sweekune's reviews
342 reviews

The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K. Le Guin

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dark emotional reflective slow-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

⭐ 4/5 ⭐

A thought-provoking sci-fi novel. A human envy arrives on a world where cold is prevailing and the sentient inhabitants spend most of their lives between sexes. It explores prejudice, societal differences and what it means to belong.

- The book starts slow and it took a while for me to get into it. However, after some background and once the plot has time to develop I couldn't stop listening. It was a lot more emotional than I thought it would be.

- Considering this was originally published in 1969, it was wonderfully forward thinking. As a genderfluid person, I love how the native inhabitants remained androgynous most of the time and the mechanisms for Chemour, the process during which an individual gains a sex for a time. I would love to explore this theme more.

- The society and world is complex and well thought out. Primarily there are two countries in the story and each has a different societal system and acceptable norms. I also enjoyed the traditional stories and the way the cold and snow were conveyed 

For the sci-fi reader who likes to think on their books. I look forward to reading more of the Hainish cycle.
System Collapse by Martha Wells

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adventurous funny 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

3.75

⭐ 3.75/5 ⭐

Another Murderbot installment. Something has happened to Murderbot that is affecting its performance. Trying to power on through, it accompanies its humans to find some colonists and protect them from a corporation that wants to enlist them for indentured servitude.

- The same Murderbot depressed sarcasm that we all know and love is present in full force and I love it. I also adore Murderbot and ART's interactions.

- The plot itself was okay. It wasn't anything massively different or groundbreaking but it was comfortable and enjoyable.

- There are hints of growth and change for Murderbot and I'm really interested to see where Wells takes it from here. 

A solid but not particularly innovative entry. Fans of the series will enjoy.
A Life on Our Planet: My Witness Statement and a Vision for the Future by David Attenborough

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hopeful informative inspiring medium-paced

4.0

⭐ 4/5 ⭐

Audiobook narrated by David Attenborough.

Well known and loved presenter David Attenborough discusses the impact human ls have had on the natural world , why we should change to be more accommodating if nature and what may happen if we do not.

- The book felt like it was split into three sections. The first was semi-autobiographical, detailing Attenborough's life and career plus how the natural world has diminished over that time. The second focuses on the harm and destruction we humans have caused over time but especially the last 50-100 years and how it will escalate and harm us all. The third discusses ways we may be able to change this climate collision course and revitalise nature once more. This structure worked very well, was very clear and consise and helped to guide the reader on a thought journey.

- I liked that this book, though very much a warning, was hopeful that humans as a species could change and adapt to live with nature. The examples and models given were inspiring and I plan to try and follow some of them myself. 

- Is there a better narrator than Attenborough? I don't think there is. The man has had such an amazing career and his insights and passion are always interesting.

A book everyone should read and take heed of to save our world.
The Hero of Ages by Brandon Sanderson

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emotional hopeful mysterious tense 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

5.0

⭐ 5/5 ⭐

Well that was a journey and a half! Book three of the Mistborn era 1 trilogy and it does not disappoint. The world is ending and Vin, Elend, Sazed and the remaining members of the crew have to fight to save it.

- Sanderson is the king of world building and this book is no exception. He expands wonderfully on the Scadriel we know from previous books and gives us new areas to learn and explore. I loved the detail and life he put into this world and how vivid it was.

- As well as expanding the world, we get to explore some more of characters. I particularly enjoyed Spook and Sazed's journeys as well as the indepth look we get at the kandra. Similarly, the metal-based magic systems get further detail and exploration and wonderful play into the power balances throughout the book.

- I genuinely felt so emotional ending the book. I didn't guess the ending and it was beautifully done. Sanderson definitely knows how to wrap up a story.

A worthy and intensely enjoyable ending to the trilogy. I would highly recommend this series to anyone who enjoys fantasy.
The Mountain in the Sea by Ray Nayler

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dark reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

⭐ 3/5 ⭐

A complex sci-fi. There is an archipelago where the octopuses may have evolved advanced intellect. A scientist goes to research them and figure out their society.

- This book was pretty confusing. I like a good complex sci-fi but this was more convoluted. I also couldn't decide what the actual plot or message of the book was. There were overlapping themes of environmentalism, non-human and AI intelligences, the ethics of AI, human-caused planetary destruction and consequences, what it means to be human and honestly a few others. None particularly dominate or guide the narrative.

- The characters I didn't particularly care about for the most part. The exceptions being Evrim, who I found to be the most relatable oddlly, and the octopuses which a million times more personality and interesting interactions than most of the rest of the book.

- The octopuses and the study of their society was awesome and I would have loved the book if it was more focused on this. However, the author seems to have used this novel as a "sci-fi ideas I think are cool" dumping exercise and most of them do not add anything of value. More focus on one or two themes or ideas would have been much more interesting.

