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sunfishcakes's reviews
248 reviews
Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire
4.0
I first read this book in high school (and have never listened to/watched the musical) and while I didn't remember much, I think it has been surprisingly formative. It is a strange book, and I feel like describing makes it sound kind of bad, to be frank. The plot is kind of sporadic and patchy, and then it just ends. There's always something a little distant in the novel the whole time that keeps me from seeing the characters as anything more than thought exercises and puppets for the author, I think in the way most fairytales never feel particularly lived in. However, I think Maguire's prose is rich and enjoyable. There's a real pleasure in reading his words that I can't discount. I have more thoughts but they're difficult to articulate.
Love Frankie by Jacqueline Wilson, Nick Sharratt
3.5
I feel the stated premise on the back is oddly misleading. Some of the plot events it refers to don't occur until about 80% into the book? And then it doesn't mention the main character's family at all despite being a major part of the story? This isn't to say that it's not primarily about gay young love, it is, but its focuses are more varied and the pacing is much more meandering. So the book kind of confused me for a while.
I also feel some plot elements were a bit wishy washy. Sam being a fake boyfriend is kind of dropped and picked up when convenient for Frankie (true to the character) but it doesn't seem to entail consequences or misunderstandings.Same with Frankie preemptively announcing that she and Sally are dating. It's a bit odd. Overall the length and pacing were probably kind of bloated.
I really liked it though. Wilson is a childhood favorite of mine, so I'm a bit biased. I hadn't picked up a book by her in over a decade probably, and I instantly remembered why I liked her writing so much. Her writing really taps into the pathos of being young and growing up. Life during adolescence can be hard and overwhelming in so many ways, particularly when it comes to family, and she captures those feelings well. As heavy as the focus is on Frankie and her relationships with her family, I didn't mind at all because I enjoyed those parts a lot. They're not just accessories or obstacles for the arc of young love she experiences, but full facets of her life, and she's a much richer character for that.
It's interesting to see how things have changed over time in regards to being gay in kid literature. Homophobia is still very much present, but it's less of an existential threat. The lack of social media as a factor in teens' lives feels a bit conspicuous but as a nostalgic reader of Wilson's stuff, I didn't especially miss it either. Because of that, it felt like a book more of the late 00s but with more current politics. I would be curious to know what a younger reader would think of this story.
Finally, the ending surprised me quite a bit and I will say that I loved it. I'll be thinking about this book for a little while.
I also feel some plot elements were a bit wishy washy. Sam being a fake boyfriend is kind of dropped and picked up when convenient for Frankie (true to the character) but it doesn't seem to entail consequences or misunderstandings.
I really liked it though. Wilson is a childhood favorite of mine, so I'm a bit biased. I hadn't picked up a book by her in over a decade probably, and I instantly remembered why I liked her writing so much. Her writing really taps into the pathos of being young and growing up. Life during adolescence can be hard and overwhelming in so many ways, particularly when it comes to family, and she captures those feelings well. As heavy as the focus is on Frankie and her relationships with her family, I didn't mind at all because I enjoyed those parts a lot. They're not just accessories or obstacles for the arc of young love she experiences, but full facets of her life, and she's a much richer character for that.
It's interesting to see how things have changed over time in regards to being gay in kid literature. Homophobia is still very much present, but it's less of an existential threat. The lack of social media as a factor in teens' lives feels a bit conspicuous but as a nostalgic reader of Wilson's stuff, I didn't especially miss it either. Because of that, it felt like a book more of the late 00s but with more current politics. I would be curious to know what a younger reader would think of this story.
Finally, the ending surprised me quite a bit and I will say that I loved it. I'll be thinking about this book for a little while.
Dead Weight: Essays on Hunger and Harm by Emmeline Clein
Did not finish book.
Did not finish book.
Due too soon and not enough time. Its writing style isn't quite my jam, but I still do intend to get back to it.
We Were Once a Family: A Story of Love, Death, and Child Removal in America by Roxanna Asgarian
4.5
This book is going to haunt me for the rest of my life.
Fang Fiction by Kate Stayman-London
3.0
I feel a bit bad because I really love her other novel. In fact, it's my favorite romance novel of all time, but I think what really sold me on One to Watch was the narrative suspense inherent to having an ensemble for a dating reality show premise. That not only left the endgame love interest a mystery until longer towards the end, but also supplied a multiple, differing mini relationship arcs that gave the story more texture than in many other romance novels. Fang Fiction is much more conventionally structured, and thus is somewhat less exciting.
I will say though, I had some other issues as well. I think the primary "get together" moment for the main couple was fumbled. I got the emotional logic at play, but it felt rushed and sort of scrambled? I wish Tess got to spend more time with not only Callum but the other vampires. I think it would've been interesting to see her forced build a new friendship network outside of her comfort zone (and even with actual danger involved), but also one where she isn't trapped by the expectations of her old life (or being a coworker).The Felix stuff also feels kind of undercooked and too quick. He's charming but it doesn't feel like a proper setup for the betrayal to mean anything.
I think ultimately the pacing and buildup problems are significantly because it's juggling two romances and not just one and rather than two good romances, you get two "kind of okay" ones, especially since the side romance is well....a side romance.I would've preferred Joni and Octavia get their own midquel novella or even the romance being off-page but given a sequel (given that the novel ends with their relationship being more dramatically up and down, a sequel about their relationship wouldn't be off the table narratively).
I do quite like the writing though. It's fun and I love the epistolary parts (also some of my favorite parts of One to Watch). I think Tess is a decent main character to follow. I'm also not a vampire romance person, or a romantasy person in general, so this book was always going to be a bit of a harder sell for me, but I didn't have a bad time.
This book did remind me though that I'm somewhat ambivalent on contemporary romance novels handling real life, systemic issues of oppression. To be clear, having a main character who's a survivor of sexual assault and processing her trauma is good, and Tess's issues were handled with sensitivity and respect.The wish fulfillment aspect of not just the romance but attaining some justice and institutional support for what happened to her is what makes me pause. Not that I think it was bad for the plot, it can just feel strange to package alongside the indulgence of romance. Maybe it's the cynic in me but it's always going to strike me as a bit jarring when I remember how much more worse the world is in that respect.
I will say though, I had some other issues as well. I think the primary "get together" moment for the main couple was fumbled. I got the emotional logic at play, but it felt rushed and sort of scrambled? I wish Tess got to spend more time with not only Callum but the other vampires. I think it would've been interesting to see her forced build a new friendship network outside of her comfort zone (and even with actual danger involved), but also one where she isn't trapped by the expectations of her old life (or being a coworker).
I think ultimately the pacing and buildup problems are significantly because it's juggling two romances and not just one and rather than two good romances, you get two "kind of okay" ones, especially since the side romance is well....a side romance.
I do quite like the writing though. It's fun and I love the epistolary parts (also some of my favorite parts of One to Watch). I think Tess is a decent main character to follow. I'm also not a vampire romance person, or a romantasy person in general, so this book was always going to be a bit of a harder sell for me, but I didn't have a bad time.
This book did remind me though that I'm somewhat ambivalent on contemporary romance novels handling real life, systemic issues of oppression. To be clear, having a main character who's a survivor of sexual assault and processing her trauma is good, and Tess's issues were handled with sensitivity and respect.
My Dear Detective: Mitsuko's Case Files, Volume 1 by Natsumi Ito
4.5
Really great first volume. Perfect art, good episodic mysteries, nicely written characters. It's been a while since I've cracked open a new series and felt this rewarded for my time.