afi_whatafireads's reviews
589 reviews

Happy Place is more than just a romance book. Its on family. On friendship. On growing up. And mostly, of love, in its most expected and non-expectant ways. Its imperfectly perfect, it literally has my whole heart.

Honestly, I actually held off reading this book for quite awhile. Since its a genre of romance that I'm not most keen off (second-chance), I figured I will need to read it at the right time. And I'm thankful that I did. I didn't know what to expect other than a story of ex-fiancees having to go to their last annual trip with their friends of 7 years as the cottage that they usually stay in is being sold. Unexpected announcements and delayed conversations had led them to be secretive about their break up. A story of strangers who became closer than family, of love in different forms and ways and of growing up.

This story came to me at the right time. Its not just the romance that had gotten me invested in the story. Its the story of people, of growing up and growing apart , and how human relationships are never easy. Its complex, its messy and sometimes it can be too much. But its also what makes human, human. Apart from TJR, I also came to love how Henry writes people and the complex relationship that they can come with. Happy Place not only explores the vulnerabilities of humans in close relationships with others, it also questions the characters and the readers, again and again, what is your definition of happiness? Is it having a good job? Or having fulfilled someone else's expectations? Or simply.... existing?

I like how the problem that led them to break up in the first place was realistic, raw and had made me cry so so much. I love that both of the main leads went through a state of self-reflection before coming back together, and it didn't felt forced. It showed how much in love you are with someone, when circumstances and lack of expression does not come hand in hand, even the strongest bond can eventually be broken. Not only that, the relationships of them as friends is what made this book endearing to me. Its parallel to the phase of adulting, of the people you love having to grow apart, and its like we're meeting someone new all over again. Its realistic. Its messy. Its humane.

Is this story perfect? Definitely not. But it tugged my heart and made me explore my own vulnerabilities at a time I needed it most. Its a read that will make you realize that friendships and relationships as an adult has never been easy. It comes with effort, tolerance and the willingness to make something happen. It leads me to this question to everyone,

What is Your Happy Place?

Personal Ratings: 5🌟

Thank you to Times Reads for this gem. I am forever grateful.

This neighbourhood are definitely unlike the neighbourhoods you've heard before.

I feel that Kawakami is such a quirky yet an amazing author. I quite enjoyed this book despite it being nonsensical, weird and having a magical realism feel to it; you get sucked into these interconnected short stories of the people from a small neighbourhood. I feel that even if the stories are uncanny as it is, the simple proses and how Kawakami wrote it in such a matter-of-fact-way, that made us as readers accept whatever it is that she wrote as it is.

Its funny how this short book can make you be attached to the characters in here. From the narrator, to Kanae and her family, to the dog and even the chicken farm owner. Everything and also nothing happens in the book; but, its how these small community of people who went through a series of events together, from rotating in taking care of a baby from a family that was poor and can't feed their youngest child, to even go through having a non-gravity experience together (this reminded me a lot of 2023's KDrama Moving). In fact, a lot of this book kind of reminds me of the overall feel of
Moving in the weird sense of some of the characters personalities and physical attributes.

I love how short the interconnected stories are but every person in the neighbourhood had gotten their stories told in here. I liked that it showed how every single person in a community matters. Their voices, their personalities and their presence matters; even if they are not the nicest people to be around. Its the mundane attributes in a quaint neighbourhood that makes the stories in here caught me in a bit of surprise to how much I liked it.

Overall, I know, almost 80% of this book will pick this up due to its cover. 50% might be surprised they liked this book whilst the rest might be disappointed. What I can say is that, take the stories in the book with an open mind and just dive into it blindly. Who knows, you might be sucked into the world that Kawakami had created, with all its quirky and eccentric glories.

Personal Ratings:4🌟

The irony from the title being Paradais, when the realities and the story is far from it.
(Consider your girl mentally scarred, eventho I thought I was already pretty disentisized )

There is something with Melchor's writing that makes your brain itch. The tight proses that leads you to almost suffocating after going through every single paragraph. The ever spiralling thoughts of Polo, a poor boy who worked as a gardener at a fancy part of his town called Paradais. How the story ended the way it did, and how I was literally staring at the blank wall for a good 10 minutes just to process what the heck Had I just read.

