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lucybbookstuff's reviews
372 reviews
adventurous
challenging
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Having trouble gathering thoughts about this book. 😅 I think this review may be vaguely spoilery, so enter with caution.
For the first few parts (at least through "the second day"), this book was on a clear path to 5 stars.
I really enjoyed the unique storytelling and the seamless way it shifted perspectives. I quite liked the use of 2nd person; it felt very immersive.
I was having a lot of fun following Keema and Jun on their travels. Appreciating them as characters and really enjoying how they came together and their interactions afterwards. I also appreciated the "you" perspective with Lola and the father and brothers. It added an interesting layer, and I could see some parallels right away.
However, I had been told very explicitly at the end of "before" that this is a love story, first and foremost. And yet, after the "second day," it veered away from that love story (that I had been loving) almost entirely. The story of the empress and her sons got quite tedious and the book started feeling much too long and the details unnecessary. I do still appreciate this story, but it is not what I was prepared to expect. I felt kind of bait-and-switched.
I am glad that it still ended with the love story. And I find the whole thing beautifully, artfully crafted and beyond unique. I am glad that I read it. But I can't help but feel somewhat disappointed by it setting the wrong expectations and only coming back to it at the very end. I really wanted that 5 star experience I was feeling from the beginning, but it missed the mark.
Still a fantastic book and I recommend to anyone who is up for a weird and wild ride.
For the first few parts (at least through "the second day"), this book was on a clear path to 5 stars.
I really enjoyed the unique storytelling and the seamless way it shifted perspectives. I quite liked the use of 2nd person; it felt very immersive.
I was having a lot of fun following Keema and Jun on their travels. Appreciating them as characters and really enjoying how they came together and their interactions afterwards. I also appreciated the "you" perspective with Lola and the father and brothers. It added an interesting layer, and I could see some parallels right away.
However, I had been told very explicitly at the end of "before" that this is a love story, first and foremost. And yet, after the "second day," it veered away from that love story (that I had been loving) almost entirely. The story of the empress and her sons got quite tedious and the book started feeling much too long and the details unnecessary. I do still appreciate this story, but it is not what I was prepared to expect. I felt kind of bait-and-switched.
I am glad that it still ended with the love story. And I find the whole thing beautifully, artfully crafted and beyond unique. I am glad that I read it. But I can't help but feel somewhat disappointed by it setting the wrong expectations and only coming back to it at the very end. I really wanted that 5 star experience I was feeling from the beginning, but it missed the mark.
Still a fantastic book and I recommend to anyone who is up for a weird and wild ride.
informative
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
This book isn't bad. But I have two main issues with it.
1) It honestly read exactly like a book a white teacher might have assigned in the 8th grade to teach that "racism and sexism are bad." It was so cheesy and reductive in that way. And I can't say I approve of this white woman writing from the perspective of Black slaves.
2) This story could have been an email. Just kidding. But it definitely could have been a novella. It got soooo repetitive and was really trying to hammer its incredibly obvious morals into my head. These are morals I already have. I'm not in the eighth grade anymore and I did not need this book.
Again, it wasn't terribly written or anything. I may recommend it to teenagers, or anyone who is looking for a VERY lightweight starting point into antebellum historical fiction.
1) It honestly read exactly like a book a white teacher might have assigned in the 8th grade to teach that "racism and sexism are bad." It was so cheesy and reductive in that way. And I can't say I approve of this white woman writing from the perspective of Black slaves.
2) This story could have been an email. Just kidding. But it definitely could have been a novella. It got soooo repetitive and was really trying to hammer its incredibly obvious morals into my head. These are morals I already have. I'm not in the eighth grade anymore and I did not need this book.
Again, it wasn't terribly written or anything. I may recommend it to teenagers, or anyone who is looking for a VERY lightweight starting point into antebellum historical fiction.
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
Great, digestible educational read. Enjoyed it read by the author as well. I'll definitely seek out more of his work.
