The book eaters had teeth they could unsheath like vampires and they ate books, but they could also use them for offenI liked the concept quite a lot.
The book eaters had teeth they could unsheath like vampires and they ate books, but they could also use them for offence when desperate, biting people. Some special few were born differently, and owned a cylindrical tongue called proboscis with which they sucked the brain of a person from their ear canal.
We basically follow our protagonist as she tries to escape an ongoing chase, from her oppressors, which are the so called 'Family' and generally, the Patriarchy.
What I found most interesting was the concept of book eaters, and that's what I'm going to remember I believe. Also, the image of a fighting mother is very real, I could feel and justify our protagonist's every action. Love has no cost.
I didn't particularly care for the love interest, or any other character other than the main two. I struggled finishing the last 50 pages of the story (been trying for a week) and I don't know why.
It was an okay read. But I'm happy that I read it....more
A Sunday paper gave this book as a special offer. I'm glad to have bought it.
A fight with the devil itself. Or the devil each one has inside us, if yoA Sunday paper gave this book as a special offer. I'm glad to have bought it.
A fight with the devil itself. Or the devil each one has inside us, if you prefer. I enjoy fantasy, and this book had many many stories of paranormal, of fantasy and adventure that I felt like a kid again and, at the same time, didn't. Some of the fairytales we were told when we were younger, but with a darker twist, some other tales that are more haunting than I imagined.
I was happy to accompany our characters in their adventures and enjoyed reading about our protagonist's companions, their lives and stories. I was enthralled by the narration, in a way that I found myself not caring about how the story would end. And when it ended, I cried, because it is one of these stories that tours you around life from its beginnings to its ends. Makes you wonder about your own life and your own aggressive feelings as well.
"You told me you had destroyed it.” “I was wrong. It has destroyed me.” “I don’t believe it is my picture.” “Can’t you see your romance in it?” said D"You told me you had destroyed it.” “I was wrong. It has destroyed me.” “I don’t believe it is my picture.” “Can’t you see your romance in it?” said Dorian, bitterly. “My romance, as you call it . . .” “As you called it.” “There was nothing evil in it, nothing shameful. This is the face of a satyr.” “It is the face of my soul.”
(┛✧Д✧))┛彡┻━┻
Ah. This book was hard on my mentality. I haven't read the censored version of this book, nor do I intend to. The main changes were highlighted in the first 70 pages of the book and the last 50 were citations. So the story in this book is 161 pages.
ƪ(˘⌣˘)ʃƪ(˘⌣˘)ʃ
The main reason I disliked the story is of course, the main character. Dorian is a villain, and we get to see things from his perspective, we get to see the path he takes for his soul to be utterly and completely corrupted, until even the tiniest hope that his mind can be salvaged will be torn apart. To be clear, I like villain origin stories. I like to see the way villains think and all the psychological turmoil they're under. However, Dorian, I really hated. Okay, he got corrupted by Henry, but he was so convinced that his philosophy was the right one, that he rarely stopped to actually question his actions, if ever. There is no character arc in the sense that makes the biography of a character flourish or darken. It is written in a way that makes you certain that Dorian was doomed to fail from the start. Like he was dark from the start, no light was emanating from him.
Of course, I know more or less the story. I haven't been taught of it in schools like English people have, (here in Greece we are taught greek ancient tales when in school) but I've seen a thing or two to know what happens. I wasn't new to the story. It is a tragic tale with a tragic protagonist and tragic supporting characters; of course Dorian is doomed to fail. But I just couldn't like him and I just couldn't help reading his pov. Neutral to everything that went on Dorian's mind. Intrigued at first at what Henry was saying, but later developing a deep disgust in everything he claimed to believe. The only character I grew to like was Basil. He cared deeply for Dorian and loved him truly. And that's what makes me hate Dorian even more. Because of the way Dorian acts, like he cares about nothing, like he has no soul, exactly because he traded it with the devil in exchange for eternal youth. He remains still at whatever harm he causes, still like a portrait, he learns and learns things, though he never falters, he never changes and he never grows. It was a novelty, a genius idea really, what Wilde chose to write. Genius, at a great cost.
I really hate Dorian, the main villain, the main protagonist, I dislike Henry and the story makes me sad. But I like it on some level. And I'm happy that I read it. I just don't want to read it again.
