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kenzieburns's reviews
50 reviews
Elektra by Jennifer Saint
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Honestly didn't wow me. The prose was beautiful, much like "Ariadne," but the story felt flat. Maybe it was because I've read 2 other books on the same myth previously ("A Thousand Ships" by Natalie Haynes and "Clytemnestra" by Costanza Castasi), but I didn't feel like this book brought anything new to the table. Also, I was expecting to have only Electra's POV, and I think that having the 2 other POVs was interesting but just really made me hate Elektra more. Like I really didn't like Elektra. She was so so focused on hatred for her mom over a man she basically never met. Also I just hate Agamemnon in general so her weird devotion to him just made me dislike her even more. Honestly this novel overall wasn't great after having already read 2 others on the subject, but if it hand been my first on the subject I might have enjoyed it more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, War, and Death
Camp Zero by Michelle Min Sterling
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
This wasn't really my cup of tea. For starters, it was quite depressing, but I guess realistic future always is with the climate disaster being what it is. So, for the first half of this book I was depressed because I was like "ahh is this really what we'll be like in 25 years???" Then the second half was just trying way too hard to be feminist/woman forward. Like, I get it, the author is trying to say that patriarchal society and oppression of women can be compared to how the climate gets as bad as it is, but it just felt way too forced to be poignant in my opinion. Also, I would have appreciated if the three storylines converged a little sooner in the book, because right at the end it felt super rushed.
One thing that this book did well was describing the perspective of current (and many moren
One thing that this book did well was describing the perspective of current (and many moren
Starling House by Alix E. Harrow
adventurous
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.0
A perfect book for October! Just the right amount of creepy, magic, and whimsical. I loved the way that Harrow was able to integrate magic and real life in this novel; it was just the right amount of "otherworldly" (or Underwordly, if you know you know;) to scratch the fantasy/magical realism itch, but not so much as to think it was entirely unbelievable. I think it's hard to toe that line between set in the current day and set in fantasy land, and this author was able to balance elements of both really well.
My one gripe with this book was that it didn't need to be as long as it was. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the length and all the twists and turns the story took, and I was happy to spend as much time as possible immersed in Eden with Opal and Authur, but it got to a point where it felt like the length was detracting from the story. There was just so much to keep track of, and so many plot points happening to the same people (Opal and Authur). I think the author could have very easily dealt with this sense of overwhelm by splitting the book into parts, which I was surprised didn't happen anyways. Breaking down the parts I think there should be next, so spoiler warning! I think the parts could be very easily deliniated with Opal's development throughout the novel. So, the first part could be Opal doing things for the money, cleaning Starling House and giving Bane information as she slowly grows closer to/more fond of Authur. This part would end with Bane playing her cards/showing up to Jasper's school and Opal and Jasper having the big fallout. The second part would be Opal's unraveling as a thief/liar and her new dedication to Aurthur/the house. This part would end with Opal's betrayal of Authur/being there taking pictures for Bane in the basement and finding out about the sword and the Beasts and everything. Then the third part would be focused on Bane's moves against Opal and Authur, with the "couple" making a somewhat united front against her before Authur turns everything over to save Opal at the police station. The last part would be the Underland part and stopping Eden's "bad luck". In the frame of the "this is a history of Starling House" theme, you could even have the parts labeled as like "Background", "Early life in Eden", "Conflict in the House", things like that, or maybe something more cryptic as to not give away the history thing until the end.
To end on a positive note, another thing I feel the author did really well was write complicated relationships. The dynamic between Opal and Jasper was beautiful and messy and heartwrenching, and Harrow did a great job of capturing the complexities of sibling bonds in the absence of a parent figure. Also, the relationships between Opal and Bev and Charlotte were equally well-written. As a reader, I could tell Bev cared about Opal, but Harrow wrote their dynamic in a way that made it entirely believable that Opal thought otherwise, or at least refused to believe that Bev cared about her because she's so independent, etc. And, of course I was here for the gay subplot!! Finally, the building of the relationship between Opal and Authur was wonderfully written, and just drawn out enought to frustrate the hell out of me, which I think was the idea given how frustrated they were with each other all the time.
Overall, this was a really good book that was just a bit too long and disjointed to get a full 5 stars from me. I definitely enjoyed it loads, and would highly recommend everyone read, especially during spooky season!
