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valetparkering's reviews
262 reviews
Medical Apartheid: The Dark History of Medical Experimentation on Black Americans from Colonial Times to the Present by Harriet A. Washington
4.5
Sprawling. Horrifying
There was some weirdness around vaccines and AIDS (separately, not connected)
There was some weirdness around vaccines and AIDS (separately, not connected)
Homestuck by Andrew Hussie
5.0
I gotta.
The character work is INSANE and honestly the brightest part of the whole thing. slows down after Act 5 but then flies from ~page 6000 to mostly the end
The character work is INSANE and honestly the brightest part of the whole thing. slows down after Act 5 but then flies from ~page 6000 to mostly the end
The Lamb Will Slaughter the Lion by Margaret Killjoy
3.0
A little weirdly paced for me. I know with novellas, we're focusing on the ideas more than any particular plot, but something felt off here.
I loved the title, and I get and agree with the author's politics, but maybe it just needed more room to make the message weightier.
I loved the title, and I get and agree with the author's politics, but maybe it just needed more room to make the message weightier.
Chlorine by Jade Song
4.0
This captured me. I enjoyed Ren's voice, her obsession, and seeing how misguided her perceptions were about her friends and family. There were several heartbreaking scenes surrounding Ren's struggles fitting in as a young Chinese girl in Pennsylvania.
The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms by N.K. Jemisin
3.5
I really liked the world here. I like stories where gods are so intimately present.
I think where I got lost is in the characters. I understand why Yienne would be so passive for someone who grew up in a warrior society. It's stated in the text that her mom prepared her somewhat when she was growing up. Additionally the one time she tries to act in a small way, her home is threatened with complete destruction.
Overall, I did like it and I'm excited to see where the rest of the series goes, especially since it's not a direct continuation. The last hundred pages were really compelling.
I think where I got lost is in the characters. I understand why Yienne would be so passive for someone who grew up in a warrior society. It's stated in the text that her mom prepared her somewhat when she was growing up. Additionally the one time she tries to act in a small way, her home is threatened with complete destruction.
Overall, I did like it and I'm excited to see where the rest of the series goes, especially since it's not a direct continuation. The last hundred pages were really compelling.
The Hundred Years' War on Palestine by Rashid Khalidi
5.0
Heartbreaking and enlightening. The analysis of Israel as a settler-colonial state is not new, is not simplistic, and has not been lightly considered.
Into the Drowning Deep by Mira Grant
3.75
I liked all the characters and how easy it was to include so many facets of diversity. And they were allowed to just exist without having that aspect of their identity be their only character trait. I liked the wide lens on the perspective characters, it really made the world feel full and bring home the theme of intelligent life in different areas.
As far as the actual story, I liked it overall. There were surprisingly few mermaids/sirens involved. The ending felt kind of fast and there wasn't as much explanation as I necessarily wanted.
As far as the actual story, I liked it overall. There were surprisingly few mermaids/sirens involved. The ending felt kind of fast and there wasn't as much explanation as I necessarily wanted.
The Tyrant Baru Cormorant by Seth Dickinson
4.75
How do I even rate this?
Tyrant is probably best read directly after Monster, as they were originally one massive book. Seth has said that he added layers to justify its existence, and I for one think it is ultimately well earned.
I love the character relationships in this book, they're just the right level of bittersweet. The focus on people's choices, reinforcing the overall theme of agency is just so good.
I'm probably going to need another day or two to wrap up my thoughts so Katie, better buckle up
Tyrant is probably best read directly after Monster, as they were originally one massive book. Seth has said that he added layers to justify its existence, and I for one think it is ultimately well earned.
I love the character relationships in this book, they're just the right level of bittersweet. The focus on people's choices, reinforcing the overall theme of agency is just so good.
I'm probably going to need another day or two to wrap up my thoughts so Katie, better buckle up
Fire Logic by Laurie J. Marks
3.0
I enjoyed how casually queer this book was and I liked the softer take on elemental abilities. The plot and the world were interesting if unevenly developed.
Unfortunately, I felt the prose was often vague and the dialogue stilted and awkward.
Unfortunately, I felt the prose was often vague and the dialogue stilted and awkward.
The Water Outlaws by S.L. Huang
4.0
This was a difficult books about justice, power, and who gets to wield them.
My favorite parts were around the power struggles within the outlaw camp. Lu Da brought some much-needed levity to the book overall.
Like others, I really appreciated the feminist and queer angles. I'm not familiar with the original story, but I'll read most anything with a bunch of gay people in it.
My favorite parts were around the power struggles within the outlaw camp. Lu Da brought some much-needed levity to the book overall.
Like others, I really appreciated the feminist and queer angles. I'm not familiar with the original story, but I'll read most anything with a bunch of gay people in it.