obscurepages's reviews
390 reviews

Mooncakes by Suzanne Walker

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adventurous funny mysterious reflective 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? No

4.25

Okay I finally understand why this always comes highly recommended. Mooncakes is so cute and wholesome and atmospheric!! ๐Ÿ˜ญ

Nova and Tam are amazing MCs. Both so different yet so compelling in their own ways. The two of them together (as characters and as budding romance) is such a lovely pairing! I've come to love individual arcs and their journey as whole.

The minor characters were also not overshadowed. The grandmas are absolutely funny and even Tat was such a great friend/addition to the story.

The plot was easy to follow and I don't know, but I didn't really see the plot twist coming? Which is good ๐Ÿ˜† I was surprised but it also made the storyline exciting.

Also loved the representations in this story. Both Nova and Tam and Chinese-Americans with different lifestyles and family background; Tam being nonbinary and telling people about their new pronouns; as sell as Nova being hard-of-hearing and learning how to be a witch despite her disability.

And of course, the colors and the art style of the authors are just amazing. I think they fit perfectly in a fall/Halloween aesthetic and that's just so good ๐Ÿฅน

My only complaint would probably be the world-building? Like I wanted to know more about Nova and her grandmas being a witch and the magic system. Same for Tam being a werewolf and everything. Still, this was so so good ๐Ÿฅน

Exact rating: 4.25

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Kaba 50 : maikling kuwento ng kababalaghan at katatakutan by Yvette Tan

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dark funny mysterious reflective
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

 Finished this today! This was definitely a great, short read. And a good choice for horror season ๐Ÿซฃ

There were a few standouts (creepy and disturbing) and some that are just okay. But overall, loved the way the author can build suspense and fear in a few paragraphs. Like this is 50 short stories/flash fiction! That's actually already impressive for me ๐Ÿ˜ญ

One favorite is the Balete Drive. Balete Drive is a street here in the Philippines known/mostly associated with the "white lady" urban legend. But here, the author was able to subvert that. I found that so interesting and effective ๐Ÿ‘€ 

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Inuyasha, Volume 12 by Rumiko Takahashi

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adventurous challenging dark funny 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

4.25

Kagura is about to die in the next installment isn't she? I actually want her to have a happy ending, damn. She's just a victim of Naraku ๐Ÿฅฒ And yeah, that little moment with her thinking she wanted to see Sesshomaru before she dies?! Like okay yeah, I ship it ๐Ÿ˜‚

Also Naraku is getting pretty annoying now ๐Ÿ˜ญ๐Ÿ˜‚ How many tricks does he have up his sleeve?!? He keeps creating new monsters and finding a way to evade Inugang AND Kikyo ๐Ÿซ 

And speaking of Kikyo, Inuyasha really has a lot of nerve getting jealous when Koga is there to woo Kagome ๐Ÿ˜ญ๐Ÿ˜‚
Shoestring Theory by Mariana Costa

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Fanfic readers and queer fantasy lovers, I have a recommendation for you!!! ๐Ÿ˜‚

Okay so, I just finished this book, and I honestly feel like I just read a 100k-word AU fanfic with all the angst, pining, and entertainment that I want. And yes, that's a compliment! That's what this book felt like for me! And while I already had an inkling that I would like this book (it's queer fantasy, friends-to-lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers trope, plus time travel... what's not to like?), reading it and enjoying it is a delightful experience on its own.

This book starts a little heavy and dark, to be honest. I mean, the cat died. That was already sad enough for me. But our main character, Cyril, was going through a tough time. Not just because he was obviously filled with guilt, grief, and regret. And this darkness loomed over him and the story for the great part of the book. Fortunately, as the plot unraveled and the story progressed, there was little more life and lightheartedness. Not just in Cyril, but also in the dialogue, the scenes, and the story altogether.

Now, the plot is interesting and entertaining. But I'll admit the pacing isn't the best. A lot of the story, especially the first parts, are about Cyril's introspection, inner monologue, and scheming. And even when the story is progressing, it seems slow and tedious. The truly exciting parts for me are the twist reveals and the climax towards the end of the book. What makes up for it, though, are the characters.

