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ojtheviking's reviews
120 reviews
Mister Magic by Kiersten White
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
3.75
So, this one was interesting. Not quite what I was expecting, and not quite my favorite read, but in retrospect, the premise was, as I said, interesting. I caught on to specific themes throughout the story, but ironically, it was the author's acknowledgments at the end that made it all fall into place even more.
At first, I thought Mister Magic would be a character shrouded in mysticism, similar to Beetlejuice or Candyman, but it's certainly much more symbolic than that, more akin to The Babadook, with a touch of surrealism.
There is a melancholy tone throughout the story. Lost memories, lost chances. A recurring theme of the innocence of childhood and its lack of safety under the wrong supervision. It's a dread-filled piece on repressed trauma, as well as the rules, expectations, projections and manipulation within religious cults.
One can draw other parallels, too, like the hazards of childhood stardom. Overly devoted fans unwilling to let the past go and in that respect becoming somewhat of a cult in their own right. The former child stars growing up to feel a sense of emptiness, as if their glory days are already way behind them. The story also sheds light on dysfunctional family dynamics, so in that respect, the story does have more than one layer, which I appreciate.
It feels like a very personal story by the author, and as such, I almost don't feel that it's appropriate to judge it too harshly. But on the sole merits of fiction, I think the writing is better than average. This is not as extreme of a horror story as I first had imagined based on the blurb. It's an introspective horror, rather than a full-on boogeyman story, and if you manage to put yourself in that mindset upon reading it, you can catch on to the symbolism a lot more.
At first, I thought Mister Magic would be a character shrouded in mysticism, similar to Beetlejuice or Candyman, but it's certainly much more symbolic than that, more akin to The Babadook, with a touch of surrealism.
There is a melancholy tone throughout the story. Lost memories, lost chances. A recurring theme of the innocence of childhood and its lack of safety under the wrong supervision. It's a dread-filled piece on repressed trauma, as well as the rules, expectations, projections and manipulation within religious cults.
One can draw other parallels, too, like the hazards of childhood stardom. Overly devoted fans unwilling to let the past go and in that respect becoming somewhat of a cult in their own right. The former child stars growing up to feel a sense of emptiness, as if their glory days are already way behind them. The story also sheds light on dysfunctional family dynamics, so in that respect, the story does have more than one layer, which I appreciate.
It feels like a very personal story by the author, and as such, I almost don't feel that it's appropriate to judge it too harshly. But on the sole merits of fiction, I think the writing is better than average. This is not as extreme of a horror story as I first had imagined based on the blurb. It's an introspective horror, rather than a full-on boogeyman story, and if you manage to put yourself in that mindset upon reading it, you can catch on to the symbolism a lot more.
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I can confidently claim that by December 31st, 2025, this book will still hold the title as one of my favorite reads of this year! Utter brilliance from start to finish.
It has heart, it has humor (I was chuckling out loud several times), it has suspense, and it's simply put solid science fiction. And you genuinely develop an emotional connection with the characters. It has the entire recipe of a well-written novel.
As an ironic, unintended case in point, it is by pure coincidence that I chose to read this one right after Night Train by David Quantick, as both novels start with a character waking up in confusing surroundings and not remembering who they are. But my gripe with Night Train is redeemed here: Project Hail Mary has a much more well-paced and - despite the humor - realistic beginning, with the main character scrambling to understand what is going on, where they are and who they are. Put the two books next to each other, and Project Hail Mary really demonstrates how much of a difference it makes between a thorough, detailed and gradual development, and a rushed, "let's just move the plot along immediately" approach that Night Train had.
You immediately get so much more invested, and it's consistently entertaining and keeps building suspense as the truth unfolds. And the story of the two main characters from different planets joining forces was so damn charming. Just from the blurb, before I started reading this novel, parts of it reminded me a little of the 1980s movie Enemy Mine, and sure enough, there was a touch of that, or even the Star Trek: TNG episode "Darmok". Two unknowns having to learn to communicate and work together on a shared problem. But it is done so beautifully here.
It's also a sign of a good sci-fi book when the tech and science babble is never boring, and not just easy to follow but fascinating to read about. Andy Weir combines extensive research to present accurate science intertwined with some fictional elements (including terminology that the human character has to invent on the fly) in a way that makes it plausible, seamless and never seems too far fetched.
Yeah, this is definitely one of the books I will be recommending a lot from here on out. It also makes me curious about the rest of Weir's bibliography.
Top-notch stuff!
