pastelhellion's reviews
132 reviews

Perfume: The Story of a Murderer by Patrick Süskind

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challenging dark funny 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

4.75

Süskind's descriptions are so spot-on that I felt I was a bystander watching the events unfold. The voice of the narrator, the characters all so unique and individualised. Grenouille is such a freaky lil creep.  The ending was a bit lacklustre, but I can't think of how else it could/may have ended. 
Everything You Ever Wanted by Luiza Sauma

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dark emotional funny reflective sad tense 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

4.75

This was beautiful, the best thing I've read in a while. I really resonated with the main character - her thoughts and feelings, wishing you could just run away from everything and everyone to a different planet. 

The second half of the book is a masterclass in dread and the slowly creeping realisation that things are falling apart and the dream isn't as glossy. 
This Skin Was Once Mine and Other Disturbances by Eric LaRocca

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dark mysterious tense medium-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

4.75

Delightfully devilish collection of short stories. I only wish they were a bit longer. Will definitely be picking up more of LaRocca's work.
Study for Obedience by Sarah Bernstein

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challenging dark mysterious tense slow-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? Yes

3.0

I left this feeling confused, I'm not quite sure how else to put it. An interesting read, although the narrator tends to use overly-complicated and flowery language at times. I did relate to a lot of her experiences though.
Rise of Dracula by Rich Davis

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dark funny mysterious tense fast-paced

3.25

Again, choppy like the first instalment but less so which was an improvement! A lot of characters to follow without fleshing many of them out which was a shame. Looking forward to the next instalment.
Cult of Dracula by Rich Davis

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dark mysterious tense fast-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

3.25

I found it a bit choppy at times - the timeline skips around a bit and can be a bit difficult to follow. 

However, the art is fantastic. I only wish it was a bit longer to expand on the backstory a bit more. 
Carmilla: The First Vampire by Amy Chu

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adventurous dark mysterious tense 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? Yes

4.0

Beautiful art, it's an absolutely gorgeous graphic novel. However, I feel it's a bit rushed. I think it could've been fleshed out a bit more. But still an entertaining read!
Before We Say Goodbye by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

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emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective sad 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? It's complicated

4.25

You can't have a lady go back in time to meet her deceased pet and not have me bawl my eyes out. 

Another great instalment, although chronologically it's set before the previous two books.
Before Your Memory Fades by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

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emotional hopeful lighthearted sad 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? It's complicated

4.25

Ending absolutely ripped my heart out. Kawaguchi is so talented at expressing grief and loss.
Tales from the Café by Toshikazu Kawaguchi

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emotional hopeful lighthearted sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

Toshikazu Kawaguchi how dare you? I was crying so hard it was difficult to read the last few pages. He manages to put so much love and heart into these characters, in such a short amount of pages. Beautiful book.