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simonlorden's Reviews (1.38k)
I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is a scary, brave, complicated, important book. It's a book about getting out of abusive relationships, about the gun control debate, about things not being black-and-white, about bullying, about speaking up, about a girl with the weight of the world on her soldiers, and yes, about octopuses, too.
That's one of the things about people on that beautiful tropical island: they can't see who's floating about in the ocean around them. Or maybe they can and they just choose not to look. I don't know.
The Benefits of Being an Octopus is about a 13-year-old girl Zoey who lives with her mother and her three small siblings in her mother's boyfriend's trailer. There is a lot of focus on surviving and supporting your family while poor, including the power being cut off, applying for benefits, not being able to wash your clothes, and the other kids at school laughing at you. It's about the bitter feeling when it seems like the other kids are allowed to have Valentine's Day gifts as their biggest problem, but you aren't.
This book was really difficult to read at times, with many parent figures and adults who have failed these children. Some of them were trying their best and ended up doing better, while others were toxic and people you needed to get away from.
I remember thinking several times that these kids (both Zoey and some of her classmates) sound older than they are, that their debate club sounds like something we'd have at college, but then I realised that I have the wrong view on 13-year-olds and they are more mature than I'd think. I'm glad that they are, but it's sad to feel like they have to be. There were so many things in this book that in an ideal world kids Zoey's age shouldn't have to deal with.
Overall, this was a difficult that very important book that deals with many different issues that some real kids have to deal with every day.
Also, shout out to teachers who notice when something is wrong and go out of their way to help.
This is a scary, brave, complicated, important book. It's a book about getting out of abusive relationships, about the gun control debate, about things not being black-and-white, about bullying, about speaking up, about a girl with the weight of the world on her soldiers, and yes, about octopuses, too.
That's one of the things about people on that beautiful tropical island: they can't see who's floating about in the ocean around them. Or maybe they can and they just choose not to look. I don't know.
The Benefits of Being an Octopus is about a 13-year-old girl Zoey who lives with her mother and her three small siblings in her mother's boyfriend's trailer. There is a lot of focus on surviving and supporting your family while poor, including the power being cut off, applying for benefits, not being able to wash your clothes, and the other kids at school laughing at you. It's about the bitter feeling when it seems like the other kids are allowed to have Valentine's Day gifts as their biggest problem, but you aren't.
This book was really difficult to read at times, with many parent figures and adults who have failed these children. Some of them were trying their best and ended up doing better, while others were toxic and people you needed to get away from.
I remember thinking several times that these kids (both Zoey and some of her classmates) sound older than they are, that their debate club sounds like something we'd have at college, but then I realised that I have the wrong view on 13-year-olds and they are more mature than I'd think. I'm glad that they are, but it's sad to feel like they have to be. There were so many things in this book that in an ideal world kids Zoey's age shouldn't have to deal with.
Overall, this was a difficult that very important book that deals with many different issues that some real kids have to deal with every day.
Also, shout out to teachers who notice when something is wrong and go out of their way to help.
(ominous music) but who is the traitor??
I wish I could say I liked this, but I didn't really. I didn't like the main relationship and didn't feel attached to either of the women. It had two cute dogs, though.
note: This also has some pretty long sex scenes.
note: This also has some pretty long sex scenes.
average rating: 3.8 stars
This is a collection of stories with queer protagonists. In most stories about queer people, I am used to reading romances, so it was nice to read a collection with queer protagonists where many of the stories have no romance at all, and even in the others, it's usually not the focus.
Overall, there weren't any stories that I really hated, but there were several that just didn't really grab my attention. I kind of want to rate this 3 stars but I added up my ratings and the average was 3.8 so...
the seeing hands of captain zerach by kayla bashe: 4.5 stars. This one is about an older sapphic protagonist who is recently blind and has to learn to adjust to her disability.
things we'll never know by b.r. sanders: 5 stars. This is a story about aliens, but also about humanity. Poor/non-white people can't trust aliens because white people fucked them over, and rich/white people can't trust aliens because they fucked people over and think the aliens will do the same to them.
glass bones by kirstie olley: 4.5 stars. Fantasy girl and her disabled brother end up visiting our moden world. Also, she's in love with the Lake Maiden. I don't want to spoil the ending, but I'm glad she made the right choice.
unnecessary risks by abigail rosenhart: 5 stars. Honestly? Best story. Never saw that twist coming.
nothing good to say by e.h. timms: 4.5 stars. Aroace warrior saves kids. Neat.
these bodies are battlefields by tash mcadam: 3 stars
sole survivor by lewis bright rees: 3 stars
seida the fairy-troll by claudie arseneault: 3.5 stars
colossus of epheus by tyler gates: 2.5 stars
the metal mermaid by kelly matsuura: 3.5 stars
howl by natalie cannon: 3 stars
from dust 'til dawn by helle reiersen: 3 stars
This is a collection of stories with queer protagonists. In most stories about queer people, I am used to reading romances, so it was nice to read a collection with queer protagonists where many of the stories have no romance at all, and even in the others, it's usually not the focus.
