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rosseshelf's reviews
313 reviews
The Day the Towers Fell by Heather Schwartz
adventurous
fast-paced
3.0
Although I can see where the message of this novel is presided, I don’t think it quite touches home.
The Magic Fish by Trung Le Nguyen
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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? It's complicated
4.0
I chose this book blindly, and it’s shockingly good. This semi-autobiographical graphic novel about the Vietnamese diaspora takes up fairy tale retellings to explore immigration, communication, queerness, and love. The story in this book warmed my heart and nearly made me cry, while the graphics were exquisitely detailed and striking. The writing and artwork in this book are well-balanced. Unfortunately, though, I found it difficult to get into the story at first since there were parts of it in Vietnamese that were not translated into English. For a while, I was unable to figure out where the story was heading. Overall, this is such a good read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Homophobia, Grief, and Cannibalism
Hungry Ghost by Victoria Ying
emotional
fast-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
3.0
I love the craftwork of this novel but— It would be wonderful if the Mother tried to change her perspective and approach to show her daughter a sincere apology in the alternate ending of this novel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder
Nevermore by Shanen Ricci
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I understand that this story may have been inspired by a real-life incident, but some aspects seem so contrived that it feels incredibly bizarre.
The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden
I love this one! I genuinely do. This novel is a dark fairy tale steeped in Russian mythology, complete with magic demons, blended fantastical elements, Catholic Orthodox and familial turmoil. I adore everything about this book. Following Russian folklore was difficult for me at first, but I believe that was a challenge I appreciated. Sadly, there was still dumb Patriarchy in this book, which is awful, but the world-building is so excellently described that it has effectively created a grand atmosphere where I felt like in a mediaeval Russian winter heeded by incredible manoeuvring.
I just feel unfortunate for going over this incredible Winter storybook in such hot conditions in a tropical country, cries.
adventurous
challenging
dark
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
4.5
❝ Wild birds die in cages. ❞
I love this one! I genuinely do. This novel is a dark fairy tale steeped in Russian mythology, complete with magic demons, blended fantastical elements, Catholic Orthodox and familial turmoil. I adore everything about this book. Following Russian folklore was difficult for me at first, but I believe that was a challenge I appreciated. Sadly, there was still dumb Patriarchy in this book, which is awful, but the world-building is so excellently described that it has effectively created a grand atmosphere where I felt like in a mediaeval Russian winter heeded by incredible manoeuvring.
I just feel unfortunate for going over this incredible Winter storybook in such hot conditions in a tropical country, cries.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Slavery, and War
Sihir Perempuan by Intan Paramaditha
Genre buku Sihir Perempuan sangat menarik minat saya untuk segera membaca buku ini; mitos, horror, dengan bumbu Perspektif Feminis., terdengar cukup menarik, bukan? Semua mitos dan cerita dalam buku ini diambil berdasarkan sudut pandang seorang Perempuan. Ntah, ‘ia masih hidup ataupun sudah meninggal dan berkeliaran seperti hantu gentayangan. Saya suka bagaimana dalam cerita ini memberikan kesan seolah-olah seorang Perempuan sudah seharusnya bangkit untuk melawan Patriarki. Ditambah dengan setiap kisah diangkat berdasarkan kisah tergelap seorang Perempuan. Namun, dari sebelas cerpen dalam buku ini tidak semuanya membuat saya terenyuh dan tergugah. Yang saya suka di antaranya, yaitu Pemintal Kegelapan yang bercerita mengenai hantu berambut panjang penghuni loteng yang memintal selimut bagi sang kekasih di sebuah rumah milik Ibu tunggal., Mak Ipah dan Bunga-Bunga mengenai seorang ibu yang ditinggal mati anaknya terbunuh oleh orang yang dikenal., lalu Sang Ratu mengenai legenda ratu Pantai Selatan. Dari ketiga cerpen tersebut memiliki persamaan bagaimana derita yang dialami oleh Perempuan diakibatkan dari adanya Misogi dalam kehidupan Perempuan-Perempuan tersebut.
