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river24's reviews
324 reviews
The River Judge by S.L. Huang
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
3.75
How Was It for You? by Eve Smith
informative
reflective
fast-paced
3.75
3.75/5
I am so grateful that this book exists and that I get to read from a lived experience that I would likely otherwise never get to. I loved how witty and engaging this memoir was, I loved how the author's passion and anger shone through.
However, I found that there were some negatives to this book as well. As with most memoirs, we are reading an extremely personal account of someone's life and ideology, and therefore there will almost always be aspects that we disagree with as well.
I thought it extremely insightful in most areas about sex work; about the awful stereotypes perpetuated on TV; about the radical feminists who don't actually care about sex workers' opinions on their own livelihood; and about the fact that we need to fight for decriminalisation and safety for all sex workers. But there were also parts I didn't wholly agree with and that I thought were sometimes hypocritical, I think there was some internalised misogyny and internalised classism that was never addressed or thought as critically upon. What mostly concerned me, though, were the genuinely dangerous situations the author witnessed others in and simply walked away from. I know these situations can be a lot more difficult and nuanced than others could ever imagine, but I couldn't help but feel that there were times when it was vital not to walk away. But, as the reader, we could only follow where she went.
I don't want to get too specific about these situations as I think this book deals with some very heavy themes and I don't want to thrust those upon other people without the sufficient warnings. (Please check the content warnings!)
But, overall, I think this book is a very important one and, although flawed, I think there is a lot to learn from it. It definitely forces the reader to confront any prejudices or biases they might have had, whether they realised it or not. It challenges a lot of the institutionalised prejudice that is built into our laws and our media. I gained a lot from reading this and that is why I think this is such a fascinating read. I'm very grateful that the author chose to share her experiences.
I am so grateful that this book exists and that I get to read from a lived experience that I would likely otherwise never get to. I loved how witty and engaging this memoir was, I loved how the author's passion and anger shone through.
However, I found that there were some negatives to this book as well. As with most memoirs, we are reading an extremely personal account of someone's life and ideology, and therefore there will almost always be aspects that we disagree with as well.
I thought it extremely insightful in most areas about sex work; about the awful stereotypes perpetuated on TV; about the radical feminists who don't actually care about sex workers' opinions on their own livelihood; and about the fact that we need to fight for decriminalisation and safety for all sex workers. But there were also parts I didn't wholly agree with and that I thought were sometimes hypocritical, I think there was some internalised misogyny and internalised classism that was never addressed or thought as critically upon. What mostly concerned me, though, were the genuinely dangerous situations the author witnessed others in and simply walked away from. I know these situations can be a lot more difficult and nuanced than others could ever imagine, but I couldn't help but feel that there were times when it was vital not to walk away. But, as the reader, we could only follow where she went.
I don't want to get too specific about these situations as I think this book deals with some very heavy themes and I don't want to thrust those upon other people without the sufficient warnings. (Please check the content warnings!)
But, overall, I think this book is a very important one and, although flawed, I think there is a lot to learn from it. It definitely forces the reader to confront any prejudices or biases they might have had, whether they realised it or not. It challenges a lot of the institutionalised prejudice that is built into our laws and our media. I gained a lot from reading this and that is why I think this is such a fascinating read. I'm very grateful that the author chose to share her experiences.
The Hound of the Baskervilles by Arthur Conan Doyle
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
At the Fount of Creation by Tobi Ogundiran
adventurous
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
4/5
This was a great sequel to In the Shadow of the Fall, I think I enjoyed it even more! I love the West African-inspired world and the influences of Yoruba mythology woven into it. It's a fascinating take on a world of gods and mortals, and how the two intersect.
I'm glad this instalment was longer than the first, it really allowed enough time to feel situated in the story and completely immersed. This is a well fleshed-out yet bite-sized read that you can easily read in one sitting, but that offers a vast and sprawling story.
I adored the interludes and other perspectives that brought a lot of depth and intricacy to the story. I very much appreciated them and loved the mystical settings we were able to explore through them.
My only gripe with this story was that I found Ashâke, our main character, to make some idiotic and frustrating decisions at times. She never completely emerged for me to entirely connect to, although I definitely feel more strongly about her now than I did at the end of the first book.
This is a tale of gods and mortals, of what it means to be alive, to be made, and what it means to be unmade. This is a great novella series that makes for an incredibly fun and easy read.
Thank you Titan Books for an arc.
