Author Archives: kaiyatadokoro

The Fall of the House of Usher: The Tale of Madness and Decay

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Edgar Allan Poe’s The Fall of the House of Usher is a haunting short story that masterfully explores themes of isolation, mental deterioration, and the inescapable grip of family legacy. First published in 1839, the story follows an unnamed narrator who visits his old friend, Roderick Usher, at the Usher family estate. Upon arrival, he is struck by the bleak and decaying atmosphere of the mansion, which seems to mirror the physical and psychological condition of its inhabitants.

Roderick, suffering from a mysterious illness, and his twin sister, Madeline, who is on the brink of death, are the last members of the once-great Usher family. As the story unfolds, the mansion itself begins to embody the psychological torment of its residents. The house seems to crumble under the weight of its own dark history, and its eventual collapse parallels Roderick’s descent into madness.

I personally love the vivid, Gothic imagery Poe uses to enhance the story’s eerie mood. The detailed descriptions of the house’s dark, oppressive environment set the stage for the final, shocking twist, where Madeline, seemingly dead, returns from her tomb to confront her brother. I love the tragic conclusion in which the physical collapse of the House mirrors the emotional breakdown of the entire Usher family. I think Poe created a wonderfully dark story for anyone who loves Gothic, haunting stories.

If you enjoy eerie and chilling stories, Edgar Allen Poe is for you. The suspense leading up to the climax leaves you clinging to your chair and biting your nails which was perfect for Halloween which was when I read this. Ultimately, this timeless exploration of moral decay and inner turmoil is a wonderful read for anyone willing to pick up one of Poe’s horror novels.

Kaiya T.

The Fall of the House of Usher by Edgar Allan Poe is available for checkout from the Mission Viejo Library.

Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde Book Review

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Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray is a haunting and provocative exploration of vanity, morality, and the consequences of indulgence. First published in 1890, the novel follows the life of Dorian Gray, a handsome young man whose portrait, painted by artist Basil Hallward, begins to age and show signs of corruption while he himself remains youthful and unmarked by time. Dorian’s pursuit of hedonistic pleasure, influenced by the decadent philosophy of Lord Henry Wotton, leads him down a dangerous path of moral degradation, as he engages in a life of excess without facing the physical consequences. The painting, however, becomes a mirror to his soul, revealing the true cost of his actions.

Wilde’s writing is sharp, witty, and layered with profound insights into human nature. His exploration of aesthetics and the consequences of living a life dedicated solely to beauty and pleasure is both thought-provoking and chilling. The character of Dorian is a complex one—initially innocent and impressionable, he becomes increasingly corrupted by his own image and the pursuit of personal gratification. Lord Henry serves as a persuasive, almost sinister, mentor, embodying Wilde’s fascination with the idea of “art for art’s sake” and the rejection of conventional morality.

I personally enjoyed the Gothic themes of the novel and how the book evoked a sense of wonder for the world. I became fascinated by the mystical words of Lord Henry and I loved being able to understand why Dorian Gray took the Lord’s words so seriously. I enjoyed how thought-provoking Wilde’s writing was and loved the array of shocking moments within the story. Furthermore, I thought the development of Dorian Gray’s insanity was beautifully written and held strong symbolism for the world’s corrupt obsession with youth, beauty, and immortality.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys classical literature and a short, yet influential read. I think Wilde’s writing would attract readers who enjoy beautiful and mystical writing as well as exciting plot twists! I personally recommend this book for everyone as it is a wonderful novel to discuss peers and leaves you with thoughts about society!

Kaiya T.

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde is available to checkout from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie Book Review

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Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None is a masterful work of suspense and mystery, often hailed as one of her finest achievements. First published in 1939, the novel introduces readers to a group of ten strangers who are invited to an isolated island under various pretexts. Each guest has a hidden past, with secrets they hope to keep buried, but soon, a series of eerie events unfold. As the guests begin to die one by one, the novel becomes an intense psychological game of survival, with no one knowing who can be trusted.

Christie’s skillful plotting and brilliant misdirection keep the reader guessing until the very end. The novel is a prime example of the “locked-room mystery” genre, as the isolated island setting creates an atmosphere of confinement and paranoia. Each chapter ratchets up the tension as the characters’ anxieties grow, and the clever use of nursery rhymes as a thematic device ties together the chilling sequence of murders.

I personally loved the constant suspense Christie gave us throughout the book. I loved how I could predict what would happen based on the poem “Ten Little Solider Boys” from the 1600’s, but was still left with unknown elements of the story. I also enjoyed reading about each character’s past and true natures. Not only were they all unique, but I loved how Christie highlighted human fear and suspicion and demonstrated the destruction death and fear can bring. Additionally, I loved the unexpected and haunting ending of the novel as it left me completely stunned and unsettled.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good thriller murder mystery. If you like to read about a variety of unique characters and how they all become intertwined, I recommend giving this book a read!

