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uutopicaa's reviews
713 reviews
Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng by Kylie Lee Baker
3.0
First, I want to thank Harlequin Audio for providing me with a copy of this novel. The following review reflects my honest thoughts on it.
I requested this book because I loved the title, though I didn’t know much about it aside from the fact that it was a horror novel set during the COVID pandemic.
The story follows Cora, a young woman from a Chinese family who works as a crime scene cleaner. Cora is obsessed with cleanliness and avoiding contact with any viruses or bacteria. She is also haunted by a terrifying ghost, which she believes is the spirit of her sister, who was killed in front of her not long ago.
As Cora goes about her days, trying to avoid encounters with the ghost, she and her work crew begin to notice that a disturbing number of Asian women are being killed in New York City and there´s always a dead bat with them. And before they realize it, they find themselves drawn into an investigation, as the killer might also be the one responsible for Cora’s sister’s death.
This is a horror novel that explores themes of loneliness, discrimination, hatred, and the scapegoating of minorities to deflect society’s larger issues. It’s a tragic story, not a happy one, and it is definitely gore.
Did I enjoy it? Honestly, I’m not sure.
I appreciated the book as a whole. Some scenes and concepts are particularly good, and the cast of characters is fantastic.
However, in certain areas, the book falls short. For instance, there are moments where the paranormal elements could have used more explanation, but instead, they either go unexplained or contradict what was established earlier in the story. I also wasn’t fond of the vague setting. The book is set in New York City, yet it never really feels like it. The subway stations are unnamed, the parks are never identified and there’s no real sense of place. It could have been any city. The narrative often describes things like “we took the subway to the nearest park,” which makes the setting feel distant. I would have liked to feel like I was in NYC. The decision to name the city but not describe it was a bit odd.
I did enjoy the plot twists and the ending, though a couple of events left me feeling sad because they seemed unnecessary. It felt like they were included just for shock value or to heighten the gore, rather than moving the plot forward. There were also some scenes that didn’t make sense to me, like one where Cora is cleaning a crypt near a church (I won’t give away more details than that).
Overall, it was an interesting book with some cool elements, but it had the potential to be so much better than it turned out to be. I almost wish this had been a beta manuscript, still needing some final edits.
Do I recommend it? Only if you’re a fan of gory books. As a mystery, it didn’t fully satisfy me.
I requested this book because I loved the title, though I didn’t know much about it aside from the fact that it was a horror novel set during the COVID pandemic.
The story follows Cora, a young woman from a Chinese family who works as a crime scene cleaner. Cora is obsessed with cleanliness and avoiding contact with any viruses or bacteria. She is also haunted by a terrifying ghost, which she believes is the spirit of her sister, who was killed in front of her not long ago.
As Cora goes about her days, trying to avoid encounters with the ghost, she and her work crew begin to notice that a disturbing number of Asian women are being killed in New York City and there´s always a dead bat with them. And before they realize it, they find themselves drawn into an investigation, as the killer might also be the one responsible for Cora’s sister’s death.
This is a horror novel that explores themes of loneliness, discrimination, hatred, and the scapegoating of minorities to deflect society’s larger issues. It’s a tragic story, not a happy one, and it is definitely gore.
Did I enjoy it? Honestly, I’m not sure.
I appreciated the book as a whole. Some scenes and concepts are particularly good, and the cast of characters is fantastic.
However, in certain areas, the book falls short. For instance, there are moments where the paranormal elements could have used more explanation, but instead, they either go unexplained or contradict what was established earlier in the story. I also wasn’t fond of the vague setting. The book is set in New York City, yet it never really feels like it. The subway stations are unnamed, the parks are never identified and there’s no real sense of place. It could have been any city. The narrative often describes things like “we took the subway to the nearest park,” which makes the setting feel distant. I would have liked to feel like I was in NYC. The decision to name the city but not describe it was a bit odd.
I did enjoy the plot twists and the ending, though a couple of events left me feeling sad because they seemed unnecessary. It felt like they were included just for shock value or to heighten the gore, rather than moving the plot forward. There were also some scenes that didn’t make sense to me, like one where Cora is cleaning a crypt near a church (I won’t give away more details than that).
