Sahi
CW: suicide, bullying, descriptions of drowning
Though I've only read the author's debut Ash Princess before and never managed to continue the trilogy, she is fun to follow on Twitter and I've been very excited for this book since it's announcement. But now I'm pretty unsure of my feelings after finishing it.
I know Arthurian legends are very famous and probably familiar to most western readers from a young age. But I didn't grow up knowing them, and my only knowledge is pretty limited to the show Merlin and the books The Mists of Avalon, which I encountered less than a decade ago, both of which I don't remember much of. So I'm not exactly attached to the original mythos and I don't have the usual complaints like other reviewers, that it diverges too much from the original.
My problem is mostly with the plot itself. I frankly didn't find the non linear timeline structure of the story too difficult, and it was actually interesting to read the “future” chapters and imagine all the various possibilities. It was just that all of the past chapters felt very detached, so when our group of ensemble characters in the present timeline pledge undying loyalty to each other and tell that they would do anything to make Arthur king, I couldn't find it emotionally engaging because I couldn't understand why they were actually so close and loyal to each other.
The characters themselves are interesting, I especially loved Elaine because she is kind of a tragic figure, unable live her life properly as she is always thinking about future possibilities and betrayals and how to change them. I really wanted her to have a life where she got what she wanted. Morgana is another character I loved because she is fierce and impulsive, but always remains true to herself. I think I would enjoyed the book more if more of these two women's dynamic was explored. Gwen is a warrior who gets to make difficult decisions for the sake of her love and her people, but I didn't feel much of anything towards her. Even the romance between Lancelot and Elaine, or Gwen and Arthur were just peripheral subplots that didn't have much impact. Arthur himself wasn't much of a major figure in this book, but I knew that going in because the author herself mentioned it many times, so it didn't bother me much.
To be honest, I don't even know where I'm going with this review. It was an okay story, but I could never understand what the goal or ending we were going towards, and I'm not sure if I'm satisfied with the ending, though it was an interesting surprise. I probably could have loved this more if I could've felt connected to the characters, but alas that didn't happen. I don't know to whom I can recommend this book, but definitely not to those who are very attached to the Arthurian legends and would be unhappy with such a drastically different retelling.
I was very intrigued as soon as I first heard the title of this book and saw the US cover, but it was the gorgeous and stunning UK cover which made this a highly anticipated release for me, and I flew through it in just a matter of hours.
When I picked this up today, I had a feeling I could finish it in a single sitting and I'm glad my expectation wasn't misplaced. The writing is easy to follow while also being lush and vivid, especially the descriptions of locations and atmosphere making me want to teleport to that place, and the finger licking descriptions of food making me so hungry that I needed something to munch on while reading. The pacing is also pretty fast, which makes for an exciting read, but sometimes it also felt like we breezed through certain important plotlines or didn't get enough time to process the monumental revelations. But the overall imagery that the author weaves through this fairytale kind of story is very vivid and memorable and it'll remain in any reader's head for a while. The magic for the most part is simple and uncomplicated but as the story goes on, we get to learn more about the lore of this world in bits and pieces, but this book still is more of a setup in that aspect and I fell we'll get more of the magic, gods, dragons and demons in the sequel.
Shiori didn't endear me immediately as a character. I used to love YA fantasy a lot but I've also grown older now and having ventured more into the adult fantasy genre, I'm feeling more and more unattached to younger protagonists. In this one too, Shiori is reckless and impulsive initially and I had to remind myself that she is young and just needed to grow and learn restraint. But she is also resilient and curious and while this does land her in trouble, she is also strong enough to handle the hardships and the ordeals she goes through just makes her more inclined to fight for herself and her family.
Her relationship with her six brothers is sweet and their bickering only makes you feel more close to them. Her best friend is an absolute delight and what she might lack in empathy, she makes up for with her wittiness and also just being there as Shiori when she really needs someone. And while I was glad that romance wasn't necessarily a focus of this story, I thought the slow burn was beautifully written and it's development truly fits the “fated ones” vibe of the story.
To conclude, this was such a fun and adventurous ride. I don't know much about the original fairytale “The Six Swans”, so I couldn't tell you how close this retelling follows the storytelling. But it's a lovely amalgamation of western and eastern fairytales and folklore, which will mesmerize you with its stunning imagery and the endearing family bonds. And the reluctant arranged marriage trope is always fun to explore and I can't wait to see where this story goes next.
CW: attempted assault
It's nice sometimes to take a break from fantasy, but I'm still not ready to tackle the real world so historical fiction it is. And it's always fun to come back to a series I enjoy and meet familiar characters. This is another interesting installment in the series and one I'm glad to continue further.
I'm always impressed by the author's descriptions of 1920s Bombay because I'm unfamiliar even with the current incarnation of the city, and historical one feels even more fantastical in my head. But the author makes it feel like a living breathing place, one that forms the soul of the story. The tensions in the city, the emergence of a freedom movement that is both nonviolent as well as reactionary, and the rising of the religious divide forms an important backdrop of this story and as always, I'm glad to get to know more about my own country's history. The writing is evocative and full of emotional depth, making us experience the turbulent atmosphere of the times. The mystery itself was not too predictable, but not too tension inducing either and the resolution was pretty unexpected.
I fall in love with Perveen's character even more as the series go on and it's due to her resilience and strength in unfavorable circumstances. But I thought the author showed a much more vulnerable side of her this time, encountering situations where is pretty helpless and also in the matters of the heart. However, it's nice to see that she has the support of her family, especially her father in professional settings and her best friend Alice who is so sweet. But the author lets us see the complex relationship these characters have with colonial India, the British empire and the Indian freedom movement. There is also a hint of romantic entanglements in this one, which is both endearing and bittersweet, and I hope we'll get to see much more of the couple as the story continues.
