#moja recenzija

[carica-ficus]

Review: Harrow the Ninth

Author: Tamsyn Muir

Date: 24/02/2024

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

________________________________________________________

My February has been very hectic (to say the least), but at least I finally managed to get my hands on "Harrow the Ninth" thanks to my wonderful boyfriend who ordered it for me. <3 And just in time too because I was in a mood to get back to The Locked Tomb. This series completely won me over.

"Harrow the Ninth" picks up sometime after the ending of "Gideon the Ninth", and follows Harrow as she tries to adapt to her new life as a Lyctor. Her powers are immeasurably stronger, but in comparison to the older Lyctors she is seen as feeble and incompetent. Even worse, she is seen as a liability to the Emperor. She needs to learn to defend herself and prove to be a valuable soldier to her God, but this all seems a menial task in comparison to more dire matters - the indescribable grief and significant vulnerability which render her useless.

The first thing that stands out in this book is the switch in narration. "Harrow the Ninth" is mostly narrated through a 2nd person singular and is only switched to 3rd person singular when referring to the events which happen at the Canaan house. It's certainly an interesting writing choice which might prove to be slightly confusing at first, but Muir's beautiful style and fantastic storytelling quickly compel the reader to simply accept the fact that this is how "Harrow the Ninth" will be told. If something, Muir has proven numerous times that her writing decisions are always made with a specific intention, so it's best to just accept them and enjoy her work as it is presented.

Even though the story is a bit convoluted at first, things slowly start falling into place. New characters are introduced and old characters are given enough space to grow and expand. Muir incredibly utilizes her universe and the story in order to create a completely new experience of the series, but also provides many scenes where it pays homage to the first book and its events. "Harrow the Ninth" is truly an upgrade from "Gideon the Ninth" in tension, emotion, depth and story.

On the other hand, I'd argue that its pace is slower than that of "Gideon the Ninth". Harrow is actively preparing for the most difficult fight of her life, but the process of it is relatively passive. There's a lot of things happening at the same time, but it feels like the plot isn't moving forward at all. This book focuses more on other elements, than on its story, up until the very end where it builds up to a thrilling finale. Taking into consideration the aforementioned switch in narration and unresolved questions, it is easy to understand why some readers find it all difficult to grasp. However, "Harrow the Ninth" is absolutely worth the time.

There's a lot of things to adore about this sequel, but the portrayal of Harrow's grief, feeling of inadequacy, and utter helplessness take the crown. "Harrow the Ninth" is a story about loss and about love, it's about desperately clinging to that which doesn't exist anymore - a home she cannot go back to and which will never be the same, a person who gave their life for hers, and to a version of herself that she no longer is. It is about change and the inability to finally accept it.

"Harrow the Ninth" is a worthy sequel to a riveting book such as "Gideon the Ninth" and provides a compelling foundation for the rest of the series. Although the novel might seem a little slow and complicated, my honest advice is to just leave all your expectations behind, keep reading, and accept everything as it is written. The book is highly rewarding and offers something new and different. Reading through it has been a beautiful experience and I cannot wait to continue with the series and to, one day, reread it and appreciate it even more.

[natiblogger]

moja prva test recenzija. Ovo je samo test ne obracajte paznju

[motorista2w]

V-Strom 800 RE Recenzija - moja perspektiva nakon 4000 Km

[kafaiknjiga]

Idemo, nova recenzija je tu! Kažu da čovek koristi 10% kapaciteta svog mozga...šta bi se desilo ako bi koristio 100%? Saznajte u filmu sa Skarlet Johanson (🤩😍) i Morganom Frimenom. Imate link, znate već proceduru. 😎 P.S - Samo da unapred upozorim da je moja podsvest pokušala da preuzme ulogu recenzenta, ali sam je sprečio nekako, tako da ovo i nije moja tipična recenzija...sećate se recenzije serije "The Witcher"? 😅 (at Belgrade, Serbia) https://www.instagram.com/p/B-e_H9WqS5a/?igshid=1tqr61mi3154a

[fantasticnivodic]

Moja baka vam se izvinjava - Fredrik Bakman

Sklopila sam poslednju stranicu ove knjige sa suzama u očima. Ne govorim ovo zbog neke melodramatičnosti ili udarne prve rečenice, nego vam sasvim iskreno pružam uvid u te poslednje emocije koje je izazvala ova knjiga u meni. Čak i odlaganje ove knjige nije značilo samo suze, već i  osmeh, jer je knjiga sve.

Rolerkoster emocija. Nežno, ali opet toliko grubo, pisac nam je oduzimao i davao likove.…

[weekly-tea]

9.12. - 15.12.2019.

Filmsko:

·         Surviving R. Kelly

"In this documentary series on the tangled history of allegations against musician R. Kelly, women give detailed accounts of sexual and mental abuse."

Potresno, vrijeme je bilo da se ispriča ta priča. Otkad znam za sebe, uvijek se nekako ta tema provlačila, ali oči i uši su se zatvarale, jer kao on je zvijezda, nedodirljiv. Sjećam se kako je Gaga s njim 2013. godine izbacila (odličnu) pjesmu ''Do What U Want'' i da su ubrzo izbile kontroverze, pjesma povučena, snimljen spot nije izbačen, Gagina karijera je počela nakon toga kopniti. Definitivno vrijedi pogledati ovaj 6-epizodni dolumentarac, a uskoro se sprema i ''što je uslijedilo nakon''.

·         F20

Trailer: https://youtu.be/8spP_So5APw

Preporukom slučajno pogledah. Takvi se hrvatski filmovi traže, a ne rat sa velikim R.

