Scan barcode
ambivia's reviews
57 reviews
The Butcher of Anderson Station by James S.A. Corey
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
love seeing more of Fred's story!
book club thoughts:
book club thoughts:
his numb legs symbolising how he feels frozen by guilt and grief and frustration, and it keeps returning to that. also links to how earth used him like a pawn, a symbol, without his permission or knowledge - like they took his legs from him, his power over himself or his direction. 'if he got stabbed it would feel like watching it happen to someone else' - he's so dissassociated from himself. the final line being about him working the 'agony' out from his legs - he has direction again, and he must pass through the pain to follow it
the brutal gut punch of anderson dawes, and him continuously returning to how he isn't wasteful. dawes in the tv show is one of my favourite castings so he's a fave character of mine. without giving away too much, was fascinating to see what they kept and what they changed in adapting him to screen
thinking of the final line of of leviathan wakes, the epilogue from fred where he talks about symbols, about how even if it's a nice idea to be true to the messy reality of a person using them as a symbol (miller in this case) is just more efficient, and always more likely to work. and you think he's being a dick, or powerhungry, or ruthlessly practical. but it's something he learned through experience. anderson dawes literally telling him to become the best symbol the belt has. he knows it because he is it.
anderson being called anderson... chef's kiss...
okay but also need to talk about the actual plot. holy fuck. just.. holy fuck.
Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton
4.0
The writing is punchy and intentionally sinister. The book is very different from the movie — much more horror genre, much less awe and majesty — and I think that's a good thing. It's easier to convey the fear and horror of being trapped on an island with monsters you don't know anything about than the amazing visual of a sauropod or a tyrannosaur. But because of that, the dinosaurs did definitely feel more like monsters and less like animals; and while this was intentional, I personally wasn't a huge fan of that. Although I could also see it as being because they were genetically engineered and not 'authentic' dinosaurs at all.
While I really did enjoy reading it, there are some glaring issues. The characters (the women especially) aren't very fleshed out at all — it's clear that the author was interested in the greater ideas and themes of the story rather than the characters he was writing. And on this topic, there are a few sections where characters (Dr Malcolm being especially guilty of this) go on meandering preachy lectures about man's reach exceeding his grasp, which got old very quickly. Hammond comes across as a stereotypical unbelievable villain doing things purely for the power trip of it, and the ending felt a bit rushed (although I wonder if that's because the movie's climax is just so brilliant).
Still, with that said, it's a thrilling read, and a fun look at a darker version of my favourite film. I love dinosaurs. And I love books about dinosaurs. :)
While I really did enjoy reading it, there are some glaring issues. The characters (the women especially) aren't very fleshed out at all — it's clear that the author was interested in the greater ideas and themes of the story rather than the characters he was writing. And on this topic, there are a few sections where characters (Dr Malcolm being especially guilty of this) go on meandering preachy lectures about man's reach exceeding his grasp, which got old very quickly. Hammond comes across as a stereotypical unbelievable villain doing things purely for the power trip of it, and the ending felt a bit rushed (although I wonder if that's because the movie's climax is just so brilliant).
Still, with that said, it's a thrilling read, and a fun look at a darker version of my favourite film. I love dinosaurs. And I love books about dinosaurs. :)
Reasons to Stay Alive by Matt Haig
2.0
I listened to the audiobook, which the author narrates. I understand what this book was trying to do in spreading awareness of anxiety disorder (or mental illness in general? but it didn't really go into much beyond anxiety and depression) but to me it came across to me as mostly self-indulgent? Quite surface level and very forgettable.
I didn't give it one star though because there were some moments I liked. When the author phoned it in to just his own experience, and spoke personally about what he went through, how it felt, and especially his relationship with Andrea, his then girlfriend (now wife), it read as genuine and heartfelt. I wish there had been a lot more introspection and fewer lists and inspirational quotes. I also think this easily could have been a blog post, to be honest; it did not feel substantial enough to be a whole book.
I didn't give it one star though because there were some moments I liked. When the author phoned it in to just his own experience, and spoke personally about what he went through, how it felt, and especially his relationship with Andrea, his then girlfriend (now wife), it read as genuine and heartfelt. I wish there had been a lot more introspection and fewer lists and inspirational quotes. I also think this easily could have been a blog post, to be honest; it did not feel substantial enough to be a whole book.
The Apology by V (formerly Eve Ensler), V (formerly Eve Ensler)
5.0
In-depth exploration of abuse and trauma. It gave me a lot of food for thought, and hit a personal chord, hence the rating.
