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gussurireads's reviews
39 reviews
A Pillbug Story by Allison Conway
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
[ARC obtained via Edelweiss]
Originally a webtoon, this is a lovely collection of short stories surrounding the daily lives of Millie the Pillbug and their group of friends. It's beautifully illustrated and has a very particular sense of humor, centered around bug puns and bug biology. The only downsides being that the sections are quite short, there is little to no story and the ending feels quite abrupt.
Originally a webtoon, this is a lovely collection of short stories surrounding the daily lives of Millie the Pillbug and their group of friends. It's beautifully illustrated and has a very particular sense of humor, centered around bug puns and bug biology. The only downsides being that the sections are quite short, there is little to no story and the ending feels quite abrupt.
A Princesa e a Tosta de Queijo by Deya Muniz
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Adorei tudo sobre este livro, desde a temática do queijo em que todas as personagens são tipos de queijo diferentes, as ilustrações que são lindas de morrer, à história da Cam e da Brie que me levou a dar uns risonhos de entusiasmo e a gritar de emoção.
Ás de Espadas by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Não sou a pessoa mais qualificada para tecer uma opinião sobre a experiência das pessoas negras, no entanto creio que aquilo que Faridah tentou fazer com "Ás de Espadas" foi feito antes e melhor pelo filme "Get Out" de Jordan Peele.
"Ás de Espadas" trata-se de uma estreia de uma autora que escreveu isto com apenas 18 anos, zangada (e com razão) com as questões raciais que continuam a discriminar jovens negros nos acessos às melhores empresas e universidades. A forma como foi abordado, no entanto, carece de subtileza e até um pouco mais de optimismo, pois as experiências de Devon e Chiamaka são tão miseráveis de uma forma exagerada, quase cómica (algumas criticas falam inclusive numa espécie de "trauma p*rn"). Sendo eles adolescentes na era contemporânea, a ausência das redes sociais foi gritante, até à parte final do enredo onde um tweet de Devon acaba por resolver todo o conflito e salvar o dia.
Apesar dos pontos mais fracos, creio que seja uma leitura divertida, com vibes de Gossip Girl misturado com mistério, não sendo particularmente excecional em nenhuma das temáticas ou géneros que tentou explorar.
"Ás de Espadas" trata-se de uma estreia de uma autora que escreveu isto com apenas 18 anos, zangada (e com razão) com as questões raciais que continuam a discriminar jovens negros nos acessos às melhores empresas e universidades. A forma como foi abordado, no entanto, carece de subtileza e até um pouco mais de optimismo, pois as experiências de Devon e Chiamaka são tão miseráveis de uma forma exagerada, quase cómica (algumas criticas falam inclusive numa espécie de "trauma p*rn"). Sendo eles adolescentes na era contemporânea, a ausência das redes sociais foi gritante, até à parte final do enredo onde um tweet de Devon acaba por resolver todo o conflito e salvar o dia.
Apesar dos pontos mais fracos, creio que seja uma leitura divertida, com vibes de Gossip Girl misturado com mistério, não sendo particularmente excecional em nenhuma das temáticas ou géneros que tentou explorar.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Racism, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Car accident and Classism
Os Contos Mais Arrepiantes de Howard Phillips Lovecraft by H.P. Lovecraft
Did not finish book. Stopped at 22%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 22%.
Comprei esta edição na feira do livro o ano passado, deslumbrada pela qualidade da mesma e curiosa por finalmente ler aquilo que conhecia apenas com uma referência cultural no que toca ao terror. Pouco tempo depois fui alertada por um amigo que, durante a sua vida nos finais do Século XIX e inicios do século XX, Lovecraft tinha sido um racista assumido, inclusive demonstrando o seu apoio à causa de Hitler na Alemanha nazi. Mantive a cópia, pensando eu que ia conseguir "distinguir a obra do artista" (nunca o consegui fazer antes, não sei porque é que acharia que o iria fazer agora) e que iria eventualmente ler um pouco disto, nem que fosse para conhecer um pouco das origens de Chthulu. Não precisava do aviso dos meus amigos pois Lovecraft torna bastante óbvio nas suas histórias o quão racista e xenófobo ele era.
