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selendrea's reviews
28 reviews
The Hike by Drew Magary
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-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
Although this book is outside of what I normally read, I was incredibly excited to pick up The Hike on a glowing recommendation. I truly enjoy "weird' and mind-bending stories, and everyone was raving about how surreal, funny, and excellent this book was. I... sadly have to disagree.
Let me first start with the positives! Magary attempts to take a new spin on the classic Alice in Wonderland trope, in which a regular person finds themselves transported into a fantasy world. I found myself excited to learn what odd character or situation the main character, Ben, would stumble into next. I also enjoyed the inclusion of humor throughout the story. Ben first starts as quite a bland character without much personality, but I appreciated that he develops quite a bit through his journey. Some of my favorite passages included learning more about his memories and past.
The book, however, loses me at it's plot. As aforementioned, this tale was incredibly reminiscent of previous work. I've read this story before. Man falls down a hole, experiences horrors perhaps from his own subconscious (Silent Hill much?), grows to appreciate his regular life, etc. etc. etc. I was trying so hard to find the connection between Ben's experiences and his psyche. I wanted the many situations he found himself in to have greater meaning than they did, but by the end of the book, they just felt like random, disjointed sequences. I feel that if everything had more congruency and connection, this would have been a stronger novel.
The plot did involve a twist or two that I did not expect, but I'm not entirely sure that Magary stuck the landing. I found myself shrugging at the last two chapters, wishing that the end of these trials and tribulations left me feeling more satisfied. Even as a lover of all things weird and trippy, I suppose this plot just didn't quite click for me.
Let me first start with the positives! Magary attempts to take a new spin on the classic Alice in Wonderland trope, in which a regular person finds themselves transported into a fantasy world. I found myself excited to learn what odd character or situation the main character, Ben, would stumble into next. I also enjoyed the inclusion of humor throughout the story. Ben first starts as quite a bland character without much personality, but I appreciated that he develops quite a bit through his journey. Some of my favorite passages included learning more about his memories and past.
The book, however, loses me at it's plot. As aforementioned, this tale was incredibly reminiscent of previous work. I've read this story before. Man falls down a hole, experiences horrors perhaps from his own subconscious (Silent Hill much?), grows to appreciate his regular life, etc. etc. etc. I was trying so hard to find the connection between Ben's experiences and his psyche. I wanted the many situations he found himself in to have greater meaning than they did, but by the end of the book, they just felt like random, disjointed sequences. I feel that if everything had more congruency and connection, this would have been a stronger novel.
The plot did involve a twist or two that I did not expect, but I'm not entirely sure that Magary stuck the landing. I found myself shrugging at the last two chapters, wishing that the end of these trials and tribulations left me feeling more satisfied. Even as a lover of all things weird and trippy, I suppose this plot just didn't quite click for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Animal death, Cannibalism, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
We Spread by Iain Reid
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
4.25
We Spread is a dizzying and thoughtful foray into the existentialist dread of growing older, losing your sense of identity, and finality versus infinity. The questions that unravel throughout this novel and its claustrophobic atmosphere completely engrossed me. Iain Reid always does a tremendous job at taking the reader on a wild yet thought-provoking ride, and this book is no exception. I found the characters simultaneously endearing and yet.. unnerving. I think both of those descriptions are apt for this book in general. Penny in particular was well fleshed out, and I felt so connected to her by the end.
Personally, I enjoy a story that leaves much up for interpretation. Unpacking and discussing an ending is oddly one of my favorite activities to do after a novel or movie's completion. We Spread is almost perfect for this. If you want Reid to spell out the ending completely for you, word for word, you won't find that here.
While I greatly enjoyed this book, there is one major flaw. There are generally two interpretations of this novel that one can take. No matter which interpretation you choose, there are still some unanswered questions that don't quite make sense. I don't want there to be only one correct answer, but I think that there were just a bit too many things that were left vague or red herrings that were left unexplained. Additionally, I think this plot isn't quite as punchy or hard-hitting as some of Reid's previous work. However, that doesn't take away from how incredibly enjoyable and gripping this book was to read.
Personally, I enjoy a story that leaves much up for interpretation. Unpacking and discussing an ending is oddly one of my favorite activities to do after a novel or movie's completion. We Spread is almost perfect for this. If you want Reid to spell out the ending completely for you, word for word, you won't find that here.