To Kill a Kingdom by Alexandra Christo
4.0
I love enemies to lovers so I was confident that I was going to enjoy this story. The lore is fun and interesting, creating a fantasy world that I would be happy to spend more exploring. I loved the glimpses of siren society and wish we'd gotten to see more of it. The characters were both likable, although there were times where I thought they (especially Elian) were trying a bit too hard to be edgy and cool and gritty.
I definitely would have liked a thicker middle to the story so we had more time to watch the characters fall for each other. I believed in their bond, but I'm not sure I bought that they were both willing to risk their lives and more for it — so more of a focus on the slow burn between them as they slowly built trust for one another would have bumped the rating up.
Still, this was a really fun read. I'm picky with het romance and YA, and that I enjoyed this book despite that says a lot to its quality. :)
I definitely would have liked a thicker middle to the story so we had more time to watch the characters fall for each other. I believed in their bond, but I'm not sure I bought that they were both willing to risk their lives and more for it — so more of a focus on the slow burn between them as they slowly built trust for one another would have bumped the rating up.
Still, this was a really fun read. I'm picky with het romance and YA, and that I enjoyed this book despite that says a lot to its quality. :)
Animal Farm by George Orwell
4.0
I enjoyed Animal Farm more than 1984, but both were really interesting. I thought I'd be thinking more about them having finished them, especially 1984, but perhaps because I knew what they were both about, and Orwell's dystopian vision of the future has become the bedrock of so much of modern dystopian storytelling, it was sort of like seeing the ingredients for a dish I've already eaten?
The ending for 1984 affected me a lot more than I expected it to. What a gut punch. Actually, I could say the same for Animal Farm; because I thought I knew exactly what was going to happen, having even studied this period of history, and yet when we last see Boxer, I was really upset for him!
All in all, I can see why we're still obsessed with Orwell. For books that were written decades ago, his ideas still feel shockingly and perhaps frighteningly modern.
The ending for 1984 affected me a lot more than I expected it to. What a gut punch. Actually, I could say the same for Animal Farm; because I thought I knew exactly what was going to happen, having even studied this period of history, and yet when we last see Boxer, I was really upset for him!
All in all, I can see why we're still obsessed with Orwell. For books that were written decades ago, his ideas still feel shockingly and perhaps frighteningly modern.
1984 by George Orwell
4.0
3.5 stars. I enjoyed Animal Farm more than 1984, but both were really interesting. I thought I'd be thinking more about them having finished them, especially 1984, but perhaps because I knew what they were both about, and Orwell's dystopian vision of the future has become the bedrock of so much of modern dystopian storytelling, it was sort of like seeing the ingredients for a dish I've already eaten?
The ending for 1984 affected me a lot more than I expected it to. What a gut punch. Actually, I could say the same for Animal Farm; because I thought I knew exactly what was going to happen, having even studied this period of history, and yet when we last see Boxer, I was really upset for him!
All in all, I can see why we're still obsessed with Orwell. For books that were written decades ago, his ideas still feel shockingly and perhaps frighteningly modern.
The ending for 1984 affected me a lot more than I expected it to. What a gut punch. Actually, I could say the same for Animal Farm; because I thought I knew exactly what was going to happen, having even studied this period of history, and yet when we last see Boxer, I was really upset for him!
All in all, I can see why we're still obsessed with Orwell. For books that were written decades ago, his ideas still feel shockingly and perhaps frighteningly modern.
Astrophysics for People in a Hurry by Neil deGrasse Tyson
5.0
4.5 stars. Accessibly written, incredibly interesting, and existentially affirming in a way only astronomy can be. I was so excited to be reading this book that I didn't want to put the audiobook down. I learned so much — about the space between galaxies, which I had no idea was as deadly as it was; about the formation of particles and matter in those crucial first moments of the big bang; and especially about dark matter and dark energy, which I'm so glad I have some understanding of now because they seemed very scary mysterious concepts before — and Tyson's narration helped with that. He narrates the audiobook as if he might be having a conversation with you, or giving an intimate lecture for just a few people. My favourite part of the book is the last chapter, The Cosmic Perspective, where he takes a break from exploring these big astrophysical concepts to ground that knowledge to Earth and its people.
The premise of the book — making the intriguing and intimidating subject of astrophysics more accessible or those who haven't had the time or privilege to study the science — is one that really resonates with me. And I appreciate that the author did mention that as important as he thinks it is for humanity to continue studying astrophysics, he also mentions that those who can are in very privileged positions to be able to do so (see quotation). The majority of humanity is suffering from poverty — a sobering reminder, considering that thinking about the cosmos makes us all seem so connected and similar, and that we are infinitely more alike than we are different each and every one of us.
