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squids_can_read's reviews
689 reviews
I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-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
3.0
I thought that this book was really interesting. The concept and execution were really interesting. The title of the book is slightly misleading and I didn't think that there was enough explanation. However, I really enjoyed the depictions of grief and love in this book.
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
John was raised on the reservation only hearing about the amazing advancements of the outside world. But now John is being introduced into a world where he doesn't fit in. And to not fit in is to be destroyed.
I loved this book for what it talked about. The actual plot of the book was really depressing, especially with the twist at the end, but I thought the topics were extremely important. Overall, this book discusses the topics of designer babies, being content in your station, individuality, living in a society with morals different from how you were raised, and existing in the public eye. All of these are important topics, especially in today's age.
Despite how heavy some of the topics were, I think that this book is really important to read and is a classic for a reason.
I loved this book for what it talked about. The actual plot of the book was really depressing, especially with the twist at the end, but I thought the topics were extremely important. Overall, this book discusses the topics of designer babies, being content in your station, individuality, living in a society with morals different from how you were raised, and existing in the public eye. All of these are important topics, especially in today's age.
Despite how heavy some of the topics were, I think that this book is really important to read and is a classic for a reason.
Nineteen Claws and a Black Bird by Agustina Bazterrica
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
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? It's complicated
5.0
Tender Is the Flesh by Agustina Bazterrica
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
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
3.0
Marcos hasn't been the same since he lost his son. For one thing, he has stopped eating meat. Though it's not really meat, not in the way that we know it. At least he's been holding it together, barely. That is until he gets a female.
The characters in this book were really interesting. I really loved how the main character was written(until the end) and I liked the insights about the other characters. However, I did think that the rest of the characters were a little flat because the story focuses almost exclusively on Marcos. Toward the end of the book, Marcos starts making decisions that to me didn't make sense for his character. I mean they did with the twist but I wasn't expecting it so the decisions didn't make a whole lot of sense. The characters were fine overall.
The plot of the book was interesting. This is a world where people have to eat human meat to survive. It was a little unbelievable because there really isn't a disease that would affect all animal life that wouldn't also affect human beings. But I was able to put that aside to read this story. The overall plot of the story did eventually make sense but it does take until the very end.
I think my favorite part of this book was the exploration of the breakdown of the human image. It was really interesting and I think that it was really important. Definitely give this a read.
The characters in this book were really interesting. I really loved how the main character was written(until the end) and I liked the insights about the other characters. However, I did think that the rest of the characters were a little flat because the story focuses almost exclusively on Marcos. Toward the end of the book, Marcos starts making decisions that to me didn't make sense for his character. I mean they did with the twist but I wasn't expecting it so the decisions didn't make a whole lot of sense. The characters were fine overall.
The plot of the book was interesting. This is a world where people have to eat human meat to survive. It was a little unbelievable because there really isn't a disease that would affect all animal life that wouldn't also affect human beings. But I was able to put that aside to read this story. The overall plot of the story did eventually make sense but it does take until the very end.
I think my favorite part of this book was the exploration of the breakdown of the human image. It was really interesting and I think that it was really important. Definitely give this a read.
Sharp Teeth by Toby Barlow
challenging
dark
emotional
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? It's complicated
5.0
Anthony just got a new job as a dog catcher and maybe a new girlfriend. But his life is about to be changed forever. Anthony is thrust into a world of werewolf gangs and politics where the rules are blurred for everyone.
The characters in this book were really interesting. This book goes back and forth between different characters which I think is extremely helpful. All of the characters were extremely thought out. Their emotions, thoughts, and actions all felt real to me. I also really enjoyed how each of the werewolves connected with their werewolfness differently.
The plot of this story would have been very hard to follow if not for the different characters' points of view. However, the plot of the story is really interesting and suspenseful. It was super interesting to see how each of the storylines eventually connected. I honestly think that this could be a very interesting movie if they kept true to the story.
