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dhrish's reviews
123 reviews
The Death of Vivek Oji by Akwaeke Emezi
4.0
4.5 stars
C/W: May be considered spoilers sexual assault, rape, incest between cousins, cheating, exorcism, violence, mental health not taken seriously, death of a trans character
"The Death of Vivek Oji" is my kind of book. Set in Nigeria we follow the years leading to, moments of and aftermath of Vivek's death. It definitely is a read that leaves the reader much sadder at the end than the beginning.
Akwaeka Emezi is a magician at weaving their words and even when the structure or plot doesn't make much sense, they manage to pull everything together just as chaotically as it started.
I also loved the look into Nigeria from the lens of family (biological and of choice), as well as a critical commentary of family dynamics. I would suggest looking at the content warnings if you do get triggered while reading.
C/W: May be considered spoilers
"The Death of Vivek Oji" is my kind of book. Set in Nigeria we follow the years leading to, moments of and aftermath of Vivek's death. It definitely is a read that leaves the reader much sadder at the end than the beginning.
Akwaeka Emezi is a magician at weaving their words and even when the structure or plot doesn't make much sense, they manage to pull everything together just as chaotically as it started.
I also loved the look into Nigeria from the lens of family (biological and of choice), as well as a critical commentary of family dynamics. I would suggest looking at the content warnings if you do get triggered while reading.
Love Hard by Nalini Singh
3.0
I thought this was an interesting look at a "friends to lovers" experience who are tied together by grief and brought together for a wedding. While I didn't enjoy "Love Hard" as a story, as much as I thought I would, the characters were delightful and I enjoyed the small looks into rugby. I also loved that it was set in New Zealand. Basically, this is a summer read if you are looking for one.
Deathless Divide by Justina Ireland
5.0
I am so sad to say goodbye to my favourite duology of the year.
C/W: Medical experimentation, derogatory terms used in the time period, time-period specific violence, grief
Every issue I had with the pacing and characterisation of "Dread Nation" seemed to resolve itself in the "Deathless Divide". I loved that this story was a dual perspective. Jane and Katherine made my heart melt, laugh out loud and sober up in their stories.
Justina Ireland is a genius for not only integrating the struggle of Black communities at the time but by weaving the fictional aspect of zombies, she forces us to look at how the US was built from immigration, race relations and the complexities of humans who think their vision proceeds the lives of others.
I waited a while to read this sequel, afraid that I liked "Dread Nation" because of the mood I was in at the time. This was not the case, I love the way this universe is crafted and the characters who shape it. I love the lessons it speaks of and it's the use of commentary. If you did enjoy "Dread Nation" please pick up "Deathless Divide" it really is a perfect ending to such a wonderful world.
C/W: Medical experimentation, derogatory terms used in the time period, time-period specific violence, grief
Every issue I had with the pacing and characterisation of "Dread Nation" seemed to resolve itself in the "Deathless Divide". I loved that this story was a dual perspective. Jane and Katherine made my heart melt, laugh out loud and sober up in their stories.
Justina Ireland is a genius for not only integrating the struggle of Black communities at the time but by weaving the fictional aspect of zombies, she forces us to look at how the US was built from immigration, race relations and the complexities of humans who think their vision proceeds the lives of others.
I waited a while to read this sequel, afraid that I liked "Dread Nation" because of the mood I was in at the time. This was not the case, I love the way this universe is crafted and the characters who shape it. I love the lessons it speaks of and it's the use of commentary. If you did enjoy "Dread Nation" please pick up "Deathless Divide" it really is a perfect ending to such a wonderful world.
Meet Cute Club by Jack Harbon
3.0
3.5 stars
C/W: In book
There is something incredibly distinct about Jack Harbon's writing style that never fails to bring a smile to my face. While it has been years since I have picked up something written by Jack, there is this sense of familiarity with his storytelling that feels like coming home.
"Meet Cute Club" proudly loves romance for everything that it is. The loud, big gestures and quiet tender moments. It's a call-out to the power of building a community, but the hurt it brings when that community begins to crumble. But mostly it is a letter to the people in our lives that show-up and do better.
Either way, I definitely suggest picking up any of Jack's works, but if you want a good taste of Jack's style and the way he tackles issues "Meet Cute Club" is a great place to start.
C/W: In book
There is something incredibly distinct about Jack Harbon's writing style that never fails to bring a smile to my face. While it has been years since I have picked up something written by Jack, there is this sense of familiarity with his storytelling that feels like coming home.
"Meet Cute Club" proudly loves romance for everything that it is. The loud, big gestures and quiet tender moments. It's a call-out to the power of building a community, but the hurt it brings when that community begins to crumble. But mostly it is a letter to the people in our lives that show-up and do better.
Either way, I definitely suggest picking up any of Jack's works, but if you want a good taste of Jack's style and the way he tackles issues "Meet Cute Club" is a great place to start.
Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
4.0
C/W: Racism, micro-aggressions, grief and character deaths
"Legendborn" was everything I expected it to be, but surprising all the same. A wonderful reinvention of an old legend. I especially liked how "Legendborn" handled the process of grief and grieving. While I do think that a younger person might have appreciated the story more than I did, Bree was a wonderful character to view the world through. I had an incredible time remembering the importance of ancestors, how ancestral history allowed to be preserved and who is allowed to preserve theirs.
If you're an audiobook fan, the North Carolina accents in the audiobook really help set the scene.
"Legendborn" was everything I expected it to be, but surprising all the same. A wonderful reinvention of an old legend. I especially liked how "Legendborn" handled the process of grief and grieving. While I do think that a younger person might have appreciated the story more than I did, Bree was a wonderful character to view the world through. I had an incredible time remembering the importance of ancestors, how ancestral history allowed to be preserved and who is allowed to preserve theirs.
