dhiyanah's reviews
499 reviews

The Carnelian King and Other Stories by Arden Powell

adventurous funny mysterious medium-paced

4.0

I enjoyed some of the stories in this collection, each created in response to prompts offered by the author's community - I thought that was really sweet and powerful.

The humor in the stories stood out for me. The author has a beautiful way of exploring intimacy as well. I adore the ease in which queer relationships are celebrated here. My favorites: 'The Carnelian King,' 'The Rainbow Necklace and the God of Summertime,' 'A Nun of the Order Of Infinite Luck Walks into a Bookshop,' and 'Beyond the Riverbanks of the Jade Palace.' The Fionnobhar stories were funny, reminded me a bit of Monty Python.

However, there were some elements or treatments of relational dynamics that were quite triggering for me to sit through, especially in the last story.

Otherwise, this was a really fun read and I'm glad I picked it up. I'd recommend it for those who enjoy exploring whimsical worlds, and for anyone who could use a burst of fantastical playfulness in their reads at this time. Plus, the cover art is gorgeous!

Content Warnings

Returning Home to Our Bodies: Reimagining the Relationship Between Our Bodies and the World--Practices for connecting somatics, nature, and social change by Abigail Rose Clarke

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hopeful informative reflective medium-paced

4.0

Frieren: Beyond Journey's End, Vol. 8 by Kanehito Yamada

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adventurous funny fast-paced

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

5.0

Content Warnings

Frieren: Beyond Journey's End, Vol. 7 by Kanehito Yamada

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adventurous funny relaxing fast-paced

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

5.0

Watermyth by Anita Harris Satkunananthan

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adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious medium-paced

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

5.0

Watermyth is an unapologetically feminine, dreamy, and thoughtful epic fantasy set in a world that reimagines post-colonial cultural dynamics, told in a narrative voice tempered like the sea and grounded in authenticity. Its structure is fragmented, much like the breaking of waves and the turbulent memories of its main characters - variations of watermaidens gravitating and shapeshifting towards each other by a shared determination to sustain the safe spaces they've found and forged together.

The style of storytelling reminded me of classical epic poetry, where the journey told the story more clearly than the characters or plot could. I could slow down here and let the current take me to the places and plot lines it needed me to witness. Towards the end, the asynchronous storytelling unfolded and a linearity emerged where the pieces fell into place, a doorway to the sequel blossoming open.

Watermyth has a diverse and lovable cast of characters that each uncover and explore an aspect of being, becoming, and living with the realities of watermaidens. The nature of watermaidens in this world is reminiscent of the transformative forces of trauma and recovery, along with the tension that trembles ceaselessly between them. The exploration of storytelling, from form to memory to the emotional reality of the practice, is treated with such reverence here.

Every time I sat down with the book, I was drawn to prepare a cup of tea for myself (and some snacks!), because honestly? It felt so right!

It was the best way to spend time with tea-loving mermaids tasked to face a multiverse of uncertainty.

Watermyth is a book for those who've gone through their own silenced hardships and are looking for a bit of softness within storms. A story for those who enjoy witnessing stories unfold in their authentic voices. A journey for those drawn towards reverie, mystery, and quietly courageous, intellectually sharp characters.

I'm looking forward to the sequel!

Content Warnings