-        Dijagnoza: https://www.globalnovine.eu/kultura/film/recenzija-filma-f20-psiholoski-triler-nove-generacije-glumaca/

·         Ne gledaj mi u pijat

Trailer: https://youtu.be/nv5RgCOsdKg

Još jedan hrvatski. Maratonček. Malo sam taj dan zaružila sa našim filmovima, ali vrijedilo je. Ovaj me puno više i potresao i iživcirao.

-        ''...kao da gledamo dokumentarac o još jednoj disfunkcionalnoj obitelji'': https://www.telegram.hr/kultura/pogledao-sam-ne-gledaj-mi-u-pijat-i-potpuno-mi-je-jasno-zasto-se-o-njemu-toliko-pricalo-film-je-fantastican/

-        ''Film je prilično crn, katkad motivski neugodan'': https://www.jutarnji.hr/kultura/film-i-tv/ne-gledaj-mi-u-pijat-najbolji-hrvatski-film-u-posljednjih-desetak-godina/4664327/

Web:

·         Ovo su pojmovi koje su Hrvati najviše 'guglali' u 2019.

https://www.rtl.hr/vijesti-hr/novosti/zanimljivosti/3613529/google-objavio-listu-ovo-su-pojmovi-koje-su-hrvati-najvise-pratrazivali-u-2019/

Pet mjeseci prošlo od mog postića Guglovih najtraženijih pojmova, a sad stiže i friška verzija za kraj ove extra mega uspješne 2019. godine koja maše iz vlaka, a mi nestrpljivo čekamo novi niskopodni brzi cug zvan twenty twenty. ''Jeste li iznenađeni?'' Nisam. Zanimljiv, reklo bi se i iscrpan popis. Uvik je interesanto i vidjeti što se pretražuje u ostatku svijeta, pa zato klik na link i proučavajte: https://trends.google.hr/trends/yis/2019/GLOBAL/ (ima i videić).

·         Billboard Hot 100 - Top 100 Singles of 2019

https://youtu.be/x_8smPvNllQ

Ukratko, godina Billie Eilish, Post Malonea, Ariane Grande i ostalih treperskih repera. Što više godine idu, to mi se nova muzika manje dopada.

·         ''Finska dobiva vladu s najmlađom premijerkom na svijetu, socijaldemokratkinjom Sannom Marin (34), koju je odgojio lezbijski par''

https://www.crol.hr/index.php/politika-aktivizam/9895-nova-finska-premijerka-dijete-je-iz-dugine-obitelji

·         Rusija izbačena s Olimpijskih igara i Svjetskog nogometnog prvenstva

https://sportske.jutarnji.hr/sportmix/ostalo/sok-na-kraju-godine-sportska-velesila-izbacena-iz-svih-natjecanja-na-cak-cetiri-godine-ostali-bez-olimpijskih-igara-i-svjetskog-nogometnog-prvenstva/9722362/

Knjige:

U predbožićno vrijeme se okrenula kvazi-duhovnim knjigama, tj. onima koje vi ne-ljubitelji Biblije štujete, sramite se!

·         Osho - Kreativnost

Osho je moja prva ljubav, dosta sam njegovih knjiga pročitala, a sad je došao red i na ovu.

·         Rhonda Byrne - ''Heroj'' i ''Magija''

Autorica mega popularne ''Tajne'', to su bila bolja vremena, ''Tajnu za mlade'' imam odavno doma.

Drink aka coffee:

Franckova nova kafa Smart i Energy, Proteini su izvisili. Marketing je učinio svoje, pa tak i ja potpala pod utjecaj. Dobra je kava, zanimljiva, koliko je tu uključen placebo, idk, ali konzumerističko smo društvo tako da je to sve ok.

-        Nisu me platili za ovo:

https://www.franck.eu/hr/novosti/strucnjaci-koji-stoje-iza-omiljene-salice-kave-iz-francka/

-        Tri nova it napitka:

http://www.journal.hr/lifestyle/gastro/franck-funkcionalni-napitci-s-kavom-energy-smart-i-protein-coffee/

[jollycherryblossomwombat]

"Ugašen" još jedan superheroj!

Nedavno je fanove Marvel univerzuma uzdrmala vest da je nakon druge sezone otkazana serije "Iron Fist", što je i imalo smisla, jer nije bila baš najbolja serija, ali izgleda da se Netflix i Marvel ne zaustavljaju na tome. Sada je otkazan i "heroj iz Harlema" - Luk Kejdž, koji je imao pozitivne kritike! "Nažalost, Marvelov 'Luk Kejdž' se neće vratiti u trećoj sezoni. Svi iz Marvel televizije i Netfliksa smo zahvali na posvećenim rediteljima, piscima i glumačkoj ekipi koji su oživeli heroja iz Harlema u prethodne dve sezone, kao i fanovima koji su podržali seriju", glasi zvanično saopštenje. MARVEL TV (RECENZIJA) Fanovi se sada plaše da je sledeći na listi "gašenja" Derdevil, za kojeg je nedavno objavljena treća sezona. Takođe se očekuje i treća sezona "Džesike Džouns", kao i druga sezona "Panišera". Oni malo optimističniji se nadaju da će možda biti objavljena nova serija "Heroes for hire" gde će se spojiti Luk Kejdž i Deni Rand (Iron Fist), pa se na taj način i njihove priče nastaviti dalje. Kraj za ovog Marvelovog superheroja? (VIDEO) Majk Kolter, glumac koji je tumačio Kejdža, oglasio se na svom Twitter profilu da izrazi zahvalnost za ulogu koju je imao. "Zauvek sam zahvalan Marvelu i Netfliksu što su mi dopustili da igram tako snažnog lika, i hvala svim fantastičnim fanovima. Kada se jedna vrata zatvore, druga se otvore, a moja ćerka se rodila ove nedelje. Mnogo sjajnih uspomena, ali vreme je da se naprave nove. Uvek napred, napred uvek", istakao je glumac. I am forever grateful to Marvel and Netflix for letting me portray such a prolific character, and I thank you amazing fans. As one door closes, another has opened, with the birth of my daughter this week. A lot of great memories. Time to make more. Always forward, forward always pic.twitter.com/Dvv4YOBeEE— Mike Colter (@realmikecolter) October 22, 2018 Let's block ads! (Why?)

