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tkhz's reviews
40 reviews
The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
"I never thought the leopards would eat MY face!" - Serena Joy, probably
There is a reason this is a timeless piece of feminist literature. Atwood's portrayal of a not-so-distant future where women essentially become the property of powerful men is uncomfortably feasible, but this is what makes The Handmaid's Tale a necessary read.
Reading this in 2024 was especially poignant, with the overturning of Roe v. Wade happening in the US a few years before and the threat of Project 2025 looming on the horizon. This book is a reminder that Gilead is a closer reality than we might think.
Atwood does an incredible job examining the ways in which white Christian nationalism takes root in society. The edition I read had a very interesting foreword explaining that if such a government was to come to power in the US, it would be lead by white Chrisitan nationalists, thus legitimizing the fact that most Handmaids and all leaders in Gilead are presumed to be white. She explains that such a government would systematically attempt to erase people of all other identities. It is also necessary to note that everything that happens in the story is based on real horrors that have been inflicted upon women around the world, and that this life is a reality for many.
The Handmaid's Tale truly showcases the insidiousness of far-right ideology, and the way that it sneakily becomes a part of society until it's too late.
There is a reason this is a timeless piece of feminist literature. Atwood's portrayal of a not-so-distant future where women essentially become the property of powerful men is uncomfortably feasible, but this is what makes The Handmaid's Tale a necessary read.
Reading this in 2024 was especially poignant, with the overturning of Roe v. Wade happening in the US a few years before and the threat of Project 2025 looming on the horizon. This book is a reminder that Gilead is a closer reality than we might think.
Atwood does an incredible job examining the ways in which white Christian nationalism takes root in society. The edition I read had a very interesting foreword explaining that if such a government was to come to power in the US, it would be lead by white Chrisitan nationalists, thus legitimizing the fact that most Handmaids and all leaders in Gilead are presumed to be white. She explains that such a government would systematically attempt to erase people of all other identities. It is also necessary to note that everything that happens in the story is based on real horrors that have been inflicted upon women around the world, and that this life is a reality for many.
The Handmaid's Tale truly showcases the insidiousness of far-right ideology, and the way that it sneakily becomes a part of society until it's too late.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Infertility, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Kidnapping, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Homophobia, Infidelity, and War
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Suicide
Butter by Asako Yuzuki
challenging
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The premise of this book was very intriguing and I had recently listened to a podcast about the real-life murder cases that inspired Kaji's character, so I was drawn to it.
I thought that the main character - Rika- fell a bit flat, as she didn't seem to have any thoughts or feelings that were not based on others' influence. Her immediate obsession with Kaji reminds me of the journalist in Inventing Anna - how she fell under the spell of a woman whose crimes were made possible through her charm and manipulation. However, I did like that speaking with Kaji forces Rika to re-assess what she had been taught to think about food and weight, thus questioning the impossible beauty standards for Japanese women.
The plot also dragged a bit in the middle, as it became repetitive. I found the process of Rika visiting Kaji and going to restaurants/cooking recipes to become tedious after a while; I felt it could have been cut shorter. I became interested again when Reiko was introduced to Kaji and became entwined in the case, but I thought her story could have ended differently. I don't love that she ended up staying with her husband despite her huge revelation that marriage and children were not what she wanted for herself.
The story was overall interesting and written well, but the character choices and slow plot progression are preventing me from rating higher.
I thought that the main character - Rika- fell a bit flat, as she didn't seem to have any thoughts or feelings that were not based on others' influence. Her immediate obsession with Kaji reminds me of the journalist in Inventing Anna - how she fell under the spell of a woman whose crimes were made possible through her charm and manipulation. However, I did like that speaking with Kaji forces Rika to re-assess what she had been taught to think about food and weight, thus questioning the impossible beauty standards for Japanese women.
The plot also dragged a bit in the middle, as it became repetitive. I found the process of Rika visiting Kaji and going to restaurants/cooking recipes to become tedious after a while; I felt it could have been cut shorter. I became interested again when Reiko was introduced to Kaji and became entwined in the case, but I thought her story could have ended differently.
The story was overall interesting and written well, but the character choices and slow plot progression are preventing me from rating higher.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia, Misogyny, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Murder, and Pregnancy
Greta and Valdin by Rebecca K Reilly
funny
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
5.0
This one of the only books I've ever found to be laugh-out-loud hilarious. Both narrators are extremely relatable, realistically flawed disaster gays and I loved them. While I don't typically enjoy slice-of-life stories, these characters were so loveable that I became invested in the minutia of their lives.
Also, this was a very interesting look into both Maori and Russian culture and how they mix within Greta and Valdin's family. I thought the struggles they go through being mixed-race and the children of both indigenous and immigrant parents were addressed very well despite the comedic nature of the book. It really found a good balance between being lighthearted/silly and showcasing real intersectional issues. 5/5 would recommend!
Also, this was a very interesting look into both Maori and Russian culture and how they mix within Greta and Valdin's family. I thought the struggles they go through being mixed-race and the children of both indigenous and immigrant parents were addressed very well despite the comedic nature of the book. It really found a good balance between being lighthearted/silly and showcasing real intersectional issues. 5/5 would recommend!
Big Swiss by Jen Beagin
Did not finish book. Stopped at 69%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 69%.
