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noriboo's reviews
654 reviews
The Anthropologists by Ayşegül Savaş
Did not finish book. Stopped at 50%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 50%.
DNF at 50%.
I was bored, to be quite frank.
The premise sounds interesting; a young couple in a city far away from their country of birth, navigating daily life and exploring future possibilities.
One of the things that I love about documentaries is learning something about the subject matters history or gaining a better understanding of the subject's motivations. While the prose is fine, this story unfortunately lacks depth. The story is told in short chapters that remind me of shot scenes that are reminiscent of a documentary. Unlike watching a documentary, however, I kept feeling far removed from the main character. It's ironic that she kept lamenting about how shallow the people in the new country were, without realising that she was expecting a certain depth in her relationships that she wasn't offering them herself.
There is beauty in the mundane. Humour. That isn't what I felt while reading this. There were moments of recognition when the main character reflected on the missed bonds with people who you've left behind in your home country and the disconnect that one can feel. The grief that comes with that. But again, we don't explore these topics in depth and how that shapes her, which feels like a missed opportunity.
I was bored, to be quite frank.
The premise sounds interesting; a young couple in a city far away from their country of birth, navigating daily life and exploring future possibilities.
One of the things that I love about documentaries is learning something about the subject matters history or gaining a better understanding of the subject's motivations. While the prose is fine, this story unfortunately lacks depth. The story is told in short chapters that remind me of shot scenes that are reminiscent of a documentary. Unlike watching a documentary, however, I kept feeling far removed from the main character. It's ironic that she kept lamenting about how shallow the people in the new country were, without realising that she was expecting a certain depth in her relationships that she wasn't offering them herself.
There is beauty in the mundane. Humour. That isn't what I felt while reading this. There were moments of recognition when the main character reflected on the missed bonds with people who you've left behind in your home country and the disconnect that one can feel. The grief that comes with that. But again, we don't explore these topics in depth and how that shapes her, which feels like a missed opportunity.
Midnight by Beverly Jenkins
3.5
I don't think I've ever read a North American Revolution era historical romance, but I quite enjoyed it! The author has a very pleasant writing style, and I found myself floating through the story with ease. While both main characters are in some form part of the rebellion, the story focuses more on their day to day and the interactions between Faith and Nicholas. A sweet romance with a dash of spice.
A Vampire in the Bathhouse by Niko Izuki
3.5
A cute manga one shot about a vampire that's looking for a place to re-energize and a human man who runs a bath house with his family.
It's a quirky, comedic manga with some PG queer baiting. Luka, the vampire, teases Sakura, but they never cross the line to romance.
There's a subtle message about found family and the joy of being a part of a community. I found the art style quite pleasing and enjoyed the six short stories within the volume.
It's a quirky, comedic manga with some PG queer baiting. Luka, the vampire, teases Sakura, but they never cross the line to romance.
There's a subtle message about found family and the joy of being a part of a community. I found the art style quite pleasing and enjoyed the six short stories within the volume.
That Girl Who Ran Off and Kissed A Vampire by K.R.S. McEntire
3.5
Enjoyable story about 18-year-old Raven, a neurodivergeny girl who gets ushered into a magical world by a vampire to fulfil a quest with the promise of being rewarded enough money to pay her way through college.
The story reminded me of a cosy Dungeons and Dragons run with the occasional side quest where you find a new companion. My only gripe is that Raven leaves earth quite suddenly and isn't concerned at all about the potential distress this might put on ger parents. I appreciated that Hunter is a vampire who's just two years Raven's senior, which made their romance more equally footed.
This story is the first instalment in what I believe is set to be a duology, and it ends on a cliffhanger.
The story reminded me of a cosy Dungeons and Dragons run with the occasional side quest where you find a new companion. My only gripe is that Raven leaves earth quite suddenly and isn't concerned at all about the potential distress this might put on ger parents. I appreciated that Hunter is a vampire who's just two years Raven's senior, which made their romance more equally footed.
This story is the first instalment in what I believe is set to be a duology, and it ends on a cliffhanger.
De horrornacht by Michael Regina
4.0
Het eerste stripverhaal uit de Horrorland serie stelt niet teleur.
De vaste oppas van Matt en Judy komt onverwachts te overlijden en vooral Matt heeft het hier moeilijk mee en zonder zichzelf steeds verder af van zijn familie en vrienden. Op de avond dat zijn vrienden hem besluiten te vrrassen met een logeerpartij, worden Matt en Judy ook geïntroduceerd met hun nieuwe oppas. Matt mag haar al gelijk niet. Maar is dat omdat hij worstelt met zijn verdriet of is er echt iets niet pluis..?
Dit verhaal leest lekker weg. De blauwige tint van de illustraties gaven het verhaal ook een extra spannende laag. Het voelde alsof ik het storyboard van een horrorfilm aan het lezen was. Als je al bekend met met de Horrorland serie, dan weet je dat het erg spannende verhalen zijn. Deze strip is niet minder spannend en heb het in één ruk uitgelezen. Van mij mogen er nog meer Horrorland strips komen!
De vaste oppas van Matt en Judy komt onverwachts te overlijden en vooral Matt heeft het hier moeilijk mee en zonder zichzelf steeds verder af van zijn familie en vrienden. Op de avond dat zijn vrienden hem besluiten te vrrassen met een logeerpartij, worden Matt en Judy ook geïntroduceerd met hun nieuwe oppas. Matt mag haar al gelijk niet. Maar is dat omdat hij worstelt met zijn verdriet of is er echt iets niet pluis..?
Dit verhaal leest lekker weg. De blauwige tint van de illustraties gaven het verhaal ook een extra spannende laag. Het voelde alsof ik het storyboard van een horrorfilm aan het lezen was. Als je al bekend met met de Horrorland serie, dan weet je dat het erg spannende verhalen zijn. Deze strip is niet minder spannend en heb het in één ruk uitgelezen. Van mij mogen er nog meer Horrorland strips komen!
A Cursed Bite by Daniela A. Mera
4.0
With A Cursed Bite, we finally delve into Arlet and Van's story. Having seen them go to bat and snip at each other in the previous instalments, I was very curious to see how their romantic relationship would develop.
The Enduares are wonderful people. I appreciated getting a closer look into the politics and intricacies that go into harbouring refugees and making sure that everyone adapts to the new situation. I was slightly disappointed in Estela and Teo in this one, even though they meant well. While I understand the merits of a yearly festival where people can gather to meet their mates, it felt wrong that they pulled rank and essentially forced Van and Arlet to attend. Especially as both have previous trauma in their romantic lifes. I enjoyed seeing Van warming up to Arlet and finally being kind. I find the witches very interesting and hope that they'll be a recurring group within this world as I'd love to learn more about them!
That ending, though! I need the second part of this duology 😭
The Enduares are wonderful people. I appreciated getting a closer look into the politics and intricacies that go into harbouring refugees and making sure that everyone adapts to the new situation. I was slightly disappointed in Estela and Teo in this one, even though they meant well. While I understand the merits of a yearly festival where people can gather to meet their mates, it felt wrong that they pulled rank and essentially forced Van and Arlet to attend. Especially as both have previous trauma in their romantic lifes. I enjoyed seeing Van warming up to Arlet and finally being kind. I find the witches very interesting and hope that they'll be a recurring group within this world as I'd love to learn more about them!
That ending, though! I need the second part of this duology 😭