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beeeenerys's reviews
94 reviews
A Head Full of Ghosts by Paul Tremblay
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I'm really glad this was the first Tremblay book I read, it's dark and convoluted, I was never quite sure what was actually happening since each character had their own set of beliefs and stuck to them. There's lots of possibilities that could have lead up to the ending and all the theories are valid.
I always love a good critique of the horror genre and I think that's what this book is about. What happens to the mentally unhealthy under the premise of possession? They're taken advantage of, neglected and often used as a scapegoat or guinea pig for religious extremism and entertainment.
I listened to the audiobook but I HAD to pick up a physical copy because this book deserves a re-read and it'll be interesting to see if my perspective and opinions change with the format.
I always love a good critique of the horror genre and I think that's what this book is about. What happens to the mentally unhealthy under the premise of possession? They're taken advantage of, neglected and often used as a scapegoat or guinea pig for religious extremism and entertainment.
I listened to the audiobook but I HAD to pick up a physical copy because this book deserves a re-read and it'll be interesting to see if my perspective and opinions change with the format.
Godkiller by Hannah Kaner
Did not finish book. Stopped at 59%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 59%.
I had high hopes for Godkiller but I gave up on it because it felt very predictable for a fantasy. I saw the romantic subplot from a mile off and it turned me away.
The disability rep is great, conceptually it could have been so good but the writing executed it poorly. I wanted to explore the world of gods and mortals, consider the political and social implications when semi-immortal deities use humans for their personal gain but what I got was: traveling, monster attack, more travelling, "isn't this man amazing he can cook, he has a mysterious past, and now he's singing...", and then another monster attack. I GOT BORED!!
The disability rep is great, conceptually it could have been so good but the writing executed it poorly. I wanted to explore the world of gods and mortals, consider the political and social implications when semi-immortal deities use humans for their personal gain but what I got was: traveling, monster attack, more travelling, "isn't this man amazing he can cook, he has a mysterious past, and now he's singing...", and then another monster attack. I GOT BORED!!
Ring Shout by P. Djèlí Clark
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Loved the monsters, the way they were described felt very Soul Eater/Ghibli esc. I wish Maryse had more of an ethical struggle when it came to the final few chapters but that's solely based on my preference for morally bad characters.
The Memory Police by Yōko Ogawa
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
The kind of depression that makes you feel sick in your stomach a little. I have the same feeling I had reading Our Wives Under The Sea last year, there's the idea of grieving for something that hasn't gone yet but you know will soon as you're slowly marching to the inevitable.
In this book, nothing get's resolved, you just have to keep going but you loose part of yourself as you adapt, until you become a void of what you used to be.
I hope this isn't too rambly, it's really hard to put this book into words.
In this book, nothing get's resolved, you just have to keep going but you loose part of yourself as you adapt, until you become a void of what you used to be.
I hope this isn't too rambly, it's really hard to put this book into words.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement
Moderate: Death and Infidelity
Minor: Rape and Sexual assault
The Hidden Case of Ewan Forbes: The Transgender Trial that Threatened to Upend the British Establishment by Zoë Playdon
challenging
informative
medium-paced
4.75
This was super informative and super detailed, Playdon didn't just go though Ewan Forbes's case but his entire life, how his relatives treated him with acceptance and the environment surrounding trans rights and healthcare at different stages of his life and after discussing in detail other related cases and characters in trans history and is as up-to-date on current issues as of 2021.
I listened to the bolinda audiobook and really enjoyed the exclusive interview at the end but that's also where my main complaint is. The narrator, Rebecca Root, was good but pulled out several different voices for quotations that I think was a bit over the top at times. There's also quite a few inclusions of "Ewan must have felt x" that I felt were more projection than interpretation and didn't think they made a difference.
I will definitely keep my eye out for a physical copy, This will be a great reference to have.
I listened to the bolinda audiobook and really enjoyed the exclusive interview at the end but that's also where my main complaint is. The narrator, Rebecca Root, was good but pulled out several different voices for quotations that I think was a bit over the top at times. There's also quite a few inclusions of "Ewan must have felt x" that I felt were more projection than interpretation and didn't think they made a difference.
