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emmaraeempowered's reviews
373 reviews
The Obelisk Gate by N.K. Jemisin
5.0
Of course this was amazing!! Of course I loved this!!
I buddy read this and I just really love the experience of reading Jemisin's books with someone. It's so fun to dissect scenes and sentences constantly asking "now what do you think she meant by that??"
This was an incredible story I love everything about it. I loved the perspective changes...speaking of: If you read further I will be writing spoilers!! So click away now!
I felt so many emotions around Nassun and her experience. Seeing her perspective on things from the moment her brother was murdered and forward was heartbreaking and even frustrating at times. I stubbornly wanted her to understand her mom and run away far far away from Schaffa - not love Schaffa. But yet I understood her, Schaffa gave her that parental love she clearly was longing for. I worried for her as it became clear that her orogene capabilities were very strong and similar to her mothers. I felt such a range of emotions that by the very end I was so ready to dive in to the last book!
Lastly I'll just mention I love how the stones are described. I frequently gathered my little obelisks around me as I read haha.
I buddy read this and I just really love the experience of reading Jemisin's books with someone. It's so fun to dissect scenes and sentences constantly asking "now what do you think she meant by that??"
This was an incredible story I love everything about it. I loved the perspective changes...speaking of: If you read further I will be writing spoilers!! So click away now!
Lastly I'll just mention I love how the stones are described. I frequently gathered my little obelisks around me as I read haha.
Things You May Find Hidden in My Ear: Poems from Gaza by Mosab Abu Toha
5.0
These poems from Abu Toha. Everyone should read this.
The way he writes feels like you are seeing through his eyes, smelling what he's smelling, feeling what he's feeling. These poems of course were heartbreaking to read. I realized about halfway through that I didn't know if he was still alive. This was published in 2022. I quickly searched for him and found out he is still alive. And no longer in Gaza, but in Cairo with his wife and children.
I don't fully have words other than Free Palestine!!!!
The way he writes feels like you are seeing through his eyes, smelling what he's smelling, feeling what he's feeling. These poems of course were heartbreaking to read. I realized about halfway through that I didn't know if he was still alive. This was published in 2022. I quickly searched for him and found out he is still alive. And no longer in Gaza, but in Cairo with his wife and children.
I don't fully have words other than Free Palestine!!!!
Kaikeyi by Vaishnavi Patel
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
5.0
Aaaahhhhhh this book is so good!!!!!!!!
This book is truly fantastic! Astonishing! Magnificent! I can't believe this was the authors debut.
Going into this I knew very little in regards to Hindu legends, that hindrance did not at all get in the way of my enjoyment of this book. I loved the story, I loved how we grew up with Kaikeyi and understood her more. I felt so emotional while reading, I even cried at multiple times. I read this frequently on my lunch breaks at work and felt upset each time my break was up because all I wanted to do was read this book.
I loved how much Kaikeyi was motivated to change things within the kingdom for women, how she was not only pissed at her own experiences of being overlooked, talked down to, pushed out, and more - but she was also pissed witnessing those things happen to other women.
I loved how when she had her sons she vowed to make sure they did not grow up to be men who disrespected women.
I loved how her relationship with her husband was written. It was a forced marriage that she hated of course because she did not get to choose (I'd be livid too), as the years went by she stayed feeling very indifferent. Once earning her husbands trust she was able to influence some decisions. She stated multiple times how she did not feel any love or desire toward her husband, but instead viewed him as a dear friend. The way that Kaikeyi is written felt like the author was intentionally writting an asexual character which I think is great as asexuality is often not represented. (I use the word intentionally because it felt that way to me, but I haven't done any further research to see if the author has out right said that.)
Each character stood out in their own personality I rarely mixed up characters, and there are a lot of characters.
I absolute loved the ending. So I won't go into detail. But I loved it. I love when stories end as if an Elder has ended the story and I must wait till later to get another thrilling tale from them.
This book is truly fantastic! Astonishing! Magnificent! I can't believe this was the authors debut.
Going into this I knew very little in regards to Hindu legends, that hindrance did not at all get in the way of my enjoyment of this book. I loved the story, I loved how we grew up with Kaikeyi and understood her more. I felt so emotional while reading, I even cried at multiple times. I read this frequently on my lunch breaks at work and felt upset each time my break was up because all I wanted to do was read this book.
I loved how much Kaikeyi was motivated to change things within the kingdom for women, how she was not only pissed at her own experiences of being overlooked, talked down to, pushed out, and more - but she was also pissed witnessing those things happen to other women.
