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dannilmp's reviews
63 reviews
No Less The Devil by Stuart MacBride
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
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
5.0
This isn't my first Stuart MacBride read, and, considering the ending of this one; I'm very glad it wasn't! We are introduced to Lucy McVeigh, and her sidekick, the Dunk. I found this pair to be quite entertaining, with Lucy's take on life, compared to the Dunk's political comments.
Focussing on the plot, we follow a serial killer case which has reached a dead end after 17 months, and a new development is needed to help break the case, which seems to be Lucy's strong point. While it was intriguing to follow through the logical points and the evidence, I think the interest (for me personally) came more from Lucy's character. Cleary there is more to this police officer than meets the eye...
While I can agree, looking at other reviews, that the last 20% of the book or thereabouts, certainly seemed more unhinged and took the book in a completly different direction to the focus being on the Bloodsmith; that this character development and the closer look into the psyche held my interest. A reread of this will defintely be intersting, as the points revelaed at the end of the book could be more easily noticed throughout, once you know what you're looking for.
A thought provoking ending as well, coupled with the Scottish humour and dialect (well written and readable in the text) makes this one of my favourite MacBride books, alongside Halfheads. There are questions about the ending that I will likely keep turning over for a little while, espeically as there are other peoples fates to ponder as well...
Focussing on the plot, we follow a serial killer case which has reached a dead end after 17 months, and a new development is needed to help break the case, which seems to be Lucy's strong point. While it was intriguing to follow through the logical points and the evidence, I think the interest (for me personally) came more from Lucy's character. Cleary there is more to this police officer than meets the eye...
While I can agree, looking at other reviews, that the last 20% of the book or thereabouts, certainly seemed more unhinged and took the book in a completly different direction to the focus being on the Bloodsmith; that this character development and the closer look into the psyche held my interest. A reread of this will defintely be intersting, as the points revelaed at the end of the book could be more easily noticed throughout, once you know what you're looking for.
A thought provoking ending as well, coupled with the Scottish humour and dialect (well written and readable in the text) makes this one of my favourite MacBride books, alongside Halfheads. There are questions about the ending that I will likely keep turning over for a little while, espeically as there are other peoples fates to ponder as well...
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Blood, Kidnapping, Stalking, and Murder
Moderate: Vomit
Minor: Domestic abuse and Pregnancy
Surrounded by Idiots: The Four Types of Human Behavior and How to Effectively Communicate with Each in Business (and in Life) by Thomas Erikson
informative
slow-paced
3.75
This was an interesting introduction to human communication and personality types. An informative but easy to understand read and presented simply but effectively. I'm looking forward to going through the further reading section and seeing what I find.
Mermaids Never Drown: Tales to Dive For by Natalie C. Parker, Zoraida Córdova
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-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? It's complicated
4.25
Anthologies are not a genre I tend to pick up but the cover and the focus being mermaids really caught my eye! I felt this book gave a lot of different insights into mermaids, sea dwelling creatures and variation to the typical disney sort of ideal of mermaid.
My only complaint is that I could have happily read the majority of these tales as full length books and was left wanting more, this is a gripe I have with most short stories though. I have to say my favourites were Storm Song by Rebecca Coffindaffer and The First and Last Kiss by Julie Murphy. Storm Song offered - to me - a new take on a siren's song that I hadn't considered before, while The First and Last Kiss made me long for a full revenge tale for a wrong commited against a sibling.
My only complaint is that I could have happily read the majority of these tales as full length books and was left wanting more, this is a gripe I have with most short stories though. I have to say my favourites were Storm Song by Rebecca Coffindaffer and The First and Last Kiss by Julie Murphy. Storm Song offered - to me - a new take on a siren's song that I hadn't considered before, while The First and Last Kiss made me long for a full revenge tale for a wrong commited against a sibling.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Body horror, Gore, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Blood
Mindwalker by Kate Dylan
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I haven't read a fast paced book in quite a while and Mindwalker did not disappoint! It felt very reminiscent of the times I spent rereading The Hunger Games triology or the Divergent trilogy. I felt Mindwalker offered a more futuristic esq version of a dystopian YA novel.
