really impressed by how the author built this vivid, fantastical world in just a few short pages - i enjoyed the africanfuturistic elements, the 3.5/5
really impressed by how the author built this vivid, fantastical world in just a few short pages - i enjoyed the africanfuturistic elements, the strong narrative voice, the propulsive storytelling that had me flying through the book. i just wish the ending hadn't been so rushed....more
i really liked the post-climate disaster, dystopian concepts of a world in which humans are crammed into half-submerged towers after the dangerous risi really liked the post-climate disaster, dystopian concepts of a world in which humans are crammed into half-submerged towers after the dangerous rise of sea levels. the portrayal of a strict hierarchical society with an oppressed lower strata is par for the course in any speculative novel but i liked how it was explored within a tower where people were restricted from moving above or below their level and how that worked as a metaphor for borders and migration. i do feel like these concepts were a bit too ambitious for a novella and i wish the ending wasn't quite so vague and open-ended. ...more
a story that i thought was going to be a conventional take on the bluebeard folktale turned out to be something quite unexpected. i enjoyed the 3.5/5
a story that i thought was going to be a conventional take on the bluebeard folktale turned out to be something quite unexpected. i enjoyed the plot twist and the subtle seeds planted leading up to it, but i do feel like this series is starting to wear out its welcome a bit. if there's another installment, i'd want a change in the narrative format and more from chih as a main character....more
the lies of the ajungo was one of my absolute favorite reads of last year and it seemed like the truth of the aleke was gearing up to be the same - ththe lies of the ajungo was one of my absolute favorite reads of last year and it seemed like the truth of the aleke was gearing up to be the same - the writing is as strong as ever and i was really hooked and absorbed - until the last few pages. this has one of the strangest endings i've read in a long time, i'm still scratching my head over it. the ending just feels unsatisfying and a bit pointless. like we really went through all that just for it to come to....this?...more
no one does second person POV quite like n.k. jemisin. a wonderfully written sci-fi short story with cool twists (if a bit too on the nose with i3.5/5
no one does second person POV quite like n.k. jemisin. a wonderfully written sci-fi short story with cool twists (if a bit too on the nose with its themes)....more
there's a fine line between skilled lyrical writing and relentless verbosity and i think this novella wavered between the two. great concepts tho2.5/5
there's a fine line between skilled lyrical writing and relentless verbosity and i think this novella wavered between the two. great concepts though, for sure. and i did like the paradox of body horror being described in beautiful writing....more
i'm always impressed when an author is able to tell a fully developed story with multiple elements, a complex protagonist, and a fitting conclusion ali'm always impressed when an author is able to tell a fully developed story with multiple elements, a complex protagonist, and a fitting conclusion all in less than 150 pages. also really liked the lesbian established relationship and sprinkling of family drama. ...more
well, this was certainly a piece of writing. it actually reads like random writing exercises you'd do for a class. sure, i can see themes of alienatiowell, this was certainly a piece of writing. it actually reads like random writing exercises you'd do for a class. sure, i can see themes of alienation, loneliness, solitude, and how the listless prose style reflects the drifting, dreary nature of the narrator's life. but there's nothing truly insightful that stood out to me. i wouldn't even mind a no plot just vibes slice-of-life book if the writing was beautiful or striking. but the writing style is moderate, dull, and the same tone throughout. the descriptions are flat and uninspired. i didn't find myself wanting to highlight particular quotes or anything, so i'm not sure what people are seeing in the prose here. overall, a miss for me. ...more
"sometimes, you cannot survive and still be who you were."
this was such a beautiful story about how deeply grief and loss can change you, how memories"sometimes, you cannot survive and still be who you were."
