duskk_novels's reviews
50 reviews

'...she was his consolation from God.

And every time he faltered in his undertaking, every time he fretted for his soul, he realized he had nothing to fret over.

God had taken her. God had nothing more to claim from him'

Through the whimsical narrative of police constable, Gus Landor, we are immersed into the harrowing yore of October 1830, where a US cadet, Leroy Fry has been found swinging from a noose near the Hudson river. A devastating suicide that rendered the US military academy incapable of protecting its young men. And it seems the dead do not fare well here either, as Fry's body had been stolen...and found with his chest hacked open and his heart brutally carved out

Tasked with solving this unfathomable act of savagery, Landor dives into the haunting past of Leroy Fry and uncovers the unforgivable secrets that once harboured in this heartless, mangled mass of decay. And enlisting the assistance of another cadet, the soon to be famous poet Edgar Allen Poe, they tear down the Academy's subterfuge and find multiple sickening, silent shows of inhumanity concealed underneath

A gut-churning murder mystery with mystifying characters, dark imagery and intrigue that thickened as the plot unfolded. Integrated with vivid poetry and built with a majestic lyrical prose that gave it the ambiance of a Charles Dickens classic. Its most striking feature to me was its elegant, atmospheric writing that made me feel like I was reading a novel produced in the 19th century. I relished every word and had my soul destroyed with the diabolical plot twists that came with it. I have never read a novel that contained so many dark twists and truths, transforming the entire book and plunging me into a deeper and more disturbing perspective

Landor was my favourite and I loved his calm and mysterious demeanour. His way of explanation and description of events were absorbing and understanding his deep-rooted relevance to the whole plotline was overwhelming

Definitely one for the murder mystery, classics and thriller fans !

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Three hundred years. And no one remembers you. You have walked 300 years on this earth, watched wars rage, centuries rise and fall, empires collapse and revolutions unfold and yet, no one remembers you. You have time without limit. You live life without rule. You are untethered, unbound, unable to leave your mark on the world. That is the invisible life of Addie Larue, who struck a deal with the darkness. To live life as she pleases, anchored to nothing and none, but forgotten by every face and life she touches. So it's strange when the day comes and she walks back into a bookshop where the bookseller, Henry Strauss, remembers her

But the devil never plays fair. As henry and Addie's lives merge, they must confront their haunting pasts and the decisions they made that created this war between time and memory. But memory fades and time is emptying. There are prices waiting to be paid and when a deal is made, it is binding. And the devil waits for no one

An intriguing, gripping thriller written in a poetic prose. With magnificent world-building and interesting characters, I loved and enjoyed this with its innovative concepts. The chapters set between the 18-20th centuries were my favourite. It was alluring, watching fragments of history unravel and understanding the reality of life at that time and how Addie was living hers. I also loved the integration of art and its significance to the plot and Addie's character. A perfect blend of art with literature to produce a wonderful story explaining the importance of leaving a mark on the world

Unfortunately, the first half of chapters set in modern years was not enjoyable for me. The events were mundane and repetitive and I found them boring. There was a lack of action and the story was not pulling me in. But the last half were riveting and unravelling rapidly with tension and action which I enjoyed immensely. I would definitely recommend this but will warn that the start of the story is tedious, but soon transforms into a splendid novel. Another thing is I wish we had some POVs from Luc or 'the darkness'. I would have loved to explore his motives behind helping humans and to understand his business with human souls. What makes him so different to the other gods and what is it about a human life that makes him decide that now is the right time for him to intercede? 


MAJOR TRIGGER WARNING ! SPOILERS BELOW ! DO NOT PROCEED ! MAJOR TRIGGER WARNING ! SPOILERS BELOW ! DO NOT PROCEED !  MAJOR TRIGGER WARNING ! SPOILERS BELOW ! DO NOT PROCEED ! MAJOR TRIGGER WARNING ! SPOILERS BELOW ! DO NOT PROCEED ! 

I loved the enmity between Luc and Addie. This game between humans and the darkness was entertaining to watch and seeing them trying to destroying each other was thrilling. I binge read most of the end because I was so excited to see the final moves they had to win the 300 year war and history between them

So it was disheartening when it was revealed that Luc loved and wanted Addie. I just do not understand why a supreme, supernatural being would develop human impulses and have sexual relations with a girl who he was intent on tormenting and breaking (a word the character used himself)

I felt like his attraction to her was insincere and was created just to add more layers to the story which was not needed. I believe it would have been more entertaining if the romance was just confined between Henry and Addie (even thought them falling in love only knowing each other for a short time was unrealistic and implausible) and watching how Luc would destroy Addie without being sexually attracted and forcing a romantic relationship with her. I understand Addie will use this to her advantage to break the terms that bind him to her, its the sexual impulses of this powerful, paranormal being I have an issue with

You are literally a demon, why do you suddenly want this specific human girl by your side and want to have sexual relations with her? Baby please, this is not a Greek mythology novel x

PS: what kind of name is 'book' for a cat ??

 How do you win a war that never ends ?
 
