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mijtje's reviews
143 reviews

Cursed Bunny by Bora Chung

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dark funny mysterious reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

While I’m typically not a huge fan of short story collections, as usually only a few stories resonate with me, this one was an exception. Many of the stories were memorable, fun and super weird. I’m always up for super weird. There were also some more serious themes hidden within (like motherhood) that make me want to reread some of the stories at a later time in my life.

This book is perfect for sparking a casual conversation with, “I read an interesting story today,” only to take a twist and recount the most bizarre, gut-wrenching tale they've ever heard. I’ve done that multiple times already and got myself uninvited to at least two parties.

My favourites were The Head, The Embodiment, Scars and Reunion.
The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry: How to Stay Emotionally Healthy and Spiritually Alive in the Chaos of the Modern World by John Mark Comer

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funny inspiring reflective fast-paced

4.0

At first I wasn’t sure if I could trust someone who named his children “Jude, Moses and Sunday”, but I’m glad I did. Even the references were fun to read. Could use a lesson on “correlation doesn’t imply causation”, though.
I Who Have Never Known Men by Jacqueline Harpman

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dark mysterious reflective sad 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? It's complicated

4.5

Ella Minnow Pea by Mark Dunn

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

4.5

All's Well by Mona Awad

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

4.25

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

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adventurous funny mysterious medium-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? No

4.5

Normal People by Sally Rooney

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

2.0

This is the story of the on-again, off-again relationship between Connell and Marianne. Marianne’s entire personality is her trauma, but that’s still better than Connor, who doesn’t have any personality at all.

For a couple that talks a LOT, they’re awfully bad at communicating. This is a great book to read before going to sleep because even thinking about their relationship makes me feel tired.
Last Flight by Liane Merciel

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

4.5

Pluche by Femke Halsema

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informative inspiring medium-paced

3.25

Drie dingen die me bijblijven na het lezen van dit boek:
  1. wat een zooitje in Den Haag;
  2. zoveel is er niet verandert in al die jaren;
  3. Femke Halsema heeft het erg met zichzelf getroffen.

Interessant inkijkje in de politiek tijdens Halsema’s jaren, mooi tijdsdocument.
Slewfoot: A Tale of Bewitchery by Brom

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

3.75

Slewfoot is a historical novel about Abitha who tries to reconcile her Christian beliefs with her Pagan roots while living in a rigid puritan town in the mid 1600s. Her story intertwines with that of Father/Samson, a supernatural being who awakes without memory and isn’t sure whether he’s an evil demon or a benevolent spirit. Together, they explore who they are and try to find their way in life. 

I finished this book rather quickly and found it to be very captivating, but have still settled at 3 stars. The modern morals of Abitha felt out of place — her shock at the arranged marriage of a 17 year old, for example. At times it also felt like a bit of a cheap jab at Christianity. The author tried to weave in some deeper considerations about God and religion, but
in between all the torture and gore of the last third of the book
, that message fell a bit flat for me. The ending was definitely not for me either,
I don’t like revenge stories
.

If you enjoy these kind of dark fantasy stories, the themes sound appealing to you, and you are on the hunt for a witchy read this fall; give this a try, you will enjoy it. If not, you’re not missing too much.
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