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asipofcozy's reviews
206 reviews
Dracula by Bram Stoker
This was a phenomenal read and I could reread it at some point in the future. However, if you are getting into it for a "fast-pace" read it is anything but. While only 400 pages, it took me a few days to get through it. This due to the slow-pacing at times and the over-explaining. We are "told" rather than "showed" most of the plot as the entire book is told through journals, telegrams, sonographs, and news clippings.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-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? Yes
4.0
Finally after years of wanting to pick up and read Dracula I have finally accomplished it. And here are my takeaways from the book
- Stoker has a severe fear of feminism and women straying from the ideal pure Victorian woman. Throughout Dracula we are given many examples, by the author, as to what happens to women that strays outside of purity and why men should fear it. Lucy being a prime example, when she makes the comment that if she could, she would marry all 3 of her suitors and thus because of such "evil thoughts" she was easily wooed by Dracula.
- Stoker also has a fear of modernism and science and what it was doing to religion (wonder what he would think of 2023). Stoker throws in many examples as to what happens if England continues on its path of putting science first and morals/religion second. We see throughout Dracula that many of the characters cannot conceptualize something like vampires. One character, although having all the evidence, didn't believe until he was face to face with one. This is a problem, per Stoker, that if we can't believe in the unbelievable then we are opening ourselves to evil.
This was a phenomenal read and I could reread it at some point in the future. However, if you are getting into it for a "fast-pace" read it is anything but. While only 400 pages, it took me a few days to get through it. This due to the slow-pacing at times and the over-explaining. We are "told" rather than "showed" most of the plot as the entire book is told through journals, telegrams, sonographs, and news clippings.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Mental illness, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Tomie by Junji Ito
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
First Junji Ito work I have ever read, and it definitely won't be the last!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Child death, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Infidelity, Self harm, Sexual assault, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
The Wicked Bargain by Gabe Cole Novoa
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
DNFed at 220 pages.
I really tried to get through the last 100 pages but I just couldn't do it any more. I found myself just flipping pages to get to the end and that's not how reading should be.
I had high hopes for this one - culture and queer representation with pirates! How could I not want to devour that. I went in with high expectations and 70 pages in...I was just so bored.
I loved the premise of the book, I loved the Spanish and Caribbean representation, I loved the queer representation but the actual delivery of the plot was not executed well. As I said I was just flipping pages because nothing was happening. You have our main character who just lulled around a ship "hmmming" and "Haaing" about their magia and whether or not to save their father. Yes there were a few action scenes but nothing to keep me entertained for long.
And the relationship was just not my thing. I kept in mind that this is YA with YA romance tropes but I just couldn't stand the interactions between Mar (MC) and Bas (love interest #1?).
Even though I didn't enjoy it please give this book a go yourself! I know a lot people enjoyed and it does have amazing representation. Just wasn't for me!
I really tried to get through the last 100 pages but I just couldn't do it any more. I found myself just flipping pages to get to the end and that's not how reading should be.
I had high hopes for this one - culture and queer representation with pirates! How could I not want to devour that. I went in with high expectations and 70 pages in...I was just so bored.
I loved the premise of the book, I loved the Spanish and Caribbean representation, I loved the queer representation but the actual delivery of the plot was not executed well. As I said I was just flipping pages because nothing was happening. You have our main character who just lulled around a ship "hmmming" and "Haaing" about their magia and whether or not to save their father. Yes there were a few action scenes but nothing to keep me entertained for long.
And the relationship was just not my thing. I kept in mind that this is YA with YA romance tropes but I just couldn't stand the interactions between Mar (MC) and Bas (love interest #1?).
Even though I didn't enjoy it please give this book a go yourself! I know a lot people enjoyed and it does have amazing representation. Just wasn't for me!
Slewfoot: A Tale of Bewitchery by Brom
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I wanted to add something a little spooky to my reading list for this October, and while it wasn't as spooky as I thought it would be it was still quite enjoyable. I loved the conversations and issues that Brom raises not only on past history but current society today. Especially the notion that if it doesn't "fit" society's box, it's considered not right, unordinary, witch-craft, devilry, unorthodox. He also touches on women and how easily they are casted into the shadow of "witchery" and what men defined women throughout history.
The one thing I would call out, is the pacing. It took well over 100 pages for the plot to pick up speed. There was a lot of information at the beginning that I just didn't care much about. It wasn't until around page 150 (well over half the book) where the plot really became intriguing and I flew through the last 100 pages. For such a short book and a stand-alone, the beginning could have done without a lot of unneeded information.
