jo
2.5
I was uninterested until the last 20% I think its because it's been a while since I finished the first book. I might need to reread the series after I finish book 3. I really like binti as a character and the writing & world. But it's just so short I literally want more. I will be reading book 3 and her akata duology soon because I really enjoy Nnedi's writing.
I loved the series when i was in high school, I really like the graphic novel but I can't get over the amount of cringy scenes
“And listen to me love, when a woman risks her place, her very life to speak a truth the world despises? Believe her. Always.”
TRIGGER WARNINGS
sexual assault, misogyny, physical torture, victim blaming, slut shaming, murder, betrayal, and suicidal thoughts.
I don't even know where to begin with this because wow. This book was such a surprise for me. I was expecting to not like it as much as i did. I was expecting to rate it 3 to 4 stars just because I'm really picky with the books i give the big 5 to, you feel me. And even when I finished it i fist gave is 4 stars. But then after thinking about it non stop and wanting to reread it i knew.... this was it.
Artemisia's story was so hard to read but oh so powerful. This is a story about what is like in the 1600s where being a woman was a crime in itself. Women couldn't do what they wanted just do what men wanted them to do. And men could do or take whatever they pleased. This book tells the realities of an era where women were raped and were put to death or were shamed if they spoke out about it. Yes it was infuriating to read, but when a book can bring out so many different emotions out of me at the same time. That's when I know it will be a book that sticks with me for a long time.
I don't really want to write a long review for this right now because i want to reread it and annotate my copy of it. But y'all if you aren't triggered by any of the topics that I mentioned and haven't yet read it, please read it!
“I will show you what a woman can do.”
this was such a great read. perfect for the season in my life that i'm in right now. i've never read a Angelou novel but now i want to read more of her works. Angelou's writing is so beautiful and filled with so much wisdom.
CW: PTSD, blood, mentions of sexual assault, substance abuse, kidnapping, murder, vomiting.
Okay so it's done ?????
There's so much I want to say yet I don't really know what to say. I liked how the author tied in things from the other books into this. It was brilliant how they made small details that were maybe deemed insignificant in the other books. And we're actually part of the bigger picture. But that ending was so rushed and a bit out of character for pip. I don't know how I feel about it.
Also is there going to be another book? I would love more tbh but these characters have already been through hell and back. They need a break, maybe a novella of there they are now, a vacation or something
CW: hate crime, murder, death. colorism, fatphobia, fatphobic comments, body shaming, eating Disorders. use of the f slur, misgendering, suicidal ideation, self-harm, blood.
Oh God yall don't know how badly I wanted to love this book. A literary fiction novel about two Dominican women fighting against gentrification. I thought this was going to be my perfect book. Sadly, I was wrong.
Let me start with the good before I start ranting.
Natera's writing stunning. She has such a way with words. I tabbed and highlighted so many quotes that I will look back on them for a long time. I was thrilled to see so much Dominican culture in this. I felt so seen within the mentions of my cultural foods and the “dichos” that are widely known in my country. I saw my family in each member of the community. That is one of the many things I appreciate about this book.
Now the not so good.
This was a mess. While the writing was great, the plot and story building was lacking. It fell into this thing that tends to happen in some debut literary fiction novels. And that is trying to tackle a lot of different topics at once. The conversation and development surrounding gentrification were interesting until we got to the last third of the book. It took me on a rollercoaster ride of events that felt so odd and took me out of the story. It felt like the author was trying to make the story take a dark turn when I didn't need to. It felt like one of those overly dramatic movies. Where the first half of it is chill with a sprinkle of drama here and there. And then, all of a sudden, a hurricane of events occurs, and you're left wondering what's going on. That is exactly how I felt. The twists were shocking in all the wrong ways. Like I said, a whole mess.
Also, there was an unnecessary amount of fatphobic comments that made me feel so uncomfortable as a fat person myself.
I will be reading whatever the author releases in the future. I think that she has the potential of writing something amazing in the future!
Thank you to Netgalley for the e-arc copy in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Penguin Teen and NetGalley for the e-arc.
This collection of poetry covers American Black history from the '50s-‘60s. Weaving powerful poetry with heartbreaking historical facts. The author brings up things that I've never known about our history. They succeed to make it accessible for a teen audience. I will definitely be giving this book to my siblings to read.
CW: dementia, death, and lost of loved one
I came for public pool chisme and left heartbroken
CW: death, racism, colorism, sexism, misogyny, car accident, mention of miscarriage, self-harm, and homophobia.
I went into this book hoping to find a piece of myself within its pages, and thankfully I did. This is a love letter to Brown girls, particularly Brown girls from New York. I felt seen as a Dominican woman from New York. Reading bits of my culture, my upbringing, and myself were special. The writing style was excellent, I highlighted many lines that made an impact on me. I look forward to reading more by Palasi Andreades in the future.
Yet, I'm not sure if this was the book for me. I sadly didn't vibe with it. While reading it I found myself bored and wanting to be done with it. There was no real structure, characters, or plot. It felt like vignettes or short stories, things that I don't tend to like. This is why I believe that it is a me problem and not the book's fault. Clearly, it is loved by so many, sadly, I am not one of them.
Don't let my one negative review keep you from reading this. I will still recommend anyone to read this <3
tw: colorism, drug abuse, toxic friendships/family, and misogyny.
hi my name is cielo and this book personally attacked me. i felt so seen y'all. also the mc name is sky and we are one in the same
CW: death of loved one, sexual assault, murder, child abuse, abuse, and Islamophobia
I wanted to love this so badly. This had so many things that, ideally, it should've been a new favorite. The poetic prose and the way the author strung each sentence together with such care left me wanting more. The actual storytelling was where I felt the book fell short. Throughout the book, there were times when I felt lost. I wish everything had been fleshed out a little more. Within 352 pages, the author wanted to cover a wide range of topics. It would have been nice if they had talked more about the sisters' difficulties in dealing with grief and all they have been through at such a young age. It felt rushed in places where I wanted more.
I would still recommend this novel. Maybe even re-read it physically to see if it was due to the format I chose to consume it in.
CW: abuse, suicide, miscarriage, cheating, use of the r-slur.
This felt like I was watching an episode of the k-drama, Hello my Twenties. This novel follows 5 women as they deal with the life expectations and beauty standards in Korean culture. It was interesting to see the characters in their day-to-day lives. It felt as if I was in a conversation with each of the characters. Not knowing everything but knowing enough to love and care for them all. I ended up connecting with and invested in the lives of each of the women we follow. I would recommend it for fans of Kim Ji-young born 1982 and contemporary k-dramas.
Beautiful, just beautiful. It made me cry, laugh, and long for a cute relationship like maddie and olly. Since I picked up this book, I kid you not, I couldn't put it down. By the end of the book It just left me wanting more. I recommended it to all of my friends and when they finish they all say the same thing. I can't wait to finally see the movie!!
I am officially dnfing this at 40%. I tried but i just wasn't feeling it. I might return to it at a later date. But for the time being I won't be finishing it.
Its was good, I lowkey liked the first one better though.. I really enjoyed reading these books!