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ribbenkast's reviews
86 reviews
What Feasts at Night by T. Kingfisher
2.5
I'm honestly really disappointed. I gave What Moves The Dead 5 stars because of its refreshing take on folklore and the joy I felt whilst reading it. I was super excited for the follow up. Yet this didn't deliver.
For starters, the new characters weren't as likable as the ones from the first book. I didn't care that they where in danger.
Second, in the most non-spoilerly way, the book didn't have the twist on folklore. The explanation for what was going on was given quite quickly and there was not really a twist.
Also the book commited the grave sin of the it was all a dream trope. Which I hate so much, it feels like I'm not being taken seriously.
In the meantime I've read almost all of T. Kingfisher's horror books. This one suffers from the same problem most of them have, too much built up and slow pacing with a rapid fire ending where there's too much happening at once.
I do have to give the T Kingfisher credit for the world building of Gallecia and it's language. Also for having tinnitus representation (I felt so seen) and the representation of soldier's PTSD.
For starters, the new characters weren't as likable as the ones from the first book. I didn't care that they where in danger.
Second, in the most non-spoilerly way, the book didn't have the twist on folklore. The explanation for what was going on was given quite quickly and there was not really a twist.
Also the book commited the grave sin of the
In the meantime I've read almost all of T. Kingfisher's horror books. This one suffers from the same problem most of them have, too much built up and slow pacing with a rapid fire ending where there's too much happening at once.
I do have to give the T Kingfisher credit for the world building of Gallecia and it's language. Also for having tinnitus representation (I felt so seen) and the representation of soldier's PTSD.
Vicious by V.E. Schwab
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
V.E. Schwab strongest writing is when she's writing villans. In vicious all characters are villains.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Medical content, Torture, Religious bigotry, Animal death, Blood, Sexual assault, Gun violence, Medical trauma, Police brutality, Toxic friendship, Violence, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Toxic relationship
There's a sexual relationship between two characters that isn't consensual/the concent is extremely dubious. This is because one of the characters has mind controling powers which makes everyone do as she says
On a Sunbeam by Tillie Walden
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Such a heartfelt story. The world building is amazing and the art is stunning.
Frieren: Beyond Journey's End, Vol. 1 by Kanehito Yamada, Tsukasa Abe
emotional
funny
reflective
relaxing
4.5
Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
The Knowing by Emma Hinds
Did not finish book. Stopped at 42%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 42%.
I could write an entire 5 page essay on why this book is just bad, but that would be as much a waste of time as reading this book was.
Our main character is quite honestly a very racist depiction of a Romani woman (bonus points for the unnecessary use of the G-slur, written by a white woman). She's in an abuse and exploitative relationship which she suddenly up and leaves to enter another one with a woman she had spoken to for all but 15 minutes. The book contains a lot of SA as well.
The abusive relationships and SA wouldn't have bothered me if it was handled well. But it almost seems like the author was getting her rocks off by writing this. Weird, gross and fetishizing.
Our main character is quite honestly a very racist depiction of a Romani woman (bonus points for the unnecessary use of the G-slur, written by a white woman). She's in an abuse and exploitative relationship which she suddenly up and leaves to enter another one with a woman she had spoken to for all but 15 minutes. The book contains a lot of SA as well.
The abusive relationships and SA wouldn't have bothered me if it was handled well. But it almost seems like the author was getting her rocks off by writing this. Weird, gross and fetishizing.
A House with Good Bones by T. Kingfisher
emotional
informative
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
4.0
Hold out for the ending! It's good.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Death of parent, Cursing, Child abuse, Alcohol, Fatphobia, Racism, Blood, Gaslighting, and Emotional abuse
Horrorstör by Grady Hendrix
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.25
I liked reading this book. The print formatting really ads to the experience. The actual mystery and the horror was great and spooky and I had a lot of fun with this.
But as good as Grady Hendrix is with coming up with plots and scenarios, I do think he lacks some skills in making believable characters. Sometimes a character would do something completely out of character just because the plot called for it. It really took me out of it.
This book is some of his earliest work, I hope he has evolved that skill.
But as good as Grady Hendrix is with coming up with plots and scenarios, I do think he lacks some skills in making believable characters. Sometimes a character would do something completely out of character just because the plot called for it. It really took me out of it.
This book is some of his earliest work, I hope he has evolved that skill.
Wilder Girls by Rory Power
Did not finish book. Stopped at 7%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 7%.
Immediately it was a bit too unrealistically YA for me. 'The Tox' sounds like Alexandria Genesis and of course the protagonist is a perfect shot at 15 with one eye. Absolutely drew the line at 'target practice with a shot gun, because a gun is a gun.' A shot gun doesn't work that way. If the author is that ill informed and lazy than I'm too lazy to read on.
Aardbewoners by Sayaka Murata
dark
funny
fast-paced
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
By having wildly alianated main characters, Sakaya Murata puts correct observations about the state of society in a whole new perspective. This was an excellent read. It's not everyone's cup of tea but it's definitely good and it is definitely my cup of tea.
This book has some very triggering content so please protect yourself and check the content warnings. However it was not as weird, gross and gory as some of the other reviews would've let me to believe. Especially if you're a horror fan, the horror is pretty mild.
This book has some very triggering content so please protect yourself and check the content warnings. However it was not as weird, gross and gory as some of the other reviews would've let me to believe. Especially if you're a horror fan, the horror is pretty mild.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Cannibalism, Death, Sexism, Suicide attempt, Child abuse, Sexual harassment, Body horror, Murder, Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Incest, Pedophilia, Sexual content, Sexual assault, and Suicidal thoughts