It has heart, it has humor (I was chuckling out loud several times), it has suspense, and it's simply put solid science fiction. And you genuinely develop an emotional connection with the characters. It has the entire recipe of a well-written novel.
As an ironic, unintended case in point, it is by pure coincidence that I chose to read this one right after Night Train by David Quantick, as both novels start with a character waking up in confusing surroundings and not remembering who they are. But my gripe with Night Train is redeemed here: Project Hail Mary has a much more well-paced and - despite the humor - realistic beginning, with the main character scrambling to understand what is going on, where they are and who they are. Put the two books next to each other, and Project Hail Mary really demonstrates how much of a difference it makes between a thorough, detailed and gradual development, and a rushed, "let's just move the plot along immediately" approach that Night Train had.
You immediately get so much more invested, and it's consistently entertaining and keeps building suspense as the truth unfolds. And the story of the two main characters from different planets joining forces was so damn charming. Just from the blurb, before I started reading this novel, parts of it reminded me a little of the 1980s movie Enemy Mine, and sure enough, there was a touch of that, or even the Star Trek: TNG episode "Darmok". Two unknowns having to learn to communicate and work together on a shared problem. But it is done so beautifully here.
It's also a sign of a good sci-fi book when the tech and science babble is never boring, and not just easy to follow but fascinating to read about. Andy Weir combines extensive research to present accurate science intertwined with some fictional elements (including terminology that the human character has to invent on the fly) in a way that makes it plausible, seamless and never seems too far fetched.
Yeah, this is definitely one of the books I will be recommending a lot from here on out. It also makes me curious about the rest of Weir's bibliography.
Top-notch stuff!
Night Train by David Quantick
2.5
To me, this book was okay. I admittedly was expecting something a little bit different, but what I did get wasn't horrible, although I do have some minor gripes.
I like the concept. The overall plot on the train feels like a sort of warped odyssey where the main character is on a journey, meeting friends and dangers along the way. And one find some metaphors within the story, such as how you are defined by identity vs. your actions, and so on. The backstories of some characters adds a underlying tone of anthology into the mix as well. And we have themes of war, conflict and dystopia.
The ideas are there, I just felt like it was executed somewhat poorly or "safely" at times, with some uneven pacing. The main character adapts a little too quickly to the circumstances. I'd assume that to wake up in such a scenario, one would be very confused and disoriented for quite a while - "What the hell is going on, and where the hell am I?" - but the author rushes the character into almost immediate action, and as she comes across the first other living character on the train, they start socializing, sharing a meal, almost as if they have already accepted that they live on this train now.
I admire the effort to blend science fiction, horror and surrealism, although it did feel like the science fiction element was the dominant part.
All in all, not a bad read, but also not one that has me itching to immediately go back to the beginning and start again.
I like the concept. The overall plot on the train feels like a sort of warped odyssey where the main character is on a journey, meeting friends and dangers along the way. And one find some metaphors within the story, such as how you are defined by identity vs. your actions, and so on. The backstories of some characters adds a underlying tone of anthology into the mix as well. And we have themes of war, conflict and dystopia.
The ideas are there, I just felt like it was executed somewhat poorly or "safely" at times, with some uneven pacing. The main character adapts a little too quickly to the circumstances. I'd assume that to wake up in such a scenario, one would be very confused and disoriented for quite a while - "What the hell is going on, and where the hell am I?" - but the author rushes the character into almost immediate action, and as she comes across the first other living character on the train, they start socializing, sharing a meal, almost as if they have already accepted that they live on this train now.
I admire the effort to blend science fiction, horror and surrealism, although it did feel like the science fiction element was the dominant part.
All in all, not a bad read, but also not one that has me itching to immediately go back to the beginning and start again.
A Certain Hunger by Chelsea G. Summers
dark
funny
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This was a quick and fun read once I finally sat down and fully invested some time and focus on it. A light meal of a novel, if you will! Easily devoured.
...okay, I'll stop. But it's still the truth. A Certain Hunger feels like a modern-day, morbidly feminist version of American Psycho, with a dash of Hannibal Lecter's spirit for extra flavor. Satirical, blunt, and quite visceral. It explores the trinity of raw primalness; food, sex, and death, but written in a way that can be read either straightforward and literally, or more of a metaphor of female empowerment eating away at and tearing down the flesh of patriarchy.
Similar to American Psycho, other topics are also touched upon. The societal chase of being the new, hip thing in such terms as fashion magazines and food critique, ultimately exposing how pretentious and self-important these things can become. Dorothy is also obsessed with food culture as Patrick Bateman was with his appearance and proper business cards.
