Take a photo of a barcode or cover
hydecircus's reviews
53 reviews
The Lottery and Other Stories: 75th Anniversary Edition by Shirley Jackson
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jackson writes human beings like prey animals
Roadside Picnic by Arkady Strugatsky, Boris Strugatsky
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-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
4.5
An absolute masterclass in fitting strong character and worldbuilding into incredibly short segments. We only catch Red for glimpses of his life but the impact of him on the audience is so tangible.
Harrow the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir
emotional
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
Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
War and Peace: 3-Volume Boxed Set by Leo Tolstoy
challenging
slow-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
4.0
I don't know what I can add about this book that hasn't already been said. I guess I would say this book definitely deserves its place in the classics (not that anyone is disputing that), but the second epilogue was actually so boring and repetitive i did want to kill myself a little.
Sacred And Terrible Air by Robert Kurvitz
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-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
3.75
I really don't think it would be possible for me to understand anything in this book without prior knowledge of the world from Disco Elysium. Also found the ending a bit confusing and unsatisfying, however with the knowledge that this was meant to be the first book in a series I feel I can give it a pass for that.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Drug use, Pedophilia, and Murder
The Angel of Indian Lake by Stephen Graham Jones
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I'm going to miss Jade forever she truely is one of the best protagonists in the world to me. I know "we can't pick our genre" but I am sad she and Letha didn't get together, but at least we got confirmation that Jade is into women and honestly who knows what the future holds for them... But God. What a final installment. I love how well this book balances so many different types of killers at once and yet ties it all together in the end... Oh Jade... I'll miss you forever.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Racism, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Incest, Grief, Car accident, Alcohol, Colonisation, and Classism
Frankenstein in Baghdad by Ahmed Saadawi
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke
funny
mysterious
reflective
slow-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
4.5
I understand than a 800 page fantasy novel can be difficult for people to get into but my good friend Stephen Black who is the best character ever written makes it all worth it.