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perfictionist19's reviews
843 reviews
Strange Pictures by Uketsu
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The God of the Woods by Liz Moore
Set against the backdrop of the Adirondack summer camp in 1975, the story begins with the chilling disappearance of Barbara Van Laar, a 13-year-old from a powerful family that looms large over the local community. This isn’t the first Van Laar tragedy; Barbara’s older brother vanished under eerily similar circumstances 14 years prior.
From the first page, Moore sets the stage with a hauntingly vivid atmosphere. It almost felt like a movie being played as you ease yourself into the cinematic mystery setup and feel the tension humming through the campgrounds. The cast, predominantly composed of women looked promising from the get go. However, despite its promising start, the story falters as it progresses. The cast of characters grows unwieldy, making it difficult to keep track of their arcs— and this is quite something coming from a mystery afficiando who thrives of CHAOS!
The book loses its footing and although the mystery settles on you, the plot meanders mid-story and the story feels like going nowhere.
The women at the story’s heart—whether Van Laar family members or the women in their orbit—are complex, flawed and undeniably intriguing. Moore’s novel doesn’t just tell a mystery; it tells the stories of women—their lives, struggles, and sacrifices. These women are caught in a web of societal expectations, family obligations and secrets. This focus on women’s stories is the novel’s greatest strength. Moore writes them with empathy and depth, capturing the nuances of their inner lives.
From the first page, Moore sets the stage with a hauntingly vivid atmosphere. It almost felt like a movie being played as you ease yourself into the cinematic mystery setup and feel the tension humming through the campgrounds. The cast, predominantly composed of women looked promising from the get go. However, despite its promising start, the story falters as it progresses. The cast of characters grows unwieldy, making it difficult to keep track of their arcs— and this is quite something coming from a mystery afficiando who thrives of CHAOS!
The book loses its footing and although the mystery settles on you, the plot meanders mid-story and the story feels like going nowhere.
The women at the story’s heart—whether Van Laar family members or the women in their orbit—are complex, flawed and undeniably intriguing. Moore’s novel doesn’t just tell a mystery; it tells the stories of women—their lives, struggles, and sacrifices. These women are caught in a web of societal expectations, family obligations and secrets. This focus on women’s stories is the novel’s greatest strength. Moore writes them with empathy and depth, capturing the nuances of their inner lives.
Would I Recommend It?
Yes, but with a warning: go in for the vibes, not the resolution.
Marigold Mind Laundry by Jungeun Yun
3.0
We remove stains from the heart and mind,
and erase your painful memories.
If it makes you happier,
we can also iron out any creases,
and get rid of unwanted blotches.
We remove all types of stains.
Welcome to the Marigold Mind Laundry.
Yours sincerely,
The Owner.
This enchanting introduction had me immediately captivated by Marigold Mind Laundry, which became my first read of the year. Did I enjoy it? Absolutely. Was it truly revelatory? Uhm, doubtful.
The story revolves around Jieun, the owner of Marigold Laundry with her rare ability to both heal people and make wishes come true. Jieun's journey to find her missing parents forms the emotional backbone of her narrative, threading through themes of identity, belonging and perhaps redemption.
The book shines in its exploration of backstories, revealing how the Mind Laundry becomes a vessel of healing for its visitors. These vignettes bring a tender warmth to the story as each of the journey highlights a universal desire to let go of pain, rewrite their stories, and seek happiness.
However, the magical realism that holds the story together feels vague and unsatisfactory almost. While I loved the concept of mind laundry, the rules of how the magic works were poorly defined, making it hard to be fully invested. Perhaps some of this was lost in translation, or maybe the ambiguity was intentional, but it left me craving more. Philosophical musings about happiness and healing float throughout the story Again, these reflections often felt repetitive, as they lacked a strong anchor to the plot and the happenings 𐙚
Jieun’s personal journey uortunately doesn’t come to a satisfying conclusion or may be it did but again the translation left me wanting, leaving a sense of incompleteness to the story.
and erase your painful memories.
