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speculativeshelves's reviews
707 reviews
Parable of the Talents by Octavia E. Butler
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is an incredible and satisfying follow-up to Parable of the Sower. While the ending feels hopeful, the bleak world presented here got a bit hard to read at times because it felt a bit Too Real given the current state of America (particularly re: Christian Nationalism/the upcoming 2024 election).
The story and the world Octavia Butler crafted in this duology is incredibly layered and thought-provoking. This is one of those books I wish I had read in college because the discussions would be fascinating. I particularly loved the inclusion of Larkin/Asha's POV which created a fascinating contrast to Lauren's main POV. The exploration of complicated family dynamics pushed this from a 4.5 to a 5 star read for me.
The story and the world Octavia Butler crafted in this duology is incredibly layered and thought-provoking. This is one of those books I wish I had read in college because the discussions would be fascinating. I particularly loved the inclusion of Larkin/Asha's POV which created a fascinating contrast to Lauren's main POV. The exploration of complicated family dynamics pushed this from a 4.5 to a 5 star read for me.
Twelfth Knight by Alexene Farol Follmuth
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
This was excellent! I've been wary of contemporary rom-coms lately, particularly YA (as I'm not the target audience), so I went into this book with slightly lower expectations in terms of my own personal enjoyment (especially because I also just did not click with this author's writing style in The Atlas Six, written under her Olivie Blake pseudonym). All that being said, Twelfth Knight sounded exactly like my kind of rom-com (Shakespeare retelling set in high school, fandom culture, a prickly heroine, slow burn rivals to lovers) and it absolutely delivered. This was a lot of fun. If you have a nostalgic love for 2000s romcoms based on Shakespeare plays/classic novels (She's the Man, 10 Things I Hate About You, Clueless, etc.), you will likely love this.
It's dual POV, which I don't always love in romances but overall it worked well here, especially in terms of the "false identity" plot (though I greatly preferred reading from Vi's POV). Vi and Jack both have their own personal arcs outside of their romance (though the romance is central) which I appreciated and their banter was excellent. This was also a true slow burn (with a perfectly paced rivals to friends to lovers arc) which is refreshing when most books marketed as "slow burn" either take place over a very short period of time or include some type of insta-love/lust/attraction.
Outside of the romance I appreciated the focus on other relationship dynamics. In Vi's POV in particular there was a focus on her relationship with her mom and brother, her best friend Antonia, and her growing friendship with Olivia. All of these relationships felt just as important and as well developed as her romance with Jack. I think this aspect is one of the weaker parts of Jack's POV - outside of his evolving relationship with Vi, his familial relationships and other friendships (perhaps with the exception of Olivia) felt a bit underdeveloped in comparison.
I also really enjoyed the exploration of fandom culture (and particularly the experience of being female/female-presenting in sci-fi/fantasy fandom spaces). Sometimes the fandom experience in contemporary novels doesn't always feel authentic to me but it definitely did here. You can tell Alexene Farol Follmuth has been in the trenches of 2010s Tumblr fandoms (and if you were also in those trenches, like me, it will add to your enjoyment of this book). The experience of tabletop RPGs and MMORPGs also felt authentic. Even though I'm not really a MMORPG player anymore, I was getting nostalgic for the brief time in high school I played World of Warcraft and was even tempted to log into my SWTOR account for the first time in years. The concept of the MMORPG in the book was so well developed that I'm disappointed it doesn't actually existthe Arthur and Guinevere twist at the end of the game's story was just as exciting for me as it was for Vi and Jack - and I loved how it mirrored their relationship a bit .
It's dual POV, which I don't always love in romances but overall it worked well here, especially in terms of the "false identity" plot (though I greatly preferred reading from Vi's POV). Vi and Jack both have their own personal arcs outside of their romance (though the romance is central) which I appreciated and their banter was excellent. This was also a true slow burn (with a perfectly paced rivals to friends to lovers arc) which is refreshing when most books marketed as "slow burn" either take place over a very short period of time or include some type of insta-love/lust/attraction.
