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powerpuffgoat's reviews
73 reviews
The Devil and the Dark Water by Stuart Turton
The issue with so many characters was that each had a title, but it signaled nothing to me. I had no idea whose authority supercedes whom, whether being a noble was worth more than being a ship's officer etc. It got less confusing as the story unfolded, partly because there were fewer characters and partly because their interactions brought some clarity. But at the start it was very confusing.
The timeline also left me wondering. At one point it makes reference to an event that happened two weeks ago when I thought it was only three days. The past events are just as blurry. How old are these people? Aside from the kids, whose ages were firmly stated, I was left guessing how these people's ages relate to each other and also the context of the time.
While a ship makes a great setting for a whodunnit, it was once again difficult to follow. I had no idea how the different locations related to each other or what their function was. I resorted to searching for a layout of an Indiaman online to help me paint a better picture. Maybe future editions should include the schematics.
Nevertheless, I enjoyed the book lots so I'm only docking half a star for the above.
adventurous
4.5
I was really apprehensive starting this book. I loved Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle, and I expected to be somewhat disappointed.
Nevermind. I really enjoyed this book. Specifically, it made me realise that I appreciate this author's writing, the way the story unfolds, the journey it takes you on.
There is a note from the author stating he didn't worry too much about historical accuracy in favour of the story itself. Good call, in my opinion, as I would rather read a book about the adventure and a grand mystery. I imagine the reality of sailing in the seventeenth century was much less exciting.
That said, the book was surprisingly brutal, not shying away from exposing poverty, disease, and the depravity of human spirit in dire circumstances.
I enjoyed the Sherlock and Watson dynamic (my edition included some case journals at the end as a bonus). I liked that the female characters were so involved in the narrative, each in their own way. On that note, I also appreciate that their cleverness and strength wasn't presented as unusual, but rather completely commonplace, only dismissed by the men in-universe.
Even though the book was quite long, I never felt like the story was stale. To anyone who argues it starts slow... That's correct, but I think it was necessary to provide context and introduce us to the many pieces of the story.
Things I didn't like:
Nevermind. I really enjoyed this book. Specifically, it made me realise that I appreciate this author's writing, the way the story unfolds, the journey it takes you on.
There is a note from the author stating he didn't worry too much about historical accuracy in favour of the story itself. Good call, in my opinion, as I would rather read a book about the adventure and a grand mystery. I imagine the reality of sailing in the seventeenth century was much less exciting.
That said, the book was surprisingly brutal, not shying away from exposing poverty, disease, and the depravity of human spirit in dire circumstances.
I enjoyed the Sherlock and Watson dynamic (my edition included some case journals at the end as a bonus). I liked that the female characters were so involved in the narrative, each in their own way. On that note, I also appreciate that their cleverness and strength wasn't presented as unusual, but rather completely commonplace, only dismissed by the men in-universe.
Even though the book was quite long, I never felt like the story was stale. To anyone who argues it starts slow... That's correct, but I think it was necessary to provide context and introduce us to the many pieces of the story.
Things I didn't like:
- Too many characters
- Blurry timeline
- The ship's "geography"
The issue with so many characters was that each had a title, but it signaled nothing to me. I had no idea whose authority supercedes whom, whether being a noble was worth more than being a ship's officer etc. It got less confusing as the story unfolded, partly because there were fewer characters and partly because their interactions brought some clarity. But at the start it was very confusing.
The timeline also left me wondering. At one point it makes reference to an event that happened two weeks ago when I thought it was only three days. The past events are just as blurry. How old are these people? Aside from the kids, whose ages were firmly stated, I was left guessing how these people's ages relate to each other and also the context of the time.
While a ship makes a great setting for a whodunnit, it was once again difficult to follow. I had no idea how the different locations related to each other or what their function was. I resorted to searching for a layout of an Indiaman online to help me paint a better picture. Maybe future editions should include the schematics.
Nevertheless, I enjoyed the book lots so I'm only docking half a star for the above.
Comfort Me With Apples by Catherynne M. Valente
3.0
A good read to fill an afternoon. Not a masterpiece but enjoyable enough.
I am not sure if the biblical theme was supposed to be a big reveal (I'm basing this on the husband's introduction at the end) but if it was, it was very thinly veiled.
The strongest point of this book for me was the length. Kudos to the writer or the editor. It was easy to head into this book knowing it won't take much of my day.
The weakest point is the moral of the story, or rather, the way it was delivered. No nuance, no subtlety. I wish they didn't spell everything out in the end.
I am not sure if the biblical theme was supposed to be a big reveal (I'm basing this on the husband's introduction at the end) but if it was, it was very thinly veiled.