Sadly disappointed with the lack of cephalopod offerings. However, a reader may like this book if they enjoy exploring many sci-fi concepts superficially or wandering narratives.
Coffee, Milk & Spider Silk by Coyote JM Edwards

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emotional hopeful lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

⭐ 3.75/5 ⭐

Legends & Lattes mixed with Coffee Talk in a modern setting. A cosy novella about ex-guard Gwen, a drider who sets up her own café.

- If you like cosy coffee shop stories, you can't go wrong with this one. Heartwarming, low stakes and chilled. I really enjoyed the characters. However, I think the author could have expanded this into a lover book and gone more indepth into some of the situations and the brevity of a novella meant they felt a little skipped over sometimes.

- Who doesn't like a fantasy and queer setting. Driders, minotaurs, moth people galore and being queer is completely normalized. Perfect for light LGBT+ representation.

A short and light but cosy and fuzzy novella. Perfect for those who enjoy modern coffee shop AUs with a fantasy twist.
Tempests and Slaughter by Tamora Pierce

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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

4.25

⭐ 4.25/5 ⭐

Tamora Pierce was one of my favourite authors as a child and has an enduring place in my heart. I was so happy to return to this fantasy world, a new country this time and follow the beginnings of the great mage Numair, named Arram Draper in this book.

- I loved the familiarity of the world and the style of writing with the new details and people that comes with this different setting. Carthak is a vibrant and nuanced city and the university and it's ways we're fascinating.

- Watching Numair and knowing how things eventually turn out for him was quite bittersweet. I loved his friendships and the relationships between him and his tutors, patients and, at some points, gods but equally know that something will happen that will change all this.

- Despite knowing there will be a point to the story, the narrative seems to lack driving force. We follow Arram's education and him working out how he fits into the world but there seems to be no defined end goal or point. I hope the next book makes this clearer.

Enjoyable for a long time fan. Would recommend to those already familiar with Pierce's writing and the world in which this book is set.


The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan

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adventurous mysterious 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

3.75

3.75/5

Time to meet the gods of ancient Egypt! Sadie and Carter's father releases these ancient gods from the Rosetta Stone. One of them, Set, is determined to throw the world into chaos. Sadie and Carter must stop him before it's too late.

- I love ancient Egypt and learning about the gods and ways of life. The book was peppered with facts and accurate but modern interpretations and it was so much fun recognising figures I've read and learned about since childhood. My favourites were Bast, Sobek and Anubis.

- The book is told through the format of recordings made by Sadie and Carter and the perspective switches every few chapters. I found the format engaging and it would probably be easy to follow and enjoy for younger readers (the intended audience).

- The magic was very fun and well portrayed. The House of Life was really interesting and I hope we learn more about it in the next book.

An excellent read for kids (or adults) who enjoy mythology, ancient Egypt and lots of action and adventure.

Nona the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir

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dark mysterious 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

4.0

It's been a couple of years since I last visited the Locked Tomb series so I decided I'd give Nona a listen. Nona lives in a turbulent city with Cam and Pyrrah who look after her. She's friends with a bunch of local kids from school. But there's something a bit different about Nona...

- Not quite as confusing as Harrow the Ninth but Nona still took a while to make sense. This might be due to the gap in reading but also seems like Muir's writing style too. She throws out the tidbits of info in a seemingly random way then brings them together(ish) for the end.

- Nona was super sweet and I loved her naïve view of the world and how things worked. I particularly liked how she interacted with the other characters and her foray into friendship.

- We meet some familiar (and occasionally hidden) faces from previous books. I did enjoy how those characters have changed due to events and how they move forward. 

I eagerly await Alecto the Ninth after the epilogue of this book. A worthy entry to the series.
Gwen and Art Are Not in Love by Lex Croucher

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funny hopeful lighthearted 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

4.0

⭐ 4/5 ⭐

Queer fake dating meets medieval court romance. Gwen, royal princess, and Art, son of a Lord, have been betrothed since they were infants and have hated each other almost as long. Upon both discovering the other is gay, they agree to pretend their betrothal is working out. However, there is trouble at court and someone is stirring up strife for the royal family...

- First and foremost, this book is hilarious. I loved some of the sarcasm and teasing between characters and several times had to put the book down and stop laughing. 

- The characters wouldn't have looked too out of place in a modern romance. The book doesn't take it's medieval setting too seriously which makes it a lot more digestable and accessible for readers. Definitely not as complicated as a lot of historical romance books.

- I love how Arthurian legend is sprinkled into the book and the twists the author makes to it. Excalibur nine, anyone?

Queer, makes you laugh and easy to digest. Perfect for those wanting an easy read with diverse characters.