rnbhargava's reviews
389 reviews

Goddess of the River by Vaishnavi Patel

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective relaxing sad tense medium-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? Yes

4.5

Yet another incredibly paced in action but also emotionally moving Hinduism related retelling from Patel. This one is just as interesting as Kaikeyi, I might like this one better with its slightly different storytelling construction, focusing on a godly mother and her essentially demi-god son. Her learning process regrading humanity and his struggles around what is morally upright in relation to his all too fallible paternal family members is told in compelling fashion. My minor gripe with this book is that supporting characters don’t get quite as full arcs. That said, aside from maybe one or two characters, I mostly felt like I could piece together what the supporting characters were up to with their motivations. Vaishnavi Patel is definitely shaping up to be one of my favourite writers. 

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The Sword of Kaigen by M.L. Wang

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing sad tense fast-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? Yes

5.0

Honestly this is a fantastic book. The characters, the discussion it creates with the reader about the nature of propaganda, politics and warfare. The characters are full of complex motivations, doubts, traumas, triumphs and tragedies. Mamoru is such a good kid, all of Misaki’s kids are. Misaki is so multidimensional. Takeru really puts you through a hate/love dynamic and you even come to sympathize with him at points. The supporting characters are even immensely layered through how they handle the highs and lows of their lives before and amidst the narrative of this novel. “Sword of Kaigen” is quite the appropriate title for this.

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A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing 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? Yes

4.5

There are brief tense and subjectively sad parts but they’re brief and the sad ones read more introspective 

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The Girl from the Other Side: Siúil, a Rún Deluxe Edition I by Nagabe

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This is an excellent spin on essentially beauty and the beast. The kid is the beauty, the beast is teacher and the curse is upon many individuals and potentially animals. The child is so innocent and caring but there’s a sinister prophecy afoot. It’s compelling hearing about the circumstances for the world and how it relates to the child and her caretaker only known as Teacher. I’m excited to read further.

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Yellowface by R.F. Kuang

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny informative lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • 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

This is a narrative about personal jealousy, racism in publishing and interrogating race politics 

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Kaikeyi by Vaishnavi Patel

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective relaxing sad tense 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? Yes

4.25

I loved so much about this Ramayana expansion and partial retelling. The highs and lows are dramatic and I love this book for it. I also love that the title character’s mind is where we exclusively reside in for this retelling given she’s usually depicted as a wicked stepmother type in many Ramayana variations. Seeing her extended family, early days of her marriage, her bonds with her fellow wives and the community of her adopted home Ayodhya. Seeing her build bonds and falter in others. Seeing her reconnect with others across time. I liked the recontextualizinv of Ravana too. The depiction of Rama is done for a specific reason and I kind of loved that surprising shift. I’m sure it ruffled some but I think fine, it’s merely one retelling so if you dislike it, disregard it. The family bonds really define the narrative here and it’s so good to read through. The characterizations of Kaikeyi’s fellow wives could have been expanded but then I guess it would take away from being solely Kaikeyi’s point of view. 

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The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing sad tense medium-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? Yes

5.0

The chapters are essentially a compilation of short stories that help the reader come to a consensus reaction about the personal history and lives of these mothers and daughters. You experience their joys and struggles regarding the dynamics in their personal relationships. 

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The World We Make by N.K. Jemisin

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing sad tense fast-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? Yes

4.25

I really loved this sequel. My minor issue with it is that some aspects of it just kind of end a bit conveniently. Some parts, that’s amusing. Others, it felt like a slightly hastened storyline. 

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Spy x Family, Vol. 11 by Tatsuya Endo

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adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious relaxing sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0


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Noragami Omnibus 4 (Vol. 10-12) by Adachitoka

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adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing sad tense medium-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? Yes

4.0

This volume deals a lot with the violent morality of gods and their shinki. It’s like a new round of set up and world building. I quite enjoyed it.

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