Quick Takes
Short takes on music, films, TV, anime, books, manga, audiobooks, and podcasts — the one-line reactions people leave when they scrobble, published to the Hive blockchain so each one is owned by its author. 1,500 takes and counting.
- Nothing stays buried forever and secrets have consequences. That's the summary of this dark, sensual and unsettling gothic fantasy. Keri Lake is the queen of gothic stories and I enjoyed reading this book. If you enjoy a blend of gothic horror, dark academia, medical mystery and forbidden romance, you'll love *Nocticadia*.
- After spending so much time reading dark romance, Passengers by John Marrs was exactly the change I needed. The story explores the frightening possibilities of AI, showing how technology meant to make our lives easier can become deadly in the wrong hands. Even though it was published in 2019, it feels even more relevant today. Fast-paced, suspenseful, and impossible to put down, I was constantly wondering which of the eight passengers would survive. Easily one of my favorite reads of the year.
- Caraval by Stephanie Garber was such a curious and magical start to the series. What begins as two sisters' chance to escape their toxic home soon turns into a whirlwind of mystery, challenges, and constant uncertainty. Without spoiling anything, I'd describe this book with just a few words: sisters, love, compromises, and difficult decisions. With so many twists packed into the first installment, I'm already excited to see where the rest of the series takes the story.
- The second book was even more enjoyable than the first, but I ended up giving it the same rating because I guessed a few of the plot twists, and the ending felt a bit too abrupt, clearly setting up the third book. That said, I was completely hooked by the story. This time, Tella takes the spotlight as she enters Caraval with much higher stakes than before. I also loved learning more about the sisters' family history, which added more depth to the story and made the journey even more enjoyable.
