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valetparkering's reviews
262 reviews
Radiance by Catherynne M. Valente
4.5
ooh boy I am not beating the pretentious accusations.
Like most of my favorite books, this was difficult to read. You're dropped in the middle of the story with very little context and it's reluctant to give you any more.
Radiance also features a lot of my favorite storytelling elements, including but not limited to: second person narration, experimentation with form, comedic detours that abruptly turn dark, characters that are already dead by the start, space noir, weird biology, and men who are absolutely devoted to their partnersthat line Erasmus said about "just because we weren't married doesn't mean I wasn't her husband" just about took me out
There's not a lot I can say about the plot itself, partially because we don't get a lot of answers and even those are suspect. But I enjoyed nearly every minute.
Like most of my favorite books, this was difficult to read. You're dropped in the middle of the story with very little context and it's reluctant to give you any more.
Radiance also features a lot of my favorite storytelling elements, including but not limited to: second person narration, experimentation with form, comedic detours that abruptly turn dark, characters that are already dead by the start, space noir, weird biology, and men who are absolutely devoted to their partners
There's not a lot I can say about the plot itself, partially because we don't get a lot of answers and even those are suspect. But I enjoyed nearly every minute.
Dread Nation by Justina Ireland
4.25
This cover has been haunting me for years. I don't read a lot of historical fantasy in general, but especially not in this time period so the plot and progression seemed really unique to me. In fact I was put off step when the first breach happened at Summerland. I thought that was going to lead into an explosive climax, but the book held on for a little longer, which might make the real climax feel rushed for some readers.
I really enjoyed Jane and Katherine as characters, and loved the queer representation. Jane is really smart, observant, and funny. The history of the world was altered in interesting ways and the action scenes were very compelling.
There was one aspect that was maybe misconsidered: the attendant academies as basically expanded residential schools. For the Black characters, I got the impression that going was voluntary, the bill just funded their establishment. The existing residential schools for indigenous people seemed to just change curriculum from our reality. Obviously there is criticism of residential schools within the text but otherwise it's unclear if these are supposed to be separate entities.
I really enjoyed Jane and Katherine as characters, and loved the queer representation. Jane is really smart, observant, and funny. The history of the world was altered in interesting ways and the action scenes were very compelling.
There was one aspect that was maybe misconsidered: the attendant academies as basically expanded residential schools. For the Black characters, I got the impression that going was voluntary, the bill just funded their establishment. The existing residential schools for indigenous people seemed to just change curriculum from our reality. Obviously there is criticism of residential schools within the text but otherwise it's unclear if these are supposed to be separate entities.
Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb
4.0
Here's the thing with Robin Hobb's books:
if you're mostly a plot person like I am, you're going to spend about 70% of the book going "okay but like what are we doing here, can we get to the point." For some people, it's a bad sign when the Wikipedia summary starts a point that's about 20% into the book already.
This book is twice as long as Assassin's Apprentice (on audio) and it very much does not need all of that extra time, even with all the POV switching. It's meandering, repetitive at points, full of characters that I wanted to strangle.
But oh man, it was so good.
I'm not as specifically attached to Fitz and the Fool as some people are, so I was able to rock with the new cast fairly easily.
With Hobb's books more than others, I feel like I'm visiting another world. They're filled with ordinary people with just a touch of magic, and the plots start out pretty small and personal. Part of what gives it that meandering feel is that the characters don't have epic goals and are mostly trying to live day to day. They're all working toward something, of course, but it's like five-year-plan levels. Progress isn't made quickly or directly.
Just like with Regal and gang in the last series, the villains in the Liveship Traders are not cartoonishly evil, but almost uncomplicatedly bad people. They suck. They're selfish and willful and in these books we get the benefit? of their perspective. Malta in particular (not necessarily a villain, definitely an antagonist with how much drama she's causing) is a frustrating perspective to read from.
