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150 reviews by:
rainbopagn
Monster, She Wrote: The Women Who Pioneered Horror and Speculative Fiction
Melanie R. Anderson, Lisa Kröger
informative
slow-paced
While informative, the book feels rushed. The introductions to the subgenres are the most lengthy sections of the book and the women themselves often only get what amounts to 3-4 pages (in the Kindle edition). It is a surface level look at the history of women in speculative fiction and I wish the author took a deeper look at the topics chosen and then cultural views that drove them.
emotional
funny
reflective
slow-paced
Gay's rambling style tends well to an essay format. I did find that some of the essays should have been combined as there were times I felt she went over the same territory. You can tell that she is an older Black woman as some of the language reflects terms that are outdated. It is a brutally honest look at life and feminism, though and her perspective is still very much valid and needed today.
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
This is a beautiful memoir that is a testament to both queer joy and what it means to have a supportive family. It brings to the conversation the intersection of Blackness and gender identity and how those two are often not looked at in the same conversations. There is no sugar coating here and the author is very honest in what life for a Black queer person looks like. His refusal to put himself in a specific gender box also provides representation to queer kids and teens that gender is indeed a spectrum and labels aren't always necessary.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Transphobia
hopeful
informative
medium-paced
This is a very informative beginning book for anyone who wants to be an ally or who wants to better understand gender identity and transgender topics. It is part memoir, part handbook and very approachable. It is well informed and uses both research and personal experience.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Suicidal thoughts, Transphobia, Outing, Dysphoria
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is a heavy hitter, with the MC being an allegory for generational trauma. The author intentionally makes you uncomfortable as you are not sure if you want the MC to return home or not. I think this is a must read for anyone who as the privilege of NOT knowing intergenerational or racial trauma.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Genocide, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Slavery, Violence, Grief, Suicide attempt, Murder, Pregnancy, Colonisation, War
Moderate: Animal death, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Abandonment
emotional
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I am not one for fairy tale retellings, but this was long enough to deliver. Looking at incurable or terminal illness as a curse allows so many people to feel seen. I did knock this down a star for SPOILERS BELOW. I do love the way it was written, very much like a fairy tale.
This was knocked down from 4 to 3 stars because of the quasi cure the main character gets at the end. Miracle cures are still firmly in the world of fiction, especially for genetic mutations like hers. I cannot get behind that notion.
This was knocked down from 4 to 3 stars because of the quasi cure the main character gets at the end. Miracle cures are still firmly in the world of fiction, especially for genetic mutations like hers. I cannot get behind that notion.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Terminal illness, Medical trauma
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
This is a quick and simple look at the history of queerness, written perfectly for the YA audience in which it is aimed.
funny
informative
medium-paced
I love Doughery's style. This was a reread for me and I listened to the audiobook. She narrated the book in a way that felt like she was actually telling you these stories in actual conversation. From the grim look at the eventual death of a friend to the cheeky descriptions of post mortem care, she takes you on a comforting journey through what many consider to still be a taboo topic
Page 143: " Izzy was full of people who skewed toward the Asperger's end of the social spectrum and there was no better way to get them to start talking than to ask them a technical question."
The book was published in 2015. Asperger's was merged into the ASD diagnosis in 2013. As an autistic person myself, I can't excuse the slur. There is little reason as to why the author didn't know this as it was a source of controversy.
The book was published in 2015. Asperger's was merged into the ASD diagnosis in 2013. As an autistic person myself, I can't excuse the slur. There is little reason as to why the author didn't know this as it was a source of controversy.
Content Warnings
Page 143 contains a slur.
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is a book that will make you rethink everything you feel and know about the American justice system. This should be required reading. The way you go back and forth between perspectives and the way they come together in the final pages... its beautiful storytelling. It is also vicious and violent, much like the real life justice system. The way the author pulls in real people and real statistics is an homage to those who have been unfairly and unjustly treated.
SPOILERS in
3
2
1
I am more than a little pissed that Thurwar killed Staxxx. I had expected them to go out together, mortally wounding each other. I understand the meaning of the full circle moment but it still annoyed me.
SPOILERS in
3
2
1
I am more than a little pissed that Thurwar killed Staxxx. I had expected them to go out together, mortally wounding each other. I understand the meaning of the full circle moment but it still annoyed me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Death, Hate crime, Homophobia, Racism, Self harm, Suicide, Torture, Transphobia, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Police brutality, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Ableism, Alcoholism, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Gun violence, Infidelity, Mental illness, Rape, Medical content, Abandonment
Minor: Addiction, Cursing, Drug abuse, Infidelity, Medical trauma