mariexlupin's reviews
154 reviews

Eynhallow by Tim McGregor

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challenging dark emotional reflective sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.5

A promising start and a contemplative ending got this book a 2.5. The middle almost got it 0.

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

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dark emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix

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adventurous dark hopeful mysterious 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

3.0

Alien: Covenant by Alan Dean Foster

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adventurous dark tense 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? It's complicated

2.0

While the novelization improves quite a bit from the movie, it has its downsides as well. I loved the chapters that were from David or Walter’s POV. They were truly what kept me listening. I felt that some characters were much improved from getting to see their inner-thoughts - Tennessee and Oram in particular stand out in that regard. I also found some of the horror more compelling in written form than it was in the movie.

That said… the added length nearly made this book a DNF for me. I had to put it down for nearly a week when I read about the reasoning for all members of the ship crew to be couples. And despite some characters flourishing with the addition of seeing their thoughts, others were still incredibly shallow and felt like nothing but fodder for the killing.

I’m still here for the David Behaviour, and that goes a long way for me. Just. Not 8 hours worth.

Be Prepared by Vera Brosgol

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adventurous emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced

4.25

I picked this up at the thrift shop because I related intensely to the expression on the character's face on the cover, haha. The art is super cute and expressive! The story is very relatable, especially if you struggled with fitting in as a kid.

What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher

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dark funny mysterious tense

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

I had a lot of fun reading this. I think overall it was good, I'm looking forward to reading the sequel.

The Fall of the House of Usher by Edgar Allan Poe

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dark mysterious medium-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

2.75

It's a classic, but I enjoy Poe's other stories more. Also, I am pretty sure Roderick and Madeline were... too close.

Winter Tide by Ruthanna Emrys

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 49%.

dark emotional mysterious reflective medium-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

4.75

North American Lake Monsters: Stories by Nathan Ballingrud

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dark reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

It Came from the Closet: Queer Reflections on Horror by Joe Vallese

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emotional informative reflective medium-paced

5.0