Scan barcode
littlemonster's reviews
562 reviews
Bury Me Deep by Megan Abbott
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Midnight Robber by Nalo Hopkinson
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warning: death, rape, incest, abortion, violence, child abuse, spousal abuse, pedophilia, alcoholism, animal death, forced pregnancy. Please be aware that this book deals with extremely heavy topics, many of them graphic in text.
Tan-Tan lives on Toussaint. Her father is the mayor of their county, and so she lives a relatively comfortable life, in spite of the way her beautiful, spirited mother neglects her. But suddenly Tan-Tan's world is turned upside down when her father commits a crime that forces him to be exiled to the brutal planet of New Half-Way Tree, Toussaint's shadow-side, a place where dangerous creatures from folklore abound. Taking Tan-Tan with him, she soon discovers that her father is no longer the kind man who adores her. As she grows up, Tan-Tan will become the Robber Queen, feared and revered by those who tell stories of her...and hopefully, in the process, save herself from the painful trauma of her childhood.
There's something truly magical about the worlds that Hopkinson creates. In this case, it's a mixture of folklore, fantasy and science-fiction, a blend of different Caribbean cultures narrated in Creole. Our main character, Tan-Tan, is like all of Hopkinson's heroines -- powerful, complex, and totally and authentically human. Plagued by the horrors of her childhood, and trying desperately to escape from her past, this book is a riveting look into the life of woman forced to carry her abuser's baggage.
Hopkinson's prose is both beautiful and horrifying, graphically relating to us the events that are taking place in Tan-Tan's life. Interspersed with snatches of folk tales about Tan-Tan, each of them make it clear that she is suffering under the weight of her guilt. From the moment the first traumatic incident occurs, Tan-Tan, like so many others who experience deep and lasting trauma, finds herself splitting into two: the "bad" Tan-Tan, who whispers self-hatred into her ear, and the "good" Tan-Tan, who remains loyal to her abuser in spite of his cruelty.
It's mostly the pacing that brought this down to three and a half stars. Still a good rating, mind you, and I enjoyed this book greatly; but it was prone to lingering, and it was a good while before I felt that the story truly began. To be fair, there was a lot of explaining needed, due to the sci-fi and fantasy elements, but I was both confused and a little bored in the beginning. However, once the plot picks up, things move very fast, and get interesting very quickly. I must mention the depth that went into this book, particularly the fascinating culture of the Douens, a species that lives on the planet. The worldbuilding could never be called shallow or superficial.
This is by no means an easy read, and if the abovementioned triggers are things that you personally are affected by, I would not recommend picking this one up. It's beautiful and has an ending that will bring you tears (of both joy and pure relief), but the journey there is painful and incredibly dark. That aside, however, I would highly recommend this to those who love sci-fi, especially the kind that is diverse and has an amazingly written black woman protagonist!
Tan-Tan lives on Toussaint. Her father is the mayor of their county, and so she lives a relatively comfortable life, in spite of the way her beautiful, spirited mother neglects her. But suddenly Tan-Tan's world is turned upside down when her father commits a crime that forces him to be exiled to the brutal planet of New Half-Way Tree, Toussaint's shadow-side, a place where dangerous creatures from folklore abound. Taking Tan-Tan with him, she soon discovers that her father is no longer the kind man who adores her. As she grows up, Tan-Tan will become the Robber Queen, feared and revered by those who tell stories of her...and hopefully, in the process, save herself from the painful trauma of her childhood.
There's something truly magical about the worlds that Hopkinson creates. In this case, it's a mixture of folklore, fantasy and science-fiction, a blend of different Caribbean cultures narrated in Creole. Our main character, Tan-Tan, is like all of Hopkinson's heroines -- powerful, complex, and totally and authentically human. Plagued by the horrors of her childhood, and trying desperately to escape from her past, this book is a riveting look into the life of woman forced to carry her abuser's baggage.
Hopkinson's prose is both beautiful and horrifying, graphically relating to us the events that are taking place in Tan-Tan's life. Interspersed with snatches of folk tales about Tan-Tan, each of them make it clear that she is suffering under the weight of her guilt. From the moment the first traumatic incident occurs, Tan-Tan, like so many others who experience deep and lasting trauma, finds herself splitting into two: the "bad" Tan-Tan, who whispers self-hatred into her ear, and the "good" Tan-Tan, who remains loyal to her abuser in spite of his cruelty.
