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essjay's reviews
567 reviews
It Lasts Forever and Then It's Over by Anne de Marcken
4.0
This is v much a "thank the gods I was actually in the mood for this" sort of book, bc if I hadn't been looking for something sad and introspective, I probably would have bounced off of it.
Dead Animals by Phoebe Stuckes
4.75
Do not read anything about this book. Do not read the summary, do not read other reviews, just read this book if you are looking for something poetically claustrophobic, sad, and angry.
The Rearranged Life of Oona Lockhart by Margarita Montimore
4.0
I almost never say this, but I wish this had been another 100pp longer. Desperately want to know more about what happens next.
A Rival Most Vial by R.K. Ashwick
1.75
Ceci n'est pas it, chief.
Idk. I guess it was readable? But the worldbuilding made no sense to me and I just didn't understand how I was supposed to give a shit about any of it?
And howtf do they go from literallypunching each other in the face to "omg, I think I like you" in a matter of days?
Bleh.
Idk. I guess it was readable? But the worldbuilding made no sense to me and I just didn't understand how I was supposed to give a shit about any of it?
And howtf do they go from literally
Bleh.
A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers
4.75
14y/o specifically requested I read aloud something hopeful, so after much scrolling on my Kobo, I picked this. It was the right choice. We both fell in love with it immediately, and remained in love with it until the very last sentence.
Velveteen vs. the Early Adventures by Seanan McGuire
Part of me wants to leave my review there, but the rest of me realizes it would be fucked up times 8373 to do that for an ARC.
So. None of these are new stories. As the title states, these are the early adventures Velveteen, the most recent of which was published on McGuire's LiveJournal back in 2013. BUT, I only read a handful of them back then bc I had v smol and distracting children running around who caused me to forget many things, including things I really loved.
Which...I shouldn't have loved this as much as I did. I don't really LIKE most superhero stories (always preferred horror or science fiction comics), but there was just enough bureaucratic bullshit (my personal weakness) to keep me engaged.
A small nitpick would be the first set of Appendices toward the middle of the book, which kind of spoiled some future reveals and plotlines, but [shrug]. It's not enough to mark it down.
Really hoping McGuire is able to complete Velveteen's arc, and that there will be another omnibus from Subterranean in the not too distant future.
4.5
Velveteen cried havoc and let slip the dolls of war.
Part of me wants to leave my review there, but the rest of me realizes it would be fucked up times 8373 to do that for an ARC.
So. None of these are new stories. As the title states, these are the early adventures Velveteen, the most recent of which was published on McGuire's LiveJournal back in 2013. BUT, I only read a handful of them back then bc I had v smol and distracting children running around who caused me to forget many things, including things I really loved.
Which...I shouldn't have loved this as much as I did. I don't really LIKE most superhero stories (always preferred horror or science fiction comics), but there was just enough bureaucratic bullshit (my personal weakness) to keep me engaged.
A small nitpick would be the first set of Appendices toward the middle of the book, which kind of spoiled some future reveals and plotlines, but [shrug]. It's not enough to mark it down.
Really hoping McGuire is able to complete Velveteen's arc, and that there will be another omnibus from Subterranean in the not too distant future.
The Shutouts by Gabrielle Korn
2.5
I was not the hugest fan of Yours for the Taking, but figured I'd give this one a shot regardless. YftT felt so surface level in its commentary and critique, and I think The Shutouts suffers from the same problem. Maybe if you do not spend much time in activist spaces, this will seem wildly new and groundbreaking to you. If so, that's GREAT (genuinely), but keep going bc I promise there's more out there with actual depth that will push those boundaries for you in a way that doesn't come from a place of Cis White privilege (like maybe adrienne maree brown and Margaret Killjoy).
A good starting place, but ultimately lacking.
A good starting place, but ultimately lacking.
Love And Other Human Errors by Bethany Clift
4.0
Given the state of [gestures wildly] everything this week, I wanted something soft and fluffy that I wouldn't have to think about. This was that. Not at all like Clift's Last One at the Party, but still thoroughly engaging and difficult to put down.
The Summer I Ate the Rich by Maritza Moulite, Maika Moulite
3.75
I was approved for this ARC just as I was about to finish reading the last book I read aloud to my 14y/o.
Me: Hey, would you be interested in us reading this next?
Them: Based on just the title and cover, yes, absolutely.
Overall, it was highly enjoyable and I'm glad I read it aloud. I loved Brielle's voice, and the interludes with theGreek Hatian Chorus Muses to give us backstory and provide a different flavour of narration. I also really enjoyed the Haitian magic and zonbi mythology (which, tbh, I was obsessed with a bit when I was younger after The Serpent and the Rainbow scared the pants off me at far too young an age). Also loved the scathing criticism of the billionaire class and how they'll step on everyone for money.
BUT. It all kind of fell apart at the end? Everything up until about 80% was tight and suspenseful and funny, and then...it just was kind of over? There was very little of what I expected this to be going in, and I was fine with that up until I wasn't.
Me: Hey, would you be interested in us reading this next?
Them: Based on just the title and cover, yes, absolutely.
Overall, it was highly enjoyable and I'm glad I read it aloud. I loved Brielle's voice, and the interludes with the
BUT. It all kind of fell apart at the end? Everything up until about 80% was tight and suspenseful and funny, and then...it just was kind of over? There was very little of what I expected this to be going in, and I was fine with that up until I wasn't.