[ladyxnancy]

Moja iskrena #recenzija @ferdinandknedle je na blogu - link u biografiji i story-ju 💜 #hrana #dezert #poslasticarnica (at Belgrade, Serbia)

[dotkomnecenzurisano]

 Krajem šezdesetih i početkom sedamdesetih godina XX veka, u Kanadi je svirao bend pod nazivom „Reign Ghost“. Prašili su neki svoj bluz praveći duge i maštovite improvizacije. Početkom sedamdesetih godina, uporni ostaci benda Bryden i Richter tražili su neki način da ubede malu diskografsku kuću Paragon Records da im izdaju album na taj način što su priredili „top 12 hitova“ svirku koju su začinili sa par svojih dugačkih jamova. Neuspešno…da bi kasnije, bez znanja benda, isti bili i objavljeni pod imenom „Christmas“.

Istovremeno, bend snima svoj prvi album za malu diskografsku kuću „Daffodil“, koji će videti svetlost dana 1970.godine pod nazivom „Heritage“. Singlovi sa albuma (jer tada su se samo singlovi komercijalno računali i zarađivali keš – albumi su bili samo pomoćni nosilac zvuka za te iste singlove) nisu doživeli nikakav uspeh. Diskografska kuća, očajna zbog neuspeha, je čak primorala bend da snime i tada popularnu pesmicu Neil Sedake da bi se probili na top listu, ali njihova očigledna potreba da se kreću u avangardnim vodama progresivnog roka je učinila i taj rad neprimećenim. Kako bilo, usled sve većih finansijskih problema njihove kuće čekalo  se dve godine na njihov novi album, sada malo drugačiji. U svoju postavu primili su pevača Preston Wynn-a, a svoje ime promenili u „Spirit of Christmas“ da bi slušaoci ipak imali neku predstavu o bendu koji do tada beše samo „Christmas“. Sa albuma je izdat jedan singl „Graveyard Face“ koji opet ne doživljava komercijalni uspeh i bend se ubrzo nakon toga raspada i svako od članova odlazi na neku svoju stranu. Početkom 90-ih godina nezavisna američka kuća „Laser Edge Records“ reizdaje dva njihova naslova, i jednu njihovu live svirku, što dovodi do većeg interesovanja publike za njihov rad i muziku koju su stvarali.

  „Lies To Live By“ predstavlja klasičan koncept progresivnog roka tog vremena. Zvuk je pun vrebajućeg vokala u pratnji precizne i tačne muzike i aranžmana kako samo prog rokeri znaju da snime. Na albumu se nalazi šest sjajnih pesama od kojih neke predstavljaju splet više pesama:

01.(All The) Wrong Roads (Bob Bryden) – 3:19 02. Stay Dead Lazarus (Bob Bryden) – 4:04 03. Voice In The Wilderness – 4:17 including: a). Graveyard Face (Bob Bryden/Preston Wynn/Robert Bulger) b). All Is Light (Bob Bryden/Preston Wynn) 04. War Story – 9:08 including: a). Ballad Of Jack Boot (Bob Bryden) b). Requiem – War’s Peace (Bob Bryden/Robert Bulger/Tyler Raizenne/Rich Richter/Preston Wynn) 05. The Factory – 8:50 including: a). Where the People Are Made (Preston Wynn) b). Everything’s Under Control (Preston Wynn/Bob Bryden/Robert Bulger) 06. Beyond The Fields We Know – 11:11 including: a). Prelude (I Don’t Know Where I Am) (Bob Bryden) b). Thermopylae (Bob Bryden) c). Heaven’s Lost (Bob Bryden/Preston Wynn) d). In Closing (Bob Bryden)

                Pesme uopšte nisu loše, gitare i bubnjevi su mekani i lako slušljivi, a česte promene ritma ne ostavljaju slušaoce koji nisu vični progresivnom roku frustriranim,  jer i ako se dešavaju često, to se događa lagano potpuno umetnuto u koncept i život svake pesme, nesmetano. Kada preslušate ovaj album shvatićete zašto je bilo potrebno  dvadeset godina da šire narodne mase prihvate ovaj album, pa i sam rad grupe. Okej, progresivni rok nije za svakoga, jer se ove pesme bave pitanjima života i smrti, ljubavi i čežnje, ali sa mračne strane. Svakako, drago mi je da znam da je njihovo umetničko zalaganje konačno naišlo na odobravanje publike. Bend je pušten „niz vodu“ davnih dana, ali ostao nam je vinil sa njihovim zvukom, melodičnim ali proganjajućim, savršeno preciznim,a opet improvizujućim dokazujući iznova da se u Kanadi svira i svirala se a  bogme i slušala dobra muzika.

