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spinesinaline's reviews
815 reviews
The Accident by Ismail Kadare
challenging
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This is one of the more confusing books I’ve read lately, especially since I know very little of the Balkan wars or the history of the Soviet Union. You’ll definitely have an easier time grasping the context, and consequences, around the characters if you do know this historical background though as much as the story is centred in political activity, it’s really a very curious story about two individuals who are romantically involved.
I was very intrigued by the mystery from the blurb (who are these two people? What caused the crash? What was this kiss?). And thoroughly confused all the way through! I think this is one that would benefit from multiple readings because even if you know the history, there are so many perspectives and constant jumping around in time (sometimes with no indication of a jump) that it’s a lot of information to keep straight. My main question at the end was what does any of it mean? While I wish some of the perspectives and timelines could’ve been marked more clearly, it was still an interesting tale.
I was very intrigued by the mystery from the blurb (who are these two people? What caused the crash? What was this kiss?). And thoroughly confused all the way through! I think this is one that would benefit from multiple readings because even if you know the history, there are so many perspectives and constant jumping around in time (sometimes with no indication of a jump) that it’s a lot of information to keep straight. My main question at the end was what does any of it mean? While I wish some of the perspectives and timelines could’ve been marked more clearly, it was still an interesting tale.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Infidelity, Sexual content, and Car accident
Moderate: Murder
The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston
funny
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Overall I liked this book but it was an okay read. There were some things that really annoyed me, both in the main character’s personality and in logistics (when you write an obituary and submit it at midnight, it will not appear in the next morning’s paper, it was already sent to print).
I thought the romance was sweet but as I wasn’t sure where this story was going – is it a romance? A fantasy? A ghost story with a moral? – I was confused about what possible resolution there could be between a girl and her lover ghost.
I predicted some of the twists and other obvious revelations were only delayed because the main character kept unknowingly cutting people off which made the revelation more obvious, but it’s quite a funny read and something quick for a cute story about two people stuck in a little town at an uncomfortable time.
I thought the romance was sweet but as I wasn’t sure where this story was going – is it a romance? A fantasy? A ghost story with a moral? – I was confused about what possible resolution there could be between a girl and her lover ghost.
I predicted some of the twists and other obvious revelations were only delayed because the main character kept unknowingly cutting people off which made the revelation more obvious, but it’s quite a funny read and something quick for a cute story about two people stuck in a little town at an uncomfortable time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Bullying and Sexual content
Minor: Car accident and Murder
This Is How You Lose the Time War by Max Gladstone, Amal El-Mohtar
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Murder, and War
The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna
funny
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? Yes
4.25
This is a very cute story while also heavily diving into past trauma around familial abandonment and abuse. A romance is at the heart of this one, with the most sunshiny and grumpy opposites you could have, but the whole cast of characters is such a lovely group! It’s a beautiful found family and they make this big house feel like home not just for Mika but for the readers too.
One point I will say felt highly unrealistic had nothing to do with magic. The librarian loans out his rare collection to people across the world, but as that increases the likelihood of books being lost, his main job is to digitize every single book in the library. As someone whose job it is to digitize materials, this kind of fantasy about the ease and speed of digitization is why people complain about us not having everything in our archives available online. But that aside, we love a library in a book.
There are some clever twists throughout and I’d love to reread to pick up on all the subtle hints the author leaves us. I didn’t read this during the holidays but it does take place right around Christmas so if you like a timely read, I’d recommend this one this season!
One point I will say felt highly unrealistic had nothing to do with magic. The librarian loans out his rare collection to people across the world, but as that increases the likelihood of books being lost, his main job is to digitize every single book in the library. As someone whose job it is to digitize materials, this kind of fantasy about the ease and speed of digitization is why people complain about us not having everything in our archives available online. But that aside, we love a library in a book.
There are some clever twists throughout and I’d love to reread to pick up on all the subtle hints the author leaves us. I didn’t read this during the holidays but it does take place right around Christmas so if you like a timely read, I’d recommend this one this season!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Moderate: Emotional abuse
Minor: Homophobia and Racism
Kim: a Novel Idea by Frankie Barnet
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
4.25
Frankie Barnet continues to be a favourite
This one sounds a bit absurd on its face as the MC is talking to her cat (pictured on the cover with a woman's body). But as silly as it seemed from the start, the need to use scrolling as a form of coping or numbing your thoughts is very relatable and Frankie quickly delves into the anxieties in her own life that are turning her towards Kim and her posts.
Much of this book is about the author coming to terms with her past sexual assault and she struggles to work through that trauma and her own assigned responsibility or guilt for how she handled things. This is an empowering read about acknowledging trauma and finding supports in your personal circles.
This one sounds a bit absurd on its face as the MC is talking to her cat (pictured on the cover with a woman's body). But as silly as it seemed from the start, the need to use scrolling as a form of coping or numbing your thoughts is very relatable and Frankie quickly delves into the anxieties in her own life that are turning her towards Kim and her posts.
Much of this book is about the author coming to terms with her past sexual assault and she struggles to work through that trauma and her own assigned responsibility or guilt for how she handled things. This is an empowering read about acknowledging trauma and finding supports in your personal circles.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Terminal illness, and Death of parent
Minor: Animal death
Eyes I Dare Not Meet in Dreams by Sunny Moraine
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, and Death
Augustown by Kei Miller
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-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
5.0
As the author says in the intro, August Town is a real-life neighbourhood in Jamaica and while some of its real history is brought into the story, the titular neighbourhood is an intentionally fictional entity. From the first scene, you can feel the tension is this town building towards some unfortunate climax. We slowly get to know the characters as Ma Taffy reveals the spiritual and painful history of the town that has led to this moment, jumping in time and from perspective to perspective, each with a different view of the town and the trouble to come.
Along with the storytelling by Ma Taffy, there is an unseen narrator who seems to have a complete view of the town and I loved the way the author creatively uses this narrator to guide the story. It’s a heavy, sad read but one that creates such a stunning picture of this town, both real and fictional, and the people who may share these stories. This was a highlight read of the year and one I’m sure I will return to.
Along with the storytelling by Ma Taffy, there is an unseen narrator who seems to have a complete view of the town and I loved the way the author creatively uses this narrator to guide the story. It’s a heavy, sad read but one that creates such a stunning picture of this town, both real and fictional, and the people who may share these stories. This was a highlight read of the year and one I’m sure I will return to.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Suicide, Police brutality, and Murder
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Sexual content, Blood, and Excrement
Triquetra by Kirstyn McDermott
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Torture, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Incest, Pedophilia, and Injury/Injury detail
Ceffo by Jonathan Carroll
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Some interesting moments but the author held back when I thought they'd pursue it. I didn't like the ending, as interesting a premise as it is, it feels it would hurt the characters more than help them, and the references to current day events while strangely framing them felt like an unnecessary disconnect.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse
Moderate: Death
The Ink Readers of Doi Saket by Thomas Olde Heuvelt
challenging
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, and Murder
Moderate: Infidelity