bookaquarius's reviews
70 reviews

Fevered Star by Rebecca Roanhorse

adventurous emotional slow-paced

I finished Fevered Star and I have some mixed feelings! It was okay, nothing mind blowing. This book feels like it doesn’t have an established identity compared to book one or how I imagine book three will go. I think it felt too surface level to me and I wish there had been more depth to the relationships, the motivations, and the revelations about characters. Overall, I found the pacing to be a major issue. It took forever to get going and we spent most of the book flitting between perspectives where nothing much was happening beyond people staring at each other and questioning loyalties. Perhaps it was supposed to be part of the experience for readers to feel as if they’re in the dark but I found it a bit too obscure at times because all the plotting seemed to be happening off-page. I’d find myself in the middle of a scene wondering how we even got there. This also made it hard to understand motivations and sometimes things would come to a head without sufficient reveals. There was not enough of Serapio having actual feelings or plans in this book, he was so distant and aloof but maybe that is a reaction to the events of book 1. I wish there had been more development of the relationships between characters generally. The development between Iktan and Xiala was interesting but it still felt based on nothing. I think we were left to assume the existence of meaningful relationships without much to go on. The history between Xiala and her mom fell flat for me too, it just seemed so odd. 

I do think there were good moments. The last 1/3 was more interesting even though it was rushed (given all the time dedicated to the characters not talking to each other). It sets up book 3 to be more interesting! Narampa finally stopped pretending to be a politician which will hopefully help her storyline evolve. I also like that Xiala will be heading off on another mission in book 3. 

REREAD: The summary of my thoughts is there were not enough development done to make the little explanation of character motivations we had make sense, the reveals were not satisfying enough because so much plotting happened off page, the interactions between characters left a lot to be desired (we get it—you don’t trust anyone), and Xiala was really frustrating in this book because wdym you’re this deeply in love and don’t care to think about the massacre at all? “He doesn’t deserve to die!” Because you love him? Okay. The entire “hold on Sarapio, I’m coming” thing was very irritating to me bc what are you even going to do when you get to him? No money, no connections, no plan, can’t fight, just want to cling to him. After being a badass ship captain and sailor? No thoughts, head empty???

The last third—once again—was the best part. Things finally picked up and started happening on the page. It was a great set up for the next book, but it left me wishing it had been more evenly paced throughout the book because the first half felt so wasted in comparison. 

So overall I did not like it as much as the first book, I think the characters went in directions that just did not make sense to me. But now I feel prepared going into book three and I hope things pick up again! 

Bliss Montage by Ling Ma

challenging dark emotional funny mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I’m having a revelation about short books. I’ve stunned myself at finishing yet another book before the end of the year! I read Bliss Montage by Ling Ma and it was gripping both in terms of prose and thematically. If you want to feel weird about how dangerous, stifling, and dissatisfying heterosexual relationships can be for women this would be a GREAT read to kick off 2025! Also great for anyone who realized their close friend was actually an enemy but only once it was too late and irreversible damage had been done! 🙂‍↔️

But seriously, I think Ma offers a really intriguing, ominous, and well crafted story collection that touches on a lot of relevant and enticing topics (e.g., not fitting in to romantic relationships, platonic relationships, aftermath of surviving domestic violence, situationships, mothers (omg wait I’m just realizing how completely irrelevant father figures were in these stories hold on…), the future, can we change, etc.). And because this is a speculative fiction collection each topic and story has something weird going on! 

Please note there are a few stories with open endings. That’s going to bother me for the rest of my life, I fear. But I respect the craft and I did find it to be an interesting exercise do decide what happened for myself or to run away from thinking about it at all. One thing I do know, the professor was a villain! 