Jebiga, onda se pojavio Justin Bieber.

  Moja iskrena preporuka pesma br.2 „Stay Dead Lazarus“.

  Lazaruse, ostani mrtav (Spirit Of Christmas – recenzija)  Krajem šezdesetih i početkom sedamdesetih godina XX veka, u Kanadi je svirao bend pod nazivom „

[carica-ficus]

Review: Seasons of the River

Author: Igor Rendić

Date: 13/09/2024

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

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The second book of the "A Town Called River" trilogy came out about a year ago, and I've finally decided it was time to pick it up this fall. It turns out I picked the right time to do so since the last book got announced a little while ago and is now officially out!

"Seasons of the River" continue following Paul and his journey to take on his responsibility as Rijeka's krsnik - the city's magical protector. He's slowly getting used to his powers and is learning about his late grandmother's work, but his daily life gets intercepted by strange disappearances of locals, powerful new adversaries, and a unexpected skirmish in front of an unknown portal. Paul needs to investigate these incidents and make sure his town stays safe, but these tasks aren't really that easy as they seem.

The book continues in the similar episodic fashion like the first one. Although the emphasis is still on Paul and his everyday krsnik duties, there's a certain slice-of-life feel to the chapters. The book follows through the main plot, but allows a lot of room for casual scenes of Paul with his friends and colleagues. The author takes the opportunity to share some of Rijeka's ordinary life and allows his characters to deepen their relationships through relaxed hangouts. There's a lot of small elements that make "Seasons of the River" exceptionally warm and intimate when it comes to the interpersonal relationships of its characters.

Moreover, the book's lighthearted scenes combined with magical adversaries provide a sweet rendition which mirrors popular old fantasy series. Although there is a main plot, the book focuses on it later on. Its first goal is to create a whimsical and loving portrayal of the main character's lives, along with introducing some new creatures and dangerous situations to keep the reader's blood flowing.

Over time, as stakes grow, so does the tension, and Rendić makes it really easy to relate to Paul's struggles and his worries. His grandmother left him with a legacy that's almost impossible to carry on, especially without proper guidance. Paul is desperate to follow in her footsteps, so he tries to take the same approach as she did which forces him to distance himself from his friends. Rendić uses this opportunity to explore the inner feelings of a person trying to follow tradition and questions whether staying too dependent on it is the right choice.

The story expands as Paul learns more about the world he is apart of. There are new creatures, adversaries, mysteries and missions. The characters that have already been introduced are further explored and their relationships developed. There are bigger fights and bigger stakes, and the whole universe is broadened with new revelations. Paul's work as a krsnik might still be physically situated in Rijeka, but his responsibilities now include more than he has ever anticipated, which provides for an interesting addition that leaves the reader wanting more.

On the other hand, the aforementioned extensions are sometimes difficult to navigate through. Suddenly, Paul is forced to follow through many different mysteries at once, so it becomes hard to decipher what is truly happening. Furthermore, there are a few instances where scenes with many characters become hard to follow, especially when they include people Paul doesn't know by name, so he uses descriptive words instead. It's a bit tedious and affects the fluidity of the text, which takes away from the experience.

On the other hand, these are just smaller critiques which I wouldn't exactly consider shortcomings. Overall, "Seasons of the River" turned out to be a worthy sequel and an interesting addition to the first book.

[carica-ficus]

Review: "Gideon the Ninth"

Author: Tamsyn Muir

Date: 03/12/2023

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

________________________________________________________

I'm going to be honest, I completely forgot I had to write a review for this book, which is weird for me because, first and foremost, I love writing reviews for the books I read and, second, I love writing reviews for the books I loved. But I found myself at a stalemate with this one, mostly because I'm not sure what to say. There's a lot of things to appreciate in "Gideon the Ninth", and I'm a little intimidated by the fact I have to try and do them justice in this short text. Still, I'm going to try.

"Gideon the Ninth" follows the story of a necromancer, Harrowhark Nonagesimus, and her cavalier, Gideon Nav, as they embark on a journey to the First House where Harrow has to find a way to ascend to Lyctorhood (which is something like becoming necromancer supreme). Of course, they're not the only ones who partake in the assignment - they are joined by the representatives of the other seven houses who are there for the same goal. Harrow and Gideon are forced to find the answer, while at the same time trying to best the others at the same game. They soon find out that a lot more is at stake than they originally thought, and the tension only grows as all of them realize they are also being hunted by someone or something.

The book starts off relatively slow, with a very long introduction which spaces off into multiple chapters. A gradual beginning might not interest every reader, but it proves crucial for this story. Muir carefully constructs the basis for her novel, at first offering little insight to all the numerous characters. By choosing Gideon as her narrator for the book - a character who is genuinely confused by the setting and isn't interested in dull formalities - Muir manages to portray everything in a very laic manner. Hence, the reader learns about the world and its characters at the same pace as the lead.

Furthermore, this also allows the reader to develop a strong connection with Gideon, whose laid back, facetious personality offers a lot of room for the reader to relate to her. She presents a stark contrast to Harrow, a focused and stubborn necromancer, which Muir consequently uses to create an interesting and exciting dynamic between them. Their relationship is a perfect blend of planned versus impulsive, where Harrow will act out of intelligence, and Gideon out of curiosity or instinct.

Characters are definitely Muir's specialty, and it is evident on her writing how much time and effort she puts into them. Even though all the side characters are also necromancers accompanied by their cavaliers, every pair offers a different dynamic. Moreover, every pair comes from a different planet, so their personalities, behavior and gestures directly add onto the worldbuilding in a way which is not forced, but still informative enough. On the other hand, sometimes the characters felt a little too over the top, feeling like a projection of an archetype, rather than lifelike peple. But I digress, in this specific novel it is more of an advantage, than a drawback.

