Take a photo of a barcode or cover
ambershelf's Reviews (1.3k)
gifted by the publisher
Following different characters across time in THE CELESTIAL KINGDOM duology, TALES reunites the readers with their favorite characters accompanied by propulsive writing & breathtaking art, illustrated by Kelly Chong.
Tan does a fabulous job capturing each character's unique voice, and I fell in love again following their journeys. I remember thinking Xinyin is too good for either MMC after the duology, but TALES made me love both! I might even like Liwei more now
Following different characters across time in THE CELESTIAL KINGDOM duology, TALES reunites the readers with their favorite characters accompanied by propulsive writing & breathtaking art, illustrated by Kelly Chong.
Tan does a fabulous job capturing each character's unique voice, and I fell in love again following their journeys. I remember thinking Xinyin is too good for either MMC after the duology, but TALES made me love both! I might even like Liwei more now
gifted by the publisher
STARS consists of two parts. Part 1 follows the Red Feather family through generations, where readers spend little time with each character. Part 2 picks up immediately after THERE THERE and focuses on Orvil & his brothers.
With his signature style, Orange pulls no punches in examining "surviving survival" in the Indigenous community across time. After genocides, massacres, and the Indian boarding schools, there are still poverty, mass shootings, and addiction. How does one not just survive but thrive? That's the central topic Orange explores in STARS via multiple lenses.
STARS reminds me of a quote about how "sometimes we can only save ourselves in the face of insurmountable pain, and even that is enough." Especially toward the end of STARS, this revelation made me sob. As bleak as the themes are, I loved the ending and how Orange ties in the idea that sometimes we must wander to come home into the story.
Stylistically, parts 1 & 2 seem a bit jarring when read as a single book. I wonder if reading part 1, followed by THERE THERE, and then returning to part 2 will provide a smoother transition. Additionally, while part 1 can be read as a standalone, I'm not sure if the emotional impact will be the same in part 2 without having read THERE THERE first.
Overall, while the format is a bit awkward, STARS is a phenomenal read for fans of THERE THERE, and I can see both books becoming modern classics in American literature.
STARS consists of two parts. Part 1 follows the Red Feather family through generations, where readers spend little time with each character. Part 2 picks up immediately after THERE THERE and focuses on Orvil & his brothers.
With his signature style, Orange pulls no punches in examining "surviving survival" in the Indigenous community across time. After genocides, massacres, and the Indian boarding schools, there are still poverty, mass shootings, and addiction. How does one not just survive but thrive? That's the central topic Orange explores in STARS via multiple lenses.
STARS reminds me of a quote about how "sometimes we can only save ourselves in the face of insurmountable pain, and even that is enough." Especially toward the end of STARS, this revelation made me sob. As bleak as the themes are, I loved the ending and how Orange ties in the idea that sometimes we must wander to come home into the story.
Stylistically, parts 1 & 2 seem a bit jarring when read as a single book. I wonder if reading part 1, followed by THERE THERE, and then returning to part 2 will provide a smoother transition. Additionally, while part 1 can be read as a standalone, I'm not sure if the emotional impact will be the same in part 2 without having read THERE THERE first.
Overall, while the format is a bit awkward, STARS is a phenomenal read for fans of THERE THERE, and I can see both books becoming modern classics in American literature.
gifted by the publisher
Yeeran is a warrior in the elven army and has only known violence her whole life. When a fatal mistake leads to Yeeran's exile from the Elven lands, she and her younger sister, Lettle, encounter the fae—a community that hasn't been seen for a millennium and only exists in the legends. The sisters are thrust into a hostile world that wants the elves dead and must tread carefully to survive.
I loved FAEBOUND so much I finished it in two sittings. What's better than a queer fantasy with magic, sisterhood, and tons of twists & turns? I love that the world-building isn't too info-dumpy, and El-Arifi slowly eases the readers into various terms while not sacrificing the tension in the story. I was immediately sucked into the world of FAEBOUND and was on the edge of my seat the entire time!
My favorite part about FAEBOUND is the sisterhood dynamic. As the first-born, I felt Yeeran's anxiety of "carrying the family" so keenly, and sometimes grew tired of Lettle's daydreaming
Yeeran is a warrior in the elven army and has only known violence her whole life. When a fatal mistake leads to Yeeran's exile from the Elven lands, she and her younger sister, Lettle, encounter the fae—a community that hasn't been seen for a millennium and only exists in the legends. The sisters are thrust into a hostile world that wants the elves dead and must tread carefully to survive.
I loved FAEBOUND so much I finished it in two sittings. What's better than a queer fantasy with magic, sisterhood, and tons of twists & turns? I love that the world-building isn't too info-dumpy, and El-Arifi slowly eases the readers into various terms while not sacrificing the tension in the story. I was immediately sucked into the world of FAEBOUND and was on the edge of my seat the entire time!
My favorite part about FAEBOUND is the sisterhood dynamic. As the first-born, I felt Yeeran's anxiety of "carrying the family" so keenly, and sometimes grew tired of Lettle's daydreaming
The 1980s. New York. Teenagers Giselle Chin, Jackie Ong, and Ellen Ng form an unlikely friendship over their desire for something different. Over time, their friendships evolve, and by 2040, the world has become vastly different from what they've envisioned. How does one live a meaningful life in an ever-changing world? And how do our memories inform our decisions?
Once in a while, I'll come across a book that is so profound yet nuanced the message exists at the edge of my consciousness. MEMORY PIECE is precisely that. Readers' enjoyment of the book will primarily come from one's interpretations.
So while it's been blurbed as a book similar to TOMORROW, AND TOMORROW, AND TOMORROW (Gabrielle Zevin)—the similarities stop at following three childhood friends through decades—I feel that it might find more success in patient readers who are comfortable reading between the lines.
