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rebeccazh's Reviews (2.89k)
Note to self that I'm officially dropping this series. Too much work to get to one good book (Fire Touched).
At first glance, I thought this was similar to Figuring. The prose is clear and coherent and it isn't bogged down by insignificant details like Figuring was. I loved the first chapter. DNF-ing because I found out through skimming reviews that the author starts to fictionalize the lives of these scientific greats. Not in the mood for historical fiction.
Getting through this book was a bit of a pain. Nonfiction is meant to provoke reflection and thinking but the author's writing is simplistic and seemed to strip out depth and nuance from topics. He also sounds blase about sensitive topics. I did learn lots of interesting facts but had to force myself to get through the chapters and ended up skipping some.
A very good book, similar in theme to [b:See What You Made Me Do: Power, Control and Domestic Violence|43800661|See What You Made Me Do Power, Control and Domestic Violence|Jess Hill|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1548975077l/43800661._SY75_.jpg|68151628] (which was a truly fantastic book) and [b:Why Does He Do That?: Inside the Minds of Angry and Controlling Men|224552|Why Does He Do That? Inside the Minds of Angry and Controlling Men|Lundy Bancroft|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1479651155l/224552._SX50_.jpg|217475]. The book is a rather comprehensive detailing of the different types of online hate groups (targeting women), ranging from incels to pickup artists to men's rights activists. The author's key message is that we need to take these groups seriously, rather than dismissing them as online losers or extremists who don't affect real life.
Just reading this book was a harrowing experience. I can't imagine being on the receiving end of this, or to immerse yourself in these communities to research them. The amount of vitriol, dehumanization and objectification in these communities is shocking and depressing. It's also disturbing how much casual phrases and memes have originated from these groups. The last chapter in particular was very good and made me hopeful.
As I was reading this book, it struck me how patriarchy insidiously pits men against women. Gender roles and stereotyping in essence segregate people into two camps of 'us vs them'. It brings to mind Audre Lorde's writing about how everyone wastes precious time and energy fighting each other for the same piece of pie instead of working together to tackle the issues that affect everybody.
The issue of masculinity and the lack of male leaders who model nuanced and different types of masculinity harms men everywhere. Right now, masculinity means aggression, sexual conquest/domination, power and control. It's no wonder that a whole host of horrifying issues are becoming more and more evident - alt-right groups, sexual assault, domestic violence...
Whatever my feelings and thoughts about these online groups, I have to give it to these groups for how rapidly and massively they mobilize and organize. Which is part of the reason why they're so politically powerful. Ugh.
Anyway, another really good book about the issues plaguing masculinity.
Just reading this book was a harrowing experience. I can't imagine being on the receiving end of this, or to immerse yourself in these communities to research them. The amount of vitriol, dehumanization and objectification in these communities is shocking and depressing. It's also disturbing how much casual phrases and memes have originated from these groups. The last chapter in particular was very good and made me hopeful.
As I was reading this book, it struck me how patriarchy insidiously pits men against women. Gender roles and stereotyping in essence segregate people into two camps of 'us vs them'. It brings to mind Audre Lorde's writing about how everyone wastes precious time and energy fighting each other for the same piece of pie instead of working together to tackle the issues that affect everybody.
The issue of masculinity and the lack of male leaders who model nuanced and different types of masculinity harms men everywhere. Right now, masculinity means aggression, sexual conquest/domination, power and control. It's no wonder that a whole host of horrifying issues are becoming more and more evident - alt-right groups, sexual assault, domestic violence...
Whatever my feelings and thoughts about these online groups, I have to give it to these groups for how rapidly and massively they mobilize and organize. Which is part of the reason why they're so politically powerful. Ugh.
Anyway, another really good book about the issues plaguing masculinity.
3.5 stars. A bit too much introspection, inner monologuing and telling not showing, could've shaved off a good 20-30% of this mammoth book. I started skimming. Anyway J Bree's ability to write characters and relationships full of drama prevails again and I was riveted. Rooke is a fantastic heroine - a woman a few hundred years old who acts her age. She is mature, poised, and embodies Michelle Obama's quote, "when they go low, we go high". She is very competent and powerful and it's obvious in her mindset and behavior - she always has the big picture in mind and doesn't let the shitty behavior of Soren and gang's bullshit bother her.
Soren on the other hand... He is immature, egotistical and a bully at best, racist, hateful and abusive at worst. The supposed romance left me cold and I really don't see how they're supposed to be together. He is a total asshole to her, her culture, her people etc, and he is demeaning, dehumanizing, and threatening towards her consistently and endlessly.
I saw online that the second book is a bigger mess, no apology from Soren nor any kind of groveling or changed behavior about his absolutely shitty and unforgivable actions. So... It's pretty disappointing. We need more female leads like Rooke.