Li os 3 primeiros contos, cada vez mais irritada com o autor e a sua falta de vergonha na sua xenofobia assumida. Depois passei à frente, para ler "O Despertar de Chthulu", a única história que realmente me despertava algum interesse. Esta não continha tanto racismo evidente mas, como as outras histórias que tinha lido, não deixava de ser uma prosa aborrecida, desnecessariamente densa e sobretudo, nada aterrorizante. Se calhar este tipo de terror não é para mim, apesar de apreciar a estética lovecraftiana que tantas outras obras influenciou. Este tipo de terror não é para mim pois o verdadeiro terror da nossa existência não é o grande cosmos, o desconhecido ou a nossa insignificância perante o universo, como Lovecraft acreditava. O verdadeiro terror são os outros seres humanos que, tal como Lovecraft, são capazes de inflingir tanto sofrimento ao outro com a sua ignorância e desprezo pela diferença do outro.
Li os 3 primeiros contos, cada vez mais irritada com o autor e a sua falta de vergonha na sua xenofobia assumida. Depois passei à frente, para ler "O Despertar de Chthulu", a única história que realmente me despertava algum interesse. Esta não continha tanto racismo evidente mas, como as outras histórias que tinha lido, não deixava de ser uma prosa aborrecida, desnecessariamente densa e sobretudo, nada aterrorizante. Se calhar este tipo de terror não é para mim, apesar de apreciar a estética lovecraftiana que tantas outras obras influenciou. Este tipo de terror não é para mim pois o verdadeiro terror da nossa existência não é o grande cosmos, o desconhecido ou a nossa insignificância perante o universo, como Lovecraft acreditava. O verdadeiro terror são os outros seres humanos que, tal como Lovecraft, são capazes de inflingir tanto sofrimento ao outro com a sua ignorância e desprezo pela diferença do outro.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism and Xenophobia
Smash the Patriarchy by Marta Breen
funny
informative
lighthearted
fast-paced
2.0
It reads like baby's first feminist book. Which, you know, it's fine if you're looking for a quick, sort of funny, easy on the eyes book to introduce someone to some ideas of feminism and some of the women involved in the movement throughout the years. Although at times, these women are little more than names dropped in a long list of names, at which point you're expected to look them up elsewhere.
Some women get the spotlight while others don't, which I guess was somewhat ok back when the book was published originally in 2021, but should've been revised and edited for the English translation in 2023 (yes, I'm talking about JK Rowling and Hillary Clinton, for example).
And like other reviews mentioned already, this book fails to live up to its' title and premise: it does not teach you at all about dismantling the patriarchy, serving more as a platform to denounce sexist individuals throughout the ages more than explaining the ways which the patriarchy affects all kinds of people, and what we can do to help change this status quo.
Some women get the spotlight while others don't, which I guess was somewhat ok back when the book was published originally in 2021, but should've been revised and edited for the English translation in 2023 (yes, I'm talking about JK Rowling and Hillary Clinton, for example).
And like other reviews mentioned already, this book fails to live up to its' title and premise: it does not teach you at all about dismantling the patriarchy, serving more as a platform to denounce sexist individuals throughout the ages more than explaining the ways which the patriarchy affects all kinds of people, and what we can do to help change this status quo.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexism, Suicide, and Abortion
A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin
Took me longer than expected to finish this. The second half of this book took me twice as long to get through than the first half. The run-on sentences and long descriptions of sea travels dragged on for far too long, the plot barely moving along, which does not help when there's barely any dialogue, and my ADHD-addled brain ended up straying quite often.
I think Ursula summarizes my feelings about the book in the afterword of my edition: "[...] A Wizard was perfectly conventional. The hero does what a man is supposed to do: he uses his strength, wits, and courage to rise from humble beginnings to great fame and power, in a world where women are secondary, a man's world." I rarely read stories with male characters, especially in Fantasy, as I just find traditional fantasy quite boring and well, male-focused. As a queer woman, I'm just not very into that kind of narrative.