This was a great sequel to In the Shadow of the Fall, I think I enjoyed it even more! I love the West African-inspired world and the influences of Yoruba mythology woven into it. It's a fascinating take on a world of gods and mortals, and how the two intersect.
I'm glad this instalment was longer than the first, it really allowed enough time to feel situated in the story and completely immersed. This is a well fleshed-out yet bite-sized read that you can easily read in one sitting, but that offers a vast and sprawling story.
I adored the interludes and other perspectives that brought a lot of depth and intricacy to the story. I very much appreciated them and loved the mystical settings we were able to explore through them.
My only gripe with this story was that I found Ashâke, our main character, to make some idiotic and frustrating decisions at times. She never completely emerged for me to entirely connect to, although I definitely feel more strongly about her now than I did at the end of the first book.
This is a tale of gods and mortals, of what it means to be alive, to be made, and what it means to be unmade. This is a great novella series that makes for an incredibly fun and easy read.
Thank you Titan Books for an arc.
Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
3.25/5
You must suffer me to go my own dark way.
You must suffer me to go my own dark way.
The Pairing by Casey McQuiston
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.0
3/5
I always love the way Casey McQuiston champions queer romances, but these characters were not for me! There was also so much sex and if you like that, good for you, but it's, once again, not for me! I'm sure this book has its readers and I do appreciate how McQuiston plays with classic romance tropes and weaves a compelling story, I could just never connect to it.
Romance books are truly all about the characters and so when the characters fall short it just ends up being a wholly disappointing book. I could not stand the circles the main two characters went in, the miscommunication, the complaining-about-being-from-rich-families. So frustrating! I have no empathy!
I don't honestly have that much to say. I didn't absolutely hate it, but I most certainly didn't like it. I just kind of have a 'it's over, good, I can read something else' feeling, which isn't really a feeling I want to have when I've just finished a book. If it sounds interesting to you you might like it, but I don't know, this one seems to be missing the sweet spot for a lot of people, unfortunately.
Thank you Macmillan for an arc.
I always love the way Casey McQuiston champions queer romances, but these characters were not for me! There was also so much sex and if you like that, good for you, but it's, once again, not for me! I'm sure this book has its readers and I do appreciate how McQuiston plays with classic romance tropes and weaves a compelling story, I could just never connect to it.
Romance books are truly all about the characters and so when the characters fall short it just ends up being a wholly disappointing book. I could not stand the circles the main two characters went in, the miscommunication, the complaining-about-being-from-rich-families. So frustrating! I have no empathy!
I don't honestly have that much to say. I didn't absolutely hate it, but I most certainly didn't like it. I just kind of have a 'it's over, good, I can read something else' feeling, which isn't really a feeling I want to have when I've just finished a book. If it sounds interesting to you you might like it, but I don't know, this one seems to be missing the sweet spot for a lot of people, unfortunately.
Thank you Macmillan for an arc.
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
The Ending Fire by Saara El-Arifi
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.25
3.25/5
They say the Zalaam have come to conquer. But conquer what, I ask? For they will not overcome the land or the seas, or the rivers or the trees.
And they will not take you or me.
For we live in stories.
And words and memories.
I've had my ups and downs with this series. I thought the first book was okay and held promise, I thought the second book was very good and I've just completed the third and final book. It turns out that I'm not as utterly enamoured with it as most people seem to be, but I have enjoyed it.
This epic conclusion thoroughly disappointed me, however. Maybe I've fallen out of love with the aspects I did like, maybe I've grown tired of it? But I think my problems with this book stem from a little more than simple, personal dislikes.
The best part of this series, the best character by far, is Hassa. I've always adored Hassa, and every element of her narrative and perspective. The Battle Drum is also my favourite of the trilogy because of how prevalent she is.
I thought in this conclusion she was vastly underutilised. I wanted to see so much more of her, to hit the emotional impact far harder, to focus on everything this ending meant for the Ghostings in a much more personal way. Hassa's voice is so unique and intriguing, she's the perfect character to follow. I wish we had stayed with her a little longer.
Anoor, in particular, really bugged me this book. I've never been much of a fan of Anoor's character, but that's just a matter of opinion. My problem in this book was with how she was written.
I couldn't for the life of me understand how she was flip-flopping across beliefs and moralities that were so immensely different so quickly. It was absurd and I could never buy into it, it pulled me out of the story incessantly. There was such a lack of internal conflict it was unbelievable.
