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sarahweyand's reviews
378 reviews
Prophet Song by Paul Lynch
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
One of the things I really like about the reading challenges I host (especially the literary awards one) is that it forces to me check out books I never would have picked up otherwise. I had never heard of Prophet Song until it was shortlisted for (and then won) the Booker Prize. I snagged it on audio and ended up really enjoying myself.
This feels like a quiet, emotional portrait of a family with a medium-slow pace until about 70% of the way through, when things really pick up. I enjoyed the whole experience - the narrator does a wonderful job and it's lovely to have an Irish narrator for an Irish novel - but I really got wrapped up towards the end.
I don't know if this book will stick with me for a long time - it's already starting to leave my memory - but I did really enjoy my experience and would certainly recommend it if the synopsis catches your eye.
This feels like a quiet, emotional portrait of a family with a medium-slow pace until about 70% of the way through, when things really pick up. I enjoyed the whole experience - the narrator does a wonderful job and it's lovely to have an Irish narrator for an Irish novel - but I really got wrapped up towards the end.
I don't know if this book will stick with me for a long time - it's already starting to leave my memory - but I did really enjoy my experience and would certainly recommend it if the synopsis catches your eye.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Violence, and War
The Twilight Zone by Nona Fernández
challenging
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I really appreciated what this book set out to do and thought the plot and structure of the story was very compelling. I enjoyed that the title, The Twilight Zone, is a dual reference to not only the TV show but also the nebulous region between recounting facts of history and imagining/humanizing it. The writing was well-done and the topics and themes were obviously very heavy and important.
I think I made a mistake by listening to this book on audio, which isn't something I say often. This book has a lot of timelines and listening to the audiobook was a little confusing in this regard. I also got the impression that there were quotes or excerpts throughout the book (maybe just at the beginning of chapters), but I didn't recognize this until over halfway through the book. I think this confusion didn't help with my comprehension and made things more muddled than they needed to be.
I probably wouldn't have picked this book up were it not for the literary awards reading challenge I created on StoryGraph. I'm always interested in being exposed to fiction outside of my comfort zone, even if it isn't my all-time favorite. Overall, I thought this was an engaging read and I'm glad I came across it.
I think I made a mistake by listening to this book on audio, which isn't something I say often. This book has a lot of timelines and listening to the audiobook was a little confusing in this regard. I also got the impression that there were quotes or excerpts throughout the book (maybe just at the beginning of chapters), but I didn't recognize this until over halfway through the book. I think this confusion didn't help with my comprehension and made things more muddled than they needed to be.
I probably wouldn't have picked this book up were it not for the literary awards reading challenge I created on StoryGraph. I'm always interested in being exposed to fiction outside of my comfort zone, even if it isn't my all-time favorite. Overall, I thought this was an engaging read and I'm glad I came across it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Violence, and Murder
Your Shadow Half Remains by Sunny Moraine
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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
3.75
Thanks to Tor Publishing Group and NetGalley for providing me an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and feedback are my own.
I wasn't sure what to expect from this book going in, but I found it to be very atmospheric and creepy and I enjoyed it a lot. I don't find myself getting scared or grossed out by a lot of books, but messing with eyes is one way to really get to me quick. Between some of the great imagery (no pun intended) Moraine writes and some of the tense scenes with Riley in her home, I got pretty freaked out at times. I always love when that happens. I liked the doubt and unreliability that was injected into the characters and the narrative, and I was always eager to keep reading.
The ending wasn't my favorite thing ever, sometimes the narrative got a little repetitive, and there were a couple confusing moments. The plot and crux of the story reminded me a lot of Bird Box, but that book was so good it's hard to meet those expectations. Overall, this was a fun, creepy little tale that brought me out of a reading slump, but it wasn't anything overly memorable.
I wasn't sure what to expect from this book going in, but I found it to be very atmospheric and creepy and I enjoyed it a lot. I don't find myself getting scared or grossed out by a lot of books, but messing with eyes is one way to really get to me quick. Between some of the great imagery (no pun intended) Moraine writes and some of the tense scenes with Riley in her home, I got pretty freaked out at times. I always love when that happens. I liked the doubt and unreliability that was injected into the characters and the narrative, and I was always eager to keep reading.