The one thing I would call out, is the pacing. It took well over 100 pages for the plot to pick up speed. There was a lot of information at the beginning that I just didn't care much about. It wasn't until around page 150 (well over half the book) where the plot really became intriguing and I flew through the last 100 pages. For such a short book and a stand-alone, the beginning could have done without a lot of unneeded information.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Death, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Racism, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Religious bigotry, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail
All In by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
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
4.25
I am now completely invested in this series. I honestly did not think that I would enjoy it as much as I am. It's not a perfect series by any means. It's YA and does have some of the pitfalls of YA literature - YA tropes, plot holes, classic YA romances, and so on. However, that doesn't distinguish the fact that this series is entirely addictive. I find myself turning the pages faster and faster, like me watching Criminal Minds over and over again.
Also, I just want to say I called that ending! Specifically the ending of a plot line we have been following for sometime. I won't say what but I called it at the end of book one and now I am seeing it flourish. Should I have been able to guess it no, but it was still exhilarating.
My one complaint and one that I might not have caught if I have not watched Criminal Minds 100x over, is that the author does copy/slightly plagiarize an entire scene from a criminal minds episode almost scene by scene and parts of the phrases as well. The only reason I caught it was because I just watched the episode during my annual Criminal Minds rewatch. That scene being from the Masterpiece episode where Spencer Reid discover's the fabonacci sequence is a key to a map that will show where the victims are. This scene is almost a mirror of the scene within All In where Sloane is doing the same thing with drawing the map out. Also Barnes constantly uses the word "Perfection" and "seeing Perfection". This is the exact verbiage that The Professor uses within the CM episode as well . I am all for inspiration but not blatant copying.
I am very excited to get into Bad Blood next! I need to see if my hypothesis's are correct.
Also, I just want to say I called that ending! Specifically the ending of a plot line we have been following for sometime. I won't say what but I called it at the end of book one and now I am seeing it flourish. Should I have been able to guess it no, but it was still exhilarating.
My one complaint and one that I might not have caught if I have not watched Criminal Minds 100x over, is that the author does copy/slightly plagiarize an entire scene from a criminal minds episode almost scene by scene and parts of the phrases as well. The only reason I caught it was because I just watched the episode during my annual Criminal Minds rewatch. That scene being
I am very excited to get into Bad Blood next! I need to see if my hypothesis's are correct.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Self harm, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Minor: Child abuse and Death of parent
Killer Instinct by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
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
That was definitely a wild ride. Within one day I finished around 95% of the book, but unfortunately my body needed the necessity of sleep!
There were a few things that I was able to guess early on and yet still a lot of mystery towards the end that kept me enraptured.
My biggest complaint, and one I have with any book with this trop is the love triangle. Honestly not for it and this series would be okay without any romance. However, it's YA so can't expect it to be romance free. However, my most hated trope is the love triangle and I just was "nope" the entire time. So, please be no more in the next two books.
This isn't by any means the top of the line thriller out there. There definitely could be more action in some places, more character development, more mystery. However, it was just as addictive as the first book and that's what was important to me.
There were a few things that I was able to guess early on and yet still a lot of mystery towards the end that kept me enraptured.
My biggest complaint, and one I have with any book with this trop is the love triangle. Honestly not for it and this series would be okay without any romance. However, it's YA so can't expect it to be romance free. However, my most hated trope is the love triangle and I just was "nope" the entire time. So, please be no more in the next two books.
This isn't by any means the top of the line thriller out there. There definitely could be more action in some places, more character development, more mystery. However, it was just as addictive as the first book and that's what was important to me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, and Murder
Minor: Adult/minor relationship
A Natural History of Dragons by Marie Brennan
adventurous
emotional
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-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
2.0
When I have to skim the last 100 pages to get to the ending...that definitely lets me know there is a problem. And the problem was, I was extremely bored with A Natural History of Dragaons.
One would think with a title like that, we would get tons of dragon information, world building, and interesting insight into dragons. We maybe get a discussion on dragons every 100 pages or so and it is glossed over. There isn't any description as to why there are dragons, where they came from, why they do what they do. And granted we are learning with our main character Isabella it's still glossed over to get to the "interesting" parts. There are conversations that are had but we aren't privy to, which would have made this book interesting.
