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sannesbooks's reviews
184 reviews
Tender Is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Gruesome, horriffic, disturbing story with a promising conspiracy. It actually made me feel nasuas!
Because of a virus affecting animals, people turned to cannibalism. This in itself I find rather unrealistic but it made for a good comparison to how we treat and eat animals, and to show social injustice. It makes you reflect upon that.
This book started off really strong but later on it did not receive the depth that I had hoped for. We didn't learn much about the conspiracy which was the part I was personally interested in since it would have provided more depth to the story. Now, it is quite superficial trauma p*rn and words for shock value. The conspiracy was a missed opportunity.
I really enjoyed the audiobook because I liked the accent and the pronunciations of the narrator.I liked how the book ended. It showed moral hipocricy at its finest.
Because of a virus affecting animals, people turned to cannibalism. This in itself I find rather unrealistic but it made for a good comparison to how we treat and eat animals, and to show social injustice. It makes you reflect upon that.
This book started off really strong but later on it did not receive the depth that I had hoped for. We didn't learn much about the conspiracy which was the part I was personally interested in since it would have provided more depth to the story. Now, it is quite superficial trauma p*rn and words for shock value. The conspiracy was a missed opportunity.
I really enjoyed the audiobook because I liked the accent and the pronunciations of the narrator.I liked how the book ended. It showed moral hipocricy at its finest.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cannibalism, Death, Murder, and Animal cruelty
The Mermaid of Black Conch by Monique Roffey
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-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
2.5
Short book but felt really slow and took me very long to finish it. Promising concept but bad execution in my opinion.
The format and the writing was interesting. I liked the caribean setting and the creole language. The first part of the book captivated me, but at the end it felt tiring and repetetive.
I was also kind of surprised that this book was written by a woman. It felt sexist to me.
The format and the writing was interesting. I liked the caribean setting and the creole language. The first part of the book captivated me, but at the end it felt tiring and repetetive.
I was also kind of surprised that this book was written by a woman. It felt sexist to me.
Kindred by Octavia E. Butler
adventurous
dark
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
5.0
This is an amazing read, but this is definitely not a light read! It basically contains all the trigger warnings you can think of, so be aware of that starting this book.
Amazing writing, and a difficult, dark, thought-provoking story to read. This story is about a black woman with modern values and norms time travelling to a time of slavery in the South of America. Even though this has the sci-fi/fantasy element of time tracelling, I wouldn't consider this much as a sci-fi book. This book leans more towards historical/literary fiction. A book exploring history, humanity, society, intereacial realationships, power dynamics, racsim, sexism and trauma.
Amazing writing, and a difficult, dark, thought-provoking story to read. This story is about a black woman with modern values and norms time travelling to a time of slavery in the South of America. Even though this has the sci-fi/fantasy element of time tracelling, I wouldn't consider this much as a sci-fi book. This book leans more towards historical/literary fiction. A book exploring history, humanity, society, intereacial realationships, power dynamics, racsim, sexism and trauma.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Sexism, Racial slurs, Colonisation, Torture, Self harm, Sexual violence, Suicide, Abandonment, Racism, Rape, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Death, Blood, Slavery, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, and Murder
Scythe by Neal Shusterman
dark
reflective
tense
fast-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
4.75
Loved this! Creative concept. So much action. Loved the characters.
Only critique would be the pacing. It was mainly very fast-paced with many twists and turns. But sometimes it felt it a bit off.
Only critique would be the pacing. It was mainly very fast-paced with many twists and turns. But sometimes it felt it a bit off.
Finding Audrey by Sophie Kinsella
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-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
3.75
Sweet fast little book to read. Good to have social anxiety rep in a literary fiction YA book.
Didn't really like the documentary scripts and the over the top parents.
Didn't really like the documentary scripts and the over the top parents.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Bullying
The Office of Historical Corrections by Danielle Evans
Did not finish book. Stopped at 56%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 56%.
I only liked 'Boys go to Jupiter' and 'Anything could dissapear'. But these aren't more than a 3 star for me. The other short stories were boring to me or I didn't read because I couldn't get into it. That's why I quit the book. Maybe I'll give the novella a try later.
Illuminae by Jay Kristoff, Amie Kaufman
Did not finish book. Stopped at 57%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 57%.
I really thought I would love it. I love the idea of the story and the mixed media format. However, this really felt short to me. The information was brought quite confusingly and messily. But then, very specific (boring) information, like the specs of the ships, were elborated.
For me personally, I didn't like that a lot of it was told from interviews and chat rooms. But, that had mainly to do with the language / slang use. It was ok in the beginning, but it became fast really cringy. The romance was also not cute, but again cringy. I know it is a young adult book, but it felt really try hard, 'trying to be cool for teens'. I didn't expect that because of the high ratings of many adults. So, maybe it is just a personal preference.
