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2treads's reviews
501 reviews
Transmentation | Transience by Darkly Lem
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
This was a good read. I do enjoy when a book can deliver a complex and compelling storyline with enough levity to keep me from getting bogged down by the hard science on which the book is based. This is a multiverse jaunt that has multidimensional travel, alien life, political intrigue, and interesting characters that held ne until the end.
The Sun Sets in Singapore by Kehinde Fadipe
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The River Has Roots by Amal El-Mohtar
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This was truly an experience. El- Mohtar proves again how being succinct in creating characters and crafting a magical world can deliver. I listened to the audiobook and the production was top tier. The original music and songs done elevated the story and pulled me deeply into the loves of Esther and Ysabel.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder
A House for Miss Pauline by Diana McCaulay
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I love the spirit shown by Miss Pauline, even as we witness her vulnerability coming forth, she still wants to show her inner strength.
As a daughter of parents who carry the history of our formerly colonized island within and without, what McCauley chronicles here is felt deeply. The strong ties of a small community, bonded together by a legacy of slavery and a great house, by shared pain and secrets are depicted vividly here.
Land ownership is complicated, but I will always stand with those who planted, tended, sweated, bled, and reaped, only to be shown scraps or nothing at all. I can picture clearly the disinterest and greed that would be fueled within individuals who lay claim to land such as this, regardless of them having any emotional or physical ties to it.
A House for Miss Pauline tells of more than a grandmother revealing a damning secret, it speaks to an embedded trauma that still marks our people and island home to this day. I am glad that this book exists as it can open up discussions on the history of land ownership and harmful practices that are stilll being perpetrated on our vulnerable to this day.
As a daughter of parents who carry the history of our formerly colonized island within and without, what McCauley chronicles here is felt deeply. The strong ties of a small community, bonded together by a legacy of slavery and a great house, by shared pain and secrets are depicted vividly here.
Land ownership is complicated, but I will always stand with those who planted, tended, sweated, bled, and reaped, only to be shown scraps or nothing at all. I can picture clearly the disinterest and greed that would be fueled within individuals who lay claim to land such as this, regardless of them having any emotional or physical ties to it.
A House for Miss Pauline tells of more than a grandmother revealing a damning secret, it speaks to an embedded trauma that still marks our people and island home to this day. I am glad that this book exists as it can open up discussions on the history of land ownership and harmful practices that are stilll being perpetrated on our vulnerable to this day.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Sexual assault, and Slavery
Minor: Police brutality and Murder
Segu by Maryse Condé
challenging
dark
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
It strikes me that Condé deliberately writes the places where she sets her novels has having a very vibrant identity, which is then highlighted even more by the characters and their own individual personalities and stories.
In Segu, the past glories, monarchy, and social structure follows our main characters wherever their paths lead. It is threaded into their motivations, their behaviours, and eventual future. The changing tides in the slave trade and the rise of Islam made this family saga of separation, disagreements, and jealousy intriguing and troubling.
It was interesting to follow the sons' arcs and see just how their own standing, travels, choices, and experiences as sons of a highly ranked, yet disgraced noble is a determining factor in what eventually befalls them.
What strikes me about these sons is how easily they are led by lust and how most of them react violently by r@p!^& vulnerable girls and women, fleeing to other cities, or consider $^!cide. They reacted as spoilt children and were truly disgusting.
In Segu, the past glories, monarchy, and social structure follows our main characters wherever their paths lead. It is threaded into their motivations, their behaviours, and eventual future. The changing tides in the slave trade and the rise of Islam made this family saga of separation, disagreements, and jealousy intriguing and troubling.
It was interesting to follow the sons' arcs and see just how their own standing, travels, choices, and experiences as sons of a highly ranked, yet disgraced noble is a determining factor in what eventually befalls them.
What strikes me about these sons is how easily they are led by lust and how most of them react violently by r@p!^& vulnerable girls and women, fleeing to other cities, or consider $^!cide. They reacted as spoilt children and were truly disgusting.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Misogyny, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent
The Mountain Crown by Karin Lowachee
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Heart of the Sun Warrior by Sue Lynn Tan
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I liked this well enough. I do wish that Xin Ying had developed and learned more in this installment, but she remained tepid to me. My fave character was Wen Zhi. Li Wei was cookie cutter and boring.
Peach Blossom Spring by Melissa Fu
challenging
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I liked this story that follows a mother and son as they flee war and must find themselves in new places and among new faces. The themes of identity, family, racism, community, politics, and love are quite familiar, however the author doesn't do much in terms of differentiating her story from any other that covers a similar history.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape, Grief, and War
Minor: Child death and Death of parent
Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor
Did not finish book. Stopped at 30%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 30%.
I was not enjoying the story at all
The Lotus Shoes by Jane Yang
challenging
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I found this story held many recognizable themes: jealousy, servile abuse, misogyny, friendship, loyalty, and familial abandonment. the relationship between our 2 MCs goes through interactive changes and it is interesting to see how Little Flower fights to be who she wants to be.
I also wanted to read this because I have always found the practice of bound feet horrific and intriguing. yang weaves this into her story seamlessly and we see how central it can be to upward social mobility.
I love how Little Flower goes through changes from being timid to defiant to confident.
I also wanted to read this because I have always found the practice of bound feet horrific and intriguing. yang weaves this into her story seamlessly and we see how central it can be to upward social mobility.
I love how Little Flower goes through changes from being timid to defiant to confident.