To conclude, this book was a refreshing respite in the middle of all my intense fantasies, but it was no less interesting and emotional. If you enjoy books set in pre-independence India and would love to see a young woman try to overcome the patriarchal sexist rules in both her personal and professional life, then you can't go wrong with this series.
I was very excited for this one because I loved Vo's writing in her Singing Hills series and I knew this would be awesome too. Turns out this wasn't exactly what I expected. The story sticks too close to The Great Gatsby which was not one of my favorites in the first place, so I felt like the author's gorgeous writing couldn't make up for some of the boring parts. The magical elements were also too few and I guess I just wasn't that much into more of a historical fiction story. But I can't deny that both the writing and the audiobook narration are very good and definitely what enabled me to finish it.
I've not read any of the author's novels before but I have enjoyed her Monstress graphic novel series for it's beautiful art and a host of powerful and brilliant female characters. So it was no surprise to know that this collection of stories too is mostly about women - women who are strong of will and determined to survive. There is a bit of a common theme about magical woods through most of these stories and the descriptions truly gave me chills, as did some of the events which took place. The author doesn't shy away from showing us the darkness and all of these stories revel in toeing the line between light and dark, letting us to believe what we choose. A very interesting collection, which is even more enhanced by the author's commentary about why she wrote each story and what she feels about them now.
Sympathy for the bones
Dark and twisty tale about what one woman would do for the sake of freedom, for being relieved from being shackled to someone cruel, and what would she do differently than what was done to her. A bit gruesome, but nevertheless quite interesting.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Briar and the Rose
A retelling of Sleeping Beauty, this story was a wonderful tale of female agency, finding the courage to survive in desperate circumstances when there doesn't seem to be any hope, and two women helping each other through the power of their love. Very beautiful writing.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Call Her Savage
Set in an alternate colonial world, this is the story of a powerful woman who was once famous for her strength and exploits in war, but who can only remember the grief and ravages of the time; how she has tried to stop fighting because she couldn't handle it anymore, but ultimately it's not always her choice, and circumstances decide what her path forward should be. Interesting combination of colonialism, magical crystals, advanced technology and plain old war.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Last Dignity of Man
Parts of this story were horrific to read, but the emotions it invokes are even more intense. I don't wanna give away much but amidst a combo of a tech billionaire who wants to be a comic book supervillain and meet his nemesis, and lots of morally ambiguous scientific experimentation - all I could feel was the desperate loneliness throughout.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Where the Heart Lives
Set in a mystical forest which is described stunningly, this is a bittersweet story of what loneliness does to a person, as well as how experiencing love and family for the first time can make a person strong and resilient.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
After the Blood
Set in the bleak aftermath of a pandemic, this was hard to read because of our own reality but it was also interesting to see Amish vampires, and many other supernatural creatures fighting for survival in a very changed world.
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
The Tangleroot Palace
This eponymous story was more like a novelette than a short story and again had a mystical scary forest, a trapped queen, and a young woman bound to marriage who just wants her freedom but discovers her capacity for more along the way.
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
CW: mentions of past rape/sexual assault, disbelieving of victim's accusations, mentions of homophobic slurs
I just waited one day after receiving this arc to finish it in a single sitting, because I couldn't resist. And this was despite me not reading contemporaries at all during this pandemic - but how could I not pick up the next in my favorite hockey romance series when I knew it would make me smile.
This series has given me a lot of joy in the past and it was nothing this time around. Once I started reading, I just couldn't put it down. It was funny, sweet, entertaining, even if slightly anxious at the beginning. I breezed through the whole thing, laughed and cried, and felt delighted at being in this world again. I won't say the book was perfect though, but I guess I understood the choices the author made in her writing - she mentions she wrote the complete thing during the pandemic and I think thats why the bad things in this book are mostly at the periphery and seem inconsequential despite being very important issues. However, I did like that the author touched on toxic masculinity in the sporting world and also how teams and fans often rally behind the players when they are accused of misconduct, particularly by women; and it's the victims who get slandered instead. It's such an awful issue, but the author only touched lightly on it, which may feel performative for some readers.
However, the characters make up for any shortcomings because they are amazing. Troy is not easy to like immediately because we have seen him be an asshole before but also seen him be slightly conflicted, so I started off the book feeling contradictory about him. But I could quickly sympathize because he lost his love, his team, his fans, everything in a few days for finally standing up for the right thing after being wrong for a very long time. I was glad to see him realize his mistakes and be a better ally. He was well supported by Harris who is the sweetest ball of sunshine, and I loved the environment that he created for all the players of the team. They made for a great couple and I was so happy to see their level of understanding each other.
The best part of this series has always been the side characters and it was lovely to see some very supportive family members here who were delighted to see their sons find their perfect partner. But my heart is with all the past characters showing, right from the first book. It may not have been my favorite, but Scott Hunter has now become a lynchpin around whom this series revolves because he is the ultimate inspiration for most of the players and I so admire him for it. It was nice to see all the couples and realize they are doing well. But ofcourse, my love for Ilya will always remain special, and it was awesome to see him be a great leader and supportive friend, though I did miss Shane a lot.
To conclude, this was a super fun new installment in my favorite romance series and I'm glad the author was able to write such a sweet story during these hard times. You can't give it a miss if you've read the previous books, and you should totally start from the beginning if you wanna try a highly entertaining and lovable sports romance series. Now I can just wait for The Long Game because Ilya and Shane will always be special and I can't wait to read more of their story.
