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sisa_moyo's reviews
193 reviews
Remnants of Filth: Yuwu (Novel) Vol. 3 by Rou Bao Bu Chi Rou
challenging
dark
This volume for me was better than the previous one, as Gu Mang's memories come back bit by bit and then crashing through a mirror, all at once. It was interesting to a more detailed look into Gu Mang navigating these new memories and also interactions with the Murong Mengze, Murong Chuyi and Jiang Yexue. We also take a trip back in time and explore glimpses of the days leading up to Gu Mang's defection which were the most interesting and intriguing points of the volume. I liked it, it was fast paced, engaging and covered a lot of plot compared to the previous volume. And as always a steep cliff hanger at Bat whatever Island with new revelations to ponder.
Remnants of Filth: Yuwu (Novel) Vol. 2 by Rou Bao Bu Chi Rou
challenging
dark
for me the middle and thus most of this volume was so slow moving and boring and I felt that nothing of consequence happened that moved the story. We were mostly in the same place and some of the interactions between the 2 main characters at Xihe Manor were so stale for me.
While it did have a lot to say about that inner turmoil of betrayal yet still feeling a kinship with that person who wronged you, and on morality and the worth of life of a criminal, vs a slave, and then a servant, the class exploration across those groups was interesting to think about. I still hold that for me, though it did have less smut which was a slay, it was also quite a lull for the most part from the first volume. But as always, the books end with a stellar cliff hanger and have the deeper laying mystery that hooks you into the next volume.
I also really enjoy the translation, there are so many lines sprinkled that have the most lyrical and jaw dropping writing.
While it did have a lot to say about that inner turmoil of betrayal yet still feeling a kinship with that person who wronged you, and on morality and the worth of life of a criminal, vs a slave, and then a servant, the class exploration across those groups was interesting to think about. I still hold that for me, though it did have less smut which was a slay, it was also quite a lull for the most part from the first volume. But as always, the books end with a stellar cliff hanger and have the deeper laying mystery that hooks you into the next volume.
I also really enjoy the translation, there are so many lines sprinkled that have the most lyrical and jaw dropping writing.
Escape from Camp 14: One Man's Remarkable Odyssey from North Korea to Freedom in the West by Blaine Harden
informative
This book follows the story of the first known person born within a North Korean labour camp to escape North Korea from his youth to adult life in the West.
It was thorough and interesting in how detailed and vivid it was in its exploration of life within Camp 14 for Shin, from life at school, his familial relations, his relations with other labourers and with the guards. It was also interesting to read the cost of his journey from first hearing and understanding about life outside Camp 14 until his eventual escape and life in China. The detail and perspective especially in the beginning was very new and interesting as Shin has no understanding of life outside Camp 14 even within his own motherland.
However, I think for me the writing fell quite flat for such a new, unique perspective of a Korean escapee. While I understand that this is a piece by a journalist and therefore would be a sort of journalistic piece, I think if you're well read in North Korea the added contextual paragraphs take one out of and away from Shin's life. I understand the need for context; however, I feel that some of it ought to have been cut back a little to allow more detail of Shin's story and Shin's understanding of that context and time even if in hindsight.
Additionally, I believe that for me personally, having read quite a few pieces from escapees and defectors, that this would have benefitted from being in a different perspective - that is Shin's himself. A lot of the escape feels told to me a middleman and therefore dilutes the impact a story like this has the potential and ought to have.
Overall, it was really interesting for all it said about especially about Shin's youth within Camp 14 and his life in China.
It was thorough and interesting in how detailed and vivid it was in its exploration of life within Camp 14 for Shin, from life at school, his familial relations, his relations with other labourers and with the guards. It was also interesting to read the cost of his journey from first hearing and understanding about life outside Camp 14 until his eventual escape and life in China. The detail and perspective especially in the beginning was very new and interesting as Shin has no understanding of life outside Camp 14 even within his own motherland.
However, I think for me the writing fell quite flat for such a new, unique perspective of a Korean escapee. While I understand that this is a piece by a journalist and therefore would be a sort of journalistic piece, I think if you're well read in North Korea the added contextual paragraphs take one out of and away from Shin's life. I understand the need for context; however, I feel that some of it ought to have been cut back a little to allow more detail of Shin's story and Shin's understanding of that context and time even if in hindsight.
