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akira_outofthegravity's reviews
175 reviews
Heartstream by Tom Pollock
challenging
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I think I’m finally getting too old for YA…
I skimmed this book, mostly. The book has an interesting premise where you can stream your emotions to random people. For Amy this means she has gained a cult following as she documents her mothers cancer journey, and her death.
It’s a dual narrative from the perspective of Amy (as above) and Cat- a fan of a boy band who is secretly in a relationship with the lead member. Her best friend is a total freak obsessed with them.
Like, it’s fine? I guess? But to be frank I couldn’t stand Cat for a good portion of the book. I skimmed most of her chapters. She had all the personality of a wet sponge. But I liked that as time went on she gained some kind of feeling that separated her from being just a blank canvas.
Amy was pretty good too, I liked her as a character. I think her actions were pretty rational and I liked her.
It’s not the worst story in the world, at all, but it’s not good. I don’t like the writing style, I think it could have done with another draft, and I think the story is dumb.
Evie as a villain doesn’t make logical sense. A fan so obsessed with her blorbo’s being gay that she traps her best friend (who is pregnant with her blorbo’s child) in an asylum and steals her baby and blackmails the psychiatrist with a dick pick?
Also, Ryan being the mayor was a fuckin stupid plot point. It just???? The last 100 pages was a clusterfuck of “reasons” why Cat couldn’t become public. Most of which were dumb. The only legit one is that the police/Ryan could silence her.
I guess I just don’t understand what the author was trying to say. There is a clear parallel between Amy and heartstream and Cat with Tumblr. But like, okay? So what? I don’t like when people try to make critiques of fandom spaces because they usually get it wrong. They don’t understand the fandom space- not to say they aren’t toxic, they absolutely can be, but it’s clear that the only point they can make is “obsessive fan bad”, but then make them comically obsessive, so much so that it’s funny and not creepy. I dunno. This book felt very wishywashy, but like I said maybe I’m too old for it lolz
I skimmed this book, mostly. The book has an interesting premise where you can stream your emotions to random people. For Amy this means she has gained a cult following as she documents her mothers cancer journey, and her death.
It’s a dual narrative from the perspective of Amy (as above) and Cat- a fan of a boy band who is secretly in a relationship with the lead member. Her best friend is a total freak obsessed with them.
Like, it’s fine? I guess? But to be frank I couldn’t stand Cat for a good portion of the book. I skimmed most of her chapters. She had all the personality of a wet sponge. But I liked that as time went on she gained some kind of feeling that separated her from being just a blank canvas.
Amy was pretty good too, I liked her as a character. I think her actions were pretty rational and I liked her.
It’s not the worst story in the world, at all, but it’s not good. I don’t like the writing style, I think it could have done with another draft, and I think the story is dumb.
Also, Ryan being the mayor was a fuckin stupid plot point. It just???? The last 100 pages was a clusterfuck of “reasons” why Cat couldn’t become public. Most of which were dumb. The only legit one is that the police/Ryan could silence her.
I guess I just don’t understand what the author was trying to say. There is a clear parallel between Amy and heartstream and Cat with Tumblr. But like, okay? So what? I don’t like when people try to make critiques of fandom spaces because they usually get it wrong. They don’t understand the fandom space- not to say they aren’t toxic, they absolutely can be, but it’s clear that the only point they can make is “obsessive fan bad”, but then make them comically obsessive, so much so that it’s funny and not creepy. I dunno. This book felt very wishywashy, but like I said maybe I’m too old for it lolz
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Forced institutionalization, Pregnancy, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Gaslighting
Minor: Cancer, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
slow-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
4.0
I can’t help but love Rochester. I can’t. I adore him and his sarcasm and charm. I think his romance with Jane (wives and age gaps aside) is very sweet. He’s like a total weirdo tho, but idk I like that he doesn’t want to change Jane (like a certain someone does). That being said it is absolutely not the basis of a healthy relationship and it should be read for enjoyment purposes only, as opposed to something to strive to.
Jane Eyre is the knockout star. I loved reading about her. I kind of wish I was born before it was published, so I could read it when it came out. It feels like a story that would have caused major scandal. Maybe it changed the traverse of a young woman’s life.
It drags a little at around page 300, but I enjoyed every second. Jane is such a pleasure. I loved reading about her and I loved that even in spite of her hardships she was kind, and kept true to herself. She did not let anyone dampen her flame, and I think that’s beautiful. She’s the classic strong heroine and her story was so satisfying.
Not a 5 star read for me (casual racism, antisemitism, and ableism) but a read that I found to be very wholesome and interesting. It’s absolutely worth it, I will be thinking about Jane for a while to come.
Jane Eyre is the knockout star. I loved reading about her. I kind of wish I was born before it was published, so I could read it when it came out. It feels like a story that would have caused major scandal. Maybe it changed the traverse of a young woman’s life.
It drags a little at around page 300, but I enjoyed every second. Jane is such a pleasure. I loved reading about her and I loved that even in spite of her hardships she was kind, and kept true to herself. She did not let anyone dampen her flame, and I think that’s beautiful. She’s the classic strong heroine and her story was so satisfying.
Not a 5 star read for me (casual racism, antisemitism, and ableism) but a read that I found to be very wholesome and interesting. It’s absolutely worth it, I will be thinking about Jane for a while to come.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Confinement, Emotional abuse, and Mental illness
Moderate: Bullying, Child death, Forced institutionalization, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Misogyny and Suicide
One Rainy Night by Richard Laymon
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Pulp fiction at its finest.
Could have done without the rape and racism but it’s a quick easy read. A lot of gore, which I liked. I particularly liked the bit where Trev thinks a boy is holding a ball on a string, but it turns out to be some poor girls head.
I guess I would describe it as a video-nasty in a book.
