summerpy's reviews
48 reviews

Horror Movie by Paul Tremblay

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challenging dark mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

In June 1993, a group of young filmmakers spent a month making Horror Movie, a disturbing, low budget movie that saw multiple odd filming incidents and bloodshed on and off the screen. The movie was never released to public except for three gruesome scenes. However that was enough to initiate speculation and discussion and Horror Movie eventually grew a cult fan base.

In present day (30 years later), the boy who played “The Thin Kid” is now the only surviving cast member. Now circulating the horror movie convention circuit, he is asked by Hollywood to help reboot Horror Movie as a big budget film. As The Thin Kid reminiscences, we find out more about what happened during filming and how strangely the movie plot seemed to blend into reality.

The story structure cycles between the filming process in the 90s, the actual original movie script, and present day. I really enjoyed this read. Being a Tremblay novel, I knew I was signing up to be challenged. And it really served up with a double dose of ambiguity. Horror Movie was a great time and worth a second read for detail spotting. Personally I think this type of horror is very subjective. I would recommend it to readers as a psychological mystery with horror elements. Excellent for fall and very immersive.
Starter Villain by John Scalzi

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adventurous funny medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Snowglobe by Soyoung Park

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adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

The Wolf and the Watchman by Niklas Natt och Dag

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challenging dark sad tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No

4.0

This historical mystery crime procedural novel begins when city watchman Mikal Carnell finds a dead body in the river - arms, legs, eyes all missing.

Setting: We are thrown into the intense setting of Stockholm in 1793. Historically, King Gustav III had just been assassinated. The crown prince was too young and thus Sweden was controlled by an oppressive puppet regime. At the same time, Europe was feeling the after currents of revolutionary fever. In France, Marie Antoinette had just been executed. All of this created a bleak sense of chaotic paranoia and dread permeating the dark, dirty streets of Stockholm.

Characters: The characters really shine in this story. First we have watchman Mikal Carnell. He had fought in the Russo-Swedish War and lost his arm and best friend. As the story starts, he is barely getting by, burdened by shell shock and phantom limb pain, and drowning out life with drink. After fishing the body from the water, he is paired with brilliant, incorruptible lawyer/detective Cecil Winge, who is diagnosed and dying of consumption. We also have Kristofer Blix, a young man with a gambling problem, and Anna Stine Knapp, a poor teenage who after the death of her mother, finds herself at the mercy of depraved men.

The rising tensions of Carnell and Winge working against the clock to solve the mystery, Winge’s declining health, the precarious situations of Blix and Anna, and the unstable social environment really elevate this book to a different level. The different points of view serve a valuable purpose in the end, tying together details and filling in context.

In all honesty, I had to take several breaks while reading this novel. It’s very dark and bleak with a lot of graphic violence. However, it is exceptionally crafted and I am very glad to have read it. The plan is to read a comedy and then go back to the 1793 sequel. I loved the two main characters, Carnell and Winge. Wolf and the Watchman is a definite recommend for me. Just be very careful with the violence and triggers.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️



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Beach Read by Emily Henry

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Gentlest of Wild Things: New for 2024, a sapphic YA fantasy romance inspired by Greek mythology, for all fans of The Song of Achilles. by Sarah Underwood

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adventurous challenging emotional mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Gentlest of the Wild Things is a Greek myth reimagining that blends the trials of Psyche and Eros and the myth of Lamia. 

Shining star of the story is the character development of main characters Eirene and Lamia. Eirene is the rebellious, determined and self sacrificial heroine who would do anything for her twin sister, even marry evil town resident/descendant of Greek god Eros, Leandros. Lamia is a broken, timid and sheltered woman hidden away by her evil father. The character journey that Eirene and Lamia go on is what makes this story so gripping, nuanced and tender. 

I found the four obstacles to be very entertaining and exciting. They helped expand and add color to this Greek inspired world. I loved all the mythical beasts, especially Daphne. I loved the sibling relationship between Eirene and her sister. Finally Lamia’s completed character arc was so satisfying to read. 

Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins for this e-arc. I would recommend this book to fantasy readers that enjoy Greek retellings, trials and obstacle based stories, strong female main characters and sapphic romance.
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

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adventurous challenging medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir

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adventurous emotional tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This was a reread. As amazing as the first time I read it. A must read in the fantasy YA genre.
Galatea by Madeline Miller

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challenging dark emotional reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

Earl Crush by Alexandra Vasti

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adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Loveable characters? Yes

3.75

Summary: Earl Crush follows Lydia Hope-Wallace, wealthy spinster and political writer, as she travels to Scotland to propose a marriage of convenience to an earl that she’s corresponded with for years via letters. However the earl has no idea who she is. They find out that she had been writing to his brother the whole time under the earl’s name. His brother is up to no good and had stolen something from his estate. Together Lydia and Arthur have to track him down and retrieve the item.

I love Lydia and Arthur as the main characters. Lydia is intelligent and loyal and Arthur is a sweet caring marshmallow. Some of the events seem over the top but it’s managed well with dry witty humor. I would highly recommend for readers looking for a delightful romance romp with fun hijinks and some mystery.