alf_read's reviews
113 reviews

Scythe by Neal Shusterman

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

4.5

This was so wacky I loved it. Managed to be unique in a sub-genre known for overly repeating certain tropes.
Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer

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adventurous challenging dark mysterious reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I loved how bizarre this was to read and I’m curious to explore the rest of the series. I wish we had focused completely on the Southern Reach, I didn’t need any of the flashback scenes.
Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro

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challenging dark emotional funny mysterious sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Heartbreakingly amazing, my favourite Ishiguro so far (which is saying something when all his books have been incredible).
Revival by Stephen King

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

That ending tho 0:
A Sunny Place for Shady People: Stories by Mariana Enríquez

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dark inspiring mysterious reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

Probably her best anthology to date? I had a great time with this one, the scope was much broader and I felt the translator was more confident because at this point they understood knew her style. 
Big Swiss by Jen Beagin

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dark funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

I had the best time reading this! Absurdist comedy mixed with a postmodern rom-com, what’s not to like! Greta was an inspirational down and out 45-year-old and the sapphic romance was very well done! 
Stoner by John Williams

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challenging reflective sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

The prose is lovely but this book felt far too ‘American’ in its values and alternated between pretentious and dry.
Orbital by Samantha Harvey

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

1.5

A book this short should not be so insufferable. I’m kind of surprised that it won the Booker Prize since it’s so removed from modern day issues and instead indulges in the narcissism of space exploration.  
Jade City by Fonda Lee

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adventurous challenging reflective relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Solid fantasy but slightly overhyped by the Internet. The magic system, worldbuilding, and characters are all well-done but nothing was overly memorable or exceptional to me. Hoping that the rest of the series goes from good to great.
The Day of the Triffids by John Wyndham

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adventurous dark funny mysterious reflective tense fast-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? No

3.5

Sometimes it walks the line between tension and silliness but there was enough creativity to make this a worthwhile experience.