Overall, there weren't any stories that I really hated, but there were several that just didn't really grab my attention. I kind of want to rate this 3 stars but I added up my ratings and the average was 3.8 so...
the seeing hands of captain zerach by kayla bashe: 4.5 stars. This one is about an older sapphic protagonist who is recently blind and has to learn to adjust to her disability.
things we'll never know by b.r. sanders: 5 stars. This is a story about aliens, but also about humanity. Poor/non-white people can't trust aliens because white people fucked them over, and rich/white people can't trust aliens because they fucked people over and think the aliens will do the same to them.
glass bones by kirstie olley: 4.5 stars. Fantasy girl and her disabled brother end up visiting our moden world. Also, she's in love with the Lake Maiden. I don't want to spoil the ending, but I'm glad she made the right choice.
unnecessary risks by abigail rosenhart: 5 stars. Honestly? Best story. Never saw that twist coming.
nothing good to say by e.h. timms: 4.5 stars. Aroace warrior saves kids. Neat.
these bodies are battlefields by tash mcadam: 3 stars
sole survivor by lewis bright rees: 3 stars
seida the fairy-troll by claudie arseneault: 3.5 stars
colossus of epheus by tyler gates: 2.5 stars
the metal mermaid by kelly matsuura: 3.5 stars
howl by natalie cannon: 3 stars
from dust 'til dawn by helle reiersen: 3 stars
I absolutely loved the worldbuilding and characterisation in this one. A killer mermaid adjusting to peaceful life, among others. The romance was... okay? It wasn't bad, but I was really more interested in the rest.
I received an ARC through Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
In YA, it is not uncommon to have teenage protagonists lead armies, or be the smartest, most dangerous person around by the end of the book. Ia is not one of those protagonists. She is already the most dangerous criminal in the galaxy by the time she turns seventeen, and has been building her reputation for years.
I admit that this tested my suspension of disbelief, which sounds strange to say in a sci-fi book with aliens. Still, it was interesting to see how Ia's character arc was in a way the opposite of a standard YA character arc: instead of becoming someone strong and feared, she already starts out that way, and her character arc is instead about letting people close.
I loved how this book was told from three different perspectives, how the three protagonists came from very different backgrounds, and how they all had a distinct character arc where they changed the way they view the world. Ignite the Stars also had some genuinely scary/creepy scenes where I could really feel the tension and worry about what was going to happen.
I certainly didn't see the twist coming, although that might have been because I didn't want to believe it would come. If this was a standalone, then I really wouldn't be content with the villain, but the end suggests that there's going to be a sequel that puts more focus on that relationship, so I'm holding out for that.
I have to say that I'm not sure I like Ia's change of affiliation, though. I can see her loyalty to her friends like Brinn or Knives, but I don't really see any basis for her to have loyalty towards the system they are part of. I'm sure she will still be critical in the future, but this made the ending strange for me.
Extra kudos for an awesome female friendship.
In YA, it is not uncommon to have teenage protagonists lead armies, or be the smartest, most dangerous person around by the end of the book. Ia is not one of those protagonists. She is already the most dangerous criminal in the galaxy by the time she turns seventeen, and has been building her reputation for years.
I admit that this tested my suspension of disbelief, which sounds strange to say in a sci-fi book with aliens. Still, it was interesting to see how Ia's character arc was in a way the opposite of a standard YA character arc: instead of becoming someone strong and feared, she already starts out that way, and her character arc is instead about letting people close.
I loved how this book was told from three different perspectives, how the three protagonists came from very different backgrounds, and how they all had a distinct character arc where they changed the way they view the world. Ignite the Stars also had some genuinely scary/creepy scenes where I could really feel the tension and worry about what was going to happen.
