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akira_outofthegravity's reviews
177 reviews
The Aosawa Murders by Riku Onda
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
4.5
This is not a whodunnit, despite the subject matter. This is the tale of three children who witness the aftermath of the mass murder of a prestigious and rich family via a case of poisoned fizzy juice- the sole survivor being the inhabitants blind daughter. No one ever confessed, and the case went cold.
This book dives into the aftermath for all who were affected, the three siblings who stumbled upon the scene and who had been there last, the daughter who was left alive, the newspapers, journalists, and public. It’s never explicitly stated who committed the murders (though it’s heavily implied) but it goes to show that a tragedy affects not only the people closest, but a whole community. This is a very sad novel, but one that I enjoyed reading.
This book dives into the aftermath for all who were affected, the three siblings who stumbled upon the scene and who had been there last, the daughter who was left alive, the newspapers, journalists, and public. It’s never explicitly stated who committed the murders (though it’s heavily implied) but it goes to show that a tragedy affects not only the people closest, but a whole community. This is a very sad novel, but one that I enjoyed reading.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Suicide, and Murder
A Wild Sheep Chase by Haruki Murakami
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
It’s very detailed. I could clearly see every scene written, but our protagonist suffers from Murakami Protagonist Syndrome in that they’re fake deep, kind of bland yet they get super hot girlfriends, and there’s a weird vaguely misogynistic tone. This isn’t a spoiler: in the first few pages we hear about our protagonist’s FWB relationship with an unnamed woman, who he later comments has died. This is never explained, never brought up again, nor is the relevancy of this scene ever explained.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
Nod by Adrian Barnes
1.0
Amazing premise, very promising but weirdly misogynistic. Reads like Adrian Barnes wanted to write himself into the book so he gave his character no likeable, or recognisable, qualities but made his girlfriend beautiful and smart.
Filled with ableism and misogyny, a very dull, and quite frankly unnecessary read. The only good part of the book is the ending- seriously. The last two paragraphs are haunting and i wish that energy could have been kept throughout the book.
Filled with ableism and misogyny, a very dull, and quite frankly unnecessary read. The only good part of the book is the ending- seriously. The last two paragraphs are haunting and i wish that energy could have been kept throughout the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Gore, Mental illness, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual violence, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, and Murder
The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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
5.0
How this is someone’s debut novel I will never understand. This is such an intricate book, filled with detail and intrigue.
Aiden finds himself stumbling to a hunting lodge in someone else’s body, with no idea how he got there. Aiden is in a time loop, destined to live the same few days over and over again. The young Evelyn Hardcastle will die later that night, Aiden’s task? Save her, and as a reward he will be freed from the loop. But every time he sleeps he wakes up as a new person, and he only has 8 chances left…
Not only that, but there are two others like him, but only one can leave. A mysterious plague doctor watching his every move, and a fellow “body snatcher” trying to kill him off. Can Aiden solve who kills Evelyn?
This is so detailed and I love it with my entire heart.
Aiden finds himself stumbling to a hunting lodge in someone else’s body, with no idea how he got there. Aiden is in a time loop, destined to live the same few days over and over again. The young Evelyn Hardcastle will die later that night, Aiden’s task? Save her, and as a reward he will be freed from the loop. But every time he sleeps he wakes up as a new person, and he only has 8 chances left…
Not only that, but there are two others like him, but only one can leave. A mysterious plague doctor watching his every move, and a fellow “body snatcher” trying to kill him off. Can Aiden solve who kills Evelyn?
This is so detailed and I love it with my entire heart.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Violence, Death of parent, and Murder
Crooked House by Agatha Christie
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Murder
Moderate: Child death
Carry On by Rainbow Rowell
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I like this book, but it works better as a sequel. It’s a lot of showing “oh wow Baz and Simon don’t get on…oh man it sucks that Baz literally almost took your magic away…man it sucks that your relationship is super complicated…” hence why when Baz confesses to the audience it’s very jarring.
I’m expected to believe this character I just met is telling me that actually he’s been in love with Simon the whole time? Where?? It’s very half baked. I like the magic, I like the stories woven together, I like the final fight, I like Simon. I love the shade thrown at Dumbledore! but honestly it’s like being thrown in at the deep end. I wish this was a quadrilogy. But I’m not interested in Wayward Son or AWTWB so I guess this is where we part ways SnowBaz.
I’m expected to believe this character I just met is telling me that actually he’s been in love with Simon the whole time? Where?? It’s very half baked. I like the magic, I like the stories woven together, I like the final fight, I like Simon. I love the shade thrown at Dumbledore! but honestly it’s like being thrown in at the deep end. I wish this was a quadrilogy. But I’m not interested in Wayward Son or AWTWB so I guess this is where we part ways SnowBaz.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Violence, and Death of parent
The Mirror Crack'd from Side to Side by Agatha Christie
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Very good!! A sneaky motive hidden, it’s really clever and heartbreaking.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Ordeal by Innocence by Agatha Christie
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Coraline by Neil Gaiman
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
fast-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
3.75
Not really scary but I love the theme of bravery, and how much Coraline loves her family.
PET by Akwaeke Emezi
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
3.75
Society has gotten rid of monsters, but when Jam accidentally summons Pet- a creature from her mother’s paintings- Pet reveals that there’s a monster nearby and it’s his job to get rid of it.
I like this book! It’s a great way for teens to learn about different identities and relationships, the friendship between the two main characters is great and the plot is very interesting. I’ve knocked off a point because the end frustrates me.
Redemptions brother is being (it is implied sexually) abused by his uncle, who is well loved by the family. The climax features Pet who wishes to punish him i.e. kill him- however Jam intervenes and asks him not to. This is, to me, utterly insane. It’s different with the current justice system where Black people are being abused by it, (Jam and Redeption and their families are Black), and so it makes sense that the death penalty doesn’t work in this society however, the uncle confesses- so why not kill him? It’s clear he’s done it, and what is the justice system- if it is indeed being scrutinised- going to do? The only plus side is that the uncle is exposed, one of his wives (I believe he is polyam) also confesses to knowing what he did, and so he is ostracised and dealt with that way. But Jams decision reeks of moral superiority, I get the message but I don’t think it’s appropriate for that situation, and it tarnishes an otherwise incredible book.
I like this book! It’s a great way for teens to learn about different identities and relationships, the friendship between the two main characters is great and the plot is very interesting. I’ve knocked off a point because the end frustrates me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Blood