Perpustakaan Tengah Malam by Matt Haig

Nora Seed mengalami depresi. Ibunya meninggal dunia. Dia membatalkan perkahwinannya di saat akhir. Kucing kesayangannya mati. Cita-citanya menjadi perenang profesional, ahli glasiologi dan kemudiannya menjadi ahli muzik dengan band sendiri terkubur dan pada usia 35 tahun dia diberhentikan kerja.

Dari situ, dia mengambil keputusan membunuh diri. 

Namun bila dia membuka mata, seolah-olah masa telah berhenti dan dia berada di dalam sebuah bangunan perpustakaan. Rak buku yang tiada berpenghujung dan langsung tidak menunjukkan jalan keluar. Terdapat seorang pustakawan yang persis pustakawan sekolahnya dulu, Mrs. Elm. 

Mrs. Elm menjelaskan yang Nora berada di Perpustakaan Tengah Malam, di antara kehidupan dan kematian. Buku-buku di rak membolehkan Nora menjalani versi kehidupan yang berbeza.

Nora berpeluang menjalani dunia kemungkinan yang dia inginkan. Dia popular, dia dicintai, dia mencapai cita-citanya tapi semua itu tidak seperti yang dibayangkan Nora. Dia terasa begitu asing dan seterusnya tidak betah untuk berlama-lama di dunia kemungkinan itu.

Tema magical realism nampak mengkhayalkan. Kita pernah merasakan hidup ini tidak adil dan mengingini kehidupan sempurna orang lain. Novel ini mengajak pembaca untuk refleksi diri tentang pilihan, penyesalan dan penerimaan. Saya juga suka bagaimana penulis menunjukkan bahawa kadangkala kita terlalu sibuk menangisi perkara yang sudah berlaku dan terlalu takut dengan perkara yang belum tentu berlaku sampai terlupa menghargai apa yang masih ada di depan mata. Walaupun novel ini menyentuh isu depresi dan bunuh diri, ia tetap memberi rasa harapan. Harapan bahawa hidup mungkin tidak sempurna, tetapi itu tidak bermakna ia tidak layak untuk diteruskan. Dan saya sangat suka dengan pengakhiran yang Nora pilih. 4.5 ⭐

Not A Monster by Chua Kok Yee

5 ⭐s!!!!

Whenever I come across an underrated book that turns out to be this good, I always feel overwhelmed and do not want to finish it so fast. That was exactly how I felt while reading Not a Monster. I honestly wish this book had a sequel. What I loved most about this book was the mix of police procedural, the insight into how the police work, the peek into the perpetrator’s point of view, and the way it explores human nature in general. You can tell the author did a remarkable job of research on the subject matter. No wonder it was selected as a winner of Fixi Novo contest.

I am trying to keep this review spoiler free, but I was way too excited while reading, so consider this a tiny spoiler warning just in case. 😂 Inspector Nadra Sunau is assigned to investigate a missing child case. The disappearance creates panic in the community, especially after the media sensationalizes the case and starts linking it to supernatural elements.

The Shadowman resurfaces because of the similarities of the cases. The Shadowman dubbed by the media during a spate of missing-child cases. Before each child disappeared, their family had taken a photo, and in every photo there was a shadowy figure lurking in the background. Unfortunately, the children were found too late, buried in secluded places. And the Shadowman case remains unsolved.

One of the IO in charge was Inspector Dominic Wong. He was also handling another disturbing case involving young women who were raped and brutally murdered. With no DNA evidence and no murder weapon, the police were left chasing one red herring after another. Dom was the one who came face to face with the ingenious Shadowman!

I really loved how the two protagonists eventually crossed paths. Their different perspectives added so much to the story, and the author did a great job juggling multiple plotlines without making it confusing. The plot twist really gave me the goosebumps. 

Not a Monster is such an intriguing and well-researched crime thriller, and it definitely deserves more attention.

The Crystal Stopper by Maurice Leblanc

Arsene Lupin ialah seorang pencuri yang licik, bijak menyamar, dan merupakan orang yang paling dikehendaki di Perancis. Namun Lupin bukan pencuri biasa. Dia hanya menyasarkan golongan kaya yang zalim, sombong, dan mengumpul harta melalui cara yang kotor. 

Dalam organisasi pencuri yang mempunyai rangkaian luas di seluruh negara, Lupin mempunyai ramai rakan subahat. Pengaruhnya kuat dan rahsianya tersimpan rapi dalam pelbagai lapisan masyarakat, daripada golongan bawahan hinggalah ke kelas atasan. Satu operasi mencuri beberapa karya seni telah membawanya ke rumah seorang wakil rakyat bernama Alexis Daubrecq. Antara barang yang ditemui ialah penutup kristal botol arak. Pada mulanya, objek kecil itu langsung tidak menarik perhatian Lupin. Operasi itu gagal apabila rakan subahatnya ditangkap pihak berkuasa. Tapi Lupin berjaya meloloskan diri bersama penutup kristal itu.

Penutup kristal itu kemudian hilang secara misteri dari rumah rahsianya, barulah dia mula percaya bahawa objek tersebut menyimpan sesuatu yang jauh lebih besar nilainya. Sejak itu, Lupin sedar bahawa nyawa rakan-rakannya, malah nyawanya sendiri, berada dalam bahaya.

Setelah Lupin mengetahui yang dia sebenarnya diperangkap dalam operasi ini, maka matlamatnya untuk melunaskan dendam lama dan membongkar skandal politik yang membahayakan nyawa dan negara amat nyata. Tapi Daubrecq bukan lawan Lupin yang biasa-biasa. Setiap langkahnya berjaya dipatahkan dengan bergaya. Watak protagonis dan antagonis di sini amat menyerlah serta mendebarkan.

Walaupun ini karya terjemahan namun mesejnya amat sampai dengan naik turunnya adrenalin saya. Cat-and-mouse thriller ni boleh dikatakan sama bijak dengan Sherlock Holmes ya! Saya juga sangat mengagumi jalan ceritanya yang sarat dengan plot twist. Karya asal ini diterbitkan sekitar tahun 1912.

Murder At The Black Cat Cafe by Seishi Yokomizo

This is the seventh installment in the Kosuke Kindaichi series. The premise feels quite similar to She Walks at Night, which I read recently, but the execution still managed to blow my mind. This collection contains two stories, Murder at the Black Cat Cafe and Why Did the Well Wheel Creak?, both set in postwar Japan.

What I find interesting is the narrative structure. The narrator is in the process of writing a novel based on a local murder case, and the protagonist of that novel is none other than Kosuke Kindaichi himself. Kindaichi agrees to cooperate by sharing his records and documents, creating a story within a story that adds another layer to the mystery.

The body of a woman is discovered on the grounds of the Black Cat Cafe. The owners, a married couple known as the Daigos, had moved out only a week earlier. The victim appears to have been struck in the back of the head with a hatchet found nearby.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Daigo were involved in affairs, making the case look straightforward at first. But with Kindaichi, things are never as simple as they seem, and the evidence tells a far more complicated story.

The second story is about the striking resemblance between Daisuke Honiden and Goichi Akizuki. Compared to the wealthy Honiden family, the Akizukis live in unfortunate circumstances and are treated poorly. Goichi, the illegitimate son of the former family head of Honiden, has every reason to seek revenge. But after he is reported dead in battle, a series of mysterious deaths begins at the Honiden estate, and Daisuke no longer seems like the man he once was.