If it sounds like I'm complaining a lot for a four star review, just know it's hard to condense the positive feelings into words, so let's try simile. Ship of Magic is like a prestige drama. Robin Hobb is about the characters first and foremost, and you just have to let her lead you through.
if you're mostly a plot person like I am, you're going to spend about 70% of the book going "okay but like what are we doing here, can we get to the point." For some people, it's a bad sign when the Wikipedia summary starts a point that's about 20% into the book already.
This book is twice as long as Assassin's Apprentice (on audio) and it very much does not need all of that extra time, even with all the POV switching. It's meandering, repetitive at points, full of characters that I wanted to strangle.
But oh man, it was so good.
I'm not as specifically attached to Fitz and the Fool as some people are, so I was able to rock with the new cast fairly easily.
With Hobb's books more than others, I feel like I'm visiting another world. They're filled with ordinary people with just a touch of magic, and the plots start out pretty small and personal. Part of what gives it that meandering feel is that the characters don't have epic goals and are mostly trying to live day to day. They're all working toward something, of course, but it's like five-year-plan levels. Progress isn't made quickly or directly.
Just like with Regal and gang in the last series, the villains in the Liveship Traders are not cartoonishly evil, but almost uncomplicatedly bad people. They suck. They're selfish and willful and in these books we get the benefit? of their perspective. Malta in particular (not necessarily a villain, definitely an antagonist with how much drama she's causing) is a frustrating perspective to read from.
If it sounds like I'm complaining a lot for a four star review, just know it's hard to condense the positive feelings into words, so let's try simile. Ship of Magic is like a prestige drama. Robin Hobb is about the characters first and foremost, and you just have to let her lead you through.
Orconomics by J. Zachary Pike
4.5
This was fantastic. Funny and sharp, and genuinely emotionally gripping in that last quarter.
I did have some trouble keeping all the characters in orderand so missed the clues that were supposed to lead to the Jarynn reveal
You can definitely tell the author is a fan of Discworld. It's kind of impossible to do this comedy fantasy angle without getting compared, but here I think it's definitely welcome. In some ways Orconomics is going to stick with me longer than any particular Discworld novel I've read so far (I'm up to Witches Abroad). The biggest gripe I have with Pratchett is that the plots seem to come second to the jokes, and that doesn't give them a lot of staying power in my mind. In Orconomics, the characters are clearly set up to be humorous archetypes but they're doing things along the way. There's a plot that the characters aren't just stumbling into to get to the next joke.
Anyway, this was a really great book with a lot of meat on its bones and things to say. I felt my stomach drop whenthe Orc leader called for his gaist and again when Gorm got to the treasure room in the Orc village .
I did have some trouble keeping all the characters in order
You can definitely tell the author is a fan of Discworld. It's kind of impossible to do this comedy fantasy angle without getting compared, but here I think it's definitely welcome. In some ways Orconomics is going to stick with me longer than any particular Discworld novel I've read so far (I'm up to Witches Abroad). The biggest gripe I have with Pratchett is that the plots seem to come second to the jokes, and that doesn't give them a lot of staying power in my mind. In Orconomics, the characters are clearly set up to be humorous archetypes but they're doing things along the way. There's a plot that the characters aren't just stumbling into to get to the next joke.
Anyway, this was a really great book with a lot of meat on its bones and things to say. I felt my stomach drop when
If I See You Again Tomorrow by Robbie Couch
4.0
Very cute, I liked a lot of the elements (Clark's development, his relationship with the side characters, the loop lore). The romance itself didn't really work for me. Why is Beau a Derek Dopamine fan
There were some parts that were needlessly repetitive heh or familiar. The "I may not know you but I know xyz" speech comes way earlier in the plot than I would normally expect it to- because Clark and Beau are going to be separated for the next 130 pages and there's no time to do that at the climax.
I liked how the challenge items were fulfilled and twisted from what Clark initially thought they would be.
I was really annoyed with Clark's attitude towards his mom and the divorce (one of the repetitive things I mentioned). It always felt more gestured at than properly developed, always the one note "she wanted the divorce" and even though he's been very introspective with other things he justcompletely ignores the fact that he's a teenager and there might possibly be an explanation that his parents aren't letting him in on, who would have thought
There were some parts that were needlessly repetitive heh or familiar. The "I may not know you but I know xyz" speech comes way earlier in the plot than I would normally expect it to- because Clark and Beau are going to be separated for the next 130 pages and there's no time to do that at the climax.