I'll be honest, I was hoping/expecting a bit more of a self-help model with clear changes I can make on a personal level... so it was quite frustrating to learn that most of the necessary changes are enormous, seemingly-impossible systemic ones. 🫠
Good to learn about those for sure, but it does almost make me feel MORE hopeless. I wish we didn't have to fight capitalism to get our attention back. This book definitely made me even more of an anticapitalist.
Even so. Great book and definitely recommend, especially on audio.
I'll be honest, I was hoping/expecting a bit more of a self-help model with clear changes I can make on a personal level... so it was quite frustrating to learn that most of the necessary changes are enormous, seemingly-impossible systemic ones. 🫠
Good to learn about those for sure, but it does almost make me feel MORE hopeless. I wish we didn't have to fight capitalism to get our attention back. This book definitely made me even more of an anticapitalist.
Even so. Great book and definitely recommend, especially on audio.
adventurous
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This was so much fun!
I didn't feel let down by its short length - it told a fun and interesting story very simply and effectively. And managed to make Binti and her enemy-turned-friend very endearing. I also really appreciated the allegory, as well as the hopeful (but still realistic and not cheesy) message.
The pacing was a bit wacky in the beginning, but I also understand getting straight to the point.
I'm not much of a scifi person, so a lot of the worldbuilding didn't really grab me, but I still really enjoyed it.
Can't wait to read the others!
I didn't feel let down by its short length - it told a fun and interesting story very simply and effectively. And managed to make Binti and her enemy-turned-friend very endearing. I also really appreciated the allegory, as well as the hopeful (but still realistic and not cheesy) message.
The pacing was a bit wacky in the beginning, but I also understand getting straight to the point.
I'm not much of a scifi person, so a lot of the worldbuilding didn't really grab me, but I still really enjoyed it.
Can't wait to read the others!
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
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
This is one of the most devastating books I've ever read. And thoroughly humbling and revealing of my immense privilege.
I'm so glad to have learned more about the crisis in Syria. I vaguely knew some Syrian refugees when I lived in Germany in 2016-17, and I knew they'd been going through something horrific. But I didn't know any specifics and I guess I didn't bother to learn. This book was highly educational as well as highly emotional and effective.
It pulled ZERO punches. It really put the full horror war/revolution in my face. As it should. It was painfully realistic, but it still managed to be incredibly beautiful and hopeful. The love story was so perfect and romantic, it was a fantastic thread to weave into this story. I also LOVED reading such a beautiful, heartwarming, comforting depiction of Islam. And that these two kids held to their faith in everything they did and experienced.
Absolutely remarkable book. I recommend to all for education and a great story, unless the triggers are too much.
Not a full 5 only because it was quite repetitive for a while. And I mean, I'm sure living in a war zone is a horribly repetitive existence. But even so, I think the book could have been 50-100 pages shorter. Also some YA cheese that I can never quite stomach, no matter what, but that's a me problem.
I'm so glad to have learned more about the crisis in Syria. I vaguely knew some Syrian refugees when I lived in Germany in 2016-17, and I knew they'd been going through something horrific. But I didn't know any specifics and I guess I didn't bother to learn. This book was highly educational as well as highly emotional and effective.
It pulled ZERO punches. It really put the full horror war/revolution in my face. As it should. It was painfully realistic, but it still managed to be incredibly beautiful and hopeful. The love story was so perfect and romantic, it was a fantastic thread to weave into this story. I also LOVED reading such a beautiful, heartwarming, comforting depiction of Islam. And that these two kids held to their faith in everything they did and experienced.
Absolutely remarkable book. I recommend to all for education and a great story, unless the triggers are too much.
Not a full 5 only because it was quite repetitive for a while. And I mean, I'm sure living in a war zone is a horribly repetitive existence. But even so, I think the book could have been 50-100 pages shorter. Also some YA cheese that I can never quite stomach, no matter what, but that's a me problem.
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Absolutely beautiful and devastating. 100% deserves its classic status. Among queer literature and literature as a whole.