I don't think I've read any of the author's poems before but as soon as I saw the cover of this book for the first time last year, I knew I had to read it. And while I went in not knowing much about what the book was going to be - expect that it was related to the history of slavery - I was totally floored by the way the author approached this painful past.
I have visited one plantation in the US till now, which is Mt. Vernon - but this was a few years ago and I hadn't yet started reading up on American politics or it's history - so I didn't even realize that the place symbolized more than just being George Washington's estate, it was also built and maintained by hundreds of people he had enslaved. I have come to regret my trip a lot, now that I know a bit more about the estate's history, but the author here brought more light onto the lives of the enslaved people by visiting Jefferson's Monticello plantation and also the privately owned Whitney plantation. As I was listening to the audiobook narrated by the author himself, it was pretty evident how the author was feeling during these research visits of his.
While the author comes to know a bit about the work both the plantations are doing to recognize and present their true history without whitewashing the slavery part of the story, it is still not enough. The tour guides and administrators also mention how difficult it is to tell the true history of the place while not being completely negative about it, because there are always white visitors who are not ready to confront the ugly truths about their historical heroes. This felt like a small microcosm of our current reality where more and more Republican politicians and voters want to curb the teaching of the country's racist history, while also being completely ignorant (or maybe willfully so) about what CRT entails but using it as a scapegoat to pass censorship laws.
But these chapters were probably the easiest to listen to. Because once the author changed his location to the Angola maximum security prison in Louisiana and Blandford cemetery in Virginia, it was very tough to continue to listen to how the administrators of these places try so hard to whitewash their horrific past, especially in Angola prison whose history of extreme violence towards numerous prisoners in solitary confinement is unimaginable. And the caretakers of the biggest mass grave of confederate soldiers in Blandford just want to continue to perpetuate the lost cause myth and how the civil war was about state's rights - not that they ever try to complete that sentence and say that it was about “state's rights to keep slaves”.
I however, felt inspired by the story of Galveston and Juneteenth (it was particularly poignant coz it's 2 days away) and how the declaration of the end of slavery was such a significant event - even if ultimately, it didn't pan out that way in reality. While it took many many decades of violence by white supremacists and activism of courageous Black people to achieve some semblance of civil rights legislation, we are only now realizing how it's extremely important not to forget all that history, because forgetting what happened will only result in history repeating itself.
But ultimately it was the chapter about New York City's history that was eye opening. Because while the north maybe praised as a paragon of liberalism, NYC itself is full of forgotten markers of its own racist past - like being a major trading hub for all the raw materials that were produced by the enslaved people in the southern plantations; being the headquarters for all the major banks which used to accept enslaved people as collateral just like any property; or even how the beautiful Central Park is built upon land owned by free Black people who were forced out of their homes by the NYC government using eminent domain to build the park. And all this business created by the toil of the enslaved people is what built the economy of the country - not that anyone seems to want to acknowledge that while teaching history.
With this brilliant book full of visits to historical places, interviews with scholars and references to primary sources, and also stories told by his own grandparents whose grandparents were themselves enslaved, the author tries to give us a new approach of understanding history. It is painful and emotional to listen to, but it is also unflinching in its honesty, and in its earnestness that we should examine our own biases and not be defensive when confronted with uncomfortable truths. It is a huge responsibility to reckon with the country's past and but only when we acknowledge it that we can move forward and strive for a better future, and make sure that the history will never repeat again. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the topic, but I particularly think this would be a good resource for students, despite its tough material.
TW: graphic violence, gore, sexual assault, rape, slavery, child death, animal death, human sacrifice, mentions of suicide.. I'm sure I'm missing more.
I'm not even sure how to describe my feelings about this one. It's a wonderfully narrated story of the fall of Troy through the perspective of Briseis (and also Achilles in parts) and it feels like a completely different story when told through the voice of a woman who has lost everything to the war and is now a slave who doesn't know what will happen to her in the future. It's harsh, bleak and violent, but it is also a tale of survival and resilience of the many women who have lost their agency and freedom and all loved ones, but still brave an existence among their enemies and now masters. The audiobook narration also makes us feel the characters' emotions very deeply, and I think it definitely enhanced my experience of the book. I just received the arc of thee sequel of this book, and I can't wait to read it soon.
I've only read one book by Becky Chambers before - To be Taught, if Fortunate - which was interesting and contemplative, so I decided to pick this new story be her, also because I have really come to appreciate the novella format. And this was just.... something !!!!
I won't by any means call this a perfect book, but it was utterly perfect for me. Just like her previous book, the writing in this is also very calm, quiet, soothing, requiring a bit of introspection from the reader and also thought provoking. It may not be everyone's speed but this slice of life story is just right if you are in the mood for it. Bex is a character whom I related to so much, because of the way they felt about their life and their struggles felt so familiar. The way they try to be a good listener to everyone and help others feel a bit better through their words, but is ultimately unable to feel better themselves - it just hit me too hard and I couldn't stop reading because I badly wanted to know how they would ultimately come to terms with their feelings. And then entered Mosscap, a robot, and I can't tell you how fascinating it is to listen to a human created object essentially give a philosophical sermon about life to a monk. But these life lessons about the meaning of purpose, and if it is really essential for a human being to have purpose to feel fulfilled and lead a meaningful life - is a question that is explored thoughtfully and I really appreciated that, because it is something I'm always thinking about. There may not be complete answers to these questions, but there's enough thoughts to ponder about.
In the end, I don't know whom to recommend this book to because it feels too personal to me. But I guess like what the author says in the dedication, pick this book up if you need a break from life. And in these times full of anxieties, not just about the pandemic but so many other issues, this short novella might just provide you some respite.
