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neuroqueer's reviews
314 reviews
Cranberry Cove by Hailey Piper
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Overall: B+
Cranberry Cove is a good novella.
I think the strengths of this book are the characterizations and the premise. Our main character is Hailey and she is an interesting character. She is a trans character and while we do get some insight on how she views her gender and people's reaction to her, it's not heavy handed or forced (there are characters in other stories that just pandering and this isn't one of them). It feels natural. She and her partner Conner are mob enforcers that are called to investigate the assault of a mob boss's son at a haunted hotel. Very intriguing idea for a story.
I found the beginning the confusing because I didn't know what was going on. This could be due to me just borrowing the book and not remembering the synopsis. I didn't find it confusing or messy afterwards once I got the gist of it.
The writing was fine. The plot was good. I think the story is just missing something to take it up a notch. This is a horror book. There is something sinister happening at the hotel and bad things do go down. The focus feels moreso on how Hailey and Connor are dealing and contemplating the horror itself. That's not a bad thing at all. Just wasn't what I was expecting.
I like the story and it's a quick read. It really piqued my interest in the author's other books.
Cranberry Cove is a good novella.
I think the strengths of this book are the characterizations and the premise. Our main character is Hailey and she is an interesting character. She is a trans character and while we do get some insight on how she views her gender and people's reaction to her, it's not heavy handed or forced (there are characters in other stories that just pandering and this isn't one of them). It feels natural. She and her partner Conner are mob enforcers that are called to investigate the assault of a mob boss's son at a haunted hotel. Very intriguing idea for a story.
I found the beginning the confusing because I didn't know what was going on. This could be due to me just borrowing the book and not remembering the synopsis. I didn't find it confusing or messy afterwards once I got the gist of it.
The writing was fine. The plot was good. I think the story is just missing something to take it up a notch. This is a horror book. There is something sinister happening at the hotel and bad things do go down. The focus feels moreso on how Hailey and Connor are dealing and contemplating the horror itself. That's not a bad thing at all. Just wasn't what I was expecting.
I like the story and it's a quick read. It really piqued my interest in the author's other books.
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
Did not finish book. Stopped at 18%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 18%.
It's interesting but just haven't gotten back to it yet. I will at some point
100 Animals That Can F*cking End You by Mamadou Ndiaye
funny
informative
fast-paced
4.5
Overall: A+
You need a certain type of humor for this book and I'm glad I gel with it. I enjoyed the information that was given. Some I've heard before like zebras are frigging terrible or black widows aren't as deadly as people make them out to be.
Others I just never heard of. Apparently blue ring octopi are considered cute but you really should stay the hell away from them.
The narrator is the author himself and his delivery was entertaining and kept me interested. It's a good book for someone who is fine with facts delivered in a candid dark humor kind of way.
You need a certain type of humor for this book and I'm glad I gel with it. I enjoyed the information that was given. Some I've heard before like zebras are frigging terrible or black widows aren't as deadly as people make them out to be.
Others I just never heard of. Apparently blue ring octopi are considered cute but you really should stay the hell away from them.
The narrator is the author himself and his delivery was entertaining and kept me interested. It's a good book for someone who is fine with facts delivered in a candid dark humor kind of way.
No Escape by Maren Stoffels
dark
mysterious
fast-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
1.75
Overall: D+
I'm so confused about the high ratings for this book.
This is "Saw" but make it based on Escape Rooms.
BUT...it's not gory or tense or scary or interesting.
The chapters jump around between characters but for me it fails because the characters are either annoying or uninteresting.
I hate Lexy with a passion. I understand her motivations and her feelings but sympathy does not mean I should like a character. She's rude, judgemental and unlikeable. Off the bat, she clocks Beau as arrogant just from looking at him. I'm assuming she's projecting.
Beau isn't arrogant...just self-absorbed (there is a difference). He does relate everything to experiences he has as a singer which gets annoying. But its just boring.
Zora is just there and is used as a plot device that does nothing.
I do feel some sympathy for Tess as she has mental health issues but there's nothing to her either.
For horror like this to work, you have to convince the audience that the characters are in danger. There has to be a chance that dire consequences might happen to them. I don't want to spoil anything really but one of the chapters pretty much ruins that feeling.
The positives of this book are the traps themselves were intersting and had potential. The narrators for the audio did a awesome job. I like the author's message about mental health.
But so far, this is the worst book that I've read this year. It's rushed. It's forced. It's at times cliche. I can't give it slack just because it is young adult book because there are novels in that genre that do horror well.
I'm so confused about the high ratings for this book.