Structurally, we go a little bit back and forth between the present and the past, with Dorothy narrating it all after she is already facing the consequences of the past scenarios that will unfold throughout this story. As such, this book is more of a fictional memoir than ordinary storytelling. I want to say it works for the most part, as it makes sense for a character like Dorothy to make her story into something marketable, but at the same time, this form of narration gives her automatic plot armor that slightly reduces the suspense during a few segments.
Either way, it's a very straightforward story, not too steeped in deep melodrama or anything like that. It's just a fairly short treat with various levels of spice to it, and I enjoyed it! If you ask me if I'd recommended, I would say, "for the most part yes ... it just depends on your taste."
...okay, I'll stop. But it's still the truth. A Certain Hunger feels like a modern-day, morbidly feminist version of American Psycho, with a dash of Hannibal Lecter's spirit for extra flavor. Satirical, blunt, and quite visceral. It explores the trinity of raw primalness; food, sex, and death, but written in a way that can be read either straightforward and literally, or more of a metaphor of female empowerment eating away at and tearing down the flesh of patriarchy.
Similar to American Psycho, other topics are also touched upon. The societal chase of being the new, hip thing in such terms as fashion magazines and food critique, ultimately exposing how pretentious and self-important these things can become. Dorothy is also obsessed with food culture as Patrick Bateman was with his appearance and proper business cards.
Structurally, we go a little bit back and forth between the present and the past, with Dorothy narrating it all after she is already facing the consequences of the past scenarios that will unfold throughout this story. As such, this book is more of a fictional memoir than ordinary storytelling. I want to say it works for the most part, as it makes sense for a character like Dorothy to make her story into something marketable, but at the same time, this form of narration gives her automatic plot armor that slightly reduces the suspense during a few segments.
Either way, it's a very straightforward story, not too steeped in deep melodrama or anything like that. It's just a fairly short treat with various levels of spice to it, and I enjoyed it! If you ask me if I'd recommended, I would say, "for the most part yes ... it just depends on your taste."
Survivor Song by Paul Tremblay
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
My first read in 2025! And we're off to a great start.
This is the second Tremblay story I have read dealing with concepts of the end of the world, but while one was shrouded in mystery and what-ifs, this one feels more plausible, and quite close to home due to recent events in the real world.
In terms of narration, Survivor Song has a different energy than the more subtle, haunting mysteries from his past. It begins more chaotic and fast-paced, and the suspense does stay mostly consistent throughout, albeit with some veritable moments to breathe and build character.
One thing I am please to still see present, is Tremblay's knack for getting to the heart of every scenario, whether it's a full-on horror novel, or if it's a borderline disaster movie-style situation. He is great at taking us out of the moment and shedding some light on the internal life of the characters, and the actual circumstances are more of a background setting for some human exploration to find place. Again, this is still present in Survivor Song, albeit a tad less so to make room for the intensity of the challenges they are faced with.
I also enjoyed how he approached this from a slightly opposite angle than one may have expected. Unlike most zombie or zombie-adjacent stories, the main focus here is the journey of someone who is already infected. The awareness of the inevitable, the moments of grief and panic, and in the middle of it all, a mother's desperation to make sure her child will be safe no matter what. It's an emotional journey, and that's where Tremblay always shines even in his most fantastical stories.
Some things are also very on point. While the actual predicament has more in common with something like the rage virus in 28 Days Later, there are some undeniably intentional parallels to our real-history COVID pandemic. It is especially made clear through some not-so-hidden social and political commentary.
A solid, gripping read!
This is the second Tremblay story I have read dealing with concepts of the end of the world, but while one was shrouded in mystery and what-ifs, this one feels more plausible, and quite close to home due to recent events in the real world.
In terms of narration, Survivor Song has a different energy than the more subtle, haunting mysteries from his past. It begins more chaotic and fast-paced, and the suspense does stay mostly consistent throughout, albeit with some veritable moments to breathe and build character.
One thing I am please to still see present, is Tremblay's knack for getting to the heart of every scenario, whether it's a full-on horror novel, or if it's a borderline disaster movie-style situation. He is great at taking us out of the moment and shedding some light on the internal life of the characters, and the actual circumstances are more of a background setting for some human exploration to find place. Again, this is still present in Survivor Song, albeit a tad less so to make room for the intensity of the challenges they are faced with.
