husnaibrahim_'s reviews
226 reviews

I've read some fantastic books from this author, and it's disappointing that 'She Can Scream' isn't one of them.

Brooke, the main character, stood out for me. She portrayed a strong female lead and her commitment to protecting other women was commendable. Yet, in her fervor, she tiptoed that thin line between dedication and obsession.

While I understood Brooke's motives, I can't entirely agree with all her choices. And I understood why Luke went along with it all even if I didn’t like it. That’s fine, sometimes we have to let people get involved with the investigation for them to find closure. But taking risks like visiting people you suspect without informing the police is just something I’ll never agree with, a recurring trope in crime fiction that often doesn't sit well with me.

Regarding the victims, particularly Halie, there's a blend of frustration and sympathy. And I’m not one for victim blaming but why would halie go out to meet some boy in the dead of the night when she knows a man is out there targeting young women related to her mum in some way. She might not have thought it but I imagine she should have been too scared to even think of going to meet a boy, especially with the lurking threat in the background. 

Speaking of victim blaming. Luke was a victim himself yet he blamed himself for what happened to his assistant. I didn’t really understand it or why but I guess that’s just how it is sometimes. And the narrative involving Luke's history as a victim and his battle with PTSD felt severely underexplored. His somewhat miraculous improvement through interactions with Brooke didn't seem convincing considering the gravity of PTSD. I’m just not too sure that’s how ptsd works. 

Then there’s the matter of the rapist/killer. I won’t say I expected who it was but i won’t lie that was shocked. I should have been, yet I was disappointed if anything. It just felt a bit lackluster to me. The scenario didn't fit the ideal portrayal of a small-town crime mystery. And this is the problem with some small town crime fiction. The way the killer is revealed should essentially be so well down we wont even have a chance of questioning it. Yet I questioned everything about this one.

Firstly, why was he just running his mouth to Brooke and telling her how he did everything without her even asking? You can say he wanted to brag but that’s not what it felt like. If anything it was stupid. He didn’t feel like a serial killer at all but an amateur. Secondly, why did he have to be the one connected to Brooke’s roommate. I mean come one. If it were to be that way, it should have been better portrayed. Again it felt half assed. And lastly, why did it have to be him?? I mean really? It could have been anyone but him. Because if it were to be someone in his position, it should have been portrayed better than that. 

Maybe I am criticizing this book too much even after knowing it’s one of the first books the author wrote in her carrier. But it’s essentially because of that I am criticizing it and while critiquing, I do consider her growth in subsequent books. I've seen the improvement in her recent writing style, and although this book wasn't my favorite, I still appreciate the author's progress and look forward to her future works. I just wished I enjoyed this book as much as I did the others.  

Ratings can sometimes be a bit tricky. I would have rated this book higher if it weren’t for its ending. 

The suspect was pretty much out in the open from the start; it was set up that way. Because just as we met our male mc/detective, we met our suspect.

I liked the mage aspect of the book. It was nice to add a bit of magical realism to the book. Joan's character was cool too. She was someone who could stand her ground. And I liked Sherringford too. On the other hand, I'm not entirely sure how I felt about their romance, as it felt a bit rushed. The chemistry was evident, so it wasn’t surprising or anything. I just wished we had a bit more time with them. But I guess since the next book in this series is about them too, that’s fine.

Then there's Augustine. He had this slightly creepy vibe, but it strangely fit into the story well. I wouldn't have minded if Joan ended up with him in the long run. I also liked her mother. She might have seemed a bit timid, as Joan described, but considering the societal constraints of middle-class women in that time, things probably weren't easy for her. You earn enough to be important in society yet you still can’t do whatever you want because all your fortune and freedom belongs to your husband who inherits it after marrying you. Then there’s the way she was treated after her marriage, and how she was restricted with his illness and all, it's something worth considering.

But let me tell you, I wasn’t a fan of the ending, at all. The whole confrontation and the duel felt a bit stupid. Why can’t we ever read crime fiction books where the fmc wouldn’t have to risk her life to achieve something at the ending? Why is it always the fmc’s? Why never the others or even the name lead? I get the idea of portraying strong female characters, but it's becoming a bit of a cliche, especially when not executed well, as in this case.

