I can't say it didn't absorb me. It was a fascinating enough read, so I stuck with it until the end. But a decent amount of dialogue was used for expoI can't say it didn't absorb me. It was a fascinating enough read, so I stuck with it until the end. But a decent amount of dialogue was used for exposition and was therefore a smidge awkward and clunky, and I had to work really hard at the start of the book to envision a setting, like the other had forgone it in favor if plot & dialogue. It's a style of writing that suits some readers, but when you're world building it's better to spill some ink on description, to me....more
A lot of the 3 star reviews dislike the characters. On the contrary, I thought the side characters were necessary to making the story a little more inA lot of the 3 star reviews dislike the characters. On the contrary, I thought the side characters were necessary to making the story a little more interesting. Because otherwise, it's just. I feel like I've read this story before, you know? The obvious intention of it is that it's a hero's journey, which is fine. Classic.
But despite the skilled pace of the writing (I will never understand why authors don't just use quotation marks when people are speaking. Didn't seem to serve a purpose in this particular story as a technique, and I spent all 500+ pages thinking about it), there didn't seem to be anything particularly new and original in this story. I'd expect that from a romance novel (as I read those exactly for the tropes), but not from a 500+ page epic. ...more
I have no words. This was such an imaginative read. A lot packed into such a short space. The structure, flashbacks and forwards, really seemed to addI have no words. This was such an imaginative read. A lot packed into such a short space. The structure, flashbacks and forwards, really seemed to add to the story and the suspense....more
At first, I was going to rate this lower. The sentence structure is a little repetitive and clunky, as are some of the dialogue tags, and the weirdly At first, I was going to rate this lower. The sentence structure is a little repetitive and clunky, as are some of the dialogue tags, and the weirdly British phrasing of the staying chapters for a third person limited narrator who's supposed to be Texan.
But once the rhythm of the story gets going, those just kind of fall into the background. I wish the beginning had the same energy as the rest of it, honestly. I was here for the steaminess and sexiness of it, and once I realized when it was set the parallel version of the 2016 election. Being from Texas, I lived for the inner struggle of the narrator which a lot of socially left Texans face: the beauty and tradition of Texas that makes us miss it vs the abhorrent politics that make us glad we moved away.
I really loved this love story, tropes and all. Like I said, from a writer's craft perspective, I might have given it a 3, but from a pure enjoyment perspective (y'all I spent 6 hrs in one go starting and almost finishing it) I highly recommend!...more
I don't know if a glowing review can do this justice. I have eternally been frustrated by unimaginative science fantasy that just rehashes the same trI don't know if a glowing review can do this justice. I have eternally been frustrated by unimaginative science fantasy that just rehashes the same tropes and mostly stars humans and humanoids. This novel breaks everything and STILL manages to have a happy ending.
Over the moon about it, honestly. Highly recommend a read. (of the entire thing)...more
Really I might rate this book like a 3.5. That high because actually I didn't expect events to turn out exactly the way they did, but not as high becaReally I might rate this book like a 3.5. That high because actually I didn't expect events to turn out exactly the way they did, but not as high because it wasn't a thriller as promised. I enjoyed the storytelling and structure, though it started a bit slow and I appreciate what she was doing with the repetitive parts, but they were almost too repetitive.
Additionally, I know I lived through it, but reading about the events of the pandemic from a 3rd person perspective legit sounds more dystopian than I thought it would....more
A brilliant look at identity, especially the very real identity of someone caught between two distinct worlds. The heroine is strong, focused, with raA brilliant look at identity, especially the very real identity of someone caught between two distinct worlds. The heroine is strong, focused, with raw emotions and passions so that as a reader it's easy to have empathy with her trials, even though I have no real experience with them. As someone who works with native peoples on the US Southern border, it was also interesting to read about the dynamics of a tribe on its northern border.
10/10 would read again, and also recommend to my students so they can see themselves in a 3D complex indigenous character written by an indigenous woman....more
So, honestly, Stephen King doesn't usually do it for me. Nothing against him - I've just never been engaged by his writing style. But I listened to thSo, honestly, Stephen King doesn't usually do it for me. Nothing against him - I've just never been engaged by his writing style. But I listened to this on audiobook and approached it with an open mind.
