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sarahxify's Reviews (703)
dark
informative
slow-paced
adventurous
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was quite slow and the main plot really dragged out, but I still absolutely love the world and characters.
Discussed in episode 70 of the Bookcast Club podcast. Episode here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1116755/10694500
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Really enjoyed this, probably my favourite of the International Booker shortlist this year. Discussed in episode 70 of the Bookcast Club podcast. Episode here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1116755/10694500
This was extremely slow in a way that felt bogged-down to me rather than deliberate. The extensive world-building also came at the cost of the characters in my opinion, they were all rather two-dimensional.
The queer elements of this were also quite disappointing - this book is lauded as having good queer representation but I found it way too heteronormative. Even having a gender-flipped world of queens and the world inherited via the female line, there was still a lot of discussion about the queen marrying a man and producing an heir, and almost all of her value is placed in her ability to do so.
The queer elements of this were also quite disappointing - this book is lauded as having good queer representation but I found it way too heteronormative. Even having a gender-flipped world of queens and the world inherited via the female line, there was still a lot of discussion about the queen marrying a man and producing an heir, and almost all of her value is placed in her ability to do so.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Discussed in episode 70 of the Bookcast Club podcast. Episode here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1116755/10694500
Nothing wrong with it just not the kind of writing I personally enjoy. If you liked Exciting Times by Naoise Dolan and historical fiction I thnk you would like it.
I really liked the first half of this, where the two main characters are in a city under seige. It was a simple and beautifully told story. In the second half it changes quite drastically to incorporate more magical realism elements into the story in a style reminiscent if The Underground Railroad. I felt that the heart of the book had been lost in this transition, and that the book had become more removed and lost its intimacy. Lost interest unfortunately!
emotional
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Discussed in episode 69 of the Bookcast Club podcast. Episode here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1116755/10563435
informative
medium-paced
A very interesting read where you will certainly learn a lot, but a little drawn out and self-indulgent towards the end. Discussed in episode 69 of the Bookcast Club podcast. Episode here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1116755/10563435