Both stories explore how revenge can destroy not only the intended target, but also innocent people caught in the crossfire. In the first story, even a black cat is killed to create false evidence, which I found cruel. In the second, Goichi may not have succeeded in taking revenge directly, but his actions still ruin many lives. Such a horrible way to die.

Another brilliant mystery from Yokomizo. I’m continually amazed by how he takes what seems like a familiar setup and turns it into something so intricate. 4.5 ⭐

Noir by Rizal Ramli

Saya suka dengan plot dan premis Noir. Walaupun nampak seperti kisah jenayah yang biasa, tema yang diketengahkan sebenarnya sangat dekat dengan realiti hidup iaitu trauma dan bagaimana seseorang boleh terperangkap dalam hubungan yang toksik tanpa tahu jalan keluar.

Setiap watak dalam novel ini saling berkait antara satu sama lain secara tidak langsung. Garapan wataknya pula dibuat dengan kemas, menjadikan jalan cerita mudah diikuti walaupun fast-pace. 

Mengisahkan Suriati, seorang wanita yang terpaksa hidup bersama Salman, suami yang bukan sahaja mendera fizikalnya, malah memusnahkan emosi dan mentalnya. Watak Salman memang sangat menjadi. Jenis antagonis yang cukup lengkap pakejnya. Manipulatif, panas baran, dan langsung tiada rasa belas kasihan. Setiap kali dia muncul, memang automatik rasa menyampah!

Kesabaran Suriati sampai ke titik terakhir apabila dia dipaksa untuk bersubahat dalam satu rompakan bersenjata. Dari sini, cerita mula menjadi semakin tegang. Rompakan itu akhirnya 'berjaya' dipatahkan oleh pihak berkuasa, tetapi banyak nyawa terkorban. Monolog Suriati sebagai mangsa dera, ditambah pula dengan rasa bersalah yang menghantui dirinya, membuatkan kisah ini terasa lebih berat dan menyentuh.

Dalam kekalutan itulah muncul Inspektor Khalis. Wataknya memang outstanding, tenang dan bijak sepanjang masa. Ada iras-iras Arash Mohd katanya. 😎 Kehadirannya bukan sekadar pegawai penyiasat, tetapi juga sebagai watak yang membawa sedikit harapan dalam cerita yang penuh dengan sisi gelap manusia.

Apa yang saya suka, penulis turut mengetengahkan tekanan yang dihadapi pihak polis. Politik pejabat, campur tangan pihak atasan, serta desakan media dan orang awam membuatkan tugas mereka terasa lebih realistik. Bukan sekadar kejar penjenayah dan mendapat pujian. 

Secara keseluruhannya, Noir ialah sebuah novel thriller yang berjaya menggabungkan aksi, emosi, dan isu masyarakat.

Watching You Fall by Dreda Say Mitchell & Ryan Carter

Watching You Fall is about Josie and Megan, two sisters with a deeply complicated and toxic relationship. They went down very different paths in life, but no matter what Megan did to her over the years, Josie always stood by her. I was so sick of their relationship.

When Megan is found dead from a drug overdose, Josie is forced to keep her promise to take care of Megan’s son, Sunny. The autopsy says Megan injected herself, but Josie refuses to believe it. Megan was terrified of needles because of a traumatic event in her past, so Josie becomes convinced that someone killed her.

She has two prime suspects in mind, but the truth is far more complicated than it first appears.

Things become even more tense when Sunny moves in with Josie’s family. He constantly stirs up trouble, and Trevor wants nothing to do with him because he despised Megan. Josie keeps making excuses for Sunny’s behavior until she finally reaches her limit.

I have to say, this story had a lot of potential. I liked how it touched on PTSD, trauma, and narcissistic behavior, and the writing itself was decent. Still, something felt a little off. The storyline set thirty years earlier and the overall execution did not feel as tightly developed as I had hoped.

Thank you to @netgalley and Amazon Publishing UK for the review copy. This book will be published on 15 May

Dendam Putera Melaut by Nami Cob Nobbler

Mengisahkan era sebelum dan selepas kemerdekaan sebuah kerajaan bernama Gelanggayu. Salah satu tanah jajahannya ialah Melaut, namun hubungan antara kedua-duanya sentiasa tegang akibat penindasan yang telah berlaku sejak sekian lama. Ironinya, Melaut merupakan wilayah yang sangat kaya dengan tanah subur, hasil laut, emas dan pelbagai sumber galian.

Melaut ditadbir oleh Tunku Kasim bersama adindanya, Tunku Atan. Dalam menghadapi pergolakan politik, mereka berusaha mempertahankan kedaulatan negeri dan enggan tunduk kepada pengaruh kuasa asing dan juga Wijayapura.

Putera Tunku Atan, Tunku Yahya, pula mempunyai cita-cita yang jauh berbeza daripada ayahandanya. Demi kuasa dan kekayaan, dia mempelajari pelbagai strategi untuk menguasai ekonomi serta politik antarabangsa, sehingga sanggup menggadaikan tanah air sendiri.

Di sinilah muncul hero yang dinanti-nantikan, Tunku Muhammad Niat yang digelar Mamat, putera kepada Tunku Kasim. Walaupun masih kecil, Mamat ialah seorang kanak-kanak genius. Dia menjadi mata-mata kecil untuk ayahandanya. Dan sekelip mata juga dia menjadi orang yang dipercayai Yahya. Sebijak-bijak Yahya, bijak lagi Mamat. Dengan wajah kecilnya yang naif, dia belajar kelicikan Yahya.

Itu saja snippet yang dapat saya tuliskan. Kalau boleh banyak yang saya nak ulas tapi nanti jadi spoiler pulak. Tapi apa yang boleh saya cakap, tulisan Nami tak sama macam ACT tu. Lain weiiii!!! Berubah 180°. Saya suka dan puas hati dengan evolusi ini. Walaupun kisah ini berlatar zaman dulu, Nami tetap mengekalkan lenggok bahasa dia sendiri.

Sejarah alternatif yang diketengahkan terasa segar, terutamanya untuk generasi muda. Lebih-lebih lagi ketika kita semakin menghampiri musim pilihan raya, novel ini mengingatkan bahawa strategi politik memerlukan kebijaksanaan, pengalaman, kesabaran dan pengaruh yang digunakan demi membantu golongan yang tertindas. Itulah mesej utama yang paling saya hargai dalam DPM.

Nipah Nightmares by Ismim Putera

Another story inspired by a real event that once sent fear across Malaysia and almost brought the local pig farming industry down. The real outbreak behind it infected hundreds and killed over a hundred people, which makes the story feel even more alarming right from the start.

The story is about Kiew Seng Boo, a sixteen year old boy living in a pig farmhouse deep in Kampung Sungai Nipah. He spends his days helping his parents manage an overcrowded farm that is poorly maintained and far from hygienic. At the same time, dengue cases are rising. A long drought followed by heavy rains only makes things worse, creating the perfect conditions for an outbreak that refuses to slow down.

The situation grows more distressing when pigs on the farm start dying suddenly. There are also hunters nearby who have been killing pigs that wander off, which raises suspicion. Seng Boo feels the urge to investigate, but fear holds him back. His family believes someone might be trying to sabotage them, and that tension quietly builds throughout the story.

