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inkandplasma
Full review: https://inkandplasma.wordpress.com/2020/05/28/empress-of-salt-and-fortune-by-nghi-vo-review/
The Empress of Salt and Fortune is the kind of story that gets better the more times you read it, and the more time you let it live in your head and your heart. I was surprised by the way the story was told when I first opened it, but I bought into the narrative format immediately. The story of the Empress, In-yo isn’t told first hand. Instead, historical items and mementos are carefully logged and stories told about them, and it’s through those stories that In-yo’s tale unfolds. It broke up the story into bite-sized chunks, like a fairytale, and I loved that sense of being told the story instead of reading it firsthand.
The story itself is sad and poignant. The image of a lonely Empress being exiled as soon as her ‘use’ was up and the friendship that grew between In-yo and Rabbit was beautiful. The novella is only a little over 100 pages, but the characters are beautifully fleshed out and so well developed that I felt more emotionally connected to them than characters in some novels I’ve read. The narrative is tight and concise without a single word wasted to bring the reader along on Chih’s discoveries, and left me with a sense of genuine loss that the story was over. I can’t wait for the second story in this series so I can enjoy more storytelling from Chih’s unique perspective. Nghi Vo is a writer that I’ll be insta-buying from now on.
The Empress of Salt and Fortune is the kind of story that gets better the more times you read it, and the more time you let it live in your head and your heart. I was surprised by the way the story was told when I first opened it, but I bought into the narrative format immediately. The story of the Empress, In-yo isn’t told first hand. Instead, historical items and mementos are carefully logged and stories told about them, and it’s through those stories that In-yo’s tale unfolds. It broke up the story into bite-sized chunks, like a fairytale, and I loved that sense of being told the story instead of reading it firsthand.
The story itself is sad and poignant. The image of a lonely Empress being exiled as soon as her ‘use’ was up and the friendship that grew between In-yo and Rabbit was beautiful. The novella is only a little over 100 pages, but the characters are beautifully fleshed out and so well developed that I felt more emotionally connected to them than characters in some novels I’ve read. The narrative is tight and concise without a single word wasted to bring the reader along on Chih’s discoveries, and left me with a sense of genuine loss that the story was over. I can’t wait for the second story in this series so I can enjoy more storytelling from Chih’s unique perspective. Nghi Vo is a writer that I’ll be insta-buying from now on.
Full review: https://inkandplasma.wordpress.com/2020/05/25/we-are-bound-by-stars-by-kesia-lupo-review/
The world-building was just as lush and interesting, and I enjoyed seeing a different part of the world to Duke’s Forest and getting focus on an aspect of the magical religion that we didn’t experience much in Blood and Thunder. The masked god, Mythris, was barely talked about in the first book due to the setting and plot focus but in this book the whole island worship them. It was fascinating. The mask-makers in particular was a particularly cool piece of mythology, even if the idea of triplets being fated to die together is tragic, and I loved the idea of Bestial, Grotesque and Ornamental masks giving chosen wearers particular powers. The other magical powers we got to see (I’m being intentionally vague to avoid spoilers, but they’re so interesting) and the sandwolves were so cool and really added to the depth and beauty of this universe.
I loved Livio and Beatrice, both were strongly characterised and I liked the way that they contrasted with each other. It was easy to get invested in both, because their motivations made sense and I felt for them both as the story developed and the masked assassins seemed set on ruining both of their lives. Even the side-characters were delightful, and I loved all of them. Particularly their attitudes to fate and destiny, and the way those things were woven into their whole lives.
The plot was as incredible as I’ve come to expect from Kesia Lupo. It took me a little while to get hooked (though faster than We are Blood and Thunder) but once I was into it, there was no way I was putting it down. I read about 70% of this in a blur because I couldn’t look away. I don’t want to go into the plot much, because I loved the way it unfolded and think it’s definitely more satisfying to experience it with no idea what’s happening, but it’s just as intoxicating and twisty as We are Blood and Thunder and had plenty of gasping out loud moments.
The world-building was just as lush and interesting, and I enjoyed seeing a different part of the world to Duke’s Forest and getting focus on an aspect of the magical religion that we didn’t experience much in Blood and Thunder. The masked god, Mythris, was barely talked about in the first book due to the setting and plot focus but in this book the whole island worship them. It was fascinating. The mask-makers in particular was a particularly cool piece of mythology, even if the idea of triplets being fated to die together is tragic, and I loved the idea of Bestial, Grotesque and Ornamental masks giving chosen wearers particular powers. The other magical powers we got to see (I’m being intentionally vague to avoid spoilers, but they’re so interesting) and the sandwolves were so cool and really added to the depth and beauty of this universe.
