lightningsews's Reviews (423)

Lavinia

Ursula K. Le Guin

5.0

informative medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: N/A

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I loved how Le Guin broke the fourth wall for this story because the Lavinia in Vergil is such a different character from the Lavinia seen in histories written by Vergil's contemporaries. As said in the blurb for the book, Vergil doesn't give Lavinia a single line, and so she may come across as just a footnote in history- especially when compared to the other women featured in the tale. But, in the histories written by Romans, Lavinia is viewed as a powerful mother who started Emperor Augustus and Julius Caesar's family. Le Guin handles this dichotomy with so much care and, as a Classist who's read some pretty bad takes on Greco-Roman mythology (and especially on Roman mythology), I was so happy. I could tell how much care and research went into crafting the Italy of Lavinia's day, even though there isn't as much information out there as there is for Vergil's Italy. I can't wait to read this book again to catch even more nods to the history and to Vergil's story.

Teen Titans: Beast Boy Loves Raven

Kami Garcia

5.0

fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

The Bronzed Beasts

Roshani Chokshi

5.0

adventurous dark emotional hopeful 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

The Arabian Nights

Richard Francis Burton

DID NOT FINISH: 50%

The translator used racist stereotypes for the "villains" in each of the story and the Barnes and Noble editors did not give any reason as to why they chose this translation for the Barnes and Noble and why they chose not to edit any of these harmful descriptions. It was especially bad in the Aladdin story.

Content Warnings