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serinas's reviews
331 reviews
One Hundred Shadows by Hwang Jungeun
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I got this ARC for free in exchange for an honest review.
The storytelling and writing style are very unique. I imagine it won't be a good book to everyone, but I enjoyed it. It's philosophical and questions humanity and what we know - what are shadows, what's a slum, what is poverty? One Hundred Shadows makes you think about life and what you know, and it's a short book and easy to get into as well. It's also a book about love in the early stages, and how it may develop into something deeper. Truly beautiful work.
The writing style is similar to The vegetarian (by Han Kang) and Murakami, so if you like any of their work you'll likely enjoy One Hundred Shadows.
Still, I was kind of disappointed that we didn't get to know more about the shadows - it was mostly dumped on the reader at the start of the book and soon forgotten. But... I think that was the point as well. The shadows are a part of their life and has been for a long time, and after some time you take the shadows for granted and don't pay any attention to them. Like, I don't think about my shadow regularly. It's also a metaphor, or at least I think so, and then it makes sense why they suddenly aren't mentioned anymore.
The storytelling and writing style are very unique. I imagine it won't be a good book to everyone, but I enjoyed it. It's philosophical and questions humanity and what we know - what are shadows, what's a slum, what is poverty? One Hundred Shadows makes you think about life and what you know, and it's a short book and easy to get into as well. It's also a book about love in the early stages, and how it may develop into something deeper. Truly beautiful work.
The writing style is similar to The vegetarian (by Han Kang) and Murakami, so if you like any of their work you'll likely enjoy One Hundred Shadows.
Still, I was kind of disappointed that we didn't get to know more about the shadows - it was mostly dumped on the reader at the start of the book and soon forgotten. But... I think that was the point as well. The shadows are a part of their life and has been for a long time, and after some time you take the shadows for granted and don't pay any attention to them. Like, I don't think about my shadow regularly. It's also a metaphor, or at least I think so, and then it makes sense why they suddenly aren't mentioned anymore.
Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I was originally on the fence about reading this one, as I'm aware it's YA and a thriller - I haven't read many thrillers and have been disappointed in the past. YA is fun, but sometimes it's too YA, if that makes sense? I was not disappointed by this book though, I loved it!
We jump right into the story, and I love that. No hesitation, just straight in. We get to know Devon and Chiamaka through their actions and responses to Ace's messages and threats, and the two of them are wildly different people. The difference between them truly shows - Chiamaka's blackness haven't given her much trouble in the past (from what the reader gets to know at least), while Devon lives in a poorer neighbourhood where blackness basicly equals gangsters. The different POVs truly added depth to the story and their characters. The timeline and pace worked out great, and the ending was nice and made sense from what we learned.
I loved it, and can't find anything to critique on it. I'm looking forward to Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé's new book Where Sleeping Girls Lie - I will definitely read it when it's published.
We jump right into the story, and I love that. No hesitation, just straight in. We get to know Devon and Chiamaka through their actions and responses to Ace's messages and threats, and the two of them are wildly different people. The difference between them truly shows - Chiamaka's blackness haven't given her much trouble in the past (from what the reader gets to know at least), while Devon lives in a poorer neighbourhood where blackness basicly equals gangsters. The different POVs truly added depth to the story and their characters. The timeline and pace worked out great, and the ending was nice and made sense from what we learned.
I loved it, and can't find anything to critique on it. I'm looking forward to Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé's new book Where Sleeping Girls Lie - I will definitely read it when it's published.
Floral Folklore: The Forgotten Tales Behind Nature's Most Enchanting Plants by Alison Davies
informative
slow-paced
4.0
A fun book about plants!
You Exist Too Much by Zaina Arafat
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I was so excited for this book as the description was very intriguing, but was heavly disappointed.
At about 15% in I almost DNF'd because of the writing style. It put the rating down to a 2 at best for me. We don't get to know the characters through actions, but through what they speak and tell us. I really dislike this, as it doesn't make it possible to connect to the character in the same way.
Then it got better, and got me hooked around 20% in. It didn't last long, at about halfway I considered to DNF again.
This book was a true love and hate relationship for me. The ending was meh, there was no plot, and the characters were meh. The writing style truly irked me, and made it even worse to read. Personally, the writing style and lack of plot makes this a 2 star for me. Overall, I would not recommend this book. The only plus was the struggles she went through regarding her sexuality and Palestinian heritage - her stories and experiences on this was very interesting and well written.
At about 15% in I almost DNF'd because of the writing style. It put the rating down to a 2 at best for me. We don't get to know the characters through actions, but through what they speak and tell us. I really dislike this, as it doesn't make it possible to connect to the character in the same way.
Then it got better, and got me hooked around 20% in. It didn't last long, at about halfway I considered to DNF again.
