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meliemelo's reviews
2261 reviews
Out There Screaming by Jordan Peele, John Joseph Adams
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
3.5
My usual issue with short stories: some of them are a bit too short, or end too abruptly, or have pacing issues. Others, though, were very interesting!
My favourites:
- Reckless Eyeballing (N.K. Jemisin) was just a brilliant idea and a very strong start to the book.
- Eye & Tooth (Rebecca Rianhorse) deserves to be a full TV show with 20-episode long seasons or something. I loved the concept and the execution.
- The Rider (Tananarive Due) - very creepy and the perfect blend of "real" and supernatural horror.
- Dark Home (Nnedi Okorafor) - absolutely captivating.
- The Most Strongest Obeah Woman of the World (Nalo Hopkinson) - I loved everything about this, great body horror.
- A Bird Sings by the Etching Tree (Nicole D. Sconiers) - the whole idea and vibe was really cool
- Hide & Seek (P. Djèlí Clark) - Chilling from the start, great ambience throughout, even having understood early what was going on did not make this any less brilliant.
My favourites:
- Reckless Eyeballing (N.K. Jemisin) was just a brilliant idea and a very strong start to the book.
- Eye & Tooth (Rebecca Rianhorse) deserves to be a full TV show with 20-episode long seasons or something. I loved the concept and the execution.
- The Rider (Tananarive Due) - very creepy and the perfect blend of "real" and supernatural horror.
- Dark Home (Nnedi Okorafor) - absolutely captivating.
- The Most Strongest Obeah Woman of the World (Nalo Hopkinson) - I loved everything about this, great body horror.
- A Bird Sings by the Etching Tree (Nicole D. Sconiers) - the whole idea and vibe was really cool
- Hide & Seek (P. Djèlí Clark) - Chilling from the start, great ambience throughout, even having understood early what was going on did not make this any less brilliant.
Out of Oz by Gregory Maguire
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Very long to get started, then resolves everything too quickly. I did enjoy this more than the last two, but overall I must say that I'm mainly glad to be done with the series.
Women in Impressionism: From Mythical Feminine to Modern Woman, Volume 1 by Sidsel Maria Søndergaard
informative
slow-paced
2.75
Immediately after seeing the "Women Impressionists" exhibition in Dublin, I reserved a book on the subject in the library... only to realise when it arrived that I had mistakenly ordered a book on women painted by Impressionists instead - with the emphasis on the artists, most of them men.
I don't read much about art (not for lack of interest) so I did find these essays quite dense, difficult to get through, and at times the points made were not very clear to me. I did enjoy John House's Women out of Doors, as well as the final chapter by Hughes Wilhelm for all the historical notes it had, but most of the rest didn't leave a strong impression.
The paintings, however, were great, and the works of Berthe Morisot that did make it solidified my admiration for her. I do wish that the book's layout had been better thought through though so you wouldn't have to search so far for the paintings mentioned.
I don't read much about art (not for lack of interest) so I did find these essays quite dense, difficult to get through, and at times the points made were not very clear to me. I did enjoy John House's Women out of Doors, as well as the final chapter by Hughes Wilhelm for all the historical notes it had, but most of the rest didn't leave a strong impression.
The paintings, however, were great, and the works of Berthe Morisot that did make it solidified my admiration for her. I do wish that the book's layout had been better thought through though so you wouldn't have to search so far for the paintings mentioned.
Faeries of the Faultlines by Iris Compiet
adventurous
medium-paced
3.75
I really loved the art overall and the variety in character design.
I do have a few qualms: the fact that there were some call outs/chapter starts? about certain fairies or types of fairies, but then the book would go on about a completely different type without any kind of separation between the two was very confusing.
I also wish the artist had been a bit more imaginative than "female fairies have two breasts and look naked" (which is especially jarring when a side note states that fairies don't do gender, even though that is contradicted several times). If you want to do sexual dymorphism in species that look more animal- or insect-like, be more creative!
I do have a few qualms: the fact that there were some call outs/chapter starts? about certain fairies or types of fairies, but then the book would go on about a completely different type without any kind of separation between the two was very confusing.
