alisarae's reviews
1578 reviews

The Unwomanly Face of War: An Oral History of Women in World War II by Svetlana Alexiévich

challenging dark informative reflective sad medium-paced

5.0

Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wang

challenging dark sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Whew, this story is intense and hard hitting. 

I read an interview with the author where she said that she doesn't actually read a lot of fiction even though standard advice for authors is to be well read in the genre you are writing. She prefers to read non-fiction, history, because there is so much untapped inspiration for stories there. I think her approach is working well for her because honestly I haven't read fantasy that felt this sharp in a long time. It very explicitly criticizes colonialism, the patriarchy, and religion that underpins both.

"Here was the cage that kept women in, made them fearful, made them small. Here was the barrier that kept Kwen from plenty, siphoned their lives, and starved them into ravenous hordes. The cage and the barrier weren't different structures. They were components in the same machine, cast and forged for the same ultimate purpose."

Glittering City by Cyprian Ekwensi

adventurous lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I like a good conman story but no man is handsome enough to be worth that trouble.

Parable of the Sower: A Graphic Novel Adaptation by Damian Duffy, Octavia E. Butler

challenging dark reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

I liked the art but overall I think it was too text heavy. It is being very true to the book, but I think the adaptation could have been looser and more interpretive. Like it could ask some of those questions about god and the purpose of life on a more dreamscape background, rather than showing an image of a journal page. It’s a big missed opportunity for some lovely expressionist art.

Daydream and Drunkenness of a Young Lady by Clarice Lispector

reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Das três histórias, gostei mais do Amor. Sinto muito, mas já li outros contos dela também e até agora não entendi o hype da Clarice. Será que eu ia gostar mais dos romances? 

Poetics and Interpretation of Biblical Narrative by Adele Berlin
Did not finish book. Stopped at 30%.

DNF @ 30%

I wanted to read this book because a lot of contemporary Christian teachers I like have cited it re: exploring biblical narratives through the literary lens, looking at narrative techniques and literary devices, what the point of view and repetitive phrases intend to signal the reader, etc. The Bible Project has been credited in a renewed interest in the Old Testament because of their teachings in this line. This book is short and accessible, for an academic work, but I was hoping for more discussion on repeated motifs and their meaning than an explanation of literary techniques such as characterization and POV.

Lent: The Season of Repentance and Renewal by Esau McCaulley

informative lighthearted reflective medium-paced

4.0

A light and easy intro to Lent for people who are new to practicing the liturgical seasons. It gives a bit of history and context into some common practices around the world. I wanted to read it as I was thinking about how I would like to observe Lent this year, and it helped me think of some ideas.

Watership Down by Richard Adams

adventurous emotional hopeful tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I have tried and failed to read this book in the past. The start of the book is helping no one. But once I got past that first 10%, the characters grew on me and I felt invested in their drama and I was rooting for their success. 

I liked how this book was not just humans masquerading as animals, but the rabbits really do have their own lupine culture that affects how they make decisions and interact. 

Someone described this as LOTR, Rabbit Edition, and that is spot on. Same vibes, for sure. 

Africa's Tarnished Name by Chinua Achebe

informative inspiring reflective slow-paced

4.0

"A human is a human because of other humans. Our humanity is contingent on the humanity of our fellows. No person or group can be human alone. We rise above the animal together, or not at all." -- Africa is People

The Viscount Says Yes: A Meddle & Mend Epilogue by Sarah Wallace

hopeful lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

THE HEA WE NEEDED FOR BERTIE AND PIP!!!!

This series has brought me so much happiness. Honestly I just sit there and grin the whole time. This was a fantastic ending for now, though the author mentioned there are 2 more stories planned 👀👀👀

I always say that it is easy to write a sad story, or a horror story: all we have to do for inspiration is look outside. But it is very difficult to write a story with characters who love, admire, and respect each other. I am glad I found the Meddle & Mend series and I hope the author finds a lot of success.