My one gripe with this book was that it didn't need to be as long as it was. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the length and all the twists and turns the story took, and I was happy to spend as much time as possible immersed in Eden with Opal and Authur, but it got to a point where it felt like the length was detracting from the story. There was just so much to keep track of, and so many plot points happening to the same people (Opal and Authur). I think the author could have very easily dealt with this sense of overwhelm by splitting the book into parts, which I was surprised didn't happen anyways. Breaking down the parts I think there should be next, so spoiler warning! I think the parts could be very easily deliniated with Opal's development throughout the novel.
To end on a positive note, another thing I feel the author did really well was write complicated relationships. The dynamic between Opal and Jasper was beautiful and messy and heartwrenching, and Harrow did a great job of capturing the complexities of sibling bonds in the absence of a parent figure. Also, the relationships between Opal and Bev and Charlotte were equally well-written. As a reader, I could tell Bev cared about Opal, but Harrow wrote their dynamic in a way that made it entirely believable that Opal thought otherwise, or at least refused to believe that Bev cared about her because she's so independent, etc. And, of course I was here for the
Overall, this was a really good book that was just a bit too long and disjointed to get a full 5 stars from me. I definitely enjoyed it loads, and would highly recommend everyone read, especially during spooky season!
Weyward by Emilia Hart
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
What a beautifully written novel centering on girl power! This is a real slow build, but had a fair amount of action. I was equally invested in each of the three main characters storylines, and thought the author did a good job of dedicating equal space to each. Major trigger warnings, though, for rape, assault, domestic violence, and suicide attempts. The author tackled some really heavy subjects, but I do think it was done with grace. I saw one review that said this book wrote all the men as bad guys, which I think it did, but I think that was kind of the point. I was so frustrated with Violet's situation, especially with how her father reacted to everything and made everything her fault. It was frustrating because I was like "dude that's your daughter!!" But I think the relationship between father/daughter in that storyline really served to emphasize the trope of "hysterical women". Like, Rupert already had an idea of what Violet would be like based on her mother, and he never gave her the chance to be any different, like he just wrote her off from the start. All this to say, I wasn't really mad that men were the villains in this story. And Kate! Her growth was beautiful is all I can say. I loved growing with her and watching as she came into her own. A beautiful storyline that is a testament to the strength of battered women. All around good book that tackled some tough subjects with grace, and the magical element was a plus for me!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Miscarriage, Physical abuse, Rape, and Sexual assault
What Lies in the Woods by Kate Alice Marshall
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A slightly above average thriller! I was equally enthralled and perturbed by this book, though usually at different times. It was a one-day read for me, but there were definitely some plot points that I think were a bit too complicated. Like, there were like 7 threads of mystery to unravel, which was engaging but also I felt very confused as they were unrovelling together. I think the author could have had the climax of the book come a bit earlier, or lengthened the end to tie together some of the loose strings a bit better. While I did call the one villain Cody! I did NOT see the other plot twist coming! Some parts of this book were definitely not for the faint of heart, what with a human skeleton in the woods and the gore of multiple deaths and stabbings.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Suicide, Murder, Mental illness, and Sexual assault
Payback's a Witch by Lana Harper
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
This book was just what I needed, a quick little spooky jaunt to start October off. It wasn't literature by any means, just a quick entertainment novel. It also wasn't very spicy, with only one real sex scene, which was a bit disappointing, but I still liked the focus on a wlw relationship! Overall a fun quick read to get you in the mood for Halloween.