I loved Livio and Beatrice, both were strongly characterised and I liked the way that they contrasted with each other. It was easy to get invested in both, because their motivations made sense and I felt for them both as the story developed and the masked assassins seemed set on ruining both of their lives. Even the side-characters were delightful, and I loved all of them. Particularly their attitudes to fate and destiny, and the way those things were woven into their whole lives.
The plot was as incredible as I’ve come to expect from Kesia Lupo. It took me a little while to get hooked (though faster than We are Blood and Thunder) but once I was into it, there was no way I was putting it down. I read about 70% of this in a blur because I couldn’t look away. I don’t want to go into the plot much, because I loved the way it unfolded and think it’s definitely more satisfying to experience it with no idea what’s happening, but it’s just as intoxicating and twisty as We are Blood and Thunder and had plenty of gasping out loud moments.
Full review: https://inkandplasma.wordpress.com/2020/05/18/her-royal-highness-by-rachel-hawkins-(review)/
This was such an easy read that I ended up devouring it in one go. Who wouldn’t, when the world is exploding and there’s fluffy f/f romance to bury ourselves in? The plot was simple and that was fine, because the focus was definitely on character and relationship development, which worked really well for me. This was sold to me as rivals-to-friends-to-lovers and that was exactly the arc we took. I was really pleased when the rivals-to-friends section wasn’t hurried for the sake of romance. We got to see Flora and Millie at each other’s throats in that catty way that only teenage girls at school can manage before their relationship developed in a way that felt very natural, with a slow climb from rivals to friends and an unexpected sudden slide into love. I also liked that there were reasons for the rivalry put in place that made sense, explained Flora’s behaviour and weren’t just disappeared for the sake of romance.
All of the relationships in the book were equally satisfying and solid. Millie isn’t running away from a problem family, she’s got a family and support system that she loves. Flora and her brother have a strong, loving relationship that leads to them supporting each other rather than fighting. I just love to read about characters with healthy families behind them – long gone is the YA trope of getting the family out of the way and forgetting about them. The friendships in the book were equally satisfying and I loved Millie’s relationship with Lee, Saks and Perry. They’re wholesome, supportive friends, and I was feeling warm and fluffy the whole time I was reading. My only real criticism is that the ending felt a little rushed, and I desperately wanted to read about Flora meeting Millie’s family and friends. At least there was one single fanfiction waiting to scratch that itch.
This was such an easy read that I ended up devouring it in one go. Who wouldn’t, when the world is exploding and there’s fluffy f/f romance to bury ourselves in? The plot was simple and that was fine, because the focus was definitely on character and relationship development, which worked really well for me. This was sold to me as rivals-to-friends-to-lovers and that was exactly the arc we took. I was really pleased when the rivals-to-friends section wasn’t hurried for the sake of romance. We got to see Flora and Millie at each other’s throats in that catty way that only teenage girls at school can manage before their relationship developed in a way that felt very natural, with a slow climb from rivals to friends and an unexpected sudden slide into love. I also liked that there were reasons for the rivalry put in place that made sense, explained Flora’s behaviour and weren’t just disappeared for the sake of romance.
All of the relationships in the book were equally satisfying and solid. Millie isn’t running away from a problem family, she’s got a family and support system that she loves. Flora and her brother have a strong, loving relationship that leads to them supporting each other rather than fighting. I just love to read about characters with healthy families behind them – long gone is the YA trope of getting the family out of the way and forgetting about them. The friendships in the book were equally satisfying and I loved Millie’s relationship with Lee, Saks and Perry. They’re wholesome, supportive friends, and I was feeling warm and fluffy the whole time I was reading. My only real criticism is that the ending felt a little rushed, and I desperately wanted to read about Flora meeting Millie’s family and friends. At least there was one single fanfiction waiting to scratch that itch.
Full review: https://inkandplasma.wordpress.com/2020/06/16/ordinary-girls-a-memoir-by-jaquira-diaz-blog-tour-review/
This book was unputdownable. I intended to read a few chapters this morning and I ended up reading the whole thing. It was very, very readable, but by no means easy to read. This is a memoir to be read with caution, and awareness of themes of suicide, sexual assault, child abuse, mental illness, racism, violence and drug use all the way through. But if it’s safe for you to read, it’s a must read memoir. The narrative is tightly woven and I liked the way that it was threaded together by theme in points, abandoning chronology in favour of chasing down memories related to the moment she was telling the reader about. It made it a little confusing at points, and I had to consciously fit the chronological timeline back together, but I think the emotional effect it imparted was well worth a little confusion. Reading ORDINARY GIRLS felt a lot to me like I was being told the story by Jaquira and that just made it feel more personal. I also liked that in high-emotion moments, the novel-esque prose would loosen and sentences would get longer and run-on, making it feel even more like I was being spoken to. The narrative choices supported the story beautifully, making it heartbreaking and impossible to put down.
