fictionalhannah's reviews
166 reviews

Gyo by Junji Ito

dark tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

This was definitely the most “wtf did I just read” of any of Ito’s work thus far. Just a bit too out there for me (and that’s saying something). But I will agree that the bonus story The Enigma of Amigara Fault is 5/5 stars.

Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher
Did not finish book. Stopped at 0%.

From the start the characters and plot failed to engage me. 

Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice
Did not finish book. Stopped at 32%.

The story was just so slow moving and the “interview” format got old real quick.

Kindred by Octavia E. Butler

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

Extremely intense and captivating read that examines the horrors of slavery through an intriguing sci-fi lens. 4.5/5 only because I was mildly dissatisfied with the ending.

Diary by Chuck Palahniuk

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

I struggled with how to rate this book, because I felt so in the dark for so much of it. But overall, I thought it was captivating, unsettling, and eerie. When things began to click into place towards the end, I was satisfied with the mysterious, fantastical nature of the plot wrapped in *seemingly* mundane, one-dimensional characters.

Fragments of Horror by Junji Ito

dark mysterious tense 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

4.0

Didn’t impact me as much as the manga “novels” I’ve read, but overall a good creepy collection. 

A Prayer for the Crown-Shy by Becky Chambers

emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Although not as perfect as the first, it was a lovely follow-up to the pair’s travels.

A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers

emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Cozy, heartwarming, vital.

Bone Swans: Stories by C.S.E. Cooney

adventurous dark mysterious 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

3.75

This was a great collection, I feel like each story was very unique, although some of them started to drag halfway through. If I were to read this collection again, I would take breaks between the stories and not try to read them consecutively as if it were a novel.

The Color Purple by Alice Walker

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Ugh. What an emotional rollercoaster. This book renewed my hope that even when life beats you down, you can rise back up. The ending made me cry happy tears. I will be thinking about Celie for a long time.