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mahiyaa's reviews
48 reviews
Jade War by Fonda Lee
adventurous
tense
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
5.0
Jade City by Fonda Lee
tense
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
5.0
I don't think I've ever read a book in which I am emotionally attached to *every* single character, even the minor ones, the way Jade City has made me. I truly want the best for all of them, even when they argue with each other.
And about the mix of politics, action, and martial arts that is told more like a movie than a book—Fonda Lee more than delivers. I love it here.
And about the mix of politics, action, and martial arts that is told more like a movie than a book—Fonda Lee more than delivers. I love it here.
The Deviant's War: The Homosexual vs. the United States of America by Eric Cervini
informative
reflective
fast-paced
4.5
I've seen in certain reviews that people have called the narration here "tedious" and lagging in the sense that much of the information could be "shaved off". I highly disagree.
The book has never shied away from the focal point of its narrative; the gay pride movement told in perspective of a legal battle. While the book follows Frank Kameny, it also sheds light on his fellow activists. The subtitle and cover of the book is literally created to illustrate this (The Homosexual vs. The United States of America).
That being said, I didn't find the narration or the information presented "too in-depth" or too "unenjoyable for the casual reader" in any way! In fact, I encourage readers who don't have a large grasp on American LGBTQ+ history to pick up this book.
I understand that most books on LGBTQ+ history follows the socioeconomic battle, but I think it is equally important to focus on the legal battles—the legal rights activists have had to, and still do, fight tooth and nail for.
The book has never shied away from the focal point of its narrative; the gay pride movement told in perspective of a legal battle. While the book follows Frank Kameny, it also sheds light on his fellow activists. The subtitle and cover of the book is literally created to illustrate this (The Homosexual vs. The United States of America).
That being said, I didn't find the narration or the information presented "too in-depth" or too "unenjoyable for the casual reader" in any way! In fact, I encourage readers who don't have a large grasp on American LGBTQ+ history to pick up this book.
I understand that most books on LGBTQ+ history follows the socioeconomic battle, but I think it is equally important to focus on the legal battles—the legal rights activists have had to, and still do, fight tooth and nail for.
The Vegetarian by Han Kang
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
This book is so profound. Yes, it is half a fever dream and half a nightmare. Yes, it is emotional, but only in the sense that Yeonghye, the main character and focus of the book, is seen as an object by everyone. And that is where the book spends most of its time—depressing, hard to read "meaningless" description.
The first two stories, told from the perspective of her husband and brother-in-law, (with some of Yeonghye's disjointed dreams peppered into the former), are just...hard to stomach. Trigger warnings here for sexual assault and the like. It was, for me, just a jarring description of Yeonghye's suffering through the condescending, objectifying lens of two of the men in her life that used her for their own purposes. In these stories, I wasn't struck by any deeper themes, meanings, or commentary other than the poor, awful strife of this woman.
The book comes alive in two places; Yeonghye's portrayal of her dreams—which is only present in the first story—and the third story, through the eyes of her older sister, Inhye. These are definitely the most gripping parts. But they are still lacking to me. While Yeonghye's perspective is the most striking, both in its commentary and prose, it is far too little to justify reading the whole thing. Inhye's story was revealing in the sense that Inhye too is complicit in the way her family treats Yeonghye, while also being a victim of the same thing Yeonghye so fervently tried to free herself from. The commentary and themes involved, however, are so on the nose it makes me wonder what all of the abstract prose, including the triggering parts, was for.
The themes this book discusses are themes that can be efficiently and strongly presented without the absolute misery that is involved in reading this. The title would make you think that it is focused on Yeonghye, and her desires and fears, her anger and freedom, through the lense of meat—a topic that many other pieces of media and literature have tackled and have handled well. But Yeonghye is treated as an object both by the characters in this book and its narrative.
TLDR; If you want something that discusses a woman's anger and sadness, her liberation and her cage through her own eyes, look elsewhere. So many other books and movies have discussed objectification and sexualization, often in equally explicit ways this book has shown, and have done in it a way that empowers the protagonist and allows her to control her narrative. So many other pieces of media have the same themes and even the same metaphors (female hysteria, the consumption of meat being tied to a deep, internal emotion) in a more effective way. Honestly I'd skip reading this unless you're super curious.
