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sarai0410's reviews
323 reviews
The Fall of the House of Usher by Edgar Allan Poe
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The September House by Carissa Orlando
Margaret is a character that I related to in a way that I was no expecting. While she repeatedly tells herself that 'everything is survivable' in relation to her own life, she has no expectation, and rather strongly expresses her feelings towards, of her daughter experiencing or putting up with the same reality she is in.
The ending, while feeling somewhat rushed, was really sealed it for me.As Margaret, and the reader, got closer and closer to the end of September, the nature of Margaret's experience in the house comes into question with Katherine suspecting that her mother is possibly experiencing a mental breakdown or early-onset dementia, a condition it seems that Margaret's father suffered from as well. This realization within the story felt like a true 'oh shit' moment for me as I started to actually question whether the happenings and pranksters within the house were real or if this was truly a figment of Margaret's mind. In the scene with the police officers and Katherine questioning Margaret about what she 'thinks' she is seeing and experiencing, they had convinced her she was mentally ill - this felt so reminiscent of people not believing someone in an abusive situation - all of a sudden, Margaret is questioning herself and reality, when she knows deep down what is happening. Of course, as with those experiencing abuse, the outsiders (Katherine and the officers) only believed Margaret regarding the haunting in her home once they had to experience it themselves, and had no choice but to believe. Everything about this was just so well done - I couldn't have asked for more from this story.
dark
emotional
funny
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? Yes
5.0
As a thriller/horror newbie, The September House, while containing creepy elements and body horror, is the perfect introduction to the genre. The characters, both corporeal and incorporeal, were stunningly crafted, evoking emotions ranging from compassion and contentment to anger.
The way in which Orlando used the haunted house setting as an analogy for living within an abusive relationship was powerful. In the scenarios that Margaret shared with the reader as the story unfolded, her reactions, coping methods, the rules she created for herself, and the line in the sand she drew (Katherine) felt so hauntingly real. There were several times throughout the story that I had to take a moment due to my own history with the topic, but everything was done so well that it didn't deter from my enjoyment of the story at all.
The way in which Orlando used the haunted house setting as an analogy for living within an abusive relationship was powerful. In the scenarios that Margaret shared with the reader as the story unfolded, her reactions, coping methods, the rules she created for herself, and the line in the sand she drew (Katherine) felt so hauntingly real. There were several times throughout the story that I had to take a moment due to my own history with the topic, but everything was done so well that it didn't deter from my enjoyment of the story at all.
He would apologize the next day of course, but I could never blame him. It became harder to believe that he was speaking nonsense.
Margaret is a character that I related to in a way that I was no expecting. While she repeatedly tells herself that 'everything is survivable' in relation to her own life, she has no expectation, and rather strongly expresses her feelings towards, of her daughter experiencing or putting up with the same reality she is in.
I would twist my life into a line that pointed towards something worthwhile for myself, for Katherine, even if it killed me.
The ending, while feeling somewhat rushed, was really sealed it for me.
It's a funny thing about being alone. You never really notice it when it's happening. Of course, you're aware that nobody else is there, but you are so busy with the little things. You've become acclimated to solitude, but it only takes on little thing to jolt you into the realization that for the past several years, you have been completely alone in all this.
The Cursed by Harper L. Woods
dark
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
2.0
What... what was that? I didn't have high hopes going into this after reading The Coven, but I did have enough hope that it would be better than what it was so I'm disappointed. The plot and pacing were questionable at best, the relationships Willow has with Gray and her 'friends' are about as deep as a 1 inch of water, and the ending...what the hell was that ending??
The plot was already struggling up to the 80% mark, and then we get an entirely new plot when the book is almost over? In a duology??
This could have been such a great duology, but sadly the execution was poor.
The plot was already struggling up to the 80% mark, and then we get an entirely new plot when the book is almost over? In a duology??
This could have been such a great duology, but sadly the execution was poor.
Vlad III Dracula: The Life and Times of the Historical Dracula by Kurt Treptow
dark
slow-paced
2.5
While this book was well researched and written, I was expecting more from it in terms of examining Vlad's personality, personal life, and the history behind the legend from an individual perspective rather than a political one.
Bound in Blood by Johnny Mains
Each was uniquely written and creepy in their own ways, highlighting the dark side of books.
