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philibin's reviews
832 reviews
Strange Pictures by Uketsu
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
(2.5 Stars)
I didn't not like it, but I also didn't love it. So I am rating it directly in the middle. In a word.. it was "Strange".
As a concept, I really liked it. The pictures, the mystery, the interactive-ness of it; as an experiment, it was great. The writing however was where this was lacking. Possibly it was lost in the translation, but the characters were flat. The story, while interesting, just didn't really make sense. There were several leaps of faith that had to be taken to follow the logic. It is quite possible that there is some cultural element I am missing, but it seemed simple and unrealistic.
I struggled because while most of the characters were flat, some of them had very detailed and enjoyable descriptions and periods of growth. But then it went nowhere or they acted out of character.
Bottom line is that I would read another book by this author.
I didn't not like it, but I also didn't love it. So I am rating it directly in the middle. In a word.. it was "Strange".
As a concept, I really liked it. The pictures, the mystery, the interactive-ness of it; as an experiment, it was great. The writing however was where this was lacking. Possibly it was lost in the translation, but the characters were flat. The story, while interesting, just didn't really make sense. There were several leaps of faith that had to be taken to follow the logic. It is quite possible that there is some cultural element I am missing, but it seemed simple and unrealistic.
I struggled because while most of the characters were flat, some of them had very detailed and enjoyable descriptions and periods of growth. But then it went nowhere or they acted out of character.
Bottom line is that I would read another book by this author.
The Message by Ta-Nehisi Coates
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
(5.0 Stars)
This author has a voice that needs to be heard, and a message that needs to be read and understood.
Ta-Nehisi Coates is truly one of the modern day great thinkers. He is able to pour so much critical thought into an emotional subject. This book looks at the struggle of the Palestinians and widens the lens to see where it fits in the World View of Racism, Oppression, Whiteness, and American Exceptionalism.
Everyone should read The Message.
This author has a voice that needs to be heard, and a message that needs to be read and understood.
Ta-Nehisi Coates is truly one of the modern day great thinkers. He is able to pour so much critical thought into an emotional subject. This book looks at the struggle of the Palestinians and widens the lens to see where it fits in the World View of Racism, Oppression, Whiteness, and American Exceptionalism.
Everyone should read The Message.
Where the Axe Is Buried: A Novel by Ray Nayler
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
(3.75 Stars rounded up to 4 for audio)
Thanks to #NetGalley for making this audiobook available to me for me to read and review.
This had a classic sci-fi feel to it like a Philip K. Dick story. But also a modern flair like The Three-Body Problem. The characters provided different perspectives on the world around them, and some times they seemed very simplistic or just flat. The concept was interesting and the author's note at the end was intriguing.
While I do think this is a good story, there were times where I felt like the story dragged on without purpose, or seemed very repetitive. It did make me want to stop reading to think about it, before getting back into it. So, this book might have taken me longer to read than one of a similar length.
I do like the author, and have read more of his shorter works which I really liked. The narrator did a good job and the deadpan unemotional nature of the narration added to the overall despair in the story.
Thanks to #NetGalley for making this audiobook available to me for me to read and review.
This had a classic sci-fi feel to it like a Philip K. Dick story. But also a modern flair like The Three-Body Problem. The characters provided different perspectives on the world around them, and some times they seemed very simplistic or just flat. The concept was interesting and the author's note at the end was intriguing.
While I do think this is a good story, there were times where I felt like the story dragged on without purpose, or seemed very repetitive. It did make me want to stop reading to think about it, before getting back into it. So, this book might have taken me longer to read than one of a similar length.
I do like the author, and have read more of his shorter works which I really liked. The narrator did a good job and the deadpan unemotional nature of the narration added to the overall despair in the story.
Coup de Grâce by Paul L. Centeno
adventurous
medium-paced
3.0
(3.0 Stars)
Thank you to #NetGalley for making this audiobook available for me to read and review.