Some parts of the chapters felt long and boring, while other (mostly the ones with Basil in them) were far more interesting to read.
I feel obligated to cite one part that made me laugh. It is when the first death takes place and the corruption starts taking place in Dorian's heart. We can feel how deeply he is affected in the following words:
"But, as I was saying, you must not think I have not suffered. If you had come in yesterday at a particular moment, about half-past five, perhaps, or a quarter to six, you would have found me in tears"
Which literally translates to:
"Hey, Dorian, your wife-to-be just died and you don't appear very sad to me"
"Don't say I'm heartless!! For a particular minute yesterday afternoon I almost cried, okayy?!!??"
¯\_(ツ)_/¯¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Anyway.
I'm probably going to see the recent movie adaptation some time soon....more
The art and the story were captivating and interesting. However, it was obvious that the author wanted to drop this halfway through. So the quality drThe art and the story were captivating and interesting. However, it was obvious that the author wanted to drop this halfway through. So the quality dropped along with the author's will to continue it. It's the first time I'm reading such a rushed and chaotic ending. The story had it's good cute parts, but the unsatisfying ending plays a big part in the whole image of the story....more
I loved it very very much! The characters are so loveable (◕ᴗ◕✿)
I'm saddened that it's cancelled; I hoped it would be the next Jujutsu Kaisen or ChainI loved it very very much! The characters are so loveable (◕ᴗ◕✿)
I'm saddened that it's cancelled; I hoped it would be the next Jujutsu Kaisen or Chainsaw Man. Now its cancellation won't produce a strong fandom. I'm kinda hoping for a short anime adaptation of the story, regardless of the "axing" of the manga.
I pre-ordered the first three volumes! That's how excited I am (✷‿✷)...more
This is a classic story that has strongly moved my thoughts and imagination.
The first time I officially listened to the story was, I believe, around tThis is a classic story that has strongly moved my thoughts and imagination.
The first time I officially listened to the story was, I believe, around two summers ago, when I listened to the English audiobook classic horror stories. Now a group of Greeks has launched an audiobook app called 'Bookvoice' and I bought the translated Frankenstein title in order to remind myself some details of the story I missed, because English is not my mother language.
The narration was exquisite.
It is a story that will forever trouble me because it deals with one's passion to challenge the current borders of medicine and technology and move them one step further; it deals with the endless ambitions of genius minds, minds which hunger for genuine knowledge and achievements; minds that deeply believe they can help humanity progress and take that step to the beyond, a journey to the very unknown.
But, what's more, it deals with the crushing of these same dreams, the unforgiving hand of (call it) fate, the moment then reality cuts on your daydreaming just to remind you that no matter what you do, you with eventually fail miserably.
To me, Frankenstein is more than a classic horror story, a goth historical drama about a scientific experiment gone wrong. Frankenstein is a story of mental resilience, the persistence of one's mind to achieve something bigger than the world one knows. Frankenstein to me is one of the officially written primal cogs that set the wheel of technological thoughts and imaginations back in motion.
There are a million ways one story as such could end; Mary chose the ending that would stun, and make people converse about, for ages to come.
SPOILERS AHEAD
Still, even if it ends in misery and unfulfilled revenge on both sides, it is satisfactory to remember that the problem could be solved with some open-mindedness on the creators behalf. The mistakes the 'monster' made were unforgiving. However considering that he is but a child of barely 1-2 years of existence trapped in a tall and physically powerful monstrous body, rejected by every person he ever tried getting close to, especially by his father, having all that power along with a compressed feeling of injustice, it isn't hard to predict what would follow.
What astonished me the most, was how much of Frankenstein's self was put into this new creation.
His genius, as well as his commitment to his purpose, the incomparable selfishness masked in a shape of questionable selflessness and in the drive to bring the world to its salvation/ help the people by small acts of kindness; these two creatures, creator and creation share many similarities. The creation had every condition to be a highly achieving respectable being, had it simply not a Terror-striking appearance. It isn't hard to assume that, had this story taken place in a more modern setting, this story would have a completely different outcome (a.k.a. Hotel Transylvania animation movie)
(I mentioned before the questionable selflessness. I want to also mention that every selfless action of kindness is either based or produces a very very selfish feeling of achievement; I neither condemn nor congratulate that fact. I want to highlight the similarity that as Frankenstein tries to create a being that will help the world and wants to be remembered as a saviour a hero or a genius, the 'monster', too, helps the people carry their woods and make them chores in the hope they will offer him unquestioning unconditional love.)
