ceraphimfalls's Reviews (319)

Ooooof. This book was A LOT. It genuinely made me feel crazy at points, which is a sign of masterful storyteller if there ever was one. While the plot kept up a breakneck pace, I didn't really find the characters compelling and the prose itself was at times distracting. This wasn't my cup of tea, but I'm glad I ordered a cup of it regardless. It's nice to broaden one's horizons.

This is a thoroughly beautiful yet deceptively short read (because you will ponder on it for days after you've laid it down). It is a "crossroads" book at its core, and a must read for anyone in the troublesome in between of circumstance. Beyond its inspiring nihilism (strange, I know), the actual writing contained therein is masterful. I am not easily inspired by single lines or songs but, after reading every short story, I was inspired to write- and mostly in that terrifyingly uncomfortable and foreign poetic format, which made me feel horribly underdressed as I read and wrote without sporting thick eyeliner or darkly shellacked nails. I guess what I'm saying is You Should Read This. It is totally worth the hunt to track down and experience.

How the words were woven was actually pretty beautiful. The characters and their motivations were solid. The prose is there. However, the story was not. And neither was the editing- far too many spelling errors for a professionally published novel. I would have given this one star, but I kept reading, even laughing at times. It held my scattered attention enough to finish it, which does say good things about the actual writing.

Writing historical fiction means both respecting history, while bending it for fun, right? But there are boundaries that shouldn't be crossed when you profess to have done an exceedingly large amount of research.

Like changing the dates of the Civil War for instance. Or starting fires when you've written yourself into a corner- which happened, to my count, four times. Perhaps the most egregious part of this, was the story behind the moniker of "Madame Moustache". The author admits to not knowing how the nickname came around for the real person our heroine is based upon. It could have been something cool and feminist to fit with the rest of the story- like she was accepted into the world of men and so she was rocking a metaphorical power 'stache after a jape during a holiday party. Instead, it was "she's getting older and got the hairy upper lip that ladies get so now she has to shave because a boy made fun of her."

Frustrating.

So cute! Takes 10 minutes to read, and your whole day will be brighter for it. I love quiet love.

This has that good hurt tap turned on full blast. I've never read a book that has captured how love feels so precisely and powerfully. Highly recommended.

So cute! Most any media that has lonely people bonding over food is going to have my heart, but the writing and the translation of this are both cozy and anxious in extremely relatable ways. When Namoto gets her period and is out of everything, but Kasuga saves the day with supplies and miso rice balls... GURL. Now that's a Knight in Shining Armor if I've ever read one.

A book with too much to say, but somehow no space to say it, even at close to 400 pages. I get the want to guarantee a sequel and give yourself some safety, but your pacing needs to be on point to warrant it. By following four characters with motivations developed barely below surface level, the plot slowed to a crawl. The characters didn't have time to develop in ways that, again, didn't go below surface level. Where this book really falls apart is the editing. The editor did this debut dirty. There are typos all over (unacceptable for a moderately sized imprint), and the transitions are jarring if they're even existent. Often times, you're sailing along, enjoying the romance, only for there to be a big leap or a character to suddenly appear out of nowhere with some big plot exposition. It's like riding in a car with someone learning to drive stick. So much potential, and this author WILL get better, but they need an editor in the car with them that will teach them how to drive, not one yells encouragement from a lawn chair on the sidewalk.

The name is apt- it was entirely unexpected how much I'd love this story. I'm a 31 year old lady who teaches for a living- I get enough teen drama at work, thank you very much. But this hit me in the part of my heart that feels the pain of diaspora and other-ing, and put on a big ol' bandaid on it. So can I recommend this without caveat? No. But I will tell you how charming and loveable and joyful I found it.

My parents worked in the travel industry, specifically in a branch that saw many many Hawaiians, Polynesians, SEAsians, and East Asians relocated to a city where we were so much the minority, there was only enough fundraising to build one community center for all of us to share. Everyone ate everyone else's food, did everyone's martial arts, and was auntied to death by everyone. The family dynamics, the bickering, the brand loyalty... it all reminded me of my childhood and finding family outside my own- the matter of actual blood relation something I wouldn't question until I was far too old. This book felt like home, and on this freezing winter's night, I really needed that.

Ayana Gray writes action like no one else and that alone is reason enough to read her books. She wields words like a battlefield surgeon- adept and precise, but moving at such a breathless pace that each impact is felt acutely. It's a brilliant talent to have fostered and it leaves you salivating for more.

While this book is more of a 4.5 stars, I rounded to a 4.25 star rating because there is so much action, important moments aren't left to simmer and build the suspense they're hoping for. This also took up space that could have been left to flesh out other characters that needed space, like the other darajas and The Enterprise. A small quibble with pacing but for a sophomore novel this large, one can hardly call that a stumble.

There was so much potential for this to be an important book. It addresses the oft not discussed culture of the Kiowa Nation, the dangers of fracking, the political mistreatment and dismissal of Native Americans, and the advantage that is taken of First Nation members by "collectors". More importantly, it addresses them in an approachable way, simply showing the devastation without apportioning blame (which, as we all know, is when the people that should be taking responsibility stop listening). Which is why I am sad and disappointed that this book is such a mess.

As other reviewers have said, it is repetitive, but that doesn't quite capture the scope to which this book repeats itself. I find myself questioning the capability of the editor and the publisher, which I don't often do. There was clearly a severe lack effort to properly edit and make the book A BOOK and not just a collection of writing exercises. The author writes in the acknowledgements that this began as part of a writer's workshop, and those roots are clear. Certain chapters are just writing exercises- write an action sequence, write a bottle conversation, write a surprise conflict, describe a room as if you're in the dark. They're shoved in here to pad out a mystery that had no right to be a mystery.

D.M. Rowell is writing author-insert fan-fiction here. I have nothing against fan-fiction, but this is clearly written to serve the author's fantasies rather than to tell a cohesive story. But her writing style is engaging and it promises more- which is why I read to the end without enjoying the journey. Take out the mystery. Age up your character to fit their challenges. Show me the challenges of coming home to a place that wanted you but othered you. Show me the fight of the underdog and the strength that comes in middle age from a life well-earned, instead of thrusting this story on the shoulders of a girl still at the beginning of her story. Show me why it takes so much more strength to go home than it does to take on a major corporation. I want to see more from this author, but I want her to believe in her character and her character's story, instead of just writing down how she wished conversations had gone earlier in life.