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75
I don't typically venture into short story collection/anthologies, but when I saw this in the library, I just had to pick it up - in part due to the ominous title and it being spooky season, but also because I spotted A.G. Slatter on the contributing authors list and absolutely love their work.
The collection overall was enjoyable, with some hits and misses. My top four of the collection (in order as written in the book) are:
The collection overall was enjoyable, with some hits and misses. My top four of the collection (in order as written in the book) are:
- Whatever Remains After You Leave Me by Eric LaRocca
- Choose Your Own Adventure by Nadia Bulkin
- The Witch's Pillow Book by Priya Sharma
- Bell, Book and Lamp by A.G. Slatter
Each was uniquely written and creepy in their own ways, highlighting the dark side of books.
The Coven by Harper L. Woods
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I think I enjoyed this. I say think because while I enjoyed the world-building, characters, and plot, I felt like it could have been so much more had the author expanded on everything just a bit more. The world was fascinating, but everything felt very surface level and I couldn't quite get into the story without more information. Very much the same with the characters; while I liked Willow and Gray's interactions, their relationship didn't give much in terms of why they were so drawn to each other.
The trigger warnings given for this book had my expectations at a different level and unfortunately, those elements fell flat (yes, I went into this because of the trigger warnings..sue me).
The ending of The Coven does have me interested enough to go into the sequel, The Cursed, but my expectations are low, sadly.
The trigger warnings given for this book had my expectations at a different level and unfortunately, those elements fell flat (yes, I went into this because of the trigger warnings..sue me).
The ending of The Coven does have me interested enough to go into the sequel, The Cursed, but my expectations are low, sadly.
How Can I Help You by Laura Sims
While I don't mind an open-ended story, the climax and the end were within the span of 5 pages and left the ending so wide open that it was hard to believe it was actually the end. One thing I did like was the connection to thefire between Margo's supposed start to her fascination in death (again, the fire incident from her childhood was never expanded on so this is just speculation) and Patricia's (maybe) entrance into her own fascination with death and murder.
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Idk... This was fine, I guess? While the premise and characters were interesting, it felt entirely too short and we really could have used more time to develop the character's connection and build on the backstory of Margo.
Ultimately, I was left with too many questions to feel that the story was fully fleshed out.
Ultimately, I was left with too many questions to feel that the story was fully fleshed out.
What led Margo to her odd obsession with death and 'helping people'? What was the origin of the fire from her childhood? Did she have a hand in starting the fire? How did she get to that point? What made Margo and Patricia so obsessed with one another? It felt so unrealistic and forced for the plot.
While I don't mind an open-ended story, the climax and the end were within the span of 5 pages and left the ending so wide open that it was hard to believe it was actually the end. One thing I did like was the connection to the
Sign Here by Claudia Lux
I'm obsessed. I was nervous to go into Sign Here because I wasn't sure how far into the Horror genre this was going to lean, but this toed the line between multiple genres and creepy-levels so flawlessly that it feels like the perfect thriller/horror-adjacent book for scaredy cats like myself.
With multiple-POVs, each with its own flavor and personality, this book is a super fast read that had me hooked from the beginning. The way Lux weaved the interconnecting plot between characters was thrilling, and even if I could see some twists coming, I was not disappointed in the slightest because the writing was phenomenal - both hilarious and putting me on edge simultaneously.
The commentary throughout the book on family, expectations for others and ourselves, and the inevitable end was so well done - I could have highlighted 70% of the book with how many good quotes there were sprinkled throughout.
And the ending - perfection, chef's kiss, 10 stars.The way Peyote worked his ass off to get out of hell and in the end realizing that it was worth because of the family that would eventually come from his daughter, OMG I couldn't have asked for a better ending.
dark
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Never debilitating, but very unpleasant. That's our comfort zone.
I'm obsessed. I was nervous to go into Sign Here because I wasn't sure how far into the Horror genre this was going to lean, but this toed the line between multiple genres and creepy-levels so flawlessly that it feels like the perfect thriller/horror-adjacent book for scaredy cats like myself.
