pandaintheshelves's reviews
116 reviews

 The way I gasped, giggled, screamed, and cried while reading this book... I wasn't ready for this! It was a fricking roller-coaster!! There were moments when I actively had to stop reading because I was overwhelmed (in a good way).

Since we had most of the world-building in The City of Brass, the story unravels at a faster pace. We see the characters grow, develop, and take sides in a slow-brewing war. They're so human, so flawed, so layered and morally grey. I... Fricking... LOVED IT!!

Some scenes felt a tad repetitive, that's why objectively I'd give the book 4.5 out of 5 stars, but I'm shamelessly rounding up to five stars because the reading experience was so good.

Can't wait to see what Empire of Gold has in storage for the conclusion of what has become one of my favourite trilogies ever. 

So, I recently dove into "Professional Lola" by E. P. Tuazon, and let me tell you, it was quite the ride. It's like it cracked open a window into Filipino-American culture and invited me in 😊

I was pleasantly surprised at how deeply some of the stories resonated with me. Coming from a culture with similar (and, at the same time different) dynamics, they felt like some of my own family/friends stories. 

But here's the kicker: it doesn't hold your hand through it all. There were moments when I had to hit up Google for some translations or cultural references, and yeah, a glossary at the end would've been nice. But you know what? I kinda liked it. It felt like the book was treating me like an adult, respecting my intelligence, and letting me figure things out on my own.

Now, let me tell you about the writing. It's beautiful, plain, and simple in a way that just pulls you in. Even if some of the plots didn't quite land for me, it made it worth the read.

I also gotta say some of the stories felt like they ended a bit abruptly, leaving me hanging like a cliffhanger in a Netflix series. But maybe that's on me. I haven't read short stories in a minute, so take this part with a grain of salt. 

In the end, "Professional Lola" is a wild ride through the complexities of Filipino-American life. It's got heart, humor, and just a touch of magic sprinkled in. It touches on deep themes like being LGBTQIA+ in a society steeped in tradition, family dynamics, grief, and even internalized racism. So, if you're looking for a book that's gonna make you think, make you feel, and maybe even make you laugh a little, this one's for you. Trust me, you won't regret it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Red Hen Press for providing me with a digital copy in exchange for an honest review.  

Thank you to NetGalley and Fantagraphics books for providing me with an early digital copy in exchange for an honest review. 

This book introduces us to a lineage of towering women named Anna, set against the backdrop of rural Germany. The story unfolds through a series of vignettes, offering glimpses into their lives and the challenges they face in asserting their identity and place in society. 

The graphic novel delves into themes of female empowerment and intergenerational trauma. 
With a minimalist comic book style, the artwork of 'Anna' employs expressive linework to evoke a sense of charm and isolation, at the same time. My favourite moment is the chapter depicting the women's collective fury atop a mountain peak. 

Overall, I'd give 'Anna' four stars. It's an interesting read with bold, provocative illustrations. It offers an intriguing exploration of resilience and defiance in the face of societal norms

4.5 🌟

A world filled with pirates, assassins, humor, and flying houses! What's not to love about that? Murder, gossip, tea, and conspiracies with its whimsical and funny tone, and a fresh take on the genre, make a delightful book. 

If you're a fan of dry, deadpan humor and campy vibes, this book is tailor-made for you.
 
Is it perfect? No. There were more than a few cringy moments. Since I try to make spoiler free reviews I won't give any details, but certain choices of the author were a tad questionable. 

Overall, it was a pleasurable reading experience, punctuated by moments of genuine laughter and leaving behind a satisfying aftertaste. Can't wait to dive into the rest of the series!

Also, can we just take a moment to appreciate that stunning cover art? Absolutely gorgeous!

Cute. So many ramen dishes! And now I'm hungry 😅

I gotta start saying this one was hard to read and even more difficult to review, but I'll try my best 🙌

💖 What I liked:

✨It was nice to read a book about a neurodivergent character with a first person POV. We are never told exactly what flavour of neurospicy the protagonist is, but from what is described I'm guessing autism.

✨ I enjoyed the insightful critique of the societal norms and peer pressure to conform. There was a powerful message there, concerning how we're expected to fill a certain mold, to perform at a certain level, at the cost of our mental and physical health sometimes 🥺

🥹 It was heartbreaking to read how she was losing herself in that process 😭 Watching her losing perspective of who she really was and what she really wanted was difficult, ngl. And how the world around her became more "accepting" the more she distanced herself from her wants and needs infuriated the heck out of me 😔

📚 What I missed (this is mostly based on my personal preferences, so take it with a grain of sault, please) 

🫂As a neurodivergent woman myself it's a bit tiring to only see autistic coded characters with an overwhelming lack of empathy when we know this is not (as we thought at some point) an inherent trait. Especially not in AFAB individuals, because most of us  are socialized differently (amongst many other factors). 

