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ara's reviews
21 reviews
Loveboat, Taipei by Abigail Hing Wen
I really like Ever. I understand her on a personal level. I can’t say I relate to her story exactly, I’m not Chinese-American, nor am I a first-generation immigrant, and I am blessed to have parents who are very supportive and accommodating to my dreams. Yet, I really connected to her internal struggle. I know what it’s like to be bound by family responsibility. I too have parents that sacrificed everything for me to be afforded the best opportunities. And it is expected that I, in turn, make all their sacrifices worth it.
When Ever’s mother revealed she had sold her necklace for her ticket, I gasped. Because I could very well see my own mother doing something along those lines. When you have a parent that loves you that selflessly and fiercely, what can you do? You’re not going to bite the hand that gave you everything. No, you’re going to get on the plane and spend a summer in a foreign land even if you don’t want to.
And yeah some people are going to shake their heads and tsk,tsk. You have to stand up for yourself they’ll say. But those people do not understand. And there are times when you lose yourself. When every action is based on “what will my parents think?”. Even though it all came crashing down in the end, seeing Ever break free and do all the crazy things imaginable was a blast and a half. And the heart-to-heart she has with her father near the end had me on the brink of tears. Dare I say it was better than when Mulan came home.
What a sweetheart. His backstory really moved me, it’s another one of those cases where you never really know whose suffering or what people are sacrificing.The fact that he had to travel across the world for space to breathe is so heart-wrenching, and yet this is the reality that too many people live.
He was a bit mood swingy in the beginning, and I had my eyebrow raised. But he always came back and explained and apologized. Like mature people do. I couldn’t really find much fault with him, much to Ever and my annoyance. Hey I guess some men really are evolved.
The only thing I will say, because I refuse to let him get off scot-free, is I wish he had communicated better. I think he was a bit too vague and “mysterious” at times. He could have just told Ever Xavier had it out for her. I feel like a lot of problems got blown out of proportion because of lack of communication.
Sophie
Don’t like her, sorry not sorry. I’m all for brash mistakes, I’ve made a couple myself. But what Sophie did was not a mistake, she intentionally set out to hurt Ever. And I’m not saying what Ever did wasn’t wrong, it very much was, but she didn’t deserve that.
Not to mention, Sophie repeatedly took advantage of Ever’s trust.Sophie knew from the beginning Xavier liked Ever. Every time the two were alone together she found a way to interfere. And, to add insult to injury, she had Ever help her plan out Xavier’s meeting of her parents. Not only that, she took every opportunity to take a shot at Ever. She was very condescending. Textbook mean girl.
I understand why Ever chose to forgive her and move on, and I do believe Sophie regretted her actions. But I didn’t feel like her redemption was earned. The extent of her crime did not match the time. What she did was so awful and extreme, and she could have been a lot more remorseful.
For now, I hold a grudging respect for her, she has a lot stacked against her, and yet she does fairly well considering. I’m going to give her room to grow because I too am evolved. But I’m keeping one eye open🧐
Xavier
The verdict’s not out on this one. I don’t dislike him, but I don’t like him either. The fact is he led Sophie on, knowing full well he liked Ever. Which is wrong on so many levels. So much would have been avoided if he was upfront about how he felt.Instead he chose to use Sophie to get closer to Ever (I find it hard to believe he ever had true feelings for Sophie). Also, it’s never made clear why he liked Ever soooo much. His motivations were all kinda random. Personally, I’m not a fan of wishy-washy personalities, in real life or fiction. Like Sophie, there’s room for him to grow, so I’m not writing him off just yet.
adventurous
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Confession time: I didn’t expect to love this book as much as I did. I thought I was signing up for a fluffy feel-good fun romance, instead I got a coming-of-age story for the ages. Like woah🤯
I was told that this book was the YA Crazy Rich Asians. Now if you know me, you how much I love everything Kevin Kwan has written. However, after reading this book I must confer, this book is nothing like the CRA trilogy. It is quite entirely in a class of its own. If there is a need to simile this book to something, I would say it moreso Mulan (minus the war and Mushu) