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sweekune's reviews
354 reviews
Glass and Gardens: Solarpunk Winters by Sarena Ulibarri
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
⭐ 4.5/5 ⭐
I love more optimistic sci-fi and Solarpunk is probably my favourite subcategory for this reason. Solarpunk Winters does an amazing job of showing a less covered side to the genre and explores many different ideas of what Solarpunk can be outside of the sunny garden city.
- As indicated in the title, each story features winter in a different way, be it violent or severe winters brought on by climate change, winter confined to a bubble or just how technology would be used in the cold and dark as opposed to sunny and warm. I loved how each story had its own vibe and way of exploring this.
- Each story also had a different focus in terms of characters and plot. Some were focused on the character/s and their growth or wellbeing. Others showcased the technology and it's benefits and limitations. There were mysteries, adventures, romances. All were wonderful little snapshots of wider worlds.
- Of course the short story format has it's limitations and my only gripe with this book (and short story compilations in general) is that I would find myself immersed in a world or gelling with a character, to have to leave them far to soon for the next one. Lots of the stories work very well in the short format but several of them I found myself longing for a novel or novella to stay with them a little longer.
If you like your sci-fi on the more optimistic side and enjoy ideas on how people can adapt to a climate crisis through technology and a connection with the world around them, I would highly recommend this collection.
I love more optimistic sci-fi and Solarpunk is probably my favourite subcategory for this reason. Solarpunk Winters does an amazing job of showing a less covered side to the genre and explores many different ideas of what Solarpunk can be outside of the sunny garden city.
- As indicated in the title, each story features winter in a different way, be it violent or severe winters brought on by climate change, winter confined to a bubble or just how technology would be used in the cold and dark as opposed to sunny and warm. I loved how each story had its own vibe and way of exploring this.
- Each story also had a different focus in terms of characters and plot. Some were focused on the character/s and their growth or wellbeing. Others showcased the technology and it's benefits and limitations. There were mysteries, adventures, romances. All were wonderful little snapshots of wider worlds.
- Of course the short story format has it's limitations and my only gripe with this book (and short story compilations in general) is that I would find myself immersed in a world or gelling with a character, to have to leave them far to soon for the next one. Lots of the stories work very well in the short format but several of them I found myself longing for a novel or novella to stay with them a little longer.
If you like your sci-fi on the more optimistic side and enjoy ideas on how people can adapt to a climate crisis through technology and a connection with the world around them, I would highly recommend this collection.
River of Teeth by Sarah Gailey
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
⭐ 3/5 ⭐
Audiobook narrated by Peter Berkrot.
An alternate US where the government followed through with its plans to raise hippos for meat. A group of dubious characters are hired for a dangerous job involving a damn and feral, man-eating hippos.
- The premise of the book was what caught my attention. Queer characters, hippo ranching, an D&D crossed with the wild west story and setting sounded really awesome. The length of the book, however, hinders both plot and character development. There were points where events moved so fast that proceedings felt rushed, unrealistic and/or nonsensical.
- The characters had so much promise, especially from an LGBT+ standpoint. Like the plot though, lack of time spent developing them meant that I may as well have been reading about cardboard cutouts: they were flat and one dimensional with any interactions only really serving the plot. I enjoyed the concepts of these people and really wish they'd been fleshed out better.
- Despite the rushed nature of the book, the setting remains interesting and has a lot of potential. Louisiana swamps with frenzied hippos.
So much promise that lacks on the delivery. But if you don't mind fast pacing sacrificing plot and character development then this is a quick and easy read.
Audiobook narrated by Peter Berkrot.
An alternate US where the government followed through with its plans to raise hippos for meat. A group of dubious characters are hired for a dangerous job involving a damn and feral, man-eating hippos.
- The premise of the book was what caught my attention. Queer characters, hippo ranching, an D&D crossed with the wild west story and setting sounded really awesome. The length of the book, however, hinders both plot and character development. There were points where events moved so fast that proceedings felt rushed, unrealistic and/or nonsensical.
- The characters had so much promise, especially from an LGBT+ standpoint. Like the plot though, lack of time spent developing them meant that I may as well have been reading about cardboard cutouts: they were flat and one dimensional with any interactions only really serving the plot. I enjoyed the concepts of these people and really wish they'd been fleshed out better.
- Despite the rushed nature of the book, the setting remains interesting and has a lot of potential. Louisiana swamps with frenzied hippos.
