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literatureaesthetic's Reviews (540)
Muse of Nightmares tells the beautiful story of Lazlo and Sarai, as they face multiple challenges on their journey to happiness. It explores past traumas, loss, regret and guilt. One things I loved about Strange the Dreamer, is that even though it is a fantasy book, it still had so many humane elements. The characters were raw, and they had faults and regrets and insecurities. And it was perfect. This was even better.
Muse of Nightmares broke my heart, then repaired it, then broke it again, repaired it, and then ripped it out of my chest. And then repaired it again for good measure. I've never felt so emotionally invested in a book before, I love the characters, I adore the authenticity of it and I'm obsessed with how real the characters feel.
I JUST LOVE IT SO MUCH!
Muse of Nightmares broke my heart, then repaired it, then broke it again, repaired it, and then ripped it out of my chest. And then repaired it again for good measure. I've never felt so emotionally invested in a book before, I love the characters, I adore the authenticity of it and I'm obsessed with how real the characters feel.
I JUST LOVE IT SO MUCH!
3.5 ☆
Women and Power is a short manifesto, consisting of 2 essays, that interweaves Homer and Ovid's work (the first recorded instances of Western civilisation), with modern society. It focalises on how the silencing of women has been existent since the beginning of Western society & culture.
* important to note that this manifesto does restrict itself to Western cultures (there are one or two passing references to middle eastern countries, but nothing substantial enough to say that this is wholly applicable to all women of different cultural backgrounds).
Mary Beard did touch on a few compelling ideas regarding women's public speech (the most thought-provoking for me, was the discussion on women's public speech being "niched" into only being able to discuss women's issues. providing examples like the notoriously famous, 'ain't i a woman?' speech by Sojourner Truth, which was actually modified and edited to be more female empowering. a form of literary violence that, ironically, contributes to the censorship and monitoring of women's voices).
however the majority of the points being made (barring the example i just gave) felt like surface-level observations, as opposed to exploring and dissecting the roots of these issues. the second the author got close to analysing these problems, the topic would shift.
also, i do feel that this manifesto lacked resolutions. manifesto's are supposed to spark some sort of action, it's inherently a call to arms, and while this text tells the reader to challenge their perceptions of power dynamics, it doesn't really explore that aspect of the discourse. i think this text lacked a third and final section. some readers may prefer the open-ended style of writing, where the author carefully crafts and poses questions, and leaves it down to the reader to determine their own stance on the topic. personally, for what this text is supposed to be (a feminist manifesto), i would've preferred some insight and more depth into the author's stance on how to resolve these issues. don't just tell me to learn about the history of sexism, i need a little more than that. don't just tell me that power structures need to change (of course they need to change, we already know this), i want more details. for a manifesto, this work bizarrely lacked a deeper understanding of the issues being raised.
this text is extremely accessible, and an excellent starting point for people who are either beginners to feminist theory, or for people who are interested in classical literature (like Homer, Ovid etc) and would like to read different interpretations of those texts. subjectively, i felt this needed depth. yes, it explored the silencing of women's voices, and the way women are treated by the media, but those are discourses i've already heard countless times. i just wanted that little bit more from this.
Women and Power is a short manifesto, consisting of 2 essays, that interweaves Homer and Ovid's work (the first recorded instances of Western civilisation), with modern society. It focalises on how the silencing of women has been existent since the beginning of Western society & culture.
* important to note that this manifesto does restrict itself to Western cultures (there are one or two passing references to middle eastern countries, but nothing substantial enough to say that this is wholly applicable to all women of different cultural backgrounds).
