kibernick's reviews
132 reviews

Get in Trouble by Kelly Link

adventurous funny medium-paced

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

3.0

I was looking for another dreamy short story collection like “Her Body and Other Parties” by Carmen Maria Machado and a friend recommended this book. While it certainly fits the description, Kelly Link has her own interpretation of “dreamy”, pushing it closer to more “delirious” dreams one could have after say, a night of debauchery.

I really enjoyed the first three stories: “The Summer People” (favourite, just wanted to stay in that world and explore), “I Can See Right Through You” and “Secret Identity”. The quality drops off later on, with some stories being just confusing rather than intriguing - so much that I started skimming, then taking a break from the book. Which is why I dragged on with it for months (sadly tends to happen for short story collections for me anyway).

Curious to check out a full book written in Link’s style.

Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism by Amanda Montell

funny informative reflective fast-paced

3.5

An informative but unorganized book about cult-ish language in many spheres of life – from fitness to corporations, from Jonestown to QAnon. It covers a lot of ground and the author's thesis gets lost in the whirlwind. Still, an interesting read/listen about how  language can be used to manipulate one's worldview. Wish it was longer (could easily have been double in size) and that its thesis was crystal clear.

Anyone interested in the subject should checkout the podcast "The Dream" which goes in depth about classic MLMs in season 1, and progresses into different areas of life in each season.

Lapvona by Ottessa Moshfegh

adventurous dark funny fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I was recently searching for books that remind me of movies by Yorgos Lanthimos and I think I found one here. Written during the Covid lockdowns, the story follows a cast of characters in a fictional medieval European town, as they let their Id loose upon each other.

I was really intrigued until, halfway through, I started questioning if there was any point to all the weirdness and transgressiveness, but then failed to find one.

It’s definitely the style of weird book I’d enjoy but I needed something a little deeper. I do not feel compelled to reread it in search of meaning. Would try another of her books.

Between Two Fires by Christopher Buehlman
Did not finish book. Stopped at 11%.

I feel betrayed. The writing style reminds me of someone retelling a videogame or a TV show. And sparse edgy descriptions (that make me feel nothing) and starting the book with an attempted rape of an adolescent does not “horror” make.

Count Luna by Alexander Lernet-Holenia

informative reflective 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? Yes

2.5

Crisis Zone by Simon Hanselmann

adventurous dark funny fast-paced

4.0

Rouge by Mona Awad

emotional mysterious slow-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

3.0

Coming in from _Bunny_, I felt a little deflatted. A beautiful book, full of vibes, but it just dragged on for way too long. I didn’t find the supernatural element believable or fleshed out enough. Still, a decent, charming book.

Monstrilio by Gerardo Sámano Córdova

emotional funny fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• 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

What a weird little book!

Save the Cat! Writes a Novel: The Last Book on Novel Writing You'll Ever Need by Jessica Brody

informative inspiring fast-paced

4.0

Got what I needed to help me outline my stories. Could've used more interesting examples that are NOT Harry Potter and other YA that the market loves (though I guess that's the idea).

Spectral Sounds: Unquiet Tales of Acoustic Weird by Manon Burz-Labrande
Did not finish book. Stopped at 33%.

19th century aristocrats bossing around their wives and underlings was the true horror of these tales. Not for me.