ryttu3k's reviews
145 reviews

The Empress of Salt and Fortune by Nghi Vo

dark emotional inspiring mysterious reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

In just 74 pages, Vo weaves a compelling and beautifully imaged narrative over two time periods - a quiet, almost meditative storytelling session between an elder and a young cleric, and the story of political intrigue and family she's telling. The world is immersive and detailed, and I absolutely intend to read further into the Singing Hills Cycle!

Embodied Exegesis: Transfeminine Cyberpunk Futures by Ann LeBlanc

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective 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? N/A

4.25

A fantastic collection of transfem cyberpunk stories. As with any anthology, the moods and tones are deeply variable, with at least a few that will stay with you for a good long time - my personal favourites were Bespoke by Elly Bangs (about a disillusioned body designer and a client with particular needs), Syndical Organization in Revolutionary Transition by Izzy Wasserstein (about nanites and community), A Canyon of Blood for the Normalest Man Alive by Palimrya (Mister Presidents, your days are numbered!), and the softly grim Moonpool by Coyote Dembicki.

Compound Fracture by Andrew Joseph White

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challenging dark emotional hopeful informative reflective 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

4.5

Another fantastically brutal novel from Andrew Joseph White, Compound Fracture is made from the same cloth as his earlier books, Hell Followed With Us and The Spirit Bares Its Teeth, but immersed in the far more familiar fabric of present-day (well, 2017) America. Miles is a messy hero, full of fear and fury, with flawed, human supporting characters (Dallas, Amber, Mamaw and Papaw, Saint, I love you). There is an amazing sense of community, and while I don't necessarily agree with every action taken, I can certainly understand them. Another incredible addition to AJW's body of work.

(Also, Lady is best girl.)

Cakeboi Goes Vegan: 60 Classic, Plant-Based Bakes by Reece Hignell

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funny informative inspiring lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

4.0

As the Devil Drives by Rhem T. Bright

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adventurous emotional mysterious reflective tense 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

4.5

A fantastic debut novel set in a D&D-esque secondary world, As The Devil Drives has both a compelling plot and well-developed characters. Victor is a sympathetic and sweet protagonist, and his developing romance with Gideon, past and present with Em, and gentle, genuine relationship with his sister Odette make up a strong emotional core to the story. The central mystery - what happened at the magic academy? - keeps the story moving along, with a satisfying break into two, and more questions to find answers to.

The Mars House by Natasha Pulley

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Did not finish book. Stopped at 51%.

You are not so useless that you’ll end up loyal to a murderer literally because they’re nice to you, the Swan King snarled.

He had a horrible feeling that actually, he might already be going that way.

Also I really don't love the apparent nonbinary rep being, "The colony banned gender and genetically removed outward signs of gender expression and so everyone is nonbinary by default with no discussion, nuance, or actual capability to diverge from the norm", actually.

Exile by R.A. Salvatore

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adventurous dark emotional hopeful reflective sad tense medium-paced