This book was a true love and hate relationship for me. The ending was meh, there was no plot, and the characters were meh. The writing style truly irked me, and made it even worse to read. Personally, the writing style and lack of plot makes this a 2 star for me. Overall, I would not recommend this book. The only plus was the struggles she went through regarding her sexuality and Palestinian heritage - her stories and experiences on this was very interesting and well written.
Frankenstein: The 1818 Text by Mary Shelley
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Frankenstein is a book about what it means to be human. I can't say much else about the plot without spoiling, even naming characters and such is kind of a spoiler. It's slow paced and at times hard to get through, but it reflects on what it means to be human in a beautiful way that I loved.
I have nothing bad to say about it. It certainly isn't a book for everyone, and I imagine not everyone will like it. I enjoyed everything from the plot to the writing style.
Here are some of my favorite quotes:
" 'Hateful day when I received life!' I exclaimed in agony. 'Cursed creator! Why did you form a monster so hideous that even you turned from me in disgust? God in pity made man beautiful and alluring,
after his own image, but my form is a filthy type of your's, more horrid from
its very resemblance. Satan had his companions, fellow-devils, to admire and encourage him; but I am solitary and detested."
"they spurn and hate me. The desert mountains and dreary glaciers are my refuge. I have wandered here many days; the caves of ice, which I only do not fear, are a dwelling to me, and the only one which man does not grudge. These bleak skies I hail, for they are kinder to me than your fellow-beings. If the multitude of mankind knew of my existence, they would do as you do, and arm them-
selves for my destruction. Shall I not then hate them who abhor me?"
I have nothing bad to say about it. It certainly isn't a book for everyone, and I imagine not everyone will like it. I enjoyed everything from the plot to the writing style.
Here are some of my favorite quotes:
" 'Hateful day when I received life!' I exclaimed in agony. 'Cursed creator! Why did you form a monster so hideous that even you turned from me in disgust? God in pity made man beautiful and alluring,
after his own image, but my form is a filthy type of your's, more horrid from
its very resemblance. Satan had his companions, fellow-devils, to admire and encourage him; but I am solitary and detested."
"they spurn and hate me. The desert mountains and dreary glaciers are my refuge. I have wandered here many days; the caves of ice, which I only do not fear, are a dwelling to me, and the only one which man does not grudge. These bleak skies I hail, for they are kinder to me than your fellow-beings. If the multitude of mankind knew of my existence, they would do as you do, and arm them-
selves for my destruction. Shall I not then hate them who abhor me?"
Morgon og kveld by Jon Fosse
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Who Fears Death by Nnedi Okorafor
adventurous
challenging
reflective
sad
tense
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
4.0
The story was interesting and kept my attention, and the pacing felt natural. Okorafor's writing style is phenomonal, and a big reason why I like her books.
I don't know how to feel about the very sexual part of this book. Some of the scenes weren't necessery and felt kind of forced, but that could be because I don't like books with sexual content that much. It's also uncomfortable to read at some points, but I'm pretty sure it's supposed to be hard to read at times. I loved Remote Control and truly liked this book, but it had too much sexual content for me personally. Some of it was obviously necessary for the story and plot, but a little less would have made this a perfect book for me! The end felt rushed which is a shame, as I felt the book easily was a 4.5 stars until that point.
It's uncomfortable in the best way, and many people can relate to Onye, even though this is fiction. Great work from Okorafor again, I'm looking forward to more books from her.
I don't know how to feel about the very sexual part of this book. Some of the scenes weren't necessery and felt kind of forced, but that could be because I don't like books with sexual content that much. It's also uncomfortable to read at some points, but I'm pretty sure it's supposed to be hard to read at times. I loved Remote Control and truly liked this book, but it had too much sexual content for me personally. Some of it was obviously necessary for the story and plot, but a little less would have made this a perfect book for me! The end felt rushed which is a shame, as I felt the book easily was a 4.5 stars until that point.
It's uncomfortable in the best way, and many people can relate to Onye, even though this is fiction. Great work from Okorafor again, I'm looking forward to more books from her.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Sexual assault
Egalias døtre by Gerd Brantenberg
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
The book uses sarcasm and humour in its storytelling, which makes the book highly addictive and funny to read. Some serious topics are also mentioned, like SA and abuse, but the seriousness of these topics is not diminished just because the book is funny. The book is from 1977, but is still relevant and funny.
I highly enjoyed the book. I was not a fan of every chapter in this book, as some of them felt unnecessary and irrelevant to the story. The pacing was odd at times, and it was hard to keep track of the story's timeline. Still, an enjoyable read that I would recommend!
I highly enjoyed the book. I was not a fan of every chapter in this book, as some of them felt unnecessary and irrelevant to the story. The pacing was odd at times, and it was hard to keep track of the story's timeline. Still, an enjoyable read that I would recommend!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Rape
Scythe by Neal Shusterman
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0