Its interesting how Melchor had managed to rope us in with her writing. It was like getting sucked into a black hole (not that I ever know the feeling but you get what I mean). The narrator is unreliable, and even if we, as readers, do actually symphatize with our main character, whatever actions he had taken after is to a point that will leave you feeling just pretty much speechless. Melchor had a way to enamour us with such vivid details that even if it leaves your stomach churning, and dizzy , and possibly wanting to throw up (yup this was me); you won't be able to put down the book. It entices you to keep reading till the very end of the page and it will leave you just staring as your brain started to slowly process wtf had just happened to you. Reading Melchor's work is similar to being stuck in a movie that keeps you anxious to know what is going on.

Besides the themes of class difference and the differences between treatments of different cultures and races; the privilege of having freedom to make choices is one that Melchor has highlighted in this novel. The difference between the two main characters in the book is the fact that one can only dream a life of freedom and would do anything to get it, whilst the other has too much freedom that they resort to other worst things to occupy their boredom. The class difference had created a system where children of families of poverty has to work with minimum wage and getting taken advantage of whilst the other planned for something so horrendous just to fill up his time. Melchor had shown that the freedom in possibly even having a future is a privilege to some and that due to the constant capitalisation of the poor had created violent personas for the future generations. Its both sad and unfortunate for the characters eventho they can be as insufferable.

All in all, this story is something else entirely. It will somewhat trapped you in a spiral of suffocating thoughts that will manage to let the readers to feel as much as what the characters did. Miss Melchor, you're def a different league of your own.

Personal Ratings : 4.75🌟

This book was definitely a WILD ride. From breastfeeding gods to miniature humans living in mole holes, this is a collection that can bewilder others more than not; but its one of the books that felt to me, after looking through the surface of the story, the insights and what Kawakami intended to write with each story was just sad.

Edited on 19th September 2023

Picking up Dragon Palace was.... something else entirely. It left me gobsmacked, shell-shocked and some stories even made me disassociate with myself for a bit. Its a collection of short stories that is written in Kawakami's usual style that made something that was totally out of this world felt normal. Its an exploration of folklores, mythologies - with the central with aging and what it is to be human.

This collection of 8 short stories might not appeal to everyone, but for me, I felt that, each story has its own deeper meaning in ways that might not sit right by us. Kawakami takes elements from Shinto and Buddhism in these stories and intertwines them with folklores in the Japanese culture that makes everything that is bizarre a symbol of what the story actually holds. Yes, there are stories of Kitchen Gods, and mole people, and seahorse turned human; and even with the outlandish tales that Kawakami wrote, the central theme of aging, questions of patriarchy, sex and mostly of being human that makes the essence of each story more alive than some.

These are some of my thoughts for each individual stories :-

Story 1: Hokusai
Personal Ratings : 4🌟

A man who claimed to be an octopus and based on the philosophies from the infamous painting of Hokusai. The story is both witty and absurd, and the gallivanting ways of the old man was definitely amusing, but I also liked how its a story of resilience. The nature of humans is that we tend to give up easily when things go hard, and the adaptability of the octopus is somewhat as a reminder that abling to adapt will lead you to live a somewhat normal life.

Story 2: Dragon Palace
Personal Ratings : 4.25🌟

This story had gotten me saying WTF in so many languages, but I think, I just felt sad overall. Its heavily inspired by the folklore and how the consequences from cults had led to an innocent woman being held as a hostage, a sex slave and then somewhat becoming the goddess as her own. Definitely not for everyone but I was left mortified but also a bit sad overall.

Story 3: Fox's Den
Personal Ratings : 3.75🌟

The more I read the stories; laced with the weirdness and quirkiness, is the backstories of the Gods and folklore. This one was witty.

Story 4: Kitchen's God
Personal Ratings : 4.75🌟

One of my favs from this collection. It reminded me a lot of Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata and the stories of a person who is somewhat stuck in the past and of memories that are uncertain.

Story 5: Mole People
Personal Ratings : 4.5🌟

Also one of my favs. Its bleak and a social commentary of how humans and people are so accustomed to being one thing in their lives that made them miserable overall. The story of aging, growing and how at the end they became only puppets of capitalism. Its a tale of folklore derived from Mujina and this story had showed it in a form that is almost simplistic.

Story 6: Mole People
Personal Ratings : 4.5🌟

Also one of my favs. Its bleak and a social commentary of how humans and people are so accustomed to being one thing in their lives that made them miserable overall. The story of aging, growing and how at the end they became only puppets of capitalism. Its a tale of folklore derived from Mujina and this story had showed it in a form that is almost simplistic.