The ending wasn't my favorite thing ever, sometimes the narrative got a little repetitive, and there were a couple confusing moments. The plot and crux of the story reminded me a lot of Bird Box, but that book was so good it's hard to meet those expectations. Overall, this was a fun, creepy little tale that brought me out of a reading slump, but it wasn't anything overly memorable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Violence, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Animal death and Murder
Mislaid in Parts Half-Known by Seanan McGuire
adventurous
tense
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? It's complicated
4.25
Side note but this is the same audiobook narrator that did the last book and her voice is just great, would absolutely love to listen to more by her.
Another solid installment in the Wayward Children series! Probably one of my most favorite ones so far. I really enjoyed Antsy's door and her story in Lost in the Moment and Found, but I also enjoy the found family aspect of the rest of the group, so this was a lovely meeting of the two. The inciting incident here was a little silly and I felt it wasn't totally resolved at the conclusion of the story, but that didn't bother me too too much. As usual, some of the dialogue was a little clunky and trying too hard to be quirky, but that doesn't bother me as much anymore.
I enjoyed the fact that we went through some new doors this book! I wish we had spent more time in them but I understand the constraints of the novella format. Hopefully we'll be able to get to Kade's world soon and that he gets a story all his own - or Eleanor herself! Who knows. These stories are cozy to me and I could keep listening for as long as Seanan keeps putting them out.
Another solid installment in the Wayward Children series! Probably one of my most favorite ones so far. I really enjoyed Antsy's door and her story in Lost in the Moment and Found, but I also enjoy the found family aspect of the rest of the group, so this was a lovely meeting of the two. The inciting incident here was a little silly and I felt it wasn't totally resolved at the conclusion of the story, but that didn't bother me too too much. As usual, some of the dialogue was a little clunky and trying too hard to be quirky, but that doesn't bother me as much anymore.
I enjoyed the fact that we went through some new doors this book! I wish we had spent more time in them but I understand the constraints of the novella format. Hopefully we'll be able to get to Kade's world soon and that he gets a story all his own - or Eleanor herself! Who knows. These stories are cozy to me and I could keep listening for as long as Seanan keeps putting them out.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
The City of Stardust by Georgia Summers
Did not finish book. Stopped at 32%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 32%.
Thanks to Redhook Books and NetGalley for providing me an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and feedback are my own.
This might be my biggest case of "it's not you, it's me" to date. I requested this ARC because I genuinely loved the premise of the blurb. When I started reading, I was intrigued by the inciting conflict and was interested in our main characters. I also appreciated the prose I was reading; the novel seemed well-crafted and the writing was nice and intricate without being purple.
As I read, the worldbuilding felt lacking and the pacing seemed to drag. I didn't love Violet and the decisions she was making; she seemed too naive and hesitant that I was reluctant to root for her. She seemed to lack any urgency for a climax with a definitive timeline, and because of that I found myself only able to read a couple pages at a time.
Perhaps at some point I'll pick this book back up again and give it another go. But for now, I'm going to move on.
This might be my biggest case of "it's not you, it's me" to date. I requested this ARC because I genuinely loved the premise of the blurb. When I started reading, I was intrigued by the inciting conflict and was interested in our main characters. I also appreciated the prose I was reading; the novel seemed well-crafted and the writing was nice and intricate without being purple.
As I read, the worldbuilding felt lacking and the pacing seemed to drag. I didn't love Violet and the decisions she was making; she seemed too naive and hesitant that I was reluctant to root for her. She seemed to lack any urgency for a climax with a definitive timeline, and because of that I found myself only able to read a couple pages at a time.
Perhaps at some point I'll pick this book back up again and give it another go. But for now, I'm going to move on.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping and Abandonment
I Keep My Exoskeletons to Myself by Mac Crane
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was our first Prose & Paperbacks Book Club pick of 2024 - thanks to everyone who read along with us! Overall, I think this book was well-written but not what I expected. I was expecting the plot to be heavy on the science fiction and implications of the double shadows. Instead, I found that the element of the additional shadows for felons was used for as a catalyst for themes of grief and parenthood and love.
I liked a number of the themes and questions the book brought about, and it left plenty of room for exploration and introspection, but I think this was done to a fault. Some concepts, like the exoskeletons, the child not having a name, and the shadows themselves, seemed prime to touch on themes and posit introspective questions, but it never really got there in any capacity. This was really disappointing to me. If you're going to skim over the sci-fi dystopian elements in lieu of literary commentary, go all the way!