This felt like watching an arthouse film that was too weird to comprehend. Both characters feel flat despite the constant discussion of their trauma, but almost 3/4 of the way into this book neither of them have really done anything to process it. I enjoyed the first part of the book with the therapy transcripts, and I wish there would've been more focus on that aspect instead of the "love story."
The sex scenes are too weird in my personal opinion. I didn't sense any chemistry between Greta and Big Swiss and I'm not sure why they are attracted to each other in the first place. The love story felt out of place and once their affair began I found it hard to care about what happened to either of them after that.
TLDR: This book tries really hard to be quirky and different to the point that the characters are completely un-relatable and uninteresting to me.
The sex scenes are too weird in my personal opinion. I didn't sense any chemistry between Greta and Big Swiss and I'm not sure why they are attracted to each other in the first place. The love story felt out of place and once their affair began I found it hard to care about what happened to either of them after that.
TLDR: This book tries really hard to be quirky and different to the point that the characters are completely un-relatable and uninteresting to me.
Cleat Cute by Meryl Wilsner
funny
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
4.75
Phoebe is a newbie in pro women's soccer who falls for her idol and teammate, Grace. Phoebe is bright-eyed, bushy-tailed, and a professional yapper, while Grace is the polar opposite. When a dare forces them into close proximity, they have to face their individual quirks and challenges to understand their feelings for each other.
Despite the title and cover, this book is spicy. Lol. I thought the intimacy was a little gratuitous in the first third of the book, hence the 4.75 star rating, but that's personal preference.
I thought this book was perfect for me as a queer women's soccer fan, but even if you know nothing about the sport it's pretty easy to follow along with the terminology. The two main characters were lovable and I enjoyed reading the story from both of their perspectives, even though they were both a bit frustrating at times (classic romance miscommunication tropes are always gonna be there I guess). I can also appreciate a WLW romance novel where both love interests identify as lesbians!
Despite the title and cover, this book is spicy. Lol. I thought the intimacy was a little gratuitous in the first third of the book, hence the 4.75 star rating, but that's personal preference.
I thought this book was perfect for me as a queer women's soccer fan, but even if you know nothing about the sport it's pretty easy to follow along with the terminology. The two main characters were lovable and I enjoyed reading the story from both of their perspectives, even though they were both a bit frustrating at times (classic romance miscommunication tropes are always gonna be there I guess). I can also appreciate a WLW romance novel where both love interests identify as lesbians!
The Housemaid's Secret by Freida McFadden
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
If you asked me to guess what any of the plot twists in this book were before I finished it, I would genuinely have no idea.
I thought the plot was going to follow the same structure as The Housemaid, but it ended up being even juicier and more unpredictable than the first book in the series.
An intriguing, page-turning mystery/thriller series that I would definitely read more books of.
I thought the plot was going to follow the same structure as The Housemaid, but it ended up being even juicier and more unpredictable than the first book in the series.
An intriguing, page-turning mystery/thriller series that I would definitely read more books of.
Yellowface by R.F. Kuang
challenging
funny
tense
medium-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
4.0
A quick-witted satire which follows June Hayward, an unsuccessful author who has lived in her friend's shadow since college, on her descent into the depths of madness and cancel culture. When her friend, Athena, passes away, June attempts to take on pieces of her identity under the assumption that making herself seem "more Asian" will make her more successful in publishing.
This book was unhinged in the best way and made me actually laugh out loud at some points. The satirical aspects were on-point and the way in which the online book/publishing community was portrayed was accurate, even as someone who more casually peruses these spaces.
Although it is exaggerated and over-the-top, situations like the one June puts herself in definitely do happen (see: any Authors Behaving Badly video) and it's both funny and thought-provoking to experience them from the perpetrator's perspective.
This book was unhinged in the best way and made me actually laugh out loud at some points. The satirical aspects were on-point and the way in which the online book/publishing community was portrayed was accurate, even as someone who more casually peruses these spaces.
Although it is exaggerated and over-the-top, situations like the one June puts herself in definitely do happen (see: any Authors Behaving Badly video) and it's both funny and thought-provoking to experience them from the perpetrator's perspective.
The Housemaid by Freida McFadden
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
good for her
Nick and Charlie by Alice Oseman
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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
4.0
A continuation of the Heartstopper comic series in which Charlie deals with the realities of Nick moving away for university. A true-to-life look into the emotions and decisions teens are faced with at the end of high school.
I'm always an enjoyer of how Alice Oseman writes their teenage characters and how much I can relate to the experiences and feelings they're dealing with. They have a great understanding of that it's like to be a teenager, especially a queer teenager, in today's society and portrays it in a way that tackles serious issues without leaning into themes of intense trauma. I would recommend this book- and the Heartstopper series- to any lgbtq+ teen or adult looking for a cute love story and great representation.
I'm always an enjoyer of how Alice Oseman writes their teenage characters and how much I can relate to the experiences and feelings they're dealing with. They have a great understanding of that it's like to be a teenager, especially a queer teenager, in today's society and portrays it in a way that tackles serious issues without leaning into themes of intense trauma. I would recommend this book- and the Heartstopper series- to any lgbtq+ teen or adult looking for a cute love story and great representation.