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dingakaa's reviews
74 reviews
Suture by Nic Brewer
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-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
4.25
Wonderful and heartfelt, this is a completely unique way of representing the journey, and toll, of creating something. My one gripe is that Brewer decides to use sci-fi/fantasy as a vessel to do so, and she ignores the most important rule of the genres: the mechanics of your supernatural phenomena have to either be explained, or our collective lack of understanding of them has to be acknowledged and written into the story.
Brewer leans on the aspect of literally using up one's body to create art, which is impossible the way she writes it. However, there is no explanation whatsoever how, for example, someone can remove a lung to create art, stay alive, and then put it back when finished. While it is mildly unsatisfying to leave these questions unanswereed, what it also led to was a lack of understanding sometimes of WHAT the art actually was. This left me unfulfilled. If I'm to care how making art takes a toll on the artist, I want to fully understand what they are creating.
Brewer leans on the aspect of literally using up one's body to create art, which is impossible the way she writes it. However, there is no explanation whatsoever how, for example, someone can remove a lung to create art, stay alive, and then put it back when finished. While it is mildly unsatisfying to leave these questions unanswereed, what it also led to was a lack of understanding sometimes of WHAT the art actually was. This left me unfulfilled. If I'm to care how making art takes a toll on the artist, I want to fully understand what they are creating.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Blood, and Self harm
Luster by Raven Leilani
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I have only ever thought one book was perfect (Never Let Me Go - Kazuo Ishiguro). This is now the second. You should read it immediately and don't spoil it with skimming reviews or summaries. Just go.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Mental illness, Racism, Medical content, Miscarriage, and Racial slurs
Moderate: Physical abuse and Blood
Minor: Abortion and Animal death
Wittgenstein for beginners by John Heaton, Judy Groves
challenging
slow-paced
3.0
There was no distinction between the author's explanations and Wittgenstein's thoughts which made for very confusing reading. This wasn't so much an explanation as relaying of ideas, and as such, it was quite opaque for a philosophy newbie.
The BFG by Roald Dahl
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
A whizzpopping good time.
Flamer by Mike Curato
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Beautifully written. Beautifully illustrated. An important voice for the sometimes-voiceless.
Blood Scion by Deborah Falaye
adventurous
dark
inspiring
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? It's complicated
4.5
This is an incredible debut. Powerful, emotional, raw, the first person perspective and present tense, along with Falaye's skill, bring Sloane's every idea, whim, and feeling out of the page and into your chest. The plot is also interesting and the mythology upon which the story is based keeps the reader engaged and turning pages constantly. The graphic nature of the violence is also very refreshing. Fantasy authors often turn their battles/fight scenes into theatrical or artistic sets. If there is gratuitous violence or killing, it is often seen through a distant lens; Blood Scion zooms into its violence so you experience it on an individual level with all its pain, gore ,and sense of loss. Overall, this is a true thrill ride and is well set up for further installments.
My only complaints are minor and relate to plot construction and the mechanics of the magic in Sloane's world. These seem more like issues born from this being the first book in a series and Falaye finding her groove rather than fundamental issues with the story. To clarify:
- It is unclear whether the scars/blisters on Sloane's body are visible or not. She references them frequently but often intimates they're "below the surface." Other times it seems like a literal description of the damage her asé does to her skin. However, if the latter is the case, how do the Lucis not see it and question why this new recruit has new blisters and scars popping up at random times?
- If Celeste was gifted with divination, and Theodus gained that ability from her, why is Sloane now gifted with fire? We got some historical perspectives on Scions and Yorubas early in the book and this should have been included in that. I seem to remember it being a hereditary which would make Sloane's powers unexplained.
- I would have liked more context building with respect to the magic in this story. It's hard to tell exactly how powerful Sloane is and where that power is located within the spectrum of power in this world. When stories want this to be a mystery, it is more clear from the narration. At times, it seems like we shouldn't know how powerful Sloane is and that in itself might become a plot point. At other points, it feels almost assumed thatt she's extremely powerful.
- There was a lot of double-crossing that drove the plot forward in the last 100 pages. That was fun, but I don't quite understand the context within which it happened. The last 50 pages spends a lot of time explaining Sloane's family tree and how we got to this point in the story, but it's unclear what Theodus' motivations are and how the Blades fit into it all. I'm still not sure if the rest of the Blades knew Theodus' plan or not.
- I don't really buy that one month is enough to turn a teenager into a killing machine. Whether physically or with training/talent, it just feels like it's not enough.
- The use of the collar to suppress asé is very interesting. I wonder if Falaye was inspired by the A'dam in Wheel of Time.
- I'm excited for Falaye to build this world and expand the story. If this will become a trilogy, or something more, we're going to need maps. Geography and geopolitical struggle is a huge aspect of this world and being able to visualize the relative locations of major players is important.
- It is unclear whether the scars/blisters on Sloane's body are visible or not. She references them frequently but often intimates they're "below the surface." Other times it seems like a literal description of the damage her asé does to her skin. However, if the latter is the case, how do the Lucis not see it and question why this new recruit has new blisters and scars popping up at random times?
- If Celeste was gifted with divination, and Theodus gained that ability from her, why is Sloane now gifted with fire? We got some historical perspectives on Scions and Yorubas early in the book and this should have been included in that. I seem to remember it being a hereditary which would make Sloane's powers unexplained.
- I would have liked more context building with respect to the magic in this story. It's hard to tell exactly how powerful Sloane is and where that power is located within the spectrum of power in this world. When stories want this to be a mystery, it is more clear from the narration. At times, it seems like we shouldn't know how powerful Sloane is and that in itself might become a plot point. At other points, it feels almost assumed thatt she's extremely powerful.
