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sandracatt's reviews
20 reviews
The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
As a big fan of mystery novels, I like being presented with characters trying to solve riddles. I don't mind not knowing exactly what happened from the get-go and only picking up little clues along the way. I expect being confused and will be eager to eventually get to that a-ha moment. But this book might be stretching it too far.
About 70% into the book, I still have no idea what's going on whatsoever! Is this normal?! We are introduced to too many characters that keep switching POVs. I can't keep up or care about because I'm busy trying to make sense of the plot. I really don't know what kept me continue reading now that I think about it. Maybe because I was still rooting for the main character.
By the 85% mark, I lose my attachment with the main character because his decisions and rationales just don't resonate with me. And the rest of the book a.k.a the big reveal, the resolution, the ending... I just can't take it seriously. I got tired from rolling my eyes and shaking my head.
I picked up this book because the whole premise is mighty intriguing and it sounds like a book I would write.
Unfortunately, the execution is poor. Plot is meh, unnecessarily complex, no likeable characters, silly ending. Although, the writing is very much up my alley, and I enjoyed my reading experience for the most part. Solid 3 stars.
About 70% into the book, I still have no idea what's going on whatsoever! Is this normal?! We are introduced to too many characters that keep switching POVs. I can't keep up or care about because I'm busy trying to make sense of the plot. I really don't know what kept me continue reading now that I think about it. Maybe because I was still rooting for the main character.
By the 85% mark, I lose my attachment with the main character because his decisions and rationales just don't resonate with me. And the rest of the book a.k.a the big reveal, the resolution, the ending... I just can't take it seriously. I got tired from rolling my eyes and shaking my head.
I picked up this book because the whole premise is mighty intriguing and it sounds like a book I would write.
Unfortunately, the execution is poor. Plot is meh, unnecessarily complex, no likeable characters, silly ending. Although, the writing is very much up my alley, and I enjoyed my reading experience for the most part. Solid 3 stars.
The Maidens by Alex Michaelides
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- 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
5.0
Wow wow wow. A hyped mystery book that doesn't disappoint!
It's pretty descriptive with the settings a lot but that helps building the visual and mood. It presents us with one mystery after another, along with suspect after suspect. It kept me guessing and on edge. I couldn't see the ending at all, my jaw was on the floor reading the last 15 pages.
This is the second book from Alex Michaelides after the highly praised The Silent Patient. I like his debut novel wayyyyyy better but The Maidens is still such a decent read. This is actually a prequel standalone of The Silent Patient with different main characters, so if you're new to Alex Michaelides' works, you can totally start with The Maidens and end it with a high note with The Silent Patient.
It's pretty descriptive with the settings a lot but that helps building the visual and mood. It presents us with one mystery after another, along with suspect after suspect. It kept me guessing and on edge. I couldn't see the ending at all, my jaw was on the floor reading the last 15 pages.
This is the second book from Alex Michaelides after the highly praised The Silent Patient. I like his debut novel wayyyyyy better but The Maidens is still such a decent read. This is actually a prequel standalone of The Silent Patient with different main characters, so if you're new to Alex Michaelides' works, you can totally start with The Maidens and end it with a high note with The Silent Patient.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Steampunk! An Anthology of Fantastically Rich and Strange Stories by Kelly Link
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Boring beyond belief. Drove me deep into a long reading slump. Not one story in this anthology is memorable. The steampunk settings is interesting but that's it.
Becoming by Michelle Obama
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
A great read from start to finish. Michelle Obama writes descriptively without being boring. The audiobook is narrated by her and that adds more personality to all the stories. You know what, I think the best way to enjoy this book is through the audiobook version, otherwise, you're missing out big time.
I personally like how this book reminds me to do more self reflection and keep being hopeful. We are all still becoming.
I personally like how this book reminds me to do more self reflection and keep being hopeful. We are all still becoming.
Supernova: Kesatria, Puteri, dan Bintang Jatuh by Dee Lestari
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Jadi gw mulai baca buku ini tanpa tau apa2, cuma paham kalo ini buku sempet booming banget di zamannya. Like, 'you're cool if you read Supernova' kind of of booming.
Cuma 2 bintang dari gw tapi ini purely selera sih menurut gw. Supernova ini fiksi filsafat ketimbang (gw kira awalnya) kontemporer romens. Karakter2nya asli gak ada yg likeable, semuanya brengsek dan pretentious, but hey, if that's your shit, Supernova is perfect for ya!