Outside of the romance I appreciated the focus on other relationship dynamics. In Vi's POV in particular there was a focus on her relationship with her mom and brother, her best friend Antonia, and her growing friendship with Olivia. All of these relationships felt just as important and as well developed as her romance with Jack. I think this aspect is one of the weaker parts of Jack's POV - outside of his evolving relationship with Vi, his familial relationships and other friendships (perhaps with the exception of Olivia) felt a bit underdeveloped in comparison.
I also really enjoyed the exploration of fandom culture (and particularly the experience of being female/female-presenting in sci-fi/fantasy fandom spaces). Sometimes the fandom experience in contemporary novels doesn't always feel authentic to me but it definitely did here. You can tell Alexene Farol Follmuth has been in the trenches of 2010s Tumblr fandoms (and if you were also in those trenches, like me, it will add to your enjoyment of this book). The experience of tabletop RPGs and MMORPGs also felt authentic. Even though I'm not really a MMORPG player anymore, I was getting nostalgic for the brief time in high school I played World of Warcraft and was even tempted to log into my SWTOR account for the first time in years. The concept of the MMORPG in the book was so well developed that I'm disappointed it doesn't actually exist
A Novel Love Story by Ashley Poston
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Talking as Fast as I Can: From Gilmore Girls to Gilmore Girls (And Everything in Between) by Lauren Graham
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
3.5
Quick and enjoyable memoir. As expected the audiobook is excellent since it's read by Lauren Graham herself. Some chapters I found more interesting than others but as a fan of both <i>Gilmore Girls</i> and <i>Parenthood</i> I'm glad I finally got to this! I do with the chapter on <i>Parenthood</i> was a little bit longer though.
Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Parable of the Sower is quite a dark and bleak dystopian story but not entirely without hope. The first chapters of this book take place in 2024 and it's eerie to see parallels between the society depicted here and issues we are actually facing in 2024 in the United States (and around the world) today. Even though this book was written in the 90s, the issues the characters face here exist but this book depicts them a more extreme and dire level - climate change, corrupt government and police, extreme poverty, legal slavery by corporations, etc. Books like 1984 and The Handmaid's Tale get brought up a lot in comparing contemporary society to dystopian works of fiction but I feel that if we're close to any of them it might be this one.
It's a slower paced and more character focused story than I expected and so it took a bit for me to get fully invested. However the social commentary, exploration of religion, and the emphasis on community make this book quite compelling and there are lots of interesting threads set up to be explored in Parable of the Talents.
It's a slower paced and more character focused story than I expected and so it took a bit for me to get fully invested. However the social commentary, exploration of religion, and the emphasis on community make this book quite compelling and there are lots of interesting threads set up to be explored in Parable of the Talents.
Temptation of the Force by Tessa Gratton
adventurous
hopeful
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
5.0
With the perfect balance of quieter character moments and intense action, Tessa Gratton has written one of the best High Republic books (and honesty, one of the best Star Wars books in general). This was one of my most anticipated books of the year but also of the entire High Republic project and it exceeded my expectations. As someone who read Light of the Jedi when this journey first started in January 2021, it's immensely satisfying 3 1/2 years later to see how just far these characters have come, how their relationships have evolved, and how the stakes continue to be raised.
At its core, this book is about love in all it's forms and I'm happy to seeing it deeply explored in a Star Wars story (especially when the Jedi Order has a paradoxical view on love - strict on "attachments" because it could lead to the dark side but love, compassion, and connection are all part of the light). Every page, every character dynamic is full of love - Avar and Elzar finally acknowledging their feelings for each other and what it means in the context of being part of the Jedi Order (they are the slowburn friends to lovers second chance Jedi love story of my dreams), the strong friendship between Burryaga and Bell Zettifar, the complicated marriage between Cair San Tekka and Xylan Graff, the tense familial relationship between Avon and her mother who is allied with the enemy, the centuries-enduring love Porter Engle has for his sister Barash, and the love countless members of the Jedi Order and the Republic have for the galaxy they are trying to save.