Story 7: Sea Horse
Personal Ratings : 4.75🌟

of motherhood, womenhood and something more that exceeds than a normal person's expectations. I loved it and was lowkey sad for the story.

Overall, the short stories in here are wilder than most, and it is definitely not for everyone, but I for one enjoyed this one a lot. It centres around old age and how humans are at the end just very vulnerable beings but also strong and resilient in their own ways. Recommended for those who needed something different in your TBR. Its definitely a memorable one.

Biggest thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the e-ARC!

How does Pinero do it? She had managed to rip my heart in half, put it back again, left the wound to heal for a bit, opened it some more and sewn it back together with hope and love. Lowkey, this book is everything and more. I can't even express how much this book had affected me in ways that I don't think words can be coherent enough how painful it is to go through the emotions in this story.

Of motherhood.
Of love.
Of sacrifice.
Of the prejudices in just becoming a woman.
Of kindness found in strangers.
Of a love that is everlasting.
—
I honestly don’t want to spoil this book too much; because the element of mystery is what had gotten me sobbing not even halfway reading it 😭

I don’t know how Pineiro does it, but, with her lyrical prose and gripping writing that sucks you write in; to a hole that you didn’t want to come out off. I loved how the story was told in pieces of journal-like format; so we get an in depth of what was going on inside the main character’s head. I feel that, the more that you didn’t know what you’re going in, the better it would be as the heartbreak took me by surprise. It was as if my heart was torn apart but was also healed with a thing called hope.
—
I don’t know if I will ever move on from this book. Every single time I tried to put my feelings into words; I feel that nothing justifies on how much this story as a whole affected me. Its a story that will be etched in my brain forever and I think it will stay rent free in my head for a long time.

—
Like I said, I don’t want to give too much away; so its best for you guys to experience this book like I did. Its a story that you feel might turn out a certain way but also will still catch you by surprise. Pineiro writes about motherhood in a different perspective that gives something new to the story. You can’t help but wonder; if it were to happen to you, would’ve you done the same thing that our main character did?

That’s the question for us all isn’t it?
And for the little luck that we have in life to never experience that kind of pain.

Eternity stars for this gem here. This book will remain to be one of the books I will remember for a very long time.

—
Thank you so much to the publisher for this copy, and to Madam Pineiro for writing a heartfelt tale that I can see being a classic one day, and to Frances Riddle who translated the book and made the whole world be able to enjoy Pinero’s works.

—
I highly recommend.

There's something about Han Kang writings that makes you itch for more. The way I feel she can write a two liner essay about pens and I would still devour it and eat it whole. Han Kang has a way that will make you be so immerse in the story and the lives of the people that are written in it.

Told in alternative narratives, in a daunting and melancholic tone, is a story of a woman who had lost her voice and a man who is losing his sight. Bonded through a seemingly 'dead' language, its a story of two broken souls that were brought and comforted as one, in ways that was not expected by the both of them. A story of grief, loss, sorrow but also laced with warmth in its own way.

I feel with Han Kang's writing, you will either love the story or will totally fell head over heels in love with it. I understand the polarizing reviews, and in some ways, its understandable - as, if I were to pick this book in a different mood, I feel that I wouldn't have enjoyed the book as much. But alas, the quiet musings that Han Kang wrote for both of the characters left a deep impression with me. It felt as if I was going through a very slow and picturesque movie, told in various scenes, with the details for each and every small detail focused one at a time. The slow agony of the man who is losing his sight, and the woman's trauma that ended up with her losing the very language that she adored and loved. The grappling of both of our characters with the loss in their lives are both profound in their own ways, and thus making them different from the rest of the world. And when these two souls came together, somewhat finally finding someone that understands, they are fighting another sense of loss that comes with their circumstances.

I paired my reading with the audiobook, and I kid you not, it elevated this story so much. The audiobook has two sets of narrators and it made the story more alive as we go through both the man and woman's musing in their state of emptiness to continue life. It made me experience each of the character's emotions to a painstaking level. Its the kind of heartache that runs deep. And best of all? I love how Han Kang wrote about language, and what seemingly deemed to be a 'dead literature' is what appealed to both of the characters to be bonded over. It reminded me of Babel: An Arcane History and how language played a role in being the bridge to human beings, transcending cultures and beliefs.

Overall, this book is definitely not for everyone, and you will definitely have to be in the right mood for it, but its one that reeled me in the most unexpected way. Its a short but a meaningful read and one that will remain in my head for a long time.

Personal Ratings: 4.75🌟

Thank you so much to Times Reads for this copy!

