dagoth_ur's reviews
118 reviews

Did not finish book.

preface, I was tired (and maybe a bit under an influence) I wrote this, I remember nothing of this book now so I can't really say if all of it was pulled out of nowhere or if I had a random stroke of memory, so take this review with a grain of salt (or a whole salt shaker for that mater) I plan on rereading this book soon as I have matured and read more of murakamis works
This is just a very long rant. (also some mild spoilers I'm putting it here instead of blocking each individual one because that would have been a lot of typing out)

Unenjoyable forgot the exact point where I stopped but I stopped right after the cat part.
Normal things were drawn out
Extremely graphic but in a way where it is unnecessary
Why where there so weird mentions of male genitalia that it doesn't even pertain to the plot of the book? also weird and random mentions of boobs?
Murakami, please learn how periods work, they don't start from being aroused please I'm begging you to do some research or talk to a woman about it.
On the topic of women, women are terribly written in this book, like the apartment scene, most women I know would just be like "ew bro go the bathroom" HE IS 15 MOST ADULT WOMEN (most people in general actually regardless of gender) WOULD NOT DO THAT.
sex scenes were weird and awkward but mabey that is because I'm not really into that stuff so i wont judge it too much
I actually really liked Nakata, I found him interesting but I love cats too much that one scene (if you know you know) just made me stop reading it. but if this book was only Nakata I would have probably finished this book.
I did also like the mystery with the kids and the teacher up until the part where she talks about her dreams and her period for reasons I have already mentioned.
I think this book was just not for me I really wanted to like it but I think it's an acquired taste because I did like the absurdist elements and I really liked the philosophy stuff but it just wasn't enough for me to keep reading it. I get the appeal but it just wasn't for me.

Content Warnings

A Journey of the Heart by Catherine M. Wilson

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adventurous emotional reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

I love seeing Tamras develop as a character,
I also really enjoy seeing Maara develop
Vintel is a very interesting character
About the same pace as the first book, with just a little more intrigue
I like how maara and Tamra's relationship doesn't start right away and it is eased into.

Content Warnings

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

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adventurous 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? It's complicated

4.25

Ok, I'm gonna split this review into two parts first part is what I think immediately after reading the book, the second part will be a little more thought through, im not really well versed in sci-fi (hoping to change that soon) so I don't have much to compare it to. This review is also just gonna be a bunch of bullet points because im bad at writing.
FIRST PART

I enjoyed this book!
The science stuff was easy to understand (for the most part)
I loved rocky so much.
I didn't really like the main dude that much up until
he decided to send the beetles and save Rocky
sometimes the story felt plot convenient.

SECOND PART
Not much different from my first thoughts, I read some other reviews and watch some reviews I noticed a few more things,

pretty similar to the martin
I liked this more than the martin (right now the Martin is at a five on my page, im prolly gonna change that to 3.75)
Ryland grace is kinda a gray sue, I think that was what I didn't really like about him at first I thought it was just because I thought he was annoying but some other reviews made me realize the word of it.
I REALLY wanted to see more Stratt, I liked her sometimes she felt like a stereotypical scientist character but I tend to like those types of characters.
I love rocky, really words cannot put how much I loved him
I wish Ryland's sadness about his cremates death was more dwelt upon, but I guess he didn't actually spend that much time with them but id be brawling like a baby.
Im really glad Rsyland and Stratt weren't a thing thank dear God that would have been weird
The ending felt rushed.
I liked the pace.