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kalira's reviews
371 reviews
The Sister: North Korea's Kim Yo Jong, the Most Dangerous Woman in the World by Sung-Yoon Lee
dark
informative
tense
3.5
While delivering a sobering, horrifying (as one might expect), and precise account of wider events in recent history (and decades), when the view closes in on the woman who is the titular focus . . . the author often seems to step to suppositions and imaginings. Not entirely unexpected - certainly there's a very harsh limit on the up-close information and observation anyone might be capable of in this case - they are only rarely accompanied by the statements occasionally seen such as 'as if [...]' or followed by discussions of why the supposition was made, and more often treated as fact.
The impression frequently given is that the author is describing precisely the thoughts going through his focus' mind (occasionally literally, with italicised sentences supposing the precise words) - in a manner that would be entirely expected . . . in a fictional narrative.
Indeed, the author seems to make a number of these suppositions not exactly supported by the information he provides - including the many assertions as to Kim Yo Jong's rank, power, and even that she would naturally be her brother's choice of heir as well as his most trusted.
I don't doubt she is powerful (and orders terrible, terrible things), those facts are proven . . . but little more. (In fact she still, evidently, hasn't even been acknowledged officially as part of the ruling Kim family.) Again, speculation and inferences are to be expected, and some of the ones proposed do have support - but some seem to have been put out there to hang on their own.
In terms of an understandable narrative, I found it falling short occasionally - the author jumps around the timeline frequently, and while sometimes that is necessary, it is also necessary to be clear when one is jumping to (and when one is making such a jump). There were also some places where military or political acronyms were not defined even the first time they were used (though for the most part they were, at least the first time they appeared, which made it more surprising when left to confusion).
The author also at times swings into adulatory tones speaking about Kim Yo Jong, the most powerful princess, most dangerous woman (and some dubious tones of admiration for her being a woman who the author expects to take the position of supreme leader of the most thoroughly established dictatorship), the cleverest and most brilliant manipulator in a family bred and taught to be so. While certainly he never shies away from displaying the vicious, violent side of her.
While one could hardly argue the incredible horrors wrought by the family over the ruling generations since the split of Korea and their rise to power, the author also declares that every last member of the family is by nature cruel, selfish, manipulative, and violent . . . from birth. Generations of an entire family are not simply irredeemable from birth, not in the real world. (And some of the things he holds up to 'prove' this are . . . things that are not uncommon in the raising of royal or similar children around the world; not to say these practises might not be without issue, but it's not a unique sign of the family being evil from birth for example that the children are addressed by titles by adults, and address those same non-familial, lower-ranked adults by name or with less care.)
The impression frequently given is that the author is describing precisely the thoughts going through his focus' mind (occasionally literally, with italicised sentences supposing the precise words) - in a manner that would be entirely expected . . . in a fictional narrative.
Indeed, the author seems to make a number of these suppositions not exactly supported by the information he provides - including the many assertions as to Kim Yo Jong's rank, power, and even that she would naturally be her brother's choice of heir as well as his most trusted.
I don't doubt she is powerful (and orders terrible, terrible things), those facts are proven . . . but little more. (In fact she still, evidently, hasn't even been acknowledged officially as part of the ruling Kim family.) Again, speculation and inferences are to be expected, and some of the ones proposed do have support - but some seem to have been put out there to hang on their own.
In terms of an understandable narrative, I found it falling short occasionally - the author jumps around the timeline frequently, and while sometimes that is necessary, it is also necessary to be clear when one is jumping to (and when one is making such a jump). There were also some places where military or political acronyms were not defined even the first time they were used (though for the most part they were, at least the first time they appeared, which made it more surprising when left to confusion).
The author also at times swings into adulatory tones speaking about Kim Yo Jong, the most powerful princess, most dangerous woman (and some dubious tones of admiration for her being a woman who the author expects to take the position of supreme leader of the most thoroughly established dictatorship), the cleverest and most brilliant manipulator in a family bred and taught to be so. While certainly he never shies away from displaying the vicious, violent side of her.
While one could hardly argue the incredible horrors wrought by the family over the ruling generations since the split of Korea and their rise to power, the author also declares that every last member of the family is by nature cruel, selfish, manipulative, and violent . . . from birth. Generations of an entire family are not simply irredeemable from birth, not in the real world. (And some of the things he holds up to 'prove' this are . . . things that are not uncommon in the raising of royal or similar children around the world; not to say these practises might not be without issue, but it's not a unique sign of the family being evil from birth for example that the children are addressed by titles by adults, and address those same non-familial, lower-ranked adults by name or with less care.)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia
Moderate: Death, Racism, Violence, Police brutality, Trafficking, Religious bigotry, War, and Deportation
Minor: Genocide, Gun violence, Slavery, Torture, Alcohol, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Schlock Mercenary: The Scrapyard of Insufferable Arrogance by Howard Tayler
adventurous
emotional
funny
4.75
A July Bride by Beth Wiseman
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Wow, if I'd thought the June Bride lacked agency . . . well.
Alyssa is heartbroken when her fiance leaves her at the altar - and he promptly begins huge over-the-top gestures (filling her house with flowers, gifting her a kitten with a note You make my heart purr, banner pulled by low-flying plane) to try to win her back. From two days after the wedding-that-wasn't on for two months, until he finds her out on a date with someone else.
