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sannesbooks's reviews
247 reviews
Dial A for Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
A funny cozy mystery with a side of romance. This is especially funny and relatable for Asians.
I almost never laugh because of a book, but this one made me laugh! Such an enjoyable read!
I almost never laugh because of a book, but this one made me laugh! Such an enjoyable read!
Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Keilo is such a charming character. She has a mental disability which is not specified in the book but it makes her experience and feel things differently than others. It is commentary on society and on 'being normal'. This is made very clear with an exaggerated characterisation of the 'societal voice'. But it is also about finding your way in society and finding your own voice.
The book is very short and I like that. The book does not have to be any longer. However, even though the books is so small, I could not read it in one sitting. I would not describe it as a page turner. This is not critique but just an observation and opinion.
I think, this could work really well as a play.
The book is very short and I like that. The book does not have to be any longer. However, even though the books is so small, I could not read it in one sitting. I would not describe it as a page turner. This is not critique but just an observation and opinion.
I think, this could work really well as a play.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism
Fevered Star by Rebecca Roanhorse
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
This was super dissapointing. It is so dissapointing that I won't even give the last book a try. The first about quarter of the book was fine enough but after that it was so tedious and boring. It dragged on and nothing happened! But I continued reading because I loved the first book and because the book hints at a climax at the end. Well, it was an anti-climax for me. Not worth the build-up to it at all.
If you want to know what climax I am referring to it isthe battle/encounter between Serapio and Naranpa. Which only lasted a hot minute and ended in such a stupid way in my opinion. But now we clearly know what the next book will be about and I don't like the premise of it so it is a DNF series for me unfortunately.
Also, this cover art is so weird to me! The first book cover was gorgeous but this one does not seem to fit with the first cover at all.
If you want to know what climax I am referring to it is
Also, this cover art is so weird to me! The first book cover was gorgeous but this one does not seem to fit with the first cover at all.
The Thinnest Air by Minka Kent
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
This is more of a domestic thriller. I am not really a fan of those but this one was good. I love Minka Kent so that is why I picked this one up even though I am not really into that genre. I don't give this a high rating because I still lacked the enjoyment but I do recommend it to readers who like this genre.
A Woman Is No Man by Etaf Rum
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual violence, Violence, Grief, Death of parent
Moderate: Abortion, Murder
Minor: Suicide, War
The One by John Marrs
reflective
tense
fast-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
4.25
This is a mix between sci-fi, speculative fiction and thriller. This book has an interesting concept that makes you reflect. This feels like a black mirror episode. It also reminded me a bit of The Measure by Nikki Erlick.
In this book we follow multiple people who have taken the Match Your DNA Test. As a result they end up in various interesting situations. I think the author did a great job depicting different possible scenarios people could end up with if the test would have been real. The concept is easy to understand which makes it an easy and fast read.
I read this book in audio format and I sometimes found it difficult to remember the characters especially in the beginning. The book alternates between the five characters but because there are many main characters (five) I was often confused and needed to remember again what was going on in their story. Because there are five characters you also need some time to get familiar with all of them but don't have time enough to get truly attach to the characters.
Every POV ends with a small cliff-hanger which keeps you interested and all of the POVs got a plot twist I didn't expect. This made it feel like you are reading a thriller. Overall, an enjoyable, reflective and fast read.
In this book we follow multiple people who have taken the Match Your DNA Test. As a result they end up in various interesting situations. I think the author did a great job depicting different possible scenarios people could end up with if the test would have been real. The concept is easy to understand which makes it an easy and fast read.
I read this book in audio format and I sometimes found it difficult to remember the characters especially in the beginning. The book alternates between the five characters but because there are many main characters (five) I was often confused and needed to remember again what was going on in their story. Because there are five characters you also need some time to get familiar with all of them but don't have time enough to get truly attach to the characters.
Every POV ends with a small cliff-hanger which keeps you interested and all of the POVs got a plot twist I didn't expect. This made it feel like you are reading a thriller. Overall, an enjoyable, reflective and fast read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Murder
Moderate: Cancer, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, Kidnapping, Car accident, Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Sexual content
The Downstairs Girl by Stacey Lee
Did not finish book. Stopped at 13%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 13%.
I couldn't get through this. I am not a historical fiction reader but I have enjoyed some in the past. This one didn't grip me from the start. I was already bored and decided that it would be better to quit. My native language is not English and something about the writing made it a little difficult to read as well.
Annie Bot by Sierra Greer
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I am not sure how I am feeling about this one. This book definitely makes you think! What makes someone human? What is abuse? What is being a good person? This book will make you think about the patriarchy, misogyny, control, freedom, the human condition, society, which is amazing.
I overall thought it was a good, well-written book. But, I also see why people wouldn't like this book.
This is a black mirror type of story. It is sci-fi but it is more about the character study, which makes it more literary fiction. If you like this I would recommend to give it a try.
Both Doug (the owner) and Annie (the both) are complex and layered. I think both of their character development was written very well.
The beginning of the book sketches the current situation and the relationship between Doug and Annie well. I could have done without the descriptions of the sex though. The first part is less interesting but necessary to introduce the second part of the book. This part is more interesting as Annie starts to evolve more, more interesting things will happen.
I overall thought it was a good, well-written book. But, I also see why people wouldn't like this book.
This is a black mirror type of story. It is sci-fi but it is more about the character study, which makes it more literary fiction. If you like this I would recommend to give it a try.
Both Doug (the owner) and Annie (the both) are complex and layered. I think both of their character development was written very well.
The beginning of the book sketches the current situation and the relationship between Doug and Annie well. I could have done without the descriptions of the sex though. The first part is less interesting but necessary to introduce the second part of the book. This part is more interesting as Annie starts to evolve more, more interesting things will happen.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Sexual content
Moderate: Body shaming, Gaslighting
Minor: Cancer, Vomit
The Humans by Matt Haig
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was more of an emotional read than I expected. I do recommend to read the trigger warnings beforehand. Because it was described as a funny book, I didn't expect it to deal with heavy topics as well. It is however dealt with in an amazing way.
I like to think about the human condition and existentialism and this book covers those themes elaborately. Those themes make a book more heavy and emotional. But, Matt Haig discusses these themes in a more funny and lighthearted way. This is among others achieved by introducing the sci-fi element.
I like to think about the human condition and existentialism and this book covers those themes elaborately. Those themes make a book more heavy and emotional. But, Matt Haig discusses these themes in a more funny and lighthearted way. This is among others achieved by introducing the sci-fi element.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt
Moderate: Murder, Alcohol