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firozah's reviews
69 reviews
Stories of Your Life and Others by Ted Chiang
5.0
wow, every single short story in here was an absolute banger
originally just wanted to read the inspo for Arrival, but pleasantly surprised that there were even better stories in this collection.
originally just wanted to read the inspo for Arrival, but pleasantly surprised that there were even better stories in this collection.
The Ballad of Black Tom by Victor LaValle
4.0
4.5 stars. A wonderful novella for fans of cosmic horror. I admit the title struck me as melodramatic (corny, even?) but having finished it, in context it's pretty ingenious. I've been lost in a rabbit hole about the Five Percenters ever since--what a weird, wonderful cultural moment I'd never heard about.
I was recommended this by the GR algorithm after finishing Langan's The Fisherman, thirsting for more cosmic horror. The description hadn't convinced me it would fit the bill, but it's actually an excellent follow-up. I would also shelve this near The Library at Mount Char.
Cool historical context, great characters, a compelling story with juicy revenge, and a sick rebuttal to Lovecraftian racism.
I was recommended this by the GR algorithm after finishing Langan's The Fisherman, thirsting for more cosmic horror. The description hadn't convinced me it would fit the bill, but it's actually an excellent follow-up. I would also shelve this near The Library at Mount Char.
Cool historical context, great characters, a compelling story with juicy revenge, and a sick rebuttal to Lovecraftian racism.
Kraken by China Miéville
3.0
3.5 stars
I loved Mieville's Embassytown, which was written a year after Kraken (and far surpasses it in my opinion). Kraken has a lot of interesting lore and creepy imagery, but suffers from a slow-moving plot and unlikeable characters. I was vaguely rooting for the good guys, but most of the book is spent chasing dead ends for answers. Who took the kraken and why? We don't really know until the final few chapters, and it feels anticlimactic to realize
The best parts of the book are the descriptions ofmemory angels, Tattoo and his entourage of knuckleheads and human radios, and Goss and Subby . I love the mind-bending physics and the idea of a London underworld. I really got a good sense of place from this book. I just never felt attached to Billy or the cops. I wasn't really rooting for anyone per se, just not-the-bad-guys. Dane and Wati were probably my favorite characters.
Bonus points for all the squid puns.
I loved Mieville's Embassytown, which was written a year after Kraken (and far surpasses it in my opinion). Kraken has a lot of interesting lore and creepy imagery, but suffers from a slow-moving plot and unlikeable characters. I was vaguely rooting for the good guys, but most of the book is spent chasing dead ends for answers. Who took the kraken and why? We don't really know until the final few chapters, and it feels anticlimactic to realize
Spoiler
the kraken was never really the goal at all, but a series of jars containing original Darwinian specimens that a creationist lunatic wants to destroy. Also, the final boss is... ink in a jar and some papercuts? And Billy is not a kraken prophet at all but a prophet of... glass bottles? Womp.The best parts of the book are the descriptions of
Spoiler
(especially the first time they appear, quite literally, out of thin air)Spoiler
Oh, and Paul. Absolute legend. Loved the touch at the end where he tattooed over Tattoo's tattoo mouth. Say that five times fast.Bonus points for all the squid puns.
Take Me Apart by Sara Sligar
2.0
I would give this 3.5 if possible. The writing is good, great even, but I didn't care for the romance at all. I don't think Theo was a particularly memorable character beyond being tall, dark, handsome and mysterious. Also, he has terrible taste in naming children.
Miranda's journal entries were the best part and it was interesting to see the mystery of her death slowly uncover, although the end was pretty anticlimactic. I kind of wished it was a murder after all.
Miranda's journal entries were the best part and it was interesting to see the mystery of her death slowly uncover, although the end was pretty anticlimactic. I kind of wished it was a murder after all.