vn_reads's reviews
42 reviews

Little Gods by Meng Jin

emotional reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

3.0

Little Gods’ writing style was beautiful. The words were lyrical and flowed on the pages. The story itself was okay for me. Didn’t love it, but was still a decent read. 

A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess

challenging dark sad medium-paced

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

2.75

My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell

challenging dark emotional reflective sad tense medium-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? Yes

5.0

As much as I want to be upset with the ending I can’t be. The ending I feel encompassed Vanessa’s character through and through. 

While My Dark Vanessa is hard to read thematically, Vanessa is such a well written character. She grips you into her story and makes you feel the confusion, pain, anxiety and overall trauma she’s constantly struggling with and trying to understand. The inner battle she has with herself makes you feel for her, while also making your blood boil with the way she’s constantly manipulated. 

For a debut novel with such strong and hard material to write about, Kate Elizabeth Russell has a way of showcasing the complexities that come with being abused and the aftermath of how it can affect a person. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, and Gaslighting

The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

3.5

Although the plot twist was pretty obvious, there are some things I liked about The Silent Patient like the style and pace. Reading into Alicia’s diary was probably my favorite part. Wasn’t really a fan of the ending though or how it felt like the book was being a little rushed towards the second half to reveal the plot twist. 

Poor Things by Alasdair Gray

challenging dark funny medium-paced

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

4.0

I loved how Poor Things ended with Bella’s letter. That was what really did it for me as this book felt mostly sexist but then feminist with that letter. Disturbing and weird, I could not put it down. I also love that the film adaptation didn’t necessarily follow the book letting me enjoy both pieces. 

Pedro Páramo by Juan Rulfo

challenging dark emotional medium-paced

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

3.0

Although a fairly short read, it did take a while to get through as it definitely took time to understand. Often had to stop and really think about what I had just read to out the pieces together. I can see how and why Pedro Páramo is such an important piece of literature. If you have the patience, definitely recommend to read at least once. 

The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride

dark emotional sad tense 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? Yes

4.25

Although there are a number of characters in this story, not one did I ever feel overwhelmed. McBride carefully crafted each character making them part of the bigger puzzle that ultimately comes together in the end.

 Thought provoking, full of rich characters ,and storytelling that allows you to picture the town and people in your mind as you read. Truly a historical fiction gem. 

Wake, Siren: Ovid Resung by Nina MacLaughlin

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.75

Wake, Siren is trigger warnings galore. The first half was a real gut punch with some stories hard to get through. As you move on from story to story though it feels like at one point the voices kind of blend together and you don’t really get the feeling of every story having an individual voice. 

Also the flowing between these tragic lyrical stories to more modern day telling was a bit jarring and don’t think the modern day worked for some stories. Overall it was a powerful read though. 

Harry Potter y la Piedra Filosofal by J.K. Rowling

adventurous funny lighthearted medium-paced

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

4.0

Nature by Ralph Waldo Emerson

challenging informative reflective medium-paced

3.0