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starship_olympus's reviews
335 reviews
Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
I would love to see this as a stage play or read it in its original Japanese. The stories were compelling and heartfelt, but the prose wasn’t as…beautiful? rich? As I would’ve wanted (which makes sense as it’s translated from the stage into prose and then again into English.)
A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
What else must we do in this life but watch the rain fall, feel the force of the earth under our bodies, and be wonderful.
If You Could See the Sun by Ann Liang
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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? Yes
5.0
This is exactly the kind of book I’ve been wanting. I’ve been playing video games for the past month but miss reading books and although I love to re-read Lord of the Rings it wasn’t hitting for me. It’s a LOT.
This hit in every single place I could’ve wanted. I love Alice, I get her. It makes sense and her choices make sense. I love Henry, who’s been in love with her for YEARS. I’m a sucker for an unrequited crush. Especially with academic rivals??? It’s cute.
I’m happy with Chanel, and with Alice’s realization that she does want human connections and friendships. Her auntie Xiaoyi is everything I want to be in an auntie. Her parents are kind, and there’s always something so special about an English teacher who’s on your side.
I have more to say about this book but I’m getting tired of typing on my phone. I just know this was a delight to read and a wonderful debut. The prose was also so lovely. It’s a book I know I’ll return to in the future whenever I need something heartwarming and kind and fun.
~from another invisible study machine
This hit in every single place I could’ve wanted. I love Alice, I get her. It makes sense and her choices make sense. I love Henry, who’s been in love with her for YEARS. I’m a sucker for an unrequited crush. Especially with academic rivals??? It’s cute.
I’m happy with Chanel, and with Alice’s realization that she does want human connections and friendships. Her auntie Xiaoyi is everything I want to be in an auntie. Her parents are kind, and there’s always something so special about an English teacher who’s on your side.
I have more to say about this book but I’m getting tired of typing on my phone. I just know this was a delight to read and a wonderful debut. The prose was also so lovely. It’s a book I know I’ll return to in the future whenever I need something heartwarming and kind and fun.
~from another invisible study machine
The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang
adventurous
dark
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
1.75
Im in that camp, I know, I really wish this had been marketed as a YA because of the style of writing. The Content is often graphic and there’s a lot of cursing, but to say that this is an adult book Purely based on the content I think is unfair.
There were a number of parts that got me. I was often on the edge of immersion and the inconsistency of the dialogue pulled me back out.
I really really really wish I liked this book more. genuinely and whole heartedly I do. But it didn’t hit.
There were a number of parts that got me. I was often on the edge of immersion and the inconsistency of the dialogue pulled me back out.
I really really really wish I liked this book more. genuinely and whole heartedly I do. But it didn’t hit.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Genocide, Gore, Addiction, Murder, Drug use, Child abuse, Colonisation, Death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Violence, War, Animal death, Blood, and Child death
Moderate: Alcohol, Bullying, Self harm, Sexual assault, Cursing, Forced institutionalization, Racism, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, and Confinement
Once & Future by Cory McCarthy, A.R. Capetta
Did not finish book. Stopped at 10%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 10%.
I love Arthurian legend. i love retellings. I love space. I love diverse casts. I REALLY REALLY wanted to like this book. But calling genderqueer folks “fluids” gave me the ick, 40+ Arthur’s and not a single woman until now felt, weird and unjustified.
And then Morgana said “your people. Arabs”
And that is what made me put the book down. It felt dirty, and wrong, and after double triple checking to see if the authors were, as I expected, #FFFFFF, it all made sense.
I get it was published in 2018, but no one was like “maybe let’s not call people Arabs”. Not one?? The caucasity of it all.
And then Morgana said “your people. Arabs”
And that is what made me put the book down. It felt dirty, and wrong, and after double triple checking to see if the authors were, as I expected, #FFFFFF, it all made sense.
I get it was published in 2018, but no one was like “maybe let’s not call people Arabs”. Not one?? The caucasity of it all.
Elektra by Jennifer Saint
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I enjoyed it overall, but the middle of the book meandered a bit. It took a little bit of slugging through that bit to get to the parts that moved forward.
