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cosmicrusalka's reviews
614 reviews
The Hollow Places by T. Kingfisher
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
4.0
The Magicians Nephew + Stargate
Do not read if you don't like being left with more questions than answers. So many questions.
I understand that the big stuff wouldn't be answered, because it's beyond human understanding, but there are definitely some things that I would have liked to know, like what happened to the man in the wall, the bus and the boat man, etc. I thought maybe Bible would have mentioned something to link back to some of them, but no dice. All just a giant mystery.
Not the ending I expected. Feel a little disappointed, anticlimactic. I thought of a handful different ways the book could have ended, and the one this gave was not one of them.
Maybe it's not about the journey or the destination, it's about asking yourself "what if" and opening your mind to possibilities of where you could go and what could happen.
The idea that we really don't know anything about the universe and how it works and there could be so much under the surface that we don't know about, that we may never know about, and even if we did know about it, we probably could never comprehend it.
Thoughts while reading:
-Oh great, not only do I have to endure most everyone being smut readers in real life, now I have to worry about it in book characters too, in books that are needless to say, NOT SMUT. Just can't escape it anywhere these days, I guess.
-fuck, fuck, fuck
-Why do all books portray cats as assholes?
-what the fuck?
-what the actual fuck??
Do not read if you don't like being left with more questions than answers. So many questions.
I understand that the big stuff wouldn't be answered, because it's beyond human understanding, but there are definitely some things that I would have liked to know, like what happened to the man in the wall, the bus and the boat man, etc. I thought maybe Bible would have mentioned something to link back to some of them, but no dice. All just a giant mystery.
Not the ending I expected. Feel a little disappointed, anticlimactic. I thought of a handful different ways the book could have ended, and the one this gave was not one of them.
Maybe it's not about the journey or the destination, it's about asking yourself "what if" and opening your mind to possibilities of where you could go and what could happen.
The idea that we really don't know anything about the universe and how it works and there could be so much under the surface that we don't know about, that we may never know about, and even if we did know about it, we probably could never comprehend it.
Thoughts while reading:
-Oh great, not only do I have to endure most everyone being smut readers in real life, now I have to worry about it in book characters too, in books that are needless to say, NOT SMUT. Just can't escape it anywhere these days, I guess.
-fuck, fuck, fuck
-Why do all books portray cats as assholes?
-what the fuck?
-what the actual fuck??
Content Warnings
Warning for Trypophobia
The High King by Lloyd Alexander
5.0
Ugh, the deaths in this book hit me so hard π poor Fflewddur for giving up his harp like that, and then when he tried to say he never cared for it anyways and it pops in the fire ππ stooop.
Oh my gosh! Taran taking Eilonwy in his arms and saying they will be wed! -girlish squeals- and her perfect reaction of "of course--I was wondering how long it'd take you to get around to asking me" π
I absolutely loved at the end with the three witches and the moral of the storying being that we create our own life and destiny, that we alone are the weavers of the fabric of our lives. I love it. And what a wonderful ending. I love that Taran and Eilonwy become high king and queen of mankind βΊοΈ
"Every man is a hero if he strives more for others than for himself alone."
"For the deeds of a man, not the words of a prophecy, are what shape his destiny."
"Though it does not glow as brightly as the love we may have shared, farewell, Taran of Caer Dallben, remember me"
Oh my gosh! Taran taking Eilonwy in his arms and saying they will be wed! -girlish squeals- and her perfect reaction of "of course--I was wondering how long it'd take you to get around to asking me" π
I absolutely loved at the end with the three witches and the moral of the storying being that we create our own life and destiny, that we alone are the weavers of the fabric of our lives. I love it. And what a wonderful ending. I love that Taran and Eilonwy become high king and queen of mankind βΊοΈ
"Every man is a hero if he strives more for others than for himself alone."
"For the deeds of a man, not the words of a prophecy, are what shape his destiny."
"Though it does not glow as brightly as the love we may have shared, farewell, Taran of Caer Dallben, remember me"
Taran Wanderer by Lloyd Alexander
5.0
What a wonderful story about self discovery. I love all the lessons and skills Taran learns along the way. And the way he thinks of Eilonwy and how he misses her is incredibly sweet.
The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander
5.0
I shouldn't be surprised that this is nothing like Disney's The Black Cauldron movie, but I enjoyed this book very much regardless. It was a fun world, fun characters, fun adventure, and strong LOTR vibes.