One interesting thing about this book is that it is not written traditionally and I believe is written in verse. However, I didn't think that it was super distracting and I was able to read it without any issues. I would give this a read.
The characters in this book were really interesting. This book goes back and forth between different characters which I think is extremely helpful. All of the characters were extremely thought out. Their emotions, thoughts, and actions all felt real to me. I also really enjoyed how each of the werewolves connected with their werewolfness differently.
The plot of this story would have been very hard to follow if not for the different characters' points of view. However, the plot of the story is really interesting and suspenseful. It was super interesting to see how each of the storylines eventually connected. I honestly think that this could be a very interesting movie if they kept true to the story.
One interesting thing about this book is that it is not written traditionally and I believe is written in verse. However, I didn't think that it was super distracting and I was able to read it without any issues. I would give this a read.
The Cabin at the End of the World by Paul Tremblay
challenging
dark
emotional
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
4.0
Andrew, Eric, and Wen were just hoping for an unplugged vacation. One where they can celebrate Wen's birthday early. That is until Leonard, Sabrina, Adriane, and Redmond show up demanding to be let in. Demanding a sacrifice. Now Andrew, Eric, and Wen have to fight for their family or lose everything they hold dear.
I really enjoyed the characters in this book. Andrew and Eric were well-written and very complex. It was really interesting to read how they reacted to the problem. Nothing either of the characters did felt out of character or strange. Honestly, these characters felt so real that my heart hurt for them. I thought that the other characters were a little strange. I know that they were supposed to be but their motivations lacked something for me. I wanted a little more proof that they either wanted to do this or that they were truly being forced to do it. Wen was written very well. She felt like a young character which doesn't happen all the time.
The story was written extremely well. I really enjoyed the blend of magic and realism which left the reader questioning with every line of the story. This read to me as more of a character study but it was really good. I actually really enjoyed the ending. I can see how it can rub some people the wrong way but I actually really enjoyed it.
Overall this book was extremely suspenseful and well written. I would definitely recommend though it is definitely different than the movie(from what I remember).
I really enjoyed the characters in this book. Andrew and Eric were well-written and very complex. It was really interesting to read how they reacted to the problem. Nothing either of the characters did felt out of character or strange. Honestly, these characters felt so real that my heart hurt for them. I thought that the other characters were a little strange. I know that they were supposed to be but their motivations lacked something for me. I wanted a little more proof that they either wanted to do this or that they were truly being forced to do it. Wen was written very well. She felt like a young character which doesn't happen all the time.
The story was written extremely well. I really enjoyed the blend of magic and realism which left the reader questioning with every line of the story. This read to me as more of a character study but it was really good. I actually really enjoyed the ending. I can see how it can rub some people the wrong way but I actually really enjoyed it.
Overall this book was extremely suspenseful and well written. I would definitely recommend though it is definitely different than the movie(from what I remember).
Disappearance at Devil's Rock by Paul Tremblay
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Elizabeth got the call late at night. The call that every mother dreads. Something has happened to her son. Tommy's disappearance seems to defy explanation. He has just disappeared not answering his phone and the police have no idea where in the great forest he might be. But things might not be what they seem and something might be hiding in the shadows.
The characters in this book were extremely well written. They all had a great amount of depth to them and their actions made sense for who they were and the characterization that we got for them. The activities that the teenage boys enjoyed were a little stereotypical and out of date but that was okay. I really liked how Tremblay showed how each of the characters interacted with grief and the thought that Tommy might still be out there.
The overall plot of the book wasn't that interesting. I figured that this book was supposed to be a horror/thriller but it failed on both points. This book was more of a character study of grief and what it means to tell the truth. Besides that though the plot was pretty boring as almost nothing happens in this book. Most of the story takes place before the actual events of the book so we flash back to the past a lot as people are describing what happened. Even then I enjoyed it a fair amount until the ending. The final twist really just didn't need to be in there.