I can’t imagine the kind of courage it took for Jaquira to write this book, but I’m glad that she did and that I stumbled into the chance to read it. She doesn’t shy away from the truth of her actions and is brutally honest about her own actions as well as others. ORDINARY GIRLS is a story about a girl who has been persistently othered, even by her own white grandmother, and has been given whiplash by her family, loving and neglectful in equal turns. There’s no glossing over in this memoir, it’s raw and open and it hurt to read at points, and I felt myself aching for a happy ending, even though I know things aren’t so easy in real life. There’s no magical fix it here, just a girl who discovers that she’s willing to work for her future, willing to fight to live after all and who grows into a woman who’s a survivor to her core.
This book was unputdownable. I intended to read a few chapters this morning and I ended up reading the whole thing. It was very, very readable, but by no means easy to read. This is a memoir to be read with caution, and awareness of themes of suicide, sexual assault, child abuse, mental illness, racism, violence and drug use all the way through. But if it’s safe for you to read, it’s a must read memoir. The narrative is tightly woven and I liked the way that it was threaded together by theme in points, abandoning chronology in favour of chasing down memories related to the moment she was telling the reader about. It made it a little confusing at points, and I had to consciously fit the chronological timeline back together, but I think the emotional effect it imparted was well worth a little confusion. Reading ORDINARY GIRLS felt a lot to me like I was being told the story by Jaquira and that just made it feel more personal. I also liked that in high-emotion moments, the novel-esque prose would loosen and sentences would get longer and run-on, making it feel even more like I was being spoken to. The narrative choices supported the story beautifully, making it heartbreaking and impossible to put down.
I can’t imagine the kind of courage it took for Jaquira to write this book, but I’m glad that she did and that I stumbled into the chance to read it. She doesn’t shy away from the truth of her actions and is brutally honest about her own actions as well as others. ORDINARY GIRLS is a story about a girl who has been persistently othered, even by her own white grandmother, and has been given whiplash by her family, loving and neglectful in equal turns. There’s no glossing over in this memoir, it’s raw and open and it hurt to read at points, and I felt myself aching for a happy ending, even though I know things aren’t so easy in real life. There’s no magical fix it here, just a girl who discovers that she’s willing to work for her future, willing to fight to live after all and who grows into a woman who’s a survivor to her core.
tw: verbal abuse, transphobia, ableist language, violence, loss of limbs, murder, homophobia, transphobic and homophobic slurs
Okay, I knew I was excited for this one but I underestimated just how much I'd love it. Danny is a hell of a protagonist and if you think I'd lay down my life for a trans lesbian superhero you'd be ABSOLUTELY RIGHT. I really liked the way transphobia and transmisogyny were handled in this book with a complicated perspective on how heroes might not be all they're cracked up to be - and that being a 'good' person doesn't excuse your belief system. I also really, really respected the fact that Danny didn't back down. Despite her self-esteem and confidence struggles (and oh boy those are justified and well written), Danny wasn't willing to compromise on herself, her identity or her happiness for other people and I love that New Port City has a hell of an inspirational hero in the new Dreadnought. Highly recommend, and I can't wait to read the sequel.
Okay, I knew I was excited for this one but I underestimated just how much I'd love it. Danny is a hell of a protagonist and if you think I'd lay down my life for a trans lesbian superhero you'd be ABSOLUTELY RIGHT. I really liked the way transphobia and transmisogyny were handled in this book with a complicated perspective on how heroes might not be all they're cracked up to be - and that being a 'good' person doesn't excuse your belief system. I also really, really respected the fact that Danny didn't back down. Despite her self-esteem and confidence struggles (and oh boy those are justified and well written), Danny wasn't willing to compromise on herself, her identity or her happiness for other people and I love that New Port City has a hell of an inspirational hero in the new Dreadnought. Highly recommend, and I can't wait to read the sequel.
Review to come. This just ROCKETED up my best books of the year list
DNF @ 49%
This book is a really interesting concept but just didn't personally work for me. I've read some rave reviews from people whose opinions I love though, so definitely read some more reviews and check them out before making a decision!
This book is a really interesting concept but just didn't personally work for me. I've read some rave reviews from people whose opinions I love though, so definitely read some more reviews and check them out before making a decision!