Such a fun read and I love the elements that Angie Thomas had interweaved. Some African lore, the Black history and its backgrounds and specially how it shapes the person that the characters had become.

RTC.

Nic Blake and the Remarkables is one of those books that hooked me from the very start, and I was excited about it because it was written by Angie Thomas and it definitely didn’t disappoint. I would say her first middle-grade fantasy debut is a success on its own and I love how she puts her own flair towards it.

—
Nic Blake and The Remarkables: The Manifestor Prophecy is the first book to a start of a new middle-grade fantasy series. A world where magic is filled in a way that takes the lores from African culture but set in America. Nic, a 12 year old who was suddenly tested when an incident happened and her father accused of something he didn’t do. A story of adventure, filled with love, lore and exploration of self.

—
I feel that for her fantasy debut, it wasn’t all too bad. There are some parts of the book where I felt the transition were a bit off and it was a tad chaotic at some parts but overall, it wasn’t a bad read and here are the some highlights why I liked the story.
—
✨Representation✨
I liked how the representation of this book is just 👏🏻✨👏🏻 Props to Angie Thomas for never forgetting about the BLM movement and its written in the story really well. I love how all the characters and the story is derived from African lore and it makes the story has a different twist of its own.

✨Plot✨
For a short read, the plot has been thought out well. I love that the adventures were written in a manner that made the story has its own colour and personality.

Also, I do recommend listening to the audiobook whilst reading as well. The audiobook was so well-done (like all Angie Thomas’s books) and it gives the story more depth.

Overall, this is def a great start to a new series and I can’t wait to read the sequel! Its fun, its a great read for a palate cleanser and it gives hope and representation especially for people of colour ✨🤍

Personal Ratings : 3.75🌟

Thank you so much to Times Reads for this copy!

I have words to say about this book, but I will need to sleep on it.
What I can say is that, I equally hate and love this book in equal parts... So.... That's something I will need to think about if I were to write my thoughts on it.

RTC

Edited on 1/9/2023

There's so many things wright and wrong about this book. I didn't have the heart to hate it as I had loved some aspects of the story, but I also can't say that I fully loved it either. I'm maybe the minority in this one, but the one thing that I could say is that, this book can be half of its volume, and it will still be good. However, since its a debut novel, I do feel that the author has loads more potential for her next work so, I'm definitely going to be a look out for it. I think that's why it took me a while to actually put my thoughts into writing, as I had mixed feelings for this book. Hence, for those who really loved it, you can definitely skip my review.

Anyone who knows me would know that I love any retellings of Hades and Persephone. And for this one, its a retelling with a bit of a mix where Persephone is the one who is smart and cunning whilst Hades is the soft one in this relationship. In this rendition, its an coming-of-age story of Persephone and of her finding her ways into her girlhood and adulthood, by running to Hell and making Hades protect her under his oath. A story of love, girlhood, womenhood and mostly of self-discovery.

Since I don't want to sound too ranty, I would divide my thoughts into two parts to make it not as long.

Part 1 : What I liked About The Book

1. The Theme
The theme of girlhood and womenhood for me was one of the strongest points of the book. I loved that the author had made it a centre of the story with the mix of so many strong female characters that makes the book very female-centric and empowering. I liked how Persephone was shown as a young girl who was trying to find her way into the world and mostly to discover herself as a person. Rather than going head over heels in love first, she had prioritized what she needed to do hence it was quite refreshing to read.

2. Breaking The Streotype
I liked how both Persephone and Hades had broken the streotype in this book. Its somewhat the fluidity in accepting that toxic masculinity and female oppression has made society had not be able to express what they like in the first place. I love how Hades was portrayed in here (soft Hades made me swoon) and Persephone was potrayed to be a stronger but is still feminine. I liked that the author had shown that it doesn't make you less of a man or less of a woman for liking something that didn't approve to the society's standards.

Part 2 : What I Didn't Like About The Book

1. The Romance
Funny how this story has a main romance sub-plot, but good lord was it so DRAGGY AND BORING. I was bored to death. Literally. There were parts where Persephone and Hades was just sweet but the slow-burn that I feel the author was aiming for... didn't work well in this story. It felt anticlimatic, and when they finally got together... I somehow ended up being super annoyed with Persephone when she was with Hades. Like I get it ... but I do want to slap you so there's that. I feel that whilst their friendship was explored well, the pining didn't really work out for me, which really made me dissapointed as I wanted to love it so much but I just couldn't.