I found the character's actions very strange across the board. There was a lot of all-consuming love, and I know 'love makes you stupid,' but I am on my hands and knees begging these characters to make smarter decisions. I caught myself rolling my eyes and groaning an awful lot. (It's difficult to go into anything without spoiling something as this is the last book in the trilogy.)
I also thought that the characters were played more like chess pieces than real people, and that was why their actions felt so stiff or inevitably useless. They were in a place so we could see the place, they were with a character so we could gain insight into the character. It forced me to extend my suspended disbelief until I could no longer buy into it. It didn't feel like any of our main characters actually had a large impact on the story, they weren't the ones propelling it forwards, and that made everything feel very wooden.
It just didn't seem like the components of the story were moving as one well-oiled machine. It felt anti-climactic, not because of the actual action taking place, but because of the lack of emotional resolution. I actually enjoyed the end of the story a lot, I loved how we kept shifting perspectives, it echoed very well the stress and conflicting experiences on a battlefield. But I still felt as though there were things that hadn't been sufficiently wrapped up, emotional beats that hadn't quite been fulfilled. It left me wanting a lot more closure.
Overall, I'm just left with a vague feeling of disappointment. I don't mean to be so negative, but my frustrations with the book only seemed to grow as I read on. I don't think El-Arifi's works are for me, I've read a fair amount of books by her now and I think I can safely say that.
I'm so glad that other people seem to enjoy her works a lot more than I do, it's a shame I don't feel the same!
Thank you HarperVoyager for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
They say the Zalaam have come to conquer. But conquer what, I ask? For they will not overcome the land or the seas, or the rivers or the trees.
And they will not take you or me.
For we live in stories.
And words and memories.
I've had my ups and downs with this series. I thought the first book was okay and held promise, I thought the second book was very good and I've just completed the third and final book. It turns out that I'm not as utterly enamoured with it as most people seem to be, but I have enjoyed it.
This epic conclusion thoroughly disappointed me, however. Maybe I've fallen out of love with the aspects I did like, maybe I've grown tired of it? But I think my problems with this book stem from a little more than simple, personal dislikes.
The best part of this series, the best character by far, is Hassa. I've always adored Hassa, and every element of her narrative and perspective. The Battle Drum is also my favourite of the trilogy because of how prevalent she is.
I thought in this conclusion she was vastly underutilised. I wanted to see so much more of her, to hit the emotional impact far harder, to focus on everything this ending meant for the Ghostings in a much more personal way. Hassa's voice is so unique and intriguing, she's the perfect character to follow. I wish we had stayed with her a little longer.
Anoor, in particular, really bugged me this book. I've never been much of a fan of Anoor's character, but that's just a matter of opinion. My problem in this book was with how she was written.
I couldn't for the life of me understand how she was flip-flopping across beliefs and moralities that were so immensely different so quickly. It was absurd and I could never buy into it, it pulled me out of the story incessantly. There was such a lack of internal conflict it was unbelievable.
I found the character's actions very strange across the board. There was a lot of all-consuming love, and I know 'love makes you stupid,' but I am on my hands and knees begging these characters to make smarter decisions. I caught myself rolling my eyes and groaning an awful lot. (It's difficult to go into anything without spoiling something as this is the last book in the trilogy.)
I also thought that the characters were played more like chess pieces than real people, and that was why their actions felt so stiff or inevitably useless. They were in a place so we could see the place, they were with a character so we could gain insight into the character. It forced me to extend my suspended disbelief until I could no longer buy into it. It didn't feel like any of our main characters actually had a large impact on the story, they weren't the ones propelling it forwards, and that made everything feel very wooden.
It just didn't seem like the components of the story were moving as one well-oiled machine. It felt anti-climactic, not because of the actual action taking place, but because of the lack of emotional resolution. I actually enjoyed the end of the story a lot, I loved how we kept shifting perspectives, it echoed very well the stress and conflicting experiences on a battlefield. But I still felt as though there were things that hadn't been sufficiently wrapped up, emotional beats that hadn't quite been fulfilled. It left me wanting a lot more closure.
Overall, I'm just left with a vague feeling of disappointment. I don't mean to be so negative, but my frustrations with the book only seemed to grow as I read on. I don't think El-Arifi's works are for me, I've read a fair amount of books by her now and I think I can safely say that.
I'm so glad that other people seem to enjoy her works a lot more than I do, it's a shame I don't feel the same!
Thank you HarperVoyager for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0