It Won't Always Be Like This by Malaka Gharib
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
Such a touching memoir. I don't frequently give 5 stars, but this was so relatable for me and I absolutely devoured it in an hour and a half. First off, I really liked the artistic style of this graphic novel! So colorful and cute, yet detailed and nuanced at the same time. Regarding the narrative: anyone who has divorced, remarried parents HAS TO read this. I love the way Gharib puts words to that "out of place" feeling I assume we all have at one point or another when you don't live full-time with half your family. Pages 123-125 specifically are so relatable. This idea of "I don't fit here/I'm not a part of this family" is so hard to grapple with, and to see Malaka come to terms with her family's structure (and as she realizes and I have realized too, yes, you DO fit and you ARE a part of this family) as she gets older is so validating. Although our stories diverge at the end, as my dad and step-mom have probably the happiest, healthiest relationship I know of, I still relate to the author in this feeling that, no matter what, you want the best for your family (even in Hala/Malaka's case where they're not married into you immediate family, but are still very much your family). I also have to reflect on how this book put words to cultural struggles/experiences that I am not familiar with, which helped me to further appreciate and understand immigrants' compounded struggles and triumphs. It's interesting to me how relatable and also unrelatable this memoir is, because our family situations are similar, but there is also a whole cultural aspect that I will never fully understand as a White person. So, on one hand, it's cool to not be alone in two-family situations even across cultures, but it's also humbling to realize that there are so many other layers to family dynamics.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment
Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A truly touching story spanning 4 generations of love, loss, and everything in between. I'll start by saying: this book is definitely a slow build kinda read, but I was so entranced with the story and the characters that I hardly noticed the lack of action until reflecting on each part. I think the author did a good job of balancing storytelling/immersion in the characters with small tidbits of revelation of deeper meaning/symbolism behind somethings. There were times in the book where I wanted to throw one (or more!!) of the characters against the wall, or shake them and say "why are you being so stupid???" but I think that's a sign of really well-written characters. I also appreciated learning more about the Korean immigrants' experience and struggle in living in Japan during the 20th century. Noa's story is particularly heartbreaking, and I stared at the page where he shot himself for a bit too long, thinking "wait, what? no! what? for real? no!!" and the way that it wasn't really talked about anymore after the fact?? Like, he really truly died. Heartbreaking. The author also balanced transitions really well, as in switching from focus on one generation/characters to the next. I felt like I was growing with the characters, and by the time narrative focus shifted to the next generation, I was ready to move on to their perspective. I also have to take a moment to reflect on the title and how it played into the story: "Pachinko" didn't really come up until midway through the book, and even then it was just a job for Mozasu at first. And, Mozasu was written to be a bit unlikable, in my opinion, until Noa rejected his heritage and you really only had Mozasu to support. The symbolism of Noa's suicide, even when he was the "good" child, but Mozasu's prosperity thanks to embracing his heritage as Korean is particularly striking. Also, Soloman's eventual rejection of Western life to instead run the pachinko business really speaks to the whole idea that you can't escape your heritage, and maybe you shouldn't try to. And that sometimes, the only choices life gives you are "bad" ones. One thing I'm left thinking about is how the characters in this novel were constantly delt hard hands, from Sunja's struggles bearing a bastard child to a minister to <spolier> Solomon's termination because of "bad looks" , and it was so, so hard for them to get by, let alone get a leg up. Like, they had to make some of the "bad" decisions they did, because there was no way for them to survive otherwise. It really put some perspective on the immigrants struggle for me, in a light I hadn't really seen it before. Like, the playing field is never level, and everyone's choices need to be taken in context of the rest of their lives, because they truly might not have had any other options.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Xenophobia, and Bullying
Moderate: Sexual assault and Sexual harassment
The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I might return to this one to read again, and to re-evaluate my rating. So much to think about. The character development was amazing, nothing short of spectacular. I often find it so hard to follow and stay engaged with novels that span generations, because I get too attached to one character/generation's story arc, and then end up skimming the sections not relevant to that character/arc. This book was NOT that. By the time we got to Stella's perspective and the focus on her life, I was itching to learn more about what motivated her to up and leave, especially after Desiree was the one who originally motivated her to leave.
This book really challenged my perceptions of race in the US, especially in recent history. I wasn't "shocked" by the segregation that pervaded into the later portions of the novel, but I did have to keep reminding myself that it was set in the 80s at that point, and even earlier in the book it was only the late 50s/early 60s. That's like, when my mom was born. It also gave me pause to consider that, yes, we're 40 years down the line from the 80s, but how much has changed? I was particularly struck by the introduction of Stella's portion of the story when the main plot point is that the neighborhood association is scandalized by a Black family moving in, and people were saying how it would "drop property value" and they "wouldn't be wanted, so why would they move in anyways?". I just know that there are still neighborhood association meetings today that play out following the exact same script.