The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden

adventurous dark slow-paced

Something about hearing a book be described as “painfully slow” makes me want to tune in. And it has paid off on multiple occasions! I finished The Bear and the Nightingale and I really enjoyed it. It was a wintery, atmospheric, Russian inspired, fairy tale-esque story and centers around a protagonist who has never quite been usual or willing to conform to expectations. And I suppose it’s slow as well! But at only 320 pages it zoomed by to me. I loved reading about all the weird creatures that inhabited this setting and seeing Vasya—the protagonist—defy expectations. There is definitely some cristicism of Christianity in this book but I wonder if it could or will go further in the future? Vasya also seemed to be the only person who saw what a trap women are living in and I want to see that explored more in the next books. At one point one of her (many) brothers said something to the effect of, “Vasya all the awful things you listed are just how it is for women.” Like, oh boy are you so close to a point!! The human villains were definitely irritating (the priest is creeeepy), and the non-human ones were a bit vague. I don’t know if their motivations were explored clearly enough here in this first book, but it also could be symptom of the fairy tale nature of the story that they don’t really need deeper motivations than being an evil-doer. 

It’s was a perfect late December read for me and I do want to pick up the rest of the series.

The Daughters of Izdihar by Hadeer Elsbai

medium-paced

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

3.0

I finished The Daughters of Izdihar and I have thoughts. At various points, this book ranged from 2.5-3.5 stars for me. I do think it’s worth giving a try if you haven’t yet because I think overall there was pretty good writing, interesting characters, a magic system based on manipulating elements, and a main plot centered around feminism and organizing to get women more rights in this fictional society based on modern Egyptian history. I think it has potential! 

Nehal and Giorgina are the two main characters with two different levels of privilege but bonded through their common experience as women in a misogynistic and oppressive society. They are both “weavers” so they can control an element. While Nehal relishes her power, Giorgina fears it. Both women are working in a group that organizes to get women the right to vote/provides services to women. Spoiler: men are working to thwart them. 

Women’s rights is the entire point of this story so plz don’t use the phrase “heavy handed” in my comments! But the broader political landscape outside of this was lacking. There is war looming but neither character seems to actually care until the end. Nehal for whatever flimsy reason wants to be a soldier?? 🤨 And yet ignores every piece of information she hears about war??? Her head is literally made of 3 feet of cement I could write a treatise on how mad she made me lol. The magic system was also underdeveloped. We spend 3 seconds at the magic academy and learn almost nothing (but Nehal suddenly becomes powerful…).

There were some points in this book that were hit so many times I started to get tired of it. The repetitive nature of the themes, the phrases, the concerns of the characters, felt a bit rote by the end. We don’t need to hear the words “gossip travels fast in this city” every time characters are learning of gossip. Why does Nehal burst into the police station, barge into the chief’s office, have a yelling match, then storm off, multiple times in the story let alone multiple times a day? 

Last note: Nico was such a wet blanket 😤. It’s shocking to me that anyone wanted to speak to him let alone desired him. Stand up! 

Forest of Noise: Poems by Mosab Abu Toha

challenging dark emotional reflective sad fast-paced

5.0

So many beautiful and heart wrenching poems. One day I will go back through and mark my favorites. 

Blood Over Bright Haven by M.L. Wang

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

4.0

I finished Blood Over Bright Haven and it was a ride. I thought it was captivating and explicit in its themes, but I don’t think I’d return to it again. It’s Dark academia not in the leaves are turning orange and we wear burgundy plaid jackets way, but in a literal people are getting k*lled here way. This story explores themes of sexism, racism, immigration, eugenics, oppression, and other related topics. We follow Sciona and Thomil as they work together on a project for the contingent of mages Sciona is newly inducted into. Discoveries are made, beliefs are challenged, many screaming matches are had. Sciona will frustrate you to no end as she inundates you with all of her most foul beliefs about “lesser” ethnic groups.

