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hwesta's reviews
418 reviews
The Brides of High Hill by Nghi Vo
adventurous
dark
mysterious
4.0
The rest of the books in this series have been relaxing and chill, but this one was definitely horror. I made the mistake of listening to it while going to bed!
Quite good, though different from the previous ones. Always nice to visit Cleric Chih and Almost Brilliant
Quite good, though different from the previous ones. Always nice to visit Cleric Chih and Almost Brilliant
The Kingdom of Copper by S.A. Chakraborty
slow-paced
3.5
Whew that's a long book. I feel like it dragged on, though I'm not sure what could be trimmed.
A lot happened! 5 years passed since the end of the previous book, and things are very different at the end of this one. Like the previous one, I wasn't going to read the sequel and then the last few chapters changed my mind.
Still a fascinating world, but getting Everyone Sucks Here vibes from the different factions vying for power.
A lot happened! 5 years passed since the end of the previous book, and things are very different at the end of this one. Like the previous one, I wasn't going to read the sequel and then the last few chapters changed my mind.
Still a fascinating world, but getting Everyone Sucks Here vibes from the different factions vying for power.
Some Desperate Glory by Emily Tesh
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
Did not finish book. Stopped at 46%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 46%.
While I like video games, this book had too many real world problems rendered in detail for me. I hated Sadie and Dov's relationship - he's a decade older than her 19 years and her professor when they start dating, and never divorces his wife despite saying he will repeatedly. The kink scenes try to convince me that it's consensual but Sadie doesn't seem enthusiastic and there are definitely parts she doesn't seem to want. Once they make the first game, Sadie gets sidelined when they pressure her into picking money and a short deadline sequel over creative freedom and royalties. And then Sam gets the spotlight and she's sidelined to make the shitty sequel. If I wanted to read about abusive profs and sexism in gaming I'd read the news.
Ran out of time and had to return to the library
Ran out of time and had to return to the library
Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
4.0
Fast read memoir about Maia's life - from childhood on a farm with no running water and only one family nearby to a masters in comics, and all the gender and sexuality stories along the way. E shared a lot of cultural touchstones with me, and the differences around gender were a fascinating contrast. Ending was a little abrupt, I was hoping for more of a conclusion, but I guess eir life is still ongoing!
よつばと! 1 by Kiyohiko Azuma, あずま きよひこ
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
These books are great. Yotsuba is so fun and silly and enthusiastic about everything. The neighbours are quite distinct from each other and also fun. The language is simple and it makes a great book to learn Japanese from.
This is my second time reading it and it's a lot easier. Probably less than 5 lookups per chapter
This is my second time reading it and it's a lot easier. Probably less than 5 lookups per chapter
The City of Brass by S.A. Chakraborty
adventurous
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I loved the world building, the magic and Daevabad, and how everyone had their own motivations that only partly aligned with their faction's. That said, I wasn't sold on the romance between Nahri and Dara, and that undercut a lot of her decisions in the book. Everyone made lots of well motivated, interestingly bad decisions!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Slavery
Dare to Bird: Exploring the Joy and Healing Power of Birds by Melissa Hafting
3.0
Hafting is an amazing and dedicated birder, a phenomenal photographer, and a mediocre essayist. I enjoyed the photos and how they tied in the the stories, but the essays felt unfocused and didn't do a good job of convincing me of the importance of birds if I didn't already agree.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Death of parent
Legacy by Lois McMaster Bujold
3.5
Still enjoying it, but didn't find the Lakewalker camp politicking as interesting
Passage by Lois McMaster Bujold
4.0
I enjoyed the larger cast and the ensuing variety in interactions and character growth. It was a full boat! Fawn, Dag, Whit, Berry, Bo, Hawthorn, Hod, Barr and Remo all got time to shine. Dag is getting pretty good-at-everything skilled, but I'm still enjoying the ride.