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karinlib's review against another edition
3.0
This is the case of really liking the writing, which is lyrical and dreamlike, but it wasn't quite enough to love the book. The premise was interesting, but the worldbuilding could have better executed. I found that I was a bit confused by the magic system, and yet it had potential to be great.
kleonard's review against another edition
5.0
This is a book of great beauty and wit and imagination. In The Four Profound Weaves, R. B. Lemberg crafts a story about growing up and growing old, magic and art, learning and traveling, trusting and transforming. The weaver Uiziya sets out into the desert to to find her aunt, who weaves clothes for assassins from bone, in hopes that her aunt will teach her the last of the Four Profound Weaves: weaving with death. With her travels an unnamed man, who is also looking for a kind of final learning, a name. Lemberg introduces readers to several fascinating cultures and individuals from her Birdverse, whose histories and traditions come together to help a weaver find life and happiness, albeit through betrayal and pain. This is a fabulous, brutal, shimmering queer fairytale but also a story of great truth in terms of identity, gender, sexuality, and sense of self.
cheericrow23's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.75
lostinagoodbook's review against another edition
4.0
This book is one of a kind. The writing is fascinating, atmospheric, drenched in culture and personality. It feels completely immersive. The writing is utterly beautiful, and the characters are very memorable.
At the moment I am writing this review we are in the middle of yet another needless controversy surrounding J.K. Rowling, and her inability (or actually unwillingness) to understand Trans people and the hardships that they have to endure. Well screw her. This book reminds me of the need to lift up other voices that will serve the Trans community well, and discard the dross of she who must not be named.
We(I) need to pay more attention to artists like R..B. Lemberg who writes about a dazzling group of people with a spectrum of gender identities and sexuality with compassion and appreciation. They, (meaning the author, I am not sure of the correct pronouns) are insightful and understand marginalized people. Particularly in this book, the lives of Trans people. As said in the book, “It is only in stories that change is easily found”, reflects on the fact that change is a process, that is often painful but can bring joy.
I enjoyed this short book (only 192 pages) and feel that I need to read it again in order to really grasp the things the author was trying to convey. I hope you will like it to.
Disclaimer: I received this book free from Netgalley
At the moment I am writing this review we are in the middle of yet another needless controversy surrounding J.K. Rowling, and her inability (or actually unwillingness) to understand Trans people and the hardships that they have to endure. Well screw her. This book reminds me of the need to lift up other voices that will serve the Trans community well, and discard the dross of she who must not be named.
We(I) need to pay more attention to artists like R..B. Lemberg who writes about a dazzling group of people with a spectrum of gender identities and sexuality with compassion and appreciation. They, (meaning the author, I am not sure of the correct pronouns) are insightful and understand marginalized people. Particularly in this book, the lives of Trans people. As said in the book, “It is only in stories that change is easily found”, reflects on the fact that change is a process, that is often painful but can bring joy.
I enjoyed this short book (only 192 pages) and feel that I need to read it again in order to really grasp the things the author was trying to convey. I hope you will like it to.
Disclaimer: I received this book free from Netgalley
theshaggyshepherd's review against another edition
4.0
The Four Profound Weaves // by R. B. Lemberg
The only thing I truly dislike about this book is that I waited so long to read it! While I can't pretend that I understood everything about it, I still thoroughly enjoyed reading it nonetheless. And it is short enough that I may even agree to a reread just to see how differently it will feel already knowing this world now. Aside from the writing itself, I really liked the presentation. I read this as an ebook but still there were illustrations at the beginning of each section that felt like they helped set the tone.
Something I really admire is how it was able to include so many different things for being such a short book! From having an interesting magic system and approach to transgender and transformation to all the different cultures. In less than 200 pages, it managed to address a multitude of themes, including, but not limited to, body image, identity, spirituality, familial relationships, and responsibilities not only to yourself but also to your family and your society. The unabashed candidness that was reached during the characters' self-reflection has the potential to evoke some big feelings for those inclined to be emotional while reading (I will neither confirm nor deny this regarding myself) and I liked how this not only revealed their inner fears but gave me a chance to confront my own.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review. I am looking forward to more from this author in the future.
The only thing I truly dislike about this book is that I waited so long to read it! While I can't pretend that I understood everything about it, I still thoroughly enjoyed reading it nonetheless. And it is short enough that I may even agree to a reread just to see how differently it will feel already knowing this world now. Aside from the writing itself, I really liked the presentation. I read this as an ebook but still there were illustrations at the beginning of each section that felt like they helped set the tone.
Something I really admire is how it was able to include so many different things for being such a short book! From having an interesting magic system and approach to transgender and transformation to all the different cultures. In less than 200 pages, it managed to address a multitude of themes, including, but not limited to, body image, identity, spirituality, familial relationships, and responsibilities not only to yourself but also to your family and your society. The unabashed candidness that was reached during the characters' self-reflection has the potential to evoke some big feelings for those inclined to be emotional while reading (I will neither confirm nor deny this regarding myself) and I liked how this not only revealed their inner fears but gave me a chance to confront my own.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review. I am looking forward to more from this author in the future.
sindri_inn_arsaeli's review against another edition
4.0
While short, (175 pages,) this is not a book to speed through; it becomes one to savor. The world description required especially at the very beginning is dense, but maintains a lyrical quality that is still charming even while it requires a closer reading. As you settle into the setting, the adventure of the story picks up well, and the second half especially keeps the reader caught up in the momentum. The background characters are intriguing, but full focus is on Uiziya and nen-sasaïr. The story allows that their actions may have far reaching consequences, but that is not the interest of the characters, and so it is not the concern of this story. The story is devoted to just these two. And that devotion shows, as an endearing fairy tale of self-discovery and self-love.
theduchess93's review against another edition
5.0
A beautifully written fantasy about two queer folk on a quest to find their voices and rediscover hope. I'll absolutely be reading everything else in the Birdverse after this!
amber_hastings's review against another edition
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
The writing is quite beautiful but I felt almost offended at the way the author has seemingly not considered how the reader is going to navigate this complex world. There were many opportunities to walk us through it, giving us more context for the societal rules and explanation of the magic systems. I know there are some companion stories floating around but as they're not traditionally published it was difficult to find them. I also found the two voices didn't feel distinct enough, meaning I was often unsure which character I was meant to be reading. Overall a nice experience in terms of letting the beautiful imagery wash over me, but I couldn't really feel hooked or engaged in the characters or the plot.
harleynyx's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0