As the number of deaths increases, most victims are linked to the farm workers and villagers who consumed pork from the area. When Dr Kaw, a health officer, and his team step in, they are shocked by the filthy conditions. The farm is eventually shut down, triggering anger among villagers especially after pig carcasses are discovered dumped in rivers and surrounding areas. Seng Boo’s family denies responsibility, adding more uncertainty to what is really happening.

I cannot say much about the story since parts of it are fictional, but the added plot helps move things along. It is simple and direct, yet still manages to capture the chaos of that time. Knowing that over a hundred people died and many cases were initially mistaken for another disease makes the story feel even more unsettling. It was not just chaos, it was a dangerous delay in understanding what was really happening.

Cinta Hari-Hari Rusuhan by Faisal Tehrani

Novel yang diinspirasikan daripada kisah benar ini memang menyentuh hati. Antara buku yang saya paling nak baca selain Surat-Surat Perempuan Johor. Cerita ini juga layak diadaptasi menjadi filem sebab penuh dengan babak cemas, anekdot penting dan naik turun emosi watak utama. 

Kisah bermula pada awal tahun tujuh puluhan, ketika Basri dan Tengku Valizah sama-sama belajar di universiti. Mereka jatuh cinta walaupun datang dari latar yang berbeza. Dalam masa yang sama, Malaysia yang masih muda sedang berdepan dengan pelbagai krisis, dan semangat mahasiswa mula membara.

Kesatuan pelajar ketika itu lantang menyuarakan pandangan terhadap isu semasa. Demonstrasi tercetus, mengecam kuasa imperialis Amerika Syarikat dan pengaruh Zionis. Namun kemuncaknya ialah Rusuhan Baling. Peristiwa ini menjadi sejarah penting dalam gerakan perhimpunan besar-besaran rakyat dan mahasiswa, berikutan kejatuhan harga getah dan kenaikan kos sara hidup.

Basri dan rakan-rakannya turut bangkit menentang ahli politik yang dilihat lebih mementingkan diri. Cara kerajaan mengurus wang negara turut dipersoalkan, dan akhirnya yang paling terkesan ialah golongan miskin. Saya paling suka bahagian ini sebab penulis berjaya gambarkan mahasiswa sebagai suara yang berani, tapi dalam masa sama mudah dimanipulasi politikus yang hendak ambil kesempatan.

Bila keadaan makin tegang, ramai pemimpin pelajar diburu dan dipenjarakan. Basri memilih untuk jadi pelarian politik. Tapi yang paling sakit, Tengku Valizah 'memungkiri' janji mereka. Konflik dalaman di sini memang berat dan sangat memberi kesan.

Kalau nak cerita detail, memang boleh jadi cerpen dah. 😅 Tapi serius, ini bukan sekadar kisah cinta biasa. Ini cinta yang ada isi dan ada kritikan sosial yang masih relevan sampai sekarang. Siapa nak tulis novel cinta, patut jadikan ini sebagai rujukan.

The Man Who Died Seven Times by Yasuhiko Nishizawa

I love the premise of this novel. The time loop feels slightly confusing at first, but it becomes deeply captivating as the story unfolds. It’s about Hisataro Oba, a sixteen year old who suddenly gets stuck in strange time loop where he relives the same day nine times, in no fixed order. He calls this phenomenon the Trap. It’s a disorder he has to live with the rest of his life. In a way, it allows him to deliberately alter the course of reality, which becomes especially useful when it comes to preventing accidents.

As the New Year approaches, his grandfather Reijiro Fuchigami gathers the entire family. They only meet once a year due to long standing estrangement and unresolved conflict. Every year, Reijiro has a habit of renewing his will, and this gathering strongly suggests a discussion about the next successor to his successful company. However, the situation takes a dark turn when he is found dead under suspicious circumstances.

Fortunately, or perhaps unfortunately, Hisataro has the benefit of the Trap. With a vast inheritance at stake, everyone becomes a suspect. Using his condition, he examines alibis and pieces together everyone’s timeline in an attempt to prevent his grandfather’s murder. The most logical solution seems to be staying close to him while keeping a watchful eye on the others, but the task proves far more complex than expected. Despite trying different approaches, the events continue to repeat with subtle yet significant differences.

It was first published in 1995, and it still feels fresh and engaging today. The mix of classic whodunit and time loop concept works surprisingly well, making it both fun and a little mind bending to read. Overall, it’s a clever mystery that keeps you guessing until the very end. Thanks to Pushkin Press and NetGalley for the review copy. 4.5 ⭐

Gantung & Gantung:2 by Nadia Khan

SMCGT bukan sekadar sekolah elit biasa. Di sebalik reputasinya, wujud sekumpulan pelajar asrama yang dikenali kerana kenakalan mereka. Mereka hidup berpegang pada satu kod persahabatan, Musketeer Code iaitu no all for one, just one for all. Tiada siapa dibenarkan ada steady girlfriend. Nampak klise namun semuanya berubah apabila salah seorang dari mereka melanggar kod tersebut. 

Dari cerita gila-gila remaja yang klise kemudiannya bertukar 180° mula menyentuh isu berat seperti buli dan bunuh diri. Dan harga yang perlu mereka bayar sangat mahal. Selepas dari kejadian itu, kumpulan mereka tidak lagi sama. 

Gantung dan Gantung:2 berbeza temanya. Gantung lebih kepada fantasi/paranormal. Kalau tak dibaca dengan teliti boleh rasa keliru sebab time linenya. Kalau kata soal plot, Gantung menjadi kegemaran saya. Gantung:2 lebih kepada kesan emosi dan trauma yang berpanjangan. Kalau dari segi penulisan, saya suka Gantung:2. Walaupun berbeza pendekatan, kedua-duanya saling melengkapi dengan baik.

Saya baca review di Goodreads yang Gantung:3 lebih mengundang, kompleks dan memeningkan. Tapi itu nanti-nantilah saya baca. Secara keseluruhan, ini adalah kisah yang mungkin bermula dengan rasa familiar, tetapi berkembang menjadi sesuatu yang jauh lebih berat dan menghantui. Sesuai untuk pembaca yang sukakan cerita dengan plot twist, dan permainan emosi.

 

Rezeki

Semalam dapat rezeki yang tak disangka. Orang biasa mungkin anggap ini biasa. Tapi kalau jenis collector, hoarder, ulat buku macam saya memang terasa seronok. Gambar atas antara koleksi yang saya dah susun (walaupun nampak macam tak tersusun😂😂). 

Buku Faisal Tehrani tu memang saya tercari sangat. Saya ingat nak pinjam kat library. Tapi tiba-tiba dapat rasa nak lompat bintang. Lagi ada karya awal Ramlee Awang Murshid dan A. Samad Said. AHHHHH!!! Rasa lengkap bacaan tahun ni. Dan ada buku selenggaraan Prof. Amida. Rasa sedih tiba-tiba teringat zaman muda.

Semangat terus nak membaca. Selamat membaca semua! 

She Walks At Night by Seishi Yokomizo

I read Seishi Yokomizo ages ago, and honestly I forgot how much his stories could pull me in until I picked up She Walks at Night. This one easily became a five star read for me. The whole crime of passion angle feels intense, unsettling and vivid. What really caught me off guard was how Torata Yashiro and Naoki Sengoku almost stole the spotlight from the legendary sleuth Kosuke Kindaichi!

