renpuspita's reviews
1347 reviews

 Selama ini untuk karya penulis dari Asia Timur, gue lebih banyak baca karya dari author Jepang atau Korea. Surat Kematian atau Death Notice bisa dibilang karya author dari Negeri Tirai Bambu pertama yang gue baca. Buku ini juga hadiah dari Mba Desty untuk event Secret Santa di bulan Desember 2021 dan kemungkinan besar bakal terus gue anggurin seandainya ga ikutan RC Babat Timbunan dengan tema khusus "Hadiah". Tapi gue bersyukur juga memilih Surat Kematian ini karena menurut gue ceritanya emang SERU, meski ada beberapa hal yang gue kurang sreg makanya ga full ngasih 5 bintang :-)

Premis Surat Kematian sebenarnya udah awam digunakan. Bahkan gue teringat manga Death Note saat membaca buku ini, minus entitas supranatural tentunya. Menggabungkan element cold case dan serial killer manhunt, Kepolisian Kota A (gue baru tau kalau aslinya kotanya di Chengdu) harus berpacu dengan waktu untuk menyelamatkan orang - orang yang diincar seorang algojo yang menamakan dirinya Eumenides. Masalahnya, orang yang diincar itu pelaku kejahatan yang lolos karena sistem hukum di China yang dianggap oleh Eumenides lemah. Tapi ya nyawa kan tetap nyawa dan apa yang dilakukan Eumenides tentu menjadi perdebatan. Sejauh apa orang bisa bersikap main hakim sendiri meski apa yang dia lakukan itu dia anggap sebagai kebenaran?

Cara penuturan Death Notice emang sangat telling rather than showing, yang menurut gue mungkin ciri khas author dari China dan Jepang kayak gitu. Berat di narasi dan deskripsi. Gue ga ngerti apa karena dari terjemahannya meski infonya buku ini diterjemahkan langsung dari Mandarin, tapi gue merasa gaya nulisnya Zhou Haohui meski ceritanya seru, tapi berasa amatir. Banyak bagian - bagian yang menurut gue bisa dipangkas dan gaya tulis sudut pandang ketiga serba tahu ini juga jadi kayak semacam kelemahan buku ini. Gue mengamini beberapa review kalau ada beberapa hal yang janggal dan meski Luo Fei, salah satu polisi di buku ini, dibilang jenius, rasanya kejeniusannya gue agak merasa janggal, lol. Baca Luo Fei ini emang gue jadi keinget tokoh L di Death Note sih, sementara Eumenides itu si Light Yagami akan Kira. Bedanya, sampai akhir identitas Eumenides masih tertutup rapi.

Lho? Jadi ceritanya belum selesai? Gue selalu merasa kok buku ini agak - agak tipis ya ga sampai 400 halaman meski ukuran bukunya juga cukup gede dan ngebatin kenapa buku yang no 2 tebel banget sampai 600 halaman. Ending Surat Kematian sendiri ternyata di luar prediksi BMKG dan buku ini emang seperti sebuah pendahuluan yang disiapkan Haohui sebagai pembuka panggung perseteruan antara Eumenides dengan pihak Kepolisian, utamanya Luo Fei dan kapten Han Hao. Gue ngasih rating cukup tinggi karena tiga bab terakhir emang luar biasa tensi dan pacenya. Haohui cukup lihai dalam menyimpan misteri untuk kemudian membukanya satu persatu bak kulit bawang dengan sangat rapi. Bahwa Eumenides dan Luo Fei itu terhubung dan kepolisian ternyata ga sebersih yang kita kira. Cara Eumenides mengelabui Han Hao dan Luo Fei di akhir emang gue akuin luar biasa.

Meski begitu beberapa hal emang cukup janggal seperti misalnya 

kasus Han Hao yang membuatnya diangkat jadi kepala Reserse Kriminal tapi temannya malah meninggal. Cara Haohui menjelaskan memang cukup aneh dan kurang bisa diterima dengan nalar. Lalu identitas asli Eumenides senior dan motivasinya menjadi Eumenides bikin gue merasa bimbang. Di sisi lain gue ngerti kenapa Eumenides senior ingin jadi vigilante demi membalaskan dendamnya tapi gue ga suka dengan cara dia mengorbankan orang, dalam hal ini kekasih Luo Fei, Meng Yun. Eumenides senior mau menghalalkan segala cara demi prinsipnya dan gue mikir "duh, ini orang kayaknya delusional". Selain itu cara Eumenides junior aka pelanjut Eumenides yang senior, itu juga gue masih bertanya - tanya. Sejenius apa Eumenides kedua? Kenapa dia bisa menebak dan mempermainkan polisi dan bahkan gimana caranya dia tahu strategi polisi? Apakah Eumenides kedua ini hacker handal yang bahkan lebih handal kemampuan programmernya ketimbang Zeng Rihua yang ahli IT di polisi? Terus terang masih banyak yang perlu dipertanyakan dari si Eumenides kedua ini

