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ambershelf's Reviews (1.3k)
Tracing paths between Brooklyn, Beirut, and Jerusalem, Alyan seamlessly blends mundane activities and geopolitical brutalities to show her desire for home and stability after displacement from her homeland and body.
I love how Alyan plays with structures, from interactive poetry to using coding language (I think it's Python, but let me know if I'm wrong). THE MOON THAT TURNS YOU BACK is ingenious, heartfelt, and, at times, heartbreaking.
My favorites in this collection are: Interactive Fiction, Remains, The interviewer wants to know about fashion, The year is, Brute?, Love Poem, and Naturalized.
I love how Alyan plays with structures, from interactive poetry to using coding language (I think it's Python, but let me know if I'm wrong). THE MOON THAT TURNS YOU BACK is ingenious, heartfelt, and, at times, heartbreaking.
My favorites in this collection are: Interactive Fiction, Remains, The interviewer wants to know about fashion, The year is, Brute?, Love Poem, and Naturalized.
ARC gifted by the publisher
In this Mulan-inspired tale set during the Three Kingdoms period, Meilin disguises herself as a boy and enlists in the imperial army. As her kingdom barrels towards destruction, Meilin starts having visions of a dragon that promises her power. She must choose whom to trust, between two princes and a cunning magical creature.
I devoured ENDS in two sittings and completely forgot to take any notes about the book
In this Mulan-inspired tale set during the Three Kingdoms period, Meilin disguises herself as a boy and enlists in the imperial army. As her kingdom barrels towards destruction, Meilin starts having visions of a dragon that promises her power. She must choose whom to trust, between two princes and a cunning magical creature.
I devoured ENDS in two sittings and completely forgot to take any notes about the book
ARC and ALC gifted by the publisher
Philadelphia, 1837. After Charlotte escaped from a plantation, she wasn't expecting to pretend to be a housemaid hired by her white-passing father. Charlotte befriends Nell, an abolitionist from a wealthy Black family, hoping to find a purpose with her new-found freedom. But when Evie, her friend she left behind on the plantation, is looking to escape, the three women must decide how much they will sacrifice for freedom.
PROMISED is a captivating story that delves into the lives of three Black women from varying socioeconomic backgrounds. Set against the backdrop of a city on the brink of social upheaval, Lattimore masterfully weaves together a narrative that not only explores the intricacies of intersectional feminism but also delves into the pressing question of freedom and justice for all.
At its core, PROMISED grapples with the powerful notion that "we are not free until we are all free." Through the lens of the three women's struggles, Lattimore highlights the importance of collective liberation and goes beyond the surface-level activism of fundraising and speeches. She challenges readers to consider what actions can truly affect immediate change within an unjust system. Lattimore skillfully juxtaposes the struggle for reform within the system with the temptation to challenge unjust laws through direct action. This theme resonates deeply and reminds me of the ongoing battle for justice in contemporary society.
PROMISED also explores themes such as passing, class dynamics, and intersectional feminism via multiple characters. Despite being split between three POVs, each character is impeccably fleshed out, making it easy for me to become deeply invested in their journeys. The central plot remains engaging throughout, and I was hooked throughout the book.
One of the most striking aspects of PROMISED is its basis in historical events, particularly the Pennsylvania Hall, a symbol of interracial abolitionist support that was tragically destroyed by a white mob shortly after its opening. This pivotal moment in history serves as a powerful backdrop for the narrative, prompting me to reflect on what could have been if Pennsylvania Hall had remained intact.
I was both engrossed and deeply moved by PROMISED. Lattimore's impeccable storytelling, historical research, and rich character development make it a truly unforgettable read. Whether experienced in print or through audio (I did a combination of both), PROMISED is a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the complexities of freedom, justice, and the enduring fight for equality.
Philadelphia, 1837. After Charlotte escaped from a plantation, she wasn't expecting to pretend to be a housemaid hired by her white-passing father. Charlotte befriends Nell, an abolitionist from a wealthy Black family, hoping to find a purpose with her new-found freedom. But when Evie, her friend she left behind on the plantation, is looking to escape, the three women must decide how much they will sacrifice for freedom.
PROMISED is a captivating story that delves into the lives of three Black women from varying socioeconomic backgrounds. Set against the backdrop of a city on the brink of social upheaval, Lattimore masterfully weaves together a narrative that not only explores the intricacies of intersectional feminism but also delves into the pressing question of freedom and justice for all.
At its core, PROMISED grapples with the powerful notion that "we are not free until we are all free." Through the lens of the three women's struggles, Lattimore highlights the importance of collective liberation and goes beyond the surface-level activism of fundraising and speeches. She challenges readers to consider what actions can truly affect immediate change within an unjust system. Lattimore skillfully juxtaposes the struggle for reform within the system with the temptation to challenge unjust laws through direct action. This theme resonates deeply and reminds me of the ongoing battle for justice in contemporary society.
PROMISED also explores themes such as passing, class dynamics, and intersectional feminism via multiple characters. Despite being split between three POVs, each character is impeccably fleshed out, making it easy for me to become deeply invested in their journeys. The central plot remains engaging throughout, and I was hooked throughout the book.
One of the most striking aspects of PROMISED is its basis in historical events, particularly the Pennsylvania Hall, a symbol of interracial abolitionist support that was tragically destroyed by a white mob shortly after its opening. This pivotal moment in history serves as a powerful backdrop for the narrative, prompting me to reflect on what could have been if Pennsylvania Hall had remained intact.