CW: drug addiction
I think it's a 4.5 but I'm rounding up.
This book was nowhere on my radar and I hadn't even seen much promos or reviews of it. But then I saw my favorite author Tasha Suri gush about it endlessly on Twitter and I couldn't resist the temptation.
The author seems to be a poet and this is her debut novel, and that doesn't surprise me at all, because the prose in this book is exquisite. It has been a long time since I've highlighted so many lines and paragraphs in a fantasy novel and I can't wait to revisit this again because I'm sure I'll find more gems on a reread. The author is also extremely good at creating tension and the buildup is intense, with me waiting page after page to see where the next strike would come from, who would live and who would die, who is trustworthy and who isn't. The plot is quite a bit of slow burn, and there's more of planning and scheming and thinking involved rather than action, so it may not be for fans of more fast paced fantasy. The only little gripe I had was that I could guess who the traitor was very early on and I think the gut punch may have been stronger if it was more of a surprise.
I also enjoyed the world building and magic system here. First coming to the magic, it's elemental - so not something very new, and the magic wielders are persecuted, which is also a tried and tested trope. And while we don't get to see a lot of magic in action, the few fighting scenes were excitingly written and I can't wait to see how much more explosive it will get when the main villain shows up in the next installment. The world also is interesting here, with a new ruler of Elira being chosen from among the leaders of five city-rulers by an appointed Councillor. There are existing tensions with two border kingdoms as well as an older foe, the White Queen - and I loved how the author wrote about strategies to implement in the conflict, not just limiting them to war but also to trade. However, even within Elira, each city has its own culture and traditions, and there are old feuds between them, and the author creates great tension between all the representatives as well as letting us experience the shifting dynamics when they all get to know each other. And to round off everything, we have unexpected magical beasts making an entrance which only takes the excitement up a notch.
Lysande is the kind of protagonist I love - a scholar who has read all the classic literature, military and strategy accounts and probably even some of the banned stuff - and who thinks through everything twice over before acting on it. She is an orphan who made it as a palace scholar only due to the benevolence of the Iron Queen Sarelin. But the nobles don't like seeing her position elevated because she is a commoner, and she has to carefully thread the needle of showing the power of her new position as Councillor, as well as pick the nobles who might not mind her being their new patron. It is a fascinating interplay between power and privilege, never knowing which one will tip the balance of the scales.
At times, I was frustrated with how much Lysande idolized the now dead Queen but also appreciated when she came to see her faults as well, and learnt how she could be a different kind of ruler, prioritizing all of her people who are in need. She starts off with only the good intention of wanting to protect her kingdom, and maybe make the lives of people better while fighting their prejudices - but power is heady and it was so engrossing to see her get slowly seduced both by the idea of being powerful as well as being an object of adulation for the people. But she also has a drug problem which she is in constant denial of and I can't wait to see how that will affect her during the long run.
The story is essentially about how Lysande deals with the four city-rulers who are up for the throne next, while navigating treacherous waters within, as well as from outside the kingdom from an older and powerful enemy. I enjoyed her observations about whomever she meets, and how she analyses their behaviors and decides how much she can trust them. All of the city-rulers were fascinating in their own right but Luca Fontaine was an enigma right from when his name was first mentioned, and me along with Lysande only wanted to know more about him. Litany is another amazing young woman who starts off as Lysande's personal attendant, but grows to her shadow and confidant and I couldn't love their bond more.
In the end, this was an exquisitely crafted political fantasy from the perspective of a scholar. If you are interested in a book with slow burn Machiavellian politics, a whole cast of very contrasting characters, a smart protagonist whose mind will wow you, a queernormative world where there are dangers and betrayals at every turn - then this debut fantasy will not disappoint you. And now I'm just sad that I have wait atleast an year for the next one.
I think it's more of a 3.5 but I'm rounding up.
This audiobook took me so long to listen to, I thought I would forget what happened in the beginning by the time I reached the end. But surprisingly, it didn't feel that way as I kept getting through it bit by bit for more than a month.
As there was a lot of tension and buildup in the first book, I assumed it would continue in this sequel as well. But the author took a very different turn here and while I was surprised, I think it was an interesting change. After such an explosive finale, the author shifts the proceedings to a new station and we get to see the dynamics and tensions of different peoples in this place. Through Breq's unique perspective and the introduction of more characters, the author gives us a thought provoking commentary on racism, xenophobia, systemic discrimination, as well as human trafficking and indentured servitude. We also get to see lots of culture of this new station and how the formalities between people of different hierarchies is such an important part of life and daily work. While there is some action towards the end, it's ultimately a slice of life story with a space opera and imperial politics setting.
In the end, I think this turned out to be a quiet and enjoyable story despite the delays in my reading. The audiobook is narrated very well and I liked getting to know how to pronounce all the names as well as the lovely songs. This is a nice series if you are looking for a character driven political story with important themes, but is told in a slow and quiet way. But it's definitely not the right choice if you want something more action packed in your sci-fi.
I've only read a couple of stories set in the Xuya universe, but I know that there's always one more to pick up when I'm in the mood and it'll be a good time. And this one just so happened to be the right one for more when I was feeling too disinterested with reading.
I'm not sure how to categorize this story. This is a space opera, with time travel elements, with two empires on the brink of war - and we do get to see all the tension in the mind of the Empress as well as her advisors just when they are on the cusp of making decisions that will decide their future - but ultimately this is a story about grief and loneliness and mothers and daughters.
