Gabriella > Recent Status Updates

Hahaaaa Dorian WHO?? Didn't know I'd be taking back my "endgame" comments within the first chapter of this book.. 👀

What can I say... I have more walls to paint and, according to reviews, the second book is better than the first! Hopefully not a case of, "Fool me once..." 😬😬😬

Needing to pace myself with this one as it's so feckin' scary. I've been reading it a chapter or so at a time for the last couple of months... which does beg the question, "Why do I do this to myself?!". Damn Adam Nevill and his likeable characters and gripping plots! I NEED to know what happens but can't bring myself to skip ahead and ruin the build-up. At this rate I'll be finished - and traumatised - by 2024!

I know people have many complaints about this series... but DAMN it's so enjoyable!! Currently listening to the dramatised adaptation on Audible, which is great apart from the cringeworthy growling and kissing sounds. Bleurgh. Why?? Regardless, this must be my fourth or fifth reread/relisten of the series. Escapist bliss!

The slow pace put me off initially, but wow... the eeriness is building. The blurb SERIOUSLY does not do this book justice, it's so much subtler and more unsettling than I expected. Strongly reminiscent of the film "Hereditary", but in its own league of slow-burn occult creepiness. I'm scared!!

"In 1595, the daily dinner of Viscount Montague was superintended by six ushers and the dishes were solemnly escorted by gentlemen-in-waiting while the household staff stood by in respectful silence; the Clerk of the Kitchen had orders not to allow the scullion to insult the Viscount's joint of meat while turning his back on it while it was roasting." Contrasted with beggars eating bread crusts from rubbish piles.

Off to a great start, already having creepy dreams and getting freaked out by the usual possum noises at night. Or are they possums...? And is that really my dressing gown hanging by the wardrobe??? Damn you, Adam Nevill!

The T. Kingfisher binge-read continues! If you haven't read any of her works, I would HIGHLY recommend trying "Paladin's Grace" (my favourite so far). I'm excited to discover more of her works... and who doesn't love a Beauty and the Beast retelling?

Trust in Tanith Lee's incredible writing is the only thing getting me past THAT cover. 😂

I've needed to put this one on hold for a while... Don't get me wrong, it's an extremely well-written and gripping book, and I love the characters and the concept. Love of the characters is the reason I need a break, though. Nevill is absolutely putting them through the wringer, and that plus the brutality of the Red People is pretty traumatic. I'm returning to this one in the holidays! I'm not emotionally ready!!

Er... somehow my finger convulsed and hit "purchase" and now I'm reading this... What can ya do. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

My best friend bought this for me for my birthday and predicted that I would love it. Being highly skeptical about this kind of thing, I had my doubts... but so far, it's fascinating.

I'm reading Kripkal's section at the moment. It's professional, rigorous, and well-written, which makes it much easier to keep an open mind. I'm intrigued to see how this one unfolds!

Rereading for an assignment I'm doing at the moment... It is just as heartrending and otherworldly as the first time I read it. Hopefully this time I won't be as emotionally destroyed by the ending (but that's a pretty feeble hope).

I'm almost too scared to keep reading because I'm too attached to the characters and I feel like Robin Hobb is about to do something terrible to them..

HELP

I'm reading this one for some work I'm doing with my Grade 3 girls - it's written in such an engaging and warm style, I'm really enjoying it so far!

"Books are compendiums of ideas and experiences, a comment on the world in which they exist, a template as to how a different one, for better or worse, may be imagined... Why require your reviewers to offer only vapid and overblown praise of whatever they find between the pages?"

This article makes some great points, worth a (critical) read: https://thebaffler.com/alienated/in-p...

I've been listening to this as an audiobook as I get ready each morning, and it's brilliant. It's taken me months to get this far in, but the story never ceases to be gripping. It's rich with character development, worldbuilding, emotion, and imagination.. How does Brandon Sanderson do it?? I *almost* hesitate to recommend this series to people as it sets the bar too high!

Heading into the final quarter now...