With multiple-POVs, each with its own flavor and personality, this book is a super fast read that had me hooked from the beginning. The way Lux weaved the interconnecting plot between characters was thrilling, and even if I could see some twists coming, I was not disappointed in the slightest because the writing was phenomenal - both hilarious and putting me on edge simultaneously.
The commentary throughout the book on family, expectations for others and ourselves, and the inevitable end was so well done - I could have highlighted 70% of the book with how many good quotes there were sprinkled throughout.
And the ending - perfection, chef's kiss, 10 stars.
After loss, love is never the same. That is not to say you won’t love another, maybe even more than ever before. But as you love them, you will mourn them. You’ll try not to, of course. Try to say, “You never know.” But you do. You know. And every inch gained in flight is an inch added to the fall.
She saw food and thought instantly about what it would become inside of her. The whole thing was disgusting. But then she had children and, for the first time, she saw her body itself as powerful. Before that, she believed her body's only power was in the currency its shape gave her, which made her worth something to the strong. It wasn't until she brought her children into the world through nothing but her body's force that she realized she could be strong herself.
On the Way to the Wedding by Julia Quinn
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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? Yes
4.0
If there is one thing that I have learned in reading the Bridgerton series, it's that I can always trust Julia Quinn to craft a story that is parts heartwarming, heartbreaking, and humorous - all at the same time. I had been putting off reading On the Way to the Wedding - Gregory's story for months because I was so sad to see the series end. After finishing the book (and series) I am both overjoyed and devastated.
Throughout the series, we've seen bits of Gregory's character peak through in the lives of his siblings, and I've always been curious how his view on love had been shaped by seeing his siblings find happiness with their spouses. I absolutely adore how fully Gregory believes in love, so certain that he will find that for himself one day. His personality felt like such a combination of his siblings that I could find parts of all of them in his thoughts, interactions, and beliefs.
I truly enjoyed watching his story with Lady Lucinda unfold; him realizing where his heart truly lies (like Anthony and Kate), witnessing his slow fall into a comfortable love (so similar to Colin and Penelope's story) while also doing all he can to fight for her (so much like Benedict and Sophie). Lucy was an amazing character and I felt like her Type A personality fit so well with Gregory who opens his arms to the chaos around him. The plot of the story kept me on my toes and I was truly shocked whenshe actually married Lord Haselby and when her uncle was reveled to be guilty of treason and not her father.
I would have loved for more time with Gregory and Lucy spending time together before the event, but the story was so beautiful that it feels wrong to complain.
P.S. I love Violet - she's such an amazing character and I adore her interactions with her children and just having her on the page feels like a warm hug.
P.S.S. I love that the shooting abilities of the siblings is so prevalent in the series - Eloise being the best and Gregory being the worst makes me happier than it should.
Throughout the series, we've seen bits of Gregory's character peak through in the lives of his siblings, and I've always been curious how his view on love had been shaped by seeing his siblings find happiness with their spouses. I absolutely adore how fully Gregory believes in love, so certain that he will find that for himself one day. His personality felt like such a combination of his siblings that I could find parts of all of them in his thoughts, interactions, and beliefs.
I truly enjoyed watching his story with Lady Lucinda unfold; him realizing where his heart truly lies (like Anthony and Kate), witnessing his slow fall into a comfortable love (so similar to Colin and Penelope's story) while also doing all he can to fight for her (so much like Benedict and Sophie). Lucy was an amazing character and I felt like her Type A personality fit so well with Gregory who opens his arms to the chaos around him. The plot of the story kept me on my toes and I was truly shocked when
I would have loved for more time with Gregory and Lucy spending time together before the event, but the story was so beautiful that it feels wrong to complain.
P.S. I love Violet - she's such an amazing character and I adore her interactions with her children and just having her on the page feels like a warm hug.
P.S.S. I love that the shooting abilities of the siblings is so prevalent in the series - Eloise being the best and Gregory being the worst makes me happier than it should.
But mostly, he kissed her because … Because … He smiled, taking her head in his hands and letting his nose rest against hers. “I love you, you know.” She smiled back. “I know.” And he finally realized why he was going to kiss her again. Just because.
He thought she was beautiful. Love existed, he thought to himself. And it was grand. He smiled. Nine times grand. Which was very grand, indeed.
Jujutsu Kaisen, Vol. 19 by Gege Akutami
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Megumi you beast.