2treads's reviews
411 reviews

Maggie Moves On by Lucy Score

funny medium-paced

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

3.0

If an Egyptian Cannot Speak English by Noor Naga

challenging hopeful fast-paced

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

2.75

Small Island by Andrea Levy

challenging slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• 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

The Phoenix Keeper by S.A. MacLean

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

2.75

Dragonfruit by Makiia Lucier

challenging hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

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

3.0

This was a good story. Character and world building was minimal, but the cultural aspects that were used, I enjoyed. It was easy to see how Lucier would have Hana and Sam move from friends to lovers even though we glean that theor relationship will develop off page when the book ends. I like that she sends them off on their own journeys to further find themselves. Although the magic system was not explained, I liked that our characters had access to magical powers that allowed them to protect their home.

Toward Eternity by Anton Hur

challenging fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• 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

Hur's Toward Eternity posits the question of humanity. How and who or in this case what? How will this artificial being define family and love? Will it be able to evolve beyond its language-assessing abilities and if so, what will that mean for the future of humans and humanity?

As I'm reading, the hypotheses explored made me wonder about evolving AI and machine learning. Here, the program that takes centre stage as the main character gains sentience. Is it sentience as we understand it, or is it someting different based on the foundational creation components.

As we get further into the future, we see sacrifice for love, corporate technological greed, domination of the galaxy, and climate collapse via nuclear war. What can be gleaned from this is whatever is put into something or someone is what you get out. 

I really enjoyed reading this one for the subject matter and the converstions that it will not only continue but encourage.

Nineteen Claws and a Black Bird by Agustina Bazterrica

dark fast-paced

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

3.0

This is definitely an interesting anthology. Didn't hate it. Didn't love it.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse and Murder

The Island of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak

dark emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

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

3.75

Shafak evoked such emotion with this story of loss, grief, and illness linked to a history of violence through a family formed out of this painful period. Ada is an awkward teen who is curious about her parents' past while dealing with her emotionally distant father and his lack of interaction in her pursuit.

It is the empathic way in which Shafak deals with certain themes that attracts me to her writing and stories.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Violence, Grief, and Death of parent

Minor: Alcoholism, Abortion, and Pregnancy

Queen Move by Kennedy Ryan

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? No

3.0

Sans Souci: And Other Stories by Dionne Brand

challenging reflective medium-paced

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

3.0

Brand's collection of short stories centres women at points in their lives where they are able to look back at what has led them to where they are now. Through intimate relationships where abuse is seen as a marker of ownership, a disappointing union where internalized racism is taught to the next generation, and by reclaiming independence, the reader is transported and asked to empathize.

The prose is rich with cultural context and holds enough of Brand's poetry to ease what is deeply triggering situations. As a member of the Caribbean diaspora, the themes of identity and belonging as an immigrant had an undeniable clarity and made these stories all the more affecting.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Racism, Rape, Death of parent, and Pregnancy