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hippolyta_vi's reviews
148 reviews
This Is How You Lose the Time War by Max Gladstone, Amal El-Mohtar
3.0
I can admit this book was beautifully crafted and is incredibly thought-provoking while also acknowledging that it wasn't for me. And it just wasn't :/
This book requires a lot of attention and would benefit from multiple rereads. That's largely why it wasn't for me. It isn't a very accessible story, in my opinion. You're thrown into this universe knowing absolutely nothing (obviously) and don't end up learning much about the context (upon first read at least). I was at the will of the storytellers and following along, trusting the process. There was some pay-off at the end but ultimately, I grew uninterested.
If you're looking for a complicated (read: convoluted and intricate) read that requires patience to process, this one's for you.
This book requires a lot of attention and would benefit from multiple rereads. That's largely why it wasn't for me. It isn't a very accessible story, in my opinion. You're thrown into this universe knowing absolutely nothing (obviously) and don't end up learning much about the context (upon first read at least). I was at the will of the storytellers and following along, trusting the process. There was some pay-off at the end but ultimately, I grew uninterested.
If you're looking for a complicated (read: convoluted and intricate) read that requires patience to process, this one's for you.
King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo
medium-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
4.75
I am gooped and gagged.
my only two critiques are that it started out slow (but the back to back twists near the end make up for it) and two main villains from both sequel series make a return. Like, Jarl Brum and the Darkling again??? Seems lazy but okay.
my only two critiques are that it started out slow (but the back to back twists near the end make up for it) and
Roaming by Jillian Tamaki, Mariko Tamaki
3.75
so insufferable. so real. the tamaki cousins really nail that.
Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 by Cho Nam-joo
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Maybe this isn't fair to say, but out of the few pieces of Korean literature I've read, I've found the messaging a few years behind what I'm used to. Let me explain. Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 is undoubtably a feminist text, but a feminist text that broadcasts "basic" feminism. I'm not saying this as a negative by any means. We still need texts like these because not everyone has taken a Women and Gender Studies course or read formative feminist literatures.
What I do find intriguing about this is that I'm getting to learn about the universality of women's struggles. I find this notion both disheartening and ...comforting, as odd as that sounds. What this piece of Korean literature showed me is that women around the world are united by our oppression (obviously it looks different to people with varying intersections but the similarities are undeniable).
I am a white woman, born and raised in North America in the 2000s. The main subject of this novel is a Korean born and raised woman of the 80s and 90s. Our lives are incredibly different, yet the lines "Teachers are in the habit of saying that girls are smarter. Students also thought that girls were smarter, more mature and better with detailed work, how always elected boys to be class monitors" struck me. It's something I think about often. When did the agreed upon opinion that girls are smarter disappear? Why were we allowed to be smarter but not leaders? Many anecdotes in Jiyoung's life related to some of my own.
I was also struck by the feminine rebellion and rage demonstrated by characters in Jiyoung's life, mostly insignificant characters. Women have been pushing back against patriarchy for ages and these moments throughout the novel exemplified hope. These stories are echoed in the current 4B movement in South Korea (which if you don't know about, please look it up because it's pretty awesome). And for that reason, I appreciate this book, despite its often rudimentary/well-known messages.
(Then again, I am not the Korean public. This book was likely not written with me in mind and therefore I cannot truly understand its significance so please take that feedback with a grain of salt)
Also, the last line of this book is killer. It's both so agonizing yet so smart and I NEED to talk to someone about it.
What I do find intriguing about this is that I'm getting to learn about the universality of women's struggles. I find this notion both disheartening and ...comforting, as odd as that sounds. What this piece of Korean literature showed me is that women around the world are united by our oppression (obviously it looks different to people with varying intersections but the similarities are undeniable).
I am a white woman, born and raised in North America in the 2000s. The main subject of this novel is a Korean born and raised woman of the 80s and 90s. Our lives are incredibly different, yet the lines "Teachers are in the habit of saying that girls are smarter. Students also thought that girls were smarter, more mature and better with detailed work, how always elected boys to be class monitors" struck me. It's something I think about often. When did the agreed upon opinion that girls are smarter disappear? Why were we allowed to be smarter but not leaders? Many anecdotes in Jiyoung's life related to some of my own.
I was also struck by the feminine rebellion and rage demonstrated by characters in Jiyoung's life, mostly insignificant characters. Women have been pushing back against patriarchy for ages and these moments throughout the novel exemplified hope. These stories are echoed in the current 4B movement in South Korea (which if you don't know about, please look it up because it's pretty awesome). And for that reason, I appreciate this book, despite its often rudimentary/well-known messages.
(Then again, I am not the Korean public. This book was likely not written with me in mind and therefore I cannot truly understand its significance so please take that feedback with a grain of salt)
Also, the last line of this book is killer. It's both so agonizing yet so smart and I NEED to talk to someone about it.
The Bell in the Fog by Lev AC Rosen
medium-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
4.0
This is my first mystery series i'm glad to have found it at it's start, with The Lavender House. It's been lovely following Andy through his journey of finding himself after being closeted for so long and being part of a system that oppressed his own people. Rosen perfectly melds together the mystery plot with Andy's personal journey. I love to see this world expanding as Andy becomes more comfortable in it.
I enjoyed this book better than the first. The core cast of characters are much more likable than in Lavender House. Aside from that, Rosen brings attention to the fact that queer people could not get the justice they deserved and grapples with what that means within the queer community.
I enjoyed this book better than the first. The core cast of characters are much more likable than in Lavender House. Aside from that, Rosen brings attention to the fact that queer people could not get the justice they deserved and grapples with what that means within the queer community.
The Chalice of the Gods by Rick Riordan
5.0
5 stars obviously. What else did you expect. It's 268 pages of Percy simping over Annabeth. Rick Riordan can do no wrong