I loved how when she had her sons she vowed to make sure they did not grow up to be men who disrespected women.
I loved how her relationship with her husband was written. It was a forced marriage that she hated of course because she did not get to choose (I'd be livid too), as the years went by she stayed feeling very indifferent. Once earning her husbands trust she was able to influence some decisions. She stated multiple times how she did not feel any love or desire toward her husband, but instead viewed him as a dear friend. The way that Kaikeyi is written felt like the author was intentionally writting an asexual character which I think is great as asexuality is often not represented. (I use the word intentionally because it felt that way to me, but I haven't done any further research to see if the author has out right said that.)
Each character stood out in their own personality I rarely mixed up characters, and there are a lot of characters.
I absolute loved the ending. So I won't go into detail. But I loved it. I love when stories end as if an Elder has ended the story and I must wait till later to get another thrilling tale from them.
The Night of Baba Yaga by Akira Otani
1.0
This is extremely brutal! Please look at content warnings!
I got this arc copy at a local bookshop after helping with a bookish event. I was drawn to the title as I am always looking for more books about Baba Yaga to read. with the synopsis I realized there wasn't going to be much Baba Yaga influence in this book but I still decided to pick it up.
The first 8 pages are right away very gory. Not just fight scenes - there's an almost dog murder then description of a dog murder. There's a character who says to check that the main character is "actually female down there", then they threaten sexual assault. This level of disturbing instances increases throughout the rest of the book. Thankfully this is a really fast read, short chapters, not much description, otherwise I would have dnf'd.
There is sexual assault on page multiple times as well as torture.
The story wasn't very good. I found myself not caring about the plot and just wanting it to be over. There was a twist but I was more confused than enthralled by it. The chapter that alludes to the twist was the most confusing for me. I actually thought that it must have been a translation/editing error(since I have an ARC), but once I reached the ending I realized what that chapter was showing. I was just so lost. [Note: I read this book in one day, so my confusion wasn't due to setting the book down for a long time and then picking it up and confusing things.]
I got this arc copy at a local bookshop after helping with a bookish event. I was drawn to the title as I am always looking for more books about Baba Yaga to read. with the synopsis I realized there wasn't going to be much Baba Yaga influence in this book but I still decided to pick it up.
The first 8 pages are right away very gory. Not just fight scenes - there's an almost dog murder then description of a dog murder. There's a character who says to check that the main character is "actually female down there", then they threaten sexual assault. This level of disturbing instances increases throughout the rest of the book. Thankfully this is a really fast read, short chapters, not much description, otherwise I would have dnf'd.
There is sexual assault on page multiple times as well as torture.
The story wasn't very good. I found myself not caring about the plot and just wanting it to be over. There was a twist but I was more confused than enthralled by it. The chapter that alludes to the twist was the most confusing for me. I actually thought that it must have been a translation/editing error(since I have an ARC), but once I reached the ending I realized what that chapter was showing. I was just so lost. [Note: I read this book in one day, so my confusion wasn't due to setting the book down for a long time and then picking it up and confusing things.]
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Gore, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Torture
The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman
4.75
I have heard of this story and how it has inspired so much modern media it's wild that it took me this long to read this. I remember this being mentioned in my English class even and if I read it I guess I blocked the memory out - haha.
Anyway this was a good read. I could feel the anxiousness and decent into madness. Do to this short of a story it felt so fast and fever like. The main character is keeping a journal which she keeps secret from her husband. She has experienced some episode and to help her "nervousness" her husband has taken her to this retreat to a house they are renting. In the house she begins to fixate heavy onto the yellow wallpaper.
Not going to go into any more detail since the story is so short, but also since it is so well known.
Instead I'll just say that this was an enjoyable read, it was interesting to read it knowing how influential it is. I didn't grow up or spend time in school reading a whole lot of classics. It's interesting to go back and read more and realize how these older works are still heavily inspiring today.
Anyway this was a good read. I could feel the anxiousness and decent into madness. Do to this short of a story it felt so fast and fever like. The main character is keeping a journal which she keeps secret from her husband. She has experienced some episode and to help her "nervousness" her husband has taken her to this retreat to a house they are renting. In the house she begins to fixate heavy onto the yellow wallpaper.
Not going to go into any more detail since the story is so short, but also since it is so well known.
Instead I'll just say that this was an enjoyable read, it was interesting to read it knowing how influential it is. I didn't grow up or spend time in school reading a whole lot of classics. It's interesting to go back and read more and realize how these older works are still heavily inspiring today.