. Walau dengan beberapa kejanggalan itu dan mungkin premis yang udah sering dipakai, gue merasa Surat Kematian ini punya beberapa hal yang bisa dijadikan bahan diskusi. Seperti sistem keadilan di China yang ternyata toh ya sama aja dengan Indo, bisa dikorupsi dan orang yang harusnya diadili malah melenggang bebas. Membuat gue bertanya - tanya, simbol Lady Justice itu ditutup matanya mungkin bisa diinterpretasikan bahwa hukum itu tidak pandang bulu. Tapi gue juga merasa dengan mata yang ditutup, hukum pun seolah mengalihkan pandangan dari apa yang benar dan salah. Eumenides sendiri berkata kalau orang berbuat jahat karena terkadang mereka tidak punya pilihan? Tapi gue sendiri bisa berdebat tentang sistem main hakim sendirinya Eumenides ini apakah emang bisa diterima sesuai dengan hukum yang berlaku?

Cerita Surat Kematian berlanjut ke buku dua yang diberi judul Takdir. Bukunya juga sudah diterjemahkan dan memang lebih tebal, membuat gue jadi penasaran langkah apa lagi yang Eumenides punya untuk berkelit dari Luo Fei dan kepolisian Kota A yang memburunya. Memang Surat Kematian ini ada beberapa kelemahan, tapi kalau suka thriller suspense dengan misteri yang ditulis secara rapi dan beberapa twist yang ga terduga (atau bisa diduga kalau udah kebanyakan baca genre sejenis), buku ini cukup gue rekomendasikan. 

 Three books already and I still can't feel myself to warming toward Charlene Morris and the Salem's residents. The story happen in the Christmas time, three months after Charlene moved into Salem and open her own B&B, and baaam, another dead body! I don't know if Charlene is really unfortunate or Salem have a high count of dead body, but yeah, another time for Charlene to play Nancy Drew. The poor victim is David, the owner of local Italian restaurant named Bella and Charlene always think David is a good and charming man. David also recently winning a lottery which make things awkward with his second wife and his kid from David's first marriage. Thing turn deadly when David become victim of run over and many people have motives to cause David bodily harm.

Honestly, I really dislike Charlene's mother. I know that mother, no matter what how old their children are, still think them as "child". But, Charlene's mother take it to a whole new level. Charlene is already in her 40-ish, she apparently still processing her grief after her husband died two years ago, but what Charlene's mom aka Brenda did? Constantly criticize and belittle Charlene, always gaslighting because she think Charlene didn't love her enough. Charlene's father, Michael, seems to tolerate his wife, but if I have mother like Brenda, I will do everything in my power to go away. Heck, even if my relationship with my Mother kinda rocky when I'm in my twenties, when I already in my thirties she just let me do as I please. Brenda's insufferable attitude toward Charlene kinda left a bitter taste for me and why Charlene although she also angry but still try to love her mother speak volume. Charlene indeed, is too kind.

The mystery kinda simple but what I like from this series is how the culprit always not what they seems to be and the red herrings were well written. As for Charlene and Sam's budding relationship, although Sam still hesitant to share his investigation surprisingly there's no wuss from him regarding Charlene's sleuthing. In opposite, he try to wooing her and maybe Charlene finally start to thaw and want to pursue a romantic relationship. But what about our charming resident ghost, Jack Sthratmore? I really like Jack and I think one of the highlight of this series is Jack's presence. I wish Jack appear more often and I like his platonic relationship with Charlene. While from the start the love triangle possibility is high, I don't think it can be called as love triangle at all. Jack is dead and any romantic pursuits with Charlene seems impossible while Sam is a living being. But, if I can choose, I like Jack and Charlene's platonic relationship more.

Mrs Morris and The Ghost of Christmas Past tend heavily into Charlene's relationship with her parents rather than the mystery. What make me disappointed is the "ghost" that mention in the title more like figuratively speaking rather than the real deal. The ghost still only Jack and maybe Jack is a special case because only Charlene who can see him. The book pace itself was pretty fast and also light. However, since I already collect the series up to book 8 (lol, bad habit of mine!), I will read them all but will not buy any new books after I feel certain that I can connect to Charlene and the Salem's citizen. 

Slightly better written compared to its first book, Legacy of Temptation, Larissa Ione back again to Demonica World and feature the OG's children's stories while navigating their romantic problems and also saving the world from demon and angel alike. The nostalgia factor already paid off with book 1 and this book continue from what left in book 1. Both MCs, Stryke and Cyan already introduced in book 1, with Stryke is Shade and Runa's triplet while Cyan is a technomancer who also member of DART, the organization under Kynan Morgan's leadership. They don't cross path since while Stryker is part of the Seminus brother families, he was also estranged from them because he believe he was responsible for his little brother, Chaos's death. But, fate is fickle and when one of Stryker's creation kill Cyan's close friend, that put Cyan into grief and she hate Stryker for that.