Overall this was less of a horror/thriller than a character study but it was alright. I am interested in reading more by this author.
The characters in this book were extremely well written. They all had a great amount of depth to them and their actions made sense for who they were and the characterization that we got for them. The activities that the teenage boys enjoyed were a little stereotypical and out of date but that was okay. I really liked how Tremblay showed how each of the characters interacted with grief and the thought that Tommy might still be out there.
The overall plot of the book wasn't that interesting. I figured that this book was supposed to be a horror/thriller but it failed on both points. This book was more of a character study of grief and what it means to tell the truth. Besides that though the plot was pretty boring as almost nothing happens in this book. Most of the story takes place before the actual events of the book so we flash back to the past a lot as people are describing what happened. Even then I enjoyed it a fair amount until the ending. The final twist really just didn't need to be in there.
Overall this was less of a horror/thriller than a character study but it was alright. I am interested in reading more by this author.
A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
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? Yes
4.5
Effy has always loved literature. Especially an old fairytale written by a famed writer. But women aren't allowed to join the literature college. But one day a notice is placed up in the architecture school asking for designs for the newly dead writer's house by the sea. Effy wins the design contest and finally is allowed to be in the same place as her favorite writer, or at least where he used to be. But the man's former house is not what she thought it would be and danger lurks around every corner. Will Effy be able to leave with her life?
The main character of this story fell flat for me. She always talked about how she loved literature but it just seemed to me that she really liked this one book because of something that happened in her childhood. There is also something that happened to her in the Architecture school that she is also fighting. I thought that this part was really interesting and well-developed. However, the things that happened in her past felt very unstable and I didn't love the way that it was written. The other characters, including the dead ones, were extremely well-developed and I loved the way they were written, even if they were terrible people.
The world-building in this book is really weird. We have this country that butts up against another and they are at war(this isn't a spoiler and is talked about very early in the book). However, it doesn't seem like anywhere is really affected by war. There is one character I think that was affected by it and that is only briefly discussed. With the amount of times that the characters mention the war, there was very little consequence of it talked about. There was also a lot of racism in this book between the countries that didn't make sense. It would make sense if they were at war and there was no movement across the border but there were people from both countries in the university. Additionally, the magic system made absolutely no sense to me. A whole section of one country believed in magic but everyone else thought that it was just superstition. There was a vague reason talked about but I didn't really believe it. I just didn't understand how there was magic in this world when there was almost no magic in the book at all. It was just strange.
Despite all of the things that I disliked about the book, I did really enjoy it. I really loved the vibes of the story. Was it a masterpiece of fiction? Maybe not but I enjoyed it nonetheless.
The main character of this story fell flat for me. She always talked about how she loved literature but it just seemed to me that she really liked this one book because of something that happened in her childhood. There is also something that happened to her in the Architecture school that she is also fighting. I thought that this part was really interesting and well-developed. However, the things that happened in her past felt very unstable and I didn't love the way that it was written. The other characters, including the dead ones, were extremely well-developed and I loved the way they were written, even if they were terrible people.
The world-building in this book is really weird. We have this country that butts up against another and they are at war(this isn't a spoiler and is talked about very early in the book). However, it doesn't seem like anywhere is really affected by war. There is one character I think that was affected by it and that is only briefly discussed. With the amount of times that the characters mention the war, there was very little consequence of it talked about. There was also a lot of racism in this book between the countries that didn't make sense. It would make sense if they were at war and there was no movement across the border but there were people from both countries in the university. Additionally, the magic system made absolutely no sense to me. A whole section of one country believed in magic but everyone else thought that it was just superstition. There was a vague reason talked about but I didn't really believe it. I just didn't understand how there was magic in this world when there was almost no magic in the book at all. It was just strange.
Despite all of the things that I disliked about the book, I did really enjoy it. I really loved the vibes of the story. Was it a masterpiece of fiction? Maybe not but I enjoyed it nonetheless.