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steepingnarratives's reviews
68 reviews
Monstrilio by Gerardo Sámano Córdova
dark
emotional
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
5.0
Monstrilio is absolutely stunning. From the writers to the characters to the unique story. For a debut novel it was such a refreshing read. Excited to see what Gerardo Sámano Córdova writes next.
Creatures of Will and Temper by Molly Tanzer
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
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? It's complicated
2.0
Truthfully, I picked up this book because I thought the cover was cool. The writing itself is wonderful. The story however, I just couldn’t get fully behind. While it is Victorian and has demons, I think the demon aspect was introduced way too late. The characters I also couldn’t really connect with since I found them mostly unlikeable.
Overall it’s an okay read. Really gave it the 2 stars for the writing and did have some parts that pulled me in to keep me reading.
Overall it’s an okay read. Really gave it the 2 stars for the writing and did have some parts that pulled me in to keep me reading.
NOS4A2 by Joe Hill
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.75
While NOS4A2 kept me engaged and had some thrilling moments, I was not a fan of the ending. Vic’s character was never able to fully develop. I also don’t think we got enough of Manx’s backstory to get to know him, his motives, and how he came to discover the wraith’s power.
All in all it wasn’t a bad read, but the constant repetition did get to be too much at one point. The book could’ve been cut down some.
All in all it wasn’t a bad read, but the constant repetition did get to be too much at one point. The book could’ve been cut down some.
The Road Through the Wall by Shirley Jackson
challenging
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Really glad I started with Shirley Jackson’s debut novel as my first ever read by her. Honestly it wasn’t until halfway that I started getting a bit more into it. A very slow burn deep character analyzation where each chapter is set up with multiple vignettes looking into the lives of the residents of Pepper Street.
Not conventionally scary, but more so an eerie feeling as you read about these people that seem so out of touch with reality on how terrible they are and how monstrous their children are because of them. The last 30 or so pages I did not expect and kind of breathed new life into the book for me.
Not conventionally scary, but more so an eerie feeling as you read about these people that seem so out of touch with reality on how terrible they are and how monstrous their children are because of them. The last 30 or so pages I did not expect and kind of breathed new life into the book for me.
The Curse Of The Flores Women by Angélica Lopes
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
While I enjoyed the writing and main storyline, I felt like there was too much going on. There are too many characters to follow and remember. Some of the characters storylines didn’t really add much to the core story.
Wish the writing stuck with the Flores family and Eugenia’s story more without peppering in outside characters like the schoolmaster getting his own chapter. Made it a bit harder to follow things. Overall I did still enjoye this as it was a solid read.
Wish the writing stuck with the Flores family and Eugenia’s story more without peppering in outside characters like the schoolmaster getting his own chapter. Made it a bit harder to follow things. Overall I did still enjoye this as it was a solid read.
Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The first half or so was a bit hard to get through. It just kept dragging on, but even with this it kept my attention as I wanted to see what happened next.
Do wish the characters had a bit more depth to them though.
Do wish the characters had a bit more depth to them though.
Little Gods by Meng Jin
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Little Gods’ writing style was beautiful. The words were lyrical and flowed on the pages. The story itself was okay for me. Didn’t love it, but was still a decent read.
A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess
challenging
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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? Yes
5.0
As much as I want to be upset with the ending I can’t be. The ending I feel encompassed Vanessa’s character through and through.
While My Dark Vanessa is hard to read thematically, Vanessa is such a well written character. She grips you into her story and makes you feel the confusion, pain, anxiety and overall trauma she’s constantly struggling with and trying to understand. The inner battle she has with herself makes you feel for her, while also making your blood boil with the way she’s constantly manipulated.
For a debut novel with such strong and hard material to write about, Kate Elizabeth Russell has a way of showcasing the complexities that come with being abused and the aftermath of how it can affect a person.
While My Dark Vanessa is hard to read thematically, Vanessa is such a well written character. She grips you into her story and makes you feel the confusion, pain, anxiety and overall trauma she’s constantly struggling with and trying to understand. The inner battle she has with herself makes you feel for her, while also making your blood boil with the way she’s constantly manipulated.
For a debut novel with such strong and hard material to write about, Kate Elizabeth Russell has a way of showcasing the complexities that come with being abused and the aftermath of how it can affect a person.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, and Gaslighting
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Although the plot twist was pretty obvious, there are some things I liked about The Silent Patient like the style and pace. Reading into Alicia’s diary was probably my favorite part. Wasn’t really a fan of the ending though or how it felt like the book was being a little rushed towards the second half to reveal the plot twist.