The first two stories, told from the perspective of her husband and brother-in-law, (with some of Yeonghye's disjointed dreams peppered into the former), are just...hard to stomach. Trigger warnings here for sexual assault and the like. It was, for me, just a jarring description of Yeonghye's suffering through the condescending, objectifying lens of two of the men in her life that used her for their own purposes. In these stories, I wasn't struck by any deeper themes, meanings, or commentary other than the poor, awful strife of this woman.
The book comes alive in two places; Yeonghye's portrayal of her dreams—which is only present in the first story—and the third story, through the eyes of her older sister, Inhye. These are definitely the most gripping parts. But they are still lacking to me. While Yeonghye's perspective is the most striking, both in its commentary and prose, it is far too little to justify reading the whole thing. Inhye's story was revealing in the sense that Inhye too is complicit in the way her family treats Yeonghye, while also being a victim of the same thing Yeonghye so fervently tried to free herself from. The commentary and themes involved, however, are so on the nose it makes me wonder what all of the abstract prose, including the triggering parts, was for.
The themes this book discusses are themes that can be efficiently and strongly presented without the absolute misery that is involved in reading this. The title would make you think that it is focused on Yeonghye, and her desires and fears, her anger and freedom, through the lense of meat—a topic that many other pieces of media and literature have tackled and have handled well. But Yeonghye is treated as an object both by the characters in this book and its narrative.
TLDR; If you want something that discusses a woman's anger and sadness, her liberation and her cage through her own eyes, look elsewhere. So many other books and movies have discussed objectification and sexualization, often in equally explicit ways this book has shown, and have done in it a way that empowers the protagonist and allows her to control her narrative. So many other pieces of media have the same themes and even the same metaphors (female hysteria, the consumption of meat being tied to a deep, internal emotion) in a more effective way. Honestly I'd skip reading this unless you're super curious.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Sexual content
Moderate: Eating disorder and Suicide attempt
The Discord of Gods by Jenn Lyons
adventurous
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
3.5
The House of Always by Jenn Lyons
adventurous
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
3.5
The Memory of Souls by Jenn Lyons
adventurous
tense
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
3.75
The Name of All Things by Jenn Lyons
adventurous
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
3.75
The Ruin of Kings by Jenn Lyons
adventurous
funny
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? It's complicated
3.75
So, Ruin of Kings is absolutely fantastic, if you know what to expect. If you're looking for a huge fantasy saga with slow-paced, intense politics or pages upon pages of worldbuilding, look elsewhere. That's not to say that Ruin of Kings lacks in it—there are a large cast of characters, names, and family dynamics for you to keep track of, and personal histories aplenty—but that is not where the book shines.
Ruin of Kings does a fine job with weaving a world with its own histories, almost all of which go beyond the scope of our protagonist Khirin; giving the story a large sense of scale. But the book truly shines in its personality. The way it is written (the book itself is a compilation made by a certain character who puts their own quips in the footnotes) is quite unique—and the dialogues can be downright hilarious at times. Pair that with fast-paced, alternating narratives and a writing style that will keep you absolutely hooked from one chapter to the next, and you have a solid, addictive read that will entertain you to pieces, if nothing else.
TL;DR — Sure, the book has some nitpicks. But it is a hilarious, fast-paced read that you'll find super hard to put down. Just be aware, it's not a slow-paced, sprawling saga type of fantasy book, so if that's what you're looking for, go elsewhere! If not, strap in, give it a try! The way that it is written and the humor it carries is quite one-of-a-kind when it comes to the fantasy genre, so you are guaranteed a wild ride.
Ruin of Kings does a fine job with weaving a world with its own histories, almost all of which go beyond the scope of our protagonist Khirin; giving the story a large sense of scale. But the book truly shines in its personality. The way it is written (the book itself is a compilation made by a certain character who puts their own quips in the footnotes) is quite unique—and the dialogues can be downright hilarious at times. Pair that with fast-paced, alternating narratives and a writing style that will keep you absolutely hooked from one chapter to the next, and you have a solid, addictive read that will entertain you to pieces, if nothing else.
TL;DR — Sure, the book has some nitpicks. But it is a hilarious, fast-paced read that you'll find super hard to put down. Just be aware, it's not a slow-paced, sprawling saga type of fantasy book, so if that's what you're looking for, go elsewhere! If not, strap in, give it a try! The way that it is written and the humor it carries is quite one-of-a-kind when it comes to the fantasy genre, so you are guaranteed a wild ride.
Content Warnings
Minor: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, and Sexual assault
Black Spartacus: The Epic Life of Toussaint Louverture by Sudhir Hazareesingh
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0