this was such a beautiful story about how deeply grief and loss can change you, how memories and stories shape a person, how many unknown sides there can be to people you love. i really liked seeing chih return to their home after years and coping with the inevitability of change and unfamiliarity. they may be a side character in other people's stories but i loved that their feelings were so present here. nghi vo refuses to miss with this series....more
queer women and non-binary librarian spies fighting against fascism in a western dystopia is a pretty cool concept and executed fairly well for a3.5/5
queer women and non-binary librarian spies fighting against fascism in a western dystopia is a pretty cool concept and executed fairly well for a novella here. the dialogues really stood out to me in how natural they seemed plus the writing itself flowed nicely too....more
i liked the gentle, chill, slice-of-life vibes of this story about a young woman reconnecting with her estranged uncle while trying to put her own lifi liked the gentle, chill, slice-of-life vibes of this story about a young woman reconnecting with her estranged uncle while trying to put her own life back together. part 1 had some truly heartwarming moments between uncle and niece - sadly, part 2 focused on a completely different character and the story lost the charm it had built up in part 1. still a nice, sweet little read....more
this was a pretty unique spin on sleeping beauty - i liked our unusual protagonist and the slow, creeping sense of dread as the story uncovered t3.5/5
this was a pretty unique spin on sleeping beauty - i liked our unusual protagonist and the slow, creeping sense of dread as the story uncovered the truth behind the sleeping princess. i do think the ending was a bit rushed and underwhelming and maybe a few more pages at the end would've rounded off the story better. ultimately though, it's a nice, offbeat novella and i'd recommend it to anyone looking for a creative fairytale retelling.
thank you to netgalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review...more
exhausted wizard intern accidentally adopting a demon prince of hell is a pretty cool concept and for the most part, this was a fun little book about exhausted wizard intern accidentally adopting a demon prince of hell is a pretty cool concept and for the most part, this was a fun little book about an unusual found family. i also loved how the protagonist being genderfluid was conveyed to us by one character calling them "jie" and another "ge" (since the story is told in second person).
but i just wasn't as emotionally affected as i should've been, which is the whole point of a found family story. there were parts where i knew i was supposed to be feeling the feels - as these characters awkwardly come together to form a sweet sibling-like relationship - but sadly, i didn't. i think we needed to spend more time seeing these people interact - i just wasn't convinced by how quickly they came to care for each other.
overall though, i'd still recommend this novella since it's a great concept and the writing is fairly good. ...more
maybe i'd be more engaged with the thematic questions this novella explores - about the humanity of sentient robots, the ethics of artificial intelligmaybe i'd be more engaged with the thematic questions this novella explores - about the humanity of sentient robots, the ethics of artificial intelligence, the real differences between humans and sentient non-humans - if it weren't for this strange, shocking and honestly awful little paragraph the author decided to drop that seems to lean towards justifying bestiality:
"as she did at the time, ana again tries to pin down exactly why nonsexual relationships with animals can be healthy while sexual ones can't, why the limited consent that animals can give is sufficient to keep them as pets yet not to have sex with them. again she can't articulate an argument that isn't rooted in personal distaste, and she's not sure that's a good enough reason."
yeah. and this particular so-called "argument" is never brought up again afterwards, this is all we're left with: our protagonist wondering just why is bestiality so wrong after all.
i'm sorry but what is this absurd sickening garbage??? surely we can discuss the ethics and rights of sentient AI creatures being used as sex robots without drawing parallels to actual real life animals and bestiality???? (and maybe that was the point, that sentient AI creatures deserve the same care and respect that animals and humans do but then WHY is ana pondering on bestiality as if it's a legitimate two-sided argument???). i'm honestly at a loss for words. apart from this nasty bit of work, the novella was kind of interesting but personally, i simply can't get past this....more
a bittersweet little book filled with musings on human connection and what makes life worth living. some parts felt more like a thought experiment thaa bittersweet little book filled with musings on human connection and what makes life worth living. some parts felt more like a thought experiment than a story but overall, an interesting read with an impactful emotional ending....more
every green bone saga fan needs to read jade shards for clear skin, watered crops, optimal hydration, 20/20 vision. it gave what it needed to giv4.5/5
every green bone saga fan needs to read jade shards for clear skin, watered crops, optimal hydration, 20/20 vision. it gave what it needed to give: tempting glimpses into the pasts of our favorite nepotism siblings. you'll feel painful familiarity seeing young versions of beloved characters while knowing what happens to them in the future.
i just continue to be impressed by how fonda lee's created such a rich lived-in world with so many stories to share. i also really liked her notes at the end of each story, in which she analyzes her characters and reasons for writing these stories.
my one complaint is that there were only 4 short stories when i was expecting at least 15, but i'll take what i can get.
ARC received from netgalley in exchange for an honest review...more
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