I also enjoyed how he approached this from a slightly opposite angle than one may have expected. Unlike most zombie or zombie-adjacent stories, the main focus here is the journey of someone who is already infected. The awareness of the inevitable, the moments of grief and panic, and in the middle of it all, a mother's desperation to make sure her child will be safe no matter what. It's an emotional journey, and that's where Tremblay always shines even in his most fantastical stories.
Some things are also very on point. While the actual predicament has more in common with something like the rage virus in 28 Days Later, there are some undeniably intentional parallels to our real-history COVID pandemic. It is especially made clear through some not-so-hidden social and political commentary.
A solid, gripping read!
Jackal by Erin E. Adams
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
Well, one of the better reads of 2024 came right at the end of my 30-book goal!
This story was haunting, atmospheric, very well written and gave me some vibes similar to things like The X-Files or Twin Peaks, especially with the concept of mysterious disappearances and an ominous entity in the woods of a small town, combined with how Adams excellently handles a wide array of characters. Some parts were somewhat uneven, but to such an insignificant degree that I feel nitpicky just for mentioning it.
One of my favorite elements is how well the characters' internal life is describe, especially the main character, as well as the overall psychological aspect of the events taking place; subtle at times. The social commentary feels very on point and blends very well into the overall fictional parts. It's very nuanced; subtle things like mother/daughter dynamics, and more awareness-raising moments like pointing out various racial issues.
The story can at some times be a slow burn, but there is still a very heavy, gloomy atmosphere that keeps the suspense going. The writing in and of itself is masterful, with several moments where simple phrases speaking volumes. The plot twists and the overall development can potentially be a bit divisive for readers, but I really enjoyed how things turned out.
I feel like this is one of those books that I would like to read again some day to fully absorb more of the nuances!
This story was haunting, atmospheric, very well written and gave me some vibes similar to things like The X-Files or Twin Peaks, especially with the concept of mysterious disappearances and an ominous entity in the woods of a small town, combined with how Adams excellently handles a wide array of characters. Some parts were somewhat uneven, but to such an insignificant degree that I feel nitpicky just for mentioning it.
One of my favorite elements is how well the characters' internal life is describe, especially the main character, as well as the overall psychological aspect of the events taking place; subtle at times. The social commentary feels very on point and blends very well into the overall fictional parts. It's very nuanced; subtle things like mother/daughter dynamics, and more awareness-raising moments like pointing out various racial issues.
The story can at some times be a slow burn, but there is still a very heavy, gloomy atmosphere that keeps the suspense going. The writing in and of itself is masterful, with several moments where simple phrases speaking volumes. The plot twists and the overall development can potentially be a bit divisive for readers, but I really enjoyed how things turned out.
I feel like this is one of those books that I would like to read again some day to fully absorb more of the nuances!
Djevelpakten by Max Seeck
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
The thing I like the most about the Niemi series, is the overall dark and occult brutality of these cases. I'm used to Scandinavian crime overall, but there is a darker and sinister tone in Seeck's series that I enjoy. Especially the continued vague tease of something a little on the supernatural side, but presented in a way where you never truly know. Even in this third book, it continues to be left ambiguous as to whether something is actually going on or just a symptom of a certain mental illness.
At the same time, things can ironically be a bit one-dimensional, in the sense that this series continues along mostly the same tracks. There's a little bit more character development, but it's still a bit too plot driven for my taste, with characters just going from A to B to solve the case, and so on. Jessica Niemi continues to have monopoly on actual development. When this series overall is centered around a lot of occultism and human's darkest aspects, it can become paradoxically monotonous when it's all mostly a plot device, and essentially just a more morbid whodunit. The depth of man's corrupted psyche isn't as thoroughly explored as it could have been for a series like this, so the villains become a bit clichéd after all.
Then again, it's a bit hard to comment too much on the writing, since this is a translation. However, depending on how loyal the translator is to the core material, and how accurately things have been possible to translate, I'd say that Max Seeck is a capable enough writer for the crime genre. Even though I say these books are very plot driven, the way he drives a plot can be pretty effective. There are some good ideas along the way that increases the suspense. Sometimes I would just simply care just a tad more about some of the other characters and what happens to them if they were more thoroughly developed and/or didn't have some stereotypical traits.
I don't know if this makes it sound like I've had a mostly negative reading experience. I haven't; they have been quite entertaining for the most part. And they have been enjoyable in the kind of way where you see the less ideal aspects more clearly, like a stain on an otherwise clean surface, wishing for that part to look cleaner as well.