Kaiya T.

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie is available to checkout from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

P1Harmony Music Review

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I wanted to discuss the K-pop boy group, P1Harmony, and their newest album Killin’ It released in February 2024, as well as them as a group! P1Harmony is a boy band consisting of six members, Keeho, Theo, Jiung, Intak, Soul, and Jongseob. Their music is a mix of hip-hop and R&B which is both lively and calm depending on the songs.

In their most recent album, their title track, “Killin’ It,” is fun and upbeat. The rapping parts in this song are so prominent and truly make the song lively and fun to listen to. Their other song, “Late Night Calls,” is on the calmer side, relating more towards R&B. I would say this is my favorite song in the entire album, as its meaning is sweet and the melody is mellow and is perfect for a night drive. Lastly, I like “Countdown to Love” as it is also upbeat and uplifting. I listened to this song while studying for my AP United States History exam that I actually took today, May 10th. The beat is so much fun and really wakes me up! Overall, the album is one of their best, and I’m looking forward to seeing them on June 16th when they come to LA!

I also love watching them perform as well as viewing their content as they are very down-to-earth people who are close to me in terms of age. I find it easy to relate to them and fun to watch as most of them are fluent in English! Although I understand and speak Korean, it’s always exciting to see K-pop idols learn and speak English, especially Keeho who is from Canada and speaks fluently. I personally like Jiung the most, as he quiet and more reserved. He is also known to be smart and more logical which I relate to the most. Keeho and Theo are also fun to watch as I find them funny and they never fail to make me laugh. Ultimately, P1Harmony is such a talented and exciting group to listen to and watch, and I would recommend their music to anyone who is willing to give K-pop a listen!

Kaiya T.

The Witch and the Beast by Kousuke Satake

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The Witch and the Beast by Kousuke Satake is a manga series about a young woman named Guideau who is cursed by a witch, in which the curse suppresses her extreme power. Her partner, Ashaf, is a mage who is dedicated to helping her find the witch who cursed her. Additionally, they both work for the Order of Magical Resonance who solve the murders and crimes of dangerous witches and magical beasts.

I particularly love the art style and the time setting of the series. The series carries a strong gothic theme that plays a part in the manga covers, settings, and even the clothes each character wears. I also love how the side characters play such a large role in the plot, and how each arc goes into so much detail of each character. I especially love Phanora and Johan, and the small amount of chapters they’re in. Satake did an amazing job developing these characters, their personality, and their charismatic personas in a way that definitely captures the reader’s attention. 

I would recommend this series to anyone who appreciates gothic, fantasy stories as well as manga as a whole. The scenes do become a bit gory, so if someone does not appreciate blood or injury, try to avoid this series! Overall, I think this an amazing series and it was recently adapted into a show with twelve or thirteen episodes, so please give that a watch as well if you are interested in the series. 

Kaiya T.

Annabel Lee by Edgar Allan Poe

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“Annabel Lee” by Edgar Allan Poe is a poem about a young man and woman’s love story. The story follows a love that provokes even the angels to strip the man of the woman as she passes away in the poem. The poem surrounds the themes of love and how both deep love and death cause great grief and sorrow. 

I particularly love how Poe develops the poem and creates it into a short story. While reading, it barely feels like a real poem, and rather a simple story about a couple in love and their tragic ending. I also love the way that Poe describes the couple’s love as he conveys their love as almost ethereal and something only seen once in a lifetime. The reader is truly immersed in their love especially with how Poe emphasizes how they had a “love that was more than love.” 

I did not dislike anything in particular, except for Poe’s eccentric habit of writing about a young, beautiful woman’s death. I find Edgar Allan Poe an extremely odd man who often wrote about darker themes. Despite how much I enjoy his poems, they may appear a bit strange or may carry hints of weird recurring themes. 

I truly enjoy this poem and recommend that anyone reads it. “Annabel Lee” is a short poem that is easy and fun to read that makes you wonder more about the couple’s story. Please give it a try as well as Edgar Allan Poe’s other works like Tell Tale Heart, a short novel, or even “The Bells,” another poem.

Kaiya T.

Books by Edgar Allan Poe are available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. They are also available to download for free from Libby.

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle

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A classic by Arthur Conan Doyle is a novel any mystery lover must read. First published in 1887, The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes follows an unrivaled detective and his many cases. The detective who lives on Baker Street applies both his forensic skills and outstanding intellect to every problem to find the truth. Every story has a unique twist and is portrayed in the eyes of Holmes’ companion, Dr. John Watson. 

