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allmight's reviews
299 reviews
Hungerstone by Kat Dunn
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
Thank you to the publisher, Zando, and NetGalley for the advanced copy.
This is a story of hunger. Of making yourself small, ignoring your wants and needs to only please someone else, and then finding out that they do not appreciate you and your sacrifices. This is a story of the anger that arises from that and a hunger that feels like starving when you have ignored your own wants for so long. This is also a story about misogyny, both internal and external. It is also a story, as with Dunn's last book, Bitterthorn, of loneliness and how debilitating it can be, how desperate it can make you.
This story is not a faithful retelling of Carmilla. It is more of a complete reimagining that has taken inspiration from other gothic books of the time. It is also not that well-paced. It takes a long time for things to happen, and it's also somewhat repetitive in the middle.
This is also not a traditional vampire story. There's one scene where Carmilla possibly drinks blood from Lenore and another where she refuses to walk on sacred ground, but the vampire aspect is left for the reader to interpret. So if you want "explicit" vampire content, this is most likely not a book for you. Carmilla is more about hunger and desire. She awakens that in women, often in grotesque and gruesome ways. She is perhaps a manifestation of what vampires truly represent in literature.
She is both entrancing and repulsive, and her relationship with Lenore goes from disgust to want in rapid succession. I personally wanted more scenes with them, and more relationship development, although I realise it was not really the focus of this book. This book is more about Lenore, herself.
The setting is very typical of gothic literature. A crumbling mansion in the middle of the moors, isolated and resistant to being fixed.
Beyond Lenore's relationship with Carmilla, there is no other representation.
Four stars due to the slow pacing, otherwise the rating would perhaps be higher.
This is a story of hunger. Of making yourself small, ignoring your wants and needs to only please someone else, and then finding out that they do not appreciate you and your sacrifices. This is a story of the anger that arises from that and a hunger that feels like starving when you have ignored your own wants for so long. This is also a story about misogyny, both internal and external. It is also a story, as with Dunn's last book, Bitterthorn, of loneliness and how debilitating it can be, how desperate it can make you.
This story is not a faithful retelling of Carmilla. It is more of a complete reimagining that has taken inspiration from other gothic books of the time. It is also not that well-paced. It takes a long time for things to happen, and it's also somewhat repetitive in the middle.
This is also not a traditional vampire story. There's one scene where Carmilla possibly drinks blood from Lenore and another where she refuses to walk on sacred ground, but the vampire aspect is left for the reader to interpret. So if you want "explicit" vampire content, this is most likely not a book for you. Carmilla is more about hunger and desire. She awakens that in women, often in grotesque and gruesome ways. She is perhaps a manifestation of what vampires truly represent in literature.
She is both entrancing and repulsive, and her relationship with Lenore goes from disgust to want in rapid succession. I personally wanted more scenes with them, and more relationship development, although I realise it was not really the focus of this book. This book is more about Lenore, herself.
The setting is very typical of gothic literature. A crumbling mansion in the middle of the moors, isolated and resistant to being fixed.
Beyond Lenore's relationship with Carmilla, there is no other representation.
Four stars due to the slow pacing, otherwise the rating would perhaps be higher.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infertility, Misogyny, and Cannibalism
Little Rot by Akwaeke Emezi
2.5
I have to marinate on my thoughts on this one. Lots of icky sex, so be forewarned.
The Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkien
5.0
5 stars because I love lord of the rings so much. Andy Serkins is a wonderful narrator. I would have liked the stories to be interwoven instead of being told in separate volumes, but that's all.
Earthlings by Sayaka Murata
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
To be honest, not sure what to rate this. It was such a proper weird book that I'm kinda lost for words. 4 stars for the vibes. What you'll find: exploration of trauma and bodily autonomy, criticism of society and societal standards.
Warning: there is rather explicit scene of a child being sexually assaulted.
Warning: there is rather explicit scene of a child being sexually assaulted.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pedophilia, Rape, and Cannibalism
I'll Be Gone for Christmas by Georgia K. Boone
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
This needed to be a longer book, the two romances didn't have time to develop within such a short page count. It was all a bit too insta-lovey for me. I didn't really get a good grasp on the characters and why they fell in love. I would have liked more on the relationship between the twins, it seemed an interesting dynamic to explore. However, it was a very lighthearted, feel-good read, so I had a good enough time to rate it 3 stars.
Starling House by Alix E. Harrow
4.5
Very beautiful prose and atmospheric setting. Loved the sentient house, it was my favourite character.
The book has a very flawed fmc who is willing to do anything for her brother, but forgot to ask her brother what he wanted. She can be dislikeable because of that, but I found myself liking her, flaws and all.
This book has footnotes and has sections where a character is being told a story, which might bother some readers. Personally it did not affect my reading experience.
Finally a romance that's not insta-love and where the people involved aren't the hottest two people to ever exists.
The book has a very flawed fmc who is willing to do anything for her brother, but forgot to ask her brother what he wanted. She can be dislikeable because of that, but I found myself liking her, flaws and all.
This book has footnotes and has sections where a character is being told a story, which might bother some readers. Personally it did not affect my reading experience.
Finally a romance that's not insta-love and where the people involved aren't the hottest two people to ever exists.