From these pages emerge the soul-crushing, mind-shattering history of a father and son who spent the entirety of WW2 in a war of their own against Germany's concentration camps. In this harrowing account, we relive Gustav and Fritz Kleinman surviving 5 different concentration camps, Fritz willingly boarding the Auschwitz train that contained his father to protect him and the inexplicable turns of fate that have kept their body and soul together. With a powerfully moving prose, haunting imagery and world-building, we meet a diverse set of people who played a role in the Kleinmann's survival and their place among the resistance against the twisted ideology and puppets of the Reich. We also learn of the life led by the Kleinmanns before and after the war, their attempts at escape and the tragic experiences and ends met by family and fellow prisoners. This story was supported and supplemented by Gustav's diary that contains his real-time thoughts and the horrifying series of events that unravelled during his prisoner years 
 
With educational insights into Anschluss, the strategic operations of concentrations camps and the unbelievable scope of human evil, this is undoubtedly, one of the most disturbing accounts of the holocaust. I have learnt so much from this book including the 'cold clockwork execution' of the SS and the camps, the diabolical 'programmes' infused to commit mass murders and the incredible events that led up to liberation. A phenomenal, unforgettable story and educational tool, unveiling prisoner-life, camp operations, human suffering and survival, and the irreversible damage left on the world by Hitler's Reich

I loved every word of this story, especially Fritz and his courage and unbreakable devotion to his father that extended to him putting his number in to board the same train that would condemn them both to endless suffering and nightmares

This one was on my tbr for two years, so when I randomly saw this book on a beautiful July day last year in a bookshop, you could imagine my immense joy

Lale Sokorov, a Slovakian Jew and prisoner is tasked with the tormenting burden of engraving numbers into his fellow Auschwitz prisoners. Among the hundreds he tattooed was Gita, the woman he fell in love with at first glance and the woman who gave him a reason to survive. We follow Lale's torturous journey as a Auschwitz prisoner and how he uses his privileged position as a tattooist to protect Gita along with other prisoners from the bestial brutality of Auschwitz. Through endless agony and impossible alterations of fate, we see how Lale survives this haunting, soul-destroying hell and the lengths he scales to fulfil his promises of reuniting and living the rest of his life with Gita

An emotional, tense novel, with focuses on Lale's harrowing experiences and the disturbing series of events suffered by other prisoners. With compelling, inspiring characters and simple worldbuilding, I enjoyed watching an unbelievable love blossom and come to life from a place ravaged and powered by human evil.  An entire history uncoiled and diabolical inhumanity was unearthed from these pages. However, the prose was too simplistic and often felt rushed. The short chapters contained at times, vague descriptions with fast jumps between different topics and very little dialogue. The prose itself had no depth and felt conversational to the point where I learned very little about the characters, although interesting, I could not learn more about them that passed the surface. There was a disheartening lack of detail overall and I was left with many unanswered questions. I genuinely believe this novel has more potential and should be more thoughtfully reproduced. Whilst I do not regret reading this and enjoyed many parts, I would not recommend this unless you are into plain books that are easy to finish

Unfortunately, this did not meet my standards. I wholeheartedly believe this can be reproduced better with more thought, depth and detail. In shorter words, this book was 'alright'. 

'If someone you loved went missing, would you ever stop searching for them?'

1921. The Great War has ended, and the guns have finally fallen silent. Edie has spent the last four years isolated in her grief and sorrow as her husband Francis, has not come home. Declared ‘missing, believed killed’, she’s spent her lonely days reminiscing the man she loved and lost, and abominating the war for what it stole from her. But when she receives a mysterious photograph in the post taken by Francis, hope flares that he might still be alive. Francis’ brother, Harry, is also searching for answers and desperate to uncover the truth about what happened to Francis, who had died in his arms. Or had he? 

In this harrowing portrayal of life, Harry returns to the battlefields with Edie and together, they confront their haunting past and uncover the mysterious events that led up to Francis’ disappearance. Through this agonizing journey, gut-wrenching truths are unearthed, and the need for closure intensifies. But it seems that the ‘lost’ may not always want to be found

An astonishing historical fiction with endless mystery. I was spell-bound from the first chapter. With an emotional, mesmerizing prose and magnificent characters, Scott has produced a powerful novel, depicting the magnitude of human grief, loss and the unyielding need for closure. Scott explores the devastating consequences and shattered lives left by the war and the psychological and emotional dissonance that torment the survivors. Slow-paced with beautiful worldbuilding and a crushing series of events, this is one I recommend for all readers

Harry was undoubtedly my favourite. His selflessness, endless love, bravery and commitment to family made him admirable and reading through his POV, especially his vivid descriptions of being on the front line, was haunting but beautiful. I also loved how the focus shifts to other side characters and their own expeditions to find their ‘lost’

My heart breaks for all the victims of war, buried in foreign lands and who were never found by their loved ones. 

5/5 inspired by Sigmund Freud's psychoanalysis, this is an intense, intriguing murder mystery where a sadistic killer is savagely attacking Manhattan's wealthiest heiresses. An intricate tale of murder, taking you to the most dark and dangerous places of the human mind. 

