I dunno. Vita Nostra is one of my all-time favorite books. This one is mind-bending and has interesting moments, but overall I just couldn't get 3,5/5
I dunno. Vita Nostra is one of my all-time favorite books. This one is mind-bending and has interesting moments, but overall I just couldn't get into it as strongly as I hoped I would.
Merged review:
3,5/5
I dunno. Vita Nostra is one of my all-time favorite books. This one is mind-bending and has interesting moments, but overall I just couldn't get into it as strongly as I hoped I would....more
A solid cosmic horror novella. Nothing extraordinary, but I liked the atmosphere and the growing sense of unease. Things that didn't speak to me and rA solid cosmic horror novella. Nothing extraordinary, but I liked the atmosphere and the growing sense of unease. Things that didn't speak to me and resulted in a 3* rating are spoilers, so I'll stop right now....more
Fast-paced and quick to read/listen to. Quite fun as long as you don't think about what's happening on the page. Fast-paced and quick to read/listen to. Quite fun as long as you don't think about what's happening on the page. ...more
In the Shadow of Their Dying is such an evocative title. It suggests a story that touches themes of mortality. But whose dying the title refers to?
WeIn the Shadow of Their Dying is such an evocative title. It suggests a story that touches themes of mortality. But whose dying the title refers to?
Well, everyone’s, of course. It’s Fletcher’s and Smith Spark’s book, after all. And if they specialize in anything, it’s in beautifully written death, chaos, and mayhem.
The narrative almost literally swims in blood and gore. In hands of lesser authors it could have easily turned into something gratuitous. Here, though, it’s visceral and immersive. Definitely dark, but also sad, despite excellently timed moments of humor.
The story unfolds in a city under siege where the third-best (available) assassin, Tash, takes on a job to kill the king. Things go south when it turns out named Iananr is guarding the king's chambers. Calling the demon bloodthirsty would be an understatement of the year. Yet, its chapters are poetically brutal and expertly written by Anna.
Tash’s POV carries Fletcher’s trademark dark humor and wit, and the combination of the two makes the novella a treat to follow. The pace is breakneck, and with everything constantly in motion, there's never a dull moment.
I won't dive into the plot or characters too much—it's a novella that zips by, and all the reveals come in due time. Suffice it to say that both authors have done a stellar job with the concept of the attacked city, and people acting petty for monetary gain despite their reality crumbling around them.
Iananr's point of view is something else, a unique experience that takes you on a wild, gore-soaked ride. If you enjoy dark fantasy and concise storytelling, do yourself a favor and pick up this book. Just be prepared to see your “goremeter” explode. ...more
Home is supposed to be the place that makes you feel safe, not the place you need to run away from, right? Not in Nestlings. Ana and Reid had a rough Home is supposed to be the place that makes you feel safe, not the place you need to run away from, right? Not in Nestlings. Ana and Reid had a rough year. Ana, paralyzed following a complicated birth, is struggling with motherhood and her marriage. Reid hates his job and can’t fully embrace his new role as father, wife’s caregiver, and sole breadwinner.
Then they win a housing lottery and get a chance to live in one of the luxury apartments at the famed Deptford building, known for its rich inhabitants. Luck, finally? It would be if not for creepy things happening in the building. And their new apartment. It turns out apartment building horror is a thing and it’s particularly claustrophobic and unnerving.
I enjoyed the slow-burn nature of horror in Nestlings. Cassidy built up the tension and made me feel on edge most of the time. I do enjoy a slow but steady building of dread, that "something's not quite right here" feeling.
The horror never felt gratuitous, it was more about the mood. Mysterious creatures inhabiting the building aren’t vampires, not exactly. Their existence predates Christian folklore, so they’re immune to religious artifacts like crosses. They’re also quite seductive and more interesting than the story’s protagonists.