I adored the complexity and levels of detail to the characters, their personalities and backstories. Adding to this was the constant train of thought of 'how would I deal with such a world' and 'do I think technology should be developed and used in this way'. Those questions and the constant pondering meant I kept thinking about this book long after I had finished those final pages.
My only personal disappointment was with the ending itself, it felt a little too all things fall perfectly together for our main protagonists and I would have prefered the ending to have been a little bit more gritty and dark, fitting with the overall tone and theme of the rest of the book. I am looking forward to reading the sequel though.
I adored the complexity and levels of detail to the characters, their personalities and backstories. Adding to this was the constant train of thought of 'how would I deal with such a world' and 'do I think technology should be developed and used in this way'. Those questions and the constant pondering meant I kept thinking about this book long after I had finished those final pages.
My only personal disappointment was with the ending itself, it felt a little too all things fall perfectly together for our main protagonists and I would have prefered the ending to have been a little bit more gritty and dark, fitting with the overall tone and theme of the rest of the book. I am looking forward to reading the sequel though.
Sofia Khan is Not Obliged by Ayisha Malik
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
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? It's complicated
3.25
This was a book I picked up for the Storygraph read around the world challenge, and not a book that would have caught my eye usually. Typically I don't read many contemporary romance stories and while this one did have its quirks, it hasn't drastically changed my opinion on the genre.
While I enjoyed the focus of a romance story not being centred around a white british character this time, I just didn't find these sets of characters or their life stories particulary enjoyable to read about. The topics of conversation, the worries these girls share and their views and opinions on men just didn't click with me at all.
It wasn't an entirely shame of a read though and I did like the ending of the story, but felt it wasn't really all that realistic a scenario in real life, but then romance novels have always felt that way to me.
While I enjoyed the focus of a romance story not being centred around a white british character this time, I just didn't find these sets of characters or their life stories particulary enjoyable to read about. The topics of conversation, the worries these girls share and their views and opinions on men just didn't click with me at all.
It wasn't an entirely shame of a read though and I did like the ending of the story, but felt it wasn't really all that realistic a scenario in real life, but then romance novels have always felt that way to me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Islamophobia
The Tattoo Murder by Akimitsu Takagi
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The Tattoo Murder offers a good mental challenge while reading if you want to try and solve both the locked room mystery and the murder itself. I found the concept of someone murdering in order to steal body art interesting, as well as the detail and explanation that went into both the murder itself and the social views around tattoos at the time period as well.
While I had zero expectations of being able to solve the locked room mystery, I was quite suprised by how detailed the mystery was and I felt unless you really knew about Japanese house construction, it would have been nearly impossible to solve how the room remained locked.
This was a good book and an enjoyable read, including the time I spent trying to construct the timeline of the murder! I was able to work out the murderer but only just before the big reveal itself. While this was a good book, now that I know who the murderer is, I would not read it again, hence the three star review.
While I had zero expectations of being able to solve the locked room mystery, I was quite suprised by how detailed the mystery was and I felt unless you really knew about Japanese house construction, it would have been nearly impossible to solve how the room remained locked.
This was a good book and an enjoyable read, including the time I spent trying to construct the timeline of the murder! I was able to work out the murderer but only just before the big reveal itself. While this was a good book, now that I know who the murderer is, I would not read it again, hence the three star review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Mental illness
Minor: Sexual content
I'm Travelling Alone by Samuel Bjørk
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This was a gripping story, certainly with your typical not run of the mill cops with their own loads of baggage each and a view that some rules are just guidelines, but they will stop at nothing to get the job done! I would not recommend this book if you are averse to child murder or murder descriptions as this story does not shy away from those.
Going through Holger and Mia's story and getting to know them better was a good read. I especially enjoyed seeing how Mia's brain works and how she comes to her conclusions, but the story did make her feel a little bit like a supercomputer rather than human. The ending to this book seemed fitting with all the characters fates and I enjoyed how the end section of the story linked back to the beginning in a way.
Admittedly, sometimes I did get confused about who we were following, why we were following and what their importance was to the rest of the story, especially regarding the two young boys and the wood cult, for lack of a better term.