Cyril was a great main character for me. I love that, in a way, he's the opposite of a Mary Sue character. He gets winded when he runs; he doesn't become amazing in combat after a few trainings; and doesn't magically defeat an army of mages (lol). He's just a flawed character that I've come to love. Eufrates is also an interesting character. Because on one hand, Cyril remembers him as this sweet, gentle bard prince, but on the other hand, he also knew what he had becomeโ€”a mad and paranoid tyrant. I did like his and Cyril's chemistry though, and I loved the journey of them finding their way back to each other. Suffice it to say, I loved Eufrates' overall arc in this story.
I will also say, I loved the part where Eufrates owned up to his mistakes in front of Cyril, and that he doesn't get an easy pass/forgiveness just because he was mind-controlled.
Also, they are essentially middle-aged men transported back into their youthful 20s bodies, so there's a dynamic between them that's funny.

When it comes to the world-building, I think it's just enough. It's not as intricate as other high fantasy/second world fantasy novels, and I think the focus was more on the magic system and the court politics of the world. I have to say though, the author is incredible when it comes to visualization and descriptions. Not just the sceneries and locations, but also when it comes to the emotions and thoughts of the main perspective. I really loved that.

Overall, this was such a fun and entertaining book with a lot of heart. Expect a lot of angst and pining, cute familiars, ridiculous shenanigans, and tropes that we've come to love in fanfiction. (And yep, there were a few parallels to Our Flag Means Death that I found absolutely funny, okay? Like, welcome back Stede Bonnet and Edward Teach ๐Ÿ˜‚)

Anyway, I think this has gotten long enough. I'm saving my full review for my blog!

Exact rating: 4

CW: suicidal ideation, blood, death, animal death, murder, tyranny, slut shaming (in terms of court politics)

A big thank you to Angry Robot for sending an ARC my way in exchange for an honest review!
(This, of course, did not affect my overall opinion of the book.)

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If You'll Have Me by Eunnie

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funny lighthearted reflective 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

4.0

Kicking my feet. Giggling like a schoolgirl. Covering my eyes and blushing? Oh book is an absolute delight ๐Ÿ˜ญ๐Ÿ˜‚

Love Momo and PG as individual characters, but I also love seeing them together and seeing how their relationship progressed. There's something so sweet and just heartfelt with their characterizations and their overall story. I would also say it's probably not the most original? Just in terms of the storyline/tropes used, but I don't really care much ๐Ÿ˜‚ It's a sapphic love story with a QPOC cast (Black MC, Asian love interest), and that's already precious to me ๐Ÿฅน

Miscommunication is also not a fave trope for me, but the miscommunication in here was done right and I just absolutely love that ๐Ÿ˜ญ And of course, colors and art style are amazing, I'm in love! 

Exact rating: 4
System Collapse by Martha Wells

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adventurous challenging funny mysterious reflective slow-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? It's complicated

3.75

Listen, I would be so jealous too if a bot I hate is trying to talk to the bot who happens to be my friend/not friend ๐Ÿ˜‚ Anyway lol, yes, that ending was funny ๐Ÿ˜†

But listen, this is the 7th book in the Murderbot series and I am truly in awe of Martha Wells' storytelling. Murderbot is becoming one of my ultimate SFF faves and characters. This is just so good.

That being said, System Collapse has to be the saga with the least action and rollercoaster plot. Because unlike the other books, this one felt slow and kind of uneventful? It took like half of the book for something to *really happen*. There was a lot of waiting and introspection in here. HOWEVER, okay this is a big however ๐Ÿ˜‚ I feel like the less action is warranted because this storyline focused on Murderbot's emotions and trauma instead. Like I couldn't believe this book about bots and AI was actually talking about mental health. But then again, it shouldn't really be a surprise because this whole series is about being human and humanity. That for me made sense when I think about it more.

So yes, not totally action-packed or fast-paced. But the focus on trauma and healing (or the journey of healing) is absolutely wonderful. (Of course the anti-capitalist, anti-slavery themes are always present in these books as well)

Exact rating: 3.75

CW: violence, injuries, gun violence, death

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Inuyasha, Volume 11 by Rumiko Takahashi

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adventurous challenging funny mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

Okay wait a minute, this is getting intense. And the kind of intense that makes me think it's ending soon? Which is funny bc I still have like 7 omnibus volumes to go.

