Books matching: very engrossing complex
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- #1
Save:The Dragon Republic is the second installment in the dark and immersive fantasy series 'The Poppy War' by R.F. Kuang. The book continues Rin's story, a powerful protagonist grappling with PTSD, addiction, and the aftermath of the Third Poppy War. The plot delves into themes of maturing, power, war, and the consequences of one's actions, set against a backdrop inspired by Chinese history. Kuang's writing style is described as brutal, dark, and unapologetic in portraying the full nature of war and its aftermath, with jaw-dropping twists that leave readers eager for the next volume.
Dawn saw the Petrel sail through swirling mist into the port city of Adlaga. Shattered by a storm of Federation soldiers during the Third Poppy War, port security still hadn’t recovered and was almost...
(Also, see 100 recommendations for the series The Poppy War ) - #2
Save:'2666' by Roberto Bolano is a sprawling epic that delves into the horrors of mass violence in the twentieth century, focusing on the serial murders of young women in Mexico's Ciudad Juárez, fictionalized as Santa Teresa in the novel. The book comprises five interconnected novellas, with the city serving as a central anchor that permeates the mood of the work. Through meticulous detail and profound lyricism, the novel meditates on violence, art, love, and abstract matters in a deeply human and pervasive manner, crafting a narrative that is both challenging and engrossing.
The book spans nearly a century, jumping between continents and characters while exploring themes of literary criticism, journalism, corruption, World War II, and the brutal murders of women in Santa Teresa. Bolano's writing style is described as precise, searing, and mordantly funny, with a core indictment of state institutions for their failure to protect vulnerable citizens. The narrative weaves together seemingly unrelated stories, creating a complex tapestry that offers a unique perspective on the interconnectedness of violence, art, and human experiences.
The first time that Jean-Claude Pelletier read Benno von Archimboldi was Christmas 1980, in Paris, when he was nineteen years old and studying German literature. The book in question was D'Arsonval. T... - #3
Save:'Revelation Space' by Alastair Reynolds is a space opera that delves into a complex universe filled with alien civilizations, advanced technologies, and mysterious ancient artifacts. The story follows characters like Dr. Dan Sylveste, Ana Khouri, and Sajaki as they navigate through a plot that involves lost civilizations, rogue AIs, and interstellar conflicts. The writing style of the book is often described as imaginative and intricate, with a focus on detailed descriptions of futuristic settings and technologies.
Sylveste stood on the edge of the excavation and wondered if any of his labours would survive the night. The archaeological dig was an array of deep square shafts separated by baulks of sheer-sided so... - #4
Save:'Last Day on Mars' in the series 'Chronicle Of The Dark Star' by Kevin Emerson is a young adult science fiction novel set in the year 2213, where mankind has abandoned Earth due to the sun converting into a red dwarf and is rapidly expanding. The story follows thirteen-year-old Liam and Phoebe spending their last day on Mars with their parents as they prepare to move to a new star system due to the impending destruction of Mars. The plot involves a race against time to save the fleet of spaceships, with engaging characters and a richly imagined future world.
Emerson's writing style in 'Last Day on Mars' is praised for its compelling plot, thoughtful descriptions, and well-developed characters. is highlighted for its young teenage science fiction theme, age-appropriate character interactions, and the emotional struggles faced by the main characters, making it an excellent read for readers of almost all ages.
The great ships streaked away from the red planet like shooting stars. One, ten, hundreds they went, their fusion rockets burning, solar sails unfurling, their hulls vibrating with millions of sighs o... - #5
Save:'Piranesi' by Susanna Clarke is a genre-bending oddball that unfolds a mysterious world through the eyes of the narrator who lives in a vast house, which to him, is the whole world. As the story progresses, the House slowly reveals its secrets, leading the narrator to rediscover himself while questioning everything he thought he knew. captures themes of memory, identity, and mental health, creating a fascinating and claustrophobic atmosphere that keeps readers intrigued till the end.
I climbed up the Western Wall until I reached the Statue of a Woman carrying a Beehive, fifteen metres above the Pavement. The Woman is two or three times my own height and the Beehive is covered with... - #6
Save:'Blood: A Novel' by Patricia Traxler follows the story of Norrie, a painter who receives a Radcliffe Fellowship and moves to an apartment in Harvard Housing to focus on her art. The book delves into Norrie's passionate affair with Michael, a married writer, and her relationships with her friends Clara and Devi. As the plot unfolds, a murder occurs, leading to suspicions and tensions among the characters. Traxler's writing style intricately weaves together themes of love, art, friendship, and the darker aspects of human nature.
- #7
Save:This political novel from the 1970s, A Flag for Sunrise by Robert Stone, delves into a fictionalized version of the troubling events in U.S. allies in Central America in the 1980s. The narrative follows a troubled anthropologist, a coast guard crewman, a gang of smugglers, a nun who's lost her faith, and a dying priest, all entangled in a web of mysticism, greed, drugs, and American wrongdoing. Stone weaves a masterful story leading up to a failed revolution in a fictional Central American country called Tecan, portraying the characters as desperate individuals, each with their own motives and involvement in the government overthrow. The book's dense and beautiful writing style captivates readers with its exploration of psychology, philosophy, and theology, while also painting a vivid picture of the characters and the setting.
Father Egan left off writing, rose from his chair and made his way—a little unsteadily—to the bottle of Flor de Cana which he had placed across the room from his desk. The study in which he worked was... - #8
Save:"The End of Alice" by A.M. Homes is a deeply disturbing and provocative novel that delves into the unsettling world of pedophilia. The story follows an imprisoned pedophile who engages in an erotically charged correspondence with a nineteen-year-old girl, both revealing and reveling in their obsessive desires. Through graphic descriptions and disturbing imagery, the author portrays the complexities and horrors of the characters' past and present actions, creating a novel that is part romance, part horror story, both unnerving and seductive.
Homes skillfully handles the sensitive subject matter of pedophilia with dexterity, neither sensationalizing nor glossing over the gravity of the characters' actions. is described as uncomfortable yet engrossing, challenging readers to confront the dark and twisted minds of the protagonists while also offering insights into the causes that lead to such monstrous behavior.
Who is she that she should have this afflicted addiction, this oddly acquired taste for the freshest of flesh, to tell a story that will start some of you smirking and smiling, but that will leave oth... - #9
Save:The Glass Palace by Amitav Ghosh is a sweeping saga spanning three generations across India, Burma, and Malaya, from the early 19th century to the 1990s. The story follows interconnected families through tough times, successful business ventures, and devastation caused by the Second World War. The book delves into themes of colonialism, the road to independence, and cultural nuances, capturing the lives and interrelationships of the characters over a century full of adventure, romance, and drama.
There was only one person in the food-stall who knew exactly what that sound was that was rolling in across the plain, along the silver curve of the Irrawaddy, to the western wall of Mandalay’s fort. ... - #10
Save:The Moor's Account by Laila Lalami is a historical fiction novel that follows the story of Mustafa al Zamori, a Moroccan slave renamed Estebanico, who survives a disastrous Spanish expedition to Florida. The book vividly describes the journey of the expedition, the interactions with Native American tribes, and the struggles for survival in the New World. Through the eyes of the protagonist, readers are exposed to the brutal realities of colonization, the clash of cultures, and the quest for freedom amidst adversity. Lalami's writing style intertwines meticulous research with imaginative storytelling, offering a fresh perspective on a historical event often overlooked in traditional narratives.
It was the year 934 of the Hegira, the thirtieth year of my life, the fifth year of my bondage—and I was at the edge of the known world. I was marching behind Señor Dorantes in a lush territory he, an...