In the story of the Empress and her eldest daughter Bright Princess, the story of her younger daughter Thousand Heart with her mind ship daughter The Turtle's Golden Claw, the story of the engineer Diem Huong and her long lost mother - we see how the realities of belonging to the empire have affected their relationships; how a mother grieves the loss of her child but cannot completely regret her decision because she did what she thought was best for the empire; how a daughter resents her mother for forcing her will upon her, and thereby feeling the same resentment towards her own unwanted daughter; how a sister is mired in her loneliness and grief due to the strife between her mother and elder sister; how a helpless daughter has waited for decades just to find a way back to her mother in the past - all their tales converge to give us a story full of reflections and introspection, with a touch of sadness. And the author manages to capture all this feeling very delicately, through her exquisite writing.
Aliette de Bodard is definitely one of my favorite authors, especially for creating worlds that feel so vibrant and for characters who are fully fleshed and deep, regardless of their page time. I have also really come to enjoy the brilliance of her craft in creating stories in the short format so effectively, and I can't wait to delve more into this universe.
This book turned out to be so so different than I what I expected - not in a bad way - just that the story deviates a lot from the well known mythology. But it also gives a rare look into the kind of the character Krishna, how he trusts no one but himself, and how he takes it upon himself solely to remove all the obstacles for his brother to be the king.
But, we also get to see what happens when he is outmaneuvered at his mind games by someone smarter at playing the game. It is this part of the story (the second half to be specific) that I found fascinating, because it so much resembled our real life - how facts get twisted and retold, how truths are mixed with lies to confuse and manipulate the minds of the masses, how politicians and other bad faith actors use these misinformation tactics to get a leg up on their opponents - it felt like the author was making a commentary on our world through allegory. And this part of the story kept the mystery going till almost the last page, leaving us wondering how Krishna will react. And it was worth the wait.
I don't know if the author plans to write more books in this series. If he does, I don't know if I'm looking forward to more of Krishna's story or the Mahabharata; but I know I will eagerly wait whatever comes next.
While I'm a fan of mythology and retellings of them in general, I don't usually pick up Greek mythology stuff because there are too many names and I have such trouble keeping track of them. While I did enjoy listening to the audios of Mythos and Heroes, it was more for the experience rather than actually trying to grasp and memorize the stories. But the story of the fall of Troy seems to be the only one I know a bit, virtue of some movies and shows I've seen as well as loving The Song of Achilles.
So this was actually fun to listen coz not everything was unfamiliar. It was also interesting to get to know the backstories of some of the major players of the Trojan War and how they came to be. But after deeply connecting with Achilles and Patroclus as a couple in TSoA, it was hard to see them not have a similar relationship in here. But overall, Stephen Fry's narration brings so much life to the story. He also seemed to be less sarcastic in this one compared to the previous two, but it seems to have suited this particular story, making it an enjoyable listen for someone like me, who is not well versed in the Iliad.
Average Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.1
I've been waiting to read this collection as well as Invisible Planets for a while, but as always, my backlist books get lost in the many shiny new arcs and releases I tend to gravitate towards. So, when I got the chance this month to add this to my tbr owing to two readathons, finally I was excited. And it didn't disappoint at all.
This collection of stories felt so different from the usual books I've read, not that I have too much experience of reading sci-fi. This was a varied collection, not necessarily following a theme because these are essentially Ken Liu's favorites - but I was surprised at the variety here with stories ranging from charming and sweet to reflective to dark to utterly terrifying. But what I found was that most of them were very thought provoking and reflective, forcing us to think about the kind of world we are living in and where we are heading towards. I also really enjoyed the mix of Chinese history and culture with sci-fi concepts as well as some juxtaposition with western settings. And the last three essays were a nice touch, getting me acquainted with the troubled history as well as the emergence of modern sci-fi in China, and only made me wish I could get to read something similar about the genre in my country.
I was mostly surprised that there wasn't one story here which I truly hated or couldn't comprehend (it usually happens to me with every collection or anthology) and this makes me even more excited for Tor's collection next year of SFF by Chinese women and non-binary authors, one of the editors being the author of a short as well as essay in this collection.
Goodnight, Melancholy by Xia Jia
Based a bit on Alan Turing's life, and telling the story of a depressed woman trying to find some hope and comfort in her robotic companions, this is a tale of loneliness and what we lengths we will go to try and feel a little less of it.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Moonlight by Liu Cixin
I don't know if I should be amazed at the brilliant concept and writing in this story or despair at the hopelessness of it all towards the end. But however I feel about the story, it's major theme is that climate change is real and unless we do something to significantly change our dependence on fossil fuels, the future of earth is not good.
Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Broken Stars by Tang Fei
I truly don't know what to think of this story. It's dark and a bit horrific, but also features a young woman who decides to take matters into her own hands after she is bullied and assaulted.
Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Submarines by Han Song
Another fascinating but hopeless and sad story towards the end. I'm not sure exactly what the author's intention was but my takeaway from it was that human beings have innate survival instincts that will help them live even in excruciating circumstances, but sometimes no one can escape their fate. It also foretells the the perils of extreme modernization as well as how people will become numb to their fellow humans suffering.
Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Salinger and the Koreans by Han Song
An alternate history of the world kind of tale and featuring JD Salinger, the author of The Catcher and the Rye, this was again sad but reflective, and a different sort of take on communism and capitalism.
Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Under a Dangling Sky by Cheng Jingbo
A retelling of the Greek myth of Delphinus as well as that of Jack and the Beanstalk, this was charming and cute, and an interesting mix of sci-fi and fantasy.
Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
What has passed shall in kinder light appear by Baoshu
Wow... this was such a profound and hard hitting story. While following two star crossed lovers from their childhood, the author explores what would happen if historical events happened in a reverse order. We touch on major events in world history as well as 20th century, but happening in the opposite order, and it was fascinating to see how much more painful it would feel to go from a capitalist market economy and technologically advanced country to the days of rationing and the Cultural Revolution, the Great Famine and the Chinese civil war. This was sad and hopeless at times, with lot of bittersweet moments, but ultimately a very well written story that leaves us with a lot of thoughts and reflections.
Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The New Year Train by Hao Jingfang
This was a very very short story, but asks a good question about why we don't enjoy our journey of life when we know we are going to die one day anyway.
Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Robot who likes to tell tall tales by Fei Dao
Through the use of allegories involving Death himself, the author gives us a lesson on the importance of stories, how blunt truth is not always the right way to go and sometimes, adding a bit of fantasy to truth will bring more pleasure to the listeners and may even help them gradually understand the truth.
Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
The snow of Jinyang by Zhang Ran
This was an interesting time travel story set during a struggle between the Han and Song dynasties. While it had a lot of chemistry, physics and quantum mechanics terms which I couldn't understand, I think ultimately it was a story about how we can't always change destiny however hard we try.
Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thr Restaurant at the End of the Universe: Laba Porridge by Anna Wu
This one reminded me a little of the tale in Mahabharata about the boon Draupadi asks Lord Shiva in her previous life - but of course only tangentially. Otherwise, this is a story of a an author who would do anything and sacrifice everything to be a successful author, irrespective of the consequences; on the other hand, his wife just wants his love and affection.
Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
The First Emperor's Games by Ma Boyong
This was actually a fun story juxtaposing the story of China's first emperor with modern day gaming, as well as a hint of the charm of venture capitalism. This was thoroughly entertaining and I would definitely have loved to see this as part of a bigger story.
Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Reflection by Gu Shi
Fascinating story about the link between clairvoyance and multiple personality disorder and the whole idea of past and future being memories. The narrative style of this one was very unique and it took me a bit to figure out what was happening, but once it clicked, it was a great feeling.
Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
The Brain Box by Regina Kanyu Wang
Another fascinating concept but the beauty of this story is in how the author exposes our constant need to present an image about ourselves to everyone around us, trying to convince ourselves that it's our true self, hiding our innermost thoughts - but at the same time also exposing another deep side of ourselves on the internet for the whole world to see.
Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Coming of the Light by Chen Qiufan
I'm not sure I completely got this story, but I guess my takeaway from it was that most of us are just cogs in the machine and nothing much of what we do will ever impact the world around us in a significant way - all we can do is try and feel happy with what we have.
Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️
A History of Future Illnesses by Chen Qiufan
This was very well written but damn, so hopeless and scary. The author writes in 9 chapters about 9 diseases that will come to afflict our world in the future due to our overindulgence of technology and going to extremes. Especially one chapter about how we are completely dependent on devices and wouldn't know what to do of cut off from them, really petrified me because it is in some ways, our current reality and I've no idea of what the author imagined might come true one day.
Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Hunted by the Sky was one of my favorite fantasies of last year and I was very excited when I received the advance copy from the publisher. I've been in a bad slump for a few weeks now and trying to keep my mind off reality by binging cdramas, but finally decided that it was time to catch up with my arcs. And what better way to get out of my slump than a highly anticipated desi fantasy.
I will be honest, my memory is very bad these days and I couldn't remember too much of what happened in the first book. So it took me a bit to get into the groove of the story, but I also got slightly bored in the first fifth of the story. There were quite a few training montages and lots of harsh internal monologuing, which made the pace a bit slow and not very engaging. But once the turning point comes (mentioned in the blurb), the story finally picked up the pace as well as intensity, finally engaging me deeply, with a drive to know more. The writing is otherwise wonderful as expected from the author, perfectly capturing the feelings of rage, despair, doubt and all other myriad of emotions in the various characters. However, I did expect that we would get to know more about the world beyond Ambar and maybe even meet other royals and people, but unfortunately the author sticks to one kingdom only. Not that it took away anything from the existing story, it just could have been more expansive and interesting.
It also took me a while to warm up to Gul and Cavas again. The story starts a few months after the end of the first one, and their relationship is already changed. They are both very mentally strong and loyal people, but it seemed like one would drown in his own desire for revenge and the other in her fear of killing innocents. I still believed in them individually as well as together, and their combined magic was fascinating to watch, but I still felt it wasn't explored enough because they were separated for most of the book. However, the separation also enabled them to fight harder for their survival as well as start believing in each other more, which I really liked, so I guess that was perfect for the plot.
But their interactions with the side characters were my favorite part of the book. There are many of them, each with their own eccentric personality, their own flaws and motivations. It was fun to Juhi and Amira again, their imprisonment terrible to experience but it does nothing to dampen their fierceness. We also get to know new characters like Subhog, Esther, Sami and many other women as well as specters who are lively and fun. I also enjoyed seeing Amar in a completely new light, and just watching everyone experience his thoughts and his honor and hope for a bette future.
In the end, this was a good sequel/finale for this duology. I especially liked the ending because it neatly wrapped up the story, there was enough foreshadowing for the climax which made it more satisfying, and we also get to see a glimpse of the future which was interesting. There were some great action set pieces and wonderful character moments, making this a series I would definitely recommend - especially if you are looking for a new kind of chosen one story by a POC author.
It's always so much fun to discover desi debut authors and get to read and talk about their books in advance. And that's exactly my feeling tonight after finishing this book - delight.
The author-sister duo really managed to create a very entertaining and engaging story here, which got its hook in me very quickly. Once I started, there was no way I could stop because there's almost a breakneck pace, and with so much happening in every chapter and with revelation after revelation; all I wanted to do was read the next chapter and find out what more was gonna happen. The writing is very easy to follow along and not overly descriptive - the kind of writing style I usually prefer - and I found myself totally immersed.