Soren on the other hand... He is immature, egotistical and a bully at best, racist, hateful and abusive at worst. The supposed romance left me cold and I really don't see how they're supposed to be together. He is a total asshole to her, her culture, her people etc, and he is demeaning, dehumanizing, and threatening towards her consistently and endlessly.
I saw online that the second book is a bigger mess, no apology from Soren nor any kind of groveling or changed behavior about his absolutely shitty and unforgivable actions. So... It's pretty disappointing. We need more female leads like Rooke.
Review for the whole series. I picked this up because of the J Bree drama about her Mortal Fates book 2 release (popcorn time) that made me curious about this author's works. Amazingly, this series is pretty addictive! Though the quality really varies. Books 1-2 are my fav, book 3 onwards really dragged.
Disregarding my usual thoughts about representation of sensitive topics and the way men treat women like dirt in romances and the serious misogyny in romance stories (only heroine and 1 or 2 female sidekick friends are likeable), I thought this was very bingeable. This is a reverse harem story so ymmv but I loved the relationship drama. The series focuses a lot on heroine Oli's relationships with various characters - lovers, mentors, friends, enemies, etc. and I do love some messy and reality tv worthy relationships, and it's really where the series shines. There are so many secrets, misunderstandings, angst, conflicts, etc.
Pacing was a serious issue though. I thought the books could've been tightened a lot better. Some parts really dragged (book 3 and onwards), and some of the relationships (North) were smoothed over too fast. The world building is barely there and seems just there for the plot (which I also had issues with). Might check out her Mortal Fates series once a few more books release (at some point
Disregarding my usual thoughts about representation of sensitive topics and the way men treat women like dirt in romances and the serious misogyny in romance stories (only heroine and 1 or 2 female sidekick friends are likeable), I thought this was very bingeable. This is a reverse harem story so ymmv but I loved the relationship drama. The series focuses a lot on heroine Oli's relationships with various characters - lovers, mentors, friends, enemies, etc. and I do love some messy and reality tv worthy relationships, and it's really where the series shines. There are so many secrets, misunderstandings, angst, conflicts, etc.
Pacing was a serious issue though. I thought the books could've been tightened a lot better. Some parts really dragged (book 3 and onwards), and some of the relationships (North) were smoothed over too fast. The world building is barely there and seems just there for the plot (which I also had issues with). Might check out her Mortal Fates series once a few more books release (at some point
Interesting to see the alpha male trope reversed with an alpha female this time. Eve is aggressive, dominant, sexual, competent and emotionally distant. She did a lot of stuff that's considered dubcon at best noncon at worst, similar to most alpha male romances. I enjoyed this as fiction but really have to suspend my usual beliefs etc.
I recently binged the cdrama, The Double (2024) and liked the engrossing plot, the green flag romance, and that the female villains were well written. Picked up this author's other book and am pleasantly surprised to find this just as bingeable. Mo Shu Bai still sets the standard for a good romance for me but the love story between the main leads was very sweet and wholesome. I also liked the constant plot twists and numerous plot developments. I've read a lot of cnovels and it's been a while since family politicking and political intrigue captures my attention (I did skim the first 20 chapters of this LOL). I read her malicious empress rebirth novel (read about 50 chapters or so?) and didn't like it but this is good.
This follows the story of a girl who secretly takes on the identity of her brother, realizes she excels at the military, and becomes a renowned general. Due to circumstances, she is killed by her husband due to political scheming. She's reborn in the body of a young lady who has the same name as her. With this do-over, she gets revenge. She joins the army in disguise as a boy again (Mulan vibes) and catches the eye of the commander. She levels up in military prowess and proves herself.
Pretty similar premise as The Double, and it's full of my favorite tropes like hidden identity, secret past, fake marriage, etc. I really like that this author's heroines don't revolve around their relationships; in fact, they're constantly hustling for their careers and there are arcs where the heroines handle trouble by themselves with their formidable talents.
On to this author's other novels. Her revenge rebirth stories are really good.
This follows the story of a girl who secretly takes on the identity of her brother, realizes she excels at the military, and becomes a renowned general. Due to circumstances, she is killed by her husband due to political scheming. She's reborn in the body of a young lady who has the same name as her. With this do-over, she gets revenge. She joins the army in disguise as a boy again (Mulan vibes) and catches the eye of the commander. She levels up in military prowess and proves herself.
Pretty similar premise as The Double, and it's full of my favorite tropes like hidden identity, secret past, fake marriage, etc. I really like that this author's heroines don't revolve around their relationships; in fact, they're constantly hustling for their careers and there are arcs where the heroines handle trouble by themselves with their formidable talents.
On to this author's other novels. Her revenge rebirth stories are really good.