dark
mysterious
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
4.25
❝ Aku ingat saat tidur dengan kekasih pertamaku dengan jantung berdebar-debar sebab berada di garis batas antara perawan dan pelacur. Aku adalah keduanya; aku dan bayanganku di cermin yang serupa namun mendua. ❞
Genre buku Sihir Perempuan sangat menarik minat saya untuk segera membaca buku ini; mitos, horror, dengan bumbu Perspektif Feminis., terdengar cukup menarik, bukan? Semua mitos dan cerita dalam buku ini diambil berdasarkan sudut pandang seorang Perempuan. Ntah, ‘ia masih hidup ataupun sudah meninggal dan berkeliaran seperti hantu gentayangan. Saya suka bagaimana dalam cerita ini memberikan kesan seolah-olah seorang Perempuan sudah seharusnya bangkit untuk melawan Patriarki. Ditambah dengan setiap kisah diangkat berdasarkan kisah tergelap seorang Perempuan. Namun, dari sebelas cerpen dalam buku ini tidak semuanya membuat saya terenyuh dan tergugah. Yang saya suka di antaranya, yaitu Pemintal Kegelapan yang bercerita mengenai hantu berambut panjang penghuni loteng yang memintal selimut bagi sang kekasih di sebuah rumah milik Ibu tunggal., Mak Ipah dan Bunga-Bunga mengenai seorang ibu yang ditinggal mati anaknya terbunuh oleh orang yang dikenal., lalu Sang Ratu mengenai legenda ratu Pantai Selatan. Dari ketiga cerpen tersebut memiliki persamaan bagaimana derita yang dialami oleh Perempuan diakibatkan dari adanya Misogi dalam kehidupan Perempuan-Perempuan tersebut.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, and Rape
Light in Gaza: Writings Born of Fire by Jennifer Bing, Mike Merryman-Lotze, Jehad Abusalim
informative
5.0
❝ I remember when I first heard the question, “How many more Palestinians should be massacred for the world to care about our lives?” I thought, naïvely, that repeating the question would change people. ❞
Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
I was genuinely astonished to find out that this book was a Goth, in fact; I had assumed it would be a standard work of historical fiction. This novel is a complete tragedy but in a wonderful, fun way. I liked reading about people battling, perishing, and running around threatening to kill each other. I can readily relate to everything in this book because of the characters’ powerful human feelings, which contrast with the serene greyness of their surroundings. This reduces distractions and heightens the intensity. I really like that this book wasn’t just about the romantic relationship between two people; it also included family ties, relationships with individuals they love and hate, relationships with those who look out for them, and relationships with those with whom they share an unbreakable bond—whether or not they want it.
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
❝ The thing that irks me most is this shattered prison, after all. I’m tired of being enclosed here. I’m wearying to escape into that glorious world, and to be always there: not seeing it dimly through tears, and yearning for it through the walls of an aching heart: but really with it, and in it. ❞
I was genuinely astonished to find out that this book was a Goth, in fact; I had assumed it would be a standard work of historical fiction. This novel is a complete tragedy but in a wonderful, fun way. I liked reading about people battling, perishing, and running around threatening to kill each other. I can readily relate to everything in this book because of the characters’ powerful human feelings, which contrast with the serene greyness of their surroundings. This reduces distractions and heightens the intensity. I really like that this book wasn’t just about the romantic relationship between two people; it also included family ties, relationships with individuals they love and hate, relationships with those who look out for them, and relationships with those with whom they share an unbreakable bond—whether or not they want it.
Defy the Night by Brigid Kemmerer
I believe this is the only fantasy book I've read this month, but I still have to finish this year's reading challenge before the end of the year. I had fun with this one. It was a pleasure to meet Prince Corrick. In addition, I appreciate that this book's plot consists of simple components that work nicely together. I believe that the information provided and the information omitted are generally well-balanced. Even though I could tell who was behind the closed bar with ease, this book was quite predictable, yet it was still quite entertaining. Apart from that, I still plan to read the sequel despite this.
adventurous
mysterious
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
4.0
❝ A spark of rebellion is all it takes to defy the night. ❞
I believe this is the only fantasy book I've read this month, but I still have to finish this year's reading challenge before the end of the year. I had fun with this one. It was a pleasure to meet Prince Corrick. In addition, I appreciate that this book's plot consists of simple components that work nicely together. I believe that the information provided and the information omitted are generally well-balanced. Even though I could tell who was behind the closed bar with ease, this book was quite predictable, yet it was still quite entertaining. Apart from that, I still plan to read the sequel despite this.
Make Way for Butterfly (a Very Impatient Caterpillar Book) by Ross Burach
lighthearted
fast-paced
3.75
I actually have no idea what to say— probably because this is my first time reading graphic novels after a while— but I felt this story so heartwarming and lighthearted, I can catch a glimpse of the wisdom behind this story; as simple as you don’t need to be anyone to make your life useful to your surrounding, just be yourself. That’s somehow so heartwarming, truly. Also, the illustration looks adorable; the butterfly and the bee look endearing.