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leitnerkev's reviews
676 reviews
Palimpsest by Catherynne M. Valente
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
As is too often a case with me after reading Valente, I honestly couldn't tell you what happened. Her prise is so gorgeous and clearly poetic but I really was lost, really just listened all the way through for the prose and the vibe. With echoes of Erin Morgenstern, Shadow of the Wind, and The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, Palimpsest is enjoyable for the vibe alone, even though I lost thr plot early and never really regained it.
Skullsworn by Brian Staveley
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The world of the Unhewn Throne is just great. This story is a good addition to the lore. It's a story about death and it is a bit philosophical for that, maybe more so than other fantasy stories. It is without a doubt about place, the city of Dombag and the Delta more so, The Land as the locals call it. And that's to Staveleys credit as he's clearly fascinated with this civilization on on the edge , on the frontier of wildness and savagery of nature. And I agree w him it's compelling and interesting, this setting- and his stories are stronger because of the vividness of the place in which they take place.
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
4.0
This book is as good as the hype says it is. It's an emotional journey, at times frustrating, exhilarating, redemptive, and ultimately, worth it. The characters are real, portrayed honestly with flaws and weaknesses, and if you've ever craved authenticity in your relationships, you'll love the interactions between the protagonists.
The Terraformers by Annalee Newitz
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Ultimately this book was a bit of a let-down. It was a generations-spanning epic even though the central storyline could have been told in 1 generation, rather than across centuries and multiple characters. This was a unique way to tell the story so I appreciated that but the downside is you lose out on characters you get attached to as they faded away due to time, rather than them being the ones to move the plot forward. The point though is well made, that the battle for dignity and rights against money and soulless corporate interests is never-ending and must be taken up by future generations. Even victors (the Treaty for Spider-city) was not permanent.
I did have high hopes but ultimately felt the storyline was manufactured rather than authentic, a not-even-thinly-veiled polemic for human dignity against corporate money and the evilness of corporate ownership of land and people's homes. A message I happen to vibe with so that wasn't my issue it just seemed it was a story of rent control placed in a space setting.
The idea of the Great Bargain - sentience and human rights for all presenting types of lifeforms (including moose, earthworms, naked molerats, etc) was well done, worthy of intelligent sf exploration.
I did have high hopes but ultimately felt the storyline was manufactured rather than authentic, a not-even-thinly-veiled polemic for human dignity against corporate money and the evilness of corporate ownership of land and people's homes. A message I happen to vibe with so that wasn't my issue it just seemed it was a story of rent control placed in a space setting.
The idea of the Great Bargain - sentience and human rights for all presenting types of lifeforms (including moose, earthworms, naked molerats, etc) was well done, worthy of intelligent sf exploration.
Stories of Your Life and Others by Ted Chiang
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Excellent set of stories. The storybof your life has such a great intellectual core that isn't really represented in the movie, Arrival.
Kindred by Octavia E. Butler
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
5.0
Ach, such an emotionally wrenching story. So good at exploring the issue of a class of cultures and the impossibility of expecting more of some. Rufus is tremendously frustrating and awful, ans Dana's forbearance and patience w him is supernatural. Given the heartbreak and struggle, you want the story to end (there's a chance at approx 75 through) to spare her the trauma. The ending though is as sterling as the rest of the narrative. Would be a tremendously educational book but the N word is ubiquitous throughout.
Aesop's Animals: The Science Behind the Fables by Jo Wimpenny
informative
medium-paced
4.0
Fascinating. Brilliant structure to compare animal characteristics we assume as natural, as taught to us through fables and stories with actual animal science. A great combo for ppl interested in animals but also love stories and books.
Daughter of Redwinter by Ed McDonald
adventurous
dark
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This is just ok. The prose is pretty good but I'm not sure the author felt inspired to write it. He made some odd choices: he isolated the main character all thru the story including the climax when the point of her story was feeling like she didn't belong with any family? Also Ulivar was a compelling character in the beginning with a great twist and motivation but then he shoves him out of the way for the entire second half of the novel. Weird choices as I say. Also it could have been epic with the gates and forbidden magic and the most interesting magical character was dismissed in the first couple chapters.