Overall, it was an interesting book with some cool elements, but it had the potential to be so much better than it turned out to be. I almost wish this had been a beta manuscript, still needing some final edits.
Do I recommend it? Only if you’re a fan of gory books. As a mystery, it didn’t fully satisfy me.
My Darling Dreadful Thing by Johanna van Veen
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
5.0
OMG! WHAT A BOOK!
I haven’t enjoyed a book this much in a long time!
I haven’t enjoyed a book this much in a long time!
My Darling Dreadful Thing is a sapphic horror standalone novel set in the 1950s. The story follows Roos, a young woman with a ghost companion. She works for her mother (a fake medium) by pretending to be possessed by the spirits of the departed from WWII. Among their wealthy clients is Agnes, who recently lost her husband and also has a ghostly companion.
The moment they meet, both women realize they share the same otherworldly power.
Agnes buys Roos from her mother and takes her to live in the grand estate she inherited after her husband’s death. As they grow closer, they begin to learn from each other and, eventually, fall in love. However, their lives are filled with secrets, hauntings, and death.
The story is interrupted with therapy sessions every now and then. They show conversations between the Roos and a doctor, which guide us through the events leading up to a dark turning point. The burning question is: what went wrong?
The narration is captivating, and the characters are wonderfully developed. The horror aspect is seamlessly woven into the plot, with chilling descriptions that bleed through the story and send shivers down your spine.
I absolutely loved this book and highly recommend it!
El libro de Thot by
En esta ocasión, no le voy a poner puntaje al libro porque tengo sentimientos encontrados al respecto.
Por un lado, me topé con una historia interesante, colmada de intriga y aventura. Esta es una novela para los amantes de la historia y la mitología egipcia, así como también de las historias llenas de oscuridad. Si tuviera que comparar este libro con otras historias, diría que tiene elementos que recuerdan a las películas de La momia y a las de Indiana Jones (aunque estas en menor medida).
Ahora bien, aunque creo que la idea de la trama es muy buena, creo que al manuscrito en sí la ha faltado trabajo. No se siente como ver una película, sino como escuchar a tu vecina contarte la película que ella vio. A ver... cómo lo explico.
Me recuerda a mi primera novela autopublicada en la adolescencia (que reescibrí diez años despúés) en cuanto al texto propiamente dicho. Aunque la corrección técnica sea pulida, se siente una falta de profundidad y de estilo muy profunda. Como si esta fuera apenas la escaleta o el resumen de un libro y no el libro en sí mismo. Tiene el esqueleto sólido y bien armado, pero le falta la carne (o el alma, si prefieren algo que suene más lindo).
Agradezco mucho a la autora por la colaboración digital. La historia es ligera y se lee rápido, tiene mucho potencial para aprovecharse en futuras ediciones.
Por un lado, me topé con una historia interesante, colmada de intriga y aventura. Esta es una novela para los amantes de la historia y la mitología egipcia, así como también de las historias llenas de oscuridad. Si tuviera que comparar este libro con otras historias, diría que tiene elementos que recuerdan a las películas de La momia y a las de Indiana Jones (aunque estas en menor medida).
Ahora bien, aunque creo que la idea de la trama es muy buena, creo que al manuscrito en sí la ha faltado trabajo. No se siente como ver una película, sino como escuchar a tu vecina contarte la película que ella vio. A ver... cómo lo explico.
Me recuerda a mi primera novela autopublicada en la adolescencia (que reescibrí diez años despúés) en cuanto al texto propiamente dicho. Aunque la corrección técnica sea pulida, se siente una falta de profundidad y de estilo muy profunda. Como si esta fuera apenas la escaleta o el resumen de un libro y no el libro en sí mismo. Tiene el esqueleto sólido y bien armado, pero le falta la carne (o el alma, si prefieren algo que suene más lindo).
Agradezco mucho a la autora por la colaboración digital. La historia es ligera y se lee rápido, tiene mucho potencial para aprovecharse en futuras ediciones.
Something in the Walls by Daisy Pearce
4.75
I want to thank Macmillan for providing the audiobook copy of this title through NetGalley for an early review. I also preordered the Minotaur Books hardcover edition and had the pleasure of experiencing the novel through assisted reading (listening to the audiobook while following along with the printed book). With that said, let’s dive into my thoughts.