Had this series been intended as a trilogy, some plot points would have felt more like coming full circle here, as we revisit some stuff from the first book. But I know that a fourth one is already out. It does close up some things, but leaves the door open for future developments, which I assume we'll see more of in the fourth book, which I currently do not own.
At the same time, things can ironically be a bit one-dimensional, in the sense that this series continues along mostly the same tracks. There's a little bit more character development, but it's still a bit too plot driven for my taste, with characters just going from A to B to solve the case, and so on. Jessica Niemi continues to have monopoly on actual development. When this series overall is centered around a lot of occultism and human's darkest aspects, it can become paradoxically monotonous when it's all mostly a plot device, and essentially just a more morbid whodunit. The depth of man's corrupted psyche isn't as thoroughly explored as it could have been for a series like this, so the villains become a bit clichéd after all.
Then again, it's a bit hard to comment too much on the writing, since this is a translation. However, depending on how loyal the translator is to the core material, and how accurately things have been possible to translate, I'd say that Max Seeck is a capable enough writer for the crime genre. Even though I say these books are very plot driven, the way he drives a plot can be pretty effective. There are some good ideas along the way that increases the suspense. Sometimes I would just simply care just a tad more about some of the other characters and what happens to them if they were more thoroughly developed and/or didn't have some stereotypical traits.
I don't know if this makes it sound like I've had a mostly negative reading experience. I haven't; they have been quite entertaining for the most part. And they have been enjoyable in the kind of way where you see the less ideal aspects more clearly, like a stain on an otherwise clean surface, wishing for that part to look cleaner as well.
Had this series been intended as a trilogy, some plot points would have felt more like coming full circle here, as we revisit some stuff from the first book. But I know that a fourth one is already out. It does close up some things, but leaves the door open for future developments, which I assume we'll see more of in the fourth book, which I currently do not own.
Jenta under isen by Max Seeck
- 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
3.5
I found the second novel in the Nordic Noir series about Detective Jessica Niemi to be a decent enough read, with enough solid points for it to be entertaining and enjoyable, although I had some minor gripes here and there. I did like that Seeck's style continues to convey a dark, grim vibe, exposing some of the most deviant and morbid sides of humanity.
The story takes place roughly six months after the events of the first novel, and we have a self-contained mystery involving what seems to be a human trafficking ring and dead influencers. However, there are also elements that continue from the previous book and elaborates on that overall arc. As such, I feel that the writing is very ambitious, but is sometimes on the verge of inconsistency.
It's very meticulous when it comes to a realistic approach to the investigation, although I sort of found myself missing more red herrings along the way. The overall story is a slow burn, although it has some random bursts of suspense, plus a sex scene that seemed very detailed and graphic out of the blue. Some aspects of Jessica's reality seem somewhat less vague this time, when it comes to the concept of visions vs. hallucinations, but it seems like Seeck still intentionally keeps it ambiguous.
As for character development, I do see some improvements compared to the first novel, but mostly revolving Jessica, and I feel that some of the characters' motivations are a bit shallow, which at times shines through with the old "male author clumsily tries to write female character" trope.
Overall, the story had some good concepts and interesting ideas, but could potentially have been executed in a few different ways. As such, this second installment felt a bit slower, and as I mentioned, less consistent compared to the first one, but I liked it for what it was.
The story takes place roughly six months after the events of the first novel, and we have a self-contained mystery involving what seems to be a human trafficking ring and dead influencers. However, there are also elements that continue from the previous book and elaborates on that overall arc. As such, I feel that the writing is very ambitious, but is sometimes on the verge of inconsistency.
It's very meticulous when it comes to a realistic approach to the investigation, although I sort of found myself missing more red herrings along the way. The overall story is a slow burn, although it has some random bursts of suspense, plus a sex scene that seemed very detailed and graphic out of the blue. Some aspects of Jessica's reality seem somewhat less vague this time, when it comes to the concept of visions vs. hallucinations, but it seems like Seeck still intentionally keeps it ambiguous.
As for character development, I do see some improvements compared to the first novel, but mostly revolving Jessica, and I feel that some of the characters' motivations are a bit shallow, which at times shines through with the old "male author clumsily tries to write female character" trope.
Overall, the story had some good concepts and interesting ideas, but could potentially have been executed in a few different ways. As such, this second installment felt a bit slower, and as I mentioned, less consistent compared to the first one, but I liked it for what it was.