The story is told through Torata Yashiro, a struggling novelist who gets invited by his friend Naoki Sengoku to stay at the Furugami estate. From the moment he arrives, something feels off. The atmosphere is thick with unease. At the estate, he meets several memorable characters including Morie Furugami, the young master, his half sister Yachiyo, and Koichi Hachiya, a famous artist. The fact that both Morie and Hachiya are hunchbacked adds to the strange and slightly disturbing vibe of the story.

Then the murders begin. One after another. At the center of it all is a sword locked away in a double secured safe, along with episodes of sleepwalking that blur the line between intention and unconscious action. Nothing really makes sense at first, and that’s what makes it so gripping. I was so caught up in the tension that part of me didn’t even want to know who the culprit was. It genuinely got under my skin.

The way the crime is carried out is complicated and honestly a bit crazy, but that’s what makes it so fascinating. Kindaichi does not just solve the mystery, he brings clarity to the chaos.

First published in Japan in 1973 and now set for release in English on June 2, this novel delivers a rich and haunting atmosphere. The sense of unease, the emotional intensity of the crime, and the complexity of the characters all come together beautifully. Thanks to @PushkinPress and @NetGalley for the review copy.

Velvet dan Velvet:2 by Ikmal Ahmad

Saya nak jujur dari awal, Akim memang jenis narcissist af. Status dia sebagai pegawai polis, ditambah pula latar belakang ayahnya seorang ahli politik, hanya menambahkan lagi rasa menyampah tu. Jadi bila sesuatu yang buruk mula berlaku dalam hidup dia, pembaca akan rasa, 'padan muka, kau!'

Dalam sibuk dia menguruskan majlis perkahwinannya dengan Mira, dia mengalami situasi yang berbahaya apabila satu persatu kawan baiknya sejak zaman sekolah mati secara tragik. Kematian itu bukan kebetulan semata-mata. Perbuatan tersebut membuktikan ada seseorang yang mempunyai motif dendam terhadap kumpulan mereka.

Secara teknikal, ini memberi bayangan jelas tentang kewujudan seorang pembunuh bersiri yang sedang menyusun langkah dengan teliti, dan sasaran akhirnya seolah-olah menuju kepada Akim sendiri. Ironinya, dia bukan sekadar mangsa berpotensi, tetapi juga seorang penyiasat. Itu yang buatkan cerita ini lagi menyakitkan hati, sebab kita tahu dia sepatutnya mampu membaca situasi, tapi tetap juga terperangkap. 😅

Pembaca memang kena baca Velvet: 2 untuk tahu emosi sebenar jalan cerita ni. Penulisan penulis lebih baik. Kali ini penulis fokus kepada watak ID, Hasri, Eddy dan beberapa watak yang agak penting yang sebenarnya menjadi kunci kepada segala konflik yang tercetus.

Di sebalik elemen thriller, cerita ini sebenarnya banyak bermain dengan kesan jangka panjang buli. Apa yang nampak kecil pada masa lalu rupanya meninggalkan parut yang dalam. Setiap peristiwa dalam cerita ini seolah-olah mengingatkan bahawa tidak semua orang benar-benar move on.

The Clock House Murders by Yukito Ayatsuji

Shimada Kiyoshi and his obsession with Nakamura Seiji’s architecture deliver once again. In this installment, a group of university Mystery Club students and editorial team members are invited to the Clock House for a special feature. Rumours claim the place is haunted, drawing them into an investigation that quickly feels far more dangerous than expected. Among them is Shimada, also known as Shishiya Kadomi, an aspiring mystery writer whose sharp curiosity and deep love for detective fiction.

Nakamura Seiji, a renowned architect, is infamous for his bizarre and unsettling creations, including the Blue Mansion and the Decagon House, both shadowed by tragedy. The Clock House, his latest design, belongs to the Koga family and holds an extensive antique clock collection once owned by Koga Michinori. After his death nine years ago, everything was inherited by his son. Over the past decade, seven deaths have occurred around the Koga family, adding weight to the chilling rumours.

What begins as a curious investigation soon turns into a nightmare when a series of locked room murders unfolds. The tension builds steadily, creating a suffocating atmosphere that lingers throughout. I especially enjoyed Shimada’s detailed explanations and bits of trivia, which highlight his meticulous and analytical mind. Some parts felt repetitive, but it may have been a deliberate stylistic choice. Overall, I really enjoyed it. 4 ⭐s.

Thank you to @PushkinPress and @NetGalley for the review copy. All opinions are my own.

Tugu by Hasan Ali

Novel yang tak sampai 200 muka surat ni pernah diterbitkan kali pertama pada tahun 1965. Penulis menyampaikan cerita dengan lenggok bahasa zamannya, menggunakan pendekatan show, don’t tell.

Ia mengisahkan Karim yang baru bertugas sebagai pegawai polis khas ketika zaman darurat. Dia menjadi kebanggaan keluarga dan ditugaskan di sekitar beberapa kawasan panas di Perak. Tugas Karim menjaga kawasan persekitaran agar tidak dicerobohi musuh. Bagi saya, zaman darurat tak kurang sengsaranya dengan zaman pendudukan Jepun. Dengan makanan dicatu, perintah berkurung dan hidup dalam ketakutan disebabkan tindakan komunis amat jelas diceritakan penulis. 

Masalah utama mereka pada masa itu bukan saja kekurangan infrastruktur dan komunikasi, tapi musuh dalam selimut yang menjadi ancaman terbesar kepada kestabilan negara. Dalam masa yang sama, perkembangan watak Karim daripada seorang yang mentah kepada individu yang memahami nilai amanah dan integriti digambarkan dengan baik.

Diselitkan juga kisah cintanya yang tidak kesampaian. Ringkas tapi amat signifikan dalam perjalanan cerita, menambah kedalaman emosi sepanjang novel. Tak cukup dengan itu, kehidupan Karim terus dirundung malang selepas berlakunya serangan hendap komunis yang benar-benar meninggalkan kesan kepada keseluruhan cerita. Saya amat kagum bagaimana sebuah novel yang ringkas mampu merangkum pengalaman darurat dengan begitu padat dan menyentuh hati. Saya beri 5 ⭐

The Professor by Faisal Tehrani

Reading a thought provoking and taboo themed novel during Ramadan felt eye opening. The book is about three women and their journeys, while also showing how human rights are seen in Malaysia.

Professor Suliza is an activist academic who uses her position to speak about human rights. As a feminist, she is often judged and misunderstood. The trauma of her friend’s rape and suicide still haunts her and shapes who she becomes. Hashimah, a cleaner, lives with an abusive husband who is known as a religious and respected man outside the home. Dalila is a liberal feminist working on a novel about feminist and human rights topics. Both Hashimah and Dalila are also close to Professor Suliza.

I have always liked the author’s writing, and his voice is very clear in this book. He adds some academic style writing to make the story stronger and more meaningful. As he said, readers should not focus only on the storytelling, but also on the message. This book really makes us reflect on different perspectives of human rights.

The story also answers many questions, including what happened to Professor Suliza and how Dalila tries to understand herself again after losing her memory. Her sudden marriage to Jebat shows how lost and dependent she feels. The ending is riveting.