I will definitely keep my eye out for a physical copy, This will be a great reference to have.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Transphobia and Medical trauma
Minor: Body shaming
Piglet by Lottie Hazell
challenging
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Overall I enjoyed the book, I resonated in part with the MC. She has spent her life policing herself to the comfort and convenience of others, literally squeezing herself into a shape she wasn't made for and yet she is the one who's made responsible. Her parent's bought her a dress that doesn't fit her yet it's her fault for not fasting when she can't put it on herself, her husband did something to break her trust in the relationship yet it's her who tries to stay because according to her MIL "marriage is a commitment". But when she attempts to do something right by herself the first thing she thinks of is public scrutiny and embarrassment and that thought process is very real.
I'm of two mind that we didn't find out what her husband did, on one hand I appreciate that this is P's story and he does not matter in the slightest, on the other hand I'm nosey and I'm a tiny bit disappointed that I didn't find out.
I'm of two mind that we didn't find out what her husband did, on one hand I appreciate that this is P's story and he does not matter in the slightest, on the other hand I'm nosey and I'm a tiny bit disappointed that I didn't find out.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia
Minor: Eating disorder, Vomit, and Classism
The Glutton by A.K. Blakemore
Did not finish book. Stopped at 75%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 75%.
It's a well written book, it's dark and gross and sweet at times, but I couldn't get past the cats. I'm just not in the right frame of mind to absorb that kind of thing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Gore, Violence, Medical content, and Medical trauma
Minor: Excrement
A Botanical Daughter by Noah Medlock
This is absolutely going in my favourites tag. Botany, fungus, some tasteful gore and a healthy helping of queerness. I loved how she was put together with all sorts of things and her constant growth and fluctuation made her kind of difficult to imagine, I really enjoy a certain level of nebulousness to my monsters.
It was gross at times but not scary at at all, I think this book will make a great entry point for someone starting out in queer horror, who wants to dip their toes in but isn't sure what they can handle just yet.
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
A gay couple frankenstein themselves a daughter with dead bodies and mushrooms.
This is absolutely going in my favourites tag. Botany, fungus, some tasteful gore and a healthy helping of queerness. I loved how she was put together with all sorts of things and her constant growth and fluctuation made her kind of difficult to imagine, I really enjoy a certain level of nebulousness to my monsters.
It was gross at times but not scary at at all, I think this book will make a great entry point for someone starting out in queer horror, who wants to dip their toes in but isn't sure what they can handle just yet.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror and Murder
Minor: Homophobia and Sexual content
White Smoke by Tiffany D. Jackson
Really enjoyed this one, I was so invested in the audio i ended up working on auto-pilot through my shifts so i could pay attention, Marcella Cox did an amazing job as the narrator.
Mari's anxiety spirals felt very realistic, as well as her issues with Piper, Mari felt and acted like her age. It's also nice to read a YA that didn't feature any romance (I feel like it happens all the time in YA of any genre especially with an FMC). the time was instead spent working resolving Mari's issues and exploring the environment.
This was a great read and I'll be keeping my eye out for a physical copy to add to my haunted house collection.
dark
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? Yes
5.0
Get Out meets The Boy
Really enjoyed this one, I was so invested in the audio i ended up working on auto-pilot through my shifts so i could pay attention, Marcella Cox did an amazing job as the narrator.
Mari's anxiety spirals felt very realistic, as well as her issues with Piper, Mari felt and acted like her age. It's also nice to read a YA that didn't feature any romance (I feel like it happens all the time in YA of any genre especially with an FMC). the time was instead spent working resolving Mari's issues and exploring the environment.
This was a great read and I'll be keeping my eye out for a physical copy to add to my haunted house collection.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use
Moderate: Addiction
Minor: Body horror, Drug abuse, and Forced institutionalization
Sawkill Girls by Claire Legrand
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
Enjoyed the premise but not the main character.
I found Marion to be pretty dull, for a character who's supposed to be this emotional rock, her primary mood is pretty passive. The vast majority of her scenes, in my opinion, was about stuff happening to her and her being in distress about it. I wanted to see Marion take more of an active role in the story. That being said I did enjoy Val and Zoe, Val being my favourite, I think she had the most compelling dynamic as a character.
I found Marion to be pretty dull, for a character who's supposed to be this emotional rock, her primary mood is pretty passive. The vast majority of her scenes, in my opinion, was about stuff happening to her and her being in distress about it. I wanted to see Marion take more of an active role in the story. That being said I did enjoy Val and Zoe, Val being my favourite, I think she had the most compelling dynamic as a character.