2. The Fillers
I think that if the book didn't have too many fillers, I would actually bump the ratings to 4 stars. There were so many scenes that was way too long, and some scenes that was wayy too short. There were inconsistencies in some of the plot and that's what I felt most lacking for the book. One moment you're enjoying the story, and next you're just bored to death. It gave me a bit of whiplash.

Overall, was it a bad book?
No.
Do I hate it?
No.
But Do I love it?
Also a no.

However, I would also think that the author has more potential for her books to come. Her writing had definitely caught my heart at certain scenes. I would def read her next book. Overall, it was an okay read for me. I think I was just sad that I didn't like it as much because I had high hopes for it. But for those who is a first timer to read a Hades and Persephone retelling, this book might work out for you.

Personal Ratings: 3.5🌟

Biggest thanks to Times Reads and the publisher for this gorgeous copy!

There's something about books with unreliable narrators that keeps you going, and this story with its messy characters and the reflection of the society in which showed the repercussions to victims when their voices had been repressed. A gray area that was used by the ones with higher advantage, by those who hold more power than they already think they have. In the oppression of women and their bodies, and mostly highlighting of the toxic culture that has been cultivated in education systems and the power play that revolves around it.

Honestly, I don't want to spoil the story that much to you guys. Its best to go into the book blind. What you'll have to know is that, for those who will be triggered by depiction of sexual assault, abuse, extreme gaslighting and rape , please proceed this book with caution. It contains a lot of scenes that are highly disturbing and the spiralling in one's mind, especially when it comes to going in the minds of a victim.

Looking back at the cover, the title and even thinking about the ending, I do feel that the author is quite the genius that she is. This book might not be for everyone, and there are parts in the book that I felt was longer than I expected, especially where the college drama had started. But, I do understand where the author is going ahead with the story, but I do wish that the issues stated at the front of the story narrated by one of the characters, had its own closure. However, in some ways, the imperfection of the book makes it more intriguing. I absolutely loved the different narrators in the story, especially in the first part of the book.

Overall, this book might not be for everyone, but its a book that spoke on the violence that has been done to women and how it had affected the victims longer than what the perpretors remembers. Its often ironic that when a crime is done, the one who is in on the receiving end was the one more affected by the ones inflicted on it. It also showed how some people will never really change, and that the perspectives of the characters in the story were told in such a way that can make you change your thoughts on them. Paired with sharp proses that will pierce your heart, this story is definitely one that I will remember for a long time.

4.25🌟 for this gem

Thank you so much to @definitelybooks for this copy!

dakah semuanya ilusi dan khayalan semata?

—
Miss Detective - sebuah cerita yang aku kira agak menarik dan sangat mengingatkan aku kepada beberapa anime dan manga yang aku pernah baca.

Ceritanya fast-paced, mempunyai elemen misteri yang menarik, dan paling penting, penceritaan buku ini membuatkan pembaca tertanya-tanya sehingga pengakhiran cerita; manakah realiti dan manakah ilusi?

—
✨Sinopsis Pendek✨
Kebakaran misteri, lelaki bertopeng dan surat-surat misteri. Antara benda yang tidak disangka oleh seorang Naila. Dia dan rakan-rakannya bekerjasama untuk merungkai kejadian di sebalik semua perkara pelik yang telah berlaku.

—
Antara Highlights buku ini aku suka:-

1. Elemen Misteri
Elemen misteri dalam cerita ini bagi aku diceritakan dengan baik, dan mampu membuatkan aku menjadi tertanya-tanya apakah yang terjadi sehingga pengakhiran cerita.

2. Plot dan Penceritaan
Plot dan Penceritaan buku ini bagi aku sangat senang ditangkap. Ada beberapa elemen yang aku rasa tidak disangka, dan ia membuatkan pembacaan buku ini jadi lebih menarik.

3. Konsep
Konsep cerita buku ini bagi aku secara kesuluruhannya berjaya menangkap minat aku untuk membaca sehingga pengakhiran cerita. Mungkin pacing pada awal cerita agak sedikit lambat , tetapi selepas semuanya dirungkai, ia menjadi sebuah cerita yang keseluruhannya bagi aku not bad.

—
Overall, ada beberapa babak yang aku rasakan agak pelik transisinya, namun secara kesuluruhan, aku berpuas hati membaca novela ini, dan ia termasuk dalam salah satu buku dalam bacaan #bacalokal aku.

3.75🌟!