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mcicenia's reviews
31 reviews
The Deep by Rivers Solomon
dark
emotional
reflective
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
again i’m in a bind in how to review a book. the premise and exploration of generational trauma is incredible. afrofuturism is a beautiful genre and rivers solomon is certainly one of my favorite authors in this genre. the only issue i had with this novel was that sometimes solomon spelled things out super directly, specifically with the scene between oori and yetu near the end of the novel. i think the brevity of the book meant there was a lack of development between these two characters and thus much of their conversations fell short of my expectations. that being said, i did particularly enjoy how oori represented liberation, and how yetus conversations with her allowed her to evolve and process her trauma.
Sordidez by E.G. Condé
challenging
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
wonderful, gorgeous, lovely. i unfortunately did not realize there was a glossary until after i finished the book which was disappointing because had i been using it this probably would’ve been a five star read for me.
anyways, this was another beautiful exploration of colonialism and how traditional western politics continues to exclude indigenous voices. my favorite genre of book is one that criticizes the united states (although this book criticizes more broadly than a singular country), so i enjoyed having the opportunity to educate myself on u.s. imperialism has stifled indigenous and latin culture. i especially enjoyed that this criticism was delivered through near-future dystopia - i think its an incisive and apt method to illustrate what the world already looks like for the oppressed through a lens that almost mocks the inability of oppressors to see the damage they’re causing.
i obviously could talk a lot about this book so i’ll leave off with final notes. this book didn’t carry a lot of queer themes. one of the main characters was trans, but his journey isn’t really expanded upon given the shortness of the novel. that’s not a bad thing, but i wouldn’t recommend this as a queer/trans book to anyone.
anyways, this was another beautiful exploration of colonialism and how traditional western politics continues to exclude indigenous voices. my favorite genre of book is one that criticizes the united states (although this book criticizes more broadly than a singular country), so i enjoyed having the opportunity to educate myself on u.s. imperialism has stifled indigenous and latin culture. i especially enjoyed that this criticism was delivered through near-future dystopia - i think its an incisive and apt method to illustrate what the world already looks like for the oppressed through a lens that almost mocks the inability of oppressors to see the damage they’re causing.
i obviously could talk a lot about this book so i’ll leave off with final notes. this book didn’t carry a lot of queer themes. one of the main characters was trans, but his journey isn’t really expanded upon given the shortness of the novel. that’s not a bad thing, but i wouldn’t recommend this as a queer/trans book to anyone.
A Minor Chorus by Billy-Ray Belcourt
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
gorgeous. the prose is other worldly. an incredible insight into grief, indigiqueerness, and the multitude of ways colonization continues to devastate indigenous communities.
a really quick read, less than 200 pages and fast paced. i would recommend this to pretty much anyone, but would keep in mind that the language isn’t super accessible. there’s a lot of academic jargon, but for me that was okay.
a really quick read, less than 200 pages and fast paced. i would recommend this to pretty much anyone, but would keep in mind that the language isn’t super accessible. there’s a lot of academic jargon, but for me that was okay.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Racism, and Colonisation
Moderate: Addiction and Alcoholism
Monstrilio by Gerardo Sámano Córdova
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-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? Yes
4.25
Gorgeous, beautiful. What an incredible exploration of grief and queerness. I particularly enjoyed the last section. I can’t quite give it 5 stars just because I found myself at times forcing myself through certain portions.
Briefly, A Delicious Life by Nell Stevens
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
“And when I tell this story you might think, Weren’t you just a lovelorn hanger-on, clinging to people who were more interesting and more alive than you, just to feel something? To which I’d say, Oh, yes, absolutely.”
Oh boy, this book was gorgeous. I’ve really been enjoying these fictionalized versions of historical figures, and this one is probably my favorite. the chapters were separated into three different povs, and frankly i found that it worked incredibly well and resulted in a beautifully woven story. the conclusion of the story was a perfect tribute to life.
Oh boy, this book was gorgeous. I’ve really been enjoying these fictionalized versions of historical figures, and this one is probably my favorite. the chapters were separated into three different povs, and frankly i found that it worked incredibly well and resulted in a beautifully woven story. the conclusion of the story was a perfect tribute to life.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Pedophilia, Medical content, and Pregnancy
The Ballad of Jacquotte Delahaye by Briony Cameron
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I’m so conflicted about this book. i really enjoyed the premise and exploration of found family. the action scenes were well written and enticing! unfortunately i don’t think the novel was super well written. while some parts (like the action scenes) were interesting and exciting, much of the book felt like a middle school creative writing assignment. the plot was pretty easily predicted and followed traditional tropes, which didn’t make it a real page turner for me. a lot of the social commentary was redundant and read kind of like it was intended for a young adult audience.
that being said, i did really enjoy the concept of fictionalizing a historical figure as interesting as this one. the romances were well written and i particularly enjoyed the foil between the attitudes of the crew and all others towards queer romance.
that being said, i did really enjoy the concept of fictionalizing a historical figure as interesting as this one. the romances were well written and i particularly enjoyed the foil between the attitudes of the crew and all others towards queer romance.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Racism, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
The Oleander Sword by Tasha Suri
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
pretty good ! not super satisfied with the ending but obviously that’s the way it should be in a series. the queer love is getting much better than the first book and i’m excited to see how it ends.
Frankissstein by Jeanette Winterson
challenging
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
It hurts to have to rate this the way i did. it was a really interesting concept, and i was really excited to read a frankenstein retelling, but much of it was lost for me in the harmful tropes used for the trans character.
The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
kinda confusing, kinda long, but overall slay.
Buffalo is the New Buffalo by Chelsea Vowel
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Exceptional book. I really appreciate that Vowel took the time to write sort of explanations for her stories as well as a very informative prelude. it was the perfect amount of information that let me hear native voices while also having to do my own research and educate myself. this was a really profound and nuanced insight into indigenous futurism and intersectionality in native communities. id recommend this book to anyone (required reading) but especially to those looking for speculative stories and to diversify their reads.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Minor: Alcoholism, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide, Xenophobia, Vomit, Alcohol, and Classism