It's mostly the pacing that brought this down to three and a half stars. Still a good rating, mind you, and I enjoyed this book greatly; but it was prone to lingering, and it was a good while before I felt that the story truly began. To be fair, there was a lot of explaining needed, due to the sci-fi and fantasy elements, but I was both confused and a little bored in the beginning. However, once the plot picks up, things move very fast, and get interesting very quickly. I must mention the depth that went into this book, particularly the fascinating culture of the Douens, a species that lives on the planet. The worldbuilding could never be called shallow or superficial.
This is by no means an easy read, and if the abovementioned triggers are things that you personally are affected by, I would not recommend picking this one up. It's beautiful and has an ending that will bring you tears (of both joy and pure relief), but the journey there is painful and incredibly dark. That aside, however, I would highly recommend this to those who love sci-fi, especially the kind that is diverse and has an amazingly written black woman protagonist!
Tomie by Junji Ito
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warning: murder, violence, death, domestic abuse (emotional, physical, verbal, and implied sexual), dismemberment, cannibalism, misogyny, body horror, gore.
Tomie Kawakami is just like any other teenager. She's interested in fashion, expensive jewelry, and good food. Well, aside from the fact that she can tempt men into doing anything (and I do mean anything), and that she is an immortal seductress who can never die. Tomie goes about her many lives, leaving destruction and suffering in her path, and it isn't long before those who encounter her realize that there's no escape...
How excited I was to find this deluxe edition! It includes every Tomie story, from her beginnings as a wronged-against schoolgirl, to terrorizing a male fashion model who has it all, and many more in between. Tomie is one of those figures that has a large cult following, perhaps because of her sheer evil in combination with her startling beauty. She is the quintessential female monster.
I was surprised that many of the starred reviews for this were on the lower side. I must admit I've never had the pleasure of reading Ito's Uzumaki or Gyo (those will definitely be next on my list!), which I saw many people citing as better and a more accurate representation of Ito's genius, but I personally found Tomie to be right up my alley -- a metaphorical tale of the dangers of beauty standards, embodied by the femme fatale herself. It's both horrifying (sometimes even disgusting in its horrors, although I mean this in the best way) and wonderfully crafted.
And Tomie is a perfect manifestation of the frightening beauty standards that women feel the need to force themselves into. It doesn't matter if we must suffer to do so -- after all, isn't to be beautiful to suffer? They are ever-evolving, much like Tomie, and no matter how hard we try to refuse them or change them, they continue to plague us and drag us down.
If you love horror, I highly recommend this amazing collection! It was enjoyable enough that it took me about six days to read it, and it clocks in at around 750 pages. Ito is, indeed, the master of horror with meaning and a beating heart beneath it.
For more of my reviews, check out my blog!
Tomie Kawakami is just like any other teenager. She's interested in fashion, expensive jewelry, and good food. Well, aside from the fact that she can tempt men into doing anything (and I do mean anything), and that she is an immortal seductress who can never die. Tomie goes about her many lives, leaving destruction and suffering in her path, and it isn't long before those who encounter her realize that there's no escape...
How excited I was to find this deluxe edition! It includes every Tomie story, from her beginnings as a wronged-against schoolgirl, to terrorizing a male fashion model who has it all, and many more in between. Tomie is one of those figures that has a large cult following, perhaps because of her sheer evil in combination with her startling beauty. She is the quintessential female monster.
I was surprised that many of the starred reviews for this were on the lower side. I must admit I've never had the pleasure of reading Ito's Uzumaki or Gyo (those will definitely be next on my list!), which I saw many people citing as better and a more accurate representation of Ito's genius, but I personally found Tomie to be right up my alley -- a metaphorical tale of the dangers of beauty standards, embodied by the femme fatale herself. It's both horrifying (sometimes even disgusting in its horrors, although I mean this in the best way) and wonderfully crafted.
And Tomie is a perfect manifestation of the frightening beauty standards that women feel the need to force themselves into. It doesn't matter if we must suffer to do so -- after all, isn't to be beautiful to suffer? They are ever-evolving, much like Tomie, and no matter how hard we try to refuse them or change them, they continue to plague us and drag us down.
If you love horror, I highly recommend this amazing collection! It was enjoyable enough that it took me about six days to read it, and it clocks in at around 750 pages. Ito is, indeed, the master of horror with meaning and a beating heart beneath it.
For more of my reviews, check out my blog!