With compelling and expansive writing, MEMORY PIECE explores how seemingly trivial experiences crystallize in our minds, how our memories can be life-changing to carry us through tough times, and its importance in fighting against collective forgetfulness in reminding us never to forget history.
Ko beautifully examines these themes via the trio across class & time and what "memory piece" signifies. Giselle's insight of maximizing one's present to savor memories (present), Jackie's belief in creating a platform for collective memories to build a community (future), and Ellen's view that the memory of solidarity is a source to draw strength from (past) are fascinating, and gave me much to ponder.
MEMORY PIECE is truly a unique & thought-provoking book. Elena and I read this together and ended up having vastly different takeaways! It's the perfect book to buddy-read with your bffs, decode all the hidden meanings, and revisit as you age. For me, MEMORY PIECE is the nostalgia that what is won't last forever and what could've been will never happen. So all we have is each other in the present—our community, unwavering dedication, love & friendship.
Once in a while, I'll come across a book that is so profound yet nuanced the message exists at the edge of my consciousness. MEMORY PIECE is precisely that. Readers' enjoyment of the book will primarily come from one's interpretations.
So while it's been blurbed as a book similar to TOMORROW, AND TOMORROW, AND TOMORROW (Gabrielle Zevin)—the similarities stop at following three childhood friends through decades—I feel that it might find more success in patient readers who are comfortable reading between the lines.
With compelling and expansive writing, MEMORY PIECE explores how seemingly trivial experiences crystallize in our minds, how our memories can be life-changing to carry us through tough times, and its importance in fighting against collective forgetfulness in reminding us never to forget history.
Ko beautifully examines these themes via the trio across class & time and what "memory piece" signifies. Giselle's insight of maximizing one's present to savor memories (present), Jackie's belief in creating a platform for collective memories to build a community (future), and Ellen's view that the memory of solidarity is a source to draw strength from (past) are fascinating, and gave me much to ponder.
MEMORY PIECE is truly a unique & thought-provoking book. Elena and I read this together and ended up having vastly different takeaways! It's the perfect book to buddy-read with your bffs, decode all the hidden meanings, and revisit as you age. For me, MEMORY PIECE is the nostalgia that what is won't last forever and what could've been will never happen. So all we have is each other in the present—our community, unwavering dedication, love & friendship.
These days, Khaki Oliver feels trapped in a meaningless job and an empty apartment until an invitation from her estranged former best friend, Fiona. Khaki is tempted and terrified to reconnect—their all-consuming friendship brought out their worst impulses and changed Khaki forever. While stalling her RSVP, Khaki starts crafting the perfect mixtape by revisiting her memories. Should she say yes to Fiona again?
BOTH is one of the most fascinating & unique coming-of-age stories I've read in a long time. Coupled with Stovall's out-of-the-world gorgeous writing—every sentence is perfectly crafted and made me wonder if I *actually* know English—I read this compelling story in a day. If you're in a hurry, just stop here and preorder this book right now. My review will never do it justice
BOTH is one of the most fascinating & unique coming-of-age stories I've read in a long time. Coupled with Stovall's out-of-the-world gorgeous writing—every sentence is perfectly crafted and made me wonder if I *actually* know English—I read this compelling story in a day. If you're in a hurry, just stop here and preorder this book right now. My review will never do it justice
Thank you to @coloredpagesbt & @fiercereads for the gifted copy and Netgalley & Macmillan Audio for the ALC.
After a scandal that ended her popstar career, 18-year-old Sunny Lee spends her day longing for her previous life. When Sunny discovers her former teammate/BFF Candie is attending a K-pop workshop, she joins to get some closures. But their reunion doesn't bring the answers Sunny was hoping for. Instead, she's haunted by ghostly visions and bodily harm that start happening to her competitors.
FACES is a thrilling rollercoaster that takes readers behind the glitzy facade of the K-pop world, exploring the darker side that lurks beneath the dazzling smiles and perfect choreography. Cheng skillfully weaves a narrative that switches between the past and the present, unraveling Sunny's journey from a cheery and optimistic persona to someone disheartened by the harsh realities hidden behind the glamorous K-pop life.
Amidst the idol competition scenes and wild fantasy elements, Cheng explores the sapphic undertones of the story, adding another layer of complexity to Sunny's journey. The chemistry between Sunny & Candie is palpable, and Cheng navigates the dynamics of the relationship with finesse.
There are also plenty of scary scenes, such as mutilation and nightmares in FACES. And at times, it gets a bit intense, especially on audio. Nonetheless, I had a blast with the story and can't wait to see where the sequel will take me!
After a scandal that ended her popstar career, 18-year-old Sunny Lee spends her day longing for her previous life. When Sunny discovers her former teammate/BFF Candie is attending a K-pop workshop, she joins to get some closures. But their reunion doesn't bring the answers Sunny was hoping for. Instead, she's haunted by ghostly visions and bodily harm that start happening to her competitors.
FACES is a thrilling rollercoaster that takes readers behind the glitzy facade of the K-pop world, exploring the darker side that lurks beneath the dazzling smiles and perfect choreography. Cheng skillfully weaves a narrative that switches between the past and the present, unraveling Sunny's journey from a cheery and optimistic persona to someone disheartened by the harsh realities hidden behind the glamorous K-pop life.
Amidst the idol competition scenes and wild fantasy elements, Cheng explores the sapphic undertones of the story, adding another layer of complexity to Sunny's journey. The chemistry between Sunny & Candie is palpable, and Cheng navigates the dynamics of the relationship with finesse.
There are also plenty of scary scenes, such as mutilation and nightmares in FACES. And at times, it gets a bit intense, especially on audio. Nonetheless, I had a blast with the story and can't wait to see where the sequel will take me!
