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theliteraryteapot's reviews
285 reviews
Celestina's House by Clarissa Trinidad Gonzalez
Did not finish book. Stopped at 23%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 23%.
Thank you to Dundurn Press and Netgalley for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Dnf at page 72. This is a reminder to publishers (and authors when they have a say in this) to include trigger warnings. Yes even when it's horror. Readers who don't want potential spoilers are free to simply not read the content warnings page.
This is a book marketed as similar to Mexican Gothic and other books in this interesting trend of horror or horror-leaning novels written by women of colour, specifically non-US and non-euro centric. Although it had good prose, not only do I not have the stomach to read incest and sexual abuse which felt gratuitous, but I also did not see where the story was going after the first 70 pages.
Dnf at page 72. This is a reminder to publishers (and authors when they have a say in this) to include trigger warnings. Yes even when it's horror. Readers who don't want potential spoilers are free to simply not read the content warnings page.
This is a book marketed as similar to Mexican Gothic and other books in this interesting trend of horror or horror-leaning novels written by women of colour, specifically non-US and non-euro centric. Although it had good prose, not only do I not have the stomach to read incest and sexual abuse which felt gratuitous, but I also did not see where the story was going after the first 70 pages.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Incest, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Religious bigotry, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Drug use, Infidelity, Vomit, and Alcohol
Les Hauts de Hurlevent by Emily Brontë
slow-paced
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.0
This is a well loved classic and it definitely had great prose. Unfortunately, I found it quite boring and ended up listening to the audiobook on 2x speed. Also, *whispers* antistiganism, Emily.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, and Racism
La gitane aux yeux bleus by Mamen Sánchez
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? No
2.0
There were so many things that felt wrong about this book (pub. in 2013): its racism, its homophobia, fatphobia, the patriarchal and heteronomative relationships.
Of course this novel was full of stereotypes on the Roma. I despised the use of the lexical field of witchcraft (educate yourself on harmful antitsiganist stereotypes). Quite frankly, it baffles me that readers/reviewers never point out the antistiganism in books. I'm quite proud of my Romani ancestry and I wish I could've had grown up with positive representation. I wish people would include the Romani community in their diversity discourses. But, even in such books where the negative and harmful antitsiganist clichés and narratives take so much space, I see barely any review talking about it. And this says so much about people's ignorance, hence the even stronger need for positive representation.
Of course this novel was full of stereotypes on the Roma. I despised the use of the lexical field of witchcraft (educate yourself on harmful antitsiganist stereotypes). Quite frankly, it baffles me that readers/reviewers never point out the antistiganism in books. I'm quite proud of my Romani ancestry and I wish I could've had grown up with positive representation. I wish people would include the Romani community in their diversity discourses. But, even in such books where the negative and harmful antitsiganist clichés and narratives take so much space, I see barely any review talking about it. And this says so much about people's ignorance, hence the even stronger need for positive representation.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Infidelity, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Toxic relationship, Pregnancy, and Classism
La poésie. Les plus grands textes de Sappho à Arthur Rimbaud et Pablo Neruda by Jean Daniel
slow-paced
3.25
Une anthologie des poètes du monde intéressante. Je me suis surprise à apprécier les poèmes de Victor Hugo.
En revanche, on sent que le livre a été publié il y a plus d'une décennie maintenant car ça manque (sans surprise) de poétesses et car ça reste finalement assez euro-centré. Et puis, beaucoup de poèmes m'ont plus ennuyée qu'autre chose (désolée mais entre les poèmes en prose et les poèmes à rallonge je n'en pouvais plus). Donc une nouvelle anthologie des poésies du monde, avec une plus grande diversité, une traduction actualisée et dans une édition avec les langues d'origine, serait la bienvenue.
En revanche, on sent que le livre a été publié il y a plus d'une décennie maintenant car ça manque (sans surprise) de poétesses et car ça reste finalement assez euro-centré. Et puis, beaucoup de poèmes m'ont plus ennuyée qu'autre chose (désolée mais entre les poèmes en prose et les poèmes à rallonge je n'en pouvais plus). Donc une nouvelle anthologie des poésies du monde, avec une plus grande diversité, une traduction actualisée et dans une édition avec les langues d'origine, serait la bienvenue.
Tonguebreaker by Leah Lakshmi Piepzna-Samarasinha
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
3.25
From a theme pov, it's a powerful book tackling important topics, particularly disability. And as I live with a chronic illness, of course some poems resonated with me. The references to Audre Lorde were greatly appreciated too.
On the other hand, from a poetic writing pov, I really don't enjoy prose poetry. And so, I'm realising that several 2010s poetry collections have disappointed me and that they are not for me.
On the other hand, from a poetic writing pov, I really don't enjoy prose poetry. And so, I'm realising that several 2010s poetry collections have disappointed me and that they are not for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Death, Incest, Pedophilia, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, and Alcohol
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders and Abortion
Love from A to Z by S.K. Ali
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
Quick, nice YA romance book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Hate crime, Racism, Islamophobia, Medical content, Grief, and Death of parent
Love in the Big City by Sang Young Park
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
3.5
For some reason I thought this book was auto-fiction until I read the author's interview.
The novel is divided into four stories. I didn't like the first one, didn't care about the characters nor the whole constantly drinking, partying and having sex cycle. But the three other stories were interesting and finally dived deeper into characters emotions and thoughts. I liked how the story was told as well (the 2nd pers. was used at times). And, as said in the author's interview and the translator's note, this is about the queer experience, and it's South Korean queer representation which is important. I'm glad I read the book.
The novel is divided into four stories. I didn't like the first one, didn't care about the characters nor the whole constantly drinking, partying and having sex cycle. But the three other stories were interesting and finally dived deeper into characters emotions and thoughts. I liked how the story was told as well (the 2nd pers. was used at times). And, as said in the author's interview and the translator's note, this is about the queer experience, and it's South Korean queer representation which is important. I'm glad I read the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Chronic illness, Homophobia, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Abortion, Pregnancy, and Alcohol
Moderate: Infidelity, Blood, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Suicide and Murder
Percy Jackson and the Staff of Hermes by Rick Riordan
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
Magnus Chase and the Ship of the Dead by Rick Riordan
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
This was a satisfying conclusion to the Magnus Chase trilogy.
I wondered though if the book had sensitivity readers or something like that (I know it's been years) because at times some of Magnus' comments regarding Samirah fasting for Ramadan felt a bit disrespectful? But I haven't seen people talk about it so idk.
Overall, I love these characters and the whole point is found family and I love that!
I wondered though if the book had sensitivity readers or something like that (I know it's been years) because at times some of Magnus' comments regarding Samirah fasting for Ramadan felt a bit disrespectful? But I haven't seen people talk about it so idk.
Overall, I love these characters and the whole point is found family and I love that!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Blood
Moderate: Ableism
Minor: Slavery, Transphobia, and War
El Tapiz de los Dragones de Té by K. O'Neill
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
This cosy fantasy trilogy has a special place in my heart 💛
I couldn't find the last book anywhere and ended up reading a digital edition in Spanish, so I hope to one day own the three books physically. The illustrations are gorgeous, gorgeous (those shades of pinks and purples!!). Camomile I love u!! 🫖
I couldn't find the last book anywhere and ended up reading a digital edition in Spanish, so I hope to one day own the three books physically. The illustrations are gorgeous, gorgeous (those shades of pinks and purples!!). Camomile I love u!! 🫖