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anchovysaurus's reviews
246 reviews
Yellowface by R.F. Kuang
RF Kuang's social commentary is usually on point, and her commentary on the publishing industry's machinations is superb. It's helpful to know that the main character is insufferable before reading the book, but the point is to sit with her and realise how she sees the world.
The thriller aspect, however, seemed unnecessary. It might've been more satisfying to seeJune's downward spiral and voluntary confession . Nevertheless, the thriller plotline sets up June's villain arc , which is still a satisfying ending.
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
“They’re not worried we’re going to offend, like, all of China?”
“Well, the book’s going to be published in the West, Junie. So who really cares?”
RF Kuang's social commentary is usually on point, and her commentary on the publishing industry's machinations is superb. It's helpful to know that the main character is insufferable before reading the book, but the point is to sit with her and realise how she sees the world.
The thriller aspect, however, seemed unnecessary. It might've been more satisfying to see
Ella Minnow Pea by Mark Dunn
Personally, I think that Tassie and Georgeanne Towgate's fates should've been swapped. Executing Tassie would've made a stronger statement about the Council's leadership and Georgeanne had reformed and suffered [she ate twigs in her migration, for goodness' sake] enough.
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse
Garlic & the Vampire by Bree Paulsen
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Garlic and the Vampire had impeccable illustrations that brought Garlic's world to life. I particularly enjoyed the scale of the human-to-vegetable drawings.
Goddess of Filth by V. Castro
dark
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
The Shadowhunter's Codex by Cassandra Clare, Joshua Lewis
adventurous
3.5
I adore when fantasy authors release books centred solely on the lore of their worlds. I particularly liked the unreliable narrator aspect of the Clave framing its history in a certain way, with Luke, Magnus, and Jordan interjecting with different perspectives. Interestingly, some aspects of Clave history seemed allegorical, like the Clave supporting Downworlder hunts in the 1600s while providing no tangible reparations thereafter.
Nevertheless, this book inadvertently revealed some holes in the worldbuilding:
Nevertheless, this book inadvertently revealed some holes in the worldbuilding:
- Shadowhunters are meant to be secular, but the language often gravitates toward the Abrahamic religions, like "demons" and "denizens of Heaven". It's even stated that Raziel named them the Nephilim after the Book of Genesis.
- After a thousand years of fighting demons, they still don't know why demons come to Earth.
- It may have just been the digital version I was reading, but Simon’s lighthearted homoerotic fanfic of Jonathan Shadowhunter and David appears directly after the section describing the Circle and all the lives lost because of prejudice, which felt distasteful and tone-deaf.
The Dismembered by Jonathan Janz
- Loveable characters? No
1.5
While The Dismembered definitely had some worthwhile Frankenstein-esque body horror, I couldn't get over Arthur, the main character.
Arthur's a writer who needs you to know that he gyms and he's stronger than the average man. After the woman he's attracted to deceives everyone, he immediately turns his affections to her older sister. In fact, he calls this sister his "ideal partner" after knowing her for about 2 days.
To inflict the final wound,the Count [the main antagonist] is one of those villains who makes valid points about rich people and social class, but the main characters escape the horrific situation and merely maintain the status quo .
Arthur's a writer who needs you to know that he gyms and he's stronger than the average man. After the woman he's attracted to deceives everyone, he immediately turns his affections to her older sister. In fact, he calls this sister his "ideal partner" after knowing her for about 2 days.
To inflict the final wound,