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drakaina16's reviews
2013 reviews
Red in Tooth and Claw by Steven Archer
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Thank you to NetGalley for providing a review copy.
This is an extremely hard book to review. It is absolutely gorgeous, with lush language that flips between poetry and prose. It's also a beautiful love story, and a creation myth. Reading the book inspired me to pick up the EP it is based on. My only complaint is that sometimes the text is hard to read. It may just be the galley copy making things a bit blurry, but it was a headache trying to make out the text. 3.75 stars
This is an extremely hard book to review. It is absolutely gorgeous, with lush language that flips between poetry and prose. It's also a beautiful love story, and a creation myth. Reading the book inspired me to pick up the EP it is based on. My only complaint is that sometimes the text is hard to read. It may just be the galley copy making things a bit blurry, but it was a headache trying to make out the text. 3.75 stars
Splice: The Novelization by Claire Donner
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
5.0
Thank you to Encyclopocalypse Publications for providing a review copy.
Splice is one of those movies I had always meant to see. The concept is super cool, and I love sci Fi horror. Despite all that, I still haven't seen the movie. This book was so good that I'm even more stoked to see the movie now. It's beautifully written, with the characters' inner lives really explored. My favorite parts were from Dren's perspective. Regardless of if you've seen the movie or not, I highly recommend the book. 5 stars
Splice is one of those movies I had always meant to see. The concept is super cool, and I love sci Fi horror. Despite all that, I still haven't seen the movie. This book was so good that I'm even more stoked to see the movie now. It's beautifully written, with the characters' inner lives really explored. My favorite parts were from Dren's perspective. Regardless of if you've seen the movie or not, I highly recommend the book. 5 stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death and Rape
K: The Story of an Alien Invasion by Ashley Lister
dark
funny
mysterious
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? No
4.0
I had heard great things about this book, but I was hesitant to pick it up. Why? Because aliens freak me the fuck out. This is a very good alien story, well-written, and with a healthy dose of humor and satire. All of the popular alien conspiracy theories are represented here, to great effect. 4 stars
Something is Killing the Children Vol. 1 by James Tynion IV
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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? No
4.25
Letters to the Purple Satin Killer by Joshua Chaplinsky
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Thank you to the author for providing a review copy.
This book is quite an achievement. I'm a big fan of the epistolary style, and the thing that makes this book so unique is that none of the letters are actually from the person the book is about. You piece together his story through letters from the people surrounding the case, and various others interested in the case. I had to keep reminding myself that this book is fiction. Nothing about this story rings false. 4.5 stars
This book is quite an achievement. I'm a big fan of the epistolary style, and the thing that makes this book so unique is that none of the letters are actually from the person the book is about. You piece together his story through letters from the people surrounding the case, and various others interested in the case. I had to keep reminding myself that this book is fiction. Nothing about this story rings false. 4.5 stars
Better Living Through Alchemy by John Boden
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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? No
4.25
Thank you to NetGalley for providing a review copy.
This book has quite a lot going on. It could best be described as urban fantasy horror noir. The world-building is interesting and unique, with the magical system being based in real religions and traditions. I enjoyed learning about the characters, shows back stories are revealed bit by bit. I hope that this book will be the first in series, as I felt it definitely has potential for more great stories. 4.25 stars
This book has quite a lot going on. It could best be described as urban fantasy horror noir. The world-building is interesting and unique, with the magical system being based in real religions and traditions. I enjoyed learning about the characters, shows back stories are revealed bit by bit. I hope that this book will be the first in series, as I felt it definitely has potential for more great stories. 4.25 stars
Jedi Summer by John Boden
dark
emotional
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
4.0
The Bleed by Stephen S. Schreffler
Did not finish book.
Did not finish book.
I'm not a fan of the writing style. Also there were some things mentioned in the book that were not around in 1995
Down Into The Sea by Dan Franklin
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-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? No
5.0
Thank you to BookSirens for providing a review copy.
While short, this book packs a hell of a punch. Dan Franklin's writing is just so damn good, and the modern horror twist on The Little Mermaid is executed so well. It reminds me of a Chad Lutzke book - exquisitely written, horrific, and guaranteed to hit me where it hurts. The ending of the book, while abrupt, is an absolute gut punch. 5 stars
While short, this book packs a hell of a punch. Dan Franklin's writing is just so damn good, and the modern horror twist on The Little Mermaid is executed so well. It reminds me of a Chad Lutzke book - exquisitely written, horrific, and guaranteed to hit me where it hurts. The ending of the book, while abrupt, is an absolute gut punch. 5 stars