The timeline may confuse some readers, but I personally enjoy this kind of creative writing. It’s not your typical story. The book mixes different themes like politics, relationships, and serious social issues. A powerful read. 4.5 ⭐

Dunia Ini Sederhana Kecil by Bahruddin Bekri

 Berani saya katakan cerita penulis ini bukan untuk semua orang. Pasti ada pembaca yang sukar pergi jauh dengan cara penyampaiannya. Ini kali ketiga saya membaca tulisan penulis dan saya simpulkan inilah karektornya. Unik dan kelakar. Plot dan premisnya pula tidak semestinya bersih atau terlalu serius, tetapi tetap ada mesej yang ingin disampaikan di sebaliknya.

Seperti judulnya, Dunia Ini Sederhana Kecil, watak-watak dalam cerita kelihatan ramai pada awalnya, namun akhirnya mereka saling bertemu dan mewarnai kehidupan antara satu sama lain. Saya membahagikan cerita ini kepada tiga bahagian atau situasi utama.

1. Tentang Syamir seorang graduan yang bergelut mencari pekerjaan.

2. Tentang sekumpulan pelajar dengan kehidupan kuliah mereka.

3. Ini bahagian yang saya suka. Tentang Syarikat Merong Berhad, syarikat pembuatan senjata api terbesar di Malaysia, yang sedang berdepan kebocoran maklumat perisian kepada pesaing. Bagi mendapatkan kembali Formula D yang hilang, pihak syarikat mendapatkan khidmat seorang lelaki misteri yang dikenali sebagai B. Dia digelar legenda dalam dunia risikan.

Siapa sangka perjalanan hidup Syamir yang sederhana akhirnya membawanya menjadi kaunselor tidak bertauliah, malah tanpa diduga terlibat dalam misi yang lebih besar, iaitu membantu menyelamatkan negara.

Walaupun bermula dengan beberapa kisah yang berasingan, akhirnya semuanya bertemu dan menunjukkan betapa kecilnya dunia yang kita diami. Kadang-kadang orang yang hanya muncul sebagai watak sampingan dalam hidup kita sebenarnya boleh memberi kesan yang besar dalam perjalanan hidup kita.

P/S: Manuskrip ini sebenarnya pernah diterbitkan oleh PTS sebelum ini. 

Hades by Aishah Zainal

I rarely see Hades on my timeline, so discovering it felt like a rare find. For a debut, I think the author did a remarkable job. I personally love her writing style. It feels raw and unfiltered while vividly portraying the underworld of people living below the poverty line in urban areas. Both main characters are antiheroes whose lives revolve around survival and a fragile sense of balance.

Ken, at sixteen, is raised by his single mother who struggles with drug addiction. They move from place to place like nomads while trying to escape the shadow of his abusive father. The violence he experienced left deep trauma for both of them. Maryam, meanwhile, is an underage young mother who relies on her aunt for support. Her own parents fail to provide the care and guidance she needs.

Ken and Maryam are neighbours and attend the same school. Their relationship begins with constant arguments and endless confrontations. Misfortune follows them relentlessly. Their poverty and hardship often become the easiest explanations for their cruelty and harsh behaviour. Anger, blame, suppressed morality, and the quiet resentment toward their circumstances shape their daily struggle to survive. This harsh reality feels exhausting and overwhelming, yet the author captures it very well.

The enemies to friends trope may sound predictable, but in this novel it unfolds in a subtle and metaphorical way. It is no surprise that Hades was longlisted for the Dublin Literary Award in 2024.

Perempuan Busana Merah by Ramlee Awang Murshid

Secara jujurnya, struktur penceritaan yang menggunakan reverse chronology rumit dan bercampur baur bagi saya. Dan saya tak berapa minat sebab saya dah terlalu menghayati cerita di awalnya. 😂😂 Macam tu saja saya tertipu dengan tulisan RAM kali ini. Memang lain dari yang lain, namun masih mengekalkan elemen thriller dan misteri yang menjadi identitinya. Tajuk itu sendiri dah berjaya mengaburi mata saya. 

Cuma ada beberapa perkara kecil yang saya rasa terganggu seperti typo dan penggunaan perkataan yang jarang diguna untuk bahasa sehari-hari. Saya rasa RAM sangat berani mengetengahkan tema permainan online memandangkan rata-rata pembaca tegar RAM sebaya dengan saya. Tapi mungkin ini cara dia menarik minat pembaca muda dan saya menghargai usahanya untuk keluar daripada zon selesa. Apa-apa pun saya lebih suka RAM yang konvensional. Maaf. 

Susah saya nak memberi ulasan sebab bahagian yang penting cuma prolog dan epilognya saja. 😂. Yang lain-lain adalah perencah memanjangkan perjalanan naratif, namun tetap berfungsi dalam membina suasana. Mungkin bagi pembaca lain, pendekatan ini terasa segar dan menarik, tetapi bagi saya, saya masih setia kepada gaya RAM yang dulu. What say you? 

PURITICA Green Tea PDRN Repair Solution

The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

Celia Bowen is born with an innate ability and grows up moving through a series of theaters under the watchful eye of her father. He pushes her to earn money as a spiritual medium, despite her dislike, insisting she needs the practice for a greater challenge ahead. It is not a contest of skill but of endurance, one that binds her for nearly thirty years.

Her opponent, Marco Alisdair, is trained in secrecy. Like Celia, he masters manipulation and illusion, yet he must remain hidden. Years of preparation shape his life, but when he finally encounters Celia, certainty gives way to nerves and confusion. Both are groomed for a clandestine game, Celia performing in public while Marco works from the shadows. Everything proceeds according to plan until they begin to fall for one another.

At the center of their rivalry stands a mysterious circus that opens only at night and vanishes by dawn. With its black and white tents and dreamlike atmosphere, the circus travels from place to place, enchanting devoted visitors who long for it once it disappears. Even its performers sense secrets lingering beneath the spectacle.

Chosen as part of the circus, Celia must prove her strength and outshine her rival. Yet over time, she and the other performers begin to feel bound to something that demands sacrifice. The novel is richly magical, with breathtaking world building and lyrical prose. As someone who prefers fast thrillers, I found the pacing slow but pleasantly so. The ending feels simple yet fitting, closing the story with quiet inevitability. 4.5⭐

Selamat Pulang, Bayang by Husna Rosli

Dalili ialah seorang pelajar kolej yang baik, malah terlalu baik hingga dipulau oleh rakan sekampus selepas dia mempertahankan seorang pelajar lain daripada dibuli. Malangnya, pembuli tersebut datang daripada kelompok yang berkuasa dan berduit, membuatkan kebenaran mudah diselindungkan. Dari sinilah Dalili pula menjadi sasaran, dan perjalanan emosinya mula bergerak ke arah yang lebih gelap sebelum cerita beralih kepada babak fantasi.

Di alam Antara, Dalili bertemu Bayang, sosok yang membawanya memahami sisi lain kehidupan termasuk latar belakang para pembuli yang rupanya pernah menjadi mangsa buli dalam keluarga sendiri. Kemunculan entiti Anon yang kejam menambah dimensi tentang dendam dan pilihan moral, menjadikan konflik lebih simbolik daripada sekadar realiti.

Sejujurnya sukar untuk saya memberi ulasan tanpa bersikap terus terang. Saya sangat menghargai temanya kerana isu buli bukan perkara remeh. Ia ibarat barah sosial yang sering berpunca daripada persekitaran kita membesar dan cara seseorang bangkit daripadanya. Watak Dalili mungkin tampak naif dan rapuh pada awalnya, namun akhirnya dia mampu memulihkan keyakinan sendiri.

Walaupun pengakhiran untuk si pembuli terasa kurang memuaskan, saya menerima bahawa keputusan tersebut sepenuhnya milik penulis. Kalau dilihat dari review Goodreads mungkin pembaca terganggu dengan cara penceritaan yang show and tell tanpa mengasak pembaca untuk berfikir serta pembinaan watak yang agak dua dimensi. Namun apa yang saya suka ialah bagaimana Dalili boleh berdamai dengan Bayang dan menyedari Bayang akan selalu ada bersama dengannya. Saya rasa itu amat menggambarkan sifat Bayang secara harfiah.

My Grandmother Sends Her Regards and Apologises by Fredrik Backman

The main character is a child, yet the story carries layers of meaning that resonate deeply with adult readers. Elsa is about to turn eight and she already knows she is different. She is bright, observant, and often feels out of place. She lives with her mother and her stepfather, and her only true companion is her Granny, who happens to live in the same building.

Granny is wonderfully eccentric, the kind of person who can both charm and exhaust everyone around her. She tells the most magical stories and lives life with unapologetic boldness. To Elsa, she is a hero, even if the rest of the world thinks otherwise. When Granny dies of cancer, Elsa is left in a silence that feels too heavy for a child to carry.

Before her death, Granny leaves Elsa a series of letters to deliver to their neighbours. Each letter holds an apology. What begins as an errand slowly turns into a journey of discovery, like a treasure hunt that helps Elsa make sense of her loss. Through these encounters, she learns that every neighbour carries hidden wounds and that her Granny had quietly woven herself into all their lives.

It becomes clear that the task is far from simple, yet Elsa faces it with courage shaped by love. Along the way, she discovers connection, kindness, and unexpected friendship.

One of my favourite things about this book is the characters. They are quirky, flawed, and deeply human, yet so easy to love. Each of them feels real in their own way, and watching their layers unfold makes the story even more meaningful. I grew attached to them more than I expected.

I give this book 5 ⭐s for its heartfelt storytelling. The author once again captures grief, love, and humanity with warmth and honesty.

Bercakap Dengan Jun by Hasrul Rizwan

Jun bukan hero tipikal. Dia penyeluk saku yang licik, dilabel lelaki gila dan memilih hidup terasing di perumahan terbengkalai bersama anjingnya, Saigon. Pada mata orang kampung, dia tiada nilai. Namun penulis perlahan-lahan membuka sisi kemanusiaannya.

Kehadiran seorang perempuan sarat mengandung di tempat tinggalnya menjadi titik perubahan. Tanpa banyak soal, Jun membantu proses kelahiran bayi tersebut. Adegan itu memperlihatkan sisi kemanusiaan yang jarang diberi ruang sebelum ini. Apabila wanita itu menghilang dan meninggalkan bayi perempuan, Jun berdepan pilihan. Dia boleh sahaja menyerahkan bayi itu, tetapi dia memilih untuk menjaga. Bayi itu dinamakan Ranum. Sejak itu, hidupnya berpusat pada tanggungjawab baharu. Dia meninggalkan dunia penyeluk saku dan cuba membina kehidupan yang lebih baik demi Ranum.

Tema yang jelas dalam Buku Pertama ialah kasih sayang, peluang kedua dan perubahan diri. Penulis mengangkat persoalan, adakah masa silam menentukan siapa kita selamanya. Watak Naurah dan Lily pula menambah warna dan emosi, memperlihatkan bagaimana setiap insan membawa luka dan harapan masing-masing. Penulisan yang terperinci membuatkan latar dan perasaan terasa hidup. Pengakhiran Buku Pertama benar-benar menyentuh hati.

Peralihan sudut pandang daripada saya dalam Buku Pertama kepada aku dalam Buku Kedua memberi kesan yang lebih peribadi. Dalam Buku Kedua, Jun keluar dari penjara selepas 15 tahun. Trauma dan kenangan lama masih menghantuinya, tetapi misinya jelas, mencari Ranum. Di sini, tema pengorbanan dan ketabahan lebih terasa. Moral yang jelas ialah manusia boleh berubah apabila diberi sebab untuk berubah. Dan kasih, walau lahir dalam keadaan yang tidak sempurna, tetap mampu membentuk seorang lelaki yang pernah hilang arah menjadi ayah yang sanggup berjuang habis-habisan.

Before I Go To Sleep by S. J. Watson

Before I Go To Sleep is one of those psychological thrillers that quietly crawls under your skin and refuses to leave. It is the kind of book you do not rush through, even when the pace feels slow and repetitive halfway in. In fact, that repetition is the point. I found myself trapped inside the mind of an unreliable narrator I desperately wanted to believe.

Christine Lucas is a middle aged woman who has lived with amnesia for over twenty years. Every morning, she wakes up believing she is young, only to realise that decades of her life are gone. She feels as if two versions of herself exist in the same body. While she is awake, she can retain information. Once she falls asleep, almost everything is erased. What remains are only fragments of her life before the accident.

Her husband Ben feels like a stranger, yet she is told every day that this is the man she has lived with for years. A neuropsychologist, Dr Nash, offers her a fragile sense of hope by encouraging her to document her memories in a journal. Each day, she secretly reads and rewrites it without Ben’s knowledge. The more she learns, the clearer it becomes that Ben does not want her to remember too much.

The journal becomes both her lifeline and her torment. It helps her piece together the truth while reminding her that everything will vanish again by morning. Still, she holds on to the hope of rebuilding a life worth living. When flashes of memory return like sudden visions, buried secrets begin to surface, leading to a revelation that shocked her and, honestly, shocked me too. 😅

Seperti Dendam, Rindu Harus Dibayar Tuntas by Eka Kurniawan

Saya tak tahu sama ada saya suka atau tidak dengan buku ini. Bukan sebab karyanya tidak bagus. Tapi mungkin salah saya sendiri tidak membaca sinopsis terlebih dahulu. Jujur saya katakan yang saya memilih buku ini atas faktor tajuknya. Saya merasakan ada beberapa elemen yang mirip dengan Cantik Itu Luka iaitu tentang dark humour dan antiheronya.

Suka saya mengingatkan yang buku ini dikategorikan untuk pembaca matang. Mengisahkan watak utama Ajo Kawir dan sahabatnya Si Tokek yang hari-hari mereka diisi dengan melakukan hal sia-sia seperti bergaduh dan hal-hal lagha yang lain seperti mengendap rumah seorang perempuan bernama Rona Merah. Rona Merah digelar perempuan gila oleh orang kampung. Sehinggalah peristiwa dia diperkosa oleh dua orang polis, Rona Merah ditemukan mati di halaman rumah. Peristiwa inilah yang menjadi titik mula trauma Ajo Kawir, menyebabkan dia mengalami masalah lemah tenaga batin. Tragedi di usia remaja itu menjadi inti emosi dan psikologi kepada keseluruhan cerita.,

Namun, di sebalik kekerasan dan kehancuran itu, Ajo Kawir tetap menemukan cinta dalam diri Iteung. Iteung mengetahui sepenuhnya masalah dalaman Ajo Kawir, tetapi memilih untuk menerima kekurangan lelaki itu tanpa syarat. Dalam masa yang sama, Ajo Kawir juga terjerumus lebih jauh ke dalam dunia gelap apabila dia diupah untuk membunuh seorang lelaki walaupun sedar akibatnya adalah penjara, dia tetap menyahut tawaran tersebut kerana upah yang lumayan.

Separuh kedua novel lebih banyak menumpukan kepada kehidupan Ajo Kawir sebagai orang dewasa, selepas keluar dari penjara, menjadi pemandu lori dan beberapa tahun meninggalkan anak isterinya serta pertemuan dengan perempuan misteri bernama Jelita. Semuanya dinaratifkan secara ringkas tapi padat dan tidak berlebihan. Saya suka bab itu.

Walaupun timelinenya kelihatan berserabut, ia masih kekal plot-driven dan mencerminkan kekacauan batin watak utamanya. Mungkin saya tidak sepenuhnya jatuh cinta dengan buku ini, tetapi saya tidak menafikan kekuatannya. Ia jujur, kasar, dan memaksa kita untuk bertahan hingga ke akhir cerita.

Body Count by Julie Mae Cohen

5 ⭐s. If I ever write a book, this is exactly what my debut should be. Fr. 😅

Seraphina 'Saffy' Huntley-Oliver is beautiful, intelligent, and sharp in ways that matter. She carries many fine qualities, yet her life is shaped by a childhood trauma that never truly lets her rest. She is also a serial killer. Not reckless, but deliberate. She kills with purpose. Her targets are bad men, especially those who harm women. For a very long time, she lives an almost perfect double life, normal enough to avoid suspicion while quietly nurturing her darkest instincts.

Despite everything, there are two people she loves fiercely and would fight for with her life. Her sister Susie and her new boyfriend Jonathan Desrosiers. Jon is a true crime podcaster and investigative journalist who meets Saffy at a low point in his life, when both his career and his personal life are falling apart. He has already come frighteningly close to death after crossing paths with not one but two serial killers. Coincidence or fate, the tension never lets up.

Things take a dangerous turn when Saffy is preparing for her next victim and realizes someone knows her secret. Someone is watching, bold enough to cross her line and worse, to involve Jon and Susie. From that moment on, every move becomes a risk, every choice loaded with consequences.

This is my first time reading Julie Cohen, and I am impressed. She has a sharp sense of humour and a confident writing style that keeps the story gripping and alive. For me, that is what makes a good story truly unforgettable. Very subtle, purely stylistic.

Selagi Pohon Lemon Tumbuh by Zoulfa Katouh

Selepas kebangkitan Arab Spring iaitu gelombang protes dan kebangkitan rakyat yang melanda banyak negara Arab sekitar 2010–2012, impian rakyat Syria hancur di bawah pemerintahan diktator. Novel ini membawa kita menyusuri luka itu melalui mata Salama Kassab, seorang pelajar farmasi yang belum sempat bergelar graduan tetapi terpaksa memikul tugas seorang doktor di hospital yang kekurangan tenaga dan infra akibat pengeboman dan peluru sesat.

Selepas ayah dan abangnya ditangkap tentera, satu-satunya keluarga yang tinggal hanyalah Layla, sahabat baik merangkap kakak iparnya. Layla berkali-kali mengajak Salama memulakan hidup baharu di negara lain, namun Salama berbelah bahagi antara cintanya kepada Syria dan tanggungjawab moral untuk terus membantu mangsa yang cedera. Part ni pembaca kena berhati-hati. Sedih weiii😭.

Sejak setahun lalu, muncul Khawf. Jelmaan ketakutan yang lahir selepas letupan bom meragut nyawa ibunya. Hanya Salama yang dapat melihat Khawf. Watak ini sinis, kejam, dan sentiasa mendesak Salama meninggalkan Syria. Saya suka watak Khawf. Ia bukan sekadar peneman, tetapi nadi yang memaksa Salama terus bernafas di bumi bergolak ini. Tidak adil untuk membandingkan kehidupan fiksyen Salama dengan penderitaan saudara kita di Gaza namun tema utama novel ini iaitu PTSD, jelas bahawa trauma tidak pernah mampu digambarkan sepenuhnya melalui rakaman media sosial. Ia mengerikan. Jika saya berada di tempat Salama, saya rasa tidak mampu bertahan.

Nasib Salama mungkin satu dalam sejuta kerana kehadiran Kenan. Keluarga mereka pernah berjanji untuk bertemu dan merapatkan hubungan, namun kekacauan perang menggagalkan segalanya. Takdir mempertemukan mereka dengan cara yang berbeza, perlahan, penuh empati, dan saling memahami. Hubungan ini menjadi cahaya kecil di tengah gelap yang menyesakkan.

Kredit saya berikan kepada penterjemah dan penerbit yang berjaya menyampaikan intipati novel popular ini dengan berkesan. 

Clown Town by Mick Herron

This book isn’t the easiest to dive into if you haven’t read the earlier Slough House series. I had to Google a few names and past operations just to stay on track. But once I got into it, the bigger picture became painfully clear. It felt uncomfortably real.

The premise is sharply satirical, and that’s what makes the characters feel so alive. Applause to the author. To simplify it, there are four key groups:

1. Slough House is basically the place MI5 sends agents who messed up badly, but not badly enough to be fired. Their careers are pretty much over, and they’re stuck doing paperwork and pointless tasks. It’s called the 'dark side of Narnia', and no one ever returns to the Park. Their head is the unforgettable Jackson Lamb.

2. Agents involved in the Pitchfork Operation. It’s basically MI5 playing a risky game. They push a target into making mistakes to uncover secrets, while using morally shady operatives and keeping it all ‘official.’

3. The Park (MI5 HQ) led by Diana Taverner, who is cunning, manipulative, and obsessed with MI5’s image.

4. Politicians who ride issues for personal gain, like Peter Judd.

The trouble starts when Diana gets blackmailed. Someone wants to drag an old case back into the light, and if the proof goes public, it could ruin reputations and shake the government. It turns out the government recruited, used, protected, paid off, and even pensioned off a psychopath, even though he might have ended more lives than he ever saved.

There’s a lot of MI5 politics, old cases, and hidden history packed into this book. It’s not a fast read, but it keeps the tension alive. And as usual, the innocent end up paying the price. Jackson Lamb does save the day, though, and the payoff feels well deserved.

Jobin by Pidi Baiq

Ini kisah yang berlatar sekitar tahun 2009 ketika Vera masih di bangku SMA. Pertemuannya dengan Jobin Alimusa terasa tidak disangka-sangka namun memberi kesan besar kepada keduanya. Vera digambarkan sebagai remaja ceria yang sentiasa dikelilingi rakan-rakan. Jobin pula merupakan vokalis band indie bernama Eidenberg yang menjadi idola di kalangan rakan Vera. Bermula daripada rasa ingin tahu hasil rekomendasi mereka, Vera akhirnya meminati Eidenberg dan secara perlahan tertarik dengan dunia Jobin.

Penulis menceritakan kisah cinta ini bersama humor yang bersahaja, dialog santai dan latar scene underground serta budaya indie Bandung yang hidup. Hubungan Vera dan Jobin berkembang secara natural tanpa paksaan. Mereka rapat namun perhubungan mereka tidak pernah benar-benar diberi label atau hala tuju yang jelas. Bagi saya, ketiadaan konflik besar menjadikan cerita ini terasa jujur dan sesuai dengan usia serta fasa kehidupan wataknya.

