Reviews and Comments

Dr Ms Kat

pelagikat@outside.ofa.dog

Joined 2 years, 3 months ago

This link opens in a pop-up window

Sunyi Dean: The Book Eaters (Hardcover, 2022, Doherty Associates, LLC, Tom)

Truth is found between the stories we're fed and the stories we hunger for.

I had no idea what this was about when I started it, I don't quite know what box to put it in. Maybe magical realism, light horror, fairy tale mashup? Regardless, I really enjoyed it. A different take on... maybe vampires? Who eat books instead of human blood? (I don't think that's a spoiler, it's literally the title of the book).

The story of this trilogy is good - kept me interested enough to keep reading - but the execution needed more work. It's tricky to negotiate a story with an ensemble cast, where the perspective changes frequently, and it wasn't always flawless. Also if one of your main characters is trans and I don't realise that until halfway through book 3 (it's referred to directly, but only in Brazilian Portuguese), then maybe you're being a bit too subtle about it - epecially if she's a princess.

Charlie Jane Anders: Dreams Bigger Than Heartbreak (2022, Doherty Associates, LLC, Tom)

They'll do anything to be the people they were meant to be — even journey …

This felt a bit clunky, like the writing lurched from character to character at times, maybe it needed better editing. I was hoping I would remember more details about the first book as I went, but I didn't. Thematically this isn't a terribly positive story, so not recommended if you want a happy or cheerful read.

Naomi Kritzer: Liberty's Daughter (Paperback, Fairwood Press LLC)

Beck Garrison lives on a seastead — an archipelago of constructed platforms and old cruise …

I nearly noped out of this one when I thought it was a story about how good US libertarianism is, but it turned out to be the reverse so I'm glad I stuck eith it.

started reading Sleeper Agent: Revenge by John Birmingham (Sleeper Agent, #2)

Not even sure if this is released yet, but I have a copy as one of JB's patrons. There was a character named after me in the first book of this series but I don't think she'll make a reapparance.