But it is also not without some flaws. We get some history about the magic wielding masters and how the kingdoms came to be in the current state, but other than that there isn't much world building. However, there is scope for a lot more expansive world as well as different kinds of magic and I'm excited to see how the authors will achieve this in the sequel. While the quick pacing makes for a thrilling read, it also means that sometimes things happen too quickly and without any explanation, leaving us a tad bit dissatisfied. I also thought there were many conflicts in the story that were resolved too conveniently, which might really annoy a more discerning and critical reader than me.
But the heart of this book are it's characters. Rani is a sheltered princess and all she wants is the freedom to live on her terms and also prove to the king that she is capable of ruling. Ria is a thief on the streets whose every day is filled with the struggle for survival. These two sisters couldn't be more different on surface, but I loved how the authors ensured that we could understand their deeper feelings and realize that they aren't so different underneath. After they both swap places, they both realize what is it that they actually want to do with their life, how they can contribute towards the welfare of their people, and how it is possible to subvert one's destiny. I really loved how much they came to trust each other and their bond felt special, but I won't deny that it was a bit too quick in execution.
The side characters also play major roles here, especially in furthering along the characters of the sisters. Through the reserved but sweet Saeed and the absolutely delightful and strong Aditi, Ria learns to see the faults in the palace and also how to trust them enough to form a team and uncover some truths. On the other hand, Amir is a streetsmart thief who gives Rani the feeling of true friendship and more; Sanya, Jas and Irfan all together making her realize the bitter truth about her father's brutal rule and understand what her next steps should be for the sake of her people.
The villain also cut an intriguing figure, not just a caricature but a power hungry person who has only learnt the importance of pain and power through their upbringing and use those too as tools to achieve their deranged dreams.
In the end, I was left quite surprised by the ending. It's not exactly a cliffhanger but it's a cool twist and I'm sure the next book will be interesting. And if you are someone who loves YA fantasies with good friendships, budding romances, a strong sisterly bond, and a world where magic may be the doom or liberation - then I think you should give this debut a try. It's not a complicated story and might even feel too simplistic at times, but it is nevertheless very captivating, and you will enjoy your journey through these pages.
Definitely more of a 3.5.
Now that I think a bit after finishing this book, I realize that I haven't actually read a romance novel in almost four months. And it has mostly been because I seem to have totally lost interest in reading anything contemporary. But today, I was just in the mood for some love and decided it was better to choose a historical romance instead and it was definitely a better decision.
I haven't read the previous book by the author and I have no idea if the two are companion pieces, but I had no trouble understanding the world this was set in and all the important players. The author is good at writing banter full of tension and humor, and I was really looking forward to the conversations, not just between Diana and Jeremy, but between the side characters as well. I liked how both of them were not afraid to go toe to toe with each other, whether verbally or in bed and it made for an interesting dynamic. The author also has written good female friendships, and I particularly was pleased to see her avoid pitting two women against each other. Jeremy's grandma was another colorful character and I was truly hoping she had more of a role to play coz she was loads of fun.
This was an overall fun and entertaining romance and probably just the right thing I needed to take my mind off other things in my life. It's always nice to see intelligent and independent thinking women characters in historical romances and I think this couple are well matched in that sense. While the sexual tension was there, I just wish there was more to convince that they were actually in love. As a very rare reader of this genre, I would probably keep a lookout for the author's next work, because it just might be the perfect one based on my mood.
This book has been a long time coming. I added it to my tbr when I first heard of it, was very excited when I got the arc and also got the audiobook immediately upon release. But I never did get to reading it because my head was a mess last year, and I completely avoided reading all books which I had high expectations for. But I finally braved it this month, at a time when I am again in a bad reading slump, but this had me completely in its grips from the first word and wouldn't let me go till I was done.
What a refreshing world the author managed to create here. While creating European inspired worlds is pretty common in the fantasy genre, I have tried to diversify my reading in the past year or two to try and pick books where the worlds are created by authors with Asian or African heritage, taking inspiration from their own cultures and mythologies. However, I never even gave a thought that a world could be based on pre-Columbian indigenous American cultures, and I was completely in awe as I discovered with epic wide world created by the author. We have cities and towns and tribes, each with its own set of cultures and belief systems, bound by a treaty to ensure peace in the world, and watched over by a priesthood who believe themselves capable of reading the stars and predicting the future. I am obviously ignorant about the history and couldn't discern which aspect of the world building was inspired by which culture, but nevertheless the author managed to create something which felt real and lived in, and very much a part of the daily lives of its people. The various magic systems are also lightly described and I was amazed by the scenes where it came into play, but I also have a feeling that this aspect will be more prominent in the next book. And also except for some personal prejudices/superstitions, this is also a very queernormative world, with all forms of genders and sexualities just accepted as part of the normal and where this aspect of a character doesn't drive the plot.
The writing is really engaging and mesmerizing from the get go. All the descriptions were quite vivid and I could feel the cold, the pain, and the fear that the characters were experiencing; as well as the feeling of being on the sea in the middle of a ship killing story, the air hitting your face when on the back of a giant corvid, and the dread of being on the edge of a cliff just before falling down. The pacing is also just right, never slacking off even for a bit, making me excited to keep turning the page without ever putting the book down. I was frankly quite surprised by the use of neopronouns, because I have personally never encountered them before, but they felt very organic to the world that the author created. All the POVs are woven seamlessly through the story, and I was so glad that I loved everyone equally and was looking forward to read about each of their adventures. Listening to the first half of the book on audio also helped because the full cast of narrators are brilliant, and I loved getting to know how to pronounce the words correctly.