I tabbed this book up because so many lines were so striking. The writing is so poignant and profound, while remaining digeatible. This book is somehow both of its time and completely timeless. And I imagine, unfortunately, quite relatable for many.
The narrator is not very likeable, but at the same time you know that you could never hate him as much as he hates himself. He also has so much privilege that he seems to squander, and is rightfully rebuked for it, but you can also acutely feel his self-loathing.
The characters of Giovanni and Hella were also very well-developed.
This book seems ahead of its time with its stark ruminations on mental health and sexuality. Then again, maybe I haven't read enough classics.
I knocked it down a quarter star only for the casual misogyny... which is probably entirely a product of the time period, but still irked me to read.
I tabbed this book up because so many lines were so striking. The writing is so poignant and profound, while remaining digeatible. This book is somehow both of its time and completely timeless. And I imagine, unfortunately, quite relatable for many.
The narrator is not very likeable, but at the same time you know that you could never hate him as much as he hates himself. He also has so much privilege that he seems to squander, and is rightfully rebuked for it, but you can also acutely feel his self-loathing.
The characters of Giovanni and Hella were also very well-developed.
This book seems ahead of its time with its stark ruminations on mental health and sexuality. Then again, maybe I haven't read enough classics.
I knocked it down a quarter star only for the casual misogyny... which is probably entirely a product of the time period, but still irked me to read.
dark
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was better than the first one, if only because the stakes were higher, but I still found that the straightforwardness/lack of creativity in the writing kept me from feeling much emotion while reading.
It's obviously very upsetting subject matter, and what I did get out of it is a lot of rumination on the themes of trauma, slavery, and survival. For instance, the romance didn't do much for me, but I very much appreciated what the romance symbolizes.
I do think it was much too long, though. I keep finding myself thinking this should have been a novella series, or something like that. I'll definitely read the last book, though, and I'm not sure I'm prepared for how I know it ends. 🥲
It's obviously very upsetting subject matter, and what I did get out of it is a lot of rumination on the themes of trauma, slavery, and survival. For instance, the romance didn't do much for me, but I very much appreciated what the romance symbolizes.
I do think it was much too long, though. I keep finding myself thinking this should have been a novella series, or something like that. I'll definitely read the last book, though, and I'm not sure I'm prepared for how I know it ends. 🥲
adventurous
dark
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Dang.
This was a lot. 😆 Not in a bad way. It just was.
I had a lot of fun with this. I'm very glad I realized early on how great the audiobook is, or I would have had a much tougher time sticking with just the paperback. Robin Miles absolutely crushed it.
I think this book would be really hard for anyone who needs a clear plot or who needs their fantasy to make total sense. It didn't really provide either of those things.
Usually I'd have a harder time with things like that, BUT I loved Jemisin's immersive writing, the characterizations of these people/cities, and I appreciated that this book is, first and foremost, a love letter to New York City. Having visited and appreciated NYC, and having loved another city this deeply myself, I totally get it.
Apart from that, I think this book is also mainly about its allegory. Its extremely heavy-handed allegory of racism, gentrification, and MAGA attitudes. I'm not always into this kind of heavy-handedness, and this was no exception, but again, I liked and appreciated those other facets enough to get over it.
It did REALLY start to drag towards the end, and felt a bit anticlimactic. Anyone who wants the full story is definitely going to need to read book 2. I think I will, eventually.
In summary: really liked! Didn't love. But makes me very excited to keep reading more Jemisin.
This was a lot. 😆 Not in a bad way. It just was.
I had a lot of fun with this. I'm very glad I realized early on how great the audiobook is, or I would have had a much tougher time sticking with just the paperback. Robin Miles absolutely crushed it.
I think this book would be really hard for anyone who needs a clear plot or who needs their fantasy to make total sense. It didn't really provide either of those things.