I love the SteamPunk genre, my go-to genre is Dystopian Fiction, and I like a good fantasy as much as anyone... However, while this book did have all the elements of these (and more), I feel like it maybe tried to be too many things.
First, the good. The audiobook had two narrators, but also used some vocal effects and background noises and music. It was a nice touch, and the production was very good.
The bad isn't really all that bad. The story was mostly interesting, but I didn't feel like it had a logical flow. It just didn't really come together for me. The characters were mostly flat, and were inconsistent with their actions. The world was confusing and felt like it was forced into plot elements. However, the attention to detail in some of the steampunk elements were excellent.
I would probably read another book by this author.
Thank you to #NetGalley for making this audiobook available for me to read and review.
I love the SteamPunk genre, my go-to genre is Dystopian Fiction, and I like a good fantasy as much as anyone... However, while this book did have all the elements of these (and more), I feel like it maybe tried to be too many things.
First, the good. The audiobook had two narrators, but also used some vocal effects and background noises and music. It was a nice touch, and the production was very good.
The bad isn't really all that bad. The story was mostly interesting, but I didn't feel like it had a logical flow. It just didn't really come together for me. The characters were mostly flat, and were inconsistent with their actions. The world was confusing and felt like it was forced into plot elements. However, the attention to detail in some of the steampunk elements were excellent.
I would probably read another book by this author.
SubOrbital 7 by John Shirley
adventurous
tense
4.5
(4.5 Stars)
This was a perfect little military thriller. A very rich story with vibrant characters and an engrossing plot. The Audiobook was paced well and the narration was excellent. There are a lot of different of characters and the narrator made it easier to keep track of them because he was able to give each of them different accents, cadence, and tone. I could easily see this being a movie.
If you like military drama, political espionage, tense action, this is one you will enjoy.
This was a perfect little military thriller. A very rich story with vibrant characters and an engrossing plot. The Audiobook was paced well and the narration was excellent. There are a lot of different of characters and the narrator made it easier to keep track of them because he was able to give each of them different accents, cadence, and tone. I could easily see this being a movie.
If you like military drama, political espionage, tense action, this is one you will enjoy.
The Human Son by Adrian J. Walker
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
(3.5 Stars)
This book was good but not great (for me). I absolutely loved the concept and the characters but I feel like it fell a little flat on tying the obvious parallels between "us and them" together. I don't want to make any spoilers, but this is definitely one you should read and see if you arrive at the same conclusion. Maybe it was even by design, but if it was, it could have been more "rewarding".
The audiobook was well done and the pace was good. I really didn't dislike the book, I just feel like it could have done more, been more. I really loved the other books I've read by this author, and will look forward to their next release.
This book was good but not great (for me). I absolutely loved the concept and the characters but I feel like it fell a little flat on tying the obvious parallels between "us and them" together. I don't want to make any spoilers, but this is definitely one you should read and see if you arrive at the same conclusion. Maybe it was even by design, but if it was, it could have been more "rewarding".
The audiobook was well done and the pace was good. I really didn't dislike the book, I just feel like it could have done more, been more. I really loved the other books I've read by this author, and will look forward to their next release.
Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
(5.0 Stars)
Thanks go out to #NetGalley for making this book available to me. I have never heard of this author before and requested this book because of the description. The description was accurate, but I had no idea what to expect... however, this wasn't at all what I was expecting.
I tend to favor post-apocalyptic dystopian fiction, and this seemed somewhat adjacent to that. and it was, in feel; the desolation, the despair, the hope, all of that, but something more too. There was love. There was family. There was a sense of responsibility both globally and locally like no other.
The characters were realistic and compelling. The world building is unparalleled and familiar. The story is expertly unfolded, from multiple points of view. And the audiobook brings those characters to life by using different narrators, each of which is excellent.
