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swampkun's reviews
102 reviews
The Trials of Lila Dalton by Laura J. Shepherd
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
3.5 ⭐️
Thank you Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for the eARC! Spoiler-free review below.
For fans of: 1899, The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle, Anatomy of a Fall, The Wedding of Natsume Arata
I think this book had a solid foundation to start: part courtroom thriller, part conspiracy theory hunt, and a dash of light speculative fiction to keep you constantly trying to pick apart the mystery. The narration felt unreliable in an effective, deliberate way, allowing for me as a reader to constantly feel as susceptible to conspiracy as the character herself—a particularly clever bit of writing that suited the both the story and the broader points the author was trying to explore about truth, reality, and the rise of disinformation very well. However, I felt that the narrative was lacking towards the end, with the final reveals leaving me both underwhelmed and confused. Characters stopped talking like character and instead like think pieces on the dangers of a post-truth society and cancel culture, twists felt telegraphed from a mile away, and ultimately it felt as though a satisfying narrative ending was pushed aside to allow the author to grandstand a bit.
Overall, I really enjoyed the legal drama elements and how the author explored modern day Nazism’s relation to theosophy and occultism as a means to build an atmospheric thriller. The story fell flat towards the end, with more than a couple questions lacking satisfying payoff. I don’t know—maybe it’s because I read this so late at night, but there were some questions I had left upon finishing that I think the author really felt she had answered but that I just don’t grock?
Thank you Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for the eARC! Spoiler-free review below.
For fans of: 1899, The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle, Anatomy of a Fall, The Wedding of Natsume Arata
I think this book had a solid foundation to start: part courtroom thriller, part conspiracy theory hunt, and a dash of light speculative fiction to keep you constantly trying to pick apart the mystery. The narration felt unreliable in an effective, deliberate way, allowing for me as a reader to constantly feel as susceptible to conspiracy as the character herself—a particularly clever bit of writing that suited the both the story and the broader points the author was trying to explore about truth, reality, and the rise of disinformation very well. However, I felt that the narrative was lacking towards the end, with the final reveals leaving me both underwhelmed and confused. Characters stopped talking like character and instead like think pieces on the dangers of a post-truth society and cancel culture, twists felt telegraphed from a mile away, and ultimately it felt as though a satisfying narrative ending was pushed aside to allow the author to grandstand a bit.
Overall, I really enjoyed the legal drama elements and how the author explored modern day Nazism’s relation to theosophy and occultism as a means to build an atmospheric thriller. The story fell flat towards the end, with more than a couple questions lacking satisfying payoff. I don’t know—maybe it’s because I read this so late at night, but there were some questions I had left upon finishing that I think the author really felt she had answered but that I just don’t grock?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Hate crime, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Antisemitism
Minor: Sexual assault and Sexual harassment
The entire novel centers on a bombing, which resulted in mass death. The details of the bombing are discussed in clinical detail. There are brief passages dedicated to describing the injuries that resulted from the bombing.
Because the defendant of the crime is a far-right neo-Nazi, Nazism and white supremacist beliefs are discussed in detail.
Island of Whispers by Frances Hardinge
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
fast-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
4.5
Read for work. A sweet book that I think will really resonate with young, spooky readers.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Child death
The plot centers on the journey of a young man ferrying the souls of the dead, including a young girl and his murdered father. Their ghosts accompany him throughout
The Meiji Guillotine Murders by Fūtarō Yamada
challenging
informative
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Thank you NetGalley and Pushkin Press for the opportunity to read this book! My spoiler-free review lies below, cradling its head in its hands:
My opinion on this book warmed so much the more I read—while it started feeling a bit like I was pushing through a fairly dense history book at the beginning, by the middle I couldn’t put the book down. The final 40 or so pages were devoured, leaving me thrilled.
For readers expecting a cozy murder mystery or a classic detective novel, know that this is more similar to a bound anthology in nature: our pair of detectives (technically government investigators) investigate five murders over the course of about a year, with the help of a French miko and a gaggle of dimwitted by useful rasotsu. The overarching through line is the interrogation of a Just Government—is it possible for a governing body to be free of corruption, to mete out justice, and to be manned transparently? The two main characters grapple with this throughout, within the heavily-detailed setting of early Meiji Japan.
At times the historical background and set dressing felt dry, and many of the less-fleshed-out characters bled into each other. I think in large part, this is due to my reading this out of it’s original context: many of the characters in the story, including one of the protagonists, are important figures in Japanese history. Even if Japanese readers aren’t necessarily familiar with all of them by name, the backdrop of the Meiji Restoration is enough to provide sufficient context. I can’t fault the writer or the translator for my own ignorance on the topic—I think it’s just worth noting to anyone picking up this book that they may get more of a history lesson than they may anticipate, as this element is less advertised in the summary.
While reading this book, I tried to keep in mind the context of it’s original publication—the late 1970s were a period of marked political, economic, and social change for Japan—and how the novel’s setting must have resonated with readers at that time. What’s more, I feel that Pushkin Vertigo’s decision to publish this book in 2023 is equally as timely. The feel of complete helplessness in a time of political turmoil is just as overwhelming now as it was for the characters in 1869, and I find both protagonists’ diametric ideals about government to echo public sentiment today.
Overall, I had hoped for a detective story and got something a little bit more than that. It wasn’t what I expected, and it had a slightly slow start, but the last chapter left me thinking about it a lot more than I probably would have if it were just another whodunnit. 4/5 stars.