The story structure is not revolutionary, nor is the idea behind it, but it is presented in an interesting and refreshing way. Similarly, there are a few cliché moments, especially between Gideon and Harrow, but they are incredibly well written, so they don't feel lax. Instead, they offer an exciting and emotional scene which only benefits from the use of a popular trope. Muir has an astounding ability to present something that has already been seen in a new light, which gives "Gideon the Ninth" a nostalgic and familiar note, without making it too analogous to other works of fiction.

High stakes, tension, and action definitely don't lack in this book. Even though the beginning is somewhat timid, the growing build up of mystery manages to completely overthrow the initial dreariness. There's quite a few well thought-out fight scenes, layered with striking moves and exciting moments. The very end of the book features an extensive, flashy final fight that spreads out onto dozens of pages. Needless to say, it is a perfect finish for such an thrilling novel and won't leave any reader unmoved.

I had very high expectations from "Gideon the Ninth" and I must say, it didn't disappoint. What's more, this is one of my absolutely favorite books I read throughout 2023. It offers so much, from an interesting story to a riveting resolution, but its gorgeous, compelling and engaging characters are undeniably its greatest asset. I warmly recommend it to anyone looking for an unforgettable sci-fi story packed with action and peppered with good, honest humor.

[carica-ficus]

Review: Bye-Bye Babaroga

Author: Ivana Geček

Date: 18/10/2024

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

_________________________________________________

For the first time ever, I decided to skip a few books in my "to-review" pile, and jump to the book I think needs to be brought forwards. First of, it's a horror novella that's perfect for this time of year. Second, it came out very recently, so I'm obligated to hype it up because it deserves some more recognition.

The story follows Kaja, a young esthetician that works at a plastic surgery clinic, who is set off for a team building weekend in a remote cottage, which turns into her own personal hell. Socializing with annoying and potentially dangerous colleagues is bad enough, but the thing she is worried about most is her vicious tormentor that keeps her up at night - Babaroga. Kaja will have to navigate the stressful environment by day, and make sure nobody finds out about her horrible secret by night.

A big theme of this book is the difficulty of conforming to the standards of a heteronormative society. Kaja's queerness is her lifelong struggle, and she has been lead to believe it is somehow making her wrong. This opinion leads to fear, which manifests itself in the form of Babaroga, and Geček uses this character to explore Kaja's internal conflicts, like her opinions about herself and her sexuality.

While Babaroga haunts her during the night, her condescending colleagues terrorize her during the day. Their patronizing remarks and crude comments can't really be considered dangerous, but the obviously tilted power structure puts Kaja in a position where she must be very careful of how she behaves and what she lets on about herself. When she confirms that one of her colleagues, called Butcher, already managed to cover up a botched operation, she knows that her failure to fit in might result with potentially violent consequences.

Furthermore, as an employee in a plastic surgery clinic, Kaja is forced to scrutinize her physical appearance throughout every second of the day. While there are instances when she looks in the mirror and scrutinizes her flaws, she does so in comparison to others and consequently highlights what she would potentially need to change in order to fit in. Her unhappiness stems primarily from the understanding that she's different. Such scenes act as a great commentary on the current beauty trends and the popularization of invasive products and services that primarily cater to a misogynistic, idealistic and skewed perception of beauty. Moreover, it also adds onto the exploration of queerness and its tendency to appreciate physical diversity and celebrate bodies as they are.

Tension and anxiety are riddled through the story, and Geček manages to masterfully convey it to the reader. It all culminates when Kaja finally decides to take the matter into her own hands and face her fear, and then shifts from internal turmoil to external threat. The experience of the story is very rewarding, and the tipping point satisfactory, with the ending being the cherry on top.

I could go on about all the aspects of "Bye-Bye Babaroga" that I adored, but I would need to get into spoilers. I will, however, say that this novella is composed of two parts, and the second one focuses on Babaroga's origin story, which turned out to be a real treat. I highly recommend this novella if you're into (or want to explore) corporate horror, like a pinch of Slavic fantasy, and if you've enjoyed the Substance.

[carica-ficus]

Review: Tajna Povijest

Autor: Donna Tartt

Date: 17/10/2024

Ocjena: ⭐⭐⭐

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Nastojim ne pretjerati sa knjigama koje nabavim tijekom Interlibera i pokušavam ih započeti (i završiti) što prije. Kada sam ugledala algoritamsko izdanje "Tajne Povijesti", znala sam da je moram imati. Veliki sam fan dark akademije, stoga je začetnica ovog žanra već dugo na mom popisu za čitanje i uzbuđeno sam je započela čitati još u prolljeće. Nažalost, nije me osvojila kako sam mislila da bude.

Knjiga prati Richarda Papena, novopečenog studenta koji vrlo impulzivno odluči studirati Grčki na Hampden fakultetu u Vermontu. Ondje se sprijatelji sa kolegama na istom smjeru između kojih se polako, ali sigurno, počinju razvijati nesuglasice, a vrhunac njihovih svađa rezultira sa smrću Edmunda Concorana zvanog Bunny. Richard mora prikriti njegovo ubojstvo zajedno sa ostalim kolegama kako bi sačuvao obraz i izbjegao odlazak u zatvor.

