Take a photo of a barcode or cover
literaryjunarin's reviews
494 reviews
The Path of Thorns by A.G. Slatter
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.5
Honestly? I would've loved this more if it was a bit shorter. Also, Asher Todd might be clever, but she is blind and stupid and too hungry for her mother's love to make smart decisions, so she let herself be swayed repeatedly.
Orbital by Samantha Harvey
3.75
“... so I am saying to you Chie, my first and only child, that you might regard in wonder these men walking on the moon but you must never forget the price humanity pays for its moments of glory, because humanity doesn't know when to stop, it doesn't know when to call it a day, so be wary is what I mean though I say nothing, be wary.”
This is my reminder that I may love astronauts but there should also be a plot for me to enjoy the story. Despite that, I still ended up liking this quite a bit. The narration of the astronauts and cosmonauts is mesmerizing, almost hypnotic but also deeply thought provoking.
This is my reminder that I may love astronauts but there should also be a plot for me to enjoy the story. Despite that, I still ended up liking this quite a bit. The narration of the astronauts and cosmonauts is mesmerizing, almost hypnotic but also deeply thought provoking.
Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire
dark
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
3.5
“Remember this: Nothing is written in the stars. Not these stars, nor any others. No one controls your destiny.”
Like many others, I became obsessed with *Wicked* after watching the movie. Ever since then, I've been playing the movie soundtrack every morning right after I wake up. It’s a bit insane!
And so, here I am. I’m glad I went in knowing that the movie and musical were only loosely based on the book, so I was open to the differences. The tone of the book is quite different as well—it's bleak, violent, and oddly sexual. Ahem, “dragon-snaking.”
However, I enjoyed learning more about Elphaba's childhood and Glinda's thought process, which were not fully explored in the musical. Boq is quite charming in the book, too.
That said, the pacing is terrible. It jumps unexpectedly, and suddenly, seven years have gone by.
Overall, it was an enjoyable read!
Like many others, I became obsessed with *Wicked* after watching the movie. Ever since then, I've been playing the movie soundtrack every morning right after I wake up. It’s a bit insane!
And so, here I am. I’m glad I went in knowing that the movie and musical were only loosely based on the book, so I was open to the differences. The tone of the book is quite different as well—it's bleak, violent, and oddly sexual. Ahem, “dragon-snaking.”
However, I enjoyed learning more about Elphaba's childhood and Glinda's thought process, which were not fully explored in the musical. Boq is quite charming in the book, too.
That said, the pacing is terrible. It jumps unexpectedly, and suddenly, seven years have gone by.
Overall, it was an enjoyable read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery, Murder
Suite as Sugar: and Other Stories by Camille Hernandez-Ramdwar
dark
medium-paced
3.0
Maybe because I read this via audiobook, it's kinda hard to absorb what's being told. Most stories fell flat as well. They were light on the page but heavy in meaning; however, they failed to leave a lasting impact.
The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.0
“We knew, finally, that the girls were really women in disguise, that they understood love and even death, and that our job was merely to create the noise that seemed to fascinate them.”
This is a gorgeously written, poignant study of the perils of adolescence. Although the story is told from the point of view of the neighbourhood boys, this effectively adds to the mysterious and bleak atmosphere of the Lisbon sisters' lives. Even though I knew from the start that all the sisters would die, I couldn't help but shout to the boys, "Call them! Help them! Stop lusting over the girls and actually get to know them!" And of course, I'll say it, the suicides were the parents' fault.
This is a gorgeously written, poignant study of the perils of adolescence. Although the story is told from the point of view of the neighbourhood boys, this effectively adds to the mysterious and bleak atmosphere of the Lisbon sisters' lives. Even though I knew from the start that all the sisters would die, I couldn't help but shout to the boys, "Call them! Help them! Stop lusting over the girls and actually get to know them!" And of course, I'll say it, the suicides were the parents' fault.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
The Night Will Find Us by Matthew Lyons
dark
tense
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
3.0
I have always had a penchant for ancient horror. A story about a forest that traps you and seemingly out to consume you? I'm reeled in! Most of the elements of this book are to my liking. Body horror, supernatural horror, ancient monsters, survivalist horror, and messy fights. Unfortunately, I did not like the þook as a whole. First, because it's too long. It's 11 hours in audiobook! Second, the main characters are teenagers with raging hormones which can be exasperating to read about. They're unlikeable lacking any redeeming qualities. Third, the drama and sudden backstories dampened the suspense. And well, the "final girl" has been the most uninteresting final girl I have ever encountered. However, the audiobook narrator, David Bendena was amazing and made the experience quite enjoyable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence
Pan's Labyrinth: The Labyrinth of the Faun by Guillermo del Toro, Cornelia Funke
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
"Evil seldom takes shape immediately. It is often little more than a whisper at first. A glance. A betrayal. But then it grows and takes root, still invisible, unnoticed. Only fairy tales give evil a proper shape. The big bad wolves, the evil kings, the demons, and devils . . ."
Haven't watched the movie yet but this book was so good! At first I thought this was a children's book but it was too gory to be called one. Beautifully dark and atmospheric. The audiobook narrator was amazing too! I'll watch the movie next time.
Haven't watched the movie yet but this book was so good! At first I thought this was a children's book but it was too gory to be called one. Beautifully dark and atmospheric. The audiobook narrator was amazing too! I'll watch the movie next time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Murder, War
I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman
dark
sad
5.0
"I was forced to acknowledge too late, much too late, that I too had loved, that I was capable of suffering and that I was human after all."
If you haven't read this book yet, it's best to dive in blind. I am left in utter despair. It's been ages since a book has prompted such intense emotions and questions in me. My existential dread is at an all-time high! This book will stay with me for a long, long time.
If you haven't read this book yet, it's best to dive in blind. I am left in utter despair. It's been ages since a book has prompted such intense emotions and questions in me. My existential dread is at an all-time high! This book will stay with me for a long, long time.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
The Third Love by Hiromi Kawakami
Did not finish book. Stopped at 19%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 19%.
The narrator is 35 years old but has a voice of a 10yr old girl.
Lies We Sing to the Sea by Sarah Underwood
2.0
Gorgeous prose but too long winded. I just waited for it to end. And turns out, the author did not actually finish reading The Odyssey. Then why did she write this? Cause it's the hype these days? What a major turn off.