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aether's Reviews (111)
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
This book is exceptional and has been a godsend in helping to understand my partner who has BPD. Many sources on BPD can often be antagonistic or combative - I never felt that way about this one. Every time I was having a difficult time with my partner, I would refer back to this text and it would only serve to help me humanize them more and sympathize with them. The text is well structured in the way it approaches the many aspects of BPD. There are also numerous take-aways from it that were invaluable beyond just the relationship with my partner who has BPD.
It has been so useful that I plan on keeping it by my side as I continue to navigate the wonderful relationship that I have.
It has been so useful that I plan on keeping it by my side as I continue to navigate the wonderful relationship that I have.
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
An unbelievable work of science fiction...so imaginative in the way it uses our current understanding of physics to project into the unknown and show the fear that exists on the other side of the void. The influence of the Cultural Revolution on all the characters was not at all what I expected when diving into this! I love how the author takes an oddity and has the characters prod at it as a scientist would.
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
An excellent poetry read. I loved how Hood would use edits, the arrangement of words, and the format to convey the emotion she felt. The second part was a bit difficult to get through, but it was worth it to get to part three and the descriptions of love that were found there 💖
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
An exceptional (and challenging) read. I was surprised reading this because I know it "broke containment" and entered cis circles, so I always thought it was more relatable to cis people (and thus less "trans" so to speak). I was very wrong, this book is extremely trans. From the backstories to the current day struggles, this is another in a long line of trans books that seem like they understand me on a fundamental level. Torrey is also just a really good author, and that shines in some of the quips and context. I appreciate, too, how it breaks down the classic white trans women stereotypes and compares our struggles to the many other marginalized communities that face oppression.
The discussion around parenting, and what kind of family structures are actually possible, also helped expand my view of what my own future could look like. I cried so many times while reading this.
The discussion around parenting, and what kind of family structures are actually possible, also helped expand my view of what my own future could look like. I cried so many times while reading this.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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
Loved this book! The way the author talks about music takes you to an entirely different place. It makes reality sparkle. This book takes unexpected turns all along the way and I was here for all of them. I would not have thought an aliens x demons love story would have blended so well! I also love that all of the transphobic people in this book get their comeuppance.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault, Transphobia
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-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
A fantastic conclusion to the Those Who Break Chains series. No idea why it took me so long to finish, the book is just exceptional. I love how easy, and effortless the idea of gender and polyamory is portrayed. Maria Ying's vocabulary is unparalleled and their righting is so much fun. I can't wait to jump into their next series!
emotional
mysterious
fast-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
Great introduction to what the world of D/S relationships actually looks like!
The book has some really interesting kernels of ideas that intrigued me - the circumstances of the apocalypse, the networks of communication, etc. But the text itself was so full of specific descriptions that it felt like it took 10 pages to get through what could have been said in 2. It was difficult to keep momentum up when everything was described in such specific ways, with list and lists of items noted for what was present in each scene in ways that didn't feel relevant or useful. I wanted deeply to like this book, but couldn't push myself to finish it.
challenging
informative
fast-paced
This book spoke so directly to the experiences of both myself and my wife, as two people navigating a relationship where one has ADHD. Being seen so deeply was very validating, even if it was difficult to shed a light on the reality of some pieces of how I (as a person with ADHD) operate with a partner. The strategies in the book ranged from endearingly goofy to challenging & constructive. If you are a person with ADHD who is struggling to make your partner feel loved in the ways that matter, or you are the partner of someone with ADHD, I cannot recommend this book enough!!
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
A fascinating novella filled with lush descriptions of a verdant world filled with decay and decomposition. A young, queer woman looking to find herself in a queerplatonic situation that threads a world of dreams and mystery. It was a short read, it definitely felt to me like Hval using it to process feelings of queerness through the vivid and putrid descriptions of growth.