While I greatly enjoyed this book, there is one major flaw. There are generally two interpretations of this novel that one can take. No matter which interpretation you choose, there are still some unanswered questions that don't quite make sense. I don't want there to be only one correct answer, but I think that there were just a bit too many things that were left vague or red herrings that were left unexplained. Additionally, I think this plot isn't quite as punchy or hard-hitting as some of Reid's previous work. However, that doesn't take away from how incredibly enjoyable and gripping this book was to read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Death, Mental illness, and Dementia
These Fleeting Shadows by Kate Alice Marshall
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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
4.75
These Fleeting Shadows was such a whirlwind of discoveries, twists, emotion, and beautiful prose! I was pleasantly surprised with how superbly written many passages in this novel were. The author has a tremendous skill at using vivid metaphor and sentence structure to convey meaning, and it kept me very interested for the entirety of the book.
The plot of this novel went in a completely different direction than I had expected in the absolute best way. I understand that a lot of readers had some difficulty with keeping up with the twists and turns, but I felt that information was revealed at just the right pace, and the important points were reiterated multiple times. Watching all of the pieces come together at the end was so satisfying for me.
Another strength of this book is it's character development - I truly adored (most) of the characters by the last page. The way they interacted with one another additionally felt realistic and warm. Helen had to grow on me; she originally comes off as "not like other girls," but... it's true. She truly is not like other girls. If you know you know. For that reason, I'll allow it.
I would say my only critique is that the dialogue occasionally felt a bit juvenile. But since this novel is technically young adult, and many of the main characters are literally teens, it makes sense within the greater context of the story. At times, however, I felt it contrasted a bit harshly with the seriousness and grandiose aspects of the plot.
All in all, These Fleeting Shadows is both simultaneously a sweet, sapphic coming of age story and a dark, insidious tale that considers and explores classism, how we form our own self-concept, family pressures, what it means to be human, and the selfishness of man. I highly recommend it!
The plot of this novel went in a completely different direction than I had expected in the absolute best way. I understand that a lot of readers had some difficulty with keeping up with the twists and turns, but I felt that information was revealed at just the right pace, and the important points were reiterated multiple times. Watching all of the pieces come together at the end was so satisfying for me.
Another strength of this book is it's character development - I truly adored (most) of the characters by the last page. The way they interacted with one another additionally felt realistic and warm. Helen had to grow on me; she originally comes off as "not like other girls," but... it's true. She truly is not like other girls. If you know you know. For that reason, I'll allow it.
I would say my only critique is that the dialogue occasionally felt a bit juvenile. But since this novel is technically young adult, and many of the main characters are literally teens, it makes sense within the greater context of the story. At times, however, I felt it contrasted a bit harshly with the seriousness and grandiose aspects of the plot.
All in all, These Fleeting Shadows is both simultaneously a sweet, sapphic coming of age story and a dark, insidious tale that considers and explores classism, how we form our own self-concept, family pressures, what it means to be human, and the selfishness of man. I highly recommend it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Death
Moderate: Confinement, Violence, Blood, and Classism
Minor: Alcohol
The Silent Companions by Laura Purcell
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The Silent Companions is the perfect book to read on a dark, chilly evening with a cup of tea. The atmosphere is both eerie and inviting, and Purcell does a wonderful job describing detail in this novel. It is a rather well-written book, with just the right amount of dialogue, in my opinion.
At it's core, the novel's main premise doesn't stray too far from horror I've seen before. However, there were many recurring symbols and motifs that I truly appreciated. The inclusion of herbology, witchcraft, vines, and thorns was intriguing to me. The haunted item being a wooden cutout was refreshing and new, as well. Additionally, the parallels in Elsie's story and Anne's story highlight the underlying theme of this novel: women being mistrusted and mistreated. I thought this theme was included in a thoughtful way, with everything coming together with a satisfying ending.
I did, however, have trouble getting into this book at first. I found Elsie to be particularly unlikeable and snooty, and the pacing of the first half of the novel dragged a bit. However, Elsie's character development really changed my mind by the last chapter. My other main issue with this novel is that I didn't find it particularly frightening. While the companions are a unique antagonist, I don't find them to be a compelling or scary foe, personally. Mild spoiler: I also think it was a huge miss-step to have virtually EVERY death happen "off-screen." This became repetitive and honestly disappointing, because I would have loved for the main characters to actually experience/witness the violence rather than always stumbling across the aftermath.