I would recommend this for anyone interested in learning more about our place in the cosmos. The audiobook in particular made for a cosy afternoon of awestruck exploration among the stars.
The cosmic perspective not only embraces our genetic kinship with all life on Earth but also values our chemical kinship with any yet-to-be discovered life in the universe, as well as our atomic kinship with the universe itself.
The premise of the book — making the intriguing and intimidating subject of astrophysics more accessible or those who haven't had the time or privilege to study the science — is one that really resonates with me. And I appreciate that the author did mention that as important as he thinks it is for humanity to continue studying astrophysics, he also mentions that those who can are in very privileged positions to be able to do so (see quotation). The majority of humanity is suffering from poverty — a sobering reminder, considering that thinking about the cosmos makes us all seem so connected and similar, and that we are infinitely more alike than we are different each and every one of us.
“The four most common, chemically active elements in the universe—hydrogen, oxygen, carbon, and nitrogen—are the four most common elements of life on Earth, with carbon serving as the foundation of biochemistry. We do not simply live in this universe. The universe lives within us.”
I would recommend this for anyone interested in learning more about our place in the cosmos. The audiobook in particular made for a cosy afternoon of awestruck exploration among the stars.
We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
1.0
This essay contained nothing that I think is not already in the social consciousness for anyone who would find their way to this book in the first place. It's very short — I listened to the audiobook, which the author narrates at a leisurely pace, and even that came short of an hour. I was very excited to read as the perspective of a Nigerian woman is not one commonly seen in white-woman-dominated mainstream feminist literature; but this essay is very surface level, so much so that I didn't gain anything from reading it.
Most importantly, though, is that this book is very trans-exclusionary and thinks only in a gender = biological sex binary (while also, of course, excluding intersex people from the conversation). Upon research, I wasn't surprised to learn that author herself is a TERF, having publicly defended JKR's transphobic essay, as well as made transphobic statements herself.
I have no interest in a feminism that is not intersectional. And while I am glad to see voices of women of colour raised in the conversation, trans women are an essential part of the feminism discussion, and frankly I'm so disappointed that I was recommended this by so many people who never once mentioned its transphobia.
Most importantly, though, is that this book is very trans-exclusionary and thinks only in a gender = biological sex binary (while also, of course, excluding intersex people from the conversation). Upon research, I wasn't surprised to learn that author herself is a TERF, having publicly defended JKR's transphobic essay, as well as made transphobic statements herself.
I have no interest in a feminism that is not intersectional. And while I am glad to see voices of women of colour raised in the conversation, trans women are an essential part of the feminism discussion, and frankly I'm so disappointed that I was recommended this by so many people who never once mentioned its transphobia.
Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin
2.0
Predictable and linear, ridiculous, meandering and overly long, contradicts its own rules of worldbuilding whenever its convenient, with little consistent characterisation, and some utterly cringe-inducing scenes that I think were trying to be funny?
A few scenes — namely, any where the plot and worldbuilding could be ignored, and the main love interest Reid pulled his head out of his ass long enough to not act offended by everyhting on the planet — did end up making me smile or squee. Because the premise is cute, and I'm such a total sucker for enemies to lovers, and they did have some cute moments. Like, maybe three. At a push. Still not enough to make me feel like the 14 hour audiobook was in any way worth it (even while listening at double speed!) when I could have watched Godzilla vs Kong 7 times instead.
Okay, now here's a spoilerful list of observations I started writing in the last third of the book as my incredulity grew.
• They play twenty questions like this is suddenly some sort of speed dating montage. Genuinely, all of the falling in love happens over the same chapter, and feels like a rom-com sped up cutesy song montage. The book cannot focus on more than one thing and it comes across as the most linear simplistic predictable storytelling ever.
• If you're gonna write a story about oppressed dehumanised people fighting for their rights, but they're being 'too extreme' about it... You really had better work to make that story nuanced and believable and heartfelt. This didn't. Don't even get me started on the main character's best friend, a black witch called Coco.
• Ah! The inherent romance of trying to convince a man in a position of power that you're a human being rather than lesser creature inflicted upon this world to be eradicated!! At one point he calls her 'she' instead of 'it' and apparently it's this massive romantic gesture and a sign of his love for her? lmao
• Characters just care about what they're meant to as its convenient to the author! For example, Reid could not give less of a fuck about his mother (going so far as to say he doesn't have one to her face just to hurt her), and — I am not joking — the very next chapter, his mother gets stabbed and he's like "No!!! One of the only two women that I need most!" Girl make up your mind???
