thisbookbelongstopam's reviews
320 reviews

Frankenstein: Junji Ito Story Collection by Junji Ito, Junji Ito

dark mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

5.0

The Unmothers by Leslie J. Anderson

dark mysterious slow-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? It's complicated

3.0

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

adventurous funny mysterious fast-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? Yes

4.25

Open Water by Caleb Azumah Nelson

emotional reflective sad slow-paced

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

4.5

We Used to Live Here by Marcus Kliewer

mysterious tense medium-paced

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

5.0

there's honestly no way to talk about this book without spoiling it (the synopsis happens at the very first page of the book) but i will say—this book does a great job at immersion. the mixed media and hidden clues really get you into the mindset of "am i reading this right???" 

the "true plot" was so slippery throughout this book and it definitely did a great job at gaslighting me and what i thought was happening in the book HAHAHAHA

A Curse for True Love by Stephanie Garber

adventurous emotional hopeful fast-paced

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

3.0

Ladykiller by Katherine Wood

mysterious relaxing slow-paced

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

3.25

mystery/thriller books always felt like autumn books to me but this one is 100% summer vibes. i really enjoyed all the Greek island imagery, the mediterranean lifestyle, Greek food, etc. The sharp contrast between the setting and the thriller plot kept me interested.

it started out quite intriguing and i enjoyed the domestic thriller it was going for in the beginning. there was a clear favorite between the two POVs—Abby's chapters was so devoid of excitement while Gia's Manuscript read like a thriller movie. 

i appreciate what the ending tried to do but I thought it lacked conviction. It's more of a fizzling out rather than a mic drop.

The Ballad of Never After by Stephanie Garber

adventurous mysterious fast-paced

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

4.0

honestly, 4🌟 for that bold ending, period

Ballad of Never After carries on with the magical and whimsical world and storytelling which i truly enjoy. This one felt even more storybook-esque with tales of the different Great Houses and the mysterious rise and fall of the Valors. i found myself truly curious and wanting to find out the true story.

Eva is, at this point, is irredeemable to me. she is still whiny and makes stupid decisions left, right and center. i've just learned to live with it 😆 Jacks is his usual infuriating self, always hot and cold, which i'm sure is a lot of people's (me included) guilty pleasure. 

but i don't read this series for great character development or even the plot. it's all about the ~vibes~ and it definitely delivered on that. i did not expect the ending to unfold the way it did and i applaud the audacity. it definitely left me wanting to read the next book ASAP so it did the job!

Fragments of Horror by Junji Ito

dark fast-paced

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

3.75

my first junji ito! i thought this was a good taste test and introduction to junji ito’s works.

each short story felt like a complete thought and had horrific illustration to match. the most horrific one for sure was the story featured in the cover, Tomio Red Turtleneck. I almost threw my tablet when the

cockroach

made an appearance 🤮 

i also enjoyed Whispering Money and Gentle Goodbye. I thought the ideas were really interesting and I would honestly read a longer story with those  concepts. 

Magami Nanakuse gave me the ick a bit though 🙃

There seems to be a recurring element of “femme fatales” / women being the evil/horrific character in the stories.

Noli me tangere by José Rizal

challenging informative mysterious reflective sad slow-paced

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

4.5