kaabtik's reviews
347 reviews

Nothing But Blackened Teeth by Cassandra Khaw

dark tense fast-paced

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

3.0

Much better to read in one sitting. If you're looking for a story where everyone is doomed from the very beginning — this is definitely up your alley. Beautiful prose amidst a dreadful/tense atmosphere

Autonomous by Annalee Newitz

adventurous tense medium-paced

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

3.0

Wasn't really attached to the characters but I pushed through for the plot. Great premise, though some terms were very eh. Oks rmn basin di lang jud ako ang target audience

Lock Every Door by Riley Sager

mysterious tense fast-paced

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

3.25

where is the sister 😭😭

Alice by Christina Henry

adventurous dark reflective medium-paced

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

3.5

Tender Is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica

dark reflective tense medium-paced

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

4.0

a gripping read that's difficult to put down in every sense of the word. 

The Furies by Katie Lowe

dark mysterious tense 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

3.0

The pacing threw me off a bit and I couldn't really find the mystery/thriller aspect that compelling. Personally would have liked it in ye olde grunge Tumblr era so it might be that.

The Picture of Dorian Gray (Collins Classics) by Oscar Wilde

dark mysterious tense medium-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

4.0

Reading this several years after and finally having a physical copy to annotate it—grade 8 me would be floored rn. The closest thing I could describe this book would be a slow burning fire, to which you can only observe and not lift a finger to extinguish or help fan the flames.

Between seeing Basil and Lord Henry being the friend equivalent of the angel and devil on Dorian's shoulder, and seeing them as the many follies of man, The Picture of Dorian Gray remains one of my favorite novels.

The Dragon Republic by R.F. Kuang

challenging dark emotional 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

5.0

first reread since ever ever and sakit jd kaau sa buot bisan unsaun. great pacing, and emotionally destructive. thanks rf kuang 

Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint, Volume 3 by 싱숑, sing N song

adventurous dark emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

American Gods by Neil Gaiman

dark funny tense slow-paced

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

3.0

The first half of the book was really slow moving and picked up around the 60% mark imo. I did enjoy how Shaow unraveled the identities of the gods — albeit a bit slow, there is that feeling of uncertainty esp since Shadow can be unreliable at times. 

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Car accident, Death, and Gore

Moderate: Sexual content