If you're an audiobook fan, the North Carolina accents in the audiobook really help set the scene.
The Henna Wars by Adiba Jaigirdar
4.0
C/W: Racism, micro-aggressions, homophobia, outing, bulling
Nishat was probably the kind of character I needed to see as a 16-year-old. While I am not Bangladeshi, I could relate to a lot of Nishat's experiences. Although I definitely wasn't as proud of my South Asian roots at her age.
Adiba does a wonderful job of capturing the nuances and hypocrisy of both the South Asian community and cultural appropriation. While I didn't care too much for the side-plots, I will emphasise that this story gave me hope about love, acceptance and family, and, for now, all those things are enough.
Nishat was probably the kind of character I needed to see as a 16-year-old. While I am not Bangladeshi, I could relate to a lot of Nishat's experiences. Although I definitely wasn't as proud of my South Asian roots at her age.
Adiba does a wonderful job of capturing the nuances and hypocrisy of both the South Asian community and cultural appropriation. While I didn't care too much for the side-plots, I will emphasise that this story gave me hope about love, acceptance and family, and, for now, all those things are enough.
An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
4.0
I have never felt so hurt while reading a book. Sabaa Tahir has an incredible ability to make me care about every single character at least once, no matter how terrible they might have been. "An Ember in the Ashes" was an emotional rollercoaster and I was not ready.
While a lot of this book felt predictable and familiar, it was exactly what I needed while I was reading it. So that definitely influenced my enjoyment of this book. I am not sure whether I will pick up the sequel soon though because I am unusually satisfied with the cliffhanger ending.
While a lot of this book felt predictable and familiar, it was exactly what I needed while I was reading it. So that definitely influenced my enjoyment of this book. I am not sure whether I will pick up the sequel soon though because I am unusually satisfied with the cliffhanger ending.
A Dark and Secret Place by Jen Williams
DNF at 30% and not rated
Please look at other reviews for a more comprehensive look at the book.
I've been working on reading this story for weeks and while I loved the premise, nothing about the plot or the characters made me interested in reading any further. While there were some plot points I found myself invested in, the overall beginning of this story read as very dry rather than creepy.
I don't think I am the audience for this book and I can't bring myself to finish it to confirm.
Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for allowing me to read an e-arc of "A Dark and Secret Place" by Jen Williams. This book is set to come out 8 June 2021
Please look at other reviews for a more comprehensive look at the book.
I've been working on reading this story for weeks and while I loved the premise, nothing about the plot or the characters made me interested in reading any further. While there were some plot points I found myself invested in, the overall beginning of this story read as very dry rather than creepy.
I don't think I am the audience for this book and I can't bring myself to finish it to confirm.
Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for allowing me to read an e-arc of "A Dark and Secret Place" by Jen Williams. This book is set to come out 8 June 2021
Scoring the Player's Baby by Naima Simone
3.0
3.5 stars
C/W: Parental abandonment, cancer, character death, cystic fibrosis, miscarriage, cheating
Ronin and Kim's story was, for me, the best written. I think because this book was longer than the other two books we got to see more character development from both leads.
Ronin was definitely my favourite male character. While Kim's resilience and follow-through made the relationship one that I was invested in.
The sexist language and gender binary were slightly toned-down in this book. I hope we do get to see a prequel of Jason and Renee though because the side-plot of friends to lover to enemies is definitely something I would enjoy reading.
Overall a series to read if you are looking for something steamy, set in the same universe, with three different plots.
C/W: Parental abandonment, cancer, character death, cystic fibrosis, miscarriage, cheating
Ronin and Kim's story was, for me, the best written. I think because this book was longer than the other two books we got to see more character development from both leads.
Ronin was definitely my favourite male character. While Kim's resilience and follow-through made the relationship one that I was invested in.
The sexist language and gender binary were slightly toned-down in this book. I hope we do get to see a prequel of Jason and Renee though because the side-plot of friends to lover to enemies is definitely something I would enjoy reading.
Overall a series to read if you are looking for something steamy, set in the same universe, with three different plots.
Memorial by Bryan Washington
5.0
C/W: Talks of parental neglect
This was unlike any family centred story I had listened. While the audiobook is exquisitely put together I definitely I'm going to try to pick up a physical copy to reread.
I loved that it talked about parents, the effects of parental decisions, relationships with people and the role culture and upbringing has in shaping a person. While I have read quite a few books this year along the literary fiction vein, this is the first time where I can honestly say that there is no villain in this story. "Memorial" talks about characters through mundane moments and therefore draws the readers attention to their humanity before giving the reader permission to pass judgement.
The writing is in the present tense, makes use of incredibly short sentences and can come across as monotone to some. Mike and Ben have a very dysfunctional relationship, this is what carries the story. While a good chunk of the novel is told from Ben's perspective, the ideas and themes really only start coming together when Mike's perspective is shown too.
Overall, this was a slower reading experience than usual which picked up speed after the Osaka chapters.
This was unlike any family centred story I had listened. While the audiobook is exquisitely put together I definitely I'm going to try to pick up a physical copy to reread.
I loved that it talked about parents, the effects of parental decisions, relationships with people and the role culture and upbringing has in shaping a person. While I have read quite a few books this year along the literary fiction vein, this is the first time where I can honestly say that there is no villain in this story. "Memorial" talks about characters through mundane moments and therefore draws the readers attention to their humanity before giving the reader permission to pass judgement.
The writing is in the present tense, makes use of incredibly short sentences and can come across as monotone to some. Mike and Ben have a very dysfunctional relationship, this is what carries the story. While a good chunk of the novel is told from Ben's perspective, the ideas and themes really only start coming together when Mike's perspective is shown too.
Overall, this was a slower reading experience than usual which picked up speed after the Osaka chapters.