My opinion on this book warmed so much the more I read—while it started feeling a bit like I was pushing through a fairly dense history book at the beginning, by the middle I couldn’t put the book down. The final 40 or so pages were devoured, leaving me thrilled.
For readers expecting a cozy murder mystery or a classic detective novel, know that this is more similar to a bound anthology in nature: our pair of detectives (technically government investigators) investigate five murders over the course of about a year, with the help of a French miko and a gaggle of dimwitted by useful rasotsu. The overarching through line is the interrogation of a Just Government—is it possible for a governing body to be free of corruption, to mete out justice, and to be manned transparently? The two main characters grapple with this throughout, within the heavily-detailed setting of early Meiji Japan.
At times the historical background and set dressing felt dry, and many of the less-fleshed-out characters bled into each other. I think in large part, this is due to my reading this out of it’s original context: many of the characters in the story, including one of the protagonists, are important figures in Japanese history. Even if Japanese readers aren’t necessarily familiar with all of them by name, the backdrop of the Meiji Restoration is enough to provide sufficient context. I can’t fault the writer or the translator for my own ignorance on the topic—I think it’s just worth noting to anyone picking up this book that they may get more of a history lesson than they may anticipate, as this element is less advertised in the summary.
While reading this book, I tried to keep in mind the context of it’s original publication—the late 1970s were a period of marked political, economic, and social change for Japan—and how the novel’s setting must have resonated with readers at that time. What’s more, I feel that Pushkin Vertigo’s decision to publish this book in 2023 is equally as timely. The feel of complete helplessness in a time of political turmoil is just as overwhelming now as it was for the characters in 1869, and I find both protagonists’ diametric ideals about government to echo public sentiment today.
Overall, I had hoped for a detective story and got something a little bit more than that. It wasn’t what I expected, and it had a slightly slow start, but the last chapter left me thinking about it a lot more than I probably would have if it were just another whodunnit. 4/5 stars.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, and Xenophobia
The story includes clinical descriptions of corpses and how their deaths came to pass. The characters also express era- and region-typical xenophobia, distrusting any non-Japanese nationals.
Dracula by Bram Stoker
adventurous
dark
tense
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? No
5.0
Girl it’s mf Dracula!!! You already know!!!!
The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
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? No
5.0
A funny, charming, and cozy read that both serves as a love letter to the English murder mystery canon and a heartfelt homage to the elderly community. The character voices are well-defined, meshing to create a beautifully knit cast of characters, and the mystery unravels at a satisfying pace. A perfect weekend read—i can’t wait to crack into book 2.
The Enigma of Room 622 by Joël Dicker
slow-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
1.75
Unbelievably boring, with flat characters constantly self-sabotaging, relying on how sexy you find the female characters and how riveting you find the lives of wealthy Swiss bankers. Clumsy plot twists are sprinkled throughout, but none clever enough to warrant the nearly 600pg page count. I can only recommend this books to fans of James Bond who are unironic fans of all its flaws.
The Devil and the Dark Water by Stuart Turton
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
An absolutely swashbuckling mystery, full of devilry and dripping with intrigue. I tore this book apart in a matter of days, unable to wait to find out where each revelation led. Moody, tense, and full of deeply compelling characters and motives, Turton has weaved a highly-atmospheric follow up to Evelyn Hardcastle.
PS, Stu-Turt, if you’re reading this: I’m sorry. I’m one of those readers who can’t stop thinking about how dreamy Arent is. Last night I fell asleep imagining his big arms and wide chest. If you didn’t want us to fall in love, I’m sorry to say that’s the only place where your writing has failed.
PS, Stu-Turt, if you’re reading this: I’m sorry. I’m one of those readers who can’t stop thinking about how dreamy Arent is. Last night I fell asleep imagining his big arms and wide chest. If you didn’t want us to fall in love, I’m sorry to say that’s the only place where your writing has failed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence and Ableism
Moderate: Confinement, Misogyny, War, and Violence
A female character experiences sexual violence and makes reference to being physically abused. A primary character with dwarfism is referred to with ableist language and describes having experienced ableism. The book is set during a voyage from a Dutch colony in Indonesia. Frequent references are made to a genocide carried out by Dutch military against indigenous people.
The Cloisters by Katy Hays
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
thought this book was a great cozy end-of-summer read, though at times it felt slow and the dialogue unrealistic, as if striving for poetic over believable. But the writing style is compelling, and I enjoyed the way the writer explored fate through the lens of grief.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Drug use, Death, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Suicide
Constant mentions of grief over the death of a parent throughout. There are frequent mentions of murder and manslaughter, and a scene of a death by poisoning is depicted. A character’s suicide is mentioned in passing.
Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI by David Grann
challenging
dark
informative
tense
fast-paced
5.0
An absolutely thrilling read, Killers of the Flower Moon is a meticulously researched dive into a horrific period of American history that interrogates White Americans’ relationship with wealth, land, and Native American lives—and how sickeningly their perceived entitlement to it all permeated every aspect of society. The author both carefully records the investigations carried out during the Reign of Terror and sympathetically details the lasting impact of these harrowing events still felt by the victims’ families today. I felt the book was incredibly well-written, bringing to vivid life the people and places central to the narrative. Killers of The Flower Moon is a necessary novel that spotlights an oft-forgotten tragedy for the crime-obsessed current generation.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Racism
Moderate: Colonisation
Brief descriptions of autopsy findings mentioned throughout, alongside mentions of anti-indigenous racism.