Star Splitter by Matthew J. Kirby
5.0
Absolutely fell in love with this book. It was a PERFECT book for me. I loved the vibe, setting and world building, I loved the thought provoking questions, I loved the characters and their stories, I loved the wonder and exploration, I loved the ancient alien ruins. The ONLY thing I didn't love is that there isn't more to read π
Overall: β β β β β - Amazing
Themes: Optimistic futuristic scifi, space exploration, alien planet, lost ancient alien civilization, survival, clones, teleportation, big questions of what makes you, YOU, poetry
Feelings: excitement, thrill, happiness, sadness, astonishment, thoughtful, cozy, wonder, love, anxiety, curiosity
Where you sparked? Yes!!
Things you liked? Alien planet, lost ancient alien civilization ruins, big questions about self, space exploration, the white alien ferret, honestly just everything
Things you didn't like? That it ended π
Format: Audiobook - Libby
Recommend by: Vanessa
Reading with: no one
Content Warnings:
Death/Violence/Gore: Yes
Sexual Material: None
Romance: None
Substance Use: None
Overall: β β β β β - Amazing
Themes: Optimistic futuristic scifi, space exploration, alien planet, lost ancient alien civilization, survival, clones, teleportation, big questions of what makes you, YOU, poetry
Feelings: excitement, thrill, happiness, sadness, astonishment, thoughtful, cozy, wonder, love, anxiety, curiosity
Where you sparked? Yes!!
Things you liked? Alien planet, lost ancient alien civilization ruins, big questions about self, space exploration, the white alien ferret, honestly just everything
Things you didn't like? That it ended π
Format: Audiobook - Libby
Recommend by: Vanessa
Reading with: no one
Content Warnings:
Death/Violence/Gore: Yes
Sexual Material: None
Romance: None
Substance Use: None
Seafire by Natalie C. Parker
3.0
Just okay for me. The characters and the story were good, but the world building was severely lacking for me and that is the most important thing in a book for me. Seafire wasn't bad, just not for me.
Sea of Rust by C. Robert Cargill
4.0
Overall: β
β
β
β
β - Good
I really wanted to give this book 5 stars, but because of the use of sex bots multiple times, it lost a star.
Themes: Post apocalyptic, no humans, robots/synths, survival, action, wastelands, lost history, mentally losing it, PTSD, war, death
Feelings: Excited, full of wonder, curious, disgust, sadness, worry, intrigue, interest
Were you sparked? Yes. Would make such a good TTRPG.
Things you liked?
Robot named Merca (American soldier - I don't know if it's a play on 'merica, but it made me giggle all the same). Binary code chapters. Brittle is a badass. Loved the imagery. Fantastic world and world building. Very interesting characters. Fun story.
Things you didn't like?
The sex bots and sex shop. I understand it was primarily used for humor, but I didn't find it funny, it was just disgusting to me.
Format: Audiobook - Libby
Recommend by: a list of "Horizon vibe books"
Reading with: no one
Triggers: sex bots are talked about. One is said to be a "sponge" for the neckbeard she belongs to, but there is no detail on acts. They go into an abandoned sex shop. Naked sex bots are used for war. "naked breasts and dongs flying everywhere"
Although there was absolutely no sexual content, I still didn't like this bit, just made me uncomfortable. Thankfully it's a small part of the story and not a main focus.
I really wanted to give this book 5 stars, but because of the use of sex bots multiple times, it lost a star.
Themes: Post apocalyptic, no humans, robots/synths, survival, action, wastelands, lost history, mentally losing it, PTSD, war, death
Feelings: Excited, full of wonder, curious, disgust, sadness, worry, intrigue, interest
Were you sparked? Yes. Would make such a good TTRPG.
Things you liked?
Robot named Merca (American soldier - I don't know if it's a play on 'merica, but it made me giggle all the same). Binary code chapters. Brittle is a badass. Loved the imagery. Fantastic world and world building. Very interesting characters. Fun story.
Things you didn't like?
The sex bots and sex shop. I understand it was primarily used for humor, but I didn't find it funny, it was just disgusting to me.
Format: Audiobook - Libby
Recommend by: a list of "Horizon vibe books"
Reading with: no one
Triggers: sex bots are talked about. One is said to be a "sponge" for the neckbeard she belongs to, but there is no detail on acts. They go into an abandoned sex shop. Naked sex bots are used for war. "naked breasts and dongs flying everywhere"
Although there was absolutely no sexual content, I still didn't like this bit, just made me uncomfortable. Thankfully it's a small part of the story and not a main focus.