hwesta's reviews
332 reviews

The Blackwing War, by K.B. Spangler

• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

There were a lot of interesting ideas and characters in this book, but the plot felt like it was all over the place and I had a hard time figuring out what was going on. 

How to Be an Epicurean: The Ancient Art of Living Well, by Catherine Wilson

informative slow-paced

2.0

Despite being interested in becoming an Epicurean, I found the arguments in this book unconvincing. In many cases, especially around moral treatement of others, it set up convincing arguments using the principles previously established, then asserted that an Epicurean wouldn't do/believe that without establishing why. Unsure if this is a problem with the philosophy or the book. 

The Mermaid Astronaut, by Yoon Ha Lee

adventurous hopeful

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Mr. Death, by Alix E. Harrow

hopeful sad

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child death and Cancer

The Past is Red, by Catherynne M. Valente

adventurous challenging dark hopeful

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

5.0

Elder Race, by Adrian Tchaikovsky

adventurous emotional

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I'm a sucker for science fantasy, and this was a very sweet story. I loved the contrasting viewpoints - Lyn with her adventure, demons and wizards perspective, Nyr with his science and bioengineering, and the linguistic difficulties that enable the disconnect. I appreciated a main character with depression, but still getting to be a hero. 

Fireheart Tiger, by Aliette de Bodard

• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Didn't enjoy this one. The main character's motivations didn't make sense to me or feel consistent. Maybe I'm missing something? 

Light from Uncommon Stars, by Ryka Aoki

adventurous emotional hopeful

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

The premise of this book is so wacky - abused runaway trans girl violinist + deal-with-demons famous violin teacher + refugees from an intersteller war running a donut shop - that I feel like it shouldn't have worked, but somehow it did. This is a heartwarming tale of a young violinist blossoming in a supportive environment, and a selfish teacher coming to care about her student instead of using them for her own ends, and a strange family coming to understand itself a little better, all with some help from their friends.

I blitzed through this book and loved it. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Dysphoria, Outing, Physical abuse, Rape, and Transphobia

Moderate: Deadnaming

Minor: War

A Prayer for the Crown-Shy, by Becky Chambers

emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

She Who Became the Sun, by Shelley Parker-Chan

adventurous challenging dark mysterious

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

A sweeping, slightly fantastical retelling of the rise of the Ming dynasty. I enjoyed the segments from Zhu's perspective and her incredible drive to get what she wants, at any cost. I found the  Ouyang and Esen segments less interesting, since they kept making bad decisions that didn't make sense to me. I wish we'd seen Wang Baoxiang's perspective, since I liked him. 

Overall, I enjoyed it more than I expected, considering the violence and relatively grim perspective. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Grief