exarchic's reviews
12 reviews

Fire Season by Leyna Krow

slow-paced

3.25

A fun read but that’s it to be honest. Only gets really interesting in the second half. I admire the premise but none of the characters are truly intriguing enough to get really into it. 

Notes of a Crocodile by Qiu Miaojin

emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

5.0

A raw gem I read on impulse and was blindsided by how visceral it was in its portrayal of love. I can’t quite describe the hollow feeling it gave me as I finished it. Really enjoyed the cast of characters and their ramblings juxtaposed alongside The Crocodile.

Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty by Patrick Radden Keefe

challenging informative medium-paced

5.0

A fascinating read on the history of one the most secretive yet opulent families. Honestly it took me so long to finish this book due to how upsetting and unjust the empire of the Sacklers is. Incredible read and highly recommend.

Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer

challenging emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated

5.0

I had to drop this book because I was too afraid to finish it. It’s reflective nature and biological comparisons make it for a fascinating read. Highly recommend.

October: The Story of the Russian Revolution by China Miéville

challenging informative reflective medium-paced

4.5

An exceptional read about the failed 1905 Russian Revolution and the 1917 Russian Revolution. I genuinely cannot recommend this book enough if you want the history written in a captivating way. All I can say is that this book, upon flipping back to the beginning and seeing the two rows of dots led me to tears. 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Violence, Xenophobia, and Antisemitism

One Piece: Ace's Story, Vol. 1: Formation of the Spade Pirates by Sho Hinata

fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

3.0

Fellas is it gay to be a pirate’s first mate  and then end the book with how he can’t see how loved he is. Is it normal to leave your home behind and your identity and then a man appearing in holy light gives you a name that matches his own. And, in the circumstances of hunger and death you reveal to each other your pasts and symbolically move past them on a ship you both made together. 

Gangsta., Vol. 1 by Kohske

adventurous dark

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot

4.0

This is my fourth time reading this and I feel like I'm just now getting it. The plot is super fast paced which is INCREDIBLY confusing when you first start out, but the main strength is its characters. 

The dynamic of Nic, Worick, and Alex is genuinely one of my favorite things ever in manga and the art style is gorgeous. Really wish that this series was given more of a chance. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gore, Sexual assault, and Blood

The Missing Cryptoqueen: The Billion Dollar Cryptocurrency Con and the Woman Who Got Away with It by Jamie Bartlett

informative fast-paced

4.25

Serial killer true crime is out and messy as hell scams are IN. This book was so good I couldn’t put it down, each page had me going :O

Hamlet by William Shakespeare

challenging dark mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

4.25

It’s the way the Ghost is always called the Ghost… The way Ophelia sings and sings and grief is the poison that infects both Hamlet and Ophelia. It’s the way grief can drive someone mad. 

Farewell to My Concubine by Lilian Lee

5.0

CRYING WAILING TEARS IN MY EYES PAINFUL SMILE

“I’VE ALWAYS WANTED TO BE YU JI”