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sarai0410's reviews
354 reviews
Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood by Marjane Satrapi
fast-paced
2.5
After hearing amazing things about this graphic novel for years, I thought I would give it a chance..unfortunately, this one just isn't for me.
Jujutsu Kaisen, Vol. 25 by Gege Akutami
dark
fast-paced
4.0
I'm scared for what's coming next but damn he looks good.
Jujutsu Kaisen, Vol. 23 by Gege Akutami
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
the confusion has gotten old.
Mother of Rome by Lauren J.A. Bear
emotional
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
You've seen my smile. Remember my teeth.
Mother of Rome is a stunning representation of the strength of women through motherhood - how that power is nurtured through sisterhood, struggle, and man's audacity to doubt. This isn't an easy read; it hurts - pinches at your heart with its truth - because it represents what so many women experience daily and for that I adored it.
To be a mother is to be alive.
Was this what motherhood meant? To love every single aspect of a person? To ache in the most gorgeous way for their touch, their smile, the assurance of their heartbeat?
While the story was a little slow at points, I couldn't pull myself away - the way in which Bear weaves together different perspectives to show the impact Rhea Silvia had on the world was captivating. It's a crime how few reviews there are for this book at the time of my review (less than 1,000) - Mother of Rome deserves an incredible amount of praise and recognition.
Men cannot be wolves. (But I ask, then, what of women?)
Mother of Rome is a stunning representation of the strength of women through motherhood - how that power is nurtured through sisterhood, struggle, and man's audacity to doubt. This isn't an easy read; it hurts - pinches at your heart with its truth - because it represents what so many women experience daily and for that I adored it.
To be a mother is to be alive.
Was this what motherhood meant? To love every single aspect of a person? To ache in the most gorgeous way for their touch, their smile, the assurance of their heartbeat?
While the story was a little slow at points, I couldn't pull myself away - the way in which Bear weaves together different perspectives to show the impact Rhea Silvia had on the world was captivating. It's a crime how few reviews there are for this book at the time of my review (less than 1,000) - Mother of Rome deserves an incredible amount of praise and recognition.
Men cannot be wolves. (But I ask, then, what of women?)
The Serpent's Shadow by Rick Riordan
adventurous
funny
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
5.0
I can always trust our Lord and Savior Rick Riordan to smash a story out of the park. This really was the perfect wrap-up to The Kane Chronicles and I so so hope we can see Carter and Sadie (and Zia, Walt, Julian, Julius and Ruby Kane, Amos, Khufu and Freak, and...okay you get my point) again because I love these characters and their chemistry.
While I understand that the PJO series is Riordan's most beloved collection, and don't get my wrong - I love it too, I need more people to give this trilogy a shot because you won't be disappointed.
While I understand that the PJO series is Riordan's most beloved collection, and don't get my wrong - I love it too, I need more people to give this trilogy a shot because you won't be disappointed.
The City of Dreaming Books by Walter Moers
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Unfortunately I've come to realize absurdist-fantasy is just not my sub-genre (idk why I thought it would be, I don't like it visual media either..).
Beyond Shame by Kit Rocha
Did not finish book. Stopped at 13%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 13%.
I just couldn't get into the writing style - this is more of a soft DNF as I'm not sure I'm in the mood for heavy smut at the moment.
Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I was not prepared for the impact that this read would have on me. Hamnet is an entirely unique and beautiful experience. Written in a style that made me feel as if I was watching a play - the characters, the scenery, the stage, truly experiencing the lives laid before me. I have very few words for this story other than wow.
She, like all mothers, constantly casts out her thoughts, like fishing lines, towards her children, reminding herself of where they are, what they are doing, how they fare. From habit, while she sits there near the fireplace, some part of her mind is tabulating them and their whereabouts: Judith, upstairs. Susanna, next door. And Hamnet? Her unconscious mind casts, again and again, puzzled by the lack of bite, by the answer she keeps giving it: he is dead, he is gone. And Hamnet? The mind will ask again. At school, at play, out at the river? And Hamnet? And Hamnet? Where is he? Here, she tries to tell herself. Cold and lifeless, on this board, right in front of you. Look, here, see. And Hamnet?
What is the word, Judith asks her mother, for someone who was a twin but is no longer a twin?
The Only Harmless Great Thing by Brooke Bolander
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
The Only Harmless Great Thing is Labour by Paris Paloma in book form - equally as stunning and heartbreaking.
What initially drew me into this book was the cover, but once I read the brief synopsis that said this was a dark alternative history of two incredibly devastating parts of history - the Radium Girls and Topsy the elephant - I knew this was going to be for me. Having studied and worked in the field of radiography, I find anything related to the history of radiation fascinating, and this really did hit all the boxes for me.
The Only Harmless Great Thing is a quick and biting story, pulling you into the lives of multiple women (two being elephants, but still representing women) and making you feel for them as they struggle and take control of their lives, in whatever capacity they can. Bolander's writing is piercing and I could have annotated every sentence - every piece was necessary and brought the story to life (I did manage to refrain, but did still highlight quite a bit).
The only thing (and honestly, I think this is totally a me problem) that I could have asked for was a little more clarity in the beginning on the timeline, as there are multiple timelines and POVs, but it didn't take too long to straighten everything out.
What initially drew me into this book was the cover, but once I read the brief synopsis that said this was a dark alternative history of two incredibly devastating parts of history - the Radium Girls and Topsy the elephant - I knew this was going to be for me. Having studied and worked in the field of radiography, I find anything related to the history of radiation fascinating, and this really did hit all the boxes for me.
The Only Harmless Great Thing is a quick and biting story, pulling you into the lives of multiple women (two being elephants, but still representing women) and making you feel for them as they struggle and take control of their lives, in whatever capacity they can. Bolander's writing is piercing and I could have annotated every sentence - every piece was necessary and brought the story to life (I did manage to refrain, but did still highlight quite a bit).
The only thing (and honestly, I think this is totally a me problem) that I could have asked for was a little more clarity in the beginning on the timeline, as there are multiple timelines and POVs, but it didn't take too long to straighten everything out.
One day soon the rage will be tall enough to reach the high-branched mangoes.
humans aren't always interested in confronting truths, especially uncomfortable ones.
But what that foreman didn't know, is that there's so much injustice you can honestly sow, before the anger stars to grow.