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brittmariasbooks's Reviews (1.45k)
I'm really happy NetGalley approved this one for me since I really enjoyed A Tyranny of Petticoats.
And The Radical Element did not disappoint either.
I learned something with every story! They were all great and some were even better. My favourites were Megan Shepard's one about female spies in the American Civil War, and Marieke Nijkamp's about the horrors of eugenics.
I love the diversity of each story. It is so wonderful to see it in a historical fiction anthology since historical fiction is not always as diverse as it could be.
And The Radical Element did not disappoint either.
I learned something with every story! They were all great and some were even better. My favourites were Megan Shepard's one about female spies in the American Civil War, and Marieke Nijkamp's about the horrors of eugenics.
I love the diversity of each story. It is so wonderful to see it in a historical fiction anthology since historical fiction is not always as diverse as it could be.
4.5 stars
This was such a wonderful and important read. This book is one of those you keep thinking about.
You really just follow Starr in her life. It is not just about her being a witness to a Khalil's death.
This book is about identity. It is about Starr, who is one of the few Afro-Americans going to a white school. Starr in Garden Heights etc.
This book is about family. It really wonderfully shows Starr's family which I really have come to love.
This book also shows how important language is.
This book also asks very important questions. If grown men in America's police force are so afraid of black boys that only shows that something is fundamentally wrong in the US.
I really wish this was just a beautiful piece of fiction, however, it just shows one person's point of view which unfortunately is probably very relevant for a lot of black people in America (and probably even beyond that).
I recommend this book to everyone.
This was such a wonderful and important read. This book is one of those you keep thinking about.
You really just follow Starr in her life. It is not just about her being a witness to a Khalil's death.
This book is about identity. It is about Starr, who is one of the few Afro-Americans going to a white school. Starr in Garden Heights etc.
This book is about family. It really wonderfully shows Starr's family which I really have come to love.
This book also shows how important language is.
Spoiler
Starr speaks differently depending on who is around her. And I think we all do. For example, I use different words when I talk to customers than when I talk to my friends. It might be to a lesser degree than how Starr chooses to different identities but it is familiar all the same.This book also asks very important questions.
Spoiler
Does it matter that Khalil was allegedly a drug dealer? Khalil, a 16-year-old boy? In my opinion, it was not relevant in the moment the police officer was if it really was a broken tail light.I really wish this was just a beautiful piece of fiction, however, it just shows one person's point of view which unfortunately is probably very relevant for a lot of black people in America (and probably even beyond that).
I recommend this book to everyone.
Reread 2018 5 stars
I wonder if it is better to judge these Avatar comics over all the three volumes. However, for a first act, I think Turf Wars Part One sets up the plot of this trilogy pretty nicely (I hope since I don't know how it will continue).
There are several things going on. The comic picks up immediately at the moment the show ended. Korra and Asami's vacation in the Spirit World is so nice. The art of Irene Koh captures the scenery of the Spirit World very nicely. Overall, Koh's art is great!
Tokuga as a villain is still very mysterious so I do not really know what to expect of him.
I wonder if it is better to judge these Avatar comics over all the three volumes. However, for a first act, I think Turf Wars Part One sets up the plot of this trilogy pretty nicely (I hope since I don't know how it will continue).
There are several things going on. The comic picks up immediately at the moment the show ended. Korra and Asami's vacation in the Spirit World is so nice. The art of Irene Koh captures the scenery of the Spirit World very nicely. Overall, Koh's art is great!
Spoiler
I also love it when Kya talks about how the LGBT+ community is seen over the years in the all the four nations. I love it is not perfect as Michael Dante DiMartino once said in an interview since it reflects our world more.Tokuga as a villain is still very mysterious so I do not really know what to expect of him.
Great second act!
It really feels like a second act since Asami being captured is certainly a low point for Korra.
I love the idea of Zhu Li Moon as the new president! I hope the elections are in the next comic and that she will win.
Tokuga's plan has formed more and I think Part Three looks like it will be mainly a showdown between Team Avatar and the Triple Threats.
Also, Raiko is still an ass.
Spoiler
It really feels like a second act since Asami being captured is certainly a low point for Korra.
I love the idea of Zhu Li Moon as the new president! I hope the elections are in the next comic and that she will win.
Tokuga's plan has formed more and I think Part Three looks like it will be mainly a showdown between Team Avatar and the Triple Threats.
Also, Raiko is still an ass.
I want the next book
This is such a sweet love story in a magical, royal setting. Mare and Denna are great characters and I fell in love with them.
Spoiler
I want Denna to start learning how to firebend (and earthbend and airbender I just love elemental powers since they remind me of Avatar the Last AirbenderThis is such a sweet love story in a magical, royal setting. Mare and Denna are great characters and I fell in love with them.
I think I would have enjoyed it more if I had read the book instead of listened to it. I had a similar experience with Ronit & Jamil since both are told in verse which I usually like.
I really enjoyed this book! Especially, since I listened to the audio book because it was like listening to slam poetry, which I love.
I wonder if it has autobiographical elements. Either way, Elizabeth Acevedo did so well. It was beautifully written and I could emphasize so well with the main character.
I wonder if it has autobiographical elements. Either way, Elizabeth Acevedo did so well. It was beautifully written and I could emphasize so well with the main character.