For me personally, I didn't like that a lot of it was told from interviews and chat rooms. But, that had mainly to do with the language / slang use. It was ok in the beginning, but it became fast really cringy. The romance was also not cute, but again cringy. I know it is a young adult book, but it felt really try hard, 'trying to be cool for teens'. I didn't expect that because of the high ratings of many adults. So, maybe it is just a personal preference.
Soul's Gate by James L. Rubart
adventurous
dark
slow-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
3.0
Picked up this book without knowing anything about it but what was written on the back of the book. I didn't know this book was so religious-heavy and Christianity inspired. There is also a lot of spirtitual symbolism involved, which I didn't expect going in. I enjoyed some part but didn't enjoy a lot of it either. My rating is based on the book itselfs but also my enjoyment while reading it. However, take my rating with a grain of salt since I am aware that I am probably not the target audience for this book.
I am not really into religious-heavy and spiritual books. That in combination with the writing and pacing of the book made this a difficult read for me. The book was quite slow, too slow in my opinion. It didn't make me want to pick it up again, but there was something in it that didn't make me DNF it either.
I am more of a fantasy reader and I do recognise the creativity of the author to use Christian elements to form a concept and plot for their book. I found that very intriguing since that was the reason I picked it up. The book was very slow and character-driven but there were some fast-paced acrion scenes as well. Especially the last 80 or so pages were a fast and ejoyable read. I also enjoyed the characters. Each of them has certain sins, regrets, etc. and those you will slowly learn about throughout the book. The author gave each character their appropriate and unique personality. Especially Reece's 'sin' was hearthbreaking.
I am not really into religious-heavy and spiritual books. That in combination with the writing and pacing of the book made this a difficult read for me. The book was quite slow, too slow in my opinion. It didn't make me want to pick it up again, but there was something in it that didn't make me DNF it either.
I am more of a fantasy reader and I do recognise the creativity of the author to use Christian elements to form a concept and plot for their book. I found that very intriguing since that was the reason I picked it up. The book was very slow and character-driven but there were some fast-paced acrion scenes as well. Especially the last 80 or so pages were a fast and ejoyable read. I also enjoyed the characters. Each of them has certain sins, regrets, etc. and those you will slowly learn about throughout the book. The author gave each character their appropriate and unique personality. Especially Reece's 'sin' was hearthbreaking.
The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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? No
3.0
I liked the concept of the story, but the book didn't wow me like it did many others.
It is a sweet and emotional story. The main character, Clementine, is grieving the death of her beloved aunt and is also struggeling in her career. This is a big part of the book besides the romance.
The romance is very insta-love and the switching of time lines sometimes got me confused. At the end of the book I became kinda bored and didn't feel like reading and finishing the book. Maybe this was the case because I didn't really feel emotionally connected to the characters. Both Iwan and Clementine felt kinda flat to me. If you easily forget things then this book is perfect. It is kind of impossible to forget the rules of the apartment because it is reapeted every few pages..
But there were definitely some cute moments and the audiobook was really good. I mainly enjoyed the first 2/3rd of the book.
It is a sweet and emotional story. The main character, Clementine, is grieving the death of her beloved aunt and is also struggeling in her career. This is a big part of the book besides the romance.
The romance is very insta-love and the switching of time lines sometimes got me confused. At the end of the book I became kinda bored and didn't feel like reading and finishing the book. Maybe this was the case because I didn't really feel emotionally connected to the characters. Both Iwan and Clementine felt kinda flat to me. If you easily forget things then this book is perfect. It is kind of impossible to forget the rules of the apartment because it is reapeted every few pages..
But there were definitely some cute moments and the audiobook was really good. I mainly enjoyed the first 2/3rd of the book.
To Kill a Kingdom by Alexandra Christo
adventurous
dark
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
Dissapointing read... I love mermaids, sirens, ocean type stories. The Little Mermaid is on of my favorite Disney movies. So this book felt really promising to me. However, this one failed to entertain me. I didn't like the performance of the male narrator of the audiobook, so that didn't help either.
I did like the plot and action scenes. But, didn't feel for the characters and was not curious about or rooting for the romance. The characters felt really dramatic and over the top to me, so much that it felt unrealistic and childish. Maybe this was meant for a younger YA audience.
I did like the plot and action scenes. But, didn't feel for the characters and was not curious about or rooting for the romance. The characters felt really dramatic and over the top to me, so much that it felt unrealistic and childish. Maybe this was meant for a younger YA audience.