Then dragging her mother into the climax—unnecessary. Why??? Just why? Why couldn’t the author just let her be. Yes it made sense that she’d be involved in it somehow but I didn’t like it because I liked her, because I didn’t see it coming and because it wasn’t necessary. Why should her mother be the one she’ll lose in place of the somewhat abusive father. Isn’t the mother a victim of some sort too? It all just  felt too abrupt and unplanned, especially since her mother wasn't a part of the lead character’s troubles. Idk maybe I’m not being rational about this with all the facts but I just hated it it because it was so last minute. 

All these aside, it's a decent read. The world-building sets up a really intriguing backdrop, and I’m definitely interested in the second book to see how the story takes us to Gregor's noble family.

This story, in its own unique way, intrigued me, but I can't say if I truly enjoyed it, primarily because of the unsettling elements, or if I hated it because of just that.

The source of my unease lies in whether it’s the storyline itself, particularly involving Dr. Alan, or the way in which he tells it.  It's peculiar; his pompous and air of self-importance, making it a bit difficult to warm up to. There's an underlying sense of misogyny, narcissism, and manipulation beneath his logical assessment. Yet, it's equally challenging not to understand why he's this way. This complexity makes me question whether I dislike him in general or just the circumstances in which we find him. 

It was even more surprising that the author was a woman, yet it appears because she’s a woman, she can artfully portray a well-hidden misogynist under the guise of a supposedly progressive man.

Nevertheless, this narrative was interesting. It wasn’t one of those beautifully written or narrated books about the typical tragedies involving women. Instead, it presents Jenny as the somewhat central character, with a cast of strikingly flawed characters, each grappling with their own shortcomings.  The character I connected with most was Tom, his determination in transforming guilt and helplessness into a mission to find his daughter's rapist felt too real and just brutal. However, I'm unsure about my feelings toward him and Charlotte as a couple.

And I wish I had more I could say about Charlotte but I don’t. I can't say I connected with her deeply. I struggled to understand her and her 'two sides,' but I guess some things might be beyond our own individualistic understanding. Just like I couldn't fathom why Dr. Alan said some certain things about his wife. It all leaves a bitter taste.

The revelation that Dr. Alan knew the truth but led us, readers, and Jenny's family to believe he was helping her recover her memories was a bitter twist. Instead of reporting it to the police, which he could have easily done since he had been in contact with them frequently, he allowed this elaborate deception to unfold. No wonder he was so adamant that his son didn’t do it and could have in fact even been the victim. It’s all just so twisted but I guess he found a way to justify that too. Justify what he did to them all and what happened to Bob. I mean it’s just like he said, he was just ‘trying’ not to ‘confuse’ her memories. Yet did exactly that. 

Then there’s the fact that he showed no remorse for his role in what happened to Bob. It was truly unsettling. I mean bob is not a good man that is a fact but Dr Alan is one sick individual. I know we are supposed to understand him and his choices after what we came to know but I just somehow don’t. And I just find it difficult to empathize with him. The empathy is there but not as much as it should have been. The man is just a deeply complicated character.

And this complexity is why I believe this book deserves a good rating. I somehow feel like the author intended for us to feel conflicted, not to actually like Dr. Alan even after everything that unfolds in the book. To somewhat understand his decisions, but also not understand it? To recognize that he needs to see a specialist just as much as Jenny does, and perhaps, in some twisted way, Jenny is his own form of therapy?

It's a complicated story that left me intrigued but also really conflicted, not because it's poorly written, but because it's well-written in its own unique way.

I’ve only read a few bits of poetry so I wasn’t sure how to feel about this one at first but i have to say that i ended up really enjoying it!

I think the complexity of her relationship with her mum was well done. Especially the breaking point in their relationship. That moment when anger and hate tangle with an underlying sense of love—a truly relatable tug-of-war, for the person and you suddenly don’t know if you should react the way your mind is telling you to. 

And the way Aman’s portrayal, wavering between cowardice and personal dilemmas, prompted a shift in perception, making us take a step back from him and subsequently doubt him till you realise that not everything has to be about our main character. Sometimes people don’t make choices for others but for themselves. Who knows what he was dealing with at that time too. 

The simplicity of the characters was what struck me the most. Despite their straightforwardness, the relationships between them were far from simple. It’s a reminder that beneath the surface, things can get pretty complex.

