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fruitbatwoman's reviews
597 reviews
Strange Beasts of China by Yan Ge
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This book is a collection of short stories about beasts that live alongside humans in a fictional Chinese city. Each story has a similar structure, describing the individual beasts at first ("apart from that, they look exactly like humans") then the main character finding something out about them, and a big or small twist at the end. The overarching story tells a deeper tale about the world and is almost a fable about humanity.
Most of the stories are gruesome or heart wrenching in one way or another, and while the flippant and poignant writing style invites to rush through the book, I took my time and read no more than one story per day to digest what I've read.
I thoroughly enjoyed these extraordinary stories about the beasts, and while sometimes convoluted, the overall plot made sense to me and added an extra layer to the already great individual stories.
Most of the stories are gruesome or heart wrenching in one way or another, and while the flippant and poignant writing style invites to rush through the book, I took my time and read no more than one story per day to digest what I've read.
I thoroughly enjoyed these extraordinary stories about the beasts, and while sometimes convoluted, the overall plot made sense to me and added an extra layer to the already great individual stories.
The Night Guest by Hildur Knútsdóttir
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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
An amazing short horror-thriller that had me turning the pages until I finished the book in one evening. Each short chapter turns the story into a different direction, with twists and mysteries behind every corner. If you've ever been to Reykjavík, you'll recognize many of the places in the story as well.
Not for the faint of heart, as there are quite a few gruesome scenes in this, but absolutely worth it if horror/thriller is your genre.
Not for the faint of heart, as there are quite a few gruesome scenes in this, but absolutely worth it if horror/thriller is your genre.
Guards! Guards! by Terry Pratchett
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
*** Part of my journey to re-read all Discworld novels in order ***
I loved Guards! Guards! when I read it for the first time many years ago, and I loved it now on my second read.
The dysfunctional city guard of Ankh Morpork is a cornerstone of Pratchett's world, and this is also the first time we are properly introduced to Lord Vetinary, the patrician who turned crime into businesses and has many other interesting ideas of how to "rule" a city. The fantasy aspect is still present in this book, with dragons suddenly haunting the city, and is well done and interwoven with Pratchett's typical satire.
A nice touch I only noticed while reading the books again in order, is that while each book is a standalone story, there are also small overarching tidbits that add a bit more meaning to some plot points.
As always, the audiobook version is perfect and really brings the characters to life!
I loved Guards! Guards! when I read it for the first time many years ago, and I loved it now on my second read.
The dysfunctional city guard of Ankh Morpork is a cornerstone of Pratchett's world, and this is also the first time we are properly introduced to Lord Vetinary, the patrician who turned crime into businesses and has many other interesting ideas of how to "rule" a city. The fantasy aspect is still present in this book, with dragons suddenly haunting the city, and is well done and interwoven with Pratchett's typical satire.
A nice touch I only noticed while reading the books again in order, is that while each book is a standalone story, there are also small overarching tidbits that add a bit more meaning to some plot points.
As always, the audiobook version is perfect and really brings the characters to life!
Der Meister und Margarita (Neuübersetzung von Alexandra Berlina): Vollständige Übersetzung by Mikhail Bulgakov
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.75
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
What a lovely story, told in part by an octopus and in part by humans. I especially liked that one of the two main characters was an elderly lady (not your typical contemporary main character). While I couldn't quite warm up to some of the other characters, the mystery about how everything is connected made up for it - and the humorous and insightful observing of an octopus in captivity. I laughed during this book, I cried, and I was left with a warm feeling of a story about family, loss, and what it means to truly live.
Somewhere Beyond the Sea by TJ Klune
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
The House in the Cerulean Sea became one of my instant favorite books, and I read it again before diving into Somewhere Beyond the Sea. I couldn't wait to be once again in the cozy world of Marsyas Island and its loveable characters!
While the signature warmth and humor were present on every page, I found the story not as engaging as the first book. The stakes felt not as high, both in terms of the closing of the orphanage, and in regards to the slow-burn romance. While I loved seeing things from Arthur's perspective this time, certain moments felt a bit repetitive, both within the story and in the context of the first book.
Nonetheless, Somewhere Beyond the Sea is a hopeful, emotional, and humorous cozy read and a perfect escape when reality gets too much.
While the signature warmth and humor were present on every page, I found the story not as engaging as the first book. The stakes felt not as high, both in terms of the closing of the orphanage, and in regards to the slow-burn romance. While I loved seeing things from Arthur's perspective this time, certain moments felt a bit repetitive, both within the story and in the context of the first book.
Nonetheless, Somewhere Beyond the Sea is a hopeful, emotional, and humorous cozy read and a perfect escape when reality gets too much.