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2treads's reviews
426 reviews
The Emperor and the Endless Palace by Justinian Huang
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I love how queer this book was. But one of the main characters made terrible sexual choices that made me shake my head.
A story of reincarnated lovers, one who remembers and the other who must be reminded. The incorporation of the fox spirit and both sides of its characteristics was interesting and held my attention. Using tim as a setting for how the lovers came together and interacted was done well.
A story of reincarnated lovers, one who remembers and the other who must be reminded. The incorporation of the fox spirit and both sides of its characteristics was interesting and held my attention. Using tim as a setting for how the lovers came together and interacted was done well.
Little Rot by Akwaeke Emezi
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
2 stars just for the writing.
WHAT WAS THE REASON??!!
There was no end game. It was just a loose collection of sexual deviance and proclivities within the land of the rich and with characters who think they've taken their trauma and turned it into power.
I feel like Emezi was testing her literary darling status by writing this. The yt girlies can put out trash and aimless empty stories and get lauded, so they were like why not me?
WHAT WAS THE REASON??!!
There was no end game. It was just a loose collection of sexual deviance and proclivities within the land of the rich and with characters who think they've taken their trauma and turned it into power.
I feel like Emezi was testing her literary darling status by writing this. The yt girlies can put out trash and aimless empty stories and get lauded, so they were like why not me?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Child abuse and Murder
Minor: Sexual assault
Daughter of Fire by Sofia Robleda
challenging
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
A story that looks at straddling identities and finding a way to be true to both sides of one's heritage. I enjoyed how the heroine finally found the strength to honour her mother's legacy, escape her iron-fisted father and finally find a way back to her love.
The Stardust Grail by Yume Kitasei
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
If you like space-faring heists with an odd-ball group of characters who each bring their own quirk to the team, you will like this story.
Kitasei's mismatched band of artifact retrievers will have you laughing and commiserating. There's a cybernetic soldier, a robot with dreams of evolving to be more human, a Fenro seeking lost knowledge for his people and a human who wants to make amends for a past of thievery.
I enjoyed this read because Kitasei has not only written a space heist, she has infused it with themes that are familiar: found family, friendship, prejudice, plague, violence, and ignorance. Even now we still fear what we do not understand.
Kitasei's mismatched band of artifact retrievers will have you laughing and commiserating. There's a cybernetic soldier, a robot with dreams of evolving to be more human, a Fenro seeking lost knowledge for his people and a human who wants to make amends for a past of thievery.
I enjoyed this read because Kitasei has not only written a space heist, she has infused it with themes that are familiar: found family, friendship, prejudice, plague, violence, and ignorance. Even now we still fear what we do not understand.
A Letter to the Luminous Deep by Sylvie Cathrall
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I liked this cozy science-based mystery romance. With quirky and loveable characters, Cathrall's story is a really fun read.
Daughter of the Merciful Deep by Leslye Penelope
dark
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I generally like the way Penelope spins a tale and this one was enjoyable. If I had to complain about something it would be that enough of thebstory did not take place beyond the waves of the lake.
The use of actual history and cultural structures is what drew me to this book, to see how they would be used to craft another way of showcasing a Black town that would soon be targeted because of its strategic location and how the people would react.
I loved the feel of this small community that had its own societal hierarchy even though everyone worked together for the success of Awenasa and the inclusion of the orisa who would have come over with the ancestors and how they survived and aided their believers.
The use of actual history and cultural structures is what drew me to this book, to see how they would be used to craft another way of showcasing a Black town that would soon be targeted because of its strategic location and how the people would react.
I loved the feel of this small community that had its own societal hierarchy even though everyone worked together for the success of Awenasa and the inclusion of the orisa who would have come over with the ancestors and how they survived and aided their believers.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Violence, and Fire/Fire injury
The Water Outlaws by S.L. Huang
challenging
dark
funny
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Huang's retelling is so well done that I didn't even have to know the original story in order to fully immerse myself in this world. A story of chosen family, standing against tyranny veiled in loyalty to the empire, defying the many ways in which men oppress and disadvantage women, and forging a path for a new empire to rise.
They blend philosophy, alchemical study and interests, political intrigue, and martial arts with attention to period, character development and world building. Nothing lacks detail and this along with the dialogue only increased my interest and enjoyment.
With perspectives from multiple characters, the world opens up on the page, with its hierarchical structures, political spheres, corruption, and exploitations. The depiction of imperial powers and government reach versus the idea of equality and justice that is sought by brave, exiled, and reviled individuals is clearly rendered.
I enjoyed the ways that plans are made and carried out, the ways that opposing forces parry and attempt to outwit each other is immensely enjoyable to me. Overall a well-written retelling with a focus on the characters and their motivations, as well as the complexities of certain decisions that push us towards an eventual future.
They blend philosophy, alchemical study and interests, political intrigue, and martial arts with attention to period, character development and world building. Nothing lacks detail and this along with the dialogue only increased my interest and enjoyment.
With perspectives from multiple characters, the world opens up on the page, with its hierarchical structures, political spheres, corruption, and exploitations. The depiction of imperial powers and government reach versus the idea of equality and justice that is sought by brave, exiled, and reviled individuals is clearly rendered.
I enjoyed the ways that plans are made and carried out, the ways that opposing forces parry and attempt to outwit each other is immensely enjoyable to me. Overall a well-written retelling with a focus on the characters and their motivations, as well as the complexities of certain decisions that push us towards an eventual future.
One Hundred Shadows by Hwang Jungeun
Did not finish book. Stopped at 22%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 22%.
The spare and repetitive nature of the style of writing dampened my interest.
Small Gods of Calamity by Sam Kyung Yoo
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
I quite enjoyed this horroresque story. Based in the cultural structure of Korea with focus on the spirit world, Gods of Small Calamity follows a police officer who is also gifted with seeing beyond the physical world into the realm of ghosts and other spirits. These spirits that Han-gil and his adoptive sister are tasked with exorcising are small yet malevolent and can cause a lot of death and loss.
There is a focus on the vulnerability of our main character and those he holds close or keeps himself apelart from because of what he sees and does. I like stories that tackle the humanness of individuals and how they interact with memory and loss.
There is a focus on the vulnerability of our main character and those he holds close or keeps himself apelart from because of what he sees and does. I like stories that tackle the humanness of individuals and how they interact with memory and loss.