Nagasaki: Life After Nuclear War by Susan Southard
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
Tales of Ming Courtesans by Alice Poon
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warning: violence, death (including that of a child), prostitution, murder, suicide, rape, sexual assault, abuse (physical, sexual, verbal and emotional).
Liu Rushi, Chen Yuanyuan, and Li Xiangjun were three of the renowned Eight Beauties of Qinhuai. Each coming from a background of hardship, all three sold to "thin horse breeders," a colloquial name for people who ran the slave and concubine market, these three women ended up having extraordinary lives -- sometimes at the cost of their own happiness and love. Known for their artistic talents, intelligence, and striking beauty, as well as their political knowledge and their challenging of societal norms, this novel follows their lives through friendship, love, tragedy, death and the end of the Ming Empire.
I previously read another of Alice Poon's novels, The Green Phoenix. I gave that one four stars, and although the writing style wasn't my favorite, I enjoyed it wholeheartedly. This one, unfortunately, didn't quite meet the mark for me. While I admire Poon's dedication to history and accurate details, and all three main characters were sympathetic and likable, it ultimately left me feeling as if I were being told everything rather than experiencing it. There is some context to this type of storytelling, as it is Rushi's daughter who is reading her memoir and also being told their stories by relatives, but the downside to this is that it becomes difficult to be immersed.
To be fair, I have been in a bit of a reading slump, and I've struggled to read anything that truly captures my imagination these last couple of weeks. There were many things I enjoyed and liked about this book, like the previously mentioned dedication to accurate historical details, but the writing once again left me a bit cold -- as well as the fact that much of the language used feels too modern, and sometimes forces you out of the story. It felt especially strange in conjunction with the otherwise wonderfully rendered historical settings and details.
That being said, I wouldn't not recommend this book, and I think if you are interested in the lives of these three very fascinating women, it's worth a read. As someone who has a deep interest in Chinese history, culture, and literature, it was still an enjoyable read and I'm glad I learned some new things!
For more of my reviews, check out my blog!
Liu Rushi, Chen Yuanyuan, and Li Xiangjun were three of the renowned Eight Beauties of Qinhuai. Each coming from a background of hardship, all three sold to "thin horse breeders," a colloquial name for people who ran the slave and concubine market, these three women ended up having extraordinary lives -- sometimes at the cost of their own happiness and love. Known for their artistic talents, intelligence, and striking beauty, as well as their political knowledge and their challenging of societal norms, this novel follows their lives through friendship, love, tragedy, death and the end of the Ming Empire.
I previously read another of Alice Poon's novels, The Green Phoenix. I gave that one four stars, and although the writing style wasn't my favorite, I enjoyed it wholeheartedly. This one, unfortunately, didn't quite meet the mark for me. While I admire Poon's dedication to history and accurate details, and all three main characters were sympathetic and likable, it ultimately left me feeling as if I were being told everything rather than experiencing it. There is some context to this type of storytelling, as it is Rushi's daughter who is reading her memoir and also being told their stories by relatives, but the downside to this is that it becomes difficult to be immersed.
To be fair, I have been in a bit of a reading slump, and I've struggled to read anything that truly captures my imagination these last couple of weeks. There were many things I enjoyed and liked about this book, like the previously mentioned dedication to accurate historical details, but the writing once again left me a bit cold -- as well as the fact that much of the language used feels too modern, and sometimes forces you out of the story. It felt especially strange in conjunction with the otherwise wonderfully rendered historical settings and details.
That being said, I wouldn't not recommend this book, and I think if you are interested in the lives of these three very fascinating women, it's worth a read. As someone who has a deep interest in Chinese history, culture, and literature, it was still an enjoyable read and I'm glad I learned some new things!
For more of my reviews, check out my blog!
The Forest of Stolen Girls by June Hur
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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 Most Clever Girl by Stephanie Marie Thornton
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for allowing me to read this ARC!
Content Warning: murder, violence, death, suicide, cancer, animal death, sexual harassment, abortion, misogyny, alcoholism.
It's 1963. Cat Gray has had a double shock: the death of her mother, and the assassination of President Kennedy. Running off adrenaline and rage after reading the letter her mother left for her, she hunts down Elizabeth Bentley, notorious Communist spy queen turned FBI informant, with the intent to kill. But as Cat becomes captivated by Elizabeth's story of a life full of risks and an attempt to do something meaningful, she slowly starts to wonder if Elizabeth is really the villain she's been painted as, or if there's more beneath this woman's powerful façade -- and what it means for the mystery of Cat's own background...
