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4.15 AVERAGE
4.15 AVERAGE
hopeful
reflective
medium-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
I keep seeing new books published by this author, and they usually mention the Birdverse. I'm honestly not sure if this was the right book to start with—it's not the first one, but it's unclear to me if the books need to be read in order. I did think the way the worldbuilding was handled felt a bit clunky, so maybe there is a clear first book and I just didn't know it.
The magic system is really interesting, and the story focused a lot on self-discovery, which was nice to see. But a large component of this is also the romance between the two main characters, and I just didn't buy into it. It was very insta-love, and it pulled focus away from the very real disaster looming on the horizon. On the one hand there was a lot of urgency to find a solution, but then there would be the distraction of jealous exes, and a couple that doesn't know what they want from each other and is trying to figure it out. The character interactions often felt stilted for this reason.
I didn't enjoy the writing enough to read more books in the series, but I would recommend it if you're interested in queernorm fantasy worlds.
The magic system is really interesting, and the story focused a lot on self-discovery, which was nice to see. But a large component of this is also the romance between the two main characters, and I just didn't buy into it. It was very insta-love, and it pulled focus away from the very real disaster looming on the horizon. On the one hand there was a lot of urgency to find a solution, but then there would be the distraction of jealous exes, and a couple that doesn't know what they want from each other and is trying to figure it out. The character interactions often felt stilted for this reason.
I didn't enjoy the writing enough to read more books in the series, but I would recommend it if you're interested in queernorm fantasy worlds.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Mental illness
Moderate: Child abuse
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
challenging
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Sorry, but this book is taking me nowhere. DNF at 125 pages.
Beautiful, lyrical writing. I felt like the world was beautifully complex but the writing was super good so I wasn't overwhelmed with having to absorb a whole lot of information about the world. Fantasy done right, and it's a short book as well which I appreciate. Easy to read and delicious.
"The Unbalancing" by R.B. Lemberg is absolutely phenomenal! When Ranra Kekeri steps into the role of starkeeper, she discovers that the star is restlessly sleeping and is causing the ferocious tremors the islands are experiencing, and they will only get worse. Erígra Lilún is a haunted poet who loves their solidarity. Literally, the ghost of their ancestor haunts them! Ranra and Lilún's paths meet, and things get HEAVY. The story was thoroughly exciting and enjoyable. I was consistently on the edge of my seat. I really wish our society was as accepting as the society of Gelle-Geu was. Polyamory and nobinary (ichidi) are of the norm, fully accepted and embraced. Same-sex couples and having more than two parents was ordinary. This is definitely a book I'll be reading again!!
°°°°°°°°°°°°°
★★★★★
°°°°°°°°°°°°°
"This is a story. But there is more than one way to tell it."
-R.B. Lemberg, "The Unbalancing"
°°°°°°°°°°°°°
★★★★★
°°°°°°°°°°°°°
"This is a story. But there is more than one way to tell it."
-R.B. Lemberg, "The Unbalancing"
A short but deep queer fantasy with an intriguing magic system and deity.
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
For me, the language was hard to understand at times, but I am not used to reading this type of novel so that would make sense :) This novel is part of a universe and I have not read any other books from the universe, so that could contribute to my lack of understanding.
BUT, I absolutely loved it anyways! It was the queer romance literary adventure I didn't know I needed until I started reading. I will definitely be reading more from this author!
Thank you to NetGalley and Tachyon for giving me the opportunity to review the eARC of this book!
BUT, I absolutely loved it anyways! It was the queer romance literary adventure I didn't know I needed until I started reading. I will definitely be reading more from this author!
Thank you to NetGalley and Tachyon for giving me the opportunity to review the eARC of this book!