue destroyed me I'm not going to lie. Who do I bill for therapy?
Liz Kerin has done it again. Mia is one of my favourite POV characters. Liz is now firmly an auto-buy author for me!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Blood, Medical content, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Gun violence, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicide, and Sexual harassment
The New Seoul Park Jelly Massacre by Cho Yeeun
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Paradise Rot by Jenny Hval
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The Watchers by A.M. Shine
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, and Grief
Lost in the Garden by Adam S. Leslie
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
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
4.75
Lost in the Garden is a surreal gem of a book. A folkhorror that quickly worms its way under your skin and unsettles you. It will keep you guessing and hooked as you follow three girls on a journey into a village they've been told since childhood not to go to.
Dead Ink Books NEVER MISSES!!!!!
Perfect for fans of films like the Wicker Man and Midsommar.
Dead Ink Books NEVER MISSES!!!!!
Perfect for fans of films like the Wicker Man and Midsommar.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual content