en-US Wed, 13 Nov 2024 01:33:33 -0800 60 144 41 /images/layout/goodreads_logo_144.jpg 59438606
First published in 1897, Dracula is an epistolary novel, meaning that the narrative is related through letters, diary entries and newspaper articles. The story is brought to life in this Audible production by a group of actors that you might recognise from TV and film: Himesh Patel (Yesterday), Patricia Allison (Sex Education), Daisy Edgar-Jones (Normal People), Theo James (Divergent series) and Jason Watkins (The Crown).

If you’re in the mood for more gothic classics, check out The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde performed by Pappa Essiedu and Frankenstein performed by Jamie Bell.]]> 19 Bram Stoker Ms. Smartarse 4 Bram Stoker's Dracula would definitely have topped it. Not only was the whole innocent virgin act not my idea of an interesting plot device, but all the creepy depictions of the Transylvanian wilderness sounded rather less enticing when they concerned my home.



In the end, the experience proved to be much less annoying than I expected. Mainly thanks to the top-notch multi-actor cast of the Audible Version. I tend to give a bit more lenience to stuff I listen to, probably since my mind is generally not fully engaged with the reading (a.k.a. listening) material.

My biggest surprise was just how fascinated I was by Lord Dracula himself. While the overall story clearly intends to have us cheer for humanity, I couldn't help but give the creators of the a nod of acknowledgement. The kindly, yet misunderstood scientist is definitely an image that would fit this OG-Dracula as well. Along with the drinking of blood and raising of an undead army... albeit for different, less romantic, reasons.



Admittedly, a lot of the characters' mindsets feels rather dated, what with Jonathan Harker calling all Transylvanian women fat, and Dr. Seward's crush on Minna Harker that occasionally bordered on religious adoration. But on the whole, the resolution of the mystery and subsequent action plan were not half bad.

Score: 4/5 stars

Simply put, this was an entertaining and action-packed story, with lots of fantastical and mystery elements thrown in, all things that I generally enjoy in my reading materials. Yes, it took me quite some time to get through it all (almost half a year!), but then I only read listened to it when I needed a little push during cleaning.]]> 4.16 1897
author: Bram Stoker
name: Ms. Smartarse
average rating: 4.16
book published: 1897
rating: 4
read at: 2024/08/06
date added: 2024/11/13
shelves: xix-century, action-adventure, letters, vampires, audible, free-from-amazon
review:
If there was ever a list of books that I've wanted to avoid, Bram Stoker's Dracula would definitely have topped it. Not only was the whole innocent virgin act not my idea of an interesting plot device, but all the creepy depictions of the Transylvanian wilderness sounded rather less enticing when they concerned my home.



In the end, the experience proved to be much less annoying than I expected. Mainly thanks to the top-notch multi-actor cast of the Audible Version. I tend to give a bit more lenience to stuff I listen to, probably since my mind is generally not fully engaged with the reading (a.k.a. listening) material.

My biggest surprise was just how fascinated I was by Lord Dracula himself. While the overall story clearly intends to have us cheer for humanity, I couldn't help but give the creators of the a nod of acknowledgement. The kindly, yet misunderstood scientist is definitely an image that would fit this OG-Dracula as well. Along with the drinking of blood and raising of an undead army... albeit for different, less romantic, reasons.



Admittedly, a lot of the characters' mindsets feels rather dated, what with Jonathan Harker calling all Transylvanian women fat, and Dr. Seward's crush on Minna Harker that occasionally bordered on religious adoration. But on the whole, the resolution of the mystery and subsequent action plan were not half bad.

Score: 4/5 stars

Simply put, this was an entertaining and action-packed story, with lots of fantastical and mystery elements thrown in, all things that I generally enjoy in my reading materials. Yes, it took me quite some time to get through it all (almost half a year!), but then I only read listened to it when I needed a little push during cleaning.
]]> 48676844 When nations are on the brink of war, to be innocent is not enough...

Fifteen years ago, Jehan Fasih designed a drug that could curb the instinct for violence (and rob the taker of their free will). Fifteen minutes ago, someone blew up the metro station to get their hands on his brainchild.

Jehan must make a decision, and time is running out.

Abhijat Shian and his sister, Rito, lost their jobs, and their family's reputation, over the course of a single week.

The reason? Their father's trusted protégé, Jehan Fasih, betrayed him and embroiled their family in one of the biggest corruption scandals the country has ever known.

The Shian siblings' quest for revenge soon turns into a murky web of confusing motives and divided loyalties.

Is Fasih a genius or a madman? Is their father truly innocent or is there a trail of deceit and betrayal within the hallways of their childhood home?

Set in the fictional country of Naijan, The Brightest Fell is a gripping tale of loyalty, treason, corruption, patriotism, and political intrigue.]]> 295 Nupur Chowdhury Ms. Smartarse 0 3.66
author: Nupur Chowdhury
name: Ms. Smartarse
average rating: 3.66
book published:
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 2021/02/10
shelves: free-from-amazon, action-adventure, sci-fi, politics, tbr-long-list
review:

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Christopher Mendez has always known his sexual identity had a swerve. No straight guy would have low-key lusted after his childhood best friend, right? Unfortunately, a combination of insecurity and overall lack of game has prevented him from further exploring his sexuality. That changes once he agrees to participate in a photoshoot for a queer dating app and meets Jace Fairbairn.

Jace is beautiful, fey-like, and in an open polyamorous relationship with his gorgeous linebacker-looking husband Aiden. Once they set eyes on Chris, they’re instantly in lust and determined to broaden his sexual horizons. But what’s supposed to be a straight-forward sexual encounter gets complicated once a one-night-stand has repeat performances, and Jace and Aiden begin to fall in love.

This collection of shorts explores the start of a relationship that eventually blossoms into something the three men realize they cannot do without.]]> 87 Santino Hassell Ms. Smartarse 3 4.03 2017
author: Santino Hassell
name: Ms. Smartarse
average rating: 4.03
book published: 2017
rating: 3
read at: 2020/05/22
date added: 2020/05/26
shelves: contemporary, controversial_author, free-from-amazon, guilty-pleasure, mm, part_of_a_series, short-stories
review:

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