If it makes you happier,
we can also iron out any creases,
and get rid of unwanted blotches.
We remove all types of stains.
Welcome to the Marigold Mind Laundry.
Yours sincerely,
The Owner.
This enchanting introduction had me immediately captivated by Marigold Mind Laundry, which became my first read of the year. Did I enjoy it? Absolutely. Was it truly revelatory? Uhm, doubtful.
The story revolves around Jieun, the owner of Marigold Laundry with her rare ability to both heal people and make wishes come true. Jieun's journey to find her missing parents forms the emotional backbone of her narrative, threading through themes of identity, belonging and perhaps redemption.
The book shines in its exploration of backstories, revealing how the Mind Laundry becomes a vessel of healing for its visitors. These vignettes bring a tender warmth to the story as each of the journey highlights a universal desire to let go of pain, rewrite their stories, and seek happiness.
However, the magical realism that holds the story together feels vague and unsatisfactory almost. While I loved the concept of mind laundry, the rules of how the magic works were poorly defined, making it hard to be fully invested. Perhaps some of this was lost in translation, or maybe the ambiguity was intentional, but it left me craving more. Philosophical musings about happiness and healing float throughout the story Again, these reflections often felt repetitive, as they lacked a strong anchor to the plot and the happenings 𐙚
Jieun’s personal journey uortunately doesn’t come to a satisfying conclusion or may be it did but again the translation left me wanting, leaving a sense of incompleteness to the story.
Five Little Pigs by Agatha Christie
3.75
“A court verdict is not always an ending”
the story pans out 16 years after the murder in question, long after the trial and verdict when the daughter of the accused reaches out to Poirot with a letter hinting at her mother’s innocence. determined to uncover the truth, poirot revisits the crime by contacting the five people who were present at the scene. he requests written accounts of their memories from that day, piecing together their perspectives.
though it falls on the simpler side of agatha christie’s mysteries, five little pigs showcases her unmatched skill in captivating readers with clever plotting!!
the title is a clever nod to the nursery rhyme, with each "pig" symbolizing one of the five suspects, whose differing accounts and motives add depth to the story!
definitely recommend and honestly this might be a good pick if you are starting your journey with the Queen of Mystery!
the story pans out 16 years after the murder in question, long after the trial and verdict when the daughter of the accused reaches out to Poirot with a letter hinting at her mother’s innocence. determined to uncover the truth, poirot revisits the crime by contacting the five people who were present at the scene. he requests written accounts of their memories from that day, piecing together their perspectives.
though it falls on the simpler side of agatha christie’s mysteries, five little pigs showcases her unmatched skill in captivating readers with clever plotting!!
the title is a clever nod to the nursery rhyme, with each "pig" symbolizing one of the five suspects, whose differing accounts and motives add depth to the story!
definitely recommend and honestly this might be a good pick if you are starting your journey with the Queen of Mystery!
To, My Dear Fear by Gursimran Kaur
4.0
Beauty in her words.
I am mesmerized. My first read of 2018 💙Way to go girl.
I am so glad I bought this book and read it today on the 1st day of the year.
I am mesmerized. My first read of 2018 💙Way to go girl.
I am so glad I bought this book and read it today on the 1st day of the year.
Philomel Cottage by Agatha Christie
5.0
Oh God. Oh God. Why is this short story not a novel. My God. I am so cliff hanged. Agatha Christie does it again. I loved every word of the 63 pages I just read.
Liars, Inc. by Paula Stokes
4.0
4 stars for this book for the last 100 pages. Because they were phenomenal.
I was hookedddd.
Although I took 3days to read the first half of the book, I was flying through the second half.
And gaaaaahhhh, the plot twist.
Surely, reading more from Paula.
I was hookedddd.
Although I took 3days to read the first half of the book, I was flying through the second half.
And gaaaaahhhh, the plot twist.
Surely, reading more from Paula.