2treads's reviews
411 reviews

Ordinary Monsters by J.M. Miro

dark mysterious sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Miro's Ordinary Monsters is a sweeeping dark tale of power, villainy and villains. I love how he plays with what the reader will see as heroism vs villainy. There is a touch of X-Men influenc  here and I love that.

Stories that deal with found and chosen family, morally grey characters, vulnerable characters, evil intentions, greed, and loss will always be a draw to me. The only thing I can say that is a drawback to this book is its length. 

It deals with complicated relationships and identity, and is very atmospheric. Suitable for fall reading as a Halloween-esque read.

I also spotted that LOTR FOTR scene. IYKYK.

Saints of Storm and Sorrow by Gabriella Buba

challenging sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

This was an interesting read which I enjoyed. Buba was able to draw me into the experiences and reactions of her characters as she painted a story of colonization and religious oppression. I wanted more of a fleshing out of the story of Lunurin and the goddess and her mother and aunt's fear of her possession. 

The colonization aspect really resonated with me and the ways in which it is used to strip resources and control the population of the colonized.

I liked how she approached the queer relationship and how religiosity can affect and lead to betrayal of one's beloved. I also loved seeing Lunurin accept her role and responsibility to not only who she loved but her people as a whole.

The Fertile Earth by Ruthvika Rao

challenging sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

A story that focuses through a family and their position, on the classism and colourism that exists in India and affects Vijaya's relationship with her mother and uncle. 

Rao traces the changes in friendship and the hope for a deeper relationship between Vijaya and Krishna after a tragic accident that further leads to the deterioration of her familial relationship. I felt the disappointment and hurt that festers here because of  secrets kept and how communication occurs in scorn and anger.

Also in the background is the rise of communist leanings as the teachings become popular among the lower castes of poor working families and individuals, which leads to increases in resentment and eventually violence. 

That Self-Same Metal by Brittany N. Williams

dark 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? No

3.5

I like this mash up of a novel. Renaissance England, fae, Shakespeare, and murder. Williams definitely has something really good here and I am here for it.

The Truth According to Ember by Danica Nava

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

Wanted more from this. My favoirite character was Patches.

How Beautiful We Were by Imbolo Mbue

challenging emotional inspiring sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

This was a necessary book as it captures just a snapshot of how the West uses corrupt governments to cause environmental harm to small communities through exploitation of resources. Focusing on the people who are primarily affected makes this an intimate story and gets the reader invested. I do like the juxtaposition of the siblings and how they ended up.

Mr. Fox by Helen Oyeyemi

fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

Weirdly interesting/interestingly weird as with everything I've read from Oyeyemi. She likes to spin fairytales on their head in her stories and her interpretations will always be something to see.

The Shadow King by Maaza Mengiste

challenging inspiring reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25

She Who Knows by Nnedi Okorafor

fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

The Unrelenting Earth by Kritika H. Rao

challenging dark sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

I love the world that Rao has created here. She had made the societal and relational structures complex, added in a complicated political background, crafted a science based system that bolsters the way power is used and distributed. The secrets that are revealed are foundational and cause fractures between lovers, friends, and communities. I can't wait to see how she handles the reconciliation.