I think when I read their first introductions, I predict Legacy of Chaos will be full angst and hate. But, actually, the angst were bearable and the focus of this book is more to Stryke's journey in forgive himself and amend his relationship with his estranged family. Stryke is part of Shade and Runa's triplet, but because of his guilt he sever the bond with his other triplets, Blade and Rade, resulting in ongoing feud between brothers especially from Blade. Chaos's death also make Stryke hate sex and it's that not an irony, because Stryke is an incubus, basically sex demon that need sex to survive. I feel like this book mainly focus to Stryke with his intelligent mind, tight on control and always feel like because he is in so much pain, it justified for him to act as an asshole to everyone while also torture himself. This part is hard to read because of how much self-loathing that Stryke have before he finally met Cyan and learn to let go of his past.

Yep, the story pretty much oldies but goldies paranormal romance that I know and familiar of. While Ione give so many focus into Stryke's personal development, sadly it was not the same with Cyan. I feel like Cyan maybe forgive Stryke too easily despite her resentment toward him because of his role in killing Cyan's friend although not directly. The insta-lust is pretty apparent, however I prefer Stryke and Cyan's romantic endeavor compared to Logan and Eva from book 1. Imho, Logan was a little bland and Eva was like Tayla only Tayla way way better. Stryke already complex from the beginning and I think Cyan is well written compared to Eva. Sure she heal Stryke with the power of love and sex (lel), but I like her approach to Stryke regarding his hate of sex and to process his long unprocessed trauma. The scene when Cyan seduce Stryke is superb, like I always know Ione can always write scorching hot sex scenes but also tender in the same time. Since Stryke is also Seminus, the scene just become hotter than ever, lol.

The story kinda moving forward but albeit in rather mid pace. Gabriel, one of the Archangels, now have major role and he face a trial because of his role in aiding Azagoth to destroy Sheoul-gra. Pooe Gabriel, in the end his fate is uncertain and the epilogue just give a major cliffhanger for Gabriel's future. I like Gabriel because from all angels (bar Reaver), he is not a goody two legged angel with jerk personality, although he has his own agenda. The book is action packed, but I think the climax and high stake happen in the middle of the book when Stryke and Cyan try to destroy the demon portal in the middle of the ocean while battling oceanic demons. The end kinda feel mid to low stake, focused more into Stryke and Cyan's blossoming romance, Stryke's path into healing and Cyan's acceptance to her grief after losing a dear friend. 

The next book, Legacy of Desire, will released a year later (!) and will feature not only two MCs but three!! This, I believe is the first time Larissa Ione write menage (or threesome) into Demonica world and make them as main characters. Scotty (Ares's daughter), Mace (Lore's son, but his biological father is Wraith) and Blade will be tested for their friendship's resolve and if it's possible for Scotty to love both men in the same time (I guess she will. Like, why choose?). The Heaven is still high in conspiracy while the demon and supernatural beings still roaming the Earth. But honestly? I'm curious about Gabriel's predicament after reading the epilogue! Sigh, I think Ione maybe save him for the last and if he will be paired with Raika, Azagoth's daughter? That will be hilarious or amusing because imagine if Azagoth will become Gabriel's father in law, lol.

A good addition into Demonica World, I enjoy Legacy of Chaos despite some of its weakness. I always know when its come to paranormal romance with actions, complex and interesting ensemble of characters, intriguing conspiracy between Heaven and Hell and also scorching (and innovative also didn't boring at all) hot sex scenes, I always can rely on Larissa Ione's Demonica world. 

 2 WEEKS Reading well spent and one of my Top Read 2024!!

One thing that I regret is why I just read The Lies of Locke Lamora in 2024, but if I see the state of Gentleman Bastard series that continue in limbo maybe the decision is right, lol.

Where to start? This book have so many elements that I love. Locke is an anti hero, through and through. While he become a reluctant hero near the end regarding the fate of Camorr, in the end he is still true to himself. Locke is a thief, he stole money from Camorr's nobles for his own gain. Or to quote the late Father Chains, the first garrista of Gentleman Bastard, to relieve those nobles of their wealth, lel. Just like the title of this book, we will get through so many Locke's lies. Whether when he plan to rob a unfortunate Don Salvara of his money or to save his life from the clutch of the Duke Nicovante's Spider or when he try to juggle two task at the same time that given to him by Capa Barsavi and the Gray King. I find myself read with trepidation but also excitement in the same time because I want to know if Locke will come out safely from his predicaments. Locke is not a book smart, but he is witty, savvy and even after tortured so much, he still come back from his injury to plan revenge against those who wronged Gentleman Bastard.