I also wish the artist had been a bit more imaginative than "female fairies have two breasts and look naked" (which is especially jarring when a side note states that fairies don't do gender, even though that is contradicted several times). If you want to do sexual dymorphism in species that look more animal- or insect-like, be more creative!
Astrid Parker Doesn't Fail by Ashley Herring Blake
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Well, that was absolutely delightful. It's been a while since I've read any chick lit, and this queer gem (found in Aldi of all places) was a great one to get back. I'll definitely get the rest of the series (I hadn't realised this was the second volume) at some point or another.
Both main characters are likeable and relatable in their struggles, and I loved how the author managed to strike the right balance between creating conflict and making it impossible to root for the relationship. The problems that arose were real, but at no point does they seem to veer into toxic territory.
A nice and comfy read that hits the right beats. Just as I was hoping.
Both main characters are likeable and relatable in their struggles, and I loved how the author managed to strike the right balance between creating conflict and making it impossible to root for the relationship. The problems that arose were real, but at no point does they seem to veer into toxic territory.
A nice and comfy read that hits the right beats. Just as I was hoping.
A Prayer for the Crown-Shy by Becky Chambers
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
I loved this even more than the first one. As usual with Becky Chambers books, I feel like I have been wrapped in a blanket and given a soothing cup of tea. Also that economic system is the best.
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I think I need to sit with this one a bit longer to fully be able to talk about it.
Right now, the things I can say I enjoyed were:
- the more experimental parts, especially "Both Sides"
- the obvious love for games
- the descriptions of the fictional games
- the complexity of the characters and relationships
- Marx (from his first appearance)
Apparently there is a movie in the works, I'm unsure if it will translate well. It's definitely a unique novel on various levels (ha!).
Right now, the things I can say I enjoyed were:
- the more experimental parts, especially "Both Sides"
- the obvious love for games
- the descriptions of the fictional games
- the complexity of the characters and relationships
- Marx (from his first appearance)
Apparently there is a movie in the works, I'm unsure if it will translate well. It's definitely a unique novel on various levels (ha!).
Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
3.25
Absolutely not what I expected, having seen the musical first, and I wonder how many parents accidentally get this for their <i>Wicked</i>-obsessed child who is way to young for it - note that this isn't a criticism of the book nor of its author, I just find it funny.
On to the book, so. A lot of its dialogues read like theater, which I enjoyed but took some time getting used to, as the style in general. It is quite bleak overall, meant (to continue on the theater track) as a tragedy. The issue with that is that it is hard to appreciate a tragedy when you don't get attached to its characters, and here even wanting to sympathise with Elphaba proves difficult at times, while others (like plotlines) come in and out of the frame before you have had time to enjoy them.
All in all, it is well-written, I liked that it spanned decades, and I do recognise the fascinating task attempted by the author. It did leave me unsatisfied as everything crashes (not even really together) for the final act, but I am curious as to where the sequels will take me.
On to the book, so. A lot of its dialogues read like theater, which I enjoyed but took some time getting used to, as the style in general. It is quite bleak overall, meant (to continue on the theater track) as a tragedy. The issue with that is that it is hard to appreciate a tragedy when you don't get attached to its characters, and here even wanting to sympathise with Elphaba proves difficult at times, while others (like plotlines) come in and out of the frame before you have had time to enjoy them.
All in all, it is well-written, I liked that it spanned decades, and I do recognise the fascinating task attempted by the author. It did leave me unsatisfied as everything crashes (not even really together) for the final act, but I am curious as to where the sequels will take me.
Spinning by Tillie Walden
emotional
inspiring
relaxing
medium-paced
4.5
A very fast read that I thoroughly enjoyed and wasn't totally what I expected. I love the art, especially the choices of colour, simple and yet very expressive at time. A lot of the story made me quite emotional, you really feel for Tillie from the very start.
Son of a Witch by Gregory Maguire
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Well, this is bleak.
I'm still oddly fascinated, although I'm not certain that I would have kept going if I hadn't owned all four books already.
Same spirit as the first volume: things go badly, again and again. Characters lack hope and aren't very likeable. Things progress but not that much.
I'm still oddly fascinated, although I'm not certain that I would have kept going if I hadn't owned all four books already.
Same spirit as the first volume: things go badly, again and again. Characters lack hope and aren't very likeable. Things progress but not that much.