syinhui's reviews
67 reviews

The Diving Pool by Yōko Ogawa

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dark mysterious reflective relaxing medium-paced

4.0

These three novellas evoke a haunting feeling and a deep sense of unease, all within a prose that is gentle, melancholic, and almost relaxing in its mundane, dream-like quality.

For me, The Diving Pool is equal parts unsettling and calming. It’s a peculiar combination, yet so apt for this book. This is a fascinating read and it reminded me of some of the short stories in The Houseguest by Amparo Dávila, the psychological horror elements, the impassive, sad women and in the way how idleness, loneliness, and isolation can leave the mind to ruminate, and even act upon on thoughts both dark and twisted.

The Diving Pool is a great introduction to Yoko Ogawa, and I’d love to explore more of her works. 
The Summer Hikaru Died, Vol. 4 by Mokumokuren

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dark mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

4.5

Foster by Claire Keegan

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reflective sad medium-paced

3.0

This novella is charming, though somewhat bleak. Keegan’s writing is undeniably elegant and poignant, with a nuanced touch. It also beautifully captures the atmosphere and vibes of rural Ireland. I think its lovely and I liked those parts the most. 

While I understand what the book is telling and how it’s described as heartbreaking, I wouldn't go so far as to call it devastating or soul-wrenching. It just didn’t have that kind of effect on me. Unlike others, I didn't become attached to any of the characters, enough to feel strongly about them. The story is decent and I wasn’t disappointed, but it wasn't extraordinary either. 

I suppose that makes me an outlier among the glowing reviews and high praise this book has received. 
That said, Claire Keegan’s style might not be for me.
The Darkness That Comes Before by R. Scott Bakker

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challenging dark mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

4.0

I initially considered rating this book 3 or 3.5 stars, and I might have done so, but after much retrospection, I finally settled on 4 stars. I think that’s fair, or so I hope. Despite my distaste and disappointment with the treatment of women, I was completely captivated by the world’s lore, history, religions, and politics. Not to mention, Bakker’s prose is stunning. It’s descriptive and detailed without being too heavy or overwrought, rich and nuanced but sometimes simple. The occasional use of short sentences and one-word descriptions make it even more impactful. The dialogues are gripping, and the wry humor kept me turning the pages.

Most of all, I immensely enjoyed the political and religious intrigue at play in this world. I loved the battle of wits, the subtleties of power, and the dangerous politicking, especially the parts involving the emperor, Xerius and his nephew,  Conphas. The introduction of various rival magic schools was also intriguing, though the mechanics of sorcery remain quite mysterious so far.

The majority of the key players are terrible people but nonetheless amazing characters. The dynamic and strange alliance between Kellhus and Cnaiür was incredibly interesting. A really great piece of writing, if I may say so. The plot is not hard to follow, not many Chekhov’s guns to be wary of, though the name-dumping can be overwhelming. It gets better once you’ve reached the 50% mark, by which time you’re more or less acquainted with the important names.

However, if I focus only on what I hate about this book, the rampant mysogynism that’s very hard to read, and men’s follies and misgivings being labeled as 'womanish' or 'whorish,' further emphasizing how degrading it is to be likened to a woman. In that respect, it’s straight-up 2-stars for me.

It’s awful and sad when authors deliberately choose to treat their female characters as walking orifices. Granted, the patriarchal system is responsible for their oppression and objectification, but women must have dreams too, motivations, and goals beyond everyday survival. Instead, they hate one another, obsess over men, and see themselves as weak and pathetic at every turn. While Esmenet and Serwë might have depth as characters, their stories are much less compelling. The constant sexual and physical abuse, combined with their inability to gain some sense of agency, seems voyeuristic and gratuitous.

I understand Bakker’s approach is different, but portraying women as mere victims doesn’t sit right with me. Because they could have been more. Erikson did right by it, and it’s not as if Malazan is any kinder to women, nor do they suffer lesser atrocities. So why?