The Lies of Locke Lamora written in non linear timeline. In the main chapter, we will read through Locke's lies and adventure in the present while in the Interlude, we have a coming-of-age story from when Locke first brought into Gentleman Bastard and some of Camorr's history. Some of the Interlude kinda disturb the flow of the story, but the rest was proceeding smoothly. I like the Interlude when Father Chains teach Locke about the art of thievery. Not just steal here and there, but also learn about culture, clothing, language, Camorr religion that consist of twelve divine god & goddess (and the unnamed thirteenth God, the God of Thief) and cooking intricate dishes, all in order to successfully plan a disguise when they steal noble's wealth or tricking their big boss. 

One of the spotlight of this book beside Locke's bigger than life personality is his friendship with Gentleman Bastard, especially Jean Tannen. Jean might have less appearance compared to Locke, but he's a loyal companion. Don't let his soft and big physique fool you, because Jean is a skilled swordmaster (or weaponmaster) with a hatchet called The Wicked Sisters. But importantly, he always ready to save Locke when he's in problem and while their relationship start rocky in which Locke once mock Jean as a softie (in which proven otherwise because Jean just barely lost his parent and he's in much grief so his temperament was running high), they become solid in the end. This book also have little to none romance, although Locke seems to can't move on from his paramour, Sabetha. I really curious what Sabetha did that make Locke still enamored but unwilling to admit it. While the women is not one of main characters (a pity), I like that Locke manage to write them all as strong characters and not one of damsel in distress or annoying and oversexualized character. The Interlude titled Woman in Camorr also one of my favorite because the Camorr's brothels and prostitutes are powers to be reckoned with.

If there's any complaint, maybe because I feel the way Lynch write the world building is unclear. From the vibes alone, maybe this book influenced by Italia in the pre-Renaissance era. Some of the term also pretty much Italian, like Capa that obviously taken from "Capo". The map in my book only show Camorr with its canal (pretty much like Venice) but I wish the map also show the entire kingdom. A glossary will be nice, though. The magic system is pretty much simple since the fantasy aspect mostly focused onto the religion of Camorr citizen and the dynamic of the nobles and the criminals. I'm willing to take aside my complaint because The Lies of Locke Lamora is the Lynch's first book to be published and I hope the world building will be explain thoroughly in the next book.

To quote a random commenter in my reading thread for The Lies of Locke Lamora on Twitter, a good book written by crazy person that maybe will finally finish the series, lol. I will recommend this book if you like your fantasy with anti hero who will charmed you from the start and never have a dull moment. The violence, blood and profanity can be too much to read, but if all of it don't bother you, then it's the time to read about how Locke Lamora spun his lies and deceits to deceive Camorr's nobility and his enemies!

 Murder, She Knit is the first cozy mystery about knitting that I'd read. Honestly, if I don't join cozy mystery reading challenge and try to find a title about knitting/sewing, chance I will not read this one. I prefer my cozy mystery with foodies element or paranormal aspect. For a first book, Murder, She Knit is not that bad. But not that good either, so this was just an OK read for me.

I admit that beside knitting, I like the cover for Murder, She Knit. Cat and yarn, two cute things thrown together. However, I'm a little bit disappointed because the cat, Catrina don't have many appearance or important part in story except become a pet. The yarn itself of course is the main theme because the heroine, Pamela Paterson is a knitter and create Knit and Nibble , knitting club with her neighbors in which they will knit (duh!) and nibbling some cakes or cookies. Reading this book make me realize that knitting and crocheting is different. Quite a knowledge and even though Pamela's friend, Bettina is crocheter herself, she still welcome in the Knit and Nibble.

After many cozy mystery I'd read this year, Murder, She Knit actually kinda different. There's no romantic interaction between Pamela and the detective/office/law enforcement. The detective and the officer was bearable although Pamela and Bettina justified their sleuthing just because "Police often didn't ask the right things". Although there is a potential love interest with Pamela's new neighbor, Pamela herself still dismiss that idea. Pamela herself is a widow, she lost her husband 5 years ago and a mother to a girl who in the college so I kinda understand that romance is the less that she think no matter that her new neighbor seems interested to her. Although, I just find that Pamela's reaction when discover dead body not just once but twice is a little bit weird. She just...so calm, perhaps. Some thing that left me dumbfounded is when Pamela didn't bring her phone when she taking a walk, that seems weird but maybe it's her habit. Some reviews also mentioned that Pamela can be too judgmental and I agree. The obvious happen when she assumed that the yarn that the shopkeeper didn't want to let go if because the shopkeeper was infertile and because the yarn made from vicuna's fur and vicuna usually connected with fertility? Weird. Another is when she assume about her new neighbor being playboy and when turn out that he's not, it's very awkward to read.

