Review: There Is No Antimemetics Division

There Is No Antimemetics Division by qntm
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

There is no doubt that this is an excellent book, but it also highlights my aversion to Sci-fi in general.

On the one hand it's a mind-boggling scary point of view of entities that hide themselves by erasing any memory anyone had of them, as well as odd, fantastical, gross snippets thrown in and philosophical questions about how/why you combat such entities. All of which, quite frankly, confused me not a little.

But on the other hand, once again I can't help thinking you can just invent your way into and out of any situation with sci-fi/fantasy. When layers of unknowns and oddities get stacked upon each other, it starts feeling too simulated.

Or maybe my brain just isn't equipped to handle it.

Still, 5 stars because it is definitely unique.

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Review: Through the Woods

Through the Woods by E.M. Carroll
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I don't usually like graphic novels much, but this was good. Enjoyable and pretty scary.


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Review: I Remember You

I Remember You by Yrsa Sigurdardottir
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It had been a while since I read a horror book, so I was looking forward to this.

I don't want to give anything away, but let's just say the momentum and tension builds up until the finale, which is both shocking and a bit of a let down.


And now, for those who don't care about spoilers, here are my issues with the book:
SPOILERS BELOW!!

So, there were multiple ghosts? If this is the case, what is the impetus? It can't just be frustration of something left undone or injustice, since this happens all over the world without a manifestation of ghosts. It must have been the location itself, but this is never explored with the brief psychic visit.

The issue with Lif was a surprise, although I saw it creeping up. I did not see Kartin's ending. I'll leave it at that.




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Review: The Quiet Boy

The Quiet Boy by Nick Antosca
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Excellent short story. Reminded me of Shirley Jackson in a way. Possibly because I don't read many other short thrillers.

4.5 stars

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Review: The Conception of Terror: Tales Inspired by M. R. James - Volume 1

The Conception of Terror: Tales Inspired by M. R. James - Volume 1 by M.R. James
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I'm sorry. Apparently these were re-tellings of classic ghost stories (that I haven't read), but I found each one worse than the other. I actually found the dramatization ok (unlike many other reviewers), but the stories themselves seemed weak, had plot holes (even taking into account that they're fantasy stories, so you can pretty much make up the rules) and didn't really seem to end coherently.

I can't say much more without spoilers, but I guess I'm not a fan of M.R. James.

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Review: In the Miso Soup

In the Miso Soup by Ryū Murakami
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Well that was messed up.

3.5 stars

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Review: The Hole

The Hole by Hye-Young Pyun
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This reminded me a lot of the stories from "Evening Proposal", by the same author. It had the claustrophobic feeling of being trapped and stuck, with no way out. Of course, this book took it much much further, and then things started to get twisted around.

Had I known it would be this much of a thriller (some even classify it as horror), I probably would not have read it, but I'm certainly glad I did.

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