Napetost se u knjizi razvija veoma brzo te je prisutna tijekom čitave priče. Primarni dio tjeskobe proizlazi iz Richardovog lika koji, osim što treba prikriti istinu javnim službama, laže svojim prijateljima od samog početka. Sram, nedostatak samopouzdanja i nedefiniranost njegove vlastite osobnosti navode ga da stvori potpuno lažnu personu kojom bi mogao zadiviti osobe oko sebe. To ga dovodi u brojne nelagodne situacije, pa čak i opasne, gdje je njegov najveći nedostatak unutar cijele izgrađene priče zapravo problem lošeg financijskog stanja. Želi zaraditi odobravanje kolega putem lagodnog i dekadentnog načina života, no isti teško uspjeva održati jer ga jednostavno ne može priuštiti.

Njegovi odnosi sa drugim ljudima su veoma površni, a njegove stvarne osjećaje teško je odgonetnuti jer Tartt rijetko odaje gdje završavaju njegove laži, a gdje započinje istina. Time također čini Richarda savršenim nepouzdanim pripovjedačem zbog kojeg mnogi događaji unutar romana često djeluju nedefinirano ili izvrnuto. Štoviše, što priča dalje teče, to Richard sve više gubi samog sebe. U određenim scenema ta realizacija izlazi na vidjelo, pogovoto kada se nađe u nelagodnim i stresnim situacijama, no gubitak kontrole i strah od istine održava ga zatočenim u vlastitim lažima.

Ipak, Richard je jedino dovoljno priseban tijekom cijele priče da ju uopće može prenijeti, te je također važan faktor u kritici ponašanja svojih kolega. Iako im se ne suprostavlja izravno, njegovo poimanje iživljavanja u drogi, seksu i alkoholu naglašava koliko se nakaradno ponašaju. Tartt putem Richarda ukazuje na njihovu prepotentnost koja primarno proizlazi iz njihove privilegirane pozadine. Veličanje Grčke mitologije i svog studijskog programa povlači paralelu sa njihovim izvrnutim pogledom na svijet i postavljanjem samih sebe na pedestal. U procesu uživanja u životnim blagodatima, izgube dobar dio moralnosti, a ostatak utope u opijatima. Ono što ostane od njih je tek prazna ljuska nekadašnjih ljudskih bića.

"Tajna Povijest" prati njihov bijeg pred zakonom, no također njihov bijeg od suočavanja sa istinom. Glavni likovi nalaze se u neprestanom stanju tjeskobe te im je najvažnije osigurati vlastitu sigurnost. Henryev lik ima bitnu ulogu pri odvraćanju svojih prijatelja dalje od jezive činjenice da su ubojice, no ne može spriječiti osjećaj krivnje koji ih polako počinje izjedati. Njihova transformacija je naoko žestoka - iz obećavajućih mladih ljudi do osoba koje ne mogu živjeti same sa sobom - no zapravo se također radi o promijeni Richardove percepcije. Naime, tokom radnje sve više uspjeva razaznati jasne mane u njihovom ponašanju te shvaća da nisu toliko savršeni kakvima se pokušavaju prikazati.

Ipak, ne mogu reći da mi se knjiga doista svidjela. Često mi je bila dosadna, a likovi veoma naporni. Razumijem kako se nedostaci likova mogu smatrati jednim od najvažnijih elemenata ovog djela, zajedno sa njihovom pozicijom unutar društva, no činjenica da su se neprestano vraćali na jedno te isti problem te da knjiga nema definiranih vrhunaca radnje, uništilo mi je njezin doživljaj. Imala sam osjećaj kao da se radi o scenama naslaganima jednom na drugu, a da ih likovi samo pasivno proživljavaju. Pretpostavljam da bi se "Tajna Povijest" mogla smatrati djelomično satiričnom, odnosno kao pretjerani i romantizirani prikaz studija i elitnog društva, a paralele povučene sa Dionizijem i bacchanalijama kao ironična kritika preuveličavanja religijskih rituala, no ni tako ju ne mogu smatrati dovoljno zanimljivom.

Očekivala sam puno od "Tajne Povijesti", pogotovo jer slovi kao budući klasik, no samo me razočarala. Nikako se nisam mogla povezati s likovima, niti sa njihovim ciljevima, a radnja mi je bila nedovoljno zanimljiva da bi mi privukla pažnju. Sve u svemu, bila mi je previše dosadna i nije mi ponudila ništa posebno.

[carica-ficus]

Review: The Silence Factory

Author: Bridget Collins

Date: 09/10/2024

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

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I had known Bridget Collins was working on a new book, but I totally forgot that it was due to be published throughout this year, so imagine my surprise when my boyfriend pointed out "The Silence Factory" in the bookstore when I almost missed it. Granted, I have walked passed it because, in comparison to her other novels, the cover just didn't catch my attention the way it should have. But alas, that's an issue for another post.

"The Silence Factory" follows two stories - that of Sophia Ashmore-Percy who is helping her husband obtain a rare spider species, and that of Henry Latimer, set many years in the future when he meets the owner of the factories producing a curious silk that drowns away all the sounds. Sophia and Henry serve as two sides of the same coin - guided by an intense sense of loss and loneliness they are trying to mitigate by focusing on a dream of the person they care for.

Collin utilizes her characteristic structure of parallel narration where she slowly reveals the mysteries through her two main characters, expanding on their individual stories and building up the main plot. This technique allows the reader to comprehend the entirety of the narrative, but also limits the knowledge available to the characters, resulting in an interesting rendition of their quest for truth.

