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kbishoy's reviews
32 reviews
Dark Matter by Blake Crouch
3.0
Second time writing this, I deleted it by mistake I think. Well, here's a brief one. Sigh.
In the middle of the book the author, for a reason I wont tell because of spoilers, deduce that you are not very special after all, and for that compelling reason -I wont tell- its true. Then after continuing to read the story you will see something different echoing through every detail, it was very clear to me as I just finished Kazuo Ishiguro's Klara and the Sun which had the same premise, except it was written in plane words, not left to be concluded... You are special in the eyes of your loved ones. That and one other thing, the book was dedicated for who has wondered what their life might look like at the end of the road not taken, and it delivers, having people who love you and you love back justify the road you took. However, sadly a plot-hole broke a dent in that message and made it this much weaker for me to believe.
My problem with this book is not the writing style or events; it was a great read with never in a million years could be guessed plot twists, but for the few plot-holes I found or read online, it really sucks some joy from the experience, when you know it should not stand as it did. I know there is no sci-fi book left without its plot-holes because the science simply do not add up, its fiction after all, but when its within the rules you gave, it becomes annoying. Something is missing and you know it. You feel Jason's, the lead character, confusion in the book: "I can’t stop thinking. Formulating hypotheses and dismantling them. Struggling to wrap logic around everything that’s happened." but not because of the events, because of the plot-holes. Also why was it called dark matter? Just because it sounds cool apparently. It has nothing to do with any of the book's content.
Originally it was a 3.5 stars rating that was bumped up to 4, then these major plot-holes made me change my mind to a 3 stars rating. This and some cheesy inconveniences that happened along the story, and two major characters that was never spoken of again after two thirds of the book.
In the middle of the book the author, for a reason I wont tell because of spoilers, deduce that you are not very special after all, and for that compelling reason -I wont tell- its true. Then after continuing to read the story you will see something different echoing through every detail, it was very clear to me as I just finished Kazuo Ishiguro's Klara and the Sun which had the same premise, except it was written in plane words, not left to be concluded... You are special in the eyes of your loved ones. That and one other thing, the book was dedicated for who has wondered what their life might look like at the end of the road not taken, and it delivers, having people who love you and you love back justify the road you took. However, sadly a plot-hole broke a dent in that message and made it this much weaker for me to believe.
My problem with this book is not the writing style or events; it was a great read with never in a million years could be guessed plot twists, but for the few plot-holes I found or read online, it really sucks some joy from the experience, when you know it should not stand as it did. I know there is no sci-fi book left without its plot-holes because the science simply do not add up, its fiction after all, but when its within the rules you gave, it becomes annoying. Something is missing and you know it. You feel Jason's, the lead character, confusion in the book: "I can’t stop thinking. Formulating hypotheses and dismantling them. Struggling to wrap logic around everything that’s happened." but not because of the events, because of the plot-holes. Also why was it called dark matter? Just because it sounds cool apparently. It has nothing to do with any of the book's content.
Originally it was a 3.5 stars rating that was bumped up to 4, then these major plot-holes made me change my mind to a 3 stars rating. This and some cheesy inconveniences that happened along the story, and two major characters that was never spoken of again after two thirds of the book.
Recursion by Blake Crouch
5.0
Although you speculate the book's ending near its 75% mark, and even see your speculation confirmed before the 90% completion mark; the storytelling and writing make the unfolding of every step towards the end that much enjoyable. The way it all ended could have even been seen from the different quotes' shadows here and there, earlier than that, but I was so caught up on how good the events were from chapter 31 onwards; my mind did not have time to even spoil or speculate about the ending. I lived in it, and for a brief moment after I closed the audiobook, my brain still lagged between the events of these two different -yet familiar- worlds. Mine and Barry's.
“You’re still being blinded by your limitations. Still not seeing the whole picture. And maybe you never will, unless you can travel the way I’ve traveled. . . .”
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I did not like the parts of "Dark Matter" where Blake gave rules to how his science should work in the story then left all these plot-holes and what-ifs without answering any (also for the major characters that were never spoken of again halfway through the book). On the contrary in "Recursion", the science -fiction- holds with the rules given; in part because we were given so little of how this would work, but also I could not have cared less about how the science worked! The story of love, regret, and finding one's true "now" were so much more interesting than bewildering my mind with science-y details that would make the story less believable and enjoyable.
“You’re still being blinded by your limitations. Still not seeing the whole picture. And maybe you never will, unless you can travel the way I’ve traveled. . . .”
--------
I did not like the parts of "Dark Matter" where Blake gave rules to how his science should work in the story then left all these plot-holes and what-ifs without answering any (also for the major characters that were never spoken of again halfway through the book). On the contrary in "Recursion", the science -fiction- holds with the rules given; in part because we were given so little of how this would work, but also I could not have cared less about how the science worked! The story of love, regret, and finding one's true "now" were so much more interesting than bewildering my mind with science-y details that would make the story less believable and enjoyable.
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
5.0
Things common between me and Ms. Oliphant; we both like Darjeeling and Earl Grey tea, in addition to some stubborn, idiotic ways of thinking. But I’m not as funny as her.
What a beautiful book. Warm, sweet, and sad. Listening to the Scottish accent audiobook added a lot to the experience; will look out for more Cathleen McCarron narrated novels.
What a beautiful book. Warm, sweet, and sad. Listening to the Scottish accent audiobook added a lot to the experience; will look out for more Cathleen McCarron narrated novels.
Batman: The World by Lu Xiaotong, Mathieu Gabella, Egor Prutov, Alessandro Bilotta, Alberto Chimal, Xu Xiaodong, Ertan Ergil, Carlos Estefan, Kirill Kutuzov, Brian Azzarello, Tomasz Kolodziejczak, Inpyo Jeon, Štěpán Kopřiva, Benjamin von Eckartsberg
3.0
The best thing is the different art-styles they drew batman in, the worst thing… it got absolutely no story whatsoever. Every country have 20 pages or less to tell a story; that most of the time its not that interesting. I liked only 3 or 4 from a total of 14! Nice concept, nice art, nice “batman inner-monologue-ing” bits, but bad bad plots.
The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe
4.0
Skimmed the intro... only read the actual poem.
“But whose velvet violet lining with the lamplight gloating o’er
She shall press, ah, nevermore!”
“But whose velvet violet lining with the lamplight gloating o’er
She shall press, ah, nevermore!”
Teen Titans: Beast Boy by Kami Garcia
3.0
I never really liked beast boy when I was a kid that much, but I did enjoy reading this. But again with the same issue with Raven's comic... nothing really happens, its an origin story so its expected to have less events -I get it- but compared to other origin stories (like batman earth one or year one, superman earth one, etc.) its underwhelming, but still enjoyable.
Teen Titans: Raven by Kami Garcia
2.0
Not that much in-depth to the story of Raven, but it was cozy, beautifully written, with good art. however, I have to say... I don't like YA... not my cup of tea; and really nothing much happened.
Teen Titans: Beast Boy Loves Raven by Kami Garcia
2.0
It was fine, don't get me wrong, but really you get the feeling after a 200 pages comic book that nothing really happened... It leaves you feeling cozy but at the same time you get another feeling, of something always missing while reading, ah yes; enjoyment. And what's with the over-the-top feministic characters! Most of the replies written are so snarky and sassy, chill!
Ah, and I won't be reading anymore YA comic books for the time being, its clearly not for me.
Ah, and I won't be reading anymore YA comic books for the time being, its clearly not for me.