unboxedjack's reviews
1309 reviews

The Carnival Of Ash by Tom Beckerlegge

adventurous funny mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Dreambound by Dan Frey

mysterious reflective fast-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? Yes

2.5

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Content Warnings

Minor: Alcoholism, Cursing, Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Alcohol

Holly by Stephen King

dark 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? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, Gore, Homophobia, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, Blood, Dementia, Stalking, Murder, Injury/Injury detail

The Business by Iain Banks

funny lighthearted 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? Yes

3.0

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Content Warnings

Minor: Cursing, Death, Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual assault, Terminal illness, Car accident, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Colonisation

The Ark Sakura by Kōbō Abe

dark funny mysterious reflective 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

2.75

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Content Warnings

Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Cancer, Confinement, Death, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Classism

The Last Murder at the End of the World by Stuart Turton

mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

Blackouts by Justin Torres

emotional informative reflective sad 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? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Homophobia, Mental illness, Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent

The Book of Elsewhere by China Miéville, Keanu Reeves

challenging dark mysterious reflective medium-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

3.25

The Book of Elsewhere is definitely a slow burn, as much of Miêville's work tends to be, but not to the point of making it difficult to stay engaged by the story. A sci-fi story combining the action of a graphic novel with the extravagance of language of the New Weird, The Book of Elsewhere surely does transport the reader elsewhere. Where that is...well...I'm not sure. There's a fair amount to chew on in this novel. It centers primarily on the relationship to death we each have as individuals and groups. Do we annihilate, accept, or acquiesce to death? What is death? And what is life, faith, and meaning? Heady questions as is Miêville's purview. While I can't speak to the BRZRKR comics' themes and narrative strategies, this felt on par for what Miêville tends to do. The first two acts seem to build up to a rather satisfying climax, but the conclusion tends to fall short with so many loose ends to tie up. It wasn't entirely disappointing, but certainly made me want more clarity.

Ultimately, this was a solid read and I would be interested to see future collaborations between these two. The combination made the subject matter and story a more accessible while still thought-provoking read. Content warnings for sure regarding death, suicide, torture, and violence as a whole. A 3.25/5 stars from me. Thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Del Rey and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Death, Gore, Mental illness, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Murder, Toxic friendship, War, Injury/Injury detail

Haruki Murakami Manga Stories 2: The Second Bakery Attack, Samsa in Love, Thailand by Haruki Murakami

reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

Counterweight by Djuna

challenging mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

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Content Warnings

Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Blood