Heksejakt by Max Seeck
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I believe this is the first time I have read anything by a Finnish author. But it was a solid read. It had that Nordic crime novel flair that I have seen from Norwegian authors, too. However, this story is somewhat darker, colder, and more morbid, and explores occult concepts.
The premise was very cool, people being murdered in the same vein as in the book of a bestselling author. So we have a book within a book here, so to speak, but not in a way that makes it too meta; the fictional book is more of a source material for both the killers and the policemen to work off of.
The suspense begins almost immediately, and things start escalating already during the investigation of the first crime scene, only to continue to branch out until it's borderline too convoluted, with a significant body count along the way.
Seeck's writing feels very direct and controlled, almost systematic. He sticks very closely to the plot most of the time, which can cause character development to suffer a little bit. Most of the time is spent exploring the main character, Jessica Niemi, giving us some insight into her traumatic past. Some of the characters feel like they are just there to help her story progress, so they become a bit one-dimensional.
Some of the occult elements also came close to being a bit clichéd at times, reminiscent of the Satanic Panic in the 1980s. But Seeck still managed to create an eerie vibe overall that prevents it from being silly. These elements were also left a bit ambiguous, which I actually appreciate.
I can only assume that Seeck had decided to continue this story in a second installment by the time he was writing the ending of this first book, as some key plot points were left open-ended. Either way, we did get a second one, so it will be interesting to see whether the next one picks up from this or changes direction entirely.
The premise was very cool, people being murdered in the same vein as in the book of a bestselling author. So we have a book within a book here, so to speak, but not in a way that makes it too meta; the fictional book is more of a source material for both the killers and the policemen to work off of.
The suspense begins almost immediately, and things start escalating already during the investigation of the first crime scene, only to continue to branch out until it's borderline too convoluted, with a significant body count along the way.
Seeck's writing feels very direct and controlled, almost systematic. He sticks very closely to the plot most of the time, which can cause character development to suffer a little bit. Most of the time is spent exploring the main character, Jessica Niemi, giving us some insight into her traumatic past. Some of the characters feel like they are just there to help her story progress, so they become a bit one-dimensional.
Some of the occult elements also came close to being a bit clichéd at times, reminiscent of the Satanic Panic in the 1980s. But Seeck still managed to create an eerie vibe overall that prevents it from being silly. These elements were also left a bit ambiguous, which I actually appreciate.
I can only assume that Seeck had decided to continue this story in a second installment by the time he was writing the ending of this first book, as some key plot points were left open-ended. Either way, we did get a second one, so it will be interesting to see whether the next one picks up from this or changes direction entirely.
The Book Eaters by Sunyi Dean
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
I have to say, the fact that this is Sunyi Dean's debut novel is very impressive! She's flexing her author muscle from the get-go and has delivered a wonderful story that's charming, suspenseful, thought-provoking, and extremely well-written.
The concept in and of itself of a society of a humanoid species that literally devours books is intriguing, and it's all the more of a wonderful read due to the layers Dean has managed to add to that, sprinkling it with a lot of social commentary over this dark fantasy tale.
And the commentary is quite relevant. Feminist at the core, illustrating a severely patriarchal society filled with oppression and a lack of women's rights. And in that context, we have a badass main character willing to do what she can to take care of her son when he turns out to be not quite like the others, and desperately needs a type of medication to function, while the patriarchy considers him a deformity.
This scenario also expands into other themes like racism, ableism, the toxicity of religion, and LGBTQ. Perfectly allegorical, while it also feels like an overall tribute to literature, especially as several chapters start with quotes from other known books and authors, while they also symbolize the progression of the plot within that same chapter.
An overall enjoyable read, and I look forward to exploring more of Sunyi Dean's work in the future!
The concept in and of itself of a society of a humanoid species that literally devours books is intriguing, and it's all the more of a wonderful read due to the layers Dean has managed to add to that, sprinkling it with a lot of social commentary over this dark fantasy tale.
And the commentary is quite relevant. Feminist at the core, illustrating a severely patriarchal society filled with oppression and a lack of women's rights. And in that context, we have a badass main character willing to do what she can to take care of her son when he turns out to be not quite like the others, and desperately needs a type of medication to function, while the patriarchy considers him a deformity.
This scenario also expands into other themes like racism, ableism, the toxicity of religion, and LGBTQ. Perfectly allegorical, while it also feels like an overall tribute to literature, especially as several chapters start with quotes from other known books and authors, while they also symbolize the progression of the plot within that same chapter.
An overall enjoyable read, and I look forward to exploring more of Sunyi Dean's work in the future!