The mystery is light but honestly the culprit is not what I think would be. Seems like sudden or out of nowhere or more like, "huh, they are the murderer??". While I understand the reasons behind the murder, I just go "eh?" Murder, She Knit didn't left a good impression for me and I'm glad that I just bought book 1 before decide to collect them all (one of my bad habit, lel). I just didn't care if Pamela and her new neighbor, Richard will have romantic relationship or if there will be new murder in the Arborville. At least I know what the difference between knitting and crocheting. 

 I never read Becky Chambers before and to be honest, I also rarely reading pure science fiction that is not space opera or intergalactic wars. I found To Be Taught, If Fortunate in my local bookshop sale and snatch it because of the title. Color me intrigue. In the early of 2024, John Scalzi proved that science fiction can be engaging and fun which is proven by The Kaiju Preservation of Society. However, To Be Taught, If Fortunate is lean toward hard science fiction rather than pop sci-fi like the Kaiju book. Didn't mean that this novella is bad. I quite enjoy it.

My first foray into astronaut and anything space was The Martian, the movie version to be exact although I have the book and still not read it yet. If The Martian more like rock and roll, To Be Taught is like a ballad. Or a slow song, whatever I can't find the comparison, lol. To be Taught is more like travelogue or journal written by one of the crew of Merian, the spacecraft with missions to explore planets and moon in red dwarf star called Zhenyi. The technology already advanced so much, people found the way to transform their body-called somaforming- to be able to adapt into any planets or moons or asteroids that they will explore. This novella told entirely from Ariadne O'Neill's PoV, present a somehow precise but also relaxing enough to be read. 

To Be Taught for me was like a non fiction disguised as a fiction. Some part can be too confusing, but I will be lying if I don't share the excitement when the crews of Merian find a new life or species in the strange planet or feel their desperation while trapped for months in their spacecraft because of unpredictable weather. Beside Ariadne, we will get known her other crews, Elena Quesada-Cruz, Jack Vo and Chikondi Daka. Quite diverse in race and also sexuality although not explicitly stated but I think Ariadne is a bi, while Elena is a lesbian, Chikondi is asexual, and Jack is het. Their interactions was one of the spotlight of this book although from all four, Jack is the less explored not like Elena and Chikondi. To Be Taught was divided into four big chapters (or parts) just like the Merian's mission. To explore the icy moon Aecor, the bountiful planet Mirabilis, the unpredictable Opera and in the end, the vast and dry Votum. While seems mundane at first, the Merian crew also find challenges in their journey and in the end, an uncertainty if they will come back to Earth after all.

The book is pretty short but also provide some meaningful commentary. The vibe is not bleak, quite optimistic to be exact. I'm intrigued by the somaforming technology, with how the body with the help of supplement patches can adapt so fast into the new environment and I wonder if there's any side effect. The somaforming was innovative and I like that Chambers choose that technology instead of terraforming because the mission of Merian is to study and explore not to colonize. Even with knowledge as their mission value, Chambers through Ariadne also questioned some of ethical moral regarding their exploration. However, I fell a little bit disappointed with the end of the novella, although maybe Chambers try to manage the real and pragmatism vibes of the story since it's a hard science fiction.

To Be Taught, If Fortunate is a slim book and under 200 pages but pack quite a punch. Despite the length, this is a book that is not easy to read and can make your mind wander because the book was pretty much in narrative and description. Just like reading a travelogue or journal written by scientist (although Ariadne is an engineer, not a scientist). A "fun" hard science fiction read with some innovative technology (somaforming), exploration into the place unknown (space, the final frontier) while also provide some meaningful commentary. 

My first thought when I read through The Dead Romantic was "this book is very Emily Henry-coded!", and I mean it as a compliment. I think that Ashley Poston have a way with words as shown with how many sticky notes that I put into the book when I discover meaningful quote or romantic scene. Florence Day might think that romance is already dead for her, but her ghostly new editor, Benji Andor will prove otherwise.

The Dead Romantics story is actually very simple and straightforward. While its very light in paranormal aspect

like I can already guess why Benji become a ghost in the first place, although the connection between Benji, Florence and Ann Nichols, the writer whom Florence become a ghostwriter for her books was little bit surprising

,  the book tackle a very heavy topic. The death of your loved ones. Florence herself already in the low places in the beginning of the book. Her writing block and her bitterness toward romance make Florence can't finish writing Ann Nichols's new book while the deadline already approaching. While she make a pretty bad impression toward Benji as her new executive editor, Florence find out that her Dad already gone before she has a chance to meet him for the last time. This part is pretty much hard to read and I will lie if I'm almost not shed a tears or two because the grief that Florence feels still pretty fresh. Her regrets was apparent.

