xyzeereads's reviews
577 reviews

Idol, Burning by 宇佐見りん, Rin Usami

sad

3.0

Rin Usami's IDOL BURNING will feel familiar to anyone who has ever loved or been obsessed with K-pop (or J-pop)  idols, myself included. I saw myself in Akari’s determination to perpetually try to get "closer" to Masaki through all the idol's activities, though in reality, they're oblivious to our actual existence. Celebrating their every wins and crying over their losses, it’s a never-ending spiral of obsession that has helped many deal with reality… though at what cost?

Vampires of El Norte by Isabel Cañas

adventurous fast-paced

3.5

Despite having vampire fatigue, I picked up Isabel Cañas's VAMPIRES OF EL NORTE because I enjoyed Cañas's writing in The Hacienda and I am always intrigued by how authors interpret certain monsters.. and Cañas's version reminds me a lot of the vampires in Guillermo Del Toro's THE STRAIN. 

The Red Palace by June Hur 허주은

4.0

The Dead and the Dark by Courtney Gould

3.0

Against the Loveless World by Susan Abulhawa

dark sad tense fast-paced

5.0

All I See Is Violence by Angie Elita Newell

adventurous dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

4.25

Dawn of the Dead by George A. Romero

dark medium-paced

3.0

The movie was better

BDS : boycott, divestment, sanctions : the global struggle for Palestinian rights by Omar Barghouti

hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad

4.25

Essential and relevant reading, especially today, for those who have their hands tied on what to do about the current PERSISTING situation, but still want, no, NEED to do something. 

Educate yourself first, then take action. BOYCOTT, DIVEST, AND SANCTION.

Who Haunts You by Mark Wheaton

dark medium-paced

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

3.0

An easy and mildly haunting read. Nothing particularly scary about the "ghost" stalking the victim, though I do appreciate the effort put into the thought process behind a neurodivergent individual who constantly spirals. 

The Bloody Chamber and Other Stories by Angela Carter

adventurous dark tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

3.75

Imagine all the fairy tales of your childhood, and imagine them further, albeit connoted in a more sexualised and radicalised manner. Would you enjoy them more? 

During, while, and after reading Angela Carter's THE BLOODY CHAMBER & OTHER STORIES, my personal answer is a resounding YES. 

If you grew up reading, and "learning from" the morals of classic fairy tales by Grimm, you'll recognise familiar elements in all the stories here, albeit brandished with extra fervour; Carter's special recipe, so to speak. 

However, prosey language may be a hindrance for some; if you like it simple, skip this.