pastelhellion's reviews
132 reviews

Before the Coffee Gets Cold 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? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

Such a beautiful book. I fell in love with each of the characters in such a few pages. The only issues I have are with a bit too much repetition in places, but it doesn't take away from the stories too much.
Among the Trolls by Marianna Spring

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challenging emotional funny informative reflective medium-paced

4.75

An extremely interesting deep-dive into the world of online trolls, vitriol and conspiracy theories - that are more relevant and prevalent than ever. 

Marianna Spring not only sheds light on these issues, but shares the people on both sides of the screen - those affected by conspiracy theories and those peddling them, and humanising both. Really excellent, I highly recommend!
Reality, and Other Stories by John Lanchester

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dark funny mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

Great collection of horror short stories! Really unnerving and tense, couldn't put it down.
The New Me by Halle Butler

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emotional funny reflective 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

4.75

Absolutely loved this. I definitely related to Millie, I wonder if she's also autistic with all the people-watching and trying to parse social norms. 

Also, fuck Karen. 
Our Wives Under The Sea by Julia Armfield

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dark emotional mysterious sad slow-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

4.75

Very beautiful and so sad. At its core, it's a book about loss and grief and trying to come to terms with what you've lost. 

I wish we knew more about the Centre etc. but it doesn't take too much away from the book/story.
Cursed Bread by Sophie Mackintosh

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dark mysterious tense medium-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

4.0

Unhinged by Vera Valentine

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funny lighthearted fast-paced
  • 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

2.75

The door has a praise kink. And Zeus fucked a (sexy) oak tree. 

Listen it's a silly little erotica, but it was a fun read. Some technical issues, odd choices but again, fun and quick to read.
The Men by Sandra Newman

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dark emotional mysterious slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I am very conflicted about this book. The writing is very good, the descriptions of the worlds are intriguing. But it feels very clunky. It feels like 2 different books mish-mashed into one. 

I was really intrigued by the premise of all the men (anyone with a y chromosome) disappearing. There are some 'odd' sentences about trans folks here and there, but I don't think it's malicious or terfy, just misguided. 

All in all, an interesting read. But the execution let it down a bit. 
The Lottery by Shirley Jackson

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dark mysterious sad 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

4.25

Paradise Rot by Jenny Hval

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dark mysterious reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Very beautiful, unnerving and strange. A confusing and odd read, but I enjoyed it.