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akira_outofthegravity's reviews
175 reviews
Patient Zero by Jonathan Maberry
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
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? No
3.0
While I’d like to give it 4 stars, I can’t in good faith do that from the action alone.
The positives:
The story is good, the plot is well structured, and I like how all of the plot threads held together. Joe Ledger is a compelling protagonist and Echo Team were fun to read about. Rudy was a highlight, and I liked that the men cried.
The negatives:
This book is very 2009. Also very pro-government-pro-America/propaganda-y. It’s very macho, and very uhhhhhh maybe not racist but it borderlines it. Things like Doctor Hu (name aside) being this callous asshole while all the white guys are Stern and Serious. Idk it just doesn’t sit well with me.
As much as I like Joe, he was very good at his job. Too good. He’s got this split personality thing going on which is very cringy, but also he’s ridiculously strong and can kill people with no effort. Unrealistic and ruins his personality which I actually like.
Also the treatment of women. Grace Courtland is super cool, but she’s reduced to Church’s right hand woman and later Joe’s love interest. There was no chemistry between them. I did like that her character development didn’t come from sexual assault. But I felt she was wasted, especially since she’s made out to be this amazing fighter. It would have been cool to see more of her perspective and possibly even a novel where she’s the main character.
Also I didn’t like how she’s this stuck up bitch until Joe “wins her over” and suddenly they’re fucking lmfao.
Also Joe’s ex girlfriend being raped and killing herself for Joe’s character development. Ew.
Not a bad book, I’ll be picking up the sequel at somepoint but it has some very obvious flaws.
The positives:
The story is good, the plot is well structured, and I like how all of the plot threads held together. Joe Ledger is a compelling protagonist and Echo Team were fun to read about. Rudy was a highlight, and I liked that the men cried.
The negatives:
This book is very 2009. Also very pro-government-pro-America/propaganda-y. It’s very macho, and very uhhhhhh maybe not racist but it borderlines it. Things like Doctor Hu (name aside) being this callous asshole while all the white guys are Stern and Serious. Idk it just doesn’t sit well with me.
As much as I like Joe, he was very good at his job. Too good. He’s got this split personality thing going on which is very cringy, but also he’s ridiculously strong and can kill people with no effort. Unrealistic and ruins his personality which I actually like.
Also the treatment of women. Grace Courtland is super cool, but she’s reduced to Church’s right hand woman and later Joe’s love interest. There was no chemistry between them. I did like that her character development didn’t come from sexual assault. But I felt she was wasted, especially since she’s made out to be this amazing fighter. It would have been cool to see more of her perspective and possibly even a novel where she’s the main character.
Also I didn’t like how she’s this stuck up bitch until Joe “wins her over” and suddenly they’re fucking lmfao.
Also Joe’s ex girlfriend being raped and killing herself for Joe’s character development. Ew.
Not a bad book, I’ll be picking up the sequel at somepoint but it has some very obvious flaws.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Blood, Cannibalism, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Medical content and Murder
Minor: Racial slurs, Rape, and Injury/Injury detail
Zombie Survival Guide: Complete Protection from the Living Dead by Max Brooks
adventurous
challenging
informative
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
Informative and surprisingly fun to read. This could be genuine advice given, and actually I’ll be holding onto this book just in case.
That’s all I can say about it really lol.
That’s all I can say about it really lol.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Blood, Cannibalism, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Lord Edgware Dies by Agatha Christie
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This is more like a 2.5 rounded up to a three bc of the last chapters. The last few chapters really tie the whole thing together and are very tight and succinct.
My main criticism is the plot flip-flopping all over the place. I understand it’s because Poirot is being misled but it leads to a plot that is muddled and hard to keep track of. However the ending makes up for it. One of the most unique murderers in Christie novels- they remind me a little of the character Lucy in the Hollow (which I read previously). Another thing is that a lot of the book felt particularly mean, between Japp, Poirot, and Hastings. Japp is usually a fun character to read but I loathed every second of him. Similarly, Poirots dismissal of Hastings was not something I found enjoyable.
I enjoyed the motive/plot (when it was entirely finished and not flipping everywhere)/and the characters. Particularly Jenny Driver, and the final bit that seals the narrative from Donald Ross I think is particularly brilliant. Subtle, but brilliant.
Not her best work, but maybe something to read after/before all the good novels.
Also weird amount of antisemitism in this book.
My main criticism is the plot flip-flopping all over the place. I understand it’s because Poirot is being misled but it leads to a plot that is muddled and hard to keep track of. However the ending makes up for it. One of the most unique murderers in Christie novels- they remind me a little of the character Lucy in the Hollow (which I read previously). Another thing is that a lot of the book felt particularly mean, between Japp, Poirot, and Hastings. Japp is usually a fun character to read but I loathed every second of him. Similarly, Poirots dismissal of Hastings was not something I found enjoyable.
I enjoyed the motive/plot (when it was entirely finished and not flipping everywhere)/and the characters. Particularly Jenny Driver, and the final bit that seals the narrative from Donald Ross I think is particularly brilliant. Subtle, but brilliant.
Not her best work, but maybe something to read after/before all the good novels.
Also weird amount of antisemitism in this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Antisemitism, and Murder
Moderate: Ableism and Drug use
Death in the Clouds by Agatha Christie
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I feel like it would maybe be better adapted onscreen, but I enjoyed this book! The murderer really got me, I didn’t see it coming but it was immensely satisfying.
I would have preferred it if the murderer was an actual giant wasp à la Doctor Who but eh, c’est la vie.
I would have preferred it if the murderer was an actual giant wasp à la Doctor Who but eh, c’est la vie.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Drug abuse, Suicide, Medical content, and Death of parent
The Hollow by Agatha Christie
adventurous
challenging
tense
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
4.0
Honestly a solid 4 stars.
I knew who the killer was the minute a certain chapter was read, but I was still shocked by the ending. It seems an outlier in Christie’s books in that it ends not with Poirot or a confession. It’s an interesting ending with an interesting character I would like to see more of.
I’m happy that Midge and Edward got their happy ending. And I’m not sorry about the murder bc it was justified imo.
I knew who the killer was the minute a certain chapter was read, but I was still shocked by the ending. It seems an outlier in Christie’s books in that it ends not with Poirot or a confession. It’s an interesting ending with an interesting character I would like to see more of.
I’m happy that Midge and Edward got their happy ending. And I’m not sorry about the murder bc it was justified imo.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Toxic relationship, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Ableism
Minor: Antisemitism
I Want to Die but I Want to Eat Tteokbokki by Baek Se-hee
Did not finish book. Stopped at 18%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 18%.
Slump, will finish later.
Horrorstör by Grady Hendrix
dark
mysterious
tense
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? Yes
3.5
Surprisingly fun and dark!
I like the gore (wish there was more) and I liked Basil and Amy too. The story is good, but the last scenes in Orsk are a little messy and all over the place. But I liked the corporate greed that really shines through the whole thing. The ending is pretty good, overall a recommended read
I like the gore (wish there was more) and I liked Basil and Amy too. The story is good, but the last scenes in Orsk are a little messy and all over the place. But I liked the corporate greed that really shines through the whole thing. The ending is pretty good, overall a recommended read
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, and Gore
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Torture, Forced institutionalization, and Kidnapping
Minor: Grief
Catch These Hands!, Vol. 1 by murata
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Really cute!!! This is the enemies to friends to lovers sapphic manga of my DREAMS.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Blood