Our characters were dreadfully boring. I thought I would like Isabella, our main character, she sets herself apart from society, breaks the social chains and strives to be herself. However, she is at times was naive, aloof, and just unlikeable. This book takes place in the equivalence of our 19th century and one would think she would act sophisticated, she acts like a 19 year old from the 21st century (not a bad thing, just quite immature).
The plot is also less on dragons, learning about dragons, or dragons in general and more of the mystery of why are dragons attacking (still very little on this) and why is x,y,z person missing. At times I felt like Isabella was recounting her adventures as a detective rather than a scientist.
I think some people may like this book, and there were interesting aspects; however, the title and description is quite deceiving when we aren't given the depth of dragons as one would think. Also, I at times just didn't care, I skimmed multiple pages and chapters and still knew what was taking place because so little happened.
One would think with a title like that, we would get tons of dragon information, world building, and interesting insight into dragons. We maybe get a discussion on dragons every 100 pages or so and it is glossed over. There isn't any description as to why there are dragons, where they came from, why they do what they do. And granted we are learning with our main character Isabella it's still glossed over to get to the "interesting" parts. There are conversations that are had but we aren't privy to, which would have made this book interesting.
Our characters were dreadfully boring. I thought I would like Isabella, our main character, she sets herself apart from society, breaks the social chains and strives to be herself. However, she is at times was naive, aloof, and just unlikeable. This book takes place in the equivalence of our 19th century and one would think she would act sophisticated, she acts like a 19 year old from the 21st century (not a bad thing, just quite immature).
The plot is also less on dragons, learning about dragons, or dragons in general and more of the mystery of why are dragons attacking (still very little on this) and why is x,y,z person missing. At times I felt like Isabella was recounting her adventures as a detective rather than a scientist.
I think some people may like this book, and there were interesting aspects; however, the title and description is quite deceiving when we aren't given the depth of dragons as one would think. Also, I at times just didn't care, I skimmed multiple pages and chapters and still knew what was taking place because so little happened.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Trafficking, and Murder
Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
If you are looking for a low-stakes cozy fantasy, with an unserious plot and a lot of funny lines than this is the book for you!
I was sent an arc of Assistant to the Villain (thank you publishers) right before it was published and at the time I really thought nothing of it. I had read the synopsis and thought "this isn't for me". Few months later, here we are finished and absolutely obsessed with the hilarity and lightheartedness of this book. Exactly what I needed after reading heavy fantasies.
I am not saying this book is perfect. It has its flaws just like the main character's do. While it was a page turner, there were parts that felt like it dragged on. There were many moments of "nothingness" happening. I wish we could have had more of the mystery and suspense filled in. I also wanted to know more about the world. We are given this vast kingdom and told there is all this magic but with very explanation as to why. There is also a sickness that took over the kingdom and plays a large part in the plot but once again no why or what.
Also, I do feel like character growth was quite static. The Villain seems to grow with the help of Evie; however, Evie herself does not change much. She is still the same sarcastic, sunshine and rainbows girl at the end of the book just as the beginning...but maybe with a little more darkness. We are given some diversity in the characters but there were times where they weren't distinguishable and tended to be 2D.
However, our character's are very lovable and there there is still some mystery left to be solved for the next book.
I was sent an arc of Assistant to the Villain (thank you publishers) right before it was published and at the time I really thought nothing of it. I had read the synopsis and thought "this isn't for me". Few months later, here we are finished and absolutely obsessed with the hilarity and lightheartedness of this book. Exactly what I needed after reading heavy fantasies.
I am not saying this book is perfect. It has its flaws just like the main character's do. While it was a page turner, there were parts that felt like it dragged on. There were many moments of "nothingness" happening. I wish we could have had more of the mystery and suspense filled in. I also wanted to know more about the world. We are given this vast kingdom and told there is all this magic but with very explanation as to why. There is also a sickness that took over the kingdom and plays a large part in the plot but once again no why or what.
Also, I do feel like character growth was quite static. The Villain seems to grow with the help of Evie; however, Evie herself does not change much. She is still the same sarcastic, sunshine and rainbows girl at the end of the book just as the beginning...but maybe with a little more darkness. We are given some diversity in the characters but there were times where they weren't distinguishable and tended to be 2D.
However, our character's are very lovable and there there is still some mystery left to be solved for the next book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Death and Sexual assault
Minor: Child death
Kakuriyo: Bed & Breakfast for Spirits, Vol. 2 by Waco Ioka
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
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? It's complicated
3.75
This Winter by Alice Oseman
challenging
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder and Self harm