The strongest point of this book for me was the length. Kudos to the writer or the editor. It was easy to head into this book knowing it won't take much of my day.
The weakest point is the moral of the story, or rather, the way it was delivered. No nuance, no subtlety. I wish they didn't spell everything out in the end.
Nightbitch by Rachel Yoder
2.0
I understand that being a parent is hard work but reading woeful passages upon passages about how much the poor main character is suffering from being a stay-at-home mother is SO BORING.
I won't even get into the insane privilege it takes to whine about the things she whines about. My main question is... Why did these people have a child?
For all the tedious details of being a mother to "the boy", there is never a mention of how Nightbitch and her husband came to a decision to have a child. Instead, she feels trapped as if motherhood is something that happened to her instead of being a life-altering decision made by both of the people in the marriage.
I hoped that the weirdness in this book would offset the boring parts and it simply did not. In fact, I would even go as far as to say it wasn't weird enough. I mean, this woman had married a man because he was so quirky, he had lots of pictures saved from the internet in a folder! The animal cruelty feels out of place, like it was thrown in for the shock value, and most of the "feral" behaviour is eating raw meat.
Most of all, I am disappointed because it feels like a missed opportunity. This could have been a warning about post-partum dépression or post-partum psychosis. This could have been a story highlighting how partners and doctors don't take women seriously. This could have been a cautionary tale of how some people shouldn't have kids. Instead, it was neither here nor there, and the writing was not enjoyable either.
I won't even get into the insane privilege it takes to whine about the things she whines about. My main question is... Why did these people have a child?
For all the tedious details of being a mother to "the boy", there is never a mention of how Nightbitch and her husband came to a decision to have a child. Instead, she feels trapped as if motherhood is something that happened to her instead of being a life-altering decision made by both of the people in the marriage.
I hoped that the weirdness in this book would offset the boring parts and it simply did not. In fact, I would even go as far as to say it wasn't weird enough. I mean, this woman had married a man because he was so quirky, he had lots of pictures saved from the internet in a folder! The animal cruelty feels out of place, like it was thrown in for the shock value, and most of the "feral" behaviour is eating raw meat.
Most of all, I am disappointed because it feels like a missed opportunity. This could have been a warning about post-partum dépression or post-partum psychosis. This could have been a story highlighting how partners and doctors don't take women seriously. This could have been a cautionary tale of how some people shouldn't have kids. Instead, it was neither here nor there, and the writing was not enjoyable either.
The Stolen Hours by Allen Eskens
4.5
I enjoyed this book even more than The Life We Bury, the first book of Allen Eskens that I read, which introduced many of the characters we revisit in The Stolen Hours.
It was good to see a shift in focus with Lila as the main character. The pacing was also really good. The tension was maintained without the need to make anyone do something silly.
And even the rock climbing, as much as you would definitely provide someone with more briefing than Andy gave Lila, was fairly accurate, clearly written, and relevant to the plot.
It was good to see a shift in focus with Lila as the main character. The pacing was also really good. The tension was maintained without the need to make anyone do something silly.
And even the rock climbing, as much as you would definitely provide someone with more briefing than Andy gave Lila, was fairly accurate, clearly written, and relevant to the plot.
Survive the Night by Riley Sager
1.0
I love reading Riley Sager's books in the same way I love watching cheesy slasher B-movies. There's always a twist or two, a main character with Past Trauma (trademark pending), and bad decisions.
And yes, Riley Sager keeps writing female main characters that act nothing like actual women. It's part of the hate-reading fun!
The problem with this book was that it wasn't even fun on that level. It was just lazy.
The premise is that our heroine, tormented by guilt (of course!), is an unreliable narrator who sees movies in her mind. I wish I was simplifying this, but no. This is exactly how it is described in the book.
And so, ignoring a Chinese parade of red flags, she puts herself into a dodgy situation but hey! We don't know if any of the stuff we are reading is actually happening. Cause of the mind movies.
The motivations of every character in this book are so completely ridiculous, and then the main character ends up with a dude who literally kidnapped her.
And yes, Riley Sager keeps writing female main characters that act nothing like actual women. It's part of the hate-reading fun!
The problem with this book was that it wasn't even fun on that level. It was just lazy.
The premise is that our heroine, tormented by guilt (of course!), is an unreliable narrator who sees movies in her mind. I wish I was simplifying this, but no. This is exactly how it is described in the book.
And so, ignoring a Chinese parade of red flags, she puts herself into a dodgy situation but hey! We don't know if any of the stuff we are reading is actually happening. Cause of the mind movies.
The motivations of every character in this book are so completely ridiculous, and then the main character ends up with a dude who literally kidnapped her.