🤔Having said that, I understand neurodivergency and autism itself is part of a spectrum, and I'm not invalidating the author or anyone else's experience. I'm just saying it's the representation I've seen the most and I think this could have been a great opportunity to go in a different way🤔

🎁 Wrapping up:

🙏This book offers an opportunity to learn about how masking works and why is so useful and harmful at the same time when you're a neurodivergent person. It also has very funny moments and a hopeful and powerful message about embracing and loving yourself.

Thank you, NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for providing me with an advanced listening copy in exchange for an honest review.

So, here's the deal: if you enjoyed "What Moves the Dead," you'll want to read this book ASAP. While it might not quite reach the same level of eeriness, and goosebumps as What Moves the Dead it's still a... wild... ride... Also, disclaimer: while you can read it as a standalone I STRONGLY recommend you read the first one so you won't miss all the references and a lot of the character development.

I adored the narrator. Their voice is so on point with the story vibes! It has the "wise person" quality that I think fits perfectly with this kind of book. And the way they gave each character their voice and distinctive personality! I would love to hear more books narrated by them. 

Kingfisher's writing is so compelling. The way she describes everything makes you feel like you're right there in Easton's family hunting lodge. The creepy vibes were *chef's kiss*. And don't get me started on the dream sequences. It was like being there, inside Alex's brain, living the nightmares with them. Pure gold. 

I love we got to see more of the characters that endeared me in What Moves the Dead like witty Angus and mushroom-expert Miss Potter teaming up with Easton and bantering in what felt like very funny and wholesome moments. I particularly enjoyed getting to know Alex better, getting deeper into their war experiences and the way they processed their PTSD. One of the things I appreciate the most about Kingfisher's writing is the way she balances the more serious, spooky moments with dry humour and wittiness, without making dark scenes lose their essence or taking gravity from emotional ones.

I do gotta say, there were a few moments when the story felt like it lost its pace. And I didn't understand some of the choices the author made. Also, since I'm already being persnickety, I would have liked a bit more horror action. But hey, that's just me being greedy because I couldn't get enough of this world Kingfisher has created.

In the end, "What Feasts at Night" might not be perfect, but it's pretty darn close. If you're into gothic horror, spooky, atmospheric reads with a side of humor, do yourself a favour and dive into this book. Trust me, you won't regret it!

I came for the tea and the vampires. Stayed for the complex characters, the beautifully written world-building, and the twisty plot. 

In this book, Peaky Blinders meets Arthurian legends with a big chunk of political intrigue and a web of conspiracies. All wrapped in a tight bow with betrayals, found family, self-discovery and character growth. 

You will love "A Tempest of Tea" by Hafsah Faizal if you're a fan of:

✨ Fantasy and adventure
✨ Strong female protagonists
✨ Heists
✨ Vampire lore
✨ Beautifully written prose 
✨ Morally grey characters
✨ Clever dialogue

I particularly enjoyed the social commentary on colonialism shown in the parallels between this world and the British Empire. 

I'm all for stories unfolding slowly, especially those where the author puts a lot of time and energy into creating a complex world. So, if you're a faster-paced plot reader, keep that in mind this might be out of your comfort zone. 

This story starts strong, slows for a bit during the middle part, and then picks up the pace at the end. Also, be aware this is part of a series, therefore, we have (as expected) one heck of a cliffhanger. And I say "as expected" not only because it is the first book, but because the author has admitted she likes her readers to suffer. And while I am here for the pain (don't judge, we all have issues 😅) may be something to consider for people with different k... Tastes. Let's say tastes 😊

I also have to note that the romantic relationships felt a tad rushed, almost reaching instalove territory. It wasn't a big deal, because they're not at the front and center, and they are portrayed more like instalust which I found more believable and realistic. 

Those little details made it a 4.25 ✨ shamelessly rounded to 5 ✨ because, in the end, it was a great reading experience for me. I'll definitely be reading the second book when it gets published. 

I had so much fun listening to the audiobook. The narration was dynamic, and I particularly enjoyed the different accents; it was a very nice touch. The Q&A between the author and her husband at the end was interesting too. 

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced listening copy in exchange for an honest review. Expected publication date: February 20, 2024 
 

 I came in for the ghosts and stayed for the feelings.

This is a cute, bittersweet story about friendship, growth, grief, and loss. It approaches heavy themes like depression, losing a family member, and bullying, but it doesn't feel heavy. I particularly enjoyed the campy flavor of some of the conflicts. Melodrama is part of being a teenager, after all. 

It was a quick, easy reading. And the artwork is beautiful. Overall, an enjoyable experience.