The book reflects on the importance of silence and its significance, but also highlights its detrimental effect, especially when its imposed on others. Its double sided nature is presented through various characters and is accentuated through the stark contrast between nobility and the working class. The lower class has to suffer through the factory noise which has a harmful effect on their health, while the higher class has the privilege to enjoy the end result of their labor. It is a critique on the system that still exists today, and expands beyond the simple portrayal of laborers versus their employers.

The produced silk is a perfect representation of an imbalance - one side is a tortuous and unbearable noise of people asking for help, while the other provides a comforting silence which allows a privileged person to turn the blind eye. Although this book focuses on the unjust reality of overproduction and the consequential exploitation of human workforce, it illustrates how easy it is to ignore a societal problem when it is not our own and how easy it is to believe aggressors who create a false sense of content.

Henry's character is constructed in order to present a personal battle for the truth. He is from a middle class family, so he can empathize with the injustice felt by those worse off than him, but is detached enough from them to not be directly affected by their sorrows. His story is that of a lost man who seeks the approval of others, which is why he easily falls under the influence of Sir Edward. He is given the opportunity for a brighter future and an acceptance of those he admires, and consequently becomes plagued by the thought of accidentally ruining it, even though he understands his point of view is tainted by opinions bestowed upon him, not his real beliefs.

This makes "The Silence Factory" a grim interpretation of gradual radicalization of young, impressionable men and the difficulty that comes with educating them about their flawed doctrines. Even though Henry is constantly confronted with people directly affected by the factory, he listens to them only when he is confronted with the fact that he is not much different from them and that his position in society is still controlled by the ones in power.

The silk factory is also an embodiment of a desecrated tradition stolen from another nation, culture and people - one that used to be sacred. The retrieval of the spiders is portrayed as a sacrilegious act, and Collins doesn't stray away from showing its obscenity. The factory becomes a vile place that pollutes the whole region. While it might be a stark contrast to its real life counterparts - museums filled with stolen art - it perfectly conveys the gruesome past colonizers want people to forget. Lands have been stripped of their culture, misinterpreted and displayed as treasure - all for the sake of glory and profit.

The fact that the spiders have an important role in exclusively female spaces, adds onto the feeling of defilement. Collins emphasizes this violation through the character of Sophia who lives in shadow of her husband. When her maid offers her the silk to relieve her pain, her husband uses this opportunity for personal gain and desecrates what is obviously meant to be sacred. While the pinnacle of his barbarity is pictured throughout one single incident, it is echoed throughout the whole book. Women are dismissed, imprisoned, ignored, and simply regarded as an object with a limited usefulness, much like the spiders which are kept in confined spaces, only taken out to be stripped of their silk.

While this book is another gorgeous piece by Collins, its heavier plot and richer worldbuilding sometimes take too much attention away from the main characters who are supposed to be its focal point. Furthermore, while the characters are easy to understand, their naivety sometimes seems very annoying and frustrating. Granted, the story requires them to appear as such, but there are some parts where it becomes quite irritating.

Nevertheless, "The Silence Factory" turned out to be a beautiful novel. It completely pulled me in with its incredible storytelling, gorgeous writing, and amazing exploration of human relationships and society as a whole. I wouldn't say my experience with it was as transformative as with "The Binding" and "The Betrayals", but it offered me something new and different from this author that I definitely appreciate.

[carica-ficus]

Review: Eyes Guts Throat Bones

Author: Moïra Fowley-Doyle

Date: 27/07/2024

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Phew, am I overdue with my reviews! But better late than never!

On a recent trip with my boyfriend, we visited Ljubljana and went to one of its bookstores where I found this book displayed among horror fiction. I have to admit, I was a little suspicious whether to give it a chance (along with another book I bought the same day) because I've had such bogus luck these last few months with buying books on a whim and finding out they're... unsatisfactory. But this time, I hit the jackpot. Not only did I love "Eyes Guts Throat Bones", but I'm confident to say Moïra Fowley-Doyle is now easily one of my favorite authors.

"Eyes Guts Throat Bones" is a collection of short horror stories dealing with the themes of queerness, love, relationships, family, and life in its entirety. It consists of 15 short stories which feature different structures and ideas, but all connect with a similar voice and tone, creating a coherent thread between them.

The narration style is exquisite, with beautifully macabre writing that is unlike any other. Fowley-Doyle is a true artist when it comes to words. "Eyes Guts Throat Bones" is an immersive, breathtaking experience, and its gorgeous prose is almost as great of an asset as its extraordinary storytelling.

This collection doesn't stray away from showing things as they are, no matter how distressing they might be. There are relationships that shine bright as stars, but burn too hot to persevere. There are characters that seem so lifelike, but could never be real. There are situations and conversations that seem so familiar, but could never be experienced. Fowley-Doyle created something entirely peculiar and raw, but also familiar, riveting and strangely comforting.

The relationships the author explores are far from perfect. Moreover, the stark visual similes, disturbing events and strong characters make them short-lived and borderline unhealthy. But Fowley-Doyle doesn't inflict judgment, nor does she expect it from her readers. Instead, the relationships are only expected to be seen as flawed. As natural. As human. And it is that which makes them beautiful and powerful. The pain, sorrow, rage and loss the character feel - and, consequently, the reader - are just as important, if not more, as happiness, belonging, and love.

Female and queer rage play a key role in this collection. They are a result of long-term, cumulative anger that piles up with each new situation, and realize their final form into violence that is manifested through revenge. It is a frightening act, but it offers a release for the tension that's been building throughout the entirety of the story. The gratifying enjoyment in the imminent destruction and the fulfillment of deserved justice feels both perverted and deviant, and also pleasurable and rewarding. Fowley-Doyle creates a space where oppressed individuals are able to fight for themselves and what they believe in, whether it be noble or not. It is a violent fantasy, but a satisfying one, showing power that often cannot be shown in real life and allowing for consequences where they would usually be none.