That said, this is a brilliant dark fantasy book. I can see why it is notoriously suggested to fans of MBotF. I just don’t understand the need and choice for women taking the brunt of SA. If it were indiscriminate, I don’t think I would have complained as much, though it wouldn’t make reading it any less uncomfortable. This is my biggest problem, almost enough to rate it 2 or 3 stars, almost enough to overshadow all the strengths this book has. No matter how hard I try to wrap my head around the justifications for sexual violence, I can never completely agree. It’s more like, it sort of makes sense but I still think it’s BS. Thus, my rating dilemma and love-hate relationship with this book.

I’ve heard the later books take a much darker turn. Apparently, The Darkness That Comes Before stands on the lighter shade of dark by this series’ standards. I’m curious to know what happens next, more importantly, I’m keen to see how the female characters fare going forward. This could possibly make or break the whole series for me.
Walking Practice by Dolki Min

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dark funny reflective fast-paced

3.75

I don’t see why this is compared to Sauid Game. It's misleading and frustrating for anyone expecting something similar to the show.  While it’s a survival story (albeit a singular and unique one) it hardly fits the death game genre. I thought it’s more akin to Tokyo Ghoul, in a way, without the  numerous sex scenes and the commentary on gender roles, of course. Mumu, our dear alien narrator has similarities to characters like Rize, Nutcracker and even Kaneki. The use of seduction to catch prey, body horror, insatiable appetite for human flesh, alienation and having to conform to societal standards as someone who doesn’t belong, it’s all there. 

Darkly humorous, quirky, gory, and often graphic, Walking Practice is definitely a compelling and titillating read, though not a comfortable one. I wish I knew how to read Korean because I think it would be even more enjoyable in the original text.

However, the ending was so abrupt that I’m not sure what to make of it. Also, funny though how Mumu has never once mentioned any news or conspiracies surrounding the steady disappearance of people over the past decade, considering it’s happening within a certain km radius.  It’s either they care not a whit about it or the police and justice system suck so much it’s virtually useless and that requires a bit of suspension of disbelief. 

That said, one more has been added to my growing list of weird af contemporary Korean novels. 
Before They Are Hanged by Joe Abercrombie

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adventurous funny tense medium-paced

3.5

A little more entertaining than the first book. The character dynamics are also a little more compelling. Humor is alright, chuckled a few times. Then there are parts that simply failed to interest me. The writing is easy enough, which is just what I need after reading a book with heavy prose. However, Abecrombie seemed to like using the same string of words over and over again. The repetitiveness irked me off and it’s become a tedious thing to read. 

The lore and history, which we only get to know through Bayaz’s ramblings and bitter reminiscences of the past, also failed to captivate me. It’s all kind of vague and what’s introduced so far - like the reasons why things turned out the way it did, the tale of Euz and his sons - seem puerile and petty. Envy, jealousy, greed and ambition are great themes but I felt they could’ve been handled better. Again, it lacks the depth and mystery I was looking for. There also wasn’t much improvement in the treatment of the few female characters. The resolution of Bayaz and crew’s journey is probably intentionally anticlimatic but for me, the ending was simply unsatisfying. 

I will still continue on to book 3 since the first 2 books proved to be adequately entertaining. 
Curse of the Mistwraith by Janny Wurts

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adventurous challenging emotional reflective sad slow-paced

4.25

It’s hard to put into words how I feel about this book. I adore it, but at the same time, I’m deeply saddened by it. The fates of Arithon and Lysaer and the utter injustice of it all left me feeling bitter and heartbroken.

That said, the prologue already hints at a tragic tale of two brothers and the grueling and protracted war between them. This is a story about a world at the mercy of prophecies. At the center are two princes, exiled back to their original homeland. Clairvoyance provides little succor and brings nothing but sorrow and grief. Those who maintain the balance of the world are forced to make unsavory choices, all to latch onto that one thread of hope. And lastly, a curse so clever in its insidiousness that I am in awe.