In many ways the love in Temptation of the Force make this arguably the happiest High Republic novel and our heroes have a lot of victories (particularly in comparison to Phase I). That being said, Marchion Ro's storyline (and further exploration of the blight that was introduced in Defy the Storm adds a layer of dread throughout. He continues to be a compelling and intimidating villain and his POV directly contrasts with the other POVs - there is certainly no love to be found. The ending raises the stakes once again and I am excited, yet terrified to see how this story ends (I can't believe we only have one more adult novel left????).
At its core, this book is about love in all it's forms and I'm happy to seeing it deeply explored in a Star Wars story (especially when the Jedi Order has a paradoxical view on love - strict on "attachments" because it could lead to the dark side but love, compassion, and connection are all part of the light). Every page, every character dynamic is full of love - Avar and Elzar finally acknowledging their feelings for each other and what it means in the context of being part of the Jedi Order (they are the slowburn friends to lovers second chance Jedi love story of my dreams), the strong friendship between Burryaga and Bell Zettifar, the complicated marriage between Cair San Tekka and Xylan Graff, the tense familial relationship between Avon and her mother who is allied with the enemy, the centuries-enduring love Porter Engle has for his sister Barash, and the love countless members of the Jedi Order and the Republic have for the galaxy they are trying to save.
In many ways the love in Temptation of the Force make this arguably the happiest High Republic novel and our heroes have a lot of victories (particularly in comparison to Phase I). That being said, Marchion Ro's storyline (and further exploration of the blight that was introduced in Defy the Storm adds a layer of dread throughout. He continues to be a compelling and intimidating villain and his POV directly contrasts with the other POVs - there is certainly no love to be found. The ending raises the stakes once again and I am excited, yet terrified to see how this story ends (I can't believe we only have one more adult novel left????).
The Last Tale of the Flower Bride by Roshani Chokshi
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Beautiful prose, gothic storytelling, and full of fairy tale/folklore/mythology references – of course this was going to be a five star from me. While it draws on many fairy tales, this story feels like an original fairy tale of its own and I was enchanted from the start.
Roshani Chokshi creates the perfect unsettling gothic fantasy atmosphere for this story that carefully walks the line of magical wonder and horrific dread. I especially loved that the House of Dreams felt like its own character. The gothic fairytale vibes expertly work to explore themes of abuse and self-identity in fascinating ways.
This story is told in two timelines with two different POVs – the Bridegroom (whose storyline has a slight "gender-bent Bluebeard retelling" feel) and Azure (whose storyline tells the tale of obsessive friendship) – and I enjoyed them both equally. The way they wove together in the end was unexpected but perfect and I loved it.
Roshani Chokshi creates the perfect unsettling gothic fantasy atmosphere for this story that carefully walks the line of magical wonder and horrific dread. I especially loved that the House of Dreams felt like its own character. The gothic fairytale vibes expertly work to explore themes of abuse and self-identity in fascinating ways.
This story is told in two timelines with two different POVs – the Bridegroom (whose storyline has a slight "gender-bent Bluebeard retelling" feel) and Azure (whose storyline tells the tale of obsessive friendship) – and I enjoyed them both equally. The way they wove together in the end was unexpected but perfect and I loved it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Child abuse, Pedophilia, Violence, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Eating disorder and Sexual content
To Die Beautiful by Buzzy Jackson
emotional
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
A compelling, suspenseful, and quite dark (but not completely hopeless) story of Hannie Schaft and the Dutch Resistance movement during WWII. I would absolutely recommend this to anyone who enjoys reading historical fiction because this is excellent (and accessible for readers who are intimidated by history).
I wasn't familiar with Hannie before reading and I'm so glad I now know her story (and the stories of Truus and Freddie Oversteegen). There are lots of wartime stories focused on the camaraderie between men who fight together and so I really enjoyed reading a war story with a heavy focus on the camaraderie between women.