A young woman is found dangling from a chandelier, whipped, mutilated and strangled. 24 hours later, the rebellious Nora Acton narrowly escapes the same fate. Left traumatised and hysterical, she loses her memory of the attack. Dr younger, a Freudian analyst is committed to helping her regain her memory whilst using Freudian theories to guide him through the subterfuges of the human mind. 

This was elegantly crafted. A harrowing thriller that integrates Freudian theories and Shakespearian literature to explain human behaviour and uncover truths that are just as deadly as the people. Simple, enthralling writing style, brilliant characters with mind shattering plot twists. Although the world building was a little complicated and confusing. 

Dr Younger and Detective Littlemore were my favourites. I loved Younger's 'chill' attitude whilst dealing with a murder mystery. He's a sweet, decent, trusting character, a stark contrast against the men preying on Nora's downfall. Littlemore's dedication and ingenious methods to find the killer was admirable, uncoiling a mass of unfathomable, evil secrets. (Also they're so hilarious). This strays from a typical murder mystery, combining literature and psychology to better understand inhumanity and providing a clearer link between psychoanalysis, literature and human evil. A suspenseful, gripping, fantastic read !

Definitely for thriller fans and people who love/study/have studied psychology. 

Oscar Wilde creates the rich, narcissistic, influential aristocrat, Dorian Gray, whose irresistible youth captivate and lure in all those who meet him. An appearance so perfect and unforgettable that the painter, Basil Hallward produces a splendid portrait of Gray. A masterpiece of spotless youth and glorious beauty, so great that Gray himself falls in love with it. 

Completely absorbed with the portrait, Gray wishes in a moment of pride and madness, that he may maintain his incomparable youth and beauty forever, and the portrait instead withers and decays with age. Unknowingly, Gray 'barters' his soul and his prayer is answered. While the world continues to see the 'mask' of youth that Gray wears, the portrait slowly begins to degrade and deteriorate as the years pass. What Gray does not realise is not only does the portrait age, but after every sin he commits, it transforms deeper into a hideous, grotesque creature of unfathomable ugliness. The portrait becomes a physical embodiment of his soul, conscience and the deadly sins he commits whilst hiding behind the façade of his mask of youth. 

The first quarter of the book was very dull and tedious. Not a lot was happening and Wilde tended to drag on a few topics which was tiring and boring to read. It seemed dramatic and unnecessary. At one point, I hated the book and was close to DNFing. However, after the first 100 pages, the book completely transformed. A series of events was finally uncoiling with a fabulous sense of mystery and mind-shattering plot-twists. We see such strong character development which was enjoyable to read. Wilde's use of language was my favourite thing about the book. His writing was elegant and effective at making the reader understand the depths of critical elements in the story like influence and sin. The book magnificently touched upon real-life issues  (e.g. corruption) and was filled with important lessons to teach. 

Wilde's intriguing concepts and skill of producing such poetic lines with powerful meanings was admirable and has made 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' my favourite classic so far. I wish I picked it up sooner. 

THIS WAS TRASH (no offense or disrespect meant to the author - these are just my opinions)  

This story is set in 2014. An apocalyptic world where a zombie plague has taken over human life and everything it contains. We follow 3 young rising bloggers whose job is to uncover the origins of the disease and those responsible for its manifestation. The plot focuses on the world of journalism and how these bloggers use their platform to expose the corrupt leaders within the American government and their sinister role behind the plague. 

I am going to say it as it is. I hated this book. From the cover and blurb of the book, I was so intrigued to give this a go and really excited as I am such a fan of anything zombie related. The idea of surviving in a dying world alone, where both the living and the dead are after you is such an insane and entertaining concept and so my expectations for this book was really high. But oh my god. No book in the last two years has ever disappointed me as much as this one. The storyline is so amazing, but the book had such a slow start and middle. 80% of the book talked about blogs and journalism and updating websites like??? First of all, why is that relevant and why is majority of the book talking about American politics?? The focus of the book was journalism and literal politics which bored me out of my mind. The writing is extremely repetitive too with focus on very trivial, irrelevant things with very long chapters (one chapter was 100 pages long). 

There were some things I enjoyed about the book. I think the plot-twists in this were great and unexpected. The characters were also likeable with fantastic personalities but what put me off them were their cringe blog posts. The things their ‘blog posts’ talked about were so dull and tedious. Also none of their jokes made me laugh. I thought the ending was a massive plot twist and extremely heart-breaking. It was very enjoyable, and I did not see it coming which gave the book a sense of mystery as there were multiple ways the story could have ended. But really, the ending is barely 20% of the book. I had to be bored, tired and cringed out first in order to reach the enjoyable parts which does not make it an overall pleasant read. 

Unfortunately, the book really let me down in multiple ways which is sad because the plotline is amazing. But the repetitive writing, minimal action scenes and focus on irrelevant topics made me want to finish the book just so I could never pick it up again. For a zombie apocalypse novel, it had very little action and gore which does not fit into the category. Very disappointed with this read and I do not recommend this book at all. The covid pandemic did better than this book tbh (lol jk). 

(I want the ten pounds back that I spent on this book).