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sweekune's reviews
351 reviews
The Tombs of Atuan by Ursula K. Le Guin
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The Tombs of Atuan by Ursula K. Le Guin
⭐ 4.5/5 ⭐
Le Guin weaves magic and journeys like no one I've read before. As with A Wizard of Earthsea, The Tombs of Atuan start slowly and small but get bigger and more exquisitely detailed as the story goes on. I loved how the world of the temple village was built up and how in so few words she created such an ambience and reality to the places she described. Arha and Sparrowhawk's interactions were also so well written and there are several quotations that I will remember for a long time, my favourite being:
"What she had begun to learn was the weight of liberty. Freedom is a heavy load, a great and strange burden for the spirit to undertake. It is not easy. It is not a gift given, but a choice made, and the choice may be a hard one. The road goes upward towards the light; but the laden traveller may never reach the end of it."
If that doesn't describe this book, and life in general, to a tee, I don't know what would.
⭐ 4.5/5 ⭐
Le Guin weaves magic and journeys like no one I've read before. As with A Wizard of Earthsea, The Tombs of Atuan start slowly and small but get bigger and more exquisitely detailed as the story goes on. I loved how the world of the temple village was built up and how in so few words she created such an ambience and reality to the places she described. Arha and Sparrowhawk's interactions were also so well written and there are several quotations that I will remember for a long time, my favourite being:
"What she had begun to learn was the weight of liberty. Freedom is a heavy load, a great and strange burden for the spirit to undertake. It is not easy. It is not a gift given, but a choice made, and the choice may be a hard one. The road goes upward towards the light; but the laden traveller may never reach the end of it."
If that doesn't describe this book, and life in general, to a tee, I don't know what would.
A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
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
5.0
A book I come home to every so often. We follow the early life of the wizard Sparrowhawk, from childhood, to magical training to a quest he must fulfil.
- The descriptions of this world are just gorgeous. You are immersed thoroughly and Le Guin has filled this world with the beautiful mundane amongst the magical.
- The characters are varied, diverse and well sculpted. Sparrowhawk's character and nuances are well shown and he grows immensely over the course of the book.
- Obviously not in the audiobook version but the physical version has the most amazing map. I loved pouring over it and following the points that were visited.
Somehow both intense but homely. An excellent fantasy tale and also the beginning of a series.
- The descriptions of this world are just gorgeous. You are immersed thoroughly and Le Guin has filled this world with the beautiful mundane amongst the magical.
- The characters are varied, diverse and well sculpted. Sparrowhawk's character and nuances are well shown and he grows immensely over the course of the book.
- Obviously not in the audiobook version but the physical version has the most amazing map. I loved pouring over it and following the points that were visited.
Somehow both intense but homely. An excellent fantasy tale and also the beginning of a series.
Will Destroy the Galaxy for Cash by Yahtzee Croshaw
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Will Leave the Galaxy for Good by Yahtzee Croshaw
adventurous
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
The Crystal Shard by R.A. Salvatore
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Jamaica Inn by Daphne du Maurier
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
The No-Girlfriend Rule by Christen Randall
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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
4.75
Make the Season Bright by Ashley Herring Blake
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
4/5
A sapphic hallmark movie plot shoved into book form. Exes Charlotte and Brighton find themselves thrown together for a Christmas in snowy Colorado, the first time they've seen each other since Brighton left Charlotte at the altar. Romcom antics ensue.
- The cast was diverse and fun. Lots of queer people and very normalised. I also appreciated the bi rep a lot.
- The vibe of this book is fuzzy, winter romcom with a touch of spice. It was perfect for reading over December.
- It is not a difficult read which is exactly what I needed. This is no complex and literary book and that is just fine. Make the Season Bright does its thing well and meets the cosy winter romance criteria brilliantly.
Would recommend as a festive read for those that enjoy cheesy Christmas films and queer contemporary romances.
A sapphic hallmark movie plot shoved into book form. Exes Charlotte and Brighton find themselves thrown together for a Christmas in snowy Colorado, the first time they've seen each other since Brighton left Charlotte at the altar. Romcom antics ensue.
- The cast was diverse and fun. Lots of queer people and very normalised. I also appreciated the bi rep a lot.
- The vibe of this book is fuzzy, winter romcom with a touch of spice. It was perfect for reading over December.
- It is not a difficult read which is exactly what I needed. This is no complex and literary book and that is just fine. Make the Season Bright does its thing well and meets the cosy winter romance criteria brilliantly.
Would recommend as a festive read for those that enjoy cheesy Christmas films and queer contemporary romances.
Supporting Fat Birth by AJ Silver
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
4.0
⭐ 4/5 ⭐
From the author that wrote Supporting Queer Birth, we are treated to an informative and reflective book about supporting larger women and people through their childbearing journey.
- The book is well set out. Silver has different chapters for different aspects of care such as homebirth or infant feeding. There's also a lot of intersectional chapters covering global majority and queer birth too.
- The book it well researched both in an academic sense, with references provided, but also in who Silver interviews through the course of the book. Not only do the additional perspectives educate amazingly but they also provide additional avenues for the reader to retake when doing further reading or learning after finishing the book.
- The last chapter I loved. It discusses how to firmly set boundaries with professionals and how to make caregivers stop and think if they are not being as respectful as they ought. It provided me with more ways of raising concerns in my own professional sphere but also is an great tool for women and birthing people.
A wonderful educational resource. I've already recommended it to several students and leant my copy to another midwife.
From the author that wrote Supporting Queer Birth, we are treated to an informative and reflective book about supporting larger women and people through their childbearing journey.
- The book is well set out. Silver has different chapters for different aspects of care such as homebirth or infant feeding. There's also a lot of intersectional chapters covering global majority and queer birth too.
- The book it well researched both in an academic sense, with references provided, but also in who Silver interviews through the course of the book. Not only do the additional perspectives educate amazingly but they also provide additional avenues for the reader to retake when doing further reading or learning after finishing the book.
- The last chapter I loved. It discusses how to firmly set boundaries with professionals and how to make caregivers stop and think if they are not being as respectful as they ought. It provided me with more ways of raising concerns in my own professional sphere but also is an great tool for women and birthing people.
A wonderful educational resource. I've already recommended it to several students and leant my copy to another midwife.