The experience of pregnancy is another important theme in the collection. A body becomes a vessel for another life - its function changes, as does its form. Fowley-Doyle approaches this idea from the deeply selfish experience of the person bearing the child. She allows her characters to present their raw, agonizing thoughts and feelings about the transformation they are going through. These emotions are not painted as wrong, just displayed as how they are. As much as the perspective on pregnancy has shifted over the years and that pre- and post-natal depression is talked about, painting pregnancy as a traumatic experience is still a sensitive, almost taboo topic. Fowley-Doyle's stories portray birth as a gain, but pregnancy as a loss. They put the mother as the focal point - a fully formed and developed person that has to let go of what they are in order to make something greater than themselves, which makes the horror of it all so potent.

I will never regret the day I have picked up this collection at the bookstore. Not only has it become one of my all-time favorite short story collections, but Fowley-Doyle has completely charmed me with her writing. So much so, that I will definitely be picking up some of her other works. As for "Eyes guts Throat Bones", I strongly recommend this collection to anyone searching for some incredible and unforgettable queer horror stories.

[carica-ficus]

Review: Knot My Type

Author: Evie Mitchells

Date: 04/08/2024

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Another book I got during one of the "Stuff your kindle" days! Contemporary romances are not really my genre of choice, but this novel won me over with its witty title and cute cover. Moreover, the premise sounded really interesting.

The story follows Dr. Frankie Kenton, a sexologist with a popular podcast, that gets offered the opportunity of her life when she gets nominated for a renowned award for her work. Frankie is determined to bring out her A-game for her following episodes, so she decides to discuss a question from a listener, prompting her to delve into something she's not familiar with, so she decides to find someone with more experience - a local rigger called Jay Woods. Frankie soon finds out she's more than just fascinated in his work, and Jay finds out life has more to offer than a bland everyday monotony.

The first few chapters really bring the reader in with its interesting and diverse characters, lighthearted style, dynamic dialogue and unique relationships. Mitchells manages to portray their characters' every day lives, as well as their motivations, personalities and dreams, in just a couple dozen pages, which pushes the story forward and building up the base for a promising read.

Frankie proves to be a strong lead in the book. She is a defined, confident young woman who knows exactly who she is and what she wants from life. Jay, on the other hand, cannot let go of his past and has no idea what to do with himself, but there's a sort of whimsy to his character and a sense of wonder, so when he meets Frankie, both of them hit it off quickly. The chemistry between them is based on complementary personalities, although it does expand to their sexual compatibility and physical attraction. Mitchell adds on to their instant affection, building up a relationship between them that is romantic as much as platonic, which in turn makes the book quite enjoyable and their romance interesting to follow.

While Frankie's disability isn't one of the main focuses of the story, it does play a big role in her life and is an important element of her character. Mitchell doesn't portray her disability as a tragedy, only focuses on how it alters Frankie's everyday life. When she agrees to be tied by Jay in his class, Jay needs to accommodate for her lack of movement, but he doesn't alter his approach nor his process. Although there are several situations when Frankie highlights the difficulty of being disabled and the ableism she experiences from the people around her, Jay's and her relationship center around good communication and its merits. Sex and love are enjoyable for both parties when they listen to each other's needs.

The bondage scenes are very well written, with a lot of attention focused on the different sensations and emotions during the scene. On the other hand, aside from those at the very beginning of the book, there are no more instances of rope play. Instead, the sex scenes become pretty much monotone. It is a shame the author forfeited her chance at exploring their combined sexual preferences some more, especially considering that Jay holds a sex class and Frankie is a sexologist. In turn, the second half of the book loses some of its allure. The third act breakup doesn't do it any favors. It seemed a little forced and that both Frankie and Jay lost some of their specific personalities. Especially Jay who, although completely obsessed with Frankie in a cute way, hasn't been given the chance to shape into his own unique persona.

Furthermore, as Frankie and Jay start dating, the author switches her language during sex scenes. The characters thirst for each other since the beginning, but their thoughts become weirder with each page. There are quite a few weird phrases and sentences, ones that ruin the fantasy of the book and bring the reader back to reality. It almost reads like the author is trying too hard to make the characters appear quirky and relatable, so instead they turn into strange concepts one cannot connect to.

While the multiple insights about accessibility and ableism Frankie offers were interesting, they almost always felt forced and unatural. It was if the author didn't want to accidentally write something insensitive, so she resorted to info-dumps that read like a copy-pasted wikipedia article. It just didn't seem like realistic dialogue. While I appreciated that the book tries to educate, it manages to do so more effectively through Frankie's actions and life, than by dry, carefully constructed sentences.

Another issue I had is a personal one - I am not that into dirty talk, at least, not to the extent that is offered at some of the later scenes. Mitchell seems to have completely turned around the way Jay and Frankie sleep with each other. In the beginning, most of the sex centered on different sensations, later it all became drowned in dirty talk, so much so that the sex scenes mostly just turned into dialogue which made them bland and unenjoyable.

"Knot my type" turned out to be a fun and lighthearted read. Frankie and Jay are both lovable characters and their chemistry is interesting enough to follow throughout the book and to root for their relationship. While I did have some issues with this novel and do feel a little disappointed by the lack of kink that the beginning promised, I enjoyed it and would even recommend it.