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mintomillk's reviews
64 reviews
Daughter of Ashes by Ilaria Tuti
5.0
Tuti's work is such an underrated gem, and i love love love Teresa Battaglia with all my heart. Daughter of Ashes has a bit of a slow start and about 1/3s of the way in i was considering it the worst book in the series -- until it picked up monumentally in the last few bits and became easily one of my favourite murder mystery books. i know it seems like an excuse, but this is really one of the books where the more you stick with it, the bigger the payoff. the ending absolutely took my breath away and left me feeling melancholic and bittersweet, all things considered. it's a tragedy the next few books aren't translated in this series, as i absolutely crave more.
Giacomo is such an interesting character -- on paper he seems almost a stereotype of a typical killer, but his relationship with Teresa, their shared history, the unique way he views her elevates a simple concept into something more through the mastery Tuti writes with in connecting interpersonal relationships. Sebastiano, as well, is made real through Teresa's descriptions of him and their shared history, into something horrifying because he is so realistic and so terrible. Lona as well -- i hated him in the second book, then he redeemed himself slightly towards the end, then this book spun me right back around to despising him. he is perfectly written to be innocently sinister, and i honestly consider him the worst off of all the men thus discussed in this novel due to his easy acceptance of terrible things through simple ignorance. i could write entire essays on Teresa's relationship with him, but at the very least i'm glad she seems to be aware of the exact kind of person he is.
and Teresa !! her character development through this series and the progressive nature of her relationship with her team ("her boys") is so beautiful and sweet, and really makes the bleak subject matter easier to handle through scenes of care and affection between all of them. Massimo has been my favourite since the beginning and remains so even now.
the only criticism i have of this book is that the other female characters feel a little flat -- from Alice's random reveal that ultimately didn't contribute much to changing her character or role, to Elena's random wealth of knowledge that is explored upon once and never again. Teresa shines so brightly through every scene that it feels Tuti barely gave any thought to the other female figures in the novel, which is a shame given that they deserve to formulate their own identities beyond what aid they can contribute to Teresa's investigation or how they can develop her and the team's personalities more.
Giacomo is such an interesting character -- on paper he seems almost a stereotype of a typical killer, but his relationship with Teresa, their shared history, the unique way he views her elevates a simple concept into something more through the mastery Tuti writes with in connecting interpersonal relationships. Sebastiano, as well, is made real through Teresa's descriptions of him and their shared history, into something horrifying because he is so realistic and so terrible. Lona as well -- i hated him in the second book, then he redeemed himself slightly towards the end, then this book spun me right back around to despising him. he is perfectly written to be innocently sinister, and i honestly consider him the worst off of all the men thus discussed in this novel due to his easy acceptance of terrible things through simple ignorance. i could write entire essays on Teresa's relationship with him, but at the very least i'm glad she seems to be aware of the exact kind of person he is.
and Teresa !! her character development through this series and the progressive nature of her relationship with her team ("her boys") is so beautiful and sweet, and really makes the bleak subject matter easier to handle through scenes of care and affection between all of them. Massimo has been my favourite since the beginning and remains so even now.
the only criticism i have of this book is that the other female characters feel a little flat -- from Alice's random reveal that ultimately didn't contribute much to changing her character or role, to Elena's random wealth of knowledge that is explored upon once and never again. Teresa shines so brightly through every scene that it feels Tuti barely gave any thought to the other female figures in the novel, which is a shame given that they deserve to formulate their own identities beyond what aid they can contribute to Teresa's investigation or how they can develop her and the team's personalities more.
The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin
5.0
A love letter to America, a call to action for the people, an understanding, empathetic essay towards racial discourse, and a heartbreaking exposé of American hypocrisy -- Baldwin's writing does it all. His writing is eloquent and impressive, somehow managing to encompass theory into personal connection, and does not hold back from rightful accusations. I went into this essay expecting a good albeit outdated collection of thoughts, and was absolutely stunned by how poignant his writing is even today. A must-read for everyone interested in the shared human future.