A cheesy slasher in a book.
Not for thinking too much about, yknow?
Could have done without the rape and racism but it’s a quick easy read. A lot of gore, which I liked. I particularly liked the bit where Trev thinks a boy is holding a ball on a string, but it turns out to be some poor girls head.
I guess I would describe it as a video-nasty in a book.
A cheesy slasher in a book.
Not for thinking too much about, yknow?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Racism, Rape, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Confinement, Sexual violence, and Violence
Minor: Child death, Misogyny, Cannibalism, Car accident, and Fire/Fire injury
Mostly Void, Partially Stars by Joseph Fink, Jeffrey Cranor
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
A collection of my favourite episodes from my favourite podcast- what could I hate?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, and Blood
Silent Parade by Keigo Higashino
emotional
mysterious
tense
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? It's complicated
3.75
It’s honestly like coming home to a warm hug when I read a Detective Galileo novel.
This book was pretty good! It’s nicely written and structured well. The story is filled with twists and turns as usual. Most I didn’t see coming, but a couple I did which I felt very good about lol. I think the connection between the cases was pretty good. The motive reminded me a bit of his previous work Malice.
I found the conclusion and ending to be a bit rushed, and I wasn’t totally satisfied with who actually killed Saori. But aside from that I really liked it! I loooooved all the literary references and I loved the reference to The Devotion of Suspect X!
While not as great as his other books I think it’s still a worthy read.
This book was pretty good! It’s nicely written and structured well. The story is filled with twists and turns as usual. Most I didn’t see coming, but a couple I did which I felt very good about lol. I think the connection between the cases was pretty good. The motive reminded me a bit of his previous work Malice.
I found the conclusion and ending to be a bit rushed, and I wasn’t totally satisfied with who actually killed Saori. But aside from that I really liked it! I loooooved all the literary references and I loved the reference to The Devotion of Suspect X!
While not as great as his other books I think it’s still a worthy read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Death, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Suicide, Stalking, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Infertility and Rape
Surrendering to the Italian's Command by Kim Lawrence
lighthearted
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
3.0
I didn’t hate this!
The main guy isn’t as insufferable as I’d expected, I really liked Tess. I think the exploration of trauma and guilt was p interesting for a Mills & Boone. I liked that the disabled character called out Danilo for infantilising her.
Over all I didn’t hate it, or laugh at it, as much as I thought I would!
The main guy isn’t as insufferable as I’d expected, I really liked Tess. I think the exploration of trauma and guilt was p interesting for a Mills & Boone. I liked that the disabled character called out Danilo for infantilising her.
Over all I didn’t hate it, or laugh at it, as much as I thought I would!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Ableism and Medical content
Minor: Pregnancy
Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke And Other Misfortunes by Eric LaRocca
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
What have you done today to deserve your eyes?
I had so much fun reading this!! That’s what this collection is: fun.
My ranking is as follows:
1. Things have gotten worse since we last spoke.
Disturbing, darkly funny, I had no idea where it was going. It’s outlandish and yet believable, I loved loved loved it- the hype is justified and so are the trigger warnings.
2. They Do It Like That All Over.
The last story holds a huge punch. It’s sickening how anxiety producing it is, and yet. I think it’s a commentary on how politeness (like Mr Fowler’s silent acceptance- though he disapproves- of his husbands extreme racism) makes him complicit and vulnerable, but it could just be a Shirley Jackson-esque tale of terror that works equally well.
3. The Enchantment.
Though still entertaining I didn’t like this one as much because I didn’t really know what was going on. It’s a book that slaps you one way, the beginning is absolutely the best part. It meanders into a tale of paranoia, but never really answers anything. I still enjoyed it though.
Honestly an amazing read.
I had so much fun reading this!! That’s what this collection is: fun.
My ranking is as follows:
1. Things have gotten worse since we last spoke.
Disturbing, darkly funny, I had no idea where it was going. It’s outlandish and yet believable, I loved loved loved it- the hype is justified and so are the trigger warnings.
2. They Do It Like That All Over.
The last story holds a huge punch. It’s sickening how anxiety producing it is, and yet. I think it’s a commentary on how politeness (like Mr Fowler’s silent acceptance- though he disapproves- of his husbands extreme racism) makes him complicit and vulnerable, but it could just be a Shirley Jackson-esque tale of terror that works equally well.
3. The Enchantment.
Though still entertaining I didn’t like this one as much because I didn’t really know what was going on. It’s a book that slaps you one way, the beginning is absolutely the best part. It meanders into a tale of paranoia, but never really answers anything. I still enjoyed it though.
Honestly an amazing read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Death, Domestic abuse, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Mental illness, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, and Suicide
Minor: Racism, Self harm, Sexual content, and Vomit
In Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke a character is forced to eat raw, rotten meat.
Black Paradox by Junji Ito
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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
2.5
I didn’t enjoy it as much as his other works, but the art is stunning as always and I enjoyed most of it, it just isn’t as compelling as his other pieces.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, and Suicide
Moderate: Confinement, Medical content, and Medical trauma
Dune by Frank Herbert
Did not finish book. Stopped at 37%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 37%.
I may try again but for now I am insanely bored. Life’s too short to deal with books that drag.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Death of parent
Moderate: War
Minor: Pedophilia and Rape
No Longer Human by Osamu Dazai
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This is a very unique novel. I think reading this as a look into Dazai’s life, and as someone who’s suffering from mental illness in a world that doesn’t understand it. The main character is a deeply disturbed individual, but I believe this is due to his trauma than his actual personality.
I think it’s a sad novel, and I find it sad that Osamu Dazai never found peace.
I think it’s a sad novel, and I find it sad that Osamu Dazai never found peace.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Death, Infidelity, Sexual assault, Grief, and Toxic friendship