With the story unfold, we get why Florence leave Mairmont in the first place and only comeback to prepare her Dad's funeral. While Florence's parents are supportive parent to Florence, her relationship with her little sister, Alice was pretty much strained while her middle brother, Carver try to play as peacemaker. I think one of the spotlight of this book is the interaction between Day siblings. Alice might act hostile and unfriendly, but Florence know that some of its because of her leaving the home. The remaining Day members might hide one or two things from Florence but in the end they become solid. I feel like I can understand the way Florence feels because we both firstborn and like Florence, I also move out from my parents home although the reason was different. But the feel of alienated from your family that Florence feel was real and I kinda resonated with that. 

For a book with "death" as its main topic, Poshton sure can balance between gloomy and hopeful vibes. There are some scenes that can bring tears to your eyes but there also some banter between Florence and Benji that will make you smile. The "dead" pun are pretty much hilarious. Benji himself at first seems like stern man but who knows that he has a golden heart inside? He is also a hopeless romantic and reading romance novel??? Yeah, I know this is a romance and the way Benji written pretty much an example of man character written by woman, but eh, I used to know my male friend who also read romance and I know some male author that also write romance. As for the sex scene, the scene pretty much fade to black (lel) and full of metaphors so maybe perfect if you feel uncomfortable reading detailed and explicit sex scenes. I don't mind with the vanilla sex, since I think that The Dead Romantics was more about Florence's journey to find herself after her ex-boyfriend betrayal who make her not believe in love and grief over her Dad's death. The romance is more like a bonus. Maybe some things that still bugged me is

why Florence didn't know about Ann Nichols's fate before she start writing as her ghostwriter? Is it weird if you ghostwrite for a famous author but never see her/him face to face and only connected toward their agent? This is the part that kinda left me dumbfounded.

If you like your romance light and tend toward the heroine's journey to find herself, with some of ghostly elements and meaningful discussion about life and death, then The Dead Romantics is pretty much your forte.

PS: I feel like this book maybe start as Reylo fanfic? I mean the name "Benji Andor" is pretty much a dead giveaway, har har. 

 They Came to Baghdad atau diterjemahkan menjadi "Mereka Datang ke Baghdad" seolah ingin meneguhkan ungkapan kalau CINTA ITU BUTA .

I mean, seandainya Victoria Jones, juru ketik steno yg juga seorang patological liar, itu ga halu hanya gegara ketemu pemuda bernama Edward di taman Chasing Cross dan langsung berkhayal kalau Victoria itu Juliet sementara Edward itu Romeo maka ceritanya ya ga akan berjalan. Gue sampe ngebatin seberapa gantengnya si Edward sampai Victoria klepek-klepek dan sampai ngotot "pokoknya aku harus ke Baghdad gimanapun caranya!!!" hanya demi menyusul pujaan hati. Bayangkan aja ini perginya ke Baghdad di tahun 1950an, era Cold War lagi panas - panasnya. Eh dikiranya Victoria ini nyusul Edward ke Baghdad cuma bagaikan pergi ke pasar setempat alih - alih lintas benua 😂. Tapi ya kayak lagunya Agnes Monica, cinta itu emang kadang - kadang tak ada logika.

They Came to Baghdad adalah salah satu novel standalone karya Dame Agatha Christie dan novel kedua tentang spionase dari beliau yang pernah gue baca setelah Destination Unknown. Mungkin di tahun 1950an, Dame Christie lagi pengen eksplorasi genre spionase dan bisa jadi saat itu novel2 James Bond karya Ian Fleming lagi ngehits. Bedanya, They Came to Baghdad ini diterbitin duluan daripada Destination Unknown. Meskipun begitu ada kesamaan premise antara keduanya dimana tokoh utama wanita menjadi mata-mata karena keadaan. Victoria jadi "agen rahasia" karena agen rahasia yg asli bernama Henry Charmicael tewas di ranjang hotelnya setelah ditikam musuh dan sekarang Victoria megang kunci dari sebuah konspirasi internasional setelah mendengar kata - kata terakhir Charmicael yaitu Lucifer, Basrah, Lefarge. Dasarnya emang tukang bohong, jadi ya gampang aja Victoria ngarang cerita. Walau lucunya pas dia cerita yang sebenarnya ke salah satu tokoh bernama Richard Baker waktu nyawa Victoria sempat terancam, Richard malah ga percaya. Mungkin karma emang ada karena Victoria keseringan bohong, hehehe.