I personally love mystery stories and found “A Scandal in Bohemia” and “The Man with the Twisted Lip” to be my favorite stories. “A Scandal in Bohemia” is the very first short story about Sherlock Holmes and introduces one of the very few female characters in the series, Irene Adler. I love Adler’s role in the story and she is portrayed as being intelligent and in Holmes’ eyes, unforgettable. “The Man with the Twisted Lip” contains intriguing descriptions and an unlikely twist that got my attention. The story is extremely engaging and kept me on my toes while reading. The layout of the novel is enjoyable too. I love short stories and chapters because it keeps me engaged and interested.

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes is special and unique, and no other mystery stories come close to this classic. Personally, I would recommend the novel to anyone who loves a good mystery book and is a fan of short stories. It is definitely a book that should be on every mystery reader’s list!

Kaiya T.

The Adventures of Sherlock Homes by Arthur Conan Doyle is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones

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Recently, I have read Howl’s Moving Castle which is a fantasy novel about a young girl named Sophie who is the oldest daughter of three daughters. The story surrounds her adventures and encounters with evil spells, wizards, and witches. She must handle the heartless Howl, a fire demon, and the Witch of the Waste in order to break an aging spell. The novel is a wonderful mix of magic, romance, and humor that anyone can enjoy.

I personally loved the romantic and fantastical aspects of the story. I also love Sophie’s characters, as she is portrayed as a headstrong and independent girl who trusts herself and her own decisions. I love the humorous aspects of the story as well and I believe Jones did a splendid job of combining comical and romantic themes in the novel. The novel always kept me on my toes and is overall an exciting and engaging story I think everyone should give a read.

Unfortunately, I did not like the initial character of Howl in comparison to the Studio Ghibli movie, however I think his character development is an aspect of the story many will find enjoyable.

Overall, the story is filled with lovely imagery and descriptions, beautifully written characters, and an interesting plot. It’s engaging and truly transports you into another world while reading.  Personally, I recommend this book to anyone looking for a short read!

Kaiya T.

Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab

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Recently, I have read The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue which is a Fantasy/Historical Fiction novel about a young French girl who made a bargain with a dark god which made her immortal, but she is cursed to be forgotten by anyone who meets her. Throughout the novel, Schwab describes her life and the different events that Addie has gone through.

I personally enjoyed the characters and how their personalities were described by Schwab as well as their interactions with each other. The scenes written by Schwab were beautifully written and always exciting to read. I also loved how each chapter was only two to six pages long, keeping me motivated to continue reading. I am also currently taking AP European History this year and it was exciting to see Addie go through historical events that I have learned about in my class and apply my knowledge to the scenes!

Unfortunately, I did think that the book got repetitive and could have been a bit shorter. Some characters were also not as enjoyable to read as Addie, and I slowly lost interest mid-way through the book. However, I did find the book quite fun to read either way.

Personally, I did love the formatting and overall writing of the novel and believed it was a fun read. I love fantasy fiction novels and this book is wonderful for anyone who does as well. I thoroughly enjoyed it, start to finish, (even if it took me a bit to get through some parts), and would definitely recommend this to anyone looking for an easy and exciting read!

Kaiya T.

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V. E. Schwab is available to check out from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

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Cover image for The lion, the witch, and the wardrobe / C.S. Lewis ; illustrated by Pauline Baynes.

A beautifully written novel written by C.S. Lewis has gained popularity over the years. This fantasy fiction is set in the 1940’s during World War II. Four children, Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy, are sent to live in the country with a professor. There, they find a wardrobe filled with mystical creatures and awaiting adventures in a land called Narnia. 

C.S. Lewis created this book with many details and lively scenes that keep readers engrossed in the story. I personally love this book and find it to be extremely enjoyable. It has many lessons embedded within it as well. To have courage, having the ability to forgive, and the importance of honesty are just to name a few important messages. I also enjoy the character development of Edmund and Peter. In the story, there are many details that describe their growth as individuals. Readers can see them shift from naive children to mature young adults. The use of sensory imagery is always pleasant to read. Whether it be the descriptions of landscapes or characters, Lewis does an excellent job keeping readers engaged in his novel.

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is an entertaining book for those who enjoy fantasy and adventure. I would also recommend this book to anyone who likes to use their creativity and imagination. C.S. Lewis’ Narnia series is a great read for many and I would definitely recommend it!

Kaiya T.

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is available to checkout from the Mission Viejo Library. It is also available to download for free from Libby.