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ninetalevixen's reviews
2011 reviews
Modern Asian Baking at Home: Essential Sweet and Savory Recipes for Milk Bread, Mooncakes, Mochi, and More; Inspired by the Subtle Asian Baking Community by Kat Lieu
3.0
I received an advance review copy from Quarto Knows (Quarry Books) through Netgalley; all opinions are my own and honest.
Truthfully, I'm not sure who the intended audience is. While I appreciated the pages introducing key Asian(-associated) ingredients, I was a little put off by the way they were framed as almost exotic and mystical; some of the recipe descriptions had a similar Western-centered lens, which is disappointing from a book with its roots in a community [originally, though admittedly not exclusively] for Asians and hyphenated Asians.
For the recipes themselves, I haven't actually tested any yet so I can't really speak to the quality of the instructions or whether they're a good match for my Asian-American palate. I did notice the language of the tip boxes, because for some reason it feels a little weird to have a cookbook direct me to "Please use vegan butter" if I want to adjust a recipe to be vegan. Some of them are pretty classic favorites with showy names (Night Market Scallion Pancakes, Simply Perfect Purin) and others seem like pretty typical cookbook staples with an "Asian twist" like miso, matcha, or mochi added (No-Knead Miso Focaccia, Dreamy Matcha Basque Cheesecake, Mochi Boba Milk Tea Ice Pops).
Which is not to say that they don't look good: the pictures are gorgeous, and I love the color palette and overall visual design of the book. But for all I know at this point, it could possibly be style over substance — we'll have to see.
Truthfully, I'm not sure who the intended audience is. While I appreciated the pages introducing key Asian(-associated) ingredients, I was a little put off by the way they were framed as almost exotic and mystical; some of the recipe descriptions had a similar Western-centered lens, which is disappointing from a book with its roots in a community [originally, though admittedly not exclusively] for Asians and hyphenated Asians.
For the recipes themselves, I haven't actually tested any yet so I can't really speak to the quality of the instructions or whether they're a good match for my Asian-American palate. I did notice the language of the tip boxes, because for some reason it feels a little weird to have a cookbook direct me to "Please use vegan butter" if I want to adjust a recipe to be vegan. Some of them are pretty classic favorites with showy names (Night Market Scallion Pancakes, Simply Perfect Purin) and others seem like pretty typical cookbook staples with an "Asian twist" like miso, matcha, or mochi added (No-Knead Miso Focaccia, Dreamy Matcha Basque Cheesecake, Mochi Boba Milk Tea Ice Pops).
Which is not to say that they don't look good: the pictures are gorgeous, and I love the color palette and overall visual design of the book. But for all I know at this point, it could possibly be style over substance — we'll have to see.
unlock your storybook heart by ladybookmad, Amanda Lovelace
5.0
I received an advance review copy from Andrews McMeel Publishing through Netgalley; all opinions are my own and honest.
If we're splitting hairs, part i gets 5 stars and the rest gets 4.5 - 4.75 stars — not because it's worse, even by comparison, but because part i just really, really resonated wtih me. But anyway, a lovely conclusion to a lovely series of lovely poems.
If we're splitting hairs, part i gets 5 stars and the rest gets 4.5 - 4.75 stars — not because it's worse, even by comparison, but because part i just really, really resonated wtih me. But anyway, a lovely conclusion to a lovely series of lovely poems.
Senlin Ascends by Josiah Bancroft
2.5
I received a review copy from Orbit Books through Netgalley; all opinions are my own and honest.
Firstly, I have to admit I anticipated more of a linguistic element based on the series title (I mean, y'know, the Tower of Babel? Come on), though I can see the argument that a successfully-built Tower of Babel wouldn't necessarily have the same linguistic outcome, so it does make sense.
Initial impression aside, the setting and worldbuilding are fascinating on an intellectual level - though I had some trouble really getting into it until perhaps the Westworld-esque Parlor scenes. The prose is a bit dramatic and the pacing irregular; the plot and setting somewhat overshadowed the protagonist and his character arc, which I also found disappointing. Still, the sequel hook is effective and I will be picking up the second book, though I'm not sure yet if I'll finish the series.
Firstly, I have to admit I anticipated more of a linguistic element based on the series title (I mean, y'know, the Tower of Babel? Come on), though I can see the argument that a successfully-built Tower of Babel wouldn't necessarily have the same linguistic outcome, so it does make sense.
Initial impression aside, the setting and worldbuilding are fascinating on an intellectual level - though I had some trouble really getting into it until perhaps the Westworld-esque Parlor scenes. The prose is a bit dramatic and the pacing irregular; the plot and setting somewhat overshadowed the protagonist and his character arc, which I also found disappointing. Still, the sequel hook is effective and I will be picking up the second book, though I'm not sure yet if I'll finish the series.