The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
lighthearted
slow-paced
4.0
As far as detective fiction goes, this didn't exactly feel like it. So if you're looking for mystery, action, or tension, this book isn't for you.
The best way I can describe this book is a British sitcom in written form. A group of retirees meet up once a week to solve murders, hilarity ensues.
And so, the book is pretty slow-going, with lot of side plots and quippy lines. I guess it's exactly the kind of book I expected from Richard Osman.
The best way I can describe this book is a British sitcom in written form. A group of retirees meet up once a week to solve murders, hilarity ensues.
And so, the book is pretty slow-going, with lot of side plots and quippy lines. I guess it's exactly the kind of book I expected from Richard Osman.
Zero Day Code by John Birmingham
Did not finish book. Stopped at 49%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 49%.
Holy shit was this book terrible. And normally I would persevere but I just couldn't put myself through any more of this boring, badly written, snail paced narrative.
I got halfway through the book and still, NOTHING WAS HAPPENING. The author just kept introducing more characters or describing every excruciating detail of the day the "main" characters were having.
Why do I need to know every meal and drink each person is having? Why do I need to be reminded of their clothing or the shape of their keyboard every time it is mentioned?
There are so many characters, and yet no development and no plot!
Furthermore, the characters are either the blandest, most boring human beings on Earth, or caricatures. Especially women. They are all "not like other girls", but also at one point a woman reveals to her date that she used to be fat, as if that's some big shameful thing. And he is just shocked, he can't believe it, cause she is fit now! Oh wait, what does it have to do with the hack or the food supply? Nothing, because there is nothing happening even halfway through the book!
Awful, awful, awful.
I got halfway through the book and still, NOTHING WAS HAPPENING. The author just kept introducing more characters or describing every excruciating detail of the day the "main" characters were having.
Why do I need to know every meal and drink each person is having? Why do I need to be reminded of their clothing or the shape of their keyboard every time it is mentioned?
There are so many characters, and yet no development and no plot!
Furthermore, the characters are either the blandest, most boring human beings on Earth, or caricatures. Especially women. They are all "not like other girls", but also at one point a woman reveals to her date that she used to be fat, as if that's some big shameful thing. And he is just shocked, he can't believe it, cause she is fit now! Oh wait, what does it have to do with the hack or the food supply? Nothing, because there is nothing happening even halfway through the book!
Awful, awful, awful.
The Life We Bury by Allen Eskens
4.0
I enjoyed the writing and the overall story. Whether you guess the twists or not, the central mystery is still good because there is ongoing action.
The only unfortunate thing for me was that Joe, our main character, does a couple of glaringly stupid things and puts himself in danger.
The only unfortunate thing for me was that Joe, our main character, does a couple of glaringly stupid things and puts himself in danger.
Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.0
I didn't hate it but I would be lying if I said this book had a hold on me. In fact, it sat on my Kindle for nearly a year, half-read, because I weren't even sure if I wanted to finish.
The writing was really good. I haven't read Moriarty's other books, so it was a pleasant surprise.
The plot... Let's just say there isn't much of it. It gets moving a little towards the end but it almost feels too late. It feels like a great set up (nine "perfect strangers" at a remote retreat where something wicked may be happening behind the scenes) that doesn't pay off.
I would guess that the focus on characters is intentional. However, a lot of their backstories and present feelings are just so mundane. Or downright unrelatable.
As a result, many of the resolutions at the end of the book also feel incredibly mundane and cliché.
"Look, I've learned to appreciate my body, except I also lost weight and I am only mentioning it to tell you how much I don't care."
"Look, I never wanted kids but now maybe I've changed my mind because my partner wants them."
The best story line belongs to the Marconi family. Perhaps if the rest of the characters were simply in the background, this would have been a better (and shorter) book.
The writing was really good. I haven't read Moriarty's other books, so it was a pleasant surprise.
The plot... Let's just say there isn't much of it. It gets moving a little towards the end but it almost feels too late. It feels like a great set up (nine "perfect strangers" at a remote retreat where something wicked may be happening behind the scenes) that doesn't pay off.
I would guess that the focus on characters is intentional. However, a lot of their backstories and present feelings are just so mundane. Or downright unrelatable.
As a result, many of the resolutions at the end of the book also feel incredibly mundane and cliché.
"Look, I've learned to appreciate my body, except I also lost weight and I am only mentioning it to tell you how much I don't care."
"Look, I never wanted kids but now maybe I've changed my mind because my partner wants them."
The best story line belongs to the Marconi family. Perhaps if the rest of the characters were simply in the background, this would have been a better (and shorter) book.