Anyway yes. Intense, fast-paced, still funny and heartfelt. I love the whole lore and everything, I don't think I've mentioned it in my previous reviews yet. But the lore about demons and the Shikon jewel, the Black Pearl, the demon graveyard/otherworldly. Even the Tetsusaiga upgrading and collecting its own character arcs is so good lol. I think they all tie up nicely and they're just so interesting.

Also this volume also made me think about Kikyo's endgame here. I don't think I finished the anime completely but I do know she dies in the end. But like? This push and pull with Naraku, as well as with Kagome/Inuyasha, can feel particularly annoying and dragging in a way? Her character is nuanced, I appreciate that. But it's still hard to like her ๐Ÿ˜ญ๐Ÿ˜‚
Inuyasha, Volume 10 by Rumiko Takahashi

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adventurous challenging dark funny reflective 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? It's complicated

4.25

Band of the Seven arc is done. Naraku has a new body. The Shikon jewel is almost complete. The evil but also cute baby is here. And Hakudoshi is now wreaking havoc. This installment was a wild ride tbh. And the action never seems to run out and I love that. Still, even though it's fast paced, we still get to have deep and tender moments in between.

Like for example, Sango and Miroku at the cave? InuYasha still feeling responsible for Kikyo (her presence and her death)? Shippo helping that otter and having full trust on InuYasha? I love these moments because they show vulnerability and humanity. I always want more of these, that's for sure.

Exact rating is 4.25 ๐Ÿ˜†
The Dead Cat Tail Assassins by P. Djรจlรญ Clark

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adventurous challenging funny mysterious reflective 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? No

5.0

Never have I been so happy and excited that I accurately predicted the plot twists omfg. ๐Ÿ˜‚ But listen, this was madly entertaining, funny, snarky, and action-packedโ€”basically everything I imagined from a new P. Djeli Clark masterpiece.

At first, I thought it was a little slow but I was quickly proven wrong. Once I got past the first chapter, the story is just filled with action and magic from there. Apart from that, I really appreciate the level of world-building and the effort of getting the reader to care about the world-building even when it's just a novella. Because the world in this bookโ€”Tal Abisi, the festival happening, the lore and the magicโ€”everything tied up with the storyline itself and that's just so good for me. It's so well-written and compelling that way.

Of course, the characters are really interesting. Eveen, Sky, Fennis, even the goddess Aeril and the other minor characters, I cared about all of them because their characterizations were on point. Not to mention the fact that this story, in a way, kind of raises the question of knowing yourself and what you could have been or what you could be. I just think that's pretty neat, especially for such a snarky, comedic SFF like this.

As for the actual plot/storyline? Perfection. Yes I did guess some of the major plot twists, but it's just so fun ๐Ÿ˜‚ And I think it's because the author did such a great job laying down hints and small crumbs for the readers. They can go unnoticed and surprise the reader for sure. But as for me who's a little fond of the [redacted], I loved getting to see that particular plot twist and guessing it right ๐Ÿ˜†

Overall, The Dead Cat Tail Assassins is an excellent novella perfect for SFF lovers, especially for fans and new readers of the author! ๐Ÿฅน

Exact rating: 5 stars lol

CW: Blood, gore, body horror (a little bit), murder, violence, death of children, injury detail, fatal injuries

Thank you Netgalley and publisher for the e-arc! This, of course, did not impact my overall opinion of the book.

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Turns Out My Online Friend is My Real-Life Boss! Volume 1 by Nmura

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

3.5

STOP this was just so cute and silly and also wholesome?? I saw this on NetGalley Read Now section and decided to pick it up even thought I don't know much about it. I just wanted a cute, short BL manga. And that's exactly what I got ๐Ÿ˜‚

This was simple and funny. I usually don't like miscommunication but this one had levels of miscommunication reminiscent of Modern Family and I was just cracking up ๐Ÿ˜‚ The romance is just so cute, and while it's minimal, I still felt "kilig" ๐Ÿฅน Like I was giggling and kicking my feet kind of moment ๐Ÿ˜‚ The romance also reminded me of the Japanese BL My Love Mix-Up and that was just so cute, I swear. I also thought this would be poly?! Lmao, there was a moment when I thought that was the endgame lol

The art is gorgeous, although some dialogue/narrative seemed confusing at times? And it's hard to discern that a scene was actually a flashback. Other than that, this was good and entertaining!


Exact rating: 3.5