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ribcager's reviews
34 reviews
The Power of the Dog by Thomas Savage
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
“Deliver my soul from the sword,
My darling from the power of the dog.”
One of these days you’ll get yours aplenty.
My darling from the power of the dog.”
One of these days you’ll get yours aplenty.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal death, Racism, Suicide, and Antisemitism
Oak King Holly King by Sebastian Nothwell
Did not finish book. Stopped at 22%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 22%.
Was so baffled by the scene where the magic ritual made them both instantly get hard and then come in the next second that I put this down and never picked it back up again. But the prose was good, if a bit overwritten at times, and the main characters were likable enough, although I couldn’t feel much chemistry between them and they fell in each other’s arms a little too quickly for my tastes.
Near the Bone by Christina Henry
Who the hell was Heather, why did we have so many instances of the main character wondering who had reported the monsters if it wasn’t going to be relevant and why the hell were some of the characters here written to be so unbelievably stupid. I didn’t hate this, it was very readable (I finished it in a day), but much like the snowy mountainous setting, it left me cold. I would’ve preferred if it spent more time boiling us slowly in the domestic horror, keeping the monster on the periphery and building up the tension until something was forced to snap. I would’ve at least liked to see the main character make an escape attempt by herself before she got rescued by random strangers, even if the attempt failed. It could’ve added some heightened anxiety and horror, which this book was mostly lacking due to its breakneck speed and the vagueness of the supernatural threat . Though there were some impactful scenes, they were not allowed any room to breathe and permeate. The supernatural horror and the horrors the protagonist experienced at the hands of her husband were completely detached from each other, and the creature apparently materialized from nowhere (there was also no explanation for its sudden appearance) just in time to be convenient to the plot. Overall, a very predictable, sometimes frustrating book that couldn’t live up to a fantastic premise.
fast-paced
2.0
They're Going to Love You by Meg Howrey
3.75
Enjoyed overall, found quite a few lovely moments, and a lot of the main character’s struggles with loving and being loved and accomplishing (and failing to accomplish) things struck a chord. Thought that the big reveal, the argument that caused the 19 year long rift from her father, felt somewhat forced and nonsensical - with how he kept accusing her of having “an affair”, as if Alex was cheating on James with her. Maybe it’s what the character believed at the time, but it read strangely. Noticed some editing mistakes here and there.
Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb
3.75
I liked a lot of things about Assassin’s Apprentice, though the side characters that interested me the most got so little time (The Fool, Patience, Kettricken). I have a big weakness for underdog bastards, and a bit of a bleeding heart, so I warmed up to Fitz quickly. Burrich was another close fave - much as he frustrated me sometimes, he was well written enough that I could tell there was something more complex behind his actions and prejudices.
I wasn’t necessarily put off by the slow pace (I enjoy character-driven works), but this book did feel very back heavy, and too often like an overlong prologue. The ending, in contrast to the first two halves, felt like it wrapped up all too fast. By the last few chapters everything ramped up and serious shit was suddenly happening - not that it wasn’t interesting shit, but it really put into perspective how meandering the first and middle half were. Still, I think Hobb’s good at reeling you back in just as you think you might start to doze off - every time I found myself wanting to put the book down, she introduced some new development that had me convinced to read just a chapter or two more. Maybe this book needed another chapter to describe in greater detail the summary of events given to us in the last few pages before the prologue. Besides all this, I enjoyed the world and characters and I’m looking forward to seeing how the plot unfurls in the next book. I just hope the pacing is better handled there.
I wasn’t necessarily put off by the slow pace (I enjoy character-driven works), but this book did feel very back heavy, and too often like an overlong prologue. The ending, in contrast to the first two halves, felt like it wrapped up all too fast. By the last few chapters everything ramped up and serious shit was suddenly happening - not that it wasn’t interesting shit, but it really put into perspective how meandering the first and middle half were. Still, I think Hobb’s good at reeling you back in just as you think you might start to doze off - every time I found myself wanting to put the book down, she introduced some new development that had me convinced to read just a chapter or two more. Maybe this book needed another chapter to describe in greater detail the summary of events given to us in the last few pages before the prologue. Besides all this, I enjoyed the world and characters and I’m looking forward to seeing how the plot unfurls in the next book. I just hope the pacing is better handled there.
The Bell at Sealey Head by Patricia A. McKillip
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
slow-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Talented, brilliant, incredible, amazing, show stopping, spectacular