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velokei's reviews
121 reviews
Rapunzel: A Grimm's Fairy Tale by Jacob Grimm, Wilhelm Grimm, Anthea Bell, Dorothée Duntze
3.0
Studying for degree, interesting to read both the earlier and later versions of the tale during the 19th century
- not the actual copy I read, as it was an online pdf but page number seems most accurate -
- not the actual copy I read, as it was an online pdf but page number seems most accurate -
Snow-White and the Seven Dwarfs: A Tale from the Brothers Grimm by Jacob Grimm, Wilhelm Grimm
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Interesting to see how this tale was adapted into what is known today, and how dark it actually was.
I didn’t read this version exactly? But I still wanted to note that I had read it
I didn’t read this version exactly? But I still wanted to note that I had read it
The Yellow Wall-Paper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
dark
mysterious
sad
- 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
4.0
An Introduction to Literature, Criticism and Theory by Nicholas Royle, Andrew Bennett
informative
fast-paced
4.0
Very helpful for my English literature degree, a great book to use for references
Fell by David Clement-Davies
adventurous
mysterious
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
4.25
Slow start, but gets better as more of Fell and the wolves pov is introduced. Starts to feel like The Sight (an all time fave of mine) and is an interesting continuation.
Paula and Huttser’s deaths were sad but needed, and I really enjoyed that Morgra was able to find peace. She was such an interesting character and I’m glad that she was able to have such a fitting end Rated 4.25 and not 5 stars just because the first section ‘The future’ was hard to get through at times, because I can’t really say I cared too much about Alina and her plot.
Fledgling by Octavia E. Butler
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Rereading this in 2025 for my dissertation on the relationship between vampirism and disease.
I had to read this for my degree and I WISH I didn’t. This involves a fifty two year old ‘child’ who has the body of a ten year old having sexual encounters with adults. It was incredibly uncomfortable to read.
In addition to that it read like a fanfiction, glossing over scenes and just being oddly vague. There was a lack of characterisation and all the characters sounded the same when they spoke, even five hundred year old vampires sounded similar to Wright who is supposed to be twenty three.
All in all incredibly uncomfortable read though I’ll admit I really liked the fact that Shori was black, black vampires and by extension any vampire that isn’t white is an interesting and well appreciated deviation from the usual white vampire stereotype.
I had to read this for my degree and I WISH I didn’t. This involves a fifty two year old ‘child’ who has the body of a ten year old having sexual encounters with adults. It was incredibly uncomfortable to read.
In addition to that it read like a fanfiction, glossing over scenes and just being oddly vague. There was a lack of characterisation and all the characters sounded the same when they spoke, even five hundred year old vampires sounded similar to Wright who is supposed to be twenty three.
All in all incredibly uncomfortable read though I’ll admit I really liked the fact that Shori was black, black vampires and by extension any vampire that isn’t white is an interesting and well appreciated deviation from the usual white vampire stereotype.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship and Pedophilia
Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism, and Murder
The Complete Maus by Art Spiegelman
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
Something everyone should read
It was so beautiful and raised so many questions that are unable to be answered. It handled the holocaust in a striking way and was open and honest about the uncomfortability on profiting off of generational trauma
Read for a second time for essay in January: I can’t recommend this book enough!!
It was so beautiful and raised so many questions that are unable to be answered. It handled the holocaust in a striking way and was open and honest about the uncomfortability on profiting off of generational trauma
Read for a second time for essay in January: I can’t recommend this book enough!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Genocide, Gore, Hate crime, Mental illness, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Police brutality, Antisemitism, Medical content, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Deportation
Mythos by Stephen Fry
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Made Greek myths very accessible! I’m excited to start heroes :)
Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I had to read this for university and I’m glad I did, though I can’t say I loved it