Going through Holger and Mia's story and getting to know them better was a good read. I especially enjoyed seeing how Mia's brain works and how she comes to her conclusions, but the story did make her feel a little bit like a supercomputer rather than human. The ending to this book seemed fitting with all the characters fates and I enjoyed how the end section of the story linked back to the beginning in a way.
Admittedly, sometimes I did get confused about who we were following, why we were following and what their importance was to the rest of the story, especially regarding the two young boys and the wood cult, for lack of a better term.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Injury/Injury detail
La Belle Sauvage by Philip Pullman
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
While La Belle Sauvage was a good story in itself and I enjoyed the connection back to the His Dark materials set, I must admit it has been a while since I read the original trilogy so I cannot remember the importance of a character named Malcom. I enjoyed watching Malcom mature through the decisions and trials that he faces.
I still think this series maintains a level of mysticism similar to the original trilogy, however I think a re-read of the His Dark Materials set would be needed for me to make any more solid connections, but more details about the compasses and how they work was intriguing. Moreover, I think reading this book just made me pine for the original, as these hold a special place in my heart.
There was one small little section of this book that made me raise an eyebrow and it would be the minior reference to pedophilia, I did not see the neccessity of such a dark inclusion within the book. The story would have been the same without the mention, but the fact it was there threw me off slightly. I'm hoping for no similar references in later books in this new series.
I still think this series maintains a level of mysticism similar to the original trilogy, however I think a re-read of the His Dark Materials set would be needed for me to make any more solid connections, but more details about the compasses and how they work was intriguing. Moreover, I think reading this book just made me pine for the original, as these hold a special place in my heart.
There was one small little section of this book that made me raise an eyebrow and it would be the minior reference to pedophilia, I did not see the neccessity of such a dark inclusion within the book. The story would have been the same without the mention, but the fact it was there threw me off slightly. I'm hoping for no similar references in later books in this new series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Pedophilia
The Dragon's Promise by Elizabeth Lim
challenging
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
While I think this is a decent expansion on the story of Six Crimson Cranes, this book may not have necessarily needed writing but I think offered a fitting conclusion to Raikaima's part of the story.
I found the determination that Shiori goes through to fufill her stepmother's wish touching and a level of growth and maturity in Shiori that I don't think you would see in most older teenagers. However, the new characters we were introduced to didn't hold my attention as much, the dragons seemed a little lackluster and I found I didn't really care for their politics or their ruling, or even their realm in general.
Putting these criticisms to one side, I found the ending of this book to be satisying if not a little bittersweet between Shiori and her love. It felt like a fitting use of mythology to inspire this ending, and I am very much looking forward to reading the prequel book following Raikaima's early life.
I found the determination that Shiori goes through to fufill her stepmother's wish touching and a level of growth and maturity in Shiori that I don't think you would see in most older teenagers. However, the new characters we were introduced to didn't hold my attention as much, the dragons seemed a little lackluster and I found I didn't really care for their politics or their ruling, or even their realm in general.
Putting these criticisms to one side, I found the ending of this book to be satisying if not a little bittersweet between Shiori and her love. It felt like a fitting use of mythology to inspire this ending, and I am very much looking forward to reading the prequel book following Raikaima's early life.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, and Grief
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
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
4.5
Six Crimson Cranes is based on real world mythology, which is exactly why I picked this book up and I don't feel I was disappointed in any way. We follow a young princess, exiled from home and cursed by her own wicked stepmother as she tries to keep her family together as one.
This is a feel good story and comes to a satisfying conclusion following a whole colourful cast of magical individuals with different abilities, strenghts and weaknesses. If I had to fault anything, it would be that Shiori's behaviour did occasionally get on my nerves but then again she is a young adult and is going to have those personality traits that aren't so glamorous.
This is a feel good story and comes to a satisfying conclusion following a whole colourful cast of magical individuals with different abilities, strenghts and weaknesses. If I had to fault anything, it would be that Shiori's behaviour did occasionally get on my nerves but then again she is a young adult and is going to have those personality traits that aren't so glamorous.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Animal death and Violence
Minor: War