Awesome concept, really nice world building even, but TERRIBLE execution!

This storyline could have been so much better if it weren’t centered around teenagers, particularly John, who at times could be really annoying. He’s erratic, swinging from impulsive and foolish actions to seemingly logical decisions. The incident with the meatballs during lunch is a prime example. He acted irrationally, and then suddenly in the principal’s office, he was composed and refused to clear his name and Sam’s.

And it wasn’t just that; so many situations, like the monkey at the park or the Halloween night fight, the fire at Sarah’s house, kept happening, and John didn’t even confide in Henri about any of them. All because of some girl that he just met a few months prior. Putting his life, Henri’s life and the other six gardes lives in danger. 

So yeah, I just found a lot of things annoying tbh. It’s a real pity because the storyline, especially with the Lorien or alien elements, had immense potential. At least the ending did manage to put some excitement into the plot and prevented me from entirely disliking it.

Unfortunately, I spent too much time trying not to cringe to actually fully enjoy it. And it makes me hesitant about diving into the other books in the series. It’s likely they’ll have similar teenage dynamics that I found hard to enjoy.

One thing is for sure, so many things would and could have been avoided if he just told Henri everything anytime something happened. As Henri rightfully said, ‘We don’t lie to each other.’ And I don’t care if I’m being Sentimental but Henri’s blood, his life, is on his hands. So It’s frustrating to have to overlook this fact in favor of praising John’s supposed acts of bravery or love. Or whatever sick thing we are meant to call it.

I'm still on the fence about how I truly feel about this book. It didn't quite hit the mark for me. Some stories did catch my interest, like the one about the author travelling to work on Mars and the story of the Nigerian girl from Lagos. These particular narratives resonated with me, perhaps because I, too, am a writer, and hail from Nigeria.

I'm not convinced that the issue for me lies in having multiple short stories tho. Instead, it might be in how they were all organized? Perhaps it would be wise for me to explore other books in this series from countries that feel more familiar to me first, giving me a chance to settle into the storytelling style before diving into new settings.

Sometimes you pick up a book, and it just won’t let you go. The kind that doesn’t force you to take a breather, especially when the main characters are teens, because they can be unusually irrational. Thankfully, “The Night Tiger” is not one of those reads.

Because I found myself completely immersed in this book, finishing it in less than a day, driven by a mix of anxiety, curiosity and some serious questions. And after a while, the questions began to pile up. Was Ren’s first master really a weretiger, or were those stories merely cautionary tales told to scare the kids at night? to keep them from reckless and foolish nighttime adventures? Because at some point, the stories seemed oddly convincing, especially given Ren’s vivid flashbacks and the creepy tales Shin (xin) and Zi Lin (zhi lin) were told at the cemetery. Plus, there’s the whole deal with Yi, Ren’s twin, and his dream encounters with Zhi Lin.

All of this had me on the edge of my seat, anxious to figure out the mysteries. What would happen when Ren nearly crossed over, and who amongst them could possibly be the Li? So when we finally reached the ending and, and it wasn't who i suspected, I couldn't help but think I should have seen it coming, especially with the unintentional hints dropped by William.

Then, there’s the weird case of the missing fingers and the string of strange deaths linked to the hospital and Dr. William Acton. Why were so many people associated with the hospital meeting untimely ends? And how did Zhi Lin and Shin fit into the puzzle?

Speaking of Zhi Lin and Shin, their relationship was truly a rollercoaster of emotions for me. It had me all jittery and sometimes uncomfortable, but also weirdly thrilled? The complexity of their dynamic had me pondering throughout, and by the end, I was eager to see how they’d work it out and how their parents would react. So I was happy with Zhi Lin’s decision to seek her own path in life. It was a really commendable and wise choice.

I also feel the strength of this book lies in the portrayal of its young characters. Although the characters are still in their teenage years, they somehow showcase a sort of maturity that makes the story all the more engaging. It skillfully avoids the usual cringe-worthy and irrational teenage behaviors, and that just made it a more tolerable read. So yeah i really enjoyed this book and I wish there was a sequel, honestly. 

