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beansandrice's reviews
105 reviews
Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
The book is much more than just "lesbian necromancers in space." If you're a more sensitive reader, it could be worth checking some CWs on this one too, but wow is this a wild ride from start to finish.
Tamsyn Muir made a wave with this one that I think we'll be feeling for years to come. It's become an instant classic and new standard for sci-fi and queer fiction, and it 100% deserves that status.
Tamsyn Muir made a wave with this one that I think we'll be feeling for years to come. It's become an instant classic and new standard for sci-fi and queer fiction, and it 100% deserves that status.
On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong
emotional
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? No
5.0
Ocean Vuong is one of the best poets of our generation
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind: The Complete Series by Toren Smith, Hayao Miyazaki, David Lewis
adventurous
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I don't have words, just read it!!!!!! Or maybe watch the movie first. If you like the movie or the first chapter of the manga, keep going!!
Yokohama Kaidashi Kikou: Deluxe Edition 1 by Hitoshi Ashinano
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
One of the best post-post apocalypse stories ever written. Every edition only gets better and better.
FYI There's a naked woman character who leans into some typical manga voyeurism. There isn't a CW-tag for this unfortunately. It made me uncomfortable and was almost enough to knock this series out of 5/5 stars for me, but it still deserves the 5/5.
FYI There's a naked woman character who leans into some typical manga voyeurism. There isn't a CW-tag for this unfortunately. It made me uncomfortable and was almost enough to knock this series out of 5/5 stars for me, but it still deserves the 5/5.
Content Warnings
Voyeuristic nudity.
Aurora by Kim Stanley Robinson
adventurous
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
From the famous author of the Colonizing Mars books comes the book about why space colonization isn't something we should pursue in our lifetimes. I wouldn't recommend this as your first Robinson book. If you've liked his other stuff, you might like this too.
Tentacle by Rita Indiana
challenging
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This could've easily been 5/5, and it's sad it's not. A queer latin take on climate fiction, what more could I ask for? A less racist book :/
The African spiritual themes are treated as set-dressing, and black characters are treated terribly throughout the entire book, which makes the spiritual stuff feel appropriative. Even though near the endone of the characters of color says "damn isn't this racist?" it feels almost like a South Park take on racism: do something racist then say "damn that's racist!"
But on the plus side, it's still a great read. It's incredibly maximalist, and is one of the most unique pieces of climate fiction I've ever read. Is it worth it to make a better world if it's a world you can't live in? What would you be willing to do to live the life you've always wanted? I hope Rita Indiana has some introspection, then writes another book.
Last note, I read the English translation, but I'm not sure it's the strongest. There were some moments where I could tell what the original Spanish was and it was clear the English didn't hit the mark. If you want to read this and you can read Spanish, I'd recommend getting a Spanish copy.
The African spiritual themes are treated as set-dressing, and black characters are treated terribly throughout the entire book, which makes the spiritual stuff feel appropriative. Even though near the end
But on the plus side, it's still a great read. It's incredibly maximalist, and is one of the most unique pieces of climate fiction I've ever read. Is it worth it to make a better world if it's a world you can't live in? What would you be willing to do to live the life you've always wanted? I hope Rita Indiana has some introspection, then writes another book.
Last note, I read the English translation, but I'm not sure it's the strongest. There were some moments where I could tell what the original Spanish was and it was clear the English didn't hit the mark. If you want to read this and you can read Spanish, I'd recommend getting a Spanish copy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deadnaming, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, and Sexual assault
The Night Masquerade by Nnedi Okorafor
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
After how much I enjoyed the first two parts of Binti, this was unfortunately a disappointment. Still a 3/5 though cuz i still love Binti so much.