In the end, I'm glad I read this. I didn't think it was a bad book per se, just not what I went in expecting. I'd read more from the author but would probably take further synopses with a grain of salt.
I liked a number of the themes and questions the book brought about, and it left plenty of room for exploration and introspection, but I think this was done to a fault. Some concepts, like the exoskeletons, the child not having a name, and the shadows themselves, seemed prime to touch on themes and posit introspective questions, but it never really got there in any capacity. This was really disappointing to me. If you're going to skim over the sci-fi dystopian elements in lieu of literary commentary, go all the way!
In the end, I'm glad I read this. I didn't think it was a bad book per se, just not what I went in expecting. I'd read more from the author but would probably take further synopses with a grain of salt.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Homophobia and Police brutality
All Systems Red by Martha Wells
adventurous
funny
mysterious
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? Yes
4.5
So happy to have ended 2023 on such a strong note. This was a hilarious, well-written, wonderful little novella and I'm so excited to continue with the series. I got attached to the characters, especially Murderbot, and was invested in the stakes and the mystery of the plot. I'm intrigued to learn more about the worldbuilding and get more answers and go on more adventures.
The end of this book made me a little sad for reasons I won't get into for spoilers, but nonetheless I've already purchased the next installment and I'm looking forward to seeing what comes next!
The end of this book made me a little sad for reasons I won't get into for spoilers, but nonetheless I've already purchased the next installment and I'm looking forward to seeing what comes next!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, and Violence
Walking to Aldebaran by Adrian Tchaikovsky
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-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
3.25
After my success with Elder Race, I decided to give another short book by Tchaikovsky a try, and unfortunately this was more of a miss for me. This novella started out strong and I really enjoyed the voice of our main character throughout. It reminded me a lot of Mark Watney from The Martian if he had been transplanted into a dark and wacky alternative exoplanet. I chuckled out loud at a couple lines, so props to the good writing and the good line delivery by the audiobook narrator.
Apart from the fun protagonist and interesting first few chapters, this book sort of lost me about halfway in. This book kind of had a hard time keeping my attention, but I'll admit that that might be on me for listening to an audiobook during a stressful time of year. Going to leave my rating where it is right now but could be convinced to give this one another go.
Apart from the fun protagonist and interesting first few chapters, this book sort of lost me about halfway in. This book kind of had a hard time keeping my attention, but I'll admit that that might be on me for listening to an audiobook during a stressful time of year. Going to leave my rating where it is right now but could be convinced to give this one another go.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Violence, and Cannibalism
Moderate: Body horror
Elder Race by Adrian Tchaikovsky
adventurous
funny
mysterious
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? Yes
4.25
I read this book at the recommendation of my husband as a shorter book to get close to passing my 2023 reading goal. I was skeptical at first but ended up really enjoying myself! I liked the writing style and thought the story was well-suited to a novella. There was a good amount of character development and I found myself caring about our protagonist(s), which is something that's hard for me to do with shorter texts.
Sometimes the pacing felt a little all over the place, and I wish the ending had provided more catharsis than it did. Don't get me wrong, I really liked the ending. I predicted the climax and enjoyed how it played out, and I understand that not every story has to have a happy ending, but I was hoping for a little more relief for our protagonists.
I'm glad I picked this one up and I would be interested in reading more from Tchaikovsky in the future.
Sometimes the pacing felt a little all over the place, and I wish the ending had provided more catharsis than it did. Don't get me wrong, I really liked the ending. I predicted the climax and enjoyed how it played out, and I understand that not every story has to have a happy ending, but I was hoping for a little more relief for our protagonists.
I'm glad I picked this one up and I would be interested in reading more from Tchaikovsky in the future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Gore, and Mental illness
Moderate: Death and Suicidal thoughts
Heartstopper Volume 5 by Alice Oseman
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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? Yes
4.25
As usual, Alice Oseman delivers diverse, lighthearted, and deeply enjoyable plot and characters with a charming art style and fast-paced plot. This wasn't my favorite installment because it felt more like disjoint stories an plot elements than the full cohesive story I felt I experienced in earlier books. That's not to say I didn't love it - I really, really did - but I was left craving more.
Feeling bittersweet that there's only going to be one more volume, but I am excited to pick this up as a completed set once it's all out in paperback!
Feeling bittersweet that there's only going to be one more volume, but I am excited to pick this up as a completed set once it's all out in paperback!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Mental illness, and Sexual content