I certainly didn't see the twist coming, although that might have been because I didn't want to believe it would come. If this was a standalone, then I really wouldn't be content with the villain, but the end suggests that there's going to be a sequel that puts more focus on that relationship, so I'm holding out for that.
I have to say that I'm not sure I like Ia's change of affiliation, though. I can see her loyalty to her friends like Brinn or Knives, but I don't really see any basis for her to have loyalty towards the system they are part of. I'm sure she will still be critical in the future, but this made the ending strange for me.
Extra kudos for an awesome female friendship.
rating: 3.5 stars
The Sun Dragon is a standard YA novel with dragons and magical people, and a "Chosen One" protagonist. The main character, Allanah is actually bisexual, and has feelings for both a boy and a girl in the book. She also loves fantasy novels of all kind, and has the tendency to space out, which were both great to read about. I love reading about dragons, and with Allanah's time spent with the Igreefee, this book reminded me of Gunnerkrigg Court, which is a graphic novel series I adore.
The Sun Dragon is also divided into three parts, with the third part being shorter, and this is where my main issue lies. This book essentially felt like two (and a half) books crammed into 180 pages. By the end of the first section (halfway through the book) Allanah goes through a character journey that should have taken a whole book. This made the whole thing feel rushed, and her character development undeserved. Likewise, the romance felt incredibly undeveloped to me, which is unsprising given that it didn't have /time/ to develop.
Overall, this was a fun read, but it seriously should have been two separate books, or at least longer.
The Sun Dragon is a standard YA novel with dragons and magical people, and a "Chosen One" protagonist. The main character, Allanah is actually bisexual, and has feelings for both a boy and a girl in the book. She also loves fantasy novels of all kind, and has the tendency to space out, which were both great to read about. I love reading about dragons, and with Allanah's time spent with the Igreefee, this book reminded me of Gunnerkrigg Court, which is a graphic novel series I adore.
The Sun Dragon is also divided into three parts, with the third part being shorter, and this is where my main issue lies. This book essentially felt like two (and a half) books crammed into 180 pages. By the end of the first section (halfway through the book) Allanah goes through a character journey that should have taken a whole book. This made the whole thing feel rushed, and her character development undeserved. Likewise, the romance felt incredibly undeveloped to me, which is unsprising given that it didn't have /time/ to develop.
Overall, this was a fun read, but it seriously should have been two separate books, or at least longer.
Cimorene is not a "proper" princess. She is bored by traditional princess things, and her parents don't let her do anything interesting (like bake, learn swords or study Latin), so she runs away to become a dragon's princess. I love how this book played around with fairytale tropes and worked with the common fairytale rules. I plan to read the rest of the series eventually, but I have too many books and I'm trying to buy less.
I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I find it difficult to read and review Holocaust stories, because while that particular story might be fiction, it is based on countless real families who went through very similar things. In fact, the author's note makes it clear that much of this book is based on a memoir by a real Jewish family.
I will say my real name to you for the first time. Hanna Slivka. Don't be scared. I am still your mother.
My Real Name is Hanna immediately drew me in - with that haunting but beautiful cover, with the title itself, and with the first line.
This book is about the survival of a Jewish family in what is now Ukraine, and the things they had to do for that survival, the ways they had to live is extraordinary. I especially enjoyed reading about the ways they survived in the caves and the forest, although, as I said, knowing that this is based on a real story I feel strange even writing the word "enjoy". Regardless, My Real Name is Hanna is a haunting, skillfully written novel.
I also appreciated the author's note at the end that described a lot of the research and real stories this book is based on, as well as reflecting on the current rise of anti-semitism and racism in the US and the world.
I find it difficult to read and review Holocaust stories, because while that particular story might be fiction, it is based on countless real families who went through very similar things. In fact, the author's note makes it clear that much of this book is based on a memoir by a real Jewish family.
I will say my real name to you for the first time. Hanna Slivka. Don't be scared. I am still your mother.
My Real Name is Hanna immediately drew me in - with that haunting but beautiful cover, with the title itself, and with the first line.
This book is about the survival of a Jewish family in what is now Ukraine, and the things they had to do for that survival, the ways they had to live is extraordinary. I especially enjoyed reading about the ways they survived in the caves and the forest, although, as I said, knowing that this is based on a real story I feel strange even writing the word "enjoy". Regardless, My Real Name is Hanna is a haunting, skillfully written novel.
I also appreciated the author's note at the end that described a lot of the research and real stories this book is based on, as well as reflecting on the current rise of anti-semitism and racism in the US and the world.