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slytherinlyss 's review for:
A Universe of Wishes
by Dhonielle Clayton
I have never read a 'We Need More Diverse Books' anthology before; I'm very mad about that fact. Story after story, not once having to rewrite the main characters description in my head, NOT ONCE. I don't think I understood the impact brown skin, similar names, and a culture I could comprehend, adds to the utter enjoyment of reading. This brought me back from a reading slump, for good reason.
Here are my reviews and rating for each story:
A Universe of Wishes - Tara Sim
★ ★ ★ ★
A smidge too fast paced for my liking, I did love the magic system and romance portion a lot, though. Puts a smile on your face.
The Silk Blade - Natalie C. Parker
★ ★ ★ ★
Characters names are so bad it’s hilarious, but I truly love this. Well-balanced exposition, action and romance. Who doesn't drool over beautiful brown skin female warriors??
The Scarlet Woman - Libby Bray
★
It’s a side story of her previous trilogy that I have yet to read. I have no connection to these characters, confusing.
Cristal y Ceniza- Ann Marie McLemore
★ ★ ★ ★ .5
A moving tale of a young brown girl finding her strength and I loved it. The romance was very mild, good choice.
Liberia - Kwame Mbalia
★ ★ ★ .5
While I loved the connection of culture and family being a love story on its own; there was too much explanation of the ship and the crews duties for me to truly love it.
A Royal Affair - V. E. Schwab
★
A flashback of her previous works’ love story, that, again, I have yet to read. But, not bad. Just didn’t connect.
The Takeback Tango - Rebecca Roanhorse
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
A feel-good Land Back story. This all hit close to home (i’m Ndee) and the happy ending felt so fulfilling and well-deserved. Roanhorse detailed intergenerational trauma and colonization perfectly. I feel seen.
Dream and Dare - Nic Stone
★
Not good. Too many simple sentences and their names, dream and dare, are used approximately a million times. It’s also a very simple story that is drawn out with frivolous writing and is an eternity to read.
Wish - Jenni Balch
★ ★
Needs more world building, trying to configure what world or time period you’re in with little to no clues is a bit hard. But I liked the idea.
The Weight - Dhonielle Clayton
★ ★ ★ ★ .5
Very interesting concept, I also quite like the unanswered ending. It seemed a bit elementary when it came to the drs talking though…
Unmoor - Mark Oshiro
★ ★
The idea is there, and it’s sweet and sad. But again a little juvenile, but that could be the main characters age, who knows?
The Coldest Spot in the Universe - Samira Ahmed
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Heartbreaking. Real. Terrifying. These words could not hit deeper, it’s truly a shock that I wasn’t prepared for. A nightmare.
The Beginning of Monsters - Tessa Gratton
★
I feel like Gratton was attempting very gender fluid characters but, they read as cis men. Teetering on unrealistic.
Longer Than the Threads of Time ♡- Zoraida Córdova
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
I wish this was a full novel. I could read Danaë and Fabian’s story for hours on end. This is how you add culture to a classic story!!
Habibi - Tochi Onyebuchi
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
A tale of connection and love in its deepest, truest form. I felt as if I was intruding on a private conversation rather than simply reading. These lives are real and that breaks my heart. I believe everyone should read this, at least once.
---
I like the flavor that being marginalized and silenced for decades brings to POC stories. I, myself, have had to navigate this world as a young, queer WOC, from LA. I know culture. And, I know the beauty of it. A lot of that beauty is brought forth for us in the form of this Anthology. Some stories just did not belong (hence the 1 star), there is a common theme as to why, but I won't say it. We really do need more diverse books, this was so fun.
Most Favorite: (tie)
Longer Than the Threads of Time & Habibi
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Least Favorite: (tie)
The Scarlet Woman, A Royal Affair & The Beginning of Monsters
★
---
I will also include this, and more, on my blog. Check it out, thanks!
www.slytherinlyss.com
Here are my reviews and rating for each story:
A Universe of Wishes - Tara Sim
★ ★ ★ ★
A smidge too fast paced for my liking, I did love the magic system and romance portion a lot, though. Puts a smile on your face.
The Silk Blade - Natalie C. Parker
★ ★ ★ ★
Characters names are so bad it’s hilarious, but I truly love this. Well-balanced exposition, action and romance. Who doesn't drool over beautiful brown skin female warriors??
The Scarlet Woman - Libby Bray
★
It’s a side story of her previous trilogy that I have yet to read. I have no connection to these characters, confusing.
Cristal y Ceniza- Ann Marie McLemore
★ ★ ★ ★ .5
A moving tale of a young brown girl finding her strength and I loved it. The romance was very mild, good choice.
Liberia - Kwame Mbalia
★ ★ ★ .5
While I loved the connection of culture and family being a love story on its own; there was too much explanation of the ship and the crews duties for me to truly love it.
A Royal Affair - V. E. Schwab
★
A flashback of her previous works’ love story, that, again, I have yet to read. But, not bad. Just didn’t connect.
The Takeback Tango - Rebecca Roanhorse
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
A feel-good Land Back story. This all hit close to home (i’m Ndee) and the happy ending felt so fulfilling and well-deserved. Roanhorse detailed intergenerational trauma and colonization perfectly. I feel seen.
Dream and Dare - Nic Stone
★
Not good. Too many simple sentences and their names, dream and dare, are used approximately a million times. It’s also a very simple story that is drawn out with frivolous writing and is an eternity to read.
Wish - Jenni Balch
★ ★
Needs more world building, trying to configure what world or time period you’re in with little to no clues is a bit hard. But I liked the idea.
The Weight - Dhonielle Clayton
★ ★ ★ ★ .5
Very interesting concept, I also quite like the unanswered ending. It seemed a bit elementary when it came to the drs talking though…
Unmoor - Mark Oshiro
★ ★
The idea is there, and it’s sweet and sad. But again a little juvenile, but that could be the main characters age, who knows?
The Coldest Spot in the Universe - Samira Ahmed
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Heartbreaking. Real. Terrifying. These words could not hit deeper, it’s truly a shock that I wasn’t prepared for. A nightmare.
The Beginning of Monsters - Tessa Gratton
★
I feel like Gratton was attempting very gender fluid characters but, they read as cis men. Teetering on unrealistic.
Longer Than the Threads of Time ♡- Zoraida Córdova
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
I wish this was a full novel. I could read Danaë and Fabian’s story for hours on end. This is how you add culture to a classic story!!
Habibi - Tochi Onyebuchi
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
A tale of connection and love in its deepest, truest form. I felt as if I was intruding on a private conversation rather than simply reading. These lives are real and that breaks my heart. I believe everyone should read this, at least once.
---
I like the flavor that being marginalized and silenced for decades brings to POC stories. I, myself, have had to navigate this world as a young, queer WOC, from LA. I know culture. And, I know the beauty of it. A lot of that beauty is brought forth for us in the form of this Anthology. Some stories just did not belong (hence the 1 star), there is a common theme as to why, but I won't say it. We really do need more diverse books, this was so fun.
Most Favorite: (tie)
Longer Than the Threads of Time & Habibi
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
Least Favorite: (tie)
The Scarlet Woman, A Royal Affair & The Beginning of Monsters
★
---
I will also include this, and more, on my blog. Check it out, thanks!
www.slytherinlyss.com