This book would be good for anyone who likes a good tear-jerker, or stories about overcoming tremendous obstacles against unfavorable odds. Or about the importance of who we surround ourselves with, either by choice, or by chance. This book is a look at our ever-changing world, and how we can hope to be good caretakers of it, it's flora, it's fauna, and it's humanity.
This book is not for the feint of heart. There are real-life tragedies and troubles. It doesn't force people into black and white, yes or no, young or old, good or evil. It explores the morally grey concepts and realities that exist in any reality.
I have already queued up more books by this author and I would highly recommend this title to anyone and everyone.
Thanks go out to #NetGalley for making this book available to me. I have never heard of this author before and requested this book because of the description. The description was accurate, but I had no idea what to expect... however, this wasn't at all what I was expecting.
I tend to favor post-apocalyptic dystopian fiction, and this seemed somewhat adjacent to that. and it was, in feel; the desolation, the despair, the hope, all of that, but something more too. There was love. There was family. There was a sense of responsibility both globally and locally like no other.
The characters were realistic and compelling. The world building is unparalleled and familiar. The story is expertly unfolded, from multiple points of view. And the audiobook brings those characters to life by using different narrators, each of which is excellent.
This book would be good for anyone who likes a good tear-jerker, or stories about overcoming tremendous obstacles against unfavorable odds. Or about the importance of who we surround ourselves with, either by choice, or by chance. This book is a look at our ever-changing world, and how we can hope to be good caretakers of it, it's flora, it's fauna, and it's humanity.
This book is not for the feint of heart. There are real-life tragedies and troubles. It doesn't force people into black and white, yes or no, young or old, good or evil. It explores the morally grey concepts and realities that exist in any reality.
I have already queued up more books by this author and I would highly recommend this title to anyone and everyone.
Red Sonja: Consumed by Gail Simone
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
2.0
(2.0 Stars)
I've read the comic books, which I like... and I've read several other comic titles by this author which I enjoyed. For me, this book just didn't work. I found the world to be very flat and the characters to have no dimension.
The narrator was good, I really like her cadence and voice.
I've read the comic books, which I like... and I've read several other comic titles by this author which I enjoyed. For me, this book just didn't work. I found the world to be very flat and the characters to have no dimension.
The narrator was good, I really like her cadence and voice.
Tiger Chair: A Short Story by Max Brooks
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
(3 Stars)
This was decent. Like a lot of the books by this author it is written as a "found" correspondence. It was interesting and enjoyable, but a little slow paced.
This was decent. Like a lot of the books by this author it is written as a "found" correspondence. It was interesting and enjoyable, but a little slow paced.
Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
(4.5 Stars, rounded up to 5 for audio)
I want to start off by making a statement... this is not at all what I expected. With that being said, It was still a great book. I expected a horror novel, and while the events of the majority of the book are indeed horrific, it is not your typical horror story. But that is what Grady Hendrix is getting known for, isn't it?
I don't want to give any spoilers, so read the book description, but keep an open mind, and don't expect any appearances of Jason Voorhees or Freddy Krueger. This is a psychological thriller. Slow moving yes, but not boring. The characters development is superb, probably the best so far from this author. I look forward to every new release.
This book is set in a time when most people thought America was "Great", and this book explores those shunned realities against a backdrop of "witchcraft" and feminism and racism. The narration is top notch.
I want to start off by making a statement... this is not at all what I expected. With that being said, It was still a great book. I expected a horror novel, and while the events of the majority of the book are indeed horrific, it is not your typical horror story. But that is what Grady Hendrix is getting known for, isn't it?
I don't want to give any spoilers, so read the book description, but keep an open mind, and don't expect any appearances of Jason Voorhees or Freddy Krueger. This is a psychological thriller. Slow moving yes, but not boring. The characters development is superb, probably the best so far from this author. I look forward to every new release.
This book is set in a time when most people thought America was "Great", and this book explores those shunned realities against a backdrop of "witchcraft" and feminism and racism. The narration is top notch.