Deshthiere’s curse upon Arithon and Lysaer is both terrible and perfect. It turns the two powers that defeated and imprisoned it against each other—Light and Shadow—each seeking the other’s annihilation. It’s honestly too sweet of a vengeance!


The heavy prose is challenging, and the writing style took some time to get used to. I constantly find myself rereading passages just to understand what’s being implied. It would be a shame not to, since Janny Wurts' prose is gorgeous, rich, and distinct. I know I would miss out on a lot if I kept letting the words go over my head.

The way she describes a character’s psyche and internal turmoil is unmatched. Arithon, I think, has the potential to become one of the greatest fantasy characters on my list. He has so much depth and so much capacity for empathy—albeit a forced trait in the s’Ffalenn lineage—that ultimately goes against his heart's desires and the hard exterior he has mustered for himself. The last two chapters were momentous, and Arithon’s actions in the battle at Strakewood Forest cemented my respect for his character. Lysaer, on the other hand, is also a sad case. He’s someone I’ve grown to dislike, and I feel bad about it because he has no control over what he’s become.

The Curse of the Mistwraith is not an easy read, not something you can breeze through. It requires the readers patience and full attention. I’d say this is an even harder read for me than when I started reading Gardens of the Moon. Not because of any convoluted plot, the challenge comes from the prose and pacing. Still glad to have discovered this series through my cravings for another epic fantasy similar to Malazan. Though they differ in vibe, the vastness of scope is there and the book doesn’t shy away from the horrors of war. Overall, a worthy and rewarding read! 
Cursed Bunny by Bora Chung

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4.25

I really did not expect to enjoy all the 10 stories, after all, like in many short story collections, only a few truly shine while the rest often fall flat. So Bora Chung’s Cursed Bunny is for me, a rarity. 

Each one of these stories serves as metaphor and/or allegory for the injustices and toxic culture existing not only in the Korean/Asian setting but in contemporary society as a whole. 

Some stories are predictable, some take a rather bizarre turn but there’s always a cyclic pattern in the end. In retrospect, the endings are one in all, ominous and sinister. There’s always some part of the monster - both literal and figurative - that survives and lives on, quite possibly repeating the same horrifying and tragic tales. My favorite and perhaps the most impressive story in the collection, Scars is a good example. Was the youth finally freed of It or did he become It? 

In a Booker Prize Podcast Episode discussion of the  book, it was mentioned that during an interview with Chung she was asked about the overall theme and what message she wants to send with these stories to which she replied, “The theme is: I’m so scared, I’m so confused. I don’t know what is going on.” Amongst the stories, The Frozen Finger, fits that bill perfectly and amazingly, encapsulated my overall reading experience as well. 

The dread is when something is not quite right or finding oneself in a surreal situation where nothing quite makes sense and you don’t know what’s coming. However the true horror lies in the stark reflection of reality found within the strange world of Cursed Bunny.
Devil Venerable Also Wants to Know [魔尊也想知道] by 青色羽翼, Cyan Wings

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adventurous funny lighthearted reflective medium-paced

4.5

Such a terrific, fun read! It's been quite some time since I've come across a novel, danmei or otherwise, that had me laughing so much. Each chapter is just as good as the last one. The overall plot is brilliant, it’s original, no dull fillers or unnecessary story arcs. 

I love how surprisingly profound the perspective on the cultivation world is in this novel. It is a great introduction for those curious about how cultivation works. How the concept of dual cultivation, the art of plucking and replenishing makes so much sense to me now. It also covers the different stages, realms, paths of cultivation as well as some of the principles and ideologies behind it. Also love how it highlights the thin line separating the ‘righteous’ and ‘demonic’ sects. Though on the surface they appear as polar opposites - in ways of teaching, techniques, and principles - they ultimately both seek power from the cosmos, one through deception and the other through outright theft, that’s why those heavenly retributions also make sense. 