The Bone Shard Emperor by Andrea Stewart
Did not finish book. Stopped at 27%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 27%.
I received an advance review copy from Orbit Books through Netgalley; all opinions are my own and honest.
I remember enjoying the first book and being intrigued by the ending, but by the time I picked this up I had forgotten a lot of what previously happened, which made it difficult to reorient myself in the opening chapters and was definitely a major obstacle despite the in-text allusions to prior events. A lot of the characters' reasoning and actions seem illogical, irrational, and/or too plot-convenient; it didn't help that the narration felt really repetitive too.
I remember enjoying the first book and being intrigued by the ending, but by the time I picked this up I had forgotten a lot of what previously happened, which made it difficult to reorient myself in the opening chapters and was definitely a major obstacle despite the in-text allusions to prior events. A lot of the characters' reasoning and actions seem illogical, irrational, and/or too plot-convenient; it didn't help that the narration felt really repetitive too.
Engines of Empire by R.S. Ford
Did not finish book. Stopped at 16%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 16%.
I received an advance review copy from Orbit Books through Netgalley; all opinions are my own and honest.
Truthfully, I was intimidated as soon as I opened the (e)book to a very long list of characters. Several chapters in and I still hadn't connected with, or gotten significantly attached to, any of them - which in turn made it difficult to get invested in the plot or worldbuilding, particularly since the pacing felt off, somehow. The prose was also a bit distracting, in that it felt somewhat anachronistic with the setting and was more descriptive than I tend to prefer.
I like family-centered stories, but maybe I should stop trying to read political ones.
Truthfully, I was intimidated as soon as I opened the (e)book to a very long list of characters. Several chapters in and I still hadn't connected with, or gotten significantly attached to, any of them - which in turn made it difficult to get invested in the plot or worldbuilding, particularly since the pacing felt off, somehow. The prose was also a bit distracting, in that it felt somewhat anachronistic with the setting and was more descriptive than I tend to prefer.
I like family-centered stories, but maybe I should stop trying to read political ones.
This Vicious Grace by Emily Thiede
Did not finish book. Stopped at 28%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 28%.
I received an advance review copy from Wednesday Books (St. Martin's Press) through Netgalley; all opinions are my own and honest.
While the premise is intriguing and the worldbuilding immersive, I found the prose a bit distracting (overly lush, and the jokes weren't particularly funny to me), the characters somewhat generic, and the plot slightly confusing.
While the premise is intriguing and the worldbuilding immersive, I found the prose a bit distracting (overly lush, and the jokes weren't particularly funny to me), the characters somewhat generic, and the plot slightly confusing.
The City of Dusk by Tara Sim
Did not finish book. Stopped at 14%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 14%.
I received an advance review copy from Orbit Books through Netgalley; all opinions are my own and honest.
I wanted to give Tara Sim another chance despite my having DNF'd Scavenge the Stars, but Sim's writing style just doesn't seem to work for me. I was also somewhat overwhelmed by the vastness of the worldbuilding and the constant POV changes.
I wanted to give Tara Sim another chance despite my having DNF'd Scavenge the Stars, but Sim's writing style just doesn't seem to work for me. I was also somewhat overwhelmed by the vastness of the worldbuilding and the constant POV changes.
A Practical Guide to Conquering the World by K.J. Parker
Did not finish book. Stopped at 18%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 18%.
I received an advance review copy from Orbit Books through Netgalley; all opinions are my own and honest.
The premise is really interesting, particularly the emphasis on translation, language, and culture. But I tend to have some trouble with satire in general (a classic case of "it's not the book, it's me"), and with this book I'm also having some trouble with the humor and the main character's somewhat abrasive personality.
The premise is really interesting, particularly the emphasis on translation, language, and culture. But I tend to have some trouble with satire in general (a classic case of "it's not the book, it's me"), and with this book I'm also having some trouble with the humor and the main character's somewhat abrasive personality.
Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan
Did not finish book. Stopped at 11%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 11%.
The Chang'e legend was one of my favorites growing up, but I was wary of the protagonist potentially coasting on her "daughter of a literal legend" (or two, if you also count Houyi) status. And thus far this seems to be the case, with Xingyin repeatedly needing to be saved by other people even while she remains convinced that she has all the makings of a hero in her own right; unfortunately I can't say that I genuinely want her to succeed. I also have some issues with the fundamental worldbuilding (for example, the "daughter of a human-turned-immortal (and a human favored by the gods who was meant to become immortal) automatically becomes a celestial being" thing) and the writing style just isn't doing it for me.
The Truth by Terry Pratchett
4.0
In another lifetime, I'm a journalism/ communications major and then a journalist. (In this one, I'm a linguistics major who writes a book blog.) Meaning that this was one of those books that hit so many of the right notes for me, where much of the humor feels like inside jokes and I easily empathize with the protagonists and it all just fits together intuitively.