First and foremost: I loved this book! OMG, it was such an incredible read!
I wasn’t sure what to expect from it. Was it horror? Was it a mystery? Was it both? Kind of.
"Something in the Walls" follows Mina, a young psychologist fresh out of college. Through a friend she meets in a grief support group, Mina is presented with a unique professional opportunity to gain experience in her field.
Her friend, Sam, is a reporter intrigued by the case of a young girl who claims to be possessed by a witch. Sam wants Mina to observe the girl's behavior from a clinical standpoint and assess what’s really happening so he can write a note about it for the newspaper.
Mina and Sam then travel to the location and, of course, things don’t go as planned. The two of them soon get drawn into a small town steeped in old traditions and beliefs that challenge their own sanity. And the main question remains: What is really going on with this girl who claims to speak to the death and being possessed by a witch who talks to her through the cracks of the walls?
This book blends both paranormal and psychological horror, blurring the line between the two in a way that leaves you questioning what is magical and what is real. It’s great because this sense of doubt is also planted in the reader, not just in the protagonist, and will keep you wondering until the very last page. The story repeatedly tests our logical thinking and perceptions.
And the ending... just wow. I won’t spoil it, but it’s definitely my kind of ending: about 80% closed, with just enough left open to leave you pondering long after you’ve finished the book.
I look forward to checking out more works by this author soon!
If you enjoy small-town horror stories and witchcraft tales, “Something in the walls” is perfect for you!
TW: There are implications of physical and sexual violence, though they are never explicitly described.
First and foremost: I loved this book! OMG, it was such an incredible read!
I wasn’t sure what to expect from it. Was it horror? Was it a mystery? Was it both? Kind of.
"Something in the Walls" follows Mina, a young psychologist fresh out of college. Through a friend she meets in a grief support group, Mina is presented with a unique professional opportunity to gain experience in her field.
Her friend, Sam, is a reporter intrigued by the case of a young girl who claims to be possessed by a witch. Sam wants Mina to observe the girl's behavior from a clinical standpoint and assess what’s really happening so he can write a note about it for the newspaper.
Mina and Sam then travel to the location and, of course, things don’t go as planned. The two of them soon get drawn into a small town steeped in old traditions and beliefs that challenge their own sanity. And the main question remains: What is really going on with this girl who claims to speak to the death and being possessed by a witch who talks to her through the cracks of the walls?
This book blends both paranormal and psychological horror, blurring the line between the two in a way that leaves you questioning what is magical and what is real. It’s great because this sense of doubt is also planted in the reader, not just in the protagonist, and will keep you wondering until the very last page. The story repeatedly tests our logical thinking and perceptions.
And the ending... just wow. I won’t spoil it, but it’s definitely my kind of ending: about 80% closed, with just enough left open to leave you pondering long after you’ve finished the book.
I look forward to checking out more works by this author soon!
If you enjoy small-town horror stories and witchcraft tales, “Something in the walls” is perfect for you!
TW: There are implications of physical and sexual violence, though they are never explicitly described.
The Extraordinary Disappointments of Leopold Berry by Ransom Riggs
3.5
Superó todas mis expectativas, pero se quedó un poco corto en el epílogo
Moth by Rowyn Golde
2.0
The story wasn´t bad, but the way is told is too convoluted. It definitely needs more editing and a few breaks between sooooooo many consecutive dialogues.
Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
2.0
Entiendo por qué es un clásico, pero no era para mí. Esto de los dramas familiares y románticos me supera, es como mirar una telenovela histórica.
Los árboles caídos también son el bosque by Alejandra Kamiya
5.0
¡Qué libro maravilloso! Amé todas las historias
Los aerostatos by Amélie Nothomb
4.0
Una novela breve muy buena (y también sencilla) sobre el poder que tiene la literatura para transformar la mente.
Better Left Buried by Mary E. Roach
4.5
No es un libro que te cambie la vida ni nada, pero lo disfruté un montonazo. Esta es una novela juvenil de misterio con un romance sáfico. El misterio es muy bueno y los personajes me encantaron. Quiero más libros como este, por favor.