It was...fine? The story was pretty guessable, the suspense was kinda built up but then the final showdown was a bit anticlimactic, and it was like land of 1000 epilogues. Every time I thought it would end, it just kept going! I'll be honest, the whole story could've probably been told in fewer pages.
The characters were rounded out, and I would be satisfied with an entire series revolved around the detective work of Holly Gibney! (sp?) even better, she could partner with Jeanie.
The pace felt off, as well- half the story just seemed like exposition.
Some of the imagery was great, and I enjoyed the woven in folklore and stories the characters told.
I really stuck with it because the narrator of the audiobook was incredibly engaging. I don't doubt it would've been a dnf if not for that....more
**spoiler alert** I don't think I've ever read such a packed, complex love letter to a place before honestly.
I loved the diversity of the main players**spoiler alert** I don't think I've ever read such a packed, complex love letter to a place before honestly.
I loved the diversity of the main players, reflecting the diversity of the place itself. I have never been to New York, but this novel made me want to visit. The mystery of The Woman in White was built up and (despite the *squamous eldritch* references), I did not expect the literal Lovecraftian horror twist (bc maybe I'm oblivious). With all the racism in Lovecraft but also the veneration of his skills with horror and suspense, it made a lot of sense to include it that way.
AND the villain against New York (and her Staten Island ally) is pretty much a WASP? NO WONDER she kept referencing bees (no idea if this was intentional on the author's part - I belatedly noticed it). A WASP threatens to destroy the fabric of what makes a thriving city grow and continue to thrive? Still my beating lefty heart.
The beginning was super confusing and abstract, but I kind of get that that's how birth tends to be, and the plot evened out afterward, so it satisfyingly felt even through the Coda (name of section probably receiving a "here we go again" sequel, I assume?) that the structure reflected often what was happening in the novel. I could not stop reading once I really started.
I would also love to dive into the complexity of each complex character to whom I was introduced. But I don't want this Goodreads review to get too long. Suffice it to say I found everything, including the way each person became their borough and why they became that particular borough, endlessly clever, even though I'm a newbie to NY.
I had never read NK Jemisin before, but I will be eagerly awaiting this book's sequels as well as seeking out her previous works to read.
(it might be interesting to see the characterization of Sao Paolo evolve, as well as whether the next book(s) make any mention to what is currently happening to Hong Kong)...more
**spoiler alert** This YA novel is written from the perspectives of 14 Japanese-American teenagers who were removed from their homes and incarcerated **spoiler alert** This YA novel is written from the perspectives of 14 Japanese-American teenagers who were removed from their homes and incarcerated in detention camps post Pearl Harbor.
The tone starts out tame and doesn't really pull you into the time period, until the first narrator is attacked by 3 white guys who are angry at the Japanese for what "they" have done to Americans. This is only the first historical moment, and then things snowball.
Emotions of the characters as they experienced all the discrimination for the first time were raw and gripping, the sense of betrayal they felt at the actions of their own American government struck a chord, and the fact that they kept calling the USA "our country" despite all that brought tears to my eyes. (and that wasn't the only thing about this novel that brought on the tears, let me tell you).
The novel's main theme is community and family, Gaman or the resilience to bear it until things get better. This is represented through the motif of the music they share - music that Yum-Yum uses to express their shared hope that they will not need to leave at the beginning, music that Yosh and Shig (no, Stan) bond over, and music that plays out of Mas's radio when they are ALL brought together one last time.
I rate it 4 stars only because the amount of narrators and how often they switched made the characters difficult to follow. I forgot who they were when they were mentioned even though I was absorbed in every story. I suppose this might reflect the novels second theme of transience, but I still had to leaf back through to find references to a given character because I forgot who they were when they were mentioned again.
