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irene_addler's reviews
44 reviews
The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
A great adventure that reads well at any age. Some of the terminology used is outdated, but the groups of people themselves seem to be treated well.
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
There's a lot I liked about this book. The majority felt like being on a roller coaster and trying to figure out what was happening and most of all WHO DID IT? That being said, the ending fell a little flat for me. i wanted to love this book, but in the end, I only like it, which was disappointing.
The audio book narrators are great!
Mild spoilers:
While I see the ending was planned from the beginning, it's the kind of ending which requires too much explanation, leaving me asking "What was the point of everything else?" I was left with questions and wondering if it would have been better for the ending to be different. There are a lot of red herrings, and they amount to...nothing?
The audio book narrators are great!
Mild spoilers:
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Infidelity, Sexual assault, and Blood
Moderate: Car accident
Minor: Sexual content
The Island of Doctor Moreau by H.G. Wells
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
"But there are times when the little cloud spreads, until it obscures the whole sky. Then I look about me at my fellow men, and I go in fear."
On my journey through the classics of horror, I knew I would need to traverse The Island of Doctor Moreau. Despite getting fairly short, this story is quite the ride.
We start by knowing how the story ends. While there's potential for that to ruin the story, this story is absolutely not made worse for it. In fact, watching how Prendick gets to the island and simply following the journey was wonderful. I believe that helps offset some of the harder moments in the book. No matter what, the reader always knows there is hope.
I didn't find Prendick very likeable. He felt quick to judge others--though he is one of the most likeable characters in the book. However, most of his decisions make sense, and there are periods of humor in what could have been a horribly depressing book.
The body horror in this story had me literally cringing, and I wouldn't say it was a particularly graphic book. It's one of those stories where what is not shown makes it all the worse.
I think there's more in this story which could have been dug deeper into, but not every horror has to have deep discussions about morality--though that certainly is a topic. I'm also still confused as to why the experiments were happening. Moreau has a long monologue about it and perhaps the length made me glaze over and miss the point, but my understanding leaves me confused and thinking that his goals make no sense with his experiments.
I listened to the audio book narrated by Jonathan Keeble, and I think he's a great at creating unique voices, but there were times I wasn't sure who was talking and sometimes it was a bit much for me, but given how picky I am with narrators and that I finished this book, I think he was definitely a solid narrator. I wouldn't seek a book out to listen to him specifically, but I would absolutely listen to him narrate a book again.
Overall, this is a great book for those who want to dive into classic horror, but I wouldn't say it's a must read for everyone else.
On my journey through the classics of horror, I knew I would need to traverse The Island of Doctor Moreau. Despite getting fairly short, this story is quite the ride.
We start by knowing how the story ends. While there's potential for that to ruin the story, this story is absolutely not made worse for it. In fact, watching how Prendick gets to the island and simply following the journey was wonderful. I believe that helps offset some of the harder moments in the book. No matter what, the reader always knows there is hope.
I didn't find Prendick very likeable. He felt quick to judge others--though he is one of the most likeable characters in the book. However, most of his decisions make sense, and there are periods of humor in what could have been a horribly depressing book.
The body horror in this story had me literally cringing, and I wouldn't say it was a particularly graphic book. It's one of those stories where what is not shown makes it all the worse.
I think there's more in this story which could have been dug deeper into, but not every horror has to have deep discussions about morality--though that certainly is a topic. I'm also still confused as to why the experiments were happening. Moreau has a long monologue about it and perhaps the length made me glaze over and miss the point, but my understanding leaves me confused and thinking that his goals make no sense with his experiments.
I listened to the audio book narrated by Jonathan Keeble, and I think he's a great at creating unique voices, but there were times I wasn't sure who was talking and sometimes it was a bit much for me, but given how picky I am with narrators and that I finished this book, I think he was definitely a solid narrator. I wouldn't seek a book out to listen to him specifically, but I would absolutely listen to him narrate a book again.
Overall, this is a great book for those who want to dive into classic horror, but I wouldn't say it's a must read for everyone else.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Gore, Gun violence, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Medical content, and Injury/Injury detail
Thrill Me: Essays on Fiction by Benjamin Percy
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
4.0
I generally like the information in this book, but it always bothers me when authors use their own work as examples. Percy is fairly modest, and I like that he practices what he preaches, but to me, it isn't the way to teach writing.
He also has a tendency to ramble and make lists which are way too long too often.
He also talks about some pretty graphic scenes without warning.
He also has a tendency to ramble and make lists which are way too long too often.
He also talks about some pretty graphic scenes without warning.
Your Beauty Mark: The Ultimate Guide to Eccentric Glamour by Dita Von Teese
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
3.5
I like Dita Von Teese, and she seems to be growing with the times, but this book is certainly a relic of it's time.
It was definitely fun to see how she lives and advice from her friends. She encourages the readers to embrace themselves--usually. The one flaw with her advice is the few times she says certain things must be done. (But goes on to suggest certain icons rocked things like a monobrow. Why can't the reader be the next person to rock something unique!)
I was disappointed with some of the editing too. Basics like "turn to page 000" were left in. I think the first edition lacks polish, which is shocking for a woman like Dita.
I have no idea if there are newer editions which tighten up the editing or anything else.
It's a fun read, but it's not a book I would recommend to all of my friends. Maybe just a few of them.
It was definitely fun to see how she lives and advice from her friends. She encourages the readers to embrace themselves--usually. The one flaw with her advice is the few times she says certain things must be done. (But goes on to suggest certain icons rocked things like a monobrow. Why can't the reader be the next person to rock something unique!)
I was disappointed with some of the editing too. Basics like "turn to page 000" were left in. I think the first edition lacks polish, which is shocking for a woman like Dita.
I have no idea if there are newer editions which tighten up the editing or anything else.
It's a fun read, but it's not a book I would recommend to all of my friends. Maybe just a few of them.
The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux
Did not finish book. Stopped at 27%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 27%.
Raoul is insufferable. This story could truly be so much shorter if he just shut up and respected Christine's wishes.
Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir
Did not finish book. Stopped at 36%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 36%.
While the book is rife with humor and LGBTQ+ characters, I found the lack of diversity elsewhere underwhelming, the plot too slow, description much to heavy and long, and I wasn't connecting with any of the main characters.
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick
challenging
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This was an interesting book, particularly from a 2023 perspective. Dick's foresight and creativity were certainly lacking in areas. While he could imagine a future with androids almost indistinguishable from humans, he still made every secretary a woman, and money is still physical coins and bills despite no longer being a dollar.
The story itself is fun and interesting. It poses many ethical questions about humanity, and doesn't seek to answer them, but instead make you think. I'm excited to read more about the book and other people's opinions.
While I absolutely think this would ruin the book, I would now love to read a chapter from one of the android's perspectives--particularly to see what Dick believed of them.
The story itself is fun and interesting. It poses many ethical questions about humanity, and doesn't seek to answer them, but instead make you think. I'm excited to read more about the book and other people's opinions.
While I absolutely think this would ruin the book, I would now love to read a chapter from one of the android's perspectives--particularly to see what Dick believed of them.