- There was a lot of double-crossing that drove the plot forward in the last 100 pages. That was fun, but I don't quite understand the context within which it happened. The last 50 pages spends a lot of time explaining Sloane's family tree and how we got to this point in the story, but it's unclear what Theodus' motivations are and how the Blades fit into it all. I'm still not sure if the rest of the Blades knew Theodus' plan or not.
- I don't really buy that one month is enough to turn a teenager into a killing machine. Whether physically or with training/talent, it just feels like it's not enough.
- The use of the collar to suppress asé is very interesting. I wonder if Falaye was inspired by the A'dam in Wheel of Time.
- I'm excited for Falaye to build this world and expand the story. If this will become a trilogy, or something more, we're going to need maps. Geography and geopolitical struggle is a huge aspect of this world and being able to visualize the relative locations of major players is important.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Genocide, Fire/Fire injury, Racism, Violence, and Gun violence
The violence in this story is stark and frequent, but it enhances the story instead of detracts from it. Readers should be warned that it includes gun violence, hand-to-hand violence, murder, and gore. There is also ample discussion of fire and killing with fire.
The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows by John Koenig
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
Having someone "vocalize" a complex feeling you've felt for years but have never discussed or shared with anyone is unnerving, refreshing, and liberating. The words are not real, and yet, they are inspired by stories and feelings thousands of people have written to John Koenig about. In that way, the words are VERY real, and made me feel connected to others in a way I had never experienced before.
The Two Towers by J.R.R. Tolkien
adventurous
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Having read these decades ago, the movies have replaced them in my mind for how The Story is set up. The plot progression diverges wildly in TT from the movies (not that this changes the enjoyment at all, just a notable).
It seems Tolkien has fully grown past explicitly using a "narrator sitting by the fire telling a tall tale" voice which, at this stage, is appreciated. It was a nice touch for The Hobbit which feels like a very long bedtime story for children, and the remaining vestiges of it was charming in FOTR. With the story over half done and the characters fully developed, it would feel odd had it carried through this installment.
There are too many thoughts and opinions to state them all in a measly review (if you've come this far, just read the book). One thing I noticed on this read is the ease with which the narrator refers to the lore and mythology of the age as they come up in the story. Other fantasy writers will often take the time to "explain" it, through the narrator, to the reader, essentially breaking the fourth wall. While that mechanism is appreciated, Tolkien refers to old tales, gods, and legends as if they are self evident. It could be because The Hobbit/LOTR as a series are actually the memoirs of Bilbo and Frodo, and so it is not actually Tolkien writing it for us, but the Bagginses writing for Middle Earth.
It seems Tolkien has fully grown past explicitly using a "narrator sitting by the fire telling a tall tale" voice which, at this stage, is appreciated. It was a nice touch for The Hobbit which feels like a very long bedtime story for children, and the remaining vestiges of it was charming in FOTR. With the story over half done and the characters fully developed, it would feel odd had it carried through this installment.
There are too many thoughts and opinions to state them all in a measly review (if you've come this far, just read the book). One thing I noticed on this read is the ease with which the narrator refers to the lore and mythology of the age as they come up in the story. Other fantasy writers will often take the time to "explain" it, through the narrator, to the reader, essentially breaking the fourth wall. While that mechanism is appreciated, Tolkien refers to old tales, gods, and legends as if they are self evident. It could be because The Hobbit/LOTR as a series are actually the memoirs of Bilbo and Frodo, and so it is not actually Tolkien writing it for us, but the Bagginses writing for Middle Earth.
Negailestinga stebuklų šalis ir Pasaulio galas by Haruki Murakami
4.0
A style of writing I have never experienced before.
It's a mix of stream-of-consciousness writing with the kind of Requiem-style downhill pace that makes the prose seem like fluid thought. There's also a wonderful, fantastical quality to the tangible plot points that is unusual in a novel that doesn't involve magic and dragons (which is all the more fascinating considering it was written 35 years before I read it).
He does (predictably) struggle with gender roles and descriptions, to a point where, if it was published today, it would either receive backlash or just not be popular. These issues notwithstanding, it seems more accidental/a product of the 80s, and he does have a brilliant idea to draw you in. However, a friend mentioned he uses strikingly similar techniques in all his novels so it will be interesting to see whether that is a positive or negative when I get there.
It's a mix of stream-of-consciousness writing with the kind of Requiem-style downhill pace that makes the prose seem like fluid thought. There's also a wonderful, fantastical quality to the tangible plot points that is unusual in a novel that doesn't involve magic and dragons (which is all the more fascinating considering it was written 35 years before I read it).
He does (predictably) struggle with gender roles and descriptions, to a point where, if it was published today, it would either receive backlash or just not be popular. These issues notwithstanding, it seems more accidental/a product of the 80s, and he does have a brilliant idea to draw you in. However, a friend mentioned he uses strikingly similar techniques in all his novels so it will be interesting to see whether that is a positive or negative when I get there.
The Path of Daggers by Robert Jordan
4.0
SPOILER ALERT
After book seven, this felt like a better paced instalment. The initial work with the Bowl of the Winds was exciting and finally felt like stories were coming to fruition. However, there were two more climaxes throughout the book, which ended up concluding rather slowly. All in all, this is fine, considering the pacing had been so poor for two books. Overall, things are moving again.
After book seven, this felt like a better paced instalment. The initial work with the Bowl of the Winds was exciting and finally felt like stories were coming to fruition. However, there were two more climaxes throughout the book, which ended up concluding rather slowly. All in all, this is fine, considering the pacing had been so poor for two books. Overall, things are moving again.