Cuma 2 bintang dari gw tapi ini purely selera sih menurut gw. Supernova ini fiksi filsafat ketimbang (gw kira awalnya) kontemporer romens. Karakter2nya asli gak ada yg likeable, semuanya brengsek dan pretentious, but hey, if that's your shit, Supernova is perfect for ya!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide attempt and Suicidal thoughts
Jangan Tulis Kami Teroris by Linda Christanty
dark
informative
sad
medium-paced
3.75
Reportase tentang konflik di Aceh sampai Malaysia, Kamboja, dan Thailand. Ditulis dengan gaya narasi jadi mudah dicerna, walau beberapa bagian tetap bikin hilang fokus karena banyak nama asing panjang-panjang disebut sekaligus.
Kalau mau depresi tapi sekalian dapat informasi jurnalis kompeten, saya nyaranin antologi ini. Terbit tahun 2011, jadi konflik yang dilaporkan di sini adalah pre-2011.
Positifnya, dalam 11 tahun, Indonesia sudah lebih baik keadaannya (ya kan?). Konflik mengatasnamakan SARA dan ideologi pribadi tidak semerajalela dulu. Pemikiran dan kultur yang lebih terbuka terhadap perbedaan lebih trendi daripada sikap-sikap radikal golongan. Jelas konflik tidak musnah sama sekali tapi setelah baca antologi ini, rasa-rasanya patutlah sedikit bersyukur dengan perkembangan sekarang.
Kalau mau depresi tapi sekalian dapat informasi jurnalis kompeten, saya nyaranin antologi ini. Terbit tahun 2011, jadi konflik yang dilaporkan di sini adalah pre-2011.
Positifnya, dalam 11 tahun, Indonesia sudah lebih baik keadaannya (ya kan?). Konflik mengatasnamakan SARA dan ideologi pribadi tidak semerajalela dulu. Pemikiran dan kultur yang lebih terbuka terhadap perbedaan lebih trendi daripada sikap-sikap radikal golongan. Jelas konflik tidak musnah sama sekali tapi setelah baca antologi ini, rasa-rasanya patutlah sedikit bersyukur dengan perkembangan sekarang.
The Future for Curious People by Gregory Sherl
adventurous
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
It started so... slow.... and I only feel "ooh this might be the exciting part" when I was 50% into the book.
Really hard to feel any connection with either two main characters, not exactly unlikeable but just distant and feel so one dimensional. The writing style is particularly dry and slow, but not to the point that I hate it. In short, it's a struggle. I finished this book just out of sheer stubbornness.
Really hard to feel any connection with either two main characters, not exactly unlikeable but just distant and feel so one dimensional. The writing style is particularly dry and slow, but not to the point that I hate it. In short, it's a struggle. I finished this book just out of sheer stubbornness.
Neverworld Wake by Marisha Pessl
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I'm so overwhelmed. Reading this left me tired, emotionally and, somehow, physically. It has been a long time since a book made me feel this way.
Marisha Pessl doesn't disappoint. This the second book I've read of hers, the first one was Night Film (a 5-star read as well for me!). You can expect high-quality writing and storytelling *chef's kiss*
This is the rare occasion where I don't really like the characters but I can understand them, I feel emphatetic towards their actions and decisions. I even teared up for them.
The story starts slow and you only get to the exciting part around 25% into the book, but from there... I could feel my heartbeat racing erratically until I left powerless at the end of the book. I had this ongoing conflicting energy throughout reading this because I already guessed what the answer of the mystery was and I didn't want to be proven right about that.
I'd love to talk more about the story plot, the characters, the settings... but again, like any other mystery novel, it's best to go in blind. If you're interested to pick this up, just know that you're in for a good crazy ride!
Marisha Pessl doesn't disappoint. This the second book I've read of hers, the first one was Night Film (a 5-star read as well for me!). You can expect high-quality writing and storytelling *chef's kiss*
This is the rare occasion where I don't really like the characters but I can understand them, I feel emphatetic towards their actions and decisions. I even teared up for them.
The story starts slow and you only get to the exciting part around 25% into the book, but from there... I could feel my heartbeat racing erratically until I left powerless at the end of the book. I had this ongoing conflicting energy throughout reading this because I already guessed what the answer of the mystery was and I didn't want to be proven right about that.
I'd love to talk more about the story plot, the characters, the settings... but again, like any other mystery novel, it's best to go in blind. If you're interested to pick this up, just know that you're in for a good crazy ride!
Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
4.5
Definitely thought provoking, highly informative -- I enjoyed this so much! It starts strong and very eye-opening but I got a bit bored on the second half of the book, tho still very much fascinating.
I feel like this is a book I'll go back to and re-read to be able to really appreciate everything in it.
I feel like this is a book I'll go back to and re-read to be able to really appreciate everything in it.
The Adventures of Abdi by Madonna, Andrej Dugin, Olga Dugina
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
1.5
I think it's about staying positive (tho I don't like how it was portrayed in the book) and about karma (classic!). The illustrations are pretty and creepy at the same time. Idk man, I'm not too invested in this book.