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mayphoenix7992's reviews
642 reviews
Cleopatra and Frankenstein by Coco Mellors
dark
tense
medium-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
3.5
3,5⭐️
📚Bookclub📚
"She had met the darkest part of herself and created this."
I'm so conflicted about this book. I liked it. I enjoyed the experience of reading it, but the characters were aggravating. It was a pity party of rich people and children in adults' bodies, but there was something attractive to it, like a mysterious piece of contemporary art that draws one in but the closer we get the uglier it becomes while it's impossible to look away.
I didn't see the point of having side characters' pov when it brought nothing to the story and only made them more irritating. Quentin was an absolute asshole. Anders is a manipulative ass. Frank needs to grow up. Zoe too. Cleo was almost a Mary Sue. Eleanore deserves better. Santiago was a sweetheart, and he deserves all the love in the world.
The one aspect I really liked were the parallels between Cleopatra and Cleo and Frank and Frankenstein. Cleopatra was wrongly thought as a seductress, she was charming, intelligent, and knowledgeable and drew in two important men (Julius Caesar & Mark Antony/Frank & Anders), who were best friends, for her advantage to some extent (political power against the Roman Empire/VISA to remain in the USA and financial stability). For both Cleopatra and Cleo, relationships were a weapon with the illusion of romance. As for Frank and Frankenstein - the monster-maker and the monster, such a perfect comparison for a man-child who destroys everyone around him in the desperate need to feel important.
All in all, it was a good book. It's just impossible to get attached to these characters.
📚Bookclub📚
"She had met the darkest part of herself and created this."
I'm so conflicted about this book. I liked it. I enjoyed the experience of reading it, but the characters were aggravating. It was a pity party of rich people and children in adults' bodies, but there was something attractive to it, like a mysterious piece of contemporary art that draws one in but the closer we get the uglier it becomes while it's impossible to look away.
I didn't see the point of having side characters' pov when it brought nothing to the story and only made them more irritating. Quentin was an absolute asshole. Anders is a manipulative ass. Frank needs to grow up. Zoe too. Cleo was almost a Mary Sue. Eleanore deserves better. Santiago was a sweetheart, and he deserves all the love in the world.
The one aspect I really liked were the parallels between Cleopatra and Cleo and Frank and Frankenstein. Cleopatra was wrongly thought as a seductress, she was charming, intelligent, and knowledgeable and drew in two important men (Julius Caesar & Mark Antony/Frank & Anders), who were best friends, for her advantage to some extent (political power against the Roman Empire/VISA to remain in the USA and financial stability). For both Cleopatra and Cleo, relationships were a weapon with the illusion of romance. As for Frank and Frankenstein - the monster-maker and the monster, such a perfect comparison for a man-child who destroys everyone around him in the desperate need to feel important.
All in all, it was a good book. It's just impossible to get attached to these characters.
The Death of King Arthur by
adventurous
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
4,25⭐️
Although a late version of the legend of King Arthur, Simon Armitage's translation and prose masterfully transports us in another time.
I particularly loved the internal rhymes and alliteration used in this work.
Although a late version of the legend of King Arthur, Simon Armitage's translation and prose masterfully transports us in another time.
I particularly loved the internal rhymes and alliteration used in this work.
Lore Olympus: Volume Six: UK Edition by Rachel Smythe
emotional
tense
fast-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
4.5
Dragonquest by Anne McCaffrey
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
4⭐️
There are still some elements of the relationships and character dynamics that are...debatable, but the plot and worldbuilding are amazing. It's very hard to let go!
There are still some elements of the relationships and character dynamics that are...debatable, but the plot and worldbuilding are amazing. It's very hard to let go!
Roman Bath: A New History and Archaeology of Aquae Sulis by Peter Davenport
informative
slow-paced
4.5
4,5⭐️
The archaeological site and museum of the Roman Baths is one of my favourite place in England and reading this book proved it even deeper. Aquae Sulis is a fascinating site.
The archaeological site and museum of the Roman Baths is one of my favourite place in England and reading this book proved it even deeper. Aquae Sulis is a fascinating site.
My Happy Marriage, Vol. 4 by Akumi Agitogi
adventurous
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
3.75
3,75⭐️
It's so wonderful to see Miyo standing up for herself and others after everything she's been through.
I hope that Arata didn't join Usui, and if he did, that's he's a double agent. 🙏
It's so wonderful to see Miyo standing up for herself and others after everything she's been through.
I hope that Arata didn't join Usui, and if he did, that's he's a double agent. 🙏
Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood by Marjane Satrapi
dark
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
4.5
4,5⭐️
Another wonderful comics. The ending was heartbreaking.
I'll try to find and read the complete story in its original language.
Another wonderful comics. The ending was heartbreaking.
I'll try to find and read the complete story in its original language.
The Deorhord: an Old English Bestiary by Hana Videen
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
4.5
4,5⭐️
Amazing book on Old English words. How fascinating to see so many words that have survived into the english we speak today, but also it gives us so many information on how animals were thought of in those days.
I'd recommend it to anyone who likes history, english history or languages.
Amazing book on Old English words. How fascinating to see so many words that have survived into the english we speak today, but also it gives us so many information on how animals were thought of in those days.
I'd recommend it to anyone who likes history, english history or languages.
A History of Witchcraft: Sorcerers, Heretics and Pagans by Brooks Alexander, Jeffrey B. Russell
informative
slow-paced
4.5
4,5⭐️
Very interesting book. I was a bit wary that it might be one of those witchy, esoteric, strange books that are borderline cultist but the fact that it was displayed on a Waterstones Piccadilly table drew my curiosity.
It was a very sensible and thorough history of witchcraft with definitions and explanations on the differences between heresy, witchcraft, sorcery, wicca and other related topics.
I'm impressed by the thorough research based on the historical and social aspects of witchcraft throughout history, from the causes to the consequences of witch-craze but also the reasons for its rises and falls.
I was less interested in the second part on modern witchcraft but it was still interesting to realise that so many concepts and clichés we associate with witchcraft are very recent in history (1960s Britain) and totally invented.
Very interesting book. I was a bit wary that it might be one of those witchy, esoteric, strange books that are borderline cultist but the fact that it was displayed on a Waterstones Piccadilly table drew my curiosity.
It was a very sensible and thorough history of witchcraft with definitions and explanations on the differences between heresy, witchcraft, sorcery, wicca and other related topics.
I'm impressed by the thorough research based on the historical and social aspects of witchcraft throughout history, from the causes to the consequences of witch-craze but also the reasons for its rises and falls.
I was less interested in the second part on modern witchcraft but it was still interesting to realise that so many concepts and clichés we associate with witchcraft are very recent in history (1960s Britain) and totally invented.