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fictionalhannah's reviews
172 reviews
The Lies of the Ajungo by Moses Ose Utomi
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.5
Honestly, I don’t understand all the rave reviews. I wanted to love this novella, truly. The only reason it has 1.5 stars at all is because it’s a BIPOC narrative in speculative fiction, which the world desperately needs more of, and because the idea was mildly original.
This book has got to be the best example of lazy writing I may have ever seen. There are so many plot holes and “deus ex machina” moments that I wanted to scream. It feels like the plot was just slapped together like a 2nd grade papier-mâché project— when the author had to make something more interesting, “oh, also there’s magic! that can be transferred! I know I originally said it was region-specific and granted to a certain religious group, but jk, it’s everywhere and really anyone can do it in these perfect convenient circumstances!”
Just one of the many plot holes in this story that made my skin crawl. Hate to rate it so low, but was left with no choice.
This book has got to be the best example of lazy writing I may have ever seen. There are so many plot holes and “deus ex machina” moments that I wanted to scream. It feels like the plot was just slapped together like a 2nd grade papier-mâché project— when the author had to make something more interesting, “oh, also there’s magic! that can be transferred! I know I originally said it was region-specific and granted to a certain religious group, but jk, it’s everywhere and really anyone can do it in these perfect convenient circumstances!”
Just one of the many plot holes in this story that made my skin crawl. Hate to rate it so low, but was left with no choice.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror and Violence
Carmilla by J. Sheridan Le Fanu
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Classic vampire story and overwhelmingly sapphic (in the best way)— detracted one point for the anticlimactic ending, but overall very much enjoyed the journey.
The Woods All Black by Lee Mandelo
dark
mysterious
tense
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? No
2.5
This book was incredibly slow to start. I was approximately 70 pages (about halfway) in until anything even remotely interesting besides uncomfortable tension took place.
I found the supernatural element to be lacking(what did Stevie have to sacrifice for his power? Nothing? Oh… okay…) and the ending to be a bit too convenient and abrupt to truly have an impact. Really cool concept, I had wished for more with the execution.
I found the supernatural element to be lacking
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore and Transphobia
No trigger warning for bestiality— but it’s essentially bestiality during that end part iykyk
Silver Nitrate by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Did not finish book. Stopped at 55%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 55%.
This book was so intolerably slow and so heavy on the backstory building that I got nearly 200 pages in and there was still hardly any plot at all. Also the film references and terminology are very heavy-handed, which negatively impacted my engagement based on my general disinterest in the film industry.
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
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
4.0
The Road by Cormac McCarthy
challenging
dark
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
3.5
Gyo by Junji Ito
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
This was definitely the most “wtf did I just read” of any of Ito’s work thus far. Just a bit too out there for me (and that’s saying something). But I will agree that the bonus story The Enigma of Amigara Fault is 5/5 stars.
Nettle & Bone by T. Kingfisher
Did not finish book. Stopped at 0%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 0%.
From the start the characters and plot failed to engage me.
Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice
Did not finish book. Stopped at 32%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 32%.
The story was just so slow moving and the “interview” format got old real quick.
Kindred by Octavia E. Butler
dark
emotional
sad
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? No
4.5
Extremely intense and captivating read that examines the horrors of slavery through an intriguing sci-fi lens. 4.5/5 only because I was mildly dissatisfied with the ending.