A Korean Mystery and Japanese Horror

I had a lot of fun reading this week. I finished reading The Red Palace by June Hur. This was an incredible book. I have so much respect for how much research the author must have done and how they were able to make that time, the customs, and history come alive. I was completely devoted to the character's plight and it was a thrilling mystery. Every time I had to put it down all I could think about was when I could pick it back up. The part I maybe liked the best was how the love interest was written in the book. I feel Hur took into account the negative experiences and personality of the main character to make her reaction feel legitimate. I would highly recommend this book and am eager to read more of June Hur's books. 

The other book I read this week was a quick read called Nothing but Blackened Teeth by Cassandra Khaw. I picked it up because the title sounded super cool and I did judge the book by the cover because the cover too was awesome. The book itself was alright. I enjoyed the references to Japanese mythology and it was really nice touch when the author used Japanese in the book to give the whole story an authentic air. The main characters also had complicated emotions and relationships that made her particularly interesting. Some of the book I found a bit cringey and a little unrealistic. There were certain ways characters reacted and moments where jokes were given that felt more at home in a Marvel movie. Then again, I haven't read much horror. It's possible I'm not entirely familiar with genre tropes. It was a quick read though and I did enjoy the fun spook. 

I've been continuing to play a lot of Triangle Strategy. I'm a huge fan of the game so far. I continue having to remind myself it's not Fire Emblem and shouldn't be compared to Fire Emblem. It's a game filled with dialogue but I've never disliked that in a game. At one point I collected every text, letter, etc. in Skyrim and spent a day reading through it all. I'm trying not to look up much my first playthrough because I want to have an uninfluenced outcome the first time. I will say, if a certain character dies I will be super upset. I hope she isn't a character that depends on choices I make or it will be a very sad day for me. 

Thank you for reading my blog. What kind of cultures that are different from your own that you like to read about? What mythologies do you think would be interesting to write or read about? When you play a videogame the first time, do you look a lot of things up or try to play it through without guides? 

Keep dreaming and daydreaming of all the beautiful worlds in your head.