While this may seem like a light, slow-burn romance danmei on the front, there's a wealth of interesting themes, elements and philosophy to unpack here—from the unique fantastical setting of the cultivation world to the character dynamics and motivations. And did I mention that it’s a story about a book being isekai’d /transmigrated to their character’s world, a trashing of popular stallion harem novel plot while also dabbling a little bit on multiverse and parallel worlds? Yes, there’s plenty to appreciate and love about this novel. 

The characters here truly shine. They are what make this novel so damn fun. For once, the shizun/disciple (technically it’s more of a master or mentor/subordinate dynamic) is actually wholesome and loving. The way their relationship progressed feels very natural.

Wenren E who has become a favorite of mine is one of the most decisive, clear-headed (except in matters of love), logical man I’ve ever known in all of danmei. He’s a little too overpowered but plot-wise, not unreasonably so when the cultivation goal is virtually boundless. Think you’ve leveled up? Powerful enough? Immortal enough? Well, think again, there’s more to go, realms to surpass! 

Yin Hanjiang on the other hand is a character that grows on you. He might not be likeable at first but be sure he’s crazy adorable. More precisely, crazy and adorable. Wenren E’s silent, unhinged, loyal puppy. 

Zhongli Qian? Best boi. Best Altar Master. Too competent. MVP. Sexy brain. Employee of the year. Relationship coach, therapist. No way Xuanyuan Sect could’ve held it together without him. 

The women? Shu Yanyan and Qiu Congxue? They’re just lovely and BADASS. There are a few characters that could match Shu Yanyan. 
She might just be the most dangerous member in Xuanyuan Sect, if not for WenJiang being a power couple. As a seductress she might act innocent and amiable but the real woman inside is cold, cunning, unapologetic, ambitious and greedy. She is 
someone who would probably backstab you for being ugly or kick you down at your most vulnerable. Yet, clever enough to acknowledge her own limits, grovel and beg for forgiveness if she has to and flexible enough to adapt based on the situation. An absolute femme fatale queen, in short. 

Qiu Congxue is no less fun! Hot-headed and ill-tempered ghost cultivator, who may or may not have working brain cells in her skull. Treats her beauty and body less than dirt, would rather wear a full set of bones if it means increasing her power. Her and Shu Yanyan’s shenanigans brought me so much joy. 

Ah, great female side characters are a rarity in BL so thank you so much Cyan Wings and to mourningcrow for the fantastic translation. 

This is a novel I can wholeheartedly recommend to all danmei readers and new readers of the genre. I’d love this to have an official EN book because more people need to know about this gem. The funny blurb gives disservice to the quality of the novel but I know some people picked this up for its silliness so I guess it has its charms.
The Blade Itself by Joe Abercrombie

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adventurous dark funny tense slow-paced

3.5

This isn't my first venture into Abercrombie's works; that would be Best Served Cold, and I remember quite liking it, so I had a rough idea of what to expect. I might have enjoyed this book more had I read it a few years ago, before Malazan. Now, it feels somewhat simplistic, a bit too nice for grimdark. Or my tastes have simply shifted towards darker and grittier epic fantasy.

Nothing much happened here actually and I don’t know if I liked the action-packed goose chase towards the end. I also find the lack of potentially great and well-rounded female characters a bit of a let down. While Ardee and Ferro may undergo character development later on, they aren't particularly likeable to me at the moment. One comes off as a bored, whining lady, supposedly clever yet a generic ‘not-like-other girls’ love interest type to Jezal, the other a feral escaped slave hell bent on revenge which is fine by me so long she has other personality aside from being portrayed as vicious. I liked Glokta’s POV best, the most compelling one for sure. 

All in all, good humor, unique character voices and accessible writing style . If the plot picks up in book two, which I assume it will, then this could be another great read.