All in all, if you love cozy yet creepy historical horror and characters with compelling backstories, I don't think you'll regret giving The Silent Companions a read.
At it's core, the novel's main premise doesn't stray too far from horror I've seen before. However, there were many recurring symbols and motifs that I truly appreciated. The inclusion of herbology, witchcraft, vines, and thorns was intriguing to me. The haunted item being a wooden cutout was refreshing and new, as well. Additionally, the parallels in Elsie's story and Anne's story highlight the underlying theme of this novel: women being mistrusted and mistreated. I thought this theme was included in a thoughtful way, with everything coming together with a satisfying ending.
I did, however, have trouble getting into this book at first. I found Elsie to be particularly unlikeable and snooty, and the pacing of the first half of the novel dragged a bit. However, Elsie's character development really changed my mind by the last chapter. My other main issue with this novel is that I didn't find it particularly frightening. While the companions are a unique antagonist, I don't find them to be a compelling or scary foe, personally. Mild spoiler:
All in all, if you love cozy yet creepy historical horror and characters with compelling backstories, I don't think you'll regret giving The Silent Companions a read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Mental illness, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
The Last Word by Taylor Adams
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
4.0
I picked this book up from the library because No Exit was currently unavailable, and I'm glad I did. The Last Word made me laugh, cringe in anticipation, shout "no!", and even cry. It's largest success is, in my opinion, detailing a relatable main character worth rooting for. If you've ever experienced loss, grief, trauma, and/or a difficulty with Hangman, you'll see a bit of yourself in Emma. I genuinely wanted her to succeed, both in her very dangerous circumstances, and also in her mental struggles.
Taylor Adams has an incredible ability to describe tense scenes that make you genuinely feel invested in the action. Additionally, the plot is a classic cat-and-mouse thriller but with multiple twists that kept me guessing. I thought I knew what would happen in each chapter, but I was proven wrong consistently. I loved how the perspective switched away from Emma's to add uniqueness to the book's structure and even a dash of humor. Without spoiling anything, I'll just say - pay attention to the non-Emma passages. It beckons a 2nd read.
To enjoy this book, however, you MUST suspend your disbelief. Turn off your intense need to find perfect logic in a book for a few hours. This will make the over-the-top action sequences, plot armor, and somewhat frustrating decisions a lot easier to stomach. I believe it's worth it, because at the core, this book is a truly heartfelt and thrilling gem.
Taylor Adams has an incredible ability to describe tense scenes that make you genuinely feel invested in the action. Additionally, the plot is a classic cat-and-mouse thriller but with multiple twists that kept me guessing. I thought I knew what would happen in each chapter, but I was proven wrong consistently. I loved how the perspective switched away from Emma's to add uniqueness to the book's structure and even a dash of humor. Without spoiling anything, I'll just say - pay attention to the non-Emma passages. It beckons a 2nd read.
To enjoy this book, however, you MUST suspend your disbelief. Turn off your intense need to find perfect logic in a book for a few hours. This will make the over-the-top action sequences, plot armor, and somewhat frustrating decisions a lot easier to stomach. I believe it's worth it, because at the core, this book is a truly heartfelt and thrilling gem.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, and Car accident
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Misogyny, Torture, and Stalking
Minor: Self harm and Sexual violence
The Deep by Nick Cutter
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
This book is a difficult one for me to review in particular because it left me feeling quite ambivalent. At times, I felt that the descriptive prose flowed easily, made me feel like I was in the Trieste myself, and was reminiscent of 70s/80s horror of the likes of King and Carpenter. At other times, I felt that the pace dwindled, that there was too much time between set pieces, and that descriptions left me feeling more confused than informed. I had a particular difficulty with the overabundance of onomatopoeia and sound descriptions, but that could be a personal quirk of mine.
I personally enjoyed how flashbacks were woven into the storytelling, and feel that they significantly helped the reader to better understand the main characters. Yet, I still felt confused about some characters' choices and motivations. The other scientists on board didn't feel fully fleshed out (I've never been a fan of exposition being dumped through journal entries). The gore and the visceral, disturbing nature of the violence on the Trieste are really where the book shines, and for that reason I wish it was better interspersed and not left mostly until the end.