Ga ada misteri atau whodunnit untuk dipecahkan, They Came to Baghdad ini murni action dan spionase. Walau begitu bukan Agatha Christie namanya kalau ga menyelipkan petunjuk - petunjuk dalam ceritanya dan juga twist yang cukup lumayan terutama tentang identitas main villainnya dan nasib salah satu tokoh yg misterius bernama Anna Schelle. Sepanjang cerita gue cuma geleng - geleng kepala baca tingkah laku Victoria. Victoria ini agak-agak beda sama tokoh wanita di buku Agatha Christie yang gue pernah baca. Akan sulit simpati sama Victoria yang terkesan polos nan naif tapi juga aslinya manipulatif seperti yang dibuktikan sama sifatnya yang gampang berbohong. Tapi ga dipungkiri ada momen2 lucu saat Victoria bohong, kayak misal bikin surat rekomendasi palsu, dan toh beberapa kebohongan yang diutarakan Victoria sebenarnya untuk bertahan hidup juga. Gue seneng dari yang awalnya gadis amat bucin, Victoria perlahan jadi wanita tangguh dan kuat. 

They Came to Baghdad infonya terinspirasi dari perjalanan arkeologi yang dilakukan Agatha Christie dengan suaminya yang kedua, Max Mallowan. Max Mallowan sendiri seorang arkeolog, jadi aspek-aspek arkeologi di buku ini juga sangat kental dan cukup informatif serta menarik untuk gue yang juga suka hal - hal berbau arkeologi. Awalnya emang agak berbelit - belit karena banyaknya sudut pandang dan juga tokoh-tokoh yang ada jadi perlu agak konsen sedikit bacanya. Ceritanya juga mulai agak lambat dan bikin tepok jidat pas baca Victoria ngeyel BANGET pengen ke Baghdad cuma buat ketemu Edward. Ceritanya baru mulai seru setelah Victoria alih karir jadi mata - mata dan bikin penasaran pula rahasia apa sih yang disembunyikan agent Charmichael sampai dia diburu banyak orang dan akhirnya tewas tertikam pisau lalu meregang nyawa di kasurnya Victoria? 

Gue rasa Agatha Christie pasti have fun banget nulis buku ini karena gue juga seneng sih bacanya. Kalau mau coba karya Dame Christie yang bukan misteri pembunuhan dan lebih ke action sama thriller, They Came to Baghdad ini bisa jadi pilihan 👍 

Major spoilers, terutama bahas beda antara film animasi dan bukunya

BEDA BANGET sama filmnya! 

Atau bisa dibilang filmnya sendiri emang ngakuin kalau loosely based on books. Aspek yang sama mungkin hanya nama dan karakterisasi Hiccup. Sisanya ya banyakan beda. Kayak ga ada Astrid (walau kalau gue cek Wiki baru ada di buku 3. Itu juga namanya bukan Astrid tapi Camicazi), lalu Fishleg orangnya nerd alih2 gendut gemesin dan ternyata ibunya Hiccup masih ada serta namanya Valhallarama. Tapi yg lebih mengejutkan ya...Toothless. Di film Toothless itu naga Night Fury yang unyu gemesin, masih punya gigi dan ga bisa ngomong sama sekali. Tapi di buku ini sangat kebalikannya. Kalau Toothless versi film bak kucing jinak, maka Toothless versi buku adalah kucing garong yg bahkan oyen sendiri pun takluk sama keculasan Toothless.

Karena orang Inggris asli, maka joke orang gendut atau gembrot juga sering dipakai di buku ini. Gue kadang ga ngerti sama humor author2 British ini yg kayaknya hobi banget bikin karakter mereka untuk setidak menarik mungkin. Salah satu PERBEDAAN BESAR antara film dan buku adalah Hiccup bisa bahasa naga dan itu yang bikin dia bisa ngobrol sama Toothless dan naga2 lain. Bahkan penduduk pulau Berk ga ada yang musuhan sama naga. Mereka hanya menganggap naga itu ya dibawah mereka dan lebih cocok jadi tunggangan atau hewan peliharaan selama mereka bisa menaklukkan naganya. Penaklukan naga ini yang jadi tema utama cerita karena Toothless dan kawan - kawannya harus bisa menangkap naga untuk kemudian melatih mereka (yang hanya perlu "BERTERIAK" menurut buku How to Train Your Dragon karya Prof Yobish) agar bisa diterima menjadi anggota suku Hooligan. Kegagalan tidak akan diampuni karena yang gagal akan dibuang dari suku dan harus hidup sendiri. Yang gue suka dari naga versi buku ini adalah mereka bukan mindless creatures. Para naga ini aslinya licik, apalagi Toothless. Hiccup aja sampai harus baik2in si Toothless biar Toothless nurut. Bener - bener ga ada wibawanya 😂.

