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meliemelo's reviews
2239 reviews
How to Be Ace: A Memoir of Growing Up Asexual by Rebecca Burgess
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
An interesting memoir, that does a lot to explain, simply but well, what asexuality is. Would definitely recommend it to anyone who is curious on the topic but doesn't have a lot of time/energy to spend reading a bigger book.
It does deal with other topics, especially neurodivergence. You feel for Rebecca as they stuggle on several fronts, not understanding themselves - nobody gave them the words to do so until much later, an experience that might resonate with a lot of ace people.
It does deal with other topics, especially neurodivergence. You feel for Rebecca as they stuggle on several fronts, not understanding themselves - nobody gave them the words to do so until much later, an experience that might resonate with a lot of ace people.
One Piece (Omnibus Edition), Vol. 5: Includes Vols. 13, 14, & 15 by Eiichiro Oda
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
The giant island arc wasn't really my thing, even though the paint-based powers were fun and interesting. I'm not a big fan of the post-East Blue stuff so far but I have heard that it becomes great at some point so I'll try to stick with it!
The Queer Parent: Everything You Need to Know From Gay to Ze by Stu Oakley, Lotte Jeffs
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
4.25
Very comprehensive overall, although quite UK-centered and some chapters (especially the one about Fostering) are not as developed as the rest. I really enjoyed the multitude of accounts presented and the efforts to represent as many sides of the queer community as possible.
Chanson douce by Leïla Slimani
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Après un premier chapitre qui tape fort, une étude de personnages nuancée qui prend son temps sans occulter le drame vers lequel on sait qu'on s'avance. J'ai trouvé la plume de Leïla Slimani intéressante et me suis volontiers laissée happer par le texte, même sans éprouver de grande sympathie pour les personnages. Cela m'a donné envie de lire davantage de romans francophones récents !
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Child abuse, Child death, Mental illness, Suicide, Blood, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Sexual content
Fence Vol. 1 by C.S. Pacat
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
One of these series that I'll probably be happy to read online through my library without needing to own them. It reads a lot like a shonen but seems quite aware of it, which leads to some fun moments. I do love fencing though as well as Johanna The Mad's art and it's nice to see them combined!
The Mad Ship by Robin Hobb
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A long and enjoyable book, although the end leaves much to be resolved - even more than what would be expected for the second part of a trilogy. I did find Malta's development a little bit sudden, it could have been started earlier to be more effective.
Ship of Destiny by Robin Hobb
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
As much as I enjoyed the trilogy, I felt a bit let down by the ending. After all those pages, important events are glossed over. I also wasn't a fan of the way Althea was treated, and the resolution didn't make it much better.
All in all, it is still a great series, absolutely deserving of all the praise. I am looking forward to reading the next cycle (hi Fitz!) and then coming back to this corner of the world (I think? I hope?).
All in all, it is still a great series, absolutely deserving of all the praise. I am looking forward to reading the next cycle (hi Fitz!) and then coming back to this corner of the world (I think? I hope?).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
Ancillary Mercy by Ann Leckie
inspiring
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? Yes
4.75
I love how carefully and deliberately certain tropes are avoided or subverted, as well as the powerful messages sent. I did expect the ending to tie things up a bit more neatly, but then again this was more realistic and leaves the field open for further books - and I do understand that there have been some more set in this universe (Translation State has been reserved from my local library).
Ann Leckie has definitely become one of my favourite authors over the last few months, and this trilogy played no small part in that. I love how she explores gender in every work of hers that I have read (and always in a different way). Her storylines are almost as fascinating as her universes, and she does a slow burn, careful placing of pawns on boards, very well. I am very excited to read more from her!
Ann Leckie has definitely become one of my favourite authors over the last few months, and this trilogy played no small part in that. I love how she explores gender in every work of hers that I have read (and always in a different way). Her storylines are almost as fascinating as her universes, and she does a slow burn, careful placing of pawns on boards, very well. I am very excited to read more from her!
Learned by Heart by Emma Donoghue
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
For a while, I thought this would earn five-stars. Unfortunately, it wasn't the sweeping romance I hoped for, even though from the first few pages it seemed written like one - although the author can hardly be faulted since, and I hadn't realized it until the last few pages (shame on me!), the whole novel is based on a true story. I'd love to get an exquisitely written, positive historical queer romance, someday.
Because it is beautifully written. I love Emma Donoghue's prose and found it very hard to put the book down most of the time. The ending felt a bit rushed, although it's easy to understand that the story was so contained by design. Reading the note afterwards, it seemed to me like the reader was meant to "fill the gaps" with their own knowledge of Ann Lister's story (or by reading said note), which I'm not sure is great practice in general.
I did love the "slice of life" aspect of a lot of the book, even aside of the romance, and the author's research seems to have been extensive, which I appreciate.
All in all, it's difficult to articulate what I felt about this book. Some parts of it made me slightly uncomfortable (on purpose), while others were magnificent. It's a rare case of loving the parts (so many beautiful lines!) more than the whole.
Because it is beautifully written. I love Emma Donoghue's prose and found it very hard to put the book down most of the time. The ending felt a bit rushed, although it's easy to understand that the story was so contained by design. Reading the note afterwards, it seemed to me like the reader was meant to "fill the gaps" with their own knowledge of Ann Lister's story (or by reading said note), which I'm not sure is great practice in general.
I did love the "slice of life" aspect of a lot of the book, even aside of the romance, and the author's research seems to have been extensive, which I appreciate.
All in all, it's difficult to articulate what I felt about this book. Some parts of it made me slightly uncomfortable (on purpose), while others were magnificent. It's a rare case of loving the parts (so many beautiful lines!) more than the whole.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Racism
Moderate: Child death, Death, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Death of parent
Minor: War
One Piece (Omnibus Edition), Vol. 4: Includes Vols. 10, 11 & 12 by Eiichiro Oda
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
The end of the Arlong Park arc was quite good, and I enjoyed the last chapters in East-Blue. So far, apart from the whale bit, I'm not too taken with the rest, but we'll see where it goes I guess!