I liked how the challenge items were fulfilled and twisted from what Clark initially thought they would be.
I was really annoyed with Clark's attitude towards his mom and the divorce (one of the repetitive things I mentioned). It always felt more gestured at than properly developed, always the one note "she wanted the divorce" and even though he's been very introspective with other things he just
My Secret Garden: Women's Sexual Fantasies by Nancy Friday
3.75
pretty groundbreaking, but also pretty difficult to read at points.
Camp Damascus by Chuck Tingle
3.75
I have entered the Tingleverse
This book did not have the plot I expected it to, which is a good thing. I thought we would spend a lot more time at the camp itself, but this actually takes place after the MC has already been through the program.
I really enjoyed the voice of the main character. I'm generally a fan of secretly-eldritch explanations for the bad in the world (a la Brainwyrms, The City We Became, or Ring Shout). It lets me imagine the solutions are really that simple for a few hours.
The prose and plot development felt a bit on the YA side. The villains were obvious and most of the time what kept me reading was wanting to follow Rose on her journey of self discovery. There were a few scenes with some body horror, but mostly this was about suspense than scares.
I would have liked Rose to struggle more with her faith after she realized what happened (even though there is a side character who is meant to show that queer people don't necessarily need to give up their faith). The ending was also a little abrupt, I wanted more answers.
This book did not have the plot I expected it to, which is a good thing. I thought we would spend a lot more time at the camp itself, but this actually takes place after the MC has already been through the program.
I really enjoyed the voice of the main character. I'm generally a fan of secretly-eldritch explanations for the bad in the world (a la Brainwyrms, The City We Became, or Ring Shout). It lets me imagine the solutions are really that simple for a few hours.
The prose and plot development felt a bit on the YA side. The villains were obvious and most of the time what kept me reading was wanting to follow Rose on her journey of self discovery. There were a few scenes with some body horror, but mostly this was about suspense than scares.
I would have liked Rose to struggle more with her faith after she realized what happened (even though there is a side character who is meant to show that queer people don't necessarily need to give up their faith). The ending was also a little abrupt, I wanted more answers.
The Adventure Zone: The Suffering Game by Griffin McElroy, Clint McElroy, Carey Pietsch, Travis McElroy, Justin McElroy
4.5
Another great adaptation
I do think some things were lost with the cuts to some of the NPCs and with how quickly THB got through it, I didn't really have a chance to feel the suffering in the suffering game.
As is it makes Magnus look a little silly when he demands one large sacrifice to end the game and then immediately refuses to make that sacrifice.
That said, the parts concerning the overarching plot were really good. I felt just as heartbroken and thrown off when they realize there's a second voidfish.
I do think some things were lost with the cuts to some of the NPCs and with how quickly THB got through it, I didn't really have a chance to feel the suffering in the suffering game.
As is it makes Magnus look a little silly when he demands one large sacrifice to end the game and then immediately refuses to make that sacrifice.
That said, the parts concerning the overarching plot were really good. I felt just as heartbroken and thrown off when they realize there's a second voidfish.
The Cabin at the End of the World by Paul Tremblay
3.5
Interesting premise and terrific writing- it was tense and I felt everything Tremblay described. I think he especially has a knack for the dialogue, it all felt very natural. You can also tell he's got an eye for symbolism. It's not deep necessarily, just well placed and mostly not emphasized. The details with the yellow lamp were fun. I really appreciated Andrew and Eric's relationship.
Like other readers, I am a bit dissatisfied with the ending. I wouldn't have it changed exactly, I just wanted something more.
Like other readers, I am a bit dissatisfied with the ending. I wouldn't have it changed exactly, I just wanted something more.
The Dawn of Everything by David Graeber, David Wengrow
4.0
As Always Graeber is exhaustive in his analysis. I always appreciate the forced shift in perspective that make you question if our society really needs to be structured in the way it is. I appreciate the myth-breaking