The way the collective history and the trauma of the people is told through this story felt very raw and painful. Each of the clans or tribes has suffered in the past and while there maybe peace currently, the hurts nor the pain have been forgotten, and every generation inherits this trauma, alongwith a deep seated need for vengeance (or justice) for their peoples. Add to this a dose of religious fanaticism and belief in vengeful prophecies, and it makes for a powder keg of a world which is always on the verge of the next riot, or maybe even outright war. I thought the author's handling of the topic of generational trauma and the cycle of revenge was very realistic and hit me quite hard.
And it was this writing that made me very empathetic towards most of the characters, despite whatever action they were keen on taking. Serapio's life has been traumatic since his birth, first with his mother treating him like a vessel to fulfill her goals, and his father ignoring him either out of fear or disgust. He has been told and trained and prepared to fulfill his destiny, but I couldn't help but feel bad that he never got much of a choice. It was hard to see him determined to achieve his goal as vengeance for a people whom he didn't even know, but at the same time I also wanted him to succeed.
Xiala on the other hand was a delight. Belonging to a people who are feared because of their abilities, she has to navigate a lot of misogyny, prejudice and fear to be able to work as the captain of a ship. She is also open with her affections, just wanting to have a good time with some drink and a chat with the people around her. But it's not always easy to find that camaraderie that she so desires, and that's why I really loved her developing relationship with Serapio.
And the last one is the sun priest, Narampa. She is admirable for having risen up to her position despite being from a humble background, and believing so thoroughly in the responsibility of her role and the priesthood as a whole. But she is also naive enough to think only her beliefs are right, as well as that she alone can reform an age old status quo. I honestly wasn't surprised to see her encounter many obstacles, and despite her sometimes questionable decisions, I did want her to be safe.
There are also a good number of side characters as well as creatures who make this a very memorable read, and though most of them had very less page time, I can assure you that they leave an indelible mark and it hurts when something bad happens to them.
In conclusion, this is what epic fantasy feels like. A vast world with scope for being more expansive, characters who are not always likable but still very much will find a place in your heart, a fast paced plot with multiple threads that all converge with an impending sense of doom, and an unexpected ending where you are left wondering if any of your favorites made it. I'm extremely happy that I seem to be having great luck with fantasies these days and I can only hope it continues. And now I'm eagerly waiting for the sequel news, which the author promised would be coming soon.
This was such a poignant book. We live in a society where we give lots of importance to materialistic things, so it's fascinating to explore how a single such item can convey the traumatic history of a whole group of people. While talking about how a single bag was passed down through generations, the author manages convey to us the horrors of enslavement, how the lives of enslaved women were for decades, and how difficult it was for them to even own something, let alone pass it down, when they themselves were considered property. Add to it the fact that families were separated very often, it's truly a story of resilience that the author narrates to us here.
Very compelling and engaging read and I would definitely recommend to readers who would love to read books about African American history from different perspectives.
This was definitely one of my most anticipated releases of this year. Michael Harriot is a force on Twitter and every single tweet thread of his is superbly educational and I’ve probably learnt more American history by following him than reading books. So ofcourse I was gonna checkout his book. And then I got the audiobook copy because how can I resist when he narrates it himself.
However much horrifying the subject matter in this book is, it’s also absolutely hilarious and I guess it would be too hard to read the gruesome history narrated in this book without some levity. While some of the book is about Black historical figures we know, the author gives us more context about their struggles and accomplishments and doesn’t forget to tell us how their complex lives are simplified and whitewashed in the mainstream. On the other hand, we also get to know about many forgotten Black heroes and the many atrocities they suffered and fought against. The author manages to intersperse this narrative with tidbits about Southern as well as African American cuisine, with lots of family anecdotes.
The author is blunt, to the point, no holds barred and funny while narrating this history of America that has been willfully ignored for the benefit of white supremacy. Every chapter is eye opening, and in the author’s words, this book as a whole is the true history of America - a country whose foundations are built on centuries of exploitation and racism. And if you want to know more of these unbridled truths, do checkout this book. Even if you don’t like reading history books, you won’t be able to put this down. And definitely checkout the audiobook for a much richer experience.
More of a 3.5.
CW: blood magic, self harm
I have only read Gods of Jade and Shadow by the author before and thought her writing was very beautiful. I never did get to Mexican Gothic despite all my friends loving it because I'm not really into horror. So I was pretty excited to get back to her writing, within the fantasy genre again.
I'm usually a huge fan of novellas and authors who can say a lot in few pages. And this seemed like the perfect choice especially I'm in the middle of a bad reading slump. And I loved how this was such a quick read. The author gets right in the middle of the proceedings when the main character has just escaped from her captor/former lover and is seeking ways to get her revenge. It was interesting to see someone once powerful grapple with her current vulnerable predicament, and think about all the choices that she made which led to the present. The dialogue between Yalxi and her nahual is also very sarcastic and fun, adding some mirth to an otherwise dark situation. But the author definitely is best at writing gorgeous descriptions that captivate us, bring the world to life and make us feel the depth of emotions.
However, this time I felt the book was too short. There was a good amount of build up towards the final confrontation, and the climax fight was spectacularly written. But it still felt too simple and easy, and didn't evoke the awe I was expecting. Maybe I just had too high expectations. Or maybe it would have been better if the story was more fleshed out, with deeper look into the characters' backstories.
Overall, it was a fun and quick read with gorgeous writing, and fascinating characters. I just think it could have been wonderful with a longer page count. But I'm very much looking forward to the author's other upcoming releases.