('Someone else' seemed to suddenly develop several red flags rapidly, perhaps as though the author belatedly remembered he was not supposed to be the HEA and had to make him less appealing. It worked very well - for the reader, at least. Especially as he repeatedly made implications his ex-girlfriend was less than human or didn't have feelings for such things as 'not crying at sad movies'. Which the discussion questions suggestedmight justify his cheating on her??? )
Alyssa begged Brendan to stop (understandable), then . . . regretted it and wanted him to sweep her back. Begged God for a sign! Was delighted when she thought she had one! Only to be dashed when she interpreted it towards Dalton and not Brendan. . .
(Girl, that is a sign, right there. . .)
The number of times she had thoughts that seemed to boil down to being unhappy or unsure, but- but- well, it's God's Plan for her to be with Dalton, she knows, and she can't stray from that. Maybe consider your choices? (And not just wish forBrendan to change your life; you're an adult woman! make choices for yourself! )
Plus. . . The storyline in the background with Brendan's (alcoholic, abusive) parents, his mother's cancer, and the magical improvement . . . it put me off perhaps even more than Alyssa's dearth of sense or Dalton's incredible self-centredness and excuses.
Alyssagetting left at the altar again by Dalton as well, I. . . Wow.
Alyssa is heartbroken when her fiance leaves her at the altar - and he promptly begins huge over-the-top gestures (filling her house with flowers, gifting her a kitten with a note You make my heart purr, banner pulled by low-flying plane) to try to win her back. From two days after the wedding-that-wasn't on for two months, until he finds her out on a date with someone else.
('Someone else' seemed to suddenly develop several red flags rapidly, perhaps as though the author belatedly remembered he was not supposed to be the HEA and had to make him less appealing. It worked very well - for the reader, at least. Especially as he repeatedly made implications his ex-girlfriend was less than human or didn't have feelings for such things as 'not crying at sad movies'. Which the discussion questions suggested
Alyssa begged Brendan to stop (understandable), then . . . regretted it and wanted him to sweep her back. Begged God for a sign! Was delighted when she thought she had one! Only to be dashed when she interpreted it towards Dalton and not Brendan. . .
(Girl, that is a sign, right there. . .)
The number of times she had thoughts that seemed to boil down to being unhappy or unsure, but- but- well, it's God's Plan for her to be with Dalton, she knows, and she can't stray from that. Maybe consider your choices? (And not just wish for
Plus. . . The storyline in the background with Brendan's (alcoholic, abusive) parents, his mother's cancer, and the magical improvement . . . it put me off perhaps even more than Alyssa's dearth of sense or Dalton's incredible self-centredness and excuses.
Alyssa
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism
Moderate: Body shaming, Cancer, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, and Pregnancy
Minor: Sexism and Car accident
The Book of Purrs by Luís Coelho
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
4.25
I've been following purr.in.ink online for some time and I was excited to see there would be an actual physical book; it was delightful to page through and exactly what I expected.
Hopeful/positive, lighthearted, funny, and every so often a bit of a sting with the oh no it's true feeling, or a reminder of (love and) grief/sorrow. But always encouraging, soft-edged (in feeling as well as the art), and positive.
The art is, of course, adorable, and the many void kitties are very different and expressive in their sooty cloud forms, wide eyes, and (sometimes) starkly pointy little fangs!
Hopeful/positive, lighthearted, funny, and every so often a bit of a sting with the oh no it's true feeling, or a reminder of (love and) grief/sorrow. But always encouraging, soft-edged (in feeling as well as the art), and positive.
The art is, of course, adorable, and the many void kitties are very different and expressive in their sooty cloud forms, wide eyes, and (sometimes) starkly pointy little fangs!
Out to Get You: 13 Tales of Weirdness and Woe by Josh Allen
mysterious
3.75
While slanted nicely towards its audience's age-range, I found this collection a little off at times - some stories carrying a moral, of course, appropriate for elementary schoolers . . . some a little wonked.
Several stories ended at about the point where they naturally felt as though they should have a twist/drop into horror or a reveal. Several ended right at the point of the horrific! (A couple in a way that left it feeling weirdly not quite finished.) And one or two ended meanderingly a bit after the twist in an odd way.
Personally I found Vanishers (the very first story) one of those ending right at the precipice but nicely creepy. The Voice may have been my favourite (no one really understands witches indeed. . .), and Neat-o Burrito was, honestly, an excellent aged-down view of something that could just as well have been an adult horror twist.
Overall (as one would expect) creepy rather than terrifying, though a few might linger unnervingly with some readers.
Several stories ended at about the point where they naturally felt as though they should have a twist/drop into horror or a reveal. Several ended right at the point of the horrific! (A couple in a way that left it feeling weirdly not quite finished.) And one or two ended meanderingly a bit after the twist in an odd way.
Personally I found Vanishers (the very first story) one of those ending right at the precipice but nicely creepy. The Voice may have been my favourite (no one really understands witches indeed. . .), and Neat-o Burrito was, honestly, an excellent aged-down view of something that could just as well have been an adult horror twist.
Overall (as one would expect) creepy rather than terrifying, though a few might linger unnervingly with some readers.