And even where Le Guin tried to subvert fantasy tradition (which truly at that time it was basically Tolkien) with her darker skinned cast, she did it in such a subtle way that it allowed publishers to "fool" audiences for years and put white men in the covers of Earthsea.
Still, I'm looking forward to see how the series evolves, especially with shift in focus and protagonist with Tehanu. I might pick up the Portuguese editions from the library next though, for easier reading.
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Read as part of "a journey to earthsea" book club, hosted by @sunflowers_and_storms
Took me longer than expected to finish this. The second half of this book took me twice as long to get through than the first half. The run-on sentences and long descriptions of sea travels dragged on for far too long, the plot barely moving along, which does not help when there's barely any dialogue, and my ADHD-addled brain ended up straying quite often.
I think Ursula summarizes my feelings about the book in the afterword of my edition: "[...] A Wizard was perfectly conventional. The hero does what a man is supposed to do: he uses his strength, wits, and courage to rise from humble beginnings to great fame and power, in a world where women are secondary, a man's world." I rarely read stories with male characters, especially in Fantasy, as I just find traditional fantasy quite boring and well, male-focused. As a queer woman, I'm just not very into that kind of narrative.
And even where Le Guin tried to subvert fantasy tradition (which truly at that time it was basically Tolkien) with her darker skinned cast, she did it in such a subtle way that it allowed publishers to "fool" audiences for years and put white men in the covers of Earthsea.
Still, I'm looking forward to see how the series evolves, especially with shift in focus and protagonist with Tehanu. I might pick up the Portuguese editions from the library next though, for easier reading.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse
Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
slow-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? Yes
5.0
(This review is solely concerned with the audiobook recording, not the actual contents of the book.)
I'm no audiobook expert but this was the first one I ever listened to, having started out earlier this year. Since then, I've tried a handful more and still none compare (well, perhaps Rasha Zamamiri's narration of The Unbroken by C.L. Clark!)
Moira Quirk is an excellent narrator. She voiced each character so wonderfully, giving them all personalities beyond what was written in the text and, in the process, improving tenfold my enjoyment of this masterpiece.
I'm no audiobook expert but this was the first one I ever listened to, having started out earlier this year. Since then, I've tried a handful more and still none compare (well, perhaps Rasha Zamamiri's narration of The Unbroken by C.L. Clark!)
Moira Quirk is an excellent narrator. She voiced each character so wonderfully, giving them all personalities beyond what was written in the text and, in the process, improving tenfold my enjoyment of this masterpiece.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Grief, and Cannibalism
Minor: Slavery, Suicide, Death of parent, and Toxic friendship
Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
slow-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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Child death, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Grief, and Cannibalism
Minor: Slavery, Suicide, Death of parent, and Toxic friendship
Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic by Alison Bechdel
challenging
emotional
funny
medium-paced
5.0
I was drawn to this because Bechdel is famous for, well, the Bechdel test, and as a queer woman who loves stories centered on women and their relationships with other women, that test is very important to me.
So I went in completely blind. Mind you, I am fan of graphic novels. I don't read a lot of memoirs, though. But Alison Bechdel writes and draws a compelling, honest and yes, at times pretentious, story of her bizarre family, drawing parallels between herself, an out and proud lesbian, to her closeted, deeply repressed father.
It's not the kind of graphic novel that you breeze through in a couple of hours. It took me a few days of carefully going through this and still there's so many references that eluded me, what with me not being an English major or a very cultured reader (I enjoy my fantasy, ok?)
Still, so much of Allison's story resonated with me, as most queer stories do. The act of discovering a new part of ourselves, coming to terms with it, rejoicing in this newfound identity, is quite possible the most universal queer experience of them all, and Bechdel is a master at embellishing her own experience. Like father, like daughter, indeed.