Usually I'd have a harder time with things like that, BUT I loved Jemisin's immersive writing, the characterizations of these people/cities, and I appreciated that this book is, first and foremost, a love letter to New York City. Having visited and appreciated NYC, and having loved another city this deeply myself, I totally get it.
Apart from that, I think this book is also mainly about its allegory. Its extremely heavy-handed allegory of racism, gentrification, and MAGA attitudes. I'm not always into this kind of heavy-handedness, and this was no exception, but again, I liked and appreciated those other facets enough to get over it.
It did REALLY start to drag towards the end, and felt a bit anticlimactic. Anyone who wants the full story is definitely going to need to read book 2. I think I will, eventually.
In summary: really liked! Didn't love. But makes me very excited to keep reading more Jemisin.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Another great, exasperating, relatable, beautifully-written novel from Sally Rooney! Finally got it off my TBR, and just in time for Intermezzo to come out.
She delivered what she always does - characters that are excruciatingly human, that you can't help but relate to on some level (much to my chagrine). You're almost guaranteed to see either yourself or people you know in these characters, if to a less intense degree. Definitely a lot of white, middle class vibes, but I feel that a lot of the mental issues can probably be universally relatable.
Also some very poignant musings about the state of the world in general. Quite pretentious at times, but I know some people do actually spend their time philosophizing like this.
I thought this book was quite a bit wordier and more outright philosophical than her past novels. Not in a bad way. Though I could have done with a few more paragraph breaks in the second half lol.
I also thought it was interesting how self-referntial it was, and I have to imagine it is somewhat autobiographical.
I also have to mention... her other books end on such ambiguous and mildly disappointing (in a realistic way) notes. This one, thank god, ended on an uplifting (and still realistic) note. I can be okay with either, but in this case, I very much appreciated this ending.
Definitely an auto-buy author for me - really looking forward to Intermezzo!
She delivered what she always does - characters that are excruciatingly human, that you can't help but relate to on some level (much to my chagrine). You're almost guaranteed to see either yourself or people you know in these characters, if to a less intense degree. Definitely a lot of white, middle class vibes, but I feel that a lot of the mental issues can probably be universally relatable.
Also some very poignant musings about the state of the world in general. Quite pretentious at times, but I know some people do actually spend their time philosophizing like this.
I thought this book was quite a bit wordier and more outright philosophical than her past novels. Not in a bad way. Though I could have done with a few more paragraph breaks in the second half lol.
I also thought it was interesting how self-referntial it was, and I have to imagine it is somewhat autobiographical.
I also have to mention... her other books end on such ambiguous and mildly disappointing (in a realistic way) notes. This one, thank god, ended on an uplifting (and still realistic) note. I can be okay with either, but in this case, I very much appreciated this ending.
Definitely an auto-buy author for me - really looking forward to Intermezzo!
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
fast-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
Really enjoyed this!!
Definitely some typical YA eye-rolling going on, but that just comes down to my preferences. I also got pretty lost in the details of the main conflict. Though that could definitely be because I listened to most of this book and my attention sometimes wavers with audio.
But I loved the main characters and the magic and the dragons. Not to mention anticolonialist message. And the surprise ace rep!!!! 🥹 The romances were a bit cheesy, but I'm into them and was SO pleasantly surprised to see some rep. 🫶🏻
I was already planning to continue (and even moreso when I learned this is only going to be a duology), but that ending really sealed the deal!! Love it, so excited to see where this story goes.
Definitely some typical YA eye-rolling going on, but that just comes down to my preferences. I also got pretty lost in the details of the main conflict. Though that could definitely be because I listened to most of this book and my attention sometimes wavers with audio.
But I loved the main characters and the magic and the dragons. Not to mention anticolonialist message. And the surprise ace rep!!!! 🥹 The romances were a bit cheesy, but I'm into them and was SO pleasantly surprised to see some rep. 🫶🏻
I was already planning to continue (and even moreso when I learned this is only going to be a duology), but that ending really sealed the deal!! Love it, so excited to see where this story goes.