The Sleeping Nymph by Ilaria Tuti
4.0
I am amazed Ilaria Tuti isn't more of a well known household name for her mystery books. There is so much clear care and detail put into the plot of the novel, the relationship between characters, and the overall mystery that weaves in and out of every aspect of the interactions and revelations experienced by Battaglia and her crew. Firstly, this book is more character-driven than her debut novel, with quite a lot more thought put into Massimo's character and relationships, and more developed of Battaglia and her illness. I found her relationship with Albert fascinating, as well as the revelation that he wasn't actually who we're led to think considering the context of her past. I was absolutely wrecked over the extent to which Battaglia went to for Massimo so that he could put his past behind him, and the found family aspect of this series makes me want to keep reading and never stop. I could swallow Tuti's books whole and still crave more.
Another fascinating aspect of this novel is the plot itself -- it goes in so many different directions, with new revelations and evidence, that it keeps you guessing until the very last minute. There wasn't a moment while reading that I felt like I was slugging through the book, despite how lengthy it ultimately felt, as Tuti is a master of atmosphere and historical context. The plot is intricate, tragic, and perfect for the noir thriller vibe that inspires it.
Ultimately, though, I ended up rating this book four out of five due to the ending. I felt the overall reveal of who was the killer and her reasonings behind it a bit weak, and the ultimate origin of the mystery somewhat random and fearmongering in the superstitious. The fate of the character and the reason why the painting was made was built up as a mystery of love and angst, but ended up becoming almost incidental to the grander conspiracy. Despite this, The Sleeping Nymph is still a fantastic and enjoyable read.
Another fascinating aspect of this novel is the plot itself -- it goes in so many different directions, with new revelations and evidence, that it keeps you guessing until the very last minute. There wasn't a moment while reading that I felt like I was slugging through the book, despite how lengthy it ultimately felt, as Tuti is a master of atmosphere and historical context. The plot is intricate, tragic, and perfect for the noir thriller vibe that inspires it.
Ultimately, though, I ended up rating this book four out of five due to the ending. I felt the overall reveal of who was the killer and her reasonings behind it a bit weak, and the ultimate origin of the mystery somewhat random and fearmongering in the superstitious. The fate of the character and the reason why the painting was made was built up as a mystery of love and angst, but ended up becoming almost incidental to the grander conspiracy. Despite this, The Sleeping Nymph is still a fantastic and enjoyable read.
The Alchemist and Other Plays by Ben Jonson
1.0
i've read Volpone and Bartholomew Fair but not the others, so maybe the other plays are fantastic and i've just stopped before hitting gold.
i don't get Jonson. many applaud him for his societal critique, satire, and comedy, and as Shakespeare's contemporary and a famed playwright in his own right i feel like i should be singing his praises given my fondness of elizabethan/jacobean plays. regardless, every play i've read from Jonson seems overly simplistic, bland in its characerization, and somewhat crude in its approach. i've missed the cleverness of the bard and the metaphors by Webster that have so inspired my interest in plays, and it has me second-guessing my own judgements and wondering if i've just missed something with Jonson's work. might be something to revisit a few years in the future.
i don't get Jonson. many applaud him for his societal critique, satire, and comedy, and as Shakespeare's contemporary and a famed playwright in his own right i feel like i should be singing his praises given my fondness of elizabethan/jacobean plays. regardless, every play i've read from Jonson seems overly simplistic, bland in its characerization, and somewhat crude in its approach. i've missed the cleverness of the bard and the metaphors by Webster that have so inspired my interest in plays, and it has me second-guessing my own judgements and wondering if i've just missed something with Jonson's work. might be something to revisit a few years in the future.
His & Hers by Alice Feeney
4.0
4 stars. goodness, where to begin?! this was my introduction to Alice Feeny's work and i finished the entire book in 2-3 days because i was just so enthralled. the characters are excellently set up, no one spared from suspicion, and the resolution left me in shock-horror as i realised the novel wrapped up with lingering questions (in the good way, where the reader has to ask them out of sheer disbelief). truly a masterpiece in mystery storytelling in how Feeny leads you through the plot and leaves you stunned with the reveal. the only downside would be that the plot feels very finnicky in the sheer amount of coincidences required to make it actually happen -- but if you suspend disbelief and enjoy the ride you'll have a wonderful, stunning time.