Additionally, I believe that for me personally, having read quite a few pieces from escapees and defectors, that this would have benefitted from being in a different perspective - that is Shin's himself. A lot of the escape feels told to me a middleman and therefore dilutes the impact a story like this has the potential and ought to have.
Overall, it was really interesting for all it said about especially about Shin's youth within Camp 14 and his life in China.
Remnants of Filth: Yuwu (Novel) Vol. 1 by Rou Bao Bu Chi Rou
this was a pretty interesting and engaging set up and opening for the series and I'm looking forward to reading the next volumes.
Books in this genre deal with dark, morbid and gut-wrenching themes of a noble rise to the top and a conversely swift, brutal fall from grace. And I think the characters and their stories are set up pretty intriguingly for the start of the series. Though there's stuff I didn't like especially smut which seeing it printed on paper, or any medium will always give me the cringe, I'm looking forward to uncovering the mystery and reading the next volume.
Books in this genre deal with dark, morbid and gut-wrenching themes of a noble rise to the top and a conversely swift, brutal fall from grace. And I think the characters and their stories are set up pretty intriguingly for the start of the series. Though there's stuff I didn't like especially smut which seeing it printed on paper, or any medium will always give me the cringe, I'm looking forward to uncovering the mystery and reading the next volume.
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, Vol. 6 by Koyoharu Gotouge
Intro to the 9 Hashira, training montages and mastering total concentration breathing. We also meet the lower rank of the 12 kizuki.
Solid, funny and a good time.
Solid, funny and a good time.
天涯客 [Tiān Yá Kè] Faraway Wanderers by priest
Did not finish book. Stopped at 26%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 26%.
It was a bit slow moving for me, I lot happened and I’m still non the wiser on the main plot of the book.
I might come back to it later though and give it another shot.
I might come back to it later though and give it another shot.
Plan Red: China's Project to Destroy America by Gordon G. Chang
Chang's "Plan Red" is written as an urgent wake-up call to China's plan to infiltrate, destabilise, kill and destroy America. From arguing that COVID was manufactured by the CCP to kill Americans, to advancing the idea that the "Chinese dream" is to topple the USA as hegemon and replace with worldwide Chinese rule, Chang calls US policymakers to take action against a hostile communist China.
From the onset, I had so many issues with the book. It writes extensively on a hostile, unprovoked China threat against a "good" and moral USA which has done nothing wrong ever. There is no mention of US military exploits across the world, its imperialism, its history of backing of insurgents and propping puppet governments, the ills of the Westphalian system or the liberal economic system. This is one of the main flaws of the book, which scholars of US-China relations would need addressed. It reads very much like propaganda for the dominant US-based narrative of a rising China as a threat to the US hegemon, meant to scare the American people - from the exaggerated tone of "China's war plans" to a China "preparing for war", to the zionism to correlating the "Chinese dream" with world domination.
Additionally, most key claims of the book, especially those regarding Xi's aspirations and sentiments either a) lack references or b) are referenced not from Xi's speeches or at least CCP posts/documents but from another Western written secondary source. Additionally, most claims about China's goals are from emails between the author and some scholar, emails that we do not get transcripts of in the notes of the book. This for me weakens greatly the credibility of most of Chang's arguments and claims. From terms like "this suggests that" to scholar A "told me", it is difficult to take seriously and attach much scholarly weight on Chang's Plan Red. Besides the multiple flaws and fallacies in the flow and logic of Chang's arguments, most of said claims are widely held conspiracies known to the public and he offers nothing new or different on the "the China threat" or US-China relations. He also purports a solution to the China threat, so radical and unfeasible in the liberal economic system he glorifies.
It is thus difficult for me to recommend this book to any International Relations scholars, especially those within the US-China field as this offers nothing new or crucial. I would recommend it least to non-academics of the field as this only pushes a scare-tactic, tired and uncritical understanding of the complexities of China's internal environment or external security concerns. It is for an audience that is already within the narrative of China as threat and works simply to flame those ideas and not for those wanting a more critical and substantial understanding of China's interests.