I would disagree that this story is about a white feminist bc I think the story overall is about much more than what Sciona believes. It’s not even that simple to call her a feminist. She serves herself & her quest for power foremost and only vaguely cares about the fringe benefit to other women. I think for the majority of the book she cares about her ability to leave a mark on history, not /women’s/ ability to leave a mark. Also, to the extent “white feminism” is just a term to describe someone who can’t or won’t care about intersectionality, I don’t think this really captures her character. For me, Sciona wasn’t supposed to be the bad feminist or the revolutionary. I think the main point of her character was to demonstrate the concept of “decolonize your mind.” She paid for that work morally, symbolically, and physically and in the end it really wasn’t even about her or what these revelations meant for her. She ultimately wasn’t going to benefit or be rewarded for the work at all. It was her duty to do the work primarily so that the people she helped to oppress and k-ll could go on to shape their own fate how they saw fit. I like that the narrative took the consequences way beyond what she could control or foresee and that she had to confront, right up until the end, that it’s not up to her to sit in judgment of how people respond to decades or centuries of violence unleashed upon them without remorse. 

Beyond Sciona specifically, it’s also a story about how academia can be a tool for obfuscation and oppression as much as enlightenment. Especially when a powerful few academics get to choose what history is preserved and how it’s told. 

Spoilery?? ⚠️ TO ME…Sciona was Ace and that kiss shouldn’t have happened (kidding!! …. or am I?) 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, Racism, Rape, Sexism, and Xenophobia

The Bruising of Qilwa by Naseem Jamnia

dark mysterious fast-paced

3.0

The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School by Sonora Reyes

emotional funny hopeful inspiring fast-paced

5.0

I finished The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School during a long drive last night. This was such a great YA contemporary! We follow the protagonist, Yamilet, as she navigates home life and starting a new school. 

She's dealing with losing friends, trying to make new ones, living up to all her family expects of her, maintaining a job, hateful comments from her close-minded peers and neighbors, and struggling to come to terms with the right time to come out as a lesbian when she fears the people around her will not be accepting. 

It's a lot for a kid! Even so, there's so many funny and sweet moments as Yami navigates her relationships. 

She always manages to find a bright spot. I think this book did a great job at exploring really deep, emotional topics that a lot of people can relate to, and still choosing to give a hopeful outlook that I think so many people, especially young people, will cling to. I liked that Yami tried so hard at everything she did, most of all at being there for the people around her. I found her so relatable in many ways. It kind of felt like reading a younger version of myself. Her constant internal investigation about how to get her words out right, what people must be thinking, how she is holding herself, etc etc was so spot on for what it's like being an anxious person feeling like you can't quite reconcile your inner world with your outer one! Watching Yami come in to her own was really special and I'm glad I read this.

The Carnivale of Curiosities by Amiee Gibbs

challenging dark mysterious medium-paced

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

3.75

I finally finished this! It’s not been easy to find the energy to read lately but I made it through. The Carnivale of Curiosities is a great fall read for all the people out there who really miss the atmosphere around ABC Family’s 31 Nights of Halloween. It’s seasonal and intriguing but not so scary that a delicate girl such as myself could not sleep at night. It’s a gothic horror based around Faustian bargains and has a distinct creepy, dark vibe set perfectly against a historic (foggy) London backdrop. I liked the setting, several of the characters, the mystery that left some questions turning without feeling dissatisfying, and the magic/performances that are left unexplained. I also liked the theme of people being different does not mean they don’t have a place or that they need to conform. The book wasn’t overwhelming with circus scenes as this is really more a story about characters in and around this show rather than the show itself. 

I think this story would have been stronger if the author had gone with the real main character, Aurelius Ashe, instead of trying to make Lucien happen. I understand why he needed to be prominent but Ashe was the center of all intrigue in this story and should have been the heart of the plot. All Lucien does is complain and be hot which like… go off I guess! Him and Charlotte were anticlimactic and the forced chemistry dragged this down a bit, it wasn’t awful though. Charlotte and Ashe however were incredibly compelling together platonically, especially the ending! 

There were plenty of dark moments in this story as well so beware. S.A., abuse, child loss, death, violence all have a heavy hand in this. 

Overall I enjoyed it, glad I read it this season and tried something new genre-wise! The audio book was really well done; I recommend listening to this one. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, and Murder

A Few Rules for Predicting the Future: An Essay by Octavia E. Butler

hopeful inspiring fast-paced

5.0