The writing here is good and I love the setting, although I wish a bit more had been done with it. Mostly, though, this novel would have benefitted frThe writing here is good and I love the setting, although I wish a bit more had been done with it. Mostly, though, this novel would have benefitted from a tighter, twistier plot; fewer POVs; more interesting/unique characters; and something more original/nuanced to say. There is a ton of potential here, but the final product is emotionally and intellectually boring. I would, however, try something else by Sarah Brooks in the future....more
Despite a fun concept and lovely cover, this didn't work for me. I found it a little bland, a little shallow, and a little more YA than I was hoping fDespite a fun concept and lovely cover, this didn't work for me. I found it a little bland, a little shallow, and a little more YA than I was hoping for. Over two hours into the audiobook and I still didn't care about the characters or their world(s), nor did there seem to be any big ideas or interesting concepts on the horizon.
Still, what I read wasn't outright bad, and I quit too early to judge the story as a whole.
Stranger than expected, with a narrative that hops between third person omniscient, third person limited, and, eventually, first person.
As a locke3.5
Stranger than expected, with a narrative that hops between third person omniscient, third person limited, and, eventually, first person.
As a locked room mystery, this is more how-done-it than who-done-it; regular mystery readers will pick out the murderer fairly quickly, but the mechanism of murder is clever. However, I found some of the key diagrams more confusing than helpful....more
It's been a while since I read Banana Yoshimoto, but I remember loving her spare, deceptively simplistic writing style and dreamy-if-slightly-dark t3+
It's been a while since I read Banana Yoshimoto, but I remember loving her spare, deceptively simplistic writing style and dreamy-if-slightly-dark tone. Moshi Moshi, about a young woman entering adulthood while also trying to come to terms with the murder of her father by the mysterious woman he had been secretly having an affair with, therefore seemed like it could be a new favorite. However, this was also the first Yoshimoto book I listened to on audiobook, and I think that was a mistake. Her writing does not translate well into the audio format, and the dialogue came off as flat and unrealistic, which didn't help me relate to the characters. Still, there were some beautiful moments and observations as well....more
Almost DNFed, but really glad I stuck with this one. I particularly appreciate the glimpse it offers into contemporary rural Indian society and cult4+
Almost DNFed, but really glad I stuck with this one. I particularly appreciate the glimpse it offers into contemporary rural Indian society and culture....more
Despite its fun setting in and around a warren of caves, the extreme melodrama and flat, sometimes wordy writing makes this my least favorite of the KDespite its fun setting in and around a warren of caves, the extreme melodrama and flat, sometimes wordy writing makes this my least favorite of the Kindaichi books so far. But will that stop me from reading more in the series? Nope....more
As always, P.A. De Voe offers up a wonderfully insightful glimpse into Ming Dynasty China as well as an entertaining mystery. I especially love the woAs always, P.A. De Voe offers up a wonderfully insightful glimpse into Ming Dynasty China as well as an entertaining mystery. I especially love the women's doctor Mei Hua, who reads as both appropriate to her time and likeable in ours. Now that Shu-chang's main story arc is wrapped up, I hope we get more stories that focus on her! ...more
I loved the (mostly Buddhist) mythological world-building and historical/social commentary. The use of second person flattened the characters, parti4+
I loved the (mostly Buddhist) mythological world-building and historical/social commentary. The use of second person flattened the characters, particularly the main character, and I had a very hard time connecting with or caring about them for most of the book. ...more
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