So much promise that lacks on the delivery. But if you don't mind fast pacing sacrificing plot and character development then this is a quick and easy read.
The Farthest Shore by Ursula K. Le Guin
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
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
Magic is disappearing from Earthsea. Archmage Sparrowhawk and his young helper Arren travel the seas to find out what has upset the balance and try to undo what has been done.
As with the other Earthsea books, the world is detailed, vibrant and full of life. Le Guin's mastery of description and immersion really shines through and the book is so wonderfully atmospheric.
It is nice to see Sparrowhawk as an old man, having followed his journey from boyhood. It's was also nice to have some familiar people, places and objects turn up as a reminder of the life that had been lived before.
Holdbrook-Smith does an amazing job of narrating this world and bringing its beauty to life. His narration is clear and he characterises well.
A poignant and appropriate third installment. Rich with flavour and story.
As with the other Earthsea books, the world is detailed, vibrant and full of life. Le Guin's mastery of description and immersion really shines through and the book is so wonderfully atmospheric.
It is nice to see Sparrowhawk as an old man, having followed his journey from boyhood. It's was also nice to have some familiar people, places and objects turn up as a reminder of the life that had been lived before.
Holdbrook-Smith does an amazing job of narrating this world and bringing its beauty to life. His narration is clear and he characterises well.
A poignant and appropriate third installment. Rich with flavour and story.
The Tombs of Atuan by Ursula K. Le Guin
dark
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The Tombs of Atuan by Ursula K. Le Guin
⭐ 4.5/5 ⭐
Le Guin weaves magic and journeys like no one I've read before. As with A Wizard of Earthsea, The Tombs of Atuan start slowly and small but get bigger and more exquisitely detailed as the story goes on. I loved how the world of the temple village was built up and how in so few words she created such an ambience and reality to the places she described. Arha and Sparrowhawk's interactions were also so well written and there are several quotations that I will remember for a long time, my favourite being:
"What she had begun to learn was the weight of liberty. Freedom is a heavy load, a great and strange burden for the spirit to undertake. It is not easy. It is not a gift given, but a choice made, and the choice may be a hard one. The road goes upward towards the light; but the laden traveller may never reach the end of it."
If that doesn't describe this book, and life in general, to a tee, I don't know what would.
⭐ 4.5/5 ⭐
Le Guin weaves magic and journeys like no one I've read before. As with A Wizard of Earthsea, The Tombs of Atuan start slowly and small but get bigger and more exquisitely detailed as the story goes on. I loved how the world of the temple village was built up and how in so few words she created such an ambience and reality to the places she described. Arha and Sparrowhawk's interactions were also so well written and there are several quotations that I will remember for a long time, my favourite being:
"What she had begun to learn was the weight of liberty. Freedom is a heavy load, a great and strange burden for the spirit to undertake. It is not easy. It is not a gift given, but a choice made, and the choice may be a hard one. The road goes upward towards the light; but the laden traveller may never reach the end of it."
If that doesn't describe this book, and life in general, to a tee, I don't know what would.
A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
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
5.0
A book I come home to every so often. We follow the early life of the wizard Sparrowhawk, from childhood, to magical training to a quest he must fulfil.
- The descriptions of this world are just gorgeous. You are immersed thoroughly and Le Guin has filled this world with the beautiful mundane amongst the magical.
- The characters are varied, diverse and well sculpted. Sparrowhawk's character and nuances are well shown and he grows immensely over the course of the book.
- Obviously not in the audiobook version but the physical version has the most amazing map. I loved pouring over it and following the points that were visited.
Somehow both intense but homely. An excellent fantasy tale and also the beginning of a series.
- The descriptions of this world are just gorgeous. You are immersed thoroughly and Le Guin has filled this world with the beautiful mundane amongst the magical.
- The characters are varied, diverse and well sculpted. Sparrowhawk's character and nuances are well shown and he grows immensely over the course of the book.
- Obviously not in the audiobook version but the physical version has the most amazing map. I loved pouring over it and following the points that were visited.
Somehow both intense but homely. An excellent fantasy tale and also the beginning of a series.
Will Destroy the Galaxy for Cash by Yahtzee Croshaw
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Will Leave the Galaxy for Good by Yahtzee Croshaw
adventurous
funny
reflective
fast-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
The Crystal Shard by R.A. Salvatore
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Jamaica Inn by Daphne du Maurier
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75