Despite that confusion, beautiful poignant language throughout captivated me from the beginning to the end. Chee did a marvelous job....more
**spoiler alert** Honestly, the Millenial in me just screamed "TRUE!" at all the asides, 4th wall breaks, and self deprecation of this narrator.
Refre**spoiler alert** Honestly, the Millenial in me just screamed "TRUE!" at all the asides, 4th wall breaks, and self deprecation of this narrator.
Refreshing and relevant, Skye Falling gives a unique take on the trials and tribulations of Skye, a queer black (almost middle aged) woman living in (and actively trying to escape) Philadelphia.
Skye doesn't trust other people, and through her reluctant self-reflections we get glimpses into her past that make this totally reasonable, and so when she finds out she (sort of) has a daughter, she decides she wants that relationship bc who would say no to a 12 year old who just wants love?
I would say that a reasonable criticism of this book could be that fairy tale love story between Skye and Faye, but I also think that this fits with the characterization of Skye as having big, impulsive emotions. The relationship seemed like just that catalyst for her emotional growth. Also, the climactic scene of her crying for the first time in 3 years and then finding solace in Faye makes their relationship all the more poignant.
I find the ending extremely satisfying as well, because it leaves the reader with a sense that, although there are some unresolved issues from the novel, Skye will be all right because she's not actively trying to escape her own life anymore. Life is messy, and the structure of the text wholly supports that theme.
McKenzie weaves the culture of West Philadelphia through the book in a subtle manner which helps the reader understand it, without making it feel like we're being beaten over the head.
I have also not laughed out loud at a book this hard in a LONG time....more
For a romance it was...fine? There were a couple places I chuckled at the dialogue, and honestly the happily ever afters are one of the reasons I readFor a romance it was...fine? There were a couple places I chuckled at the dialogue, and honestly the happily ever afters are one of the reasons I read romance. It had all the types romances have, which is great because this whole genre is (horny) comfort food rather than mindblowing prose. There were even a few instances of good imagery, which makes me think Sherry Thomas should try her hand at writing poetry, if she hasn't.
However, I read very few novels which just make me instinctively dislike the male lead, but there wasn't anything to recommend Christian, at all, except maybe his prowess in bed (which, honestly, wasn't described in enough satisfactory detail for an erotic novel) and the fact that he doesn't abuse women. He is broody, masochistic, somewhat sadistic at times, way too arrogant, and just a little boring. His naturalism could have been interesting, but. And there was barely anything to recommend Venetia. So much of the novel was spent trying way too hard to literally tell readers that she was more than just a pretty face.
The interactions on the boat were fun, but after the boat the cat-and-mouse will-they-won't-they became a little tedious. And I'm genuinely a fan of this genre.
And I know it's meant to be a trilogy, but to literally spent that much time on a relationship (Milly's and Fitz's) only to leave us hanging before the exposition of it is even complete was a little...I don't know...obvious? I have never read a novel that literally spoiled the sequels for me (it's a historical romance...we all know what's going to happen. Now I've got the premise, why read the other two books? Clumsy)....more
**spoiler alert** I thought overall this book was excellent, weaving together 3 (sometimes 4) different points of view of 3 distinct people from the s**spoiler alert** I thought overall this book was excellent, weaving together 3 (sometimes 4) different points of view of 3 distinct people from the same family.
I did think Binh's story was a little anticlimactic, and details were introduced and then forgotten about, like Thao's rough treatment of Tuan which I wish the author had made more of. Also, Vinh's just sudden mooching off Huong as a random jobless man? I thought more would come from that.
However, the essential story about a mother's journey with her sons is gorgeous, as is the writing style, especially the more stream of consciousness repetition to present the stress or anxiety bubbling in their subconscious. The water imagery as well throughout the novel draws a line directly from the water they crossed on the boat to the US and the water of Hurricane Katrina. Every important event in each character's lives was shaped by water in some way, which is a powerful metaphor for their struggles as an immigrant family, and also their love (Huong crossing water (twice in the novel) to save her sons, Binh comes out in the water, etc). Some places were excellent and beautifully executed - the sons' stories just felt rushed through....more
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