Taste the Books: Review Morsels #14 Rin Chupeco, Charles Yu, 'Nathan Burgoine

Intro

Hello beauties!

Welcome again to my own brand of mini reviews! I never thought I'd do minis, until I recapped a few of my long reviews in some digest post in 2014, and then guest-posted some shorties for a blogging event in 2015. And Karen from For What It's Worth started praising my short recs/recaps 😊. Just to be clear,  I'm NOT taking a break from writing long reviews - no such luck LOL. But while I'm making up my mind about a new book I've read, I might as well give you the short version 😉. Just be warned - this feature will be VERY random! So, here goes...

The Suffering by Rin Chupeco
(The Girl from the Well #2)

★★★★

The second part of the Okiku (ghost girl) and Tark (teenage boy) duo's story is told from Tark's POV, and the teenage voice is spot on. This could easily have been a 4.5 or even a 5 star one, had not the paranormal romance reared its ugly head (though I'll admit it's not a romance in any conventional sense). Also, as well-written and strong as it is, I'm not a fan of the ending, but I'm sure I'm in the minority here (am I not usually? 🙄 😉). The highlights: top-notch horror/mythology, compelling action, vibrant characters, tug-at-your-heartstrings situations, writing that maintains an inner poetic quality even in the midst of such horrors without getting in the way.

Full review to come. (Goodreads pre-review)

How to Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe by Charles Yu

★★★★★

Like a Doctor Who in reverse, a time-machine repairman spends his life in a unit not much bigger than a telephone booth (one that isn't bigger on the inside) trying to escape the flux of time - or to live his life untethered from it. It sounds sad and static and it sort of is (though peppered with humour and short visits to the science-fictional universe), except it makes for a series of poignant meditations on life, and of course, time. And then it becomes a window to another time, and it BECOMES the story of a life (or two) folded on itself (themselves), and a plea to write your own fiction/life story, or embrace it at least.

Full review to come. (Goodreads pre-review)

Exit Plans for Teenage Freaks by 'Nathan Burgoine

★★★

Rated 3.5 really.

More paranormal than sci-fi light (also because, apparently, teleporting is an innate ability), with a strong contemporary/diverse bone. Despite my rating (since I have books that I love more dearly), this one was a fun, sweet, engaging read with an endearing main character and a great ensemble cast - though I wish they had been given more screen time and developed better (or all equally). ALL the queer rep, and gay/ace/pan boys who are "just" spectacularly FRIENDS with each other; a deaf parent who features a lot (along with sign language); a nerd protagonist who owns it and yet is a bit awkward, but not socially impaired; a fast romance that actually doesn't feel forced. Oh, and a lot of doors, and a few bad guys, and an everyday hero.

Full review to come. (Goodreads pre-review)

So, have you read/are you planning to read any of the above? And if you have, what do you think of them? Do you post mini reviews? Do you like to read them?