zatannacomic's reviews
115 reviews

Wat me lief was by Heleen ten Holt, Siri Hustvedt

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.75

This book had been on my TBR for a while and it was worth the wait. It was beautiful and emotional. It explored people, art and relationships in so many ways. It had so much sadness and a few hints of joy. There were some shocking moments and plottwists, which made me  gasp out loud a few times. 

There was a plot line i could have gone without, since I felt it to be too dramatic to fit with the rest of the story. Other than that, it was a near perfect book.

Dracula by Bram Stoker

adventurous dark medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

As a lover of books about vampires, it only made sense to read the classic. I had read a simplified English edition for class once, but I picked it up again to read it in my own time. I like the first half a lot. 
The part in Dracula's castle was mysterious and gave me slight horror vibes. The visit of Dracula in London and everything with Lucy was also enjoyable to read, but the quest of killing Dracula took a little too long. The characters felt lively and distinct. I absolutely loved the Harkers.

There could have been some parts cut there. I would have liked to know more of the vampire lore and the wives in Dracula's castle, but I get that's not the point of the story.

Mona by Pola Oloixarac

slow-paced

2.0

The book lost its plot after 30 pages and it was a drag to read. I didn't care about any of the characters and found them very one-dimensional. There were tangents about writing and the meaning of something, but they dragged along with this empty story. The final chapter connects the underlying threads of plot and feelings, which were kind of interesting, but were wasted if you look at the story in its entirety. This wasn't for me at all.

Somna by Becky Cloonan, Tula Lotay

dark emotional mysterious sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes

4.5

This graphic novel was fantastic. I’ve read other comics by Cloonan before, but none have captured me like this. It is a bit of a classic witch hunt story, but it also has a few twists and tasteful explicit scenes to spice it up. 

The art styles used were also beautiful. The story was tense and interesting. I enjoyed this so much I read it in one sitting. 

Darling by India Knight

emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

2.75

I guess this was one of the cases where I picked up a book just because of the cover. Sadly, the story and I didn't connect. Personally I hated how the main character and the narrator weren't the same. It's interesting in a way, but I didn't feel connected to either Linda or Franny because of this. The amount of characters also didn't help as I just forgot who every one was.

This book did a lot of telling instead of showing. We (the reader) got to experience everything through conversations between characters instead of living the experience with the characters.

I'm not even going to talk about the last chapter...

The Vampire Lestat by Anne Rice

adventurous dark emotional slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

5.0

This book is just something else. It is by no means perfect, but I loved reading this. There were moments I wanted to DNF it or throw it against a wall. It has questionable topics in it, but beside that I absolutely love Lestat and the world Anne Rice built. 

One thing though, the Marius chapters should have been edited down by a lot. That was so much unnecessary info-dumping. Those chapters had interesting ideas, but just dragged out way too long. The last 100-ish pages were so fun though. I need to read book three.

Wonderful Adventures of Mrs. Seacole in Many Lands by Mary Seacole

adventurous medium-paced

4.0

Mrs. Seacole is a witty and interesting character. The way this book was written as if she was talking to the reader makes this a very lighthearted read. I wouldn't really say this book was 'fun', because war and people being injured or sick are the central topic of this book. However I did like reading this book (and listening to the audiobook)!

They're Going to Love You by Meg Howrey

emotional inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot

4.25

While this book did not reinvent the wheel, it was very good. I like reading the exploration of family dynamics and the feeling of not fitting anywhere.  The importance to ballet for all characters involved is also interesting, it something that keeps connecting them. There are some absolutely fantastic lines in this book that are going to stay with me for a while. 

Is dit een mens by Primo Levi

informative sad medium-paced

I don’t think I can rate and review this book. 

The experiences written about in this are so sad and still so important to read about. 

Zo'n leuke leeftijd by Kiley Reid

emotional reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

This book really was so addictive to read. I read the last half in one evening, because I had to know how it ended. It read quickly, it has lovely characters and a main character i really understood and connected with. 

The story was so impressively built. It starts off fine and then suddenly it throws you into its message and it hits you in the face.

The moment you realise its two white people thinking that they are saving a black woman from each other, while they are the problem, the whole book just looks different.

. 

Definitely a big recommendation and I hate that it stayed on my TBR for so long. I should have read this sooner.