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orangewitchling's reviews
82 reviews
Craft: Stories I Wrote for the Devil by Ananda Lima
Did not finish book. Stopped at 62%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 62%.
I tried, I truly tried, but I couldn’t figure out what kind of horror stories these were. I truly don’t think these are horror at all, there was a hint of cannibalism and a possible haunting, but they felt more like metaphors for mental health and family trauma.
The whole “author” and “devil” as characters premise was interesting, but everything in the book felt disconnected and if there was a double meaning to them, I couldn’t figure it out.
There were some references about the fears and struggles of being an immigrant, which I hoped it would be explored more in the depth, but the stories and characters felt half-cooked.
The writing style was not linear and the stories were convoluted like the author couldn’t make up their mind about what they wanted to convey, which was frustrating as a reader. I think the premise was interesting and the stories with more development could’ve been great, but I was too busy being confused to actually enjoy them and at the end I was frustrated so DNF.
The whole “author” and “devil” as characters premise was interesting, but everything in the book felt disconnected and if there was a double meaning to them, I couldn’t figure it out.
There were some references about the fears and struggles of being an immigrant, which I hoped it would be explored more in the depth, but the stories and characters felt half-cooked.
The writing style was not linear and the stories were convoluted like the author couldn’t make up their mind about what they wanted to convey, which was frustrating as a reader. I think the premise was interesting and the stories with more development could’ve been great, but I was too busy being confused to actually enjoy them and at the end I was frustrated so DNF.
Shoko's Smile by Choi Eunyoung
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
This has to be one of the best books I’ve ever read, the writing style fit so well the stories. Initially I thought it was slow paced until I understood the writing approach and I think it’s genius.
The stories are not related, the characters are from different generations and age groups; but the stories show an emotional and mental trip of their human experience through specific historical events.
I was bawling my eyes out and the emotional experience felt real and relatable as a reader and an outsider to Korean history. I learned so much about the events that the book touched on and I can’t wait to read more from this author.
The stories are not related, the characters are from different generations and age groups; but the stories show an emotional and mental trip of their human experience through specific historical events.
I was bawling my eyes out and the emotional experience felt real and relatable as a reader and an outsider to Korean history. I learned so much about the events that the book touched on and I can’t wait to read more from this author.
Black Sheep by Rachel Harrison
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This is the creepiest of all the books I’ve read from this author, but it was comfy horror in my opinion. I found the plot entertaining, even though it was triggering at times.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, and Gaslighting
Ink Blood Sister Scribe by Emma Törzs
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
It was an entertaining read, I liked the overall plot and the writing was fairly good. I wasn’t super invested in the characters, except Nicholas who found funny and confident in a self-deprecating way. The other characters weren’t bad, just not developed to their full potential. Specially Joanna and Collins, who were supporting characters disguising as contributing main characters. I appreciate I didn’t have to eye roll their “love story” because it was left in the start of an attraction and potential of more. This was a comfy thriller that I wouldn’t mind readings a follow up story, but it’s perfectly fine as a standalone.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Grief, Murder, Gaslighting, and Classism
Tales from the Café by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
5.0
Before We Say Goodbye by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
5.0
Before We Forget Kindness by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
sad
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? It's complicated
5.0
Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
5.0
This book is heartbreakingly beautiful, it explores human emotions and relationships with each short story. It’s one of those books that all short stories are tied but they are not dependent of each other so it can be read at leisure.
I don’t cry easily with books or movies so imagine my shock when I cried with almost every other story. I’m reading the rest of the book series and I plan to reread.
I don’t cry easily with books or movies so imagine my shock when I cried with almost every other story. I’m reading the rest of the book series and I plan to reread.
Death Valley by Melissa Broder
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This book is an exploration of grief, emotional imbalance and fear. It’s incredibly funny in a dark sarcastic way that makes it more palatable and easier to deal with, in that way is believable because personally, dark humor and sarcasm are my preferred coping mechanism. I related to this book and it felt like I was the one going through.
I will be reading it again because I don’t think it’s the kind of book that can be read once and shelved.
I will be reading it again because I don’t think it’s the kind of book that can be read once and shelved.
Lapvona by Ottessa Moshfegh
challenging
dark
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Incredibly triggering book! I wanted to throw up on several descriptions, not because they were descriptive, but because the writing style was emotionally disconnected to how triggering the situation described was.
It was a masterpiece in a very dark way, because the writing style was disconnected but it sold the story. It felt almost like a subconscious newscast on the character and the story.
There was no well defined main character, but the plot revolved around certain characters whilst providing the perspective of those characters and other supporting characters in an equal unemotional manner.
I think it’s a worthy read, it was an exploration of humanity in my opinion and I kinda loved reading it, but I don’t think it’s the kind of book that everyone should read until they are ready.
It was a masterpiece in a very dark way, because the writing style was disconnected but it sold the story. It felt almost like a subconscious newscast on the character and the story.
There was no well defined main character, but the plot revolved around certain characters whilst providing the perspective of those characters and other supporting characters in an equal unemotional manner.
I think it’s a worthy read, it was an exploration of humanity in my opinion and I kinda loved reading it, but I don’t think it’s the kind of book that everyone should read until they are ready.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gore, Infidelity, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Slavery, Excrement, Grief, Cannibalism, Religious bigotry, Abortion, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Classism, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Believe the reviews, this is not an easy read nor should be read if you are easily triggered.