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zsabella's reviews
136 reviews
The Devotion of Suspect X by Keigo Higashino
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I gotta apologize for the low rating that will eventually go to the next mystery novel I pick up after eating up this psychologically thrilling, reverse whodunnit because I already KNOW it will not be as elegantly crafted as this. and with characters and dialogue this memorable I’m convinced this would be an AMAZING movie adaptation in the right hands.
reading the last couple chapters of this feels like watching a slow reveal of one of the best magical illusions you’ve ever seen. you’re desperate to know how all the elements came together so carefully, but then feel instant regret seeing the illusion shattered and find out exactly how/why it worked on you. the last “big” reveal and that ending will haunt me forever. but if I need to satisfy a mystery craving I know exactly what series to reach for now! 🫶🏼
reading the last couple chapters of this feels like watching a slow reveal of one of the best magical illusions you’ve ever seen. you’re desperate to know how all the elements came together so carefully, but then feel instant regret seeing the illusion shattered and find out exactly how/why it worked on you. the last “big” reveal and that ending will haunt me forever. but if I need to satisfy a mystery craving I know exactly what series to reach for now! 🫶🏼
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Stalking, Suicide attempt, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Cancer, Misogyny, and Self harm
Several People Are Typing by Calvin Kasulke
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I promise the BEST way to read this is to go in without knowing anything more than the simple premise of “guy gets uploaded into slack and can’t leave”. it is one of those books that’s extremely of its time/place, but the plot ticks along so smoothly. it’s genuinely the most fun you could have reading a lite horror workplace story 🧹👀
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death and Confinement
The Wood at Midwinter by Susanna Clarke
mysterious
reflective
fast-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
2.0
The Lies of the Ajungo by Moses Ose Utomi
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
lies of the ajungo is a prime example of a great premise, but unusual execution. I liked the first half of this a lot more than the second. but there were so many key plot developments that occur I’m honestly puzzled why the author wanted to pack this much into a tiny novella less than 100 pages. I would’ve happily read more about asilah, lami, funme, and tutu’s return even if it meant the length had to be doubled! I might wait for the final book to be released later this year before continuing on.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death and Death of parent
Home: Habitat, Range, Niche, Territory by Martha Wells
emotional
reflective
fast-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? N/A
3.5
Exit Strategy by Martha Wells
adventurous
emotional
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
3.5
for such short novellas these pack the right blend of action, humor, and emotional payoff I’ve been really craving from standalone stories these days. absolutely loved the focus on the reunion between murderbot and dr. mensah 🥺
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Violence
Rogue Protocol by Martha Wells
adventurous
funny
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
a tiny step down from artificial condition, but another couple hours spent in murderbot’s world never feels like time wasted to me. and if you’ll excuse me, I too need to withdraw to have an emotion in private over the ending 🥲
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Violence
Minor: Grief
Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
He found himself asking, was there any point in being alive without helping one another?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement
Moderate: Child abuse and Abandonment
Minor: Xenophobia and Vomit
Between Two Fires by Christopher Buehlman
challenging
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I really wanted to like this, but my interest fizzled out after part 2. I admire the author’s enthusiasm for medieval history and the creative energy he put into researching the cultural and religious aspects of 14th century france, but this felt like him rushing to cram history, fantasy, and religious horror together in a way I didn’t find very effective. the premise is so cool and ambitious, but sadly wasn’t engaged by the characters or story.
the writing isn’t awful, but the confusing dialogue/POV nagged me. buehlman randomly switches between first names, full names, titles, or no names of new and core characters which was so distracting! as for the horror, I think the genre’s tropes work best when we get to dwell on them and build a sense of dread, so I was surprised to read that each scary scene wraps up pretty neatly by the end of its chapter. you could read most of the chapters with scares and fever dream sequences out of order without messing up the sense of continuity. but if you don’t care about chapters feeling like vignettes it might not bother you as much as it did me… on to the next I guess 🥲
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual assault, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Cursing, Homophobia, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual content, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, Vomit, Antisemitism, and War
The Nutcracker by Alexandre Dumas
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0