Silver Under Nightfall by Rin Chupeco
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I guess I'm back in my vampire book era!!
Silver Under Nightfall was a fast pace vampire hunter story that tied in a lustful aspect.
Remy Pendergast is a Reaper (vampire hunter), it's a position he has been trained to do his whole life -however- due to rumors within the Reapers and Nobles he is talked down to and treated poorly. It's believed within these groups that Remy may actually be half vampire (they have a slur for half human half vampires).
Political tensions get high as a vampire disease runs rampant throughout the land and Remy encounters a powerful vampire couple representing two different courts. The engaged couple quickly show Remy they have interest in him helping them with their investigation of the cause of this disease (called Rot)...and in bending him backwards in bed.
This book was SPICY! Phew! Once the three of them get going they just don't stop!
I really liked how this poly relationship was depicted. Of course the spicy scenes were great but I liked how the characters all got to know each other and how their feelings grew. Remy and Xiaodan felt like love at first sight, they were immediately flirty and cute. Whereas Remy and Zidan felt enemies to lovers. But the constant bickering quickly felt more like flirting.
Let's talk about the mystery: there are numerous things happening within this story and it is thrilling to go along with the characters as they piece everything together. I don't think the ending would be labeled as a twist, it felt quite obvious to me - however I am really looking forward to picking up the 2nd book cause I gotta know what happened!
The one thing I wish this book had is either a map or a character tree. There are a few conversations that happen where numerous character names are thrown out and I had some trouble remembering who belonged to which court and who was who's trusted ally. A map would have helped me visualize how the world was constructed, how far away certain villages and cities were. I think this is just a me issue though, I really love heavy world building in fantasy and a map helps me feel more immersed in the story.
Thank you to Saga Press #SagaSaysCrew for the free copy!
Silver Under Nightfall was a fast pace vampire hunter story that tied in a lustful aspect.
Remy Pendergast is a Reaper (vampire hunter), it's a position he has been trained to do his whole life -however- due to rumors within the Reapers and Nobles he is talked down to and treated poorly. It's believed within these groups that Remy may actually be half vampire (they have a slur for half human half vampires).
Political tensions get high as a vampire disease runs rampant throughout the land and Remy encounters a powerful vampire couple representing two different courts. The engaged couple quickly show Remy they have interest in him helping them with their investigation of the cause of this disease (called Rot)...and in bending him backwards in bed.
This book was SPICY! Phew! Once the three of them get going they just don't stop!
I really liked how this poly relationship was depicted. Of course the spicy scenes were great but I liked how the characters all got to know each other and how their feelings grew. Remy and Xiaodan felt like love at first sight, they were immediately flirty and cute. Whereas Remy and Zidan felt enemies to lovers. But the constant bickering quickly felt more like flirting.
Let's talk about the mystery: there are numerous things happening within this story and it is thrilling to go along with the characters as they piece everything together. I don't think the ending would be labeled as a twist, it felt quite obvious to me - however I am really looking forward to picking up the 2nd book cause I gotta know what happened!
The one thing I wish this book had is either a map or a character tree. There are a few conversations that happen where numerous character names are thrown out and I had some trouble remembering who belonged to which court and who was who's trusted ally. A map would have helped me visualize how the world was constructed, how far away certain villages and cities were. I think this is just a me issue though, I really love heavy world building in fantasy and a map helps me feel more immersed in the story.
Thank you to Saga Press #SagaSaysCrew for the free copy!
Onyeka and the Rise of the Rebels by Tọlá Okogwu
3.0
Onyeka and the Rise of the Rebels was a fun read!
I was really looking forward to this 2nd book in the trilogy to see what happens to Onyeka, her new friends, and her parents.
However, I found myself now as engaged in this book. I know I am not the target audience and I'm sure if I was the age range I would be all about this!
The action was there, there was some tenseness, and of course the superpowers the kids have area also very entertaining. I listened to the audiobook and loved the narrator!
I don't think I'll read the 3rd book, but this is a trilogy I'll recommend/gift to the kiddos in my life who I think would enjoy this story.
I was really looking forward to this 2nd book in the trilogy to see what happens to Onyeka, her new friends, and her parents.
However, I found myself now as engaged in this book. I know I am not the target audience and I'm sure if I was the age range I would be all about this!
The action was there, there was some tenseness, and of course the superpowers the kids have area also very entertaining. I listened to the audiobook and loved the narrator!
I don't think I'll read the 3rd book, but this is a trilogy I'll recommend/gift to the kiddos in my life who I think would enjoy this story.