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loiscc's Reviews (313)
Burnt Sugar is a visceral novel set in Pune, India about Antara, a married woman trying to reckon with the trauma of her past. In particular her fraught relationship with her mother, Tara, whose descent into Alzheimer's disease means that she doesn't remember neglecting Antara through her childhood. This is a subtlely alluring story that makes for more thoughtful reading. I felt indifferent to the story at times (during the really quotidien bits) but I loved the artistry of the writing and the complexity of the characters.
Sword of Destiny is a sequel collection of stories following the riveting adventures of the Witcher, Geralt. These stories maintain the magical vibrancy of the first novel as we read about enchanted dragons, merchant elves, sea monsters, warring kingdoms and the meaning of Destiny. I thought this novel was spellbinding and it gave me all the escapist feels. I loved the air of sorcery combined with the dry wit of the writing.
Onto the not so good parts, I didn't like the storyline between Geralt and Essi Daven. Essi's obsession with Geralt has no sound basis other than to emphasise the disarming affect that Geralt seems to have on most women. No woman can resist the charms of his brooding, mysterious lone wolf persona. Also Geralt is constantly set up to be this politically neutral character who doesn't get involved in kingly negotiations yet that is exactly what he ends up doing when King Enslav of Brugge sends him as an envoy to Brokilon. The character inconsistency was not lost on me and felt like a mechanism to get Geralt to cross paths with Ciri.
But Sapkowski continues to reinvent and reimagine in this book and it left me wanting more so onto the Tower of the Swallow it is!
Onto the not so good parts, I didn't like the storyline between Geralt and Essi Daven. Essi's obsession with Geralt has no sound basis other than to emphasise the disarming affect that Geralt seems to have on most women. No woman can resist the charms of his brooding, mysterious lone wolf persona. Also Geralt is constantly set up to be this politically neutral character who doesn't get involved in kingly negotiations yet that is exactly what he ends up doing when King Enslav of Brugge sends him as an envoy to Brokilon. The character inconsistency was not lost on me and felt like a mechanism to get Geralt to cross paths with Ciri.
But Sapkowski continues to reinvent and reimagine in this book and it left me wanting more so onto the Tower of the Swallow it is!
This short reaffirming, bolstering picture book follows the eponymous characters on a journey of seasons, friendship discovery. It's presented like as a children's book but the simple affirmations will definitely touch base with adult readers as well, plus the illustrations are stunning!
A radiant, fiery fantasy novel, Raybearer has an exciting plot that follows a young girl called Tarisai from Swana, one of the twelve realms of Aritsar, who is sent to the capital to train to become part of Crown Prince Ekundayo's royal council. Tarisai is excited at the prospect of going as she has always craved a family but once she realizes why her enigmatic mother sent her and the truth of who she is, it creates a powerful conflict that threatens the entire empire.
I thought Raybearer was an altogether enjoyable read with some imaginative elements and Tarisai is a classic heroine character whose moral compass and determination makes you want to support her. An interesting read but not enough to convince me into reading the rest of the series.
I thought Raybearer was an altogether enjoyable read with some imaginative elements and Tarisai is a classic heroine character whose moral compass and determination makes you want to support her. An interesting read but not enough to convince me into reading the rest of the series.
Now this is my kind of love story! It was tender, it was vulnerable, it was boundary-pushing, sentient poetry!
Yes, the writing style and the structure of the narrative is very peculiar BUT I love the rule-bending nature of it, I love how the narrative challenges traditional storytelling structures with its poetic use of refrain and repetition.
I love how Black masculinity is explored in this book, the weariness, the guardedness and the tension of the love story was *chef's kiss* how it beautifies the small things we often take granted; a reassuring embrace, sharing headphones as you both listen to your favourite artist.
I wish we got to spend a bit more time with the love interest (aka the dancer) bur Open Water was an otherwise exceptional read that has restored my faith in the Romance genre.
Yes, the writing style and the structure of the narrative is very peculiar BUT I love the rule-bending nature of it, I love how the narrative challenges traditional storytelling structures with its poetic use of refrain and repetition.
I love how Black masculinity is explored in this book, the weariness, the guardedness and the tension of the love story was *chef's kiss* how it beautifies the small things we often take granted; a reassuring embrace, sharing headphones as you both listen to your favourite artist.
I wish we got to spend a bit more time with the love interest (aka the dancer) bur Open Water was an otherwise exceptional read that has restored my faith in the Romance genre.
An unforgettable collection of poetry; it was heartbreaking, cutting, sensuous and spiritual. rupi kaur is beautifully simplistic with her poetry that embraces femininity and womanhood. I thoroughly loved reading the sun and her flowers and this book did not disappoint!
this collection has some really sensitive content warnings including anxiety, depression and child molesting.
this collection has some really sensitive content warnings including anxiety, depression and child molesting.
A short, evocative, poetry collection that attributes beauty to the fat Black woman and contemplates the many wonders of the Caribbean, both beautiful and devastating.
Love in Colour is a collection of short stories reimagined from ancient myths from around the world and it was genuinely so exciting to read, coming from a reader who doesn't enjoy the romance genre this much, I make an exception with this book.
The stories are told from female perspectives and portray women redefining what love means to them in a way that complements their strength.
I loved the representation in this book, it pays homage to many different cultures and within its stories there is also chronic condition and queer rep which really helped cement the ethos of this book which is to explore the muti-facted nature of love.
The writing is so beautiful and lush (it initially seemed a bit superfluous in Osun's story) but overall Babalola's use of language is so artful, she made me believe it even with the much cheesier 'new tales.'
I loved each and every story in this book but Siya's story took my breath away.
The stories are told from female perspectives and portray women redefining what love means to them in a way that complements their strength.
I loved the representation in this book, it pays homage to many different cultures and within its stories there is also chronic condition and queer rep which really helped cement the ethos of this book which is to explore the muti-facted nature of love.
The writing is so beautiful and lush (it initially seemed a bit superfluous in Osun's story) but overall Babalola's use of language is so artful, she made me believe it even with the much cheesier 'new tales.'
I loved each and every story in this book but Siya's story took my breath away.
The Rosary of Love is an immensely soul-bearing poetry collection all about Love. I appreciated the intention behind this book expressed in the intro, that of reminding the reader about the essential, selfless quality of love in a world that seeks instant pleasure and self-gratification above all. I enjoyed Ashraf's use of nature imagery to depict the fathomless depths of this love but these poems also evoke a level of verbosity that felt overly dramatic, like when he asks his lover to flay him and set him on fire which he then describes as "sweet pain" ?!?!
Their Eyes Were Watching God is a story about love and resilience and grief. It was so immersive to read, Hurston really depicted each setting well and brought the characters to life plus Janie was an endearing heroine whose self-assuredness and readiness to speak up against the injustices she sees drew me to her character and made me hopeful her plight would change. This book was earthy and soulful and I thoroughly enjoyed it.