I was both engrossed and deeply moved by PROMISED. Lattimore's impeccable storytelling, historical research, and rich character development make it a truly unforgettable read. Whether experienced in print or through audio (I did a combination of both), PROMISED is a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the complexities of freedom, justice, and the enduring fight for equality.
finished copy gifted by @coloredpagesbt & @ireadya
Sadie Wen is perfect on paper: school captain, valedictorian, and the one who carries the team in group projects. But underneath her model-student smile and can-do attitude are her frustrations that she channels into her email drafts. Of course, Sadie will never send these hate-filled emails except that a freak accident happened, and the drafts are sent out. Sadie’s whole world is turned upside down, and everyone at school now knows what she thinks of them. It’s especially Sadie’s worst nightmare when her cocaptain and nemesis, Julius Gong, learns that Sadie hates him through 30+ emails, or does she?
IHTDFY is an enemies-to-lovers YA romcom full of intense emotions. Liang perfectly captures the tension between Sadie and Julius that swings from hatred to passion. As a highly non-confrontational person, I was experiencing mild anxiety reading the two MCs going at each other ruthlessly, a testament to Liang’s craft in writing a true “enemy” trope that captures the extreme feelings!
I appreciate reading about Sadie’s struggles to set a boundary as a people-pleaser, especially on group projects
Sadie Wen is perfect on paper: school captain, valedictorian, and the one who carries the team in group projects. But underneath her model-student smile and can-do attitude are her frustrations that she channels into her email drafts. Of course, Sadie will never send these hate-filled emails except that a freak accident happened, and the drafts are sent out. Sadie’s whole world is turned upside down, and everyone at school now knows what she thinks of them. It’s especially Sadie’s worst nightmare when her cocaptain and nemesis, Julius Gong, learns that Sadie hates him through 30+ emails, or does she?
IHTDFY is an enemies-to-lovers YA romcom full of intense emotions. Liang perfectly captures the tension between Sadie and Julius that swings from hatred to passion. As a highly non-confrontational person, I was experiencing mild anxiety reading the two MCs going at each other ruthlessly, a testament to Liang’s craft in writing a true “enemy” trope that captures the extreme feelings!
I appreciate reading about Sadie’s struggles to set a boundary as a people-pleaser, especially on group projects
I liked the themes of old vs new, East Germany vs West, communism vs capitalism. The historical backdrop is very fascinating, and those with a more solid understanding of European history might find a lot of hidden meanings in this story.
I had a hard time connecting how the dynamic of the relationship reflects the historical events. But reading some author interviews helped me understand this layered story better.
The no quotation writing isn’t my favorite and I wonder if the writing of some more abusive parts of the relationship could’ve been edited down. I was a bit distressed just reading it
I had a hard time connecting how the dynamic of the relationship reflects the historical events. But reading some author interviews helped me understand this layered story better.
The no quotation writing isn’t my favorite and I wonder if the writing of some more abusive parts of the relationship could’ve been edited down. I was a bit distressed just reading it
ARC gifted by the publisher
Since their parents’ accidental death, the orphaned Flattery sisters only have one another. Now in their thirties, after the oldest disappears into the Irish countryside, the four brilliant yet distant sisters scramble to reconnect.
ALTERNATIVES gave me major Booker vibes because of a couple of things:
• No quotations
• Mixed structures (some chapters written as a play)
• Literary style (I don’t think I understood everything)
• Reflective writing (one needs to read between the lines to decipher its meaning)
Among many things, ALTERNATIVES explores the idea of “care.” The four sisters show how people differ in showing love for one another; some prefer to fix a problem, while others let it be. Is there a right way to love? The readers examine how the Flatterys care for each other and how their love for Ireland—rapidly changing in political and actual climate—manifests. I suspect those with a stronger background or passion for Ireland will derive more insight from this book.
Hughes’ detailed writings can be tedious at times, and I often have to reread passages because of the style. I’m still trying to understand what it all means. Is the story about alternative paths? That we don’t have to keep doing what we’ve done? And therefore, there could still be hope—for a fractured family and a divided country.
ALTERNATIVES is a niche novel I’d recommend to lovers of Irish literature, highbrow lit fic fans, and those who aren’t afraid of a challenging read. If you’ve read it, I’d love to hear your thoughts on it!
Since their parents’ accidental death, the orphaned Flattery sisters only have one another. Now in their thirties, after the oldest disappears into the Irish countryside, the four brilliant yet distant sisters scramble to reconnect.
ALTERNATIVES gave me major Booker vibes because of a couple of things:
• No quotations
• Mixed structures (some chapters written as a play)
• Literary style (I don’t think I understood everything)
• Reflective writing (one needs to read between the lines to decipher its meaning)
Among many things, ALTERNATIVES explores the idea of “care.” The four sisters show how people differ in showing love for one another; some prefer to fix a problem, while others let it be. Is there a right way to love? The readers examine how the Flatterys care for each other and how their love for Ireland—rapidly changing in political and actual climate—manifests. I suspect those with a stronger background or passion for Ireland will derive more insight from this book.
Hughes’ detailed writings can be tedious at times, and I often have to reread passages because of the style. I’m still trying to understand what it all means. Is the story about alternative paths? That we don’t have to keep doing what we’ve done? And therefore, there could still be hope—for a fractured family and a divided country.
ALTERNATIVES is a niche novel I’d recommend to lovers of Irish literature, highbrow lit fic fans, and those who aren’t afraid of a challenging read. If you’ve read it, I’d love to hear your thoughts on it!