Ceritanya sendiri termasuk simple dan straightforward. Khas buku anak - anak walau konten kekerasannya lumayan (dengan beberapa kata - kata kasar) dan bullyingnya pun ada mengingat ini usia Hiccup kan mau menjelang 11 tahun. Usia rawan anak - anak berlaku kejam lah. Walau Hiccup saingan sama Snoutlout (yang lebih menyebalkan ketimbang versi filmnya), gue suka bagian Hiccup malah lebih akrab sama Thuggory yg notabene anak kepala suku saingannya suku Hooligan. Hubungan anak - ayah Hiccup sama Stoik juga ga sekaku kayak di film. Stoik emang keras, tapi dia juga kelihatan banget sayang sama Hiccup. Bahkan Valhallarama alias emaknya Hiccup aja ada bbrp adegan di buku ini. Beda lah sama versi filmnya.

Musuh di buku ini adalah naga laut gede bernama Lautus Gigantus Maximus yg kayaknya sih jadi inspirasi di film How to Train yg kedua. Sama kayak Toothlesh,Lautus bernama Kematian Hijau ini juga licik. Momen saat Hiccup negosiasi sama Kematian Hijau juga mayan filosofis karena membahas terkait kematian yg tidak pandang bulu. Endingnya sendiri ditutup dengan baik tapi gue juga tahu kalau bukunya masih ada lanjutannya. Bahkan seriesnya saja sampai 12 buku walau yang diterjemahkan setahu gue baru 3 buku saja. Terjemahannya sendiri enak dibaca dan coretan2 di buku juga rerata lucu2 pas dibaca. Narasi bukunya emang berasa kalau ini buku anak2 dan pas kalau mau dibacakan sebelum tidur.

Emang ga sama kayak filmnya,tapi bukunya sendiri juga sama menariknya kok. Bahasa naganya emang agak aneh pas awal2, tapi tenang aja selanjutnya dialog antara Hiccup sama para naga itu ditulisnya laiknya dialog biasa. Gue emang suka Toothless versi animasi, tapi versi buku juga bikin gemes sama licik dan betapa malesnya Toothless buat disuruh ini itu 🤣. Kalau nyari buku anak-anak dengan tema naga, How to Train Your Dragon boleh lah dibaca. 

 Well, Manansala didn't mince words when she said that Homicide and Halo-Halo was darker in tone, because it was compared to the first book. She also nice to provide some of trigger warnings in front of the book and I think authors should do this not too give spoiler for their book but at least to give warning in case there are sensitive topics. I can't call Homicide and Halo-Halo as cozy mystery, more like to mystery with food elements, because the topics that Manansala tackled is not easy to read. Just like the first book, Homicide and Halo-Halo also focused more onto Lila's character development, complete with dramas that surround her with murder one or two.

I read Arsenic and Adobo years ago and kind of forget who is who, but it didn't really affect me to understand what's going on. So basically, Lila just got PTSD after the event in book 1 and she had dodging Detective Park's request to meet her therapist. Lila said that Asian things to do, and while it seems like race card, I kinda amend that because mental health actually considered as weakness especially in SEA countries. The rest of the story follow the same formula, with Lila meddling aunties and cousins, although right now Lila must deal with her pasts when she once a winner of beauty pageant and the contest make her have a love and hate relationship with her deceased mother. Well, I know that Lila is annoying in this book but...she's 25. I'm sure act immaturely in my 25'ish compared to when I already in my 30'sh. Also, years of unprocessed grief and childhood traumas will do that for you. Didn't mean I approve with what Lila did, always running from her problems, but I did feel little compassion toward Lila.

The mystery was simple and straightforward and lucky for Lila (but unlucky for her cousin, Bernadette), she now is not one of person of interests but still because Bernadette was accused after having some arguments with the victims, Lila again must do some sleuthing. The ensemble cast while endearing to read, but I did find the Calender aunties (April, Mae and June) were annoying but they think that what they did was right. Sigh, boomer. Can't live with them, can't live without them. The dramas can be too hyperbole, but eh, since I'm a SEA person myself, I'm just acknowledge some of it. I like that Manansala didn't prolong the love triangle between Lila, Jae and Amir and seems like it's already final for Lila to find her boyfriend. BUT, I also liked that Manansala write for Lila to find time for herself before she engage in any romantic relationship. The description of Filipino cuisines was delish as always and I find myself craving a Halo-Halo. Yeah, we have es teler, es doger, es campur in Indonesia here, but Halo - Halo seems interesting! Just like book 1, there were recipes printed in the last pages and it's not that hard to follow. Maybe because Filipino and Indonesian cuisines were alike in ingredients and presentations.

Not as good as book 1 but still charming nonetheless. The mystery might be like afterthought because Homicide and Halo - Halo is more like Lila's journey in navigating her life, complete with meddling families. If you like your mystery simple with touch of milenial (or gen Z) dramas, completed with delicious descriptions of Filipino dishes, you can start with Arsenic and Adobo before reading this book.