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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
lezreadalot's review against another edition
4.0
It is wrong to make a treasure of another, however tenderly kept.
3.5 stars. Certain events over the last couple of years have just really made me love and appreciate fiction that follows older people, having adventures, living their lives, struggling with some of the same decisions as younger protagonists. It's even more impactful when they're older queer and trans protagonists. So I really really liked this, especially the fantasy, the gods, how queerness and transness is a part of the world. Two trans elders, Uiziya, a woman who transitioned as a young girl, and a nameless man who only very recently underwent the change, go on a journey to find her aunt Benesret. Uiziya, a weaver, wants to learn the final weave from her, and the nameless man wants her to name him.
I'm definitely glad I read the prequel novelette, which gives us more insight into the man's relationship with this grandchildren (one of whom is nonbinary) and his past relationships, especially the one that basically emotionally blackmailed him into delaying his transition for forty years because she didn't want to be with a man. Transphobia and cissexism play a big part of the story, so definitely tread lightly. But I really liked how the author wrote about it, especially how the nameless man navigated his manhood as a person brought up in a very gendered society, where men and women had very strict roles and lived apart; he was never a part of the men's quarters in all his 60-odd years. We get some interesting conversations about gender roles and belonging. I really liked the friendship that grew between Uiziya and the man. The magic system is interesting, though I still don't think I quite have a handle on deepnames and how they work. There's a bit of action and intrigue, a lot of cool cultural stuff and world-building (I really like the concept of the assassins and their garments) and a satisfying ending.
Listened to the audiobook as read by Paul Boehmer, and enjoyed it quite a bit. It was really emotional but also lively narration, and I always felt like he was giving it 110%. It made for an intense listen. This was a great story in an intriguing world; I'll probably check out their other short stories!
Content warnings:
Spoiler
injury, death, torture, transphobia, misgenderinglizzderr's review against another edition
5.0
This lyrical, poignant novella is an absolutely stunning work of art. Lemberg takes deep feelings about gender, love and family, aging, and death, and weaves them together into a captivating tale of two friends’ journey across the desert in search of answers, and so much more. I got to hear Lemberg read the poem in which this novella has its origins earlier this month, but I would still call this my first proper sojourn into the Birdverse, and what a thrilling introduction it was. I can’t wait to read more from this author!
I received a digital copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received a digital copy of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
alliemackie's review against another edition
5.0
Wonderful, rich queer fairytale. I cannot wait for more from the Birdverse!