As I'm sure you can tell by books previously reviewed here, I have a penchant for Russia and the history of Communism. When I saw this book, and realized that it was actually a fictionalized tale of the real-life Elizabeth Bentley, I knew it'd be on my list. From page one I was drawn in by this story, not only because of Thornton's vivid and powerful writing, but also because of her portrayal of a woman who has been pilloried by history.
It's easy to sympathize with Elizabeth, perhaps not only in spite of her mistakes, but because of them. She is far from perfect, a quasi-traitor to her country who often acts selfishly, but she's also dangerously clever and determined to try and remedy the pain she has caused throughout her life. I loved the deep, dark parts of her, as well as the caustic and biting humor she employs throughout the telling of her story. Thornton succeeded in making Elizabeth relatable, even lovable, but doesn't sugarcoat the sometimes damning truth.
The relationships that Elizabeth forms during her life as a spy were a highlight of the book for me, particularly when it comes to the wonderfully sweet and fascinating dynamic she forms with her handler, whom she falls head over heels for. I rooted for Elizabeth, and I also enjoyed the weaving of Cat's story in with the rest of the narrative. It isn't often that I say this, but there's really nothing I would change about this amazing, thrilling novel!
Highly recommended.
Content Warning: murder, violence, death, suicide, cancer, animal death, sexual harassment, abortion, misogyny, alcoholism.
It's 1963. Cat Gray has had a double shock: the death of her mother, and the assassination of President Kennedy. Running off adrenaline and rage after reading the letter her mother left for her, she hunts down Elizabeth Bentley, notorious Communist spy queen turned FBI informant, with the intent to kill. But as Cat becomes captivated by Elizabeth's story of a life full of risks and an attempt to do something meaningful, she slowly starts to wonder if Elizabeth is really the villain she's been painted as, or if there's more beneath this woman's powerful façade -- and what it means for the mystery of Cat's own background...
As I'm sure you can tell by books previously reviewed here, I have a penchant for Russia and the history of Communism. When I saw this book, and realized that it was actually a fictionalized tale of the real-life Elizabeth Bentley, I knew it'd be on my list. From page one I was drawn in by this story, not only because of Thornton's vivid and powerful writing, but also because of her portrayal of a woman who has been pilloried by history.
It's easy to sympathize with Elizabeth, perhaps not only in spite of her mistakes, but because of them. She is far from perfect, a quasi-traitor to her country who often acts selfishly, but she's also dangerously clever and determined to try and remedy the pain she has caused throughout her life. I loved the deep, dark parts of her, as well as the caustic and biting humor she employs throughout the telling of her story. Thornton succeeded in making Elizabeth relatable, even lovable, but doesn't sugarcoat the sometimes damning truth.
The relationships that Elizabeth forms during her life as a spy were a highlight of the book for me, particularly when it comes to the wonderfully sweet and fascinating dynamic she forms with her handler, whom she falls head over heels for. I rooted for Elizabeth, and I also enjoyed the weaving of Cat's story in with the rest of the narrative. It isn't often that I say this, but there's really nothing I would change about this amazing, thrilling novel!
Highly recommended.
The Familiar Dark by Amy Engel
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
That Could Be Enough by Alyssa Cole
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warning: homophobia, racism, xenophobia, miscarriage, underage drinking, family estrangement.
Lily Hu is seventeen years old in 1954. Under the threat of McCarthyism, she tries to go about her "normal" life, all while fearing that her father might be deported because of America's new fear of Chinese Communism, and dealing with feelings she doesn't quite understand. Finding herself drawn to a school outcast, Kathleen Miller, Lily slowly comes to realize that she isn't the only girl in the world that might be different from her marriage- and boy-obsessed friends -- and that there might be a future and community out there for someone like her.
I think it's fair to say I've become a diehard Malinda Lo fan. I read Ash sometime in 2015, if I remember correctly, when I was only seventeen myself, and it was like a breath of fresh air for me. Not only did it include a wonderful relationship between two girls, but it was also beautifully written, full of lovely lore and mythology. This year I finally got around to reading Huntress as well; they got five and four star reviews from me, respectively, and so you can just imagine my anticipation for this book.
This book is no different. It's gorgeous -- rendered into life by the emotion and connection to the characters, as well as the descriptions which help to transport you into 1950s' San Francisco. Lily was entirely lovable, gentle but never so sweet as to leave you with a toothache. Her feelings are complex, formed both by the time period she lives in and the restraints of heteronormative life, but all the while she strives to make a place for herself. A place where she can be herself.