Endingnya tenang dan agak boleh dijangka, namun persoalannya bukan pada apa yang berlaku secara zahir. Sebaliknya ia terletak pada apa yang Vera cuba yakinkan kepada dirinya sendiri melalui coretan terakhir. Ada ruang tafsiran yang membuat saya berfikir, seolah-olah tersimpan sesuatu di sebalik kelancaran hubungan mereka. Sebuah kisah ringkas tentang remaja, memori dan perasaan yang tidak semuanya perlu dijelaskan. 

Warrior Princess Assassin by Brigid Kemmerer

I’m shocked. What did I just read 😂 Gentle reminder please read with care. Please.

This genre is not my usual forte, yet I dove in headfirst because the romance fantasy was simply irresistible. And wow, the enemies to lovers trope here is sugar sweet. I was fully invested until about halfway through the book. Then the story takes a turn that quietly breaks everything I was rooting for.

Why would the author choose that path for the characters? I refuse to explain why I changed my mind about giving this a full five stars. If you know, you know. 😂 This is the kind of book that makes you pause mid page and whisper, “no, don’t do this.”

The premise is solid. The tactical strategies are easy to follow, and the magic is genuinely mesmerizing. Truly one of the book’s strongest elements.

Astranza, Incendar, and Draegonis share one continent. King Theodore of Astranza, gifted with weather manipulating magic, is aging and ill, leaving his kingdom vulnerable. To secure peace, a political marriage is arranged between Princess Marjoriana and King Maddox Kyronan of Incendar, meant to be nothing more than formality. Yet fate intervenes, and Princess Jory and Prince Ky fall in love at first sight.

Everything falls apart when Asher, Princess Jory’s childhood friend and a Hunter Guild assassin, is hired to kill the royal couple. Refusing the job is not an option. Asher loves Jory and wants to flee with her, but Jory cannot abandon Prince Ky. With traitors lurking in both kingdoms, trust becomes a luxury they cannot afford.

Romance, betrayal, magic, physical abuse, and yes, an LGBTQ theme woven naturally into the story. Enter at your own emotional risk, especially if you get attached easily.

The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware

Laura 'Lo' Blacklock is a travel journalist whose career feels stuck. When she’s offered an assignment aboard the Aurora, a boutique super luxury cruise liner sailing through the Norwegian fjords on its maiden voyage, she sees it as a chance to reset everything. What should be a dream trip, however, quickly turns unsettling.

Before boarding, Lo’s flat is burglarized. She’s exhausted, struggling with panic attacks, and dependent on antidepressants. Her fragile mental state follows her onto the ship, which is filled with high profile guests including journalists and influential figures such as Lord Richard Bullmer, the owner of the Aurora Borealis, and his wife Anne, who is battling cancer.

Lo is staying in cabin 9. One night, she is jolted awake by a disturbance coming from next door, cabin 10. She hears a violent splash and catches sight of what appears to be a body sinking beneath the black water. When security investigates, cabin ten is claimed to have always been empty. No passenger is missing, and no one remembers seeing the woman Lo recalls so vividly.

As doubt tightens around her, Lo’s grip on reality begins to feel increasingly fragile. Surrounded by disbelief and a lack of evidence, she finds herself isolated, clinging to what she knows she witnessed while the world onboard quietly insists it never happened.

The pacing is admittedly slow in the first half, but the atmosphere is tense and claustrophobic. The writing is sharp, and the ending genuinely made me smile. 4.5 ⭐ for a thriller that lingers quietly before it strikes. 

 

Bitten by Jordan Stephanie Gray

At first glance, the cover and title already hint at a modern werewolf story, so I went in without overthinking and just let the story unfold. Vanessa Hart is an ordinary seventeen-year-old girl who goes to a party with her best friend, Celeste, and never comes back the same. They are attacked by a monster. Both are bitten, but only Celeste dies. Vanessa survives, confused, terrified, and suddenly taken to Castle Severi for her own safety.

Something feels wrong. Unnatural. The transformation begins. Fangs appear, claws tear through her fingers, fur spreads across her body, and her eyes glow purple. Vanessa becomes a werewolf and is imprisoned, cut off from her previous life. From that moment on, all she wants is answers and revenge for Celeste. She feels stronger than before, yet completely lost in a world she never asked to be part of.

In this new world, every werewolf who completes their First Rite must belong to a Wolf Court. Vanessa’s rare purple eyes and unknown abilities make her impossible to ignore. After the Rite, she becomes Vanessa Hart the Truthseer, gifted with the ability to know when someone is lying. That power turns her into a threat rather than a blessing.

When a murder happens with the same method as Celeste’s death and no sign of human involvement, suspicion falls on the Court itself. A traitor may be among them, and Vanessa’s search for the truth begins.

This isn’t my usual genre, but I genuinely enjoyed it. I could feel Vanessa’s loneliness, confusion, and anger, and how unfair it is when innocence is given no choice.

There will definitely be a sequel, and I’ll be waiting 😅📖

Warga Kesunyian by Kannika Claudine

Warga Kesunyian menghimpunkan beberapa watak yang hidup dalam fasa paling rapuh dalam kehidupan mereka. Marya bekerja di sebuah hotel dengan menjaga buku log hilang dan jumpa, memikul trauma kehilangan anak serta keluarganya dalam satu kebakaran.

Gemma pula kembali bertemu ibunya, Ching, selepas dua puluh tahun terpisah akibat salah faham. Pertemuan itu tidak membawa kelegaan sepenuhnya kerana Ching kini menghidap Alzheimer.

Via tenggelam dalam kesedihan selepas putus cinta. Pertemuannya dengan Randall, yang kehilangan isteri, membuka ruang tentang duka dan proses memulihkan diri, walaupun tidak sembuh sepenuhnya.

Ronald, bekas banduan terpaksa berpisah dengan anaknya sekali lagi. Persahabatannya dengan seorang kanak-kanak membuatkan dia menyedari betapa banyak masa lalu yang telah disia-siakan, dan betapa sukarnya untuk melafazkan kata maaf yang tertangguh.

Cindy pula kehilangan cincin pertunangannya selepas keguguran, satu kehilangan kecil yang membawa kepada renungan besar tentang kehidupan. Sementara itu, Dan Ian menerima mesej misteri yang kandungannya seakan membaca isi hatinya sendiri.

Kesemua watak ini berkongsi satu persamaan, hari-hari mereka berlalu tanpa makna yang jelas, dan orang yang singgah dalam hidup mereka hadir bukan untuk kekal, tetapi untuk menyedarkan mereka tentang sesuatu. Warga Kesunyian bercerita tentang manusia yang terperangkap dalam sunyi, dan proses perlahan untuk berdamai dengan takdir. Sebagai novel debut, struktur ceritanya tersusun dan konflik batin wataknya terasa hidup dengan tema universal tentang kehilangan, dan keterasingan. Walaupun terjemahannya kadang-kadang terasa janggal dan ada pilihan frasa yang kurang sedap dibaca, keseluruhannya masih boleh difahami dan meninggalkan kesan yang mendalam. 4.3 ⭐

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