This last sentence contains my only small criticism of the story - neither Reid nor Anna are likable, relatable, or interesting. They’re just regular folks whose circumstances went from bad to worse. Anna resents her daughter and suffers from grief and postpartum depression. I think it was written believably and with lots of research. Reid’s behavior was justified, too. They’re both well-written and believable characters. But, honestly speaking, near the end of the book I simply wished Anna to be shredded to pieces. Did it happen? Can’t tell you because of spoilers.
If you’re out to read about odd buildings and you like the creeping sense of dread, then Nestlings is a book you want in your hands, ASAP! ...more
The story revolves around two childhood friends, Afton and Sydney, after Afton was convicted of killing Sydney's father. Two decades ago, Afton stabbeThe story revolves around two childhood friends, Afton and Sydney, after Afton was convicted of killing Sydney's father. Two decades ago, Afton stabbed her mother's lover, Coach Rick Carson, claiming a blackout. Reduced to voluntary manslaughter by her public defender, Afton struggles with mental health, while Sydney deals with a troubled marriage.
A million lottery win adds a twist, but Afton's reality isn't necessarily the reality others live in.
The final twist is solid (though not shocking) and since the book is rather short and well-paced it's devorable in one or two sittings.
Format: Audiobook, at 2 x speed. The narrator does a great job here....more
Simply amazing. Verloc Nim wakes up in a molten crater. He remembers nothing about his past and must learn about it from a journal given to him b4.5/5
Simply amazing. Verloc Nim wakes up in a molten crater. He remembers nothing about his past and must learn about it from a journal given to him by a cigar-smoking robot gorilla named Churchill. The journal reveals how Verloc’s younger brother, Conrad, found him and took to an isolated experimental colony at the edge of the cosmos. As they reach their destination, Conrad's true intentions and Verloc's role in the unfolding events become clearer.
I’m a huge fan of loss of memory scenarios. You have to know your history to know who you are. Once you lose it, you have to reshape yourself. Also, from a storytelling standpoint, it’s an efficient way to hook the reader at the beginning of the story. It certainly captivated me!
I loved Aama for many reasons - the art is stunning, the writing strong, and the characters likable. The plot gets thrillingly bizarre the further it progresses and the art aligns with evolutionary marvels imagined by Peeters. Verloc’s journey is mixed with dreams and visions, which are fascinating (graphically and thematically).
In Aama, Peeters imagined a scientific society, which had replaced the worship of intangible gods with the worship of technology, networks, and communication. Humans are wirelessly connected through implants, yet Verloc deliberately lives without this connection, adapting better to the solitude on the uninhabited planet Ona(ji).
The main story revolves around Verloc’s uneasy past with his ex-lover and their mute daughter, whom he is now banned from seeing. He shares the near-impossible challenges faced when choosing to have a human baby in a society favoring 'progress' over such ideas.
The art is sensational, and Peeters’ portrayal of the planet and various bioforms awed me with its imagination and rich palette of colors and lights.
If you’re looking for a wonderfully imaginative futurism with strong writing and a focus on familial bonds and (in a way) spirituality, you can’t go wrong with it.
PS: The story is also available in English in four volumes. It seems the collected edition is available only in French....more
Whoa, it's surprisingly dark. It begins with Carolanne, happily married and pregnant. After a while, Hetland takes readers into the past to illus3.5/5
Whoa, it's surprisingly dark. It begins with Carolanne, happily married and pregnant. After a while, Hetland takes readers into the past to illustrate how the idyllics started. It's during this journey that you realize things aren't what they seem on the surface, or in the Instagram posts so important to the protagonist. The narrative is told with simplicity and good timing.
Carolanne is obsessed with an image of a perfect, happy life and yearns to control the uncontrollable. Once she experiences a devastating loss, the story transforms into one of obsession and body horror. It's a quick yet engaging read, well-crafted and compelling.
Yasira Shien’s future looked bright. She had a girlfriend, her peers praised her brilliant mind. She even created a world-changing energy drive. 3.5/5
Yasira Shien’s future looked bright. She had a girlfriend, her peers praised her brilliant mind. She even created a world-changing energy drive. But it malfunctioned, and, once activated, destroyed a space station and everyone on it. Oopsie.