I mean, picturing these characters navigating a new life in Singapore is pretty intriguing, especially Ren, who I totally adored for his innocence and hard work. He’s just so young and doesn’t always get all those adult social cues. It was really endearing. It was also great to see Ah Long and Dr. Acton trying not to smother him with explanations, but instead just letting him be a kid and grow up in his own way. They were honestly decent older figures.

Yet, they weren’t perfect. Especially Dr. William Acton's, with his somewhat predatory behavior. He was a decent doctor and "master," but there was an uncomfortable side to him. He appears to have an inclination to pursue just local girls especially, with whom he had some form of authority. This behavior included a wandering eye and hand, essentially casting a shadow over the dynamics of all those relationships of his. Sure, you could argue that they were all willing participants, except for Zhi Lin—also known as Louise, of course. But this highlights the obvious issue of the unequal power dynamics. What’s even more ironic is that the one woman who he couldn’t seem to shake off, seemed to hold some sort of power over him in almost every situation involving him. She also played a predatory role in their relationship, and a bigger one at that, so the long line of women he got involved with obviously stood no chance against her. Neither did he. This part just put me off.

However, I will say that I always appreciate it when authors are intentional in their storytelling. She was very intentional of her portrayal of them both. Plus the scene at the end with Ren serving Lydia and William tea was really brilliant, with all those unspoken implications. The author doesn't outright spell it out for the reader but allows us to understand the scene's significance and what it means for all three characters without them even knowing or realizing it. Yet, they all still get what they seemingly deserved. Nothing in this book felt like filler, and I just loved it for that!

So, while this book might not have a sequel in the works, I’m already looking forward to “The Ghost Bride” since it’s mentioned here and has some ties to Ah Long’s story.

I can finally admit to myself that I didn't like this book as much as I had hoped. 

The first book ended on a high note, and I had expected the sequel to guide us gently down from that peak, but instead, it felt like an unending rollercoaster. Just rising and falling with no signs of eventually slowing down. And then we were eventually brought to an unsatisfactory stop. 

The pacing was all over the place, and the narrative felt cluttered with an onslaught of new characters and an abundance of clans to comprehend all at once, leaving the storyline feeling a bit scattered.

In the first book, I really Serapio and Xiala, both individually and together. But in this one, we barely see them together, or even at all. While I liked Serapio's character, I wished he'd taken a different approach. But it’s understandable that he finds it hard and he can’t help it. And It’s tough, I get it plus she’s eager to find Serapio, but Xiala just didn’t do it for me this time. Similarly, my feelings toward Iktan mirrored this; it’s like they both started positively in the first book, but my sentiments changed as the narrative in this one progressed. 

Strangely enough, Naranpa, who irritated me a bit in the first book, turned out to be my favorite character here. Unfortunately, Okoa left me somewhat disappointed. I had hoped for more from hi , but I guess it's understandable that loyalties can be difficult to navigate. Now, I’m mostly rooting for Serapio and Naranpa, whether they rule together or separately. And I find this shift in focus on my part both conflicting and disappointing. And I'm unsure if this outcome is what the author se out to achieve.

Nevertheless, I known I will undoubtedly read the next book in the series. My curiosity about Serapio's reign and the potential return of Naranpa to join forces with him is just too strong to resist.

The first thing I thought, when I started this book was, 'What a complicated yet fascinating family.' Though they may be an Indian family, their dynamics could easily mirror those of an old and affluent West African family living in a village. Their combination of shrewdness and affection was just too familiar and truly interesting.

I found the pacing of the book and the way the plot unfolded to be quite enjoyable. It held my interest from start to finish, as I honestly never expected the ending to be what it turned out to be. While, in hindsight, I should have seen the ending coming, as it was hinted by the significance of  the church, the altar, and the wheelchair, it still managed to surprise me. 

As a devoted reader of crime fiction, I often prefer stories that allow us readers to gradually piece together the case alongside the investigator. So, it's quite unusual for me to enjoy a narrative where we remain in the dark, with only crumbs of clues scattered along the way for us to figure out .

Yet, with this particular story, the narrative style worked exceptionally well. Even though part of me wished it didn't. I wanted something or someone to be mad at, other than myself, for not foreseeing the ending. Nonetheless, this story has piqued my interest in checking out the other books in the series because I genuinely liked Athreya, the central character, who didn’t quite feel like one.