March 23rd, 2018
I have so many questions.
I think I am going to rate this book 4.5 stars although I really wanted to give it 5 stars
The world and character building in CBB are so well done. Orïsha feels like the African continent in a parallel universe. The map on the endpapers really helps with that visualisation. The mythology and lore are very nicely done. I loved to learn every bit about it.
I have grown to love all three main characters, Zélie, Amari and Inan, and Tzain. I feel that especially the three main characters had some great character development and I absolutely love Amari's growth!
Reading this book felt like going through the first season of a really good show. Something in me hopes that it will be animated a la Avatar the Last Airbender. I saw a lot of similarities between ATLA and CBB
I definitely recommend this book.
Also, I liked the romance between Inan and Zélie but boy they burned bright and quick as in one day I think. Of course, I guess they got to know each other in the dreamscape but the kidnapping and celebration took place in like two days. That is a small amount of time to say that you belong together.
Moreover, I absolutely love the slow burn love growing between Tzain and Amari. I cannot wait until they get together. Also, I cannot wait until book two.
December 21st, 2017
OMG Tomi Adeyemi is coming to YALfest NL!! So excited!!
I have so many questions.
I think I am going to rate this book 4.5 stars although I really wanted to give it 5 stars
The world and character building in CBB are so well done. Orïsha feels like the African continent in a parallel universe. The map on the endpapers really helps with that visualisation. The mythology and lore are very nicely done. I loved to learn every bit about it.
I have grown to love all three main characters, Zélie, Amari and Inan, and Tzain. I feel that especially the three main characters had some great character development and I absolutely love Amari's growth!
Reading this book felt like going through the first season of a really good show. Something in me hopes that it will be animated a la Avatar the Last Airbender. I saw a lot of similarities between ATLA and CBB
Spoiler
Especially, in the Holy Temple during the solstice with the statues glowing. But all their trials like the gladiator thing, the kidnapping of Tzain and Amari those felt like episodic adventures all leading to bringing magic back.I definitely recommend this book.
Spoiler
I love the staff lessons with Mama Agba, she better not be dead. Speaking of death: is Inan dead? Or did Amari save him? The ending definitely has some lose ties but it is a series so I will forgive it.Also, I liked the romance between Inan and Zélie but boy they burned bright and quick as in one day I think. Of course, I guess they got to know each other in the dreamscape but the kidnapping and celebration took place in like two days. That is a small amount of time to say that you belong together.
Moreover, I absolutely love the slow burn love growing between Tzain and Amari. I cannot wait until they get together. Also, I cannot wait until book two.
December 21st, 2017
OMG Tomi Adeyemi is coming to YALfest NL!! So excited!!
Overall, I mostly liked the contemporary stories, especially Julie Murphy's one.
Break down (If there is nothing at a certain story it's because I thought it was just okay)
Riddles in Mathematics by Katie Cotugno
Cotugno's story ended very open ended. I felt like it only just started.
Dread South by Justina Ireland
This story has a really cool concept which makes me want to pick up Ireland's Dread Nation, which I assume is set in the same world.
Omega Ship by Rae Carson
I loved that our main character took her agency back. Not sure if it was the smartest thing to do though.
La Revancha del Tango by Renee Ahdieh
I really liked it.
Cass, An, and Dra by Natalie C. Parker
Again, a cool concept with the main character being able to same the different, possible futures. However, it didn't really engage me as a reader.
Lessons for Beginners by Julie Murphy
Again, really like the concept.
Triangle Solo by Garth Nix
Vim and Vigor by Veronica Roth
Was nice
Work in Progress by E.K. Johnston
Hurdles by Brandy Colbert
I loved this one!
The Historian, The Garrison, and the Cantankerous Catwoman by Lamar Giles
Waiting by Sabaa Tahir
Vega by Brenna Yovanoff
A Hundred Thousand Threads by Alaya Dawn Johnson
Before She Was Bloody by Tessa Gratton
Unus, Duo, Tres by Bethany Hagen
This one was super original with the vampires.
Break down (If there is nothing at a certain story it's because I thought it was just okay)
Riddles in Mathematics by Katie Cotugno
Cotugno's story ended very open ended. I felt like it only just started.
Dread South by Justina Ireland
This story has a really cool concept which makes me want to pick up Ireland's Dread Nation, which I assume is set in the same world.
Omega Ship by Rae Carson
I loved that our main character took her agency back. Not sure if it was the smartest thing to do though.
La Revancha del Tango by Renee Ahdieh
I really liked it.
Cass, An, and Dra by Natalie C. Parker
Again, a cool concept with the main character being able to same the different, possible futures. However, it didn't really engage me as a reader.
Lessons for Beginners by Julie Murphy
Again, really like the concept.
Triangle Solo by Garth Nix
Vim and Vigor by Veronica Roth
Was nice
Work in Progress by E.K. Johnston
Hurdles by Brandy Colbert
I loved this one!
The Historian, The Garrison, and the Cantankerous Catwoman by Lamar Giles
Waiting by Sabaa Tahir
Vega by Brenna Yovanoff
A Hundred Thousand Threads by Alaya Dawn Johnson
Before She Was Bloody by Tessa Gratton
Unus, Duo, Tres by Bethany Hagen
This one was super original with the vampires.