[e-arc courtesy of netgalley]
From the onset, I had so many issues with the book. It writes extensively on a hostile, unprovoked China threat against a "good" and moral USA which has done nothing wrong ever. There is no mention of US military exploits across the world, its imperialism, its history of backing of insurgents and propping puppet governments, the ills of the Westphalian system or the liberal economic system. This is one of the main flaws of the book, which scholars of US-China relations would need addressed. It reads very much like propaganda for the dominant US-based narrative of a rising China as a threat to the US hegemon, meant to scare the American people - from the exaggerated tone of "China's war plans" to a China "preparing for war", to the zionism to correlating the "Chinese dream" with world domination.
Additionally, most key claims of the book, especially those regarding Xi's aspirations and sentiments either a) lack references or b) are referenced not from Xi's speeches or at least CCP posts/documents but from another Western written secondary source. Additionally, most claims about China's goals are from emails between the author and some scholar, emails that we do not get transcripts of in the notes of the book. This for me weakens greatly the credibility of most of Chang's arguments and claims. From terms like "this suggests that" to scholar A "told me", it is difficult to take seriously and attach much scholarly weight on Chang's Plan Red. Besides the multiple flaws and fallacies in the flow and logic of Chang's arguments, most of said claims are widely held conspiracies known to the public and he offers nothing new or different on the "the China threat" or US-China relations. He also purports a solution to the China threat, so radical and unfeasible in the liberal economic system he glorifies.
It is thus difficult for me to recommend this book to any International Relations scholars, especially those within the US-China field as this offers nothing new or crucial. I would recommend it least to non-academics of the field as this only pushes a scare-tactic, tired and uncritical understanding of the complexities of China's internal environment or external security concerns. It is for an audience that is already within the narrative of China as threat and works simply to flame those ideas and not for those wanting a more critical and substantial understanding of China's interests.
[e-arc courtesy of netgalley]
A Magical Girl Retires by Park Seolyeon
This short little book wonderfully deals with heavy and pressing themes such as finding one’s purpose life, depression and mental health, financial debt and climate change with such quick humour. These issues were well addressed though I thought the story moved at a neck neckbreak pace (which makes sense given the length) I saw a review saying this would be more elevated had it been a comic/ manga and I agree with that.
But, I still enjoyed the book thoroughly, from the killer opening line, to the sapphic relationship, to the tackling of issues like the climate crisis, the oppression and tribulations of women in society, surviving the pandemic and suicide. The main character’s worries were so easy to relate to such that this becomes an important read.
But, I still enjoyed the book thoroughly, from the killer opening line, to the sapphic relationship, to the tackling of issues like the climate crisis, the oppression and tribulations of women in society, surviving the pandemic and suicide. The main character’s worries were so easy to relate to such that this becomes an important read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, Vol. 5 by Koyoharu Gotouge
A mountain of spider demon and a stoic hashira severs spider power kizuki.
It was pretty solid.
It was pretty solid.
Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
This is such a silly, goofy, laugh out loud funny book. It captured being young, the anxieties of navigating your potential, your future and feeling out a crush and all that so well. The banter was top tier, the stakes were quite equal to the setting and the world and the characters were absolutely loveable for me.
It’s obviously a super idealistic book, the portrayals of the intricacies and intimacies of those of the Crown are clearly fictionalised; the political movies are so rosy and idealistic - to help people; and I can tell you that that is not how politics and international relations work and play.
But you’re not reading this book for textbook representations of politics and political motives or biblically accurate international relations.
It’s cute, it’s funny, it has my least favourite thing - smut of any kind in the written word, but I still worked through the book and enjoyed it thoroughly.
It’s obviously a super idealistic book, the portrayals of the intricacies and intimacies of those of the Crown are clearly fictionalised; the political movies are so rosy and idealistic - to help people; and I can tell you that that is not how politics and international relations work and play.
But you’re not reading this book for textbook representations of politics and political motives or biblically accurate international relations.
It’s cute, it’s funny, it has my least favourite thing - smut of any kind in the written word, but I still worked through the book and enjoyed it thoroughly.