Finally, my biggest complaint is that the ending didn't feel earned. It felt as if Cutter was trying a bit too hard to surprise the reader rather than to write a satisfying and reasonable twist. The connection between the Trieste and the main character's past was flimsy at best. Despite my complaints, however, I still felt that this was a gripping, intense, and generally well-written novel, and it had enough really nasty, enjoyable moments that I still sometimes think about months later.
I personally enjoyed how flashbacks were woven into the storytelling, and feel that they significantly helped the reader to better understand the main characters. Yet, I still felt confused about some characters' choices and motivations. The other scientists on board didn't feel fully fleshed out (I've never been a fan of exposition being dumped through journal entries). The gore and the visceral, disturbing nature of the violence on the Trieste are really where the book shines, and for that reason I wish it was better interspersed and not left mostly until the end.
Finally, my biggest complaint is that the ending didn't feel earned. It felt as if Cutter was trying a bit too hard to surprise the reader rather than to write a satisfying and reasonable twist. The connection between the Trieste and the main character's past was flimsy at best. Despite my complaints, however, I still felt that this was a gripping, intense, and generally well-written novel, and it had enough really nasty, enjoyable moments that I still sometimes think about months later.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Gore, and Violence
Moderate: Child death
Bloom by Delilah S. Dawson
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
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
3.75
This book went by in a whirlwind - I read it in just two sittings, eager to get to the end. The author somehow perfectly blended the atmosphere of a cozy, sustainable cottagecore lifestyle with a deep, dark, disgusting mystery underneath.
I felt a personal connection to the main character. As naive as she often came across, her foray into her first sapphic partnership and her confusion over how to approach a relationship with a woman was incredibly relatable. It inspired me to read more sapphic horror, which is definitely a huge testament to the book.
However, I knew exactly where the plot was going. At no point was I surprised. I said I was eager to get to the end, and that isn't necessarily a good thing. I just wanted the curtain to be pulled back, the ending to be revealed, because this book had just a bit too much build up and not quite enough pay off. I think if the author had expanded the 3rd act and drawn out the action, I would feel differently.
Nonetheless, I found it to be an enjoyable read overall, and its plot truly is unique.
I felt a personal connection to the main character. As naive as she often came across, her foray into her first sapphic partnership and her confusion over how to approach a relationship with a woman was incredibly relatable. It inspired me to read more sapphic horror, which is definitely a huge testament to the book.
However, I knew exactly where the plot was going. At no point was I surprised. I said I was eager to get to the end, and that isn't necessarily a good thing. I just wanted the curtain to be pulled back, the ending to be revealed, because this book had just a bit too much build up and not quite enough pay off. I think if the author had expanded the 3rd act and drawn out the action, I would feel differently.
Nonetheless, I found it to be an enjoyable read overall, and its plot truly is unique.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death and Cannibalism
Moderate: Sexual content, Violence, Vomit, and Stalking
I'm Thinking of Ending Things by Iain Reid
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I've always felt that a good book makes you want to read it twice. Sometimes to re-experience the plot, sometimes because you love the characters. I wanted to re-read this book because I had to rethink everything I thought I knew, about what I originally took at face value. For me, a good book sometimes requires extra time to process. I had to chew on this book a bit, like the sheep and their cud. As someone in a very close relationship, I appreciated the questions it posed about love, truly knowing one another, being alone, and vulnerability. I think this waxing poetic won't be for everyone, but I personally enjoyed how it was woven into the plot. In fact, I finished this book in one day because it had me hooked from the beginning and it was a relatively easy read.
While I liked the ending, I didn't necessarily care for how the book got there. The final portion felt a bit like it dragged, and I found myself just wanting to know how it all ended rather than feeling suspense. However, that is my only critique. If you enjoy mind-bending plots, philosophical questions, and a quiet sense of dread, give this book a go. When you finish the last page, be sure to re-read the first.
While I liked the ending, I didn't necessarily care for how the book got there. The final portion felt a bit like it dragged, and I found myself just wanting to know how it all ended rather than feeling suspense. However, that is my only critique. If you enjoy mind-bending plots, philosophical questions, and a quiet sense of dread, give this book a go. When you finish the last page, be sure to re-read the first.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
Moderate: Mental illness