• They really sang Big Tiddy Liddy to make the bad guys too confused to attack them, huh. It hurts.
• On that note, why the hell is the prince here? I feel like it's purely to set up some sort of love triangle for the sequel between him, Coco, and Ansel? I was so confused that he was here that I had to rewind and listen again because it genuinely felt like he appeared out of fucking nowhere. He has almost no stake in this, but he goes along with this big plan with a bunch of strangers becaaaause...??
• You can tell while reading that the author really tried to make the leader witch seem more evil and crazy and like ExTrEmE by bringing along the next as evil person, the Arch Bishop, and having him act super out of character and like appalled by her actions and not so evil anymore. Consistent characterisation who
• Did Reid really manifest witch powers at the end without any warning to save the day......... *groans*
• Coco knew the way out at the end even though she's never been here before and went to lengths to establish that before they arrived? Now I'm nitpicking, but it's just to really drive home the fact that nothing in this story bothers to make sense unless its convenient to it. It doesn't care at all about its own worldbuilding rules, which makes it feel like a waste of time and effort to try get invested in the world at all.
All in all, I was not a fan. And yet, I strangely did not hate it. Despite its MANIFOLD flaws, it was kind of enjoyable in the end. Still, would absolutely not recommend.
A few scenes — namely, any where the plot and worldbuilding could be ignored, and the main love interest Reid pulled his head out of his ass long enough to not act offended by everyhting on the planet — did end up making me smile or squee. Because the premise is cute, and I'm such a total sucker for enemies to lovers, and they did have some cute moments. Like, maybe three. At a push. Still not enough to make me feel like the 14 hour audiobook was in any way worth it (even while listening at double speed!) when I could have watched Godzilla vs Kong 7 times instead.
Okay, now here's a spoilerful list of observations I started writing in the last third of the book as my incredulity grew.
Spoiler
• So Reid gives Lou this ring that he was found clutching as a baby orphan inside a rubbish bin (obligatory tragic backstory involving potentially 'despicable' mother figure: check), calling it a wedding ring, right after they bang. The very next scene, they start walking back from where they did it to where they live, and run into the owner of a brothel who recognises his ring, and suddenly Lou is like "she has his eyes, how didn't I notice this ever before?" like bitch I don't know, how didn't you?• They play twenty questions like this is suddenly some sort of speed dating montage. Genuinely, all of the falling in love happens over the same chapter, and feels like a rom-com sped up cutesy song montage. The book cannot focus on more than one thing and it comes across as the most linear simplistic predictable storytelling ever.
• If you're gonna write a story about oppressed dehumanised people fighting for their rights, but they're being 'too extreme' about it... You really had better work to make that story nuanced and believable and heartfelt. This didn't. Don't even get me started on the main character's best friend, a black witch called Coco.
• Ah! The inherent romance of trying to convince a man in a position of power that you're a human being rather than lesser creature inflicted upon this world to be eradicated!! At one point he calls her 'she' instead of 'it' and apparently it's this massive romantic gesture and a sign of his love for her? lmao
• Characters just care about what they're meant to as its convenient to the author! For example, Reid could not give less of a fuck about his mother (going so far as to say he doesn't have one to her face just to hurt her), and — I am not joking — the very next chapter, his mother gets stabbed and he's like "No!!! One of the only two women that I need most!" Girl make up your mind???
• They really sang Big Tiddy Liddy to make the bad guys too confused to attack them, huh. It hurts.
• On that note, why the hell is the prince here? I feel like it's purely to set up some sort of love triangle for the sequel between him, Coco, and Ansel? I was so confused that he was here that I had to rewind and listen again because it genuinely felt like he appeared out of fucking nowhere. He has almost no stake in this, but he goes along with this big plan with a bunch of strangers becaaaause...??
• You can tell while reading that the author really tried to make the leader witch seem more evil and crazy and like ExTrEmE by bringing along the next as evil person, the Arch Bishop, and having him act super out of character and like appalled by her actions and not so evil anymore. Consistent characterisation who
• Did Reid really manifest witch powers at the end without any warning to save the day......... *groans*
• Coco knew the way out at the end even though she's never been here before and went to lengths to establish that before they arrived? Now I'm nitpicking, but it's just to really drive home the fact that nothing in this story bothers to make sense unless its convenient to it. It doesn't care at all about its own worldbuilding rules, which makes it feel like a waste of time and effort to try get invested in the world at all.
All in all, I was not a fan. And yet, I strangely did not hate it. Despite its MANIFOLD flaws, it was kind of enjoyable in the end. Still, would absolutely not recommend.