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bella613's reviews
267 reviews
Parasite by Mira Grant
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
I loved this ♡
I think I would have loved it for different reasons had I read it at Catherine's age in the book.
This book is very sweet and funny but also thoughtful and smart. It's easy to get annoyed at the annoying characters. Jane Austen does a really good job, as always, of creating a full cast of interesting characters. Her witty writing and fourth-wall breaks are quite fun.
I think I would have loved it for different reasons had I read it at Catherine's age in the book.
This book is very sweet and funny but also thoughtful and smart. It's easy to get annoyed at the annoying characters. Jane Austen does a really good job, as always, of creating a full cast of interesting characters. Her witty writing and fourth-wall breaks are quite fun.
The Shining by Stephen King
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Definitely my least favorite by King that I've read so far.
Especially the excessive racism that didn't contribute anything to the plot. Why was that even there?
I watched the movie as a teen, and didn't find it scary, but I think the movie misses a lot of the important nuance in the book. However, listening to this felt slow and boring. It might be because I knew what was coming but it seemed like there was nothing to the story. It wasn't bad and it does feel like a horror classic, but it's far from King's best work.
Honestly I think it would be more riveting without the supernatural stuff. Like make it actual cabin fever and not cabin possessing a family. Also, it was never explained why "it" was after little Danny. How would it use him? It's only creepy if you don't think about it too hard and then it kinda falls apart. The movie has meme-able scenes but I felt like the book just made me kind of bored.
Especially the excessive racism that didn't contribute anything to the plot. Why was that even there?
I watched the movie as a teen, and didn't find it scary, but I think the movie misses a lot of the important nuance in the book. However, listening to this felt slow and boring. It might be because I knew what was coming but it seemed like there was nothing to the story. It wasn't bad and it does feel like a horror classic, but it's far from King's best work.
Honestly I think it would be more riveting without the supernatural stuff. Like make it actual cabin fever and not cabin possessing a family. Also, it was never explained why "it" was after little Danny. How would it use him? It's only creepy if you don't think about it too hard and then it kinda falls apart. The movie has meme-able scenes but I felt like the book just made me kind of bored.
Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Very witty and adorable characters. Love the concept of the email collection storytelling style, but it did take me a while to get used to the choppy feeling.
The Love of My Afterlife by Kirsty Greenwood
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.5
The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery
inspiring
reflective
slow-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
4.75
I would not have expected this book to include Eminem quotes but it did and that might have been my favorite part.
Cute story and wholesome friendship. I saw some reviews saying Paloma is too pretentious (she is) but I found her incredibly relatable.
Cute story and wholesome friendship. I saw some reviews saying Paloma is too pretentious (she is) but I found her incredibly relatable.
Sable Curse, Season 1 by Little Melon
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
Maeve Fly by C.J. Leede
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
This is wild.
Gross.
Edgy for the sake of being edgy.
I didn't like it persay, but it was somewhat well done. I agree with most of the criticism I've seen about it, but I also don't disagree with most of the praise, so... I guess make of that what you will. I would not recommend this. Unless you're into very dark gory horror with no real point.
I liked Gideon.
I didn't like Maeve herself and I can't tell if you're supposed to sympathize with her or not. She's very much a pick-me, impulsive, evil character without any intelligence or forethought. Extreme self-centeredness is typical for a killer in most cases, though, am I right?
I heard reviews say it was funny. I did not find it funny. It wasn't dark humor, it was just dark.
But I'm not mad that I read it, and I think in most cases with books like this I probably would be. So the author gets brownie points for making it somehow ok without anything ok in it lol.
It was rather predictable and the pacing went up and down throughout the story. The characters are pretty flat, but it's clear that this isn't supposed to have redemption or growth because that's not the purpose of the book. It's definitely just a story as a catalyst for bringing the reader gore and graphic shock and repulsive horny murder. Psychological thrillers do more for me than horror that is only horror for the gore.
Gross.
Edgy for the sake of being edgy.
I didn't like it persay, but it was somewhat well done. I agree with most of the criticism I've seen about it, but I also don't disagree with most of the praise, so... I guess make of that what you will. I would not recommend this. Unless you're into very dark gory horror with no real point.
I liked Gideon.
I didn't like Maeve herself and I can't tell if you're supposed to sympathize with her or not. She's very much a pick-me, impulsive, evil character without any intelligence or forethought. Extreme self-centeredness is typical for a killer in most cases, though, am I right?
I heard reviews say it was funny. I did not find it funny. It wasn't dark humor, it was just dark.
But I'm not mad that I read it, and I think in most cases with books like this I probably would be. So the author gets brownie points for making it somehow ok without anything ok in it lol.
It was rather predictable and the pacing went up and down throughout the story. The characters are pretty flat, but it's clear that this isn't supposed to have redemption or growth because that's not the purpose of the book. It's definitely just a story as a catalyst for bringing the reader gore and graphic shock and repulsive horny murder. Psychological thrillers do more for me than horror that is only horror for the gore.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, Excrement, Medical content, Grief, Cannibalism, Murder, Gaslighting, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcohol
The Leftovers by Tom Perrotta
Did not finish book. Stopped at 45%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 45%.
This is boring and the reviews seem to say it doesn't get any better. Stopping at 4:35