Mary Beard did touch on a few compelling ideas regarding women's public speech (the most thought-provoking for me, was the discussion on women's public speech being "niched" into only being able to discuss women's issues. providing examples like the notoriously famous, 'ain't i a woman?' speech by Sojourner Truth, which was actually modified and edited to be more female empowering. a form of literary violence that, ironically, contributes to the censorship and monitoring of women's voices).
however the majority of the points being made (barring the example i just gave) felt like surface-level observations, as opposed to exploring and dissecting the roots of these issues. the second the author got close to analysing these problems, the topic would shift.
also, i do feel that this manifesto lacked resolutions. manifesto's are supposed to spark some sort of action, it's inherently a call to arms, and while this text tells the reader to challenge their perceptions of power dynamics, it doesn't really explore that aspect of the discourse. i think this text lacked a third and final section. some readers may prefer the open-ended style of writing, where the author carefully crafts and poses questions, and leaves it down to the reader to determine their own stance on the topic. personally, for what this text is supposed to be (a feminist manifesto), i would've preferred some insight and more depth into the author's stance on how to resolve these issues. don't just tell me to learn about the history of sexism, i need a little more than that. don't just tell me that power structures need to change (of course they need to change, we already know this), i want more details. for a manifesto, this work bizarrely lacked a deeper understanding of the issues being raised.
this text is extremely accessible, and an excellent starting point for people who are either beginners to feminist theory, or for people who are interested in classical literature (like Homer, Ovid etc) and would like to read different interpretations of those texts. subjectively, i felt this needed depth. yes, it explored the silencing of women's voices, and the way women are treated by the media, but those are discourses i've already heard countless times. i just wanted that little bit more from this.
I LIVE for fairytale retellings, and A Curse So Dark and Lonely delivered on all the fairytale feels. It's such a fun time.
This is one of the best sci-fi novels I've read in a long time. It was so intense and action-packed. I had no idea what was going to happen next, the plot twists just kept on coming and each one was better than the last.
I adored the characters so much. Holden was definitely a favourite, as was Naomi. Their entire crew, in fact, was just amazing. I love the bond they had. They had the best banter (no literally, I was actually laughing out loud at parts, which never happens with me). The humour was exactly my kind of humour, and I loved it.
Even the characters that I wasn't as fond of (aka Miller), I still ended up really appreciating. I was always interested in what he was doing, which I think is a huge testament to the authors' ability to craft interesting characters and an amazing plotline. Even if there was an aspect I wasn't obsessed with, I still wanted to continue reading, to the point where I literally could not put the book down.
Saying all of this, there were a few lines in this book that made me very uncomfortable, in all honesty. For example, there was a line that was literally comparing the Islamic call to prayer, with an orgasm?? Which is just incredibly disrespectful. And there were also a few tone deaf comments about women sex workers that just didn't need to exist. They weren't malicious, just unnecessary. I'm not about to embark on a witch-hunt for these authors lmao, but I just wanted to mention it so anyone interested in the series is aware. It's the reason why I didn't give it a complete 5 stars.
But other than those simply stupid lines, I really really loved this book and I'm very excited to continue with the series. I honestly think this series could easily become a new favourite which is so exciting!!
I adored the characters so much. Holden was definitely a favourite, as was Naomi. Their entire crew, in fact, was just amazing. I love the bond they had. They had the best banter (no literally, I was actually laughing out loud at parts, which never happens with me). The humour was exactly my kind of humour, and I loved it.
Even the characters that I wasn't as fond of (aka Miller), I still ended up really appreciating. I was always interested in what he was doing, which I think is a huge testament to the authors' ability to craft interesting characters and an amazing plotline. Even if there was an aspect I wasn't obsessed with, I still wanted to continue reading, to the point where I literally could not put the book down.
Saying all of this, there were a few lines in this book that made me very uncomfortable, in all honesty. For example, there was a line that was literally comparing the Islamic call to prayer, with an orgasm?? Which is just incredibly disrespectful. And there were also a few tone deaf comments about women sex workers that just didn't need to exist. They weren't malicious, just unnecessary. I'm not about to embark on a witch-hunt for these authors lmao, but I just wanted to mention it so anyone interested in the series is aware. It's the reason why I didn't give it a complete 5 stars.
But other than those simply stupid lines, I really really loved this book and I'm very excited to continue with the series. I honestly think this series could easily become a new favourite which is so exciting!!
if I was rating the audiobook alone, this would be a 5 out of 5. The production, the cast... it was stunning. However, the story was kinda boring? It was very simplistic, which I guess makes sense considering it's based on a graphic novel series, but I still wanted more.