The AI Gods weren’t thrilled, abducted Yasira to offer her mercy in exchange for finding her mentor, who posed a great threat to the galaxy. Yasira accepted. Things went south soon after.
I would describe The Outside as a space opera that plays with cosmic horror elements. It also stands on its own with a self-contained plot and a strong resolution. The ending sees major characters committing themselves to one side. There are two more books in the series, but if you decide to stop after The Outside, you’ll get a resolution (of sorts), anyway.
Fans of intricate world-building will find plenty to love here. Hoffmann’s universe feels expansive and comes with diverse cultures, advanced technologies, and cosmic mysteries. Theological speculation clashes with science and makes the setting unique. The exploration of post-singularity societies and their interactions with ancient, god-like entities is rather fascinating, too.
The character development in The Outside is strong, too. Yasira, an autistic prodigy, comes as relatable and likable. Her mentor is a fascinating figure, and “Angels”, particularly one of them are equally well-drawn. To say their relationships are dynamic, would be an understatement. Unfortunately, I didn’t find Yasira memorable - for a supposed genius on a spectrum, she often acted like an emotional mess with little agenda. That changed, obviously, but I admit I found her mentor and future adversary more interesting than her.
The Outside ambitious scope may be both a strength and weakness. I think some readers may feel challenged by the density of the material and concepts it explores. The pacing occasionally slows down and the sense of urgency disappears. Those seeking a more fast-paced and action-driven experience will find some here, but perhaps less than desired....more
A group of friends entertains the idea of earning extra cash by cooking meth. They decide to do it in desolate caves. Things don't end well for t3.5/5
A group of friends entertains the idea of earning extra cash by cooking meth. They decide to do it in desolate caves. Things don't end well for them.
It was a fun, gory, and brutal take on vampires. Not without humor or a nice twist here and there. I generally liked it but with reservations. It overuses certain tropes like a genius in a group followed by predators decides to separate from others.
In all, though, it's fun and quick to read....more
Retired spies, secrets from the past, great pacing. I had lots of fun listening to the audiobook version of this one and if the sequel is published I'Retired spies, secrets from the past, great pacing. I had lots of fun listening to the audiobook version of this one and if the sequel is published I'll be the first in line to read it....more
"I Am AI" is a novelette that plays with big questions. Jiang plays with the idea of humans turning to automation for convenience and asks how mu3.5/5
"I Am AI" is a novelette that plays with big questions. Jiang plays with the idea of humans turning to automation for convenience and asks how much people would change if given the chance.
Ai is a sympathetic character with a simple goal – helping her struggling community in a world that values productivity. Ai starts off seeming human but it's not entirely true. She's human enough, though, to differentiate her texts from AI-created ones. The sad thing is her world doesn't appreciate creatives and expects them to meet insane deadlines.
While the themes hit hard, especially nowadays, the story feels a bit incomplete. It reads more like a commentary than a full narrative, told through the eyes of someone aware of losing themselves.
I'm glad I've read it and I'm happy some readers found here layers of depth I haven't reached. For me - it's a solid novelette that delivers good themes and concise writing but not compelling characters. ...more
That's how you write dark and twisted. I read Flynn's Darl Places earlier this year and loved it. Gone Girl is equally good. Highly recommended.That's how you write dark and twisted. I read Flynn's Darl Places earlier this year and loved it. Gone Girl is equally good. Highly recommended....more
It's not flawless, but it's beautiful. In short, Daniel Warren Johnson at his best.
The story combines pulpy, violent, and over-the-top elements 4.5/5
It's not flawless, but it's beautiful. In short, Daniel Warren Johnson at his best.
The story combines pulpy, violent, and over-the-top elements with the ridiculous and heartfelt. The end result is as close to perfection as you can get in the comic book medium. Highly recommended for anyone seeking an excellent story about family, grief, love, and wrestling :)...more
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