(The theory of selfishness-selflessness was mentioned by Joey to Phoebe in the series 'Friends'. It has a strong basis if one considers it)
Frankenstein's creation is searching for his father's love everywhere, but in a close-minded scared and unforgiving world, where security is not granted like in modern ages and every mistake could as well be your last without any phone to contact someone for help, it is reasonable that people see something big and scary and they're afraid. It is the drive of survival.
Closing, I want to say this is a deeply affecting story, it frightens and simultaneously inspires me, it makes me think, and it makes me judge, and it makes me cry. But most importantly it makes me find hope where the characters had none, keeps me wishing I could change things, and this unfulfilled destiny is what gives life, in a bigger perspective, the meaning and the burning motivation to keep trying to succeed where others failed and finally change the course of history or produce technological results, inspiring and never-ending.
Let's raise a glass to evolution; I hope Frankenstein's god complex hasn't rubbed off on me (/¯◡ ‿ ◡)/¯ ~ ┻━┻...more
I didn't expect to finish this book in two sittings. Many twists and turns for our beloved characters ⊙.☉ Much more depth than I had observed from the dI didn't expect to finish this book in two sittings. Many twists and turns for our beloved characters ⊙.☉ Much more depth than I had observed from the donghua. Can't wait to read the remaining 6 volumes when they get released (♡ω♡ ) ~♪...more
The plot twist at the final chapter... I had only watched the donghua and had no idea. This book is hilarious, loved it far more than I expected to. AlrThe plot twist at the final chapter... I had only watched the donghua and had no idea. This book is hilarious, loved it far more than I expected to. Already ordered the next volume, can't wait to see what happens next (✿ ♡‿♡)...more
Such a heartwarming story, it made me feel cozy and content (❁´▽`❁)*✲゚* The art is cute and the characters were so loveable! I would definitely read morSuch a heartwarming story, it made me feel cozy and content (❁´▽`❁)*✲゚* The art is cute and the characters were so loveable! I would definitely read more by this author and this illustrator o(*^▽^*)o...more
During my read of this book, I fluctuated between giving it 3 stars to 5 stars and I wasn't quite surWhat..? WHAT?!!?! Where's the rest of the book???
During my read of this book, I fluctuated between giving it 3 stars to 5 stars and I wasn't quite sure, because it was longer than I was hoping for. But. When the ending arrived, I was stunned it was only that long.
Around Ch.27 I got bored and wasn't sure why the story was dragging at that point. But the author has based the story on its twists and turns, the mystery and revelation mattering more than the adventurous fantasy. I admit, while reading it, I got some Harry Potter and Lotr vibes, due to the chosen-one trope, the dark shadows which I imagined like the Dementors, the magic, the dark power... however things are not how they appear and not how I predicted them to be.
I had formed two ships (as in relationships) that I thought would sail, and was dumbfounded when- certain kissing scene happened. I hadn't read anything else Pacat, however, I knew this book was queer and was utterly disappointed by some of the developments. HOWEVER! It was not as I thought it was. You can see I'm trying not to spoil anything here.
What I'm trying to say, is that I'm excited about how things turned out to be. I love me some good dark plot twist. And James. Every time he appeared in a scene, he immediately caught my interest. Some of the characters were likeable, most of them were interesting, but none of them were put out there in vain; the author had a purpose for all of them and I can see it clearly now.
I'm glad I finished this book and didn't drop it. There were times I was questioning whether it was weirdly written or if I was tired and couldn't read it. But it was simply building up to a point and the structure relied on the idea of revelation.
I liked this book. I thought it was a standalone. I was hoping it was, at first. Now I'm glad it isn't.
I'm afraid that if I talk more about the characters and the story, I'm gonna spoil something. And I don't want to, because the enjoyment of this book is based on you not knowing anything. So let's keep it that way.
Read this book if you like mystery, dark magic, chosen-one tropes and plot twists!...more