I loved the first third, especially when we were in Arkham Asylum, which is one of my FAVOURITE fictional settings everr. It was dark af, and gritty and we had some classic DC villains make an appearance. It was so good. But it lost me around the halfway point? It just felt very random. I felt like we were done with the main plot, and the second half just felt very disjointed and chaotic. None of it really connected, idk.
I'd still recommend the audiobook if you're looking for something fun and quick and very simplistic. But I don't think I'll ever pick up the graphic novels.
I loved the first third, especially when we were in Arkham Asylum, which is one of my FAVOURITE fictional settings everr. It was dark af, and gritty and we had some classic DC villains make an appearance. It was so good. But it lost me around the halfway point? It just felt very random. I felt like we were done with the main plot, and the second half just felt very disjointed and chaotic. None of it really connected, idk.
I'd still recommend the audiobook if you're looking for something fun and quick and very simplistic. But I don't think I'll ever pick up the graphic novels.
Rating: ★★★☆☆
oh no, I didn't enjoy this book as much as I was expecting to and it's honestly disappointing.
Chain of Iron definitely suffers from middle book syndrome. Absolutely nothing happens in this book, I was so bored. Any character or relationship progression that we did have, for some reason, fell apart by the end. We spent so long in this book watching all of the charcater's relationships grow, only for them to go back to square one?? everything that happened in this book was basically pointless.
For example,
oh no, I didn't enjoy this book as much as I was expecting to and it's honestly disappointing.
Chain of Iron definitely suffers from middle book syndrome. Absolutely nothing happens in this book, I was so bored. Any character or relationship progression that we did have, for some reason, fell apart by the end. We spent so long in this book watching all of the charcater's relationships grow, only for them to go back to square one?? everything that happened in this book was basically pointless.
For example,
Spoiler
Ariadne and Anna's relationship is back to square one at the end of the book, Alistair and Thomas's relationship is back to square one at the end of the book, James and Cordelia's relationships is BACK TO SQUARE ONE... and for no good reason as well. What was the point of watching all of these relationships develop in this book, only for EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM, to fall flat by the end?
3 Stars
I literally just finished this book and... that ending? Tomi Adeyemi really hates her readers, huh?
Children of Virtue and Vengeance starts where Children of Blood and Bone left off. We're thrown back into the world of Orïsha, a world of war and injustice. Throughout the book we see new relationships form, and old ones end (thank god for that). And the stakes are higher than ever as the Maji continue their battle with the monarchy for their basic rights and their freedom.
From the beginning, this book was gripping and interesting. Although the pacing was quite slow at certain times in the book, it never got boring. This book very much serves as the "rising action" of the series. The tension is building, plans are forming, heart are breaking, arms are being lost... (Roen, I love you). We meet new characters and it's just so fun.
Roen is most definitely my favourite character in this series. He's mischievous, morally challenged, a mercenary... but there's something about him that I just love and couldn't get enough of. Every scene that he was in burned ten times brighter (idk if that makes sense). He definitely raised this book to higher levels for me. If you want one reason to continue with this series and pick up the second book, or to even start the series, that is your reason. Roen. Read the series for him, he's well worth it.
I literally just finished this book and... that ending? Tomi Adeyemi really hates her readers, huh?
Children of Virtue and Vengeance starts where Children of Blood and Bone left off. We're thrown back into the world of Orïsha, a world of war and injustice. Throughout the book we see new relationships form, and old ones end (thank god for that). And the stakes are higher than ever as the Maji continue their battle with the monarchy for their basic rights and their freedom.
From the beginning, this book was gripping and interesting. Although the pacing was quite slow at certain times in the book, it never got boring. This book very much serves as the "rising action" of the series. The tension is building, plans are forming, heart are breaking, arms are being lost... (Roen, I love you). We meet new characters and it's just so fun.
Roen is most definitely my favourite character in this series. He's mischievous, morally challenged, a mercenary... but there's something about him that I just love and couldn't get enough of. Every scene that he was in burned ten times brighter (idk if that makes sense). He definitely raised this book to higher levels for me. If you want one reason to continue with this series and pick up the second book, or to even start the series, that is your reason. Roen. Read the series for him, he's well worth it.