Ring by Kōji Suzuki
4.0
4 stars. thoroughly enthralling and not at all what i expected going into this book, having known only of the Ringu series through references and memes to the English movies. Suzuki's work reads more as a slowly unravelling mystery than horror, even as the looming feeling of doom remains throughout the plot with the discovery of the video tape. the ending sequence which sets up the sequel of this book i found very clever, and Suzuki does a great job of maintaining a sense of horrific dread even as resolutions come and lives are saved. Sadako as a character, however, i disliked; both due to her sexual trauma being used as a plot device and the treatment of intersexuality in the novel, which hardly made an impact on the overall story and could have easily done without. she very much felt exoticised for no good reason and i can't blame girlie for murdering as a result.
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury
2.0
2 stars. as someone who usually laps future dystopian worlds as metaphors for warnings towards current society right up, Fahrenheit 451 was decidedly an unpleasant book. when i first finished reading, i didn't think so -- but as soon as i managed to rub my two remaining braincells together hard enough to create a functioning thought, i came to realise that i did not actually like the overall message Bradbury was leaving the reader with at the end of his novel.
it's true -- censorship is bad, and controlling governments are worse. yet Montag as a character doesn't put thought or purpose into any of the actions he chooses to do for or against the burning of books, except for what is necessary in order for Bradbury to push his narrative. Clarisse is even worse as the potential originator of the pixie dream girl trope, and the culmination of two unlikeable characters crafting a message about rebellion and life seems heavy-handed and one dimensional altogether. regardless, i do understand Bradbury's intentions in writing this book and the concerns he may have had regarding societal change; i just think the tone misses its mark especially in comparison to other prediction-based literature published around the same time.
it's true -- censorship is bad, and controlling governments are worse. yet Montag as a character doesn't put thought or purpose into any of the actions he chooses to do for or against the burning of books, except for what is necessary in order for Bradbury to push his narrative. Clarisse is even worse as the potential originator of the pixie dream girl trope, and the culmination of two unlikeable characters crafting a message about rebellion and life seems heavy-handed and one dimensional altogether. regardless, i do understand Bradbury's intentions in writing this book and the concerns he may have had regarding societal change; i just think the tone misses its mark especially in comparison to other prediction-based literature published around the same time.
Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell
5.0
5 stars. i have some issues with this book, but Orwell's work captivates you in its universe and enthralls you into a feeling of doomed senselessness so well that the errors seem redundant to bring up. i could easy criticise something and then make an argument for why that thing is the way it is, to add further to the dystopia that 1984 describes so well to warn its readers to be vigilant against. even though Winston and Julia as characters do not have much depth or development towards them throughout the novel, aspects of the book and of their actions stay with me long after i've finished reading (which is many years, now), particularly in how their meeting again haunts me. in that way, Orwell has accomplished with myself, and others, i'd reckon, his purpose in writing a novel where authoritarian control over the individual is so complete that it echoes into your very person.
Newcomer by Keigo Higashino
5.0
4.5 stars. Higashino has become one of my favourite mystery writers on account of his ability to uniquely and powerfully captivate the reader in a single book. once more the murder of a single woman becomes a tale that involves multiple witnesses, bystanders, a murderer, and Higashino gives attention to each character involved to expose the ultimate plot of the murder in a clever way. Kaga's detective work takes you alongside him for the final reveal, and it is delightful every step of the way.
The Golden Spoon by Jessa Maxwell
3.0
3 stars, a fun little afternoon read. i enjoyed the differing perspectives and Maxwell does a great job setting up each character and their own personalities/perspectives. the overall plotline i felt was a bit exaggerated/fantastical (family relations just happen to be messy, a tale as old as time), but the sweet development of platonic and romantic relationships among the characters and the feel-good ending left me with the sense of having just finished a warm, delightful cup of tea.