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meliemelo's reviews
2210 reviews
Ace Notes: Tips and Tricks on Existing in an Allo World by Michele Kirichanskaya
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.0
I really liked the idea of the interviews, which led to interesting conversations and broadened the scope of the book beyond Michele Kirichanskaya's own experience. That said, the author's own chapters are also quite good and informative, with just the right dose of humour. I also enjoyed the messages at the end (again, showing the wider community), the list of symbols and the media recommendations.
The Three-Body Problem by Cixin Liu
challenging
informative
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
It may not be for everyone, but I personally really like having no clue as to what is going on for a good while! Here, it made things finally clicking into place all the more satisfying.
I also appreciated how different this novel was from other works of science-fiction I had engaged with before, both in style and content. It doesn't always make for an easy read, but definitely a memorable one.
That said, once getting to the end of the book, I couldn't help but feeling that this was more of a 400-page set-up than anything else. While the mysteries are resolved (maybe too many of them and too fast), the story doesn't feel complete in the way that first books in a series usually resolve a narrative. Again, this may go with the territory of "different from anything I'd read before", but it did feel slightly anticlimactic to me.
As a final note, starting this immediately after reading <i>Yellowface</i> was... a very interesting experience, all the more so when I finally rewatched the trailer to the upcoming Netflix series..........
I also appreciated how different this novel was from other works of science-fiction I had engaged with before, both in style and content. It doesn't always make for an easy read, but definitely a memorable one.
That said, once getting to the end of the book, I couldn't help but feeling that this was more of a 400-page set-up than anything else. While the mysteries are resolved (maybe too many of them and too fast), the story doesn't feel complete in the way that first books in a series usually resolve a narrative. Again, this may go with the territory of "different from anything I'd read before", but it did feel slightly anticlimactic to me.
As a final note, starting this immediately after reading <i>Yellowface</i> was... a very interesting experience, all the more so when I finally rewatched the trailer to the upcoming Netflix series..........
Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
As warm and cosy as the beverage it describes, <i>Legends & Lattes</i> made me crave coffee (and cinnamon rolls!) even though I'm more of a tea person.
But more than that, I absolutely adored the characters and their journey to one another. A story with relatively low stakes that will melt your heart, and a perfect start to my 2024!
But more than that, I absolutely adored the characters and their journey to one another. A story with relatively low stakes that will melt your heart, and a perfect start to my 2024!
Translation State by Ann Leckie
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
First off: yay, neopronouns! I really love how clearly unafraid Ann Leckie is in exploring gender in various forms in every one of her books (that I have read so far).
It was also interesting to see this universe outside of the scope of the Radch, and I really hope she will continue to explore it.
The story itself was pretty interesting and well woven together, carried by three very different but similarly likable protagonists (likable for different reasons, and each with their flaws nonetheless). I enjoyed each part of the story, including the finale.
It was also interesting to see this universe outside of the scope of the Radch, and I really hope she will continue to explore it.
The story itself was pretty interesting and well woven together, carried by three very different but similarly likable protagonists (likable for different reasons, and each with their flaws nonetheless). I enjoyed each part of the story, including the finale.
Yellowface by R.F. Kuang
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
A fascinating book from start to finish, with a very well written unlikable narrator, too self-absorbed to be unreliable. Masterful.
Pageboy by Elliot Page
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
I really enjoyed most of the book. Elliot Page's story is not always an easy read, but it is definitely an interesting one. His dwelling on some of his relationships in the last part of the book weren't my cup of tea, but I did love seeing is journey into realizing who he is and becoming comfortable in his own skin. The positive moments and reflections in particular were very uplifting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Child abuse, and Eating disorder
Heartstopper Volume 5 by Alice Oseman
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
I read this volume thinking it was the last, and grew increasingly concerned as we got closer to the end, only to be relieved once realizing that there would be another ending to come. I loved the nuggets of representation of various identities, and the main story was sweet, as usual with <i>Heartstopper</i> books, while not shying away from darker topics.
The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece by Tom Hanks
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I struggled in the beginning, feeling that as soon as I got attached to a character we'd change focus and get a whole lot of new, potentially unnecessary information about yet another character. At maybe a quarter of the way through, though, things started to get together and I then struggled to put the book down. An interesting, insightful novel, that may not have gotten as much attention if it weren't for its author, but did deserve some of that attention at least.
One Piece (Omnibus Edition), Vol. 6: Includes Vols. 16, 17 & 18 by Eiichiro Oda
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.25
There was really no need to go that hard on the backstory.... (and yet it was definitely the best part)
The Only Good Indians by Stephen Graham Jones
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Definitely one of the creepiest and most fascinating novels I have read in a while. I loved so many things about it: how it progressed, the (debatable)"antagonist", the finale, even the ending itself. I would highly recommend it to anyone who likes the genre.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Murder, Violence, Blood, Body horror, Animal death, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Racism, Addiction, Alcohol, and Gore