I can’t help but feel that a fifth of it could have been cut, at least of Clytemnestra, post sacrifice. Hers were the slowest bits, there were only so many ways to read about revenge, and it felt repetitive.
I really liked Cassandra, she was the most interesting character imo, with Elektra’s narration being second.
But overall it was wonderful to read these well known stories from this POV. Inventive and fresh!
I can’t help but feel that a fifth of it could have been cut, at least of Clytemnestra, post sacrifice. Hers were the slowest bits, there were only so many ways to read about revenge, and it felt repetitive.
I really liked Cassandra, she was the most interesting character imo, with Elektra’s narration being second.
But overall it was wonderful to read these well known stories from this POV. Inventive and fresh!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Murder, Blood, Child death, and Death
Moderate: Mental illness, Death of parent, Kidnapping, Violence, and War
Minor: Kidnapping, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual violence, and Toxic relationship
The Black Tides of Heaven by Neon Yang
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I could’ve spent 100 more years with this book. I think on a re-read I’ll give it 5 stars. I wish I had been able to read it in one sitting, the pacing is quick and the writing style is beautiful. It’s a book to be savored or devoured - as long as it is with love and with intention.
I’m excited to read more of Neon Yang’s work!
————
OKAY I JUST LOOKED UP NEON YANGS DISCOGRAPHY THERE ARE MORE OMG OMG OMG
I’m excited to read more of Neon Yang’s work!
————
OKAY I JUST LOOKED UP NEON YANGS DISCOGRAPHY THERE ARE MORE OMG OMG OMG
Content Warnings
Minor: Blood, Child death, Grief, and Murder
Cinderella Is Dead by Kalynn Bayron
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Orpheus Girl by Brynne Rebele-Henry
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.0
I just grabbed this from the LGBTQ+ section at my library because if there's anything to do with Orpheus and Eurydice in any form of media I'm there for it.
But the writing style wasn't really for me, and I wasn't invested in the story. I almost DNF but I had a few hours free so I kinda just skimmed the book stopping to read every few pages.
I can definitely see why this book could be loved by some, if it had been my cup of tea I would've been all over the prose, the characters, their differences and their love. I did want a 'happy' ending (as happy as an ending of this book could be)and I am glad we got it, with the girls and some kids escaping the camp, and the camp (most likely?) being brought down but the journey there wasn't for me.
I know Orpheus is a tragedy, and there was tragedy here. It's not a book for the faint of heart, or an easy read. Even just skimming it I had an emotional reaction to what was going on. I think it could be a wonderful and visceral and beautiful novella.
But the writing style wasn't really for me, and I wasn't invested in the story. I almost DNF but I had a few hours free so I kinda just skimmed the book stopping to read every few pages.
I can definitely see why this book could be loved by some, if it had been my cup of tea I would've been all over the prose, the characters, their differences and their love. I did want a 'happy' ending (as happy as an ending of this book could be)
I know Orpheus is a tragedy, and there was tragedy here. It's not a book for the faint of heart, or an easy read. Even just skimming it I had an emotional reaction to what was going on. I think it could be a wonderful and visceral and beautiful novella.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Hate crime, Outing, Self harm, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Misogyny, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Suicide attempt, Body shaming, Child abuse, Confinement, Domestic abuse, Dysphoria, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Biphobia, Bullying, Homophobia, Medical content, Mental illness, Lesbophobia, Suicide, Torture, Transphobia, Acephobia/Arophobia, and Deadnaming
Moderate: Abandonment, Ableism, Addiction, Alcohol, and Bullying
Minor: Car accident, Cursing, Death, and Death of parent
The Girl Who Fell Beneath the Sea by Axie Oh
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
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? It's complicated
4.0
SUCH a sweet story centered around choice and family and duty and love. I read all but chapter one (after which I put the book down and got distracted) in a few hours, it’s the perfect weekend read.
Mina is sweet and determined and smart, and she’s so full of love it spills out. What a wonderful cast of characters to have spent time with.
Mina is sweet and determined and smart, and she’s so full of love it spills out. What a wonderful cast of characters to have spent time with.