Alysses
This was incredibly heartbreaking. I would definitely recommend. Wearing the Hijab is incredibly personal. It's not always so cut and dry. This book touched upon so many different subjects, so much came to light from the simple act of deciding to wear a Hijab.
Contents: Rape, inter-generational trauma, genocide, Islamophobic assault, trauma, ptsd
ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley
Published copy read and reviewed-borrowed from Library.
The art in the first few pages were a bit jarring for me. It was hard to decipher what is going on in the world but that quickly corrected itself a few pages after that.
Anya has been assigned to take over the care of the Moon Moths, the most important task in all the village. The moths keep the tree and it's Night Lily alive and in turn keeps the village alive. It's a lonely task and is hard on the caretaker.
The art is actually really pretty and the story was full of emotion and longing. There are actually several threads in the story and it was interesting to see how they all intertwined. It was all very beautiful and would absolutely recommend that you pick it up.
Read for the #transrightsreadathon
This is a short story. Get over it. You knew what you were getting into when you decided to read it. IT IS A SHORT STORY.
I thought it was great. It was fast paced, scary and intriguing. I do think certain decisions made and acted upon made no sense but all in all, I was thoroughly entertained.
I think this would have been a great start to something bigger had the author decided to continue.
A town full of enchanted vegetables in charge of growing more of their own variety of veggie. There's a witch and a vegetarian vampire too. This was really sweet and I loved the artwork. The colors are soothing and very earthy. I loved the topics and how they were handled. The enchanted vegetable folks are not just enchanted to work but are beings with feelings and thoughts and they are valuable feelings and thoughts. It's also stressed upon how enchanting and breathing life magic into other vegetables is a huge responsibility.
Aoki and Ida continue to learn things about one another. The mix ups continue along with the quirky awkwardness. New characters continue to sprinkle in and out of their lives. These two are just on a slow slow slow journey. It's cool.
Meanwhile...
Hashimoto shines. The biggest character growth seen in this volume comes from Hashimoto. Hashimoto and Aida are finally dating. She's been pining for him for 5 volumes and the girl finally makes it official with the boy. Sad thing is... the boy is one ignorant a-hole. I don't really like Aida. Never have. His attitude coupled with the words that come out of his mouth makes me roll my eyes every time. What Hashimoto sees in him, I will never get. Hashimoto over hears Aida saying that she wore him down and that's the only reason they are together.
Upon hearing this... she walks away. She let's him know that she will not settle for parts of him. She wants him all in or not at all. It was awesome to witness it. Hashimoto has always been a cool character. She's also been insecure at times and has been pining for such a long time. This was just awesome to see. She didn't waiver... she said what she said and walked away not willing to compromise on this very important principle.
I loved to see it. Aida is a total snot.
This is such a mixed bag.
First and foremost, this author absolutely CAN write. Sloane and Dominic are connected via the husband she lost and the best friend/brother he lost. Although they've shared a love for the same man, they have had these toxic interactions with one another for twelve years. This was written so well that you actually believe the toxicity, you believe the love and the loss. Dominic gets Sloane out of a non consensual situation. Yes, I can see how he can act like she's gum under his shoe for whatever reason and feel at the same time an obligation to make sure she's safe at all times. Chalk it up to familial loyalty. We find out the real reason later on but all of this was believable. One thing leads to another and Dominic and Sloane are now in a sexy times contract.
The chemistry these two had was palpable. From their first interaction until their very last. I was all for it. What I wasn't for, or better said, left wanting... was the connection outside of their sex lives. They had a lot of sex. Way too much sex. It was repetitive and legit got to the point where I was skipping these scenes. Their contract/agreement was limited and they were trying to get it in every moment that had to get it in. Got it. Yet, there was much more going on behind the scenes so to speak and once I got the deets I wanted more non sexy times. Towards the end both Sloane and Dominic got on my last nerve because they reacted in ways that made absolute not sense. All in all it was good minus the parts I mentioned. It also needed to be like 200 pages less. I couldn't understand why it was so long.
That's it... I will read the next one eventually. It's part one and over 400 pages... I just can't right now.
Initially, an advance copy was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review via Netgalley.
The copy I'm reviewing now is a finished copy borrowed from the library.
I went into this read expecting to not like it based on some of the reviews and the fact that it's a love triangle. I don't like love triangles.
I'm going to be honest... this was good! It's written well! I found it easy to immerse myself in this world all the way until the end. Yes, there is a girl and two boys. Yet, it was clear to me at this point that Lia is clearly drawn to one. Either way, the romance aspect is really toned down, and I'm not mad at it. I loved being in this world. Lia is on a quest to figure out certain facts about herself. It's a mystery and I had hoped we would have gotten more of those details. It's alright. It's book one.
I'm just happy these characters weren't annoying.
Read for the Realm Of Comics Book Club
4.5
It started off at a 4. As with many of my Realm of Comics reads, discussion will open my eyes to new things/concepts I didn't catch or it will firmly keep me in the very place I was at upon finishing the read.
I really do think you have to go into this read blind. You have to experience it all brand new. I wasn't a fan of the art. The story however, is special. The setup is there to go in many different ways. I walked away not knowing what to believe and what to not believe. This bumped it up to 4.5.
The play was a 4.5 stars.
The backstory/drama/mess was just messy and I could have done without. 3 stars.
This is a comedy play. I listed it as contemporary because it was when it was written and historical fiction because it is historical now.
The characters were fictional but their way of life was not. ZNH captured the essence of the people of this town and Hughes ran with it.
Read for Missy Elliot Readathon Super Duper Fly
Initially this was a 4. After sitting with this read for a month, I have bumped it up to a 5. (3.18.2023)
If ever you need a rec for International Women's Month.. this would be it.
This book is about the many faces, the many roles and the many instances a woman has to do what needs to be done simply because it needs to get done. For individuals who wished these women explored grief more, I challenge you to re-read the book. Grief takes on many forms. Allow yourself to take these women in. These are the women I know.
I had so much to say about this book. Alas... I don't have it in me anymore. Not after having a discussion with a friend.
This book puts its main character through hell and back. This book puts the reader through hell and back.
I was not a fan of the ending. For ME it did not ring true to what I've come to know as the most likely outcome of a settlement. I as a reader who had just swam through the fires of hell upon finishing the book, needed that settlement. I needed more for all of the people in this book.
I just want us to stop settling for crumbs. I had to sit in book club discussion as all the clear folks agreed that this was the most realistic outcome. It's just me. If you don't agree...No worries... Argue with your Grandma, your momma and auntie too.
BTW... this was based on a real story. At least THEY got a hefty settlement. Found this tidbit out while the clear folks were trying to gaslight me into believing I was reaching for a dream. Money doesn't fix everything but it sure does feel a little like reparation.