This is "Saw" but make it based on Escape Rooms.
BUT...it's not gory or tense or scary or interesting.
The chapters jump around between characters but for me it fails because the characters are either annoying or uninteresting.
I hate Lexy with a passion. I understand her motivations and her feelings but sympathy does not mean I should like a character. She's rude, judgemental and unlikeable. Off the bat, she clocks Beau as arrogant just from looking at him. I'm assuming she's projecting.
Beau isn't arrogant...just self-absorbed (there is a difference). He does relate everything to experiences he has as a singer which gets annoying. But its just boring.
Zora is just there and is used as a plot device that does nothing.
I do feel some sympathy for Tess as she has mental health issues but there's nothing to her either.
For horror like this to work, you have to convince the audience that the characters are in danger. There has to be a chance that dire consequences might happen to them. I don't want to spoil anything really but one of the chapters pretty much ruins that feeling.
The positives of this book are the traps themselves were intersting and had potential. The narrators for the audio did a awesome job. I like the author's message about mental health.
But so far, this is the worst book that I've read this year. It's rushed. It's forced. It's at times cliche. I can't give it slack just because it is young adult book because there are novels in that genre that do horror well.
Reprieve by James Han Mattson
Did not finish book. Stopped at 22%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 22%.
Has an interesting premise but it was so boring, long and cliche
The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden
Did not finish book. Stopped at 10%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 10%.
Will circle back to this. Is a good book but want to focus on other things
The Night House by Jo Nesbø
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Overall: B-
Honestly, this book should have ended at Part 1 rather than making this a 3-parter.
Part 1 is a good horror story. The unlikable new kid in town is the main suspect in the disappearance of two of his classmates. He claims their disappearances are from supernatural means but could they really just be the lies of a psychopath? I like that I was questioning if he was an unreliable narrator. I liked how Part 1 ended! It wasn't groundbreaking by any means but was enjoyable.
Then I was wondering why there was a Part 2. Where else could you go from here? Was it an Stephen King "It" situation?
Nope. I don't want to get into spoilers but just know it was disappointing. Part 2 is still horror filled. It still has good writing just like Part 2. It just felt pointless.
Part 3 can just **** off with that cliche crap.
The writing, plot, and the main character drew me in from Chapter 1 all the way to Chapter 23. Part 2 could have just been a different story on it's own. Part 3.....ugh.
I think Jo Nesbo is known more for mystery-crime stories rather than horror (correct me if I'm wrong) and I'm unsure if this is his first foray into this genre. I liked the writing though so I will check out other works by them.
Honestly, this book should have ended at Part 1 rather than making this a 3-parter.
Part 1 is a good horror story. The unlikable new kid in town is the main suspect in the disappearance of two of his classmates. He claims their disappearances are from supernatural means but could they really just be the lies of a psychopath? I like that I was questioning if he was an unreliable narrator. I liked how Part 1 ended! It wasn't groundbreaking by any means but was enjoyable.
Then I was wondering why there was a Part 2. Where else could you go from here? Was it an Stephen King "It" situation?
Nope. I don't want to get into spoilers but just know it was disappointing. Part 2 is still horror filled. It still has good writing just like Part 2. It just felt pointless.
Part 3 can just **** off with that cliche crap.
The writing, plot, and the main character drew me in from Chapter 1 all the way to Chapter 23. Part 2 could have just been a different story on it's own. Part 3.....ugh.
I think Jo Nesbo is known more for mystery-crime stories rather than horror (correct me if I'm wrong) and I'm unsure if this is his first foray into this genre. I liked the writing though so I will check out other works by them.
How to Cook and Eat the Rich by Sunyi Dean
dark
funny
reflective
fast-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
4.25
Overall: B
Nice short satire in the vein of "A Modest Proposal".
Nice short satire in the vein of "A Modest Proposal".
Crypt of the Moon Spider by Nathan Ballingrud
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Overall Score: A
I really enjoyed this novella. This a Gothic horror set in an alternative history 1920s where humans have access to the moon.
Also on the moon?
Spiders.
The writing is great. The characters are interesting. The plot and flow of the story is really nice. There are "flashback" scenes but they are done so well and actually have point. I devoured this book and will most likely devour the next one as well!
I really enjoyed this novella. This a Gothic horror set in an alternative history 1920s where humans have access to the moon.
Also on the moon?
Spiders.
The writing is great. The characters are interesting. The plot and flow of the story is really nice. There are "flashback" scenes but they are done so well and actually have point. I devoured this book and will most likely devour the next one as well!