I'm particularly moved by Stella's chosen life in passing. I think I expected so much more fear to bleed through in her part of the story, but was equally moved by how nonchalantly it seemed to be discussed. Like, don't get me wrong, I definitely felt some fear in her perspective, but the fear was less of the "I'll be found out and killed" that I expected and more of a "everything I've built and worked hard for, even though no one knows I've worked hard for it, will be destroyed". I'm not sure why, but this difference in the perceived motivation of the fear made it all the more striking to read for me. I also think the author did an amazing job of writing Kennedy's perspective. I felt bad for her, for so many reasons (not knowing half of her identity, being lied to all her life, and having to lie for the rest of it as well...), but I also felt jealous of her/mad at her on behalf of Jude, who didn't seem to feel either of those emotions toward her cousin. It's really interesting to me that, as a White reader, I was feeling these negative emotions towards the perceived White character in the book, even though the Black character didn't display these emotions; so, these emotions were coming entirely from within myself, which leads me to believe they come from my own internal biases. Definitely something to make a personal note of and evaluate, but also writing it here to hold myself accountable.
My one gripe is that I wish there was more resolution to the Stella/Kennedy storyline. I felt like this was left very much an unknown, and would have loved to see even a tiny bit of Kennedy's coming to terms with her mother's (and her own) background. But, maybe this is my Whiteness wanting more resolution to the perceived White storyline, and maybe that's the whole point of leaving this storyline up in the air; that's not what the author wanted to focus on. All in all, a great novel that really challenged my thinking.
This book really challenged my perceptions of race in the US, especially in recent history. I wasn't "shocked" by the segregation that pervaded into the later portions of the novel, but I did have to keep reminding myself that it was set in the 80s at that point, and even earlier in the book it was only the late 50s/early 60s. That's like, when my mom was born. It also gave me pause to consider that, yes, we're 40 years down the line from the 80s, but how much has changed? I was particularly struck by the introduction of Stella's portion of the story when the main plot point is that the neighborhood association is scandalized by a Black family moving in, and people were saying how it would "drop property value" and they "wouldn't be wanted, so why would they move in anyways?". I just know that there are still neighborhood association meetings today that play out following the exact same script.
I'm particularly moved by Stella's chosen life in passing. I think I expected so much more fear to bleed through in her part of the story, but was equally moved by how nonchalantly it seemed to be discussed. Like, don't get me wrong, I definitely felt some fear in her perspective, but the fear was less of the "I'll be found out and killed" that I expected and more of a "everything I've built and worked hard for, even though no one knows I've worked hard for it, will be destroyed". I'm not sure why, but this difference in the perceived motivation of the fear made it all the more striking to read for me. I also think the author did an amazing job of writing Kennedy's perspective. I felt bad for her, for so many reasons (not knowing half of her identity, being lied to all her life, and having to lie for the rest of it as well...), but I also felt jealous of her/mad at her on behalf of Jude, who didn't seem to feel either of those emotions toward her cousin. It's really interesting to me that, as a White reader, I was feeling these negative emotions towards the perceived White character in the book, even though the Black character didn't display these emotions; so, these emotions were coming entirely from within myself, which leads me to believe they come from my own internal biases. Definitely something to make a personal note of and evaluate, but also writing it here to hold myself accountable.
My one gripe is that I wish there was more resolution to the Stella/Kennedy storyline. I felt like this was left very much an unknown, and would have loved to see even a tiny bit of Kennedy's coming to terms with her mother's (and her own) background. But, maybe this is my Whiteness wanting more resolution to the perceived White storyline, and maybe that's the whole point of leaving this storyline up in the air; that's not what the author wanted to focus on. All in all, a great novel that really challenged my thinking.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Sexual assault, and Death of parent
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Grief, Dysphoria, and Dementia
A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
There was a lot of sex in this book. Like, so much. But, the character development was much more detailed than in previous books in this series. I really appreciated the struggle that Nesta went through as she came to terms with her "new" status as Fae, accepting herself despite and even because of her faults and failures, and etc. I definitely started the book hating her, and ended with more acceptance for her character and path. As far as the plot, it definitely came second to Nesta's development, which was fine, it just felt very long and drawn out. Like, every couple of chapters we would get a plot development and ot was like "oh, right, there are other events happening". I really liked the heavy use of symbolism in the book, especially with things like the dark pit in the library, the stairs from the House of Wind to Velaris, the Valkyries, etc. My one gripe us that the author felt the the need to fully explain each instance of symbolism, which is nice because it takes the onus off the reader, but decreases the literary quality of the book. Although, with so much fairy sex, I guess there is a hard case for calling this literature, anyways.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Genocide