I also really appreciated this book's Afterword which expands on the real history depicted in the novel as well as the Author's Note explaining the intentionality of certain storytelling choices. You can tell Buzzy Jackson did a significant amount of research and put in the effort to make sure this story was told with care.
I wasn't familiar with Hannie before reading and I'm so glad I now know her story (and the stories of Truus and Freddie Oversteegen). There are lots of wartime stories focused on the camaraderie between men who fight together and so I really enjoyed reading a war story with a heavy focus on the camaraderie between women.
I also really appreciated this book's Afterword which expands on the real history depicted in the novel as well as the Author's Note explaining the intentionality of certain storytelling choices. You can tell Buzzy Jackson did a significant amount of research and put in the effort to make sure this story was told with care.
On the Way to the Wedding by Julia Quinn
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Had I known this would end up being one of my favorites (perhaps even my number one favorite) book in the series I would have read this sooner!
I loved Gregory being a hopeless romantic and how that contrasts with Lucy's practicality. It made for a great opposites-attract/friends to lovers dynamic that I feel progressed at just the right pace. I don't typically enjoy when one character in a romance starts out being strongly infatuated with someone else - but it worked for me here (I also loved how that part of the plot took place at a party hosted by Kate and Anthony - Lucy/Gregory/Hermione is a different situation than Kate/Anthony/Edwina since Lucy actually does try to set up Hermione with Gregory but I couldn't help comparing the two).
This book was also unexpectedly very angsty which I LOVED and made for what I feel are some of the most romantic moments in the whole series. The circumstances that led to the angst also led to a wildly dramatic ending - it was fun and suspenseful and the exact kind of "somewhat-over-the-top-yet-somehow-believable" drama I enjoy in romance novels.
Fingers crossed Netflix doesn't cancel the show before getting to this one because I need to see this story on screen.
I loved Gregory being a hopeless romantic and how that contrasts with Lucy's practicality. It made for a great opposites-attract/friends to lovers dynamic that I feel progressed at just the right pace. I don't typically enjoy when one character in a romance starts out being strongly infatuated with someone else - but it worked for me here (I also loved how that part of the plot took place at a party hosted by Kate and Anthony - Lucy/Gregory/Hermione is a different situation than Kate/Anthony/Edwina since Lucy actually does try to set up Hermione with Gregory but I couldn't help comparing the two).
This book was also unexpectedly very angsty which I LOVED and made for what I feel are some of the most romantic moments in the whole series. The circumstances that led to the angst also led to a wildly dramatic ending - it was fun and suspenseful and the exact kind of "somewhat-over-the-top-yet-somehow-believable" drama I enjoy in romance novels.
Fingers crossed Netflix doesn't cancel the show before getting to this one because I need to see this story on screen.
Mislaid in Parts Half-Known by Seanan McGuire
adventurous
emotional
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
4.25
Love this series, love these characters...I always have a great time with these novellas.
This works as an excellent follow up to both Lost in the Moment and Found and Where the Drowned Girls Go. Antsy in particular is one of my faves so I'm happy that this book continued with her story.
Selfishly I did wish that Regan was part of the questing group in this installment and I'm a bit sad that she wasn't as she's my fave but I'm hopeful we'll see more of her in the future. Evidently I'm slightly cursed to have my absolute favorite characters not be consistent major characters, as that has been the case with Nancy as well. Also would've loved a bit more time with the dinosaurs in this book!
This works as an excellent follow up to both Lost in the Moment and Found and Where the Drowned Girls Go. Antsy in particular is one of my faves so I'm happy that this book continued with her story.
Selfishly I did wish that Regan was part of the questing group in this installment and I'm a bit sad that she wasn't as she's my fave but I'm hopeful we'll see more of her in the future. Evidently I'm slightly cursed to have my absolute favorite characters not be consistent major characters, as that has been the case with Nancy as well. Also would've loved a bit more time with the dinosaurs in this book!