So I went in completely blind. Mind you, I am fan of graphic novels. I don't read a lot of memoirs, though. But Alison Bechdel writes and draws a compelling, honest and yes, at times pretentious, story of her bizarre family, drawing parallels between herself, an out and proud lesbian, to her closeted, deeply repressed father.
It's not the kind of graphic novel that you breeze through in a couple of hours. It took me a few days of carefully going through this and still there's so many references that eluded me, what with me not being an English major or a very cultured reader (I enjoy my fantasy, ok?)
Still, so much of Allison's story resonated with me, as most queer stories do. The act of discovering a new part of ourselves, coming to terms with it, rejoicing in this newfound identity, is quite possible the most universal queer experience of them all, and Bechdel is a master at embellishing her own experience. Like father, like daughter, indeed.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Sexual content, Suicide, Grief, Car accident, and Death of parent
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Homophobia
Faebound by Saara El-Arifi
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I was really looking forward to Faebound's release; picked it up as soon as it arrived at my local bookstore. So it pained me to realize, as I was reading it, that Faebound had failed to meet my expectations. I should know by now that expectations are dangerous.
There's nothing particularly wrong with Faebound. Saara El-Arifi's prose is simple, but effective. Reminds me a lot of C.L. Clark's The Unbroken. The world she created is quite imaginative and the twists and turns revealed in the third act made me want to read more, so I will be picking up the sequel.
However, everything else feels quite unremarkable. The two main characters whose POV were are privy to read younger than they are, making the book read like a YA fiction when it's marketed as adult. I expected more tension between Yeeran and her love interest, their relationship barely having any time to develop properly, rendering the enemies-to-lovers trope quite irrelevant, in my opinion. Besides, Yeeran spends almost the entirety of her time in exile mourning this woman who's portrayed to us an ambiguous chieftain, who's both ruthless and caring at the same time. But we barely get to know her, so the constant allusions to Yeeran and her love for her became irritating. From the glimpse we have of Salawa and her actions towards Yeeran and their people, she sounds nothing more than a corrupt politician lavishing in riches while her people starve.
And on a more personal note and this is truly a quirk of mine and not at all a real issue with the book, but Yeeran's obeah (this panther/deer fae creature that she's bound to) being named Pila diminished the enjoyment of the book for me. I just couldn't take it seriously after THAT. (Context: Pila means "dick" in my native language, Portuguese.)
Unfortunately I didn't get what I wanted out of Faebound but I can see it being a favorite for some, especially if you're into romantasy and lighter fantasy reads.
There's nothing particularly wrong with Faebound. Saara El-Arifi's prose is simple, but effective. Reminds me a lot of C.L. Clark's The Unbroken. The world she created is quite imaginative and the twists and turns revealed in the third act made me want to read more, so I will be picking up the sequel.
However, everything else feels quite unremarkable. The two main characters whose POV were are privy to read younger than they are, making the book read like a YA fiction when it's marketed as adult. I expected more tension between Yeeran and her love interest, their relationship barely having any time to develop properly, rendering the enemies-to-lovers trope quite irrelevant, in my opinion. Besides, Yeeran spends almost the entirety of her time in exile mourning this woman who's portrayed to us an ambiguous chieftain, who's both ruthless and caring at the same time. But we barely get to know her, so the constant allusions to Yeeran and her love for her became irritating. From the glimpse we have of Salawa and her actions towards Yeeran and their people, she sounds nothing more than a corrupt politician lavishing in riches while her people starve.
And on a more personal note and this is truly a quirk of mine and not at all a real issue with the book, but Yeeran's obeah (this panther/deer fae creature that she's bound to) being named Pila diminished the enjoyment of the book for me. I just couldn't take it seriously after THAT. (Context: Pila means "dick" in my native language, Portuguese.)
Unfortunately I didn't get what I wanted out of Faebound but I can see it being a favorite for some, especially if you're into romantasy and lighter fantasy reads.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Xenophobia, and War
Minor: Alcoholism, Animal death, Genocide, Violence, and Murder