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bdincher's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
wenwanzhao's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Like most short story anthologies, it's a mixed bag of compelling stories and less compelling ones. Most of these had a kind of fantastical element, but I liked the ones that really leaned into that more than they ones that didn't. It was enjoyable and Chang is a decent writer, but (and this might be my own prejudice) it felt very much like something written by someone with ~diaspora angst~ and not in a good way. It just wasn't compelling enough for the subject matter. I will say that Chang was very good at making me feel the descriptions. There's a lot of grossness in this book, and I felt it viscerally. Not a waste of time to have read it, but I can't say I'd recommend it either.
bunnypearl's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
K-Ming Chang, I would die for you. I love you.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pregnancy and War
independent_wombat's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
klbroderick's review
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
k-Ming Chang and Carmen Machado collab WHEN????
shrrawat's review
2.0
"Gods of Want" is a book that demands a second or third read-through. There is a dearth of symbolism buried under the surreal. Unfortunately, having gotten this book through my local library, I wasn't able to do this book justice in the time that I had. What I was able to get appeared to be on the repetitive side, themes of loss and coming out as a queer woman. But again, this was just on the surface level. Therefore, I wouldn't say that this book is bad, but it definitely is not for the casual reader.
dreareads_'s review
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
There are a few gems in this collection of short stories, but overall I felt disconnected from them. I found the prose to lack a sense of mysticism that in my opinion could have elevated the writing.
I personally enjoyed the physical and "raw" language of some of the stories that better demonstrated pain, attraction, and obsession. I simply wish some of the stories were more captivating from a plot or character POV.
I also think it may have been my fault because I went in expecting something much weirder, and these stories were definitely much more personal.
I personally enjoyed the physical and "raw" language of some of the stories that better demonstrated pain, attraction, and obsession. I simply wish some of the stories were more captivating from a plot or character POV.
I also think it may have been my fault because I went in expecting something much weirder, and these stories were definitely much more personal.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Grief, Homophobia, Sexual assault, Misogyny, Sexism, Body horror, Abandonment, Addiction, and Animal cruelty
mahtzahgay's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Genuinely an amazing work of speculative fiction. Chang's world-building drips off the pages and into your lap like a living memory, the presence of culture and queerness melding together in each story.
cathrinereads's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0