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seabanshee's reviews
69 reviews
The Scum Villain's Self-Saving System: Ren Zha Fanpai Zijiu Xitong (Novel) Vol. 1 by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Incredibly unique and self-aware, SVSSS packs a punch and will deliver a delightful read filled with laughter. It's a wonderful debut novel for MXTX, and I can only hope that the official translation will bring in a larger readership to appreciate it. It's the only MXTX book I haven't read as the fan translations were removed once Seven Seas announced the publication, so I have no idea what to expect from the future volumes.
But this volume alone was charming and hilarious as MXTX ruthlessly targeted so many tropes and plotholes that riddle mainstream popular fiction, weaving an entertaining narrative that's sure to break our hearts in future releases. Set up almost like a virtual RPG, Shen Yuan's soul is sucked into a system that places him in the body of a scum villain from a novel that he despised. He then has to try his best to remain in character while attempting to change the horrible fate awaiting him at the end of the story. But as he changes the timeline, a butterfly effect springs forward, which continues to spiral the original story he once knew into completely different territory.
I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a good laugh, but also to anyone interested in reading danmeis. It'd be a great beginner novel since birth vs. courtesy names aren't really present much in the novel. I first read The Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation and nearly split my head in two when a single character had four separate titles, and there was a cast of 15+. So if names and titles are likely to overwhelm you as you wade into danmei novels, SVSSS would be a perfect icebreaker to introduce you to common concepts in the xianxia and wuxia-inspired genre.
Also, it's hella gay, which is always a plus.
But this volume alone was charming and hilarious as MXTX ruthlessly targeted so many tropes and plotholes that riddle mainstream popular fiction, weaving an entertaining narrative that's sure to break our hearts in future releases. Set up almost like a virtual RPG, Shen Yuan's soul is sucked into a system that places him in the body of a scum villain from a novel that he despised. He then has to try his best to remain in character while attempting to change the horrible fate awaiting him at the end of the story. But as he changes the timeline, a butterfly effect springs forward, which continues to spiral the original story he once knew into completely different territory.
I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a good laugh, but also to anyone interested in reading danmeis. It'd be a great beginner novel since birth vs. courtesy names aren't really present much in the novel. I first read The Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation and nearly split my head in two when a single character had four separate titles, and there was a cast of 15+. So if names and titles are likely to overwhelm you as you wade into danmei novels, SVSSS would be a perfect icebreaker to introduce you to common concepts in the xianxia and wuxia-inspired genre.
Also, it's hella gay, which is always a plus.
天官赐福 [Tiān Guān Cì Fú] (Heaven Official's Blessing) by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Violence, Gore, and Suicide attempt
Hallucinating Foucault by Patricia Duncker
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
I Wish You All the Best by Mason Deaver
4.0
I used a credit for an audiobook, and after I realized it wasn't for me I quickly exchanged it. I saw this book in my recommended section, and I got as far as reading the first line of the description before I decided, "This is the one."
And boy, I'm so glad that audible had this book floating around in my recommended section because it was really something special. I was hooked from the get-go, which is amazing because I was mostly looking for something to occupy myself with at a lazy pace. Instead, I listened to this book during my entire work shift until my headphones died because I was too invested in the life of a person I saw too much of myself in.
This book handles messy topics in a way that's realistic yet hopeful, and as someone who can never fully come out unless I want to reenact Ben's entire journey myself, it's rough. I teared up a bunch of times when things became too real, but I also smiled a lot because there's something so beautiful in finding yourself again and building your own family. A family that stands with you, forever.
But most importantly I really needed this book and I didn't even realize it. Because at the end of the day, even when things are devastating and too impossible to handle, there will always be someone there to make you smile. Even if you have to spend a little time looking for them, they'll be there.
And that's more than I could ever hope for. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for writing this.
And boy, I'm so glad that audible had this book floating around in my recommended section because it was really something special. I was hooked from the get-go, which is amazing because I was mostly looking for something to occupy myself with at a lazy pace. Instead, I listened to this book during my entire work shift until my headphones died because I was too invested in the life of a person I saw too much of myself in.
This book handles messy topics in a way that's realistic yet hopeful, and as someone who can never fully come out unless I want to reenact Ben's entire journey myself, it's rough. I teared up a bunch of times when things became too real, but I also smiled a lot because there's something so beautiful in finding yourself again and building your own family. A family that stands with you, forever.
But most importantly I really needed this book and I didn't even realize it. Because at the end of the day, even when things are devastating and too impossible to handle, there will always be someone there to make you smile. Even if you have to spend a little time looking for them, they'll be there.
And that's more than I could ever hope for. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for writing this.
The Music of What Happens by Bill Konigsberg
Did not finish book.
Did not finish book.
I DNF'd this a little shy of 50% through. Usually I try to stick it through, but I just couldn't get through it.
What I liked:
- Max was a fun and interesting character, and I was pretty taken with his story.
What I didn't like:
- Jordan.
- That Max's chapters were always a third the length of Jordan's (I had the audiobook. Max chapters ranged from 6-10 mins while Jordan's were anywhere from 15-20 minutes).
Even though I fully understand the level of grief and stress Jordan and his mom are going through, they're so unlikable that it became hard to even sympathize. Not to mention that I hate Jordan's friends.
What made me finally ditch the book was when Jordan compared a simple grammatical mistake to a microaggression. In what world is not knowing Spanish in the same vein as asking a gay person "What do gay people think about?" Seriously, what the fuck?
What I liked:
- Max was a fun and interesting character, and I was pretty taken with his story.
What I didn't like:
- Jordan.
- That Max's chapters were always a third the length of Jordan's (I had the audiobook. Max chapters ranged from 6-10 mins while Jordan's were anywhere from 15-20 minutes).
Even though I fully understand the level of grief and stress Jordan and his mom are going through, they're so unlikable that it became hard to even sympathize. Not to mention that I hate Jordan's friends.
What made me finally ditch the book was when Jordan compared a simple grammatical mistake to a microaggression. In what world is not knowing Spanish in the same vein as asking a gay person "What do gay people think about?" Seriously, what the fuck?
Captive Prince by C.S. Pacat
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Skyward by Brandon Sanderson
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25