The characters are so relatable, and you grow so attached to them, that you don't have to be a part of the LGBT+ community, a person of color, or basically similar to Lily in any way to love this book. Although I can never truly "relate" to the racism, xenophobia and fetishization that Lily is forced to deal with, it's easy to put yourself into her shoes and to be not only angry for her, but also to root for her. Let me assure you, you will want Lily (and by extension, Kath) to win. To make her life into what she wants it to be. Lo's capturing of being other, of the sensation of being "the only one", is vivid and heartbreaking. It's the feeling of never fully fitting in; in her Chinese community, her lesbianism sets her apart; in her lesbian community, her race separates her.
It's only Kath that truly seems to understand her, to put both halves and to see them as a whole. This book does feature a rather prominent romance, but refreshingly enough, that is not the primary motivation behind Lily's story. Instead, this book takes us on a journey of not only acceptance and hardship, but also gives us brief chapters from Lily's mother's point of view as well as her aunt's. Some people were not pleased with these brief intrusions on Lily's narrative, but I personally found them interesting and a wonderful glimpse into the other women in Lily's family. Meanwhile, the romance is tender, sweet, and all-around enjoyable.
I really, truly cannot recommend this book enough. It's full of wonderful characters, a both heartwarming and heart-wrenching story of the journey of finding yourself, and as an added bonus, full of historical detail and the kind of in-depth research that makes you feel as if you're really living in the past. For me, Lo has done it again. I can only imagine what she'll come out with next, and I can tell you I'll be wanting to get my hands on it as soon as she allows us the privilege of reading it!
For more of my reviews, check out my blog!
Lily Hu is seventeen years old in 1954. Under the threat of McCarthyism, she tries to go about her "normal" life, all while fearing that her father might be deported because of America's new fear of Chinese Communism, and dealing with feelings she doesn't quite understand. Finding herself drawn to a school outcast, Kathleen Miller, Lily slowly comes to realize that she isn't the only girl in the world that might be different from her marriage- and boy-obsessed friends -- and that there might be a future and community out there for someone like her.
I think it's fair to say I've become a diehard Malinda Lo fan. I read Ash sometime in 2015, if I remember correctly, when I was only seventeen myself, and it was like a breath of fresh air for me. Not only did it include a wonderful relationship between two girls, but it was also beautifully written, full of lovely lore and mythology. This year I finally got around to reading Huntress as well; they got five and four star reviews from me, respectively, and so you can just imagine my anticipation for this book.
This book is no different. It's gorgeous -- rendered into life by the emotion and connection to the characters, as well as the descriptions which help to transport you into 1950s' San Francisco. Lily was entirely lovable, gentle but never so sweet as to leave you with a toothache. Her feelings are complex, formed both by the time period she lives in and the restraints of heteronormative life, but all the while she strives to make a place for herself. A place where she can be herself.
The characters are so relatable, and you grow so attached to them, that you don't have to be a part of the LGBT+ community, a person of color, or basically similar to Lily in any way to love this book. Although I can never truly "relate" to the racism, xenophobia and fetishization that Lily is forced to deal with, it's easy to put yourself into her shoes and to be not only angry for her, but also to root for her. Let me assure you, you will want Lily (and by extension, Kath) to win. To make her life into what she wants it to be. Lo's capturing of being other, of the sensation of being "the only one", is vivid and heartbreaking. It's the feeling of never fully fitting in; in her Chinese community, her lesbianism sets her apart; in her lesbian community, her race separates her.
It's only Kath that truly seems to understand her, to put both halves and to see them as a whole. This book does feature a rather prominent romance, but refreshingly enough, that is not the primary motivation behind Lily's story. Instead, this book takes us on a journey of not only acceptance and hardship, but also gives us brief chapters from Lily's mother's point of view as well as her aunt's. Some people were not pleased with these brief intrusions on Lily's narrative, but I personally found them interesting and a wonderful glimpse into the other women in Lily's family. Meanwhile, the romance is tender, sweet, and all-around enjoyable.
I really, truly cannot recommend this book enough. It's full of wonderful characters, a both heartwarming and heart-wrenching story of the journey of finding yourself, and as an added bonus, full of historical detail and the kind of in-depth research that makes you feel as if you're really living in the past. For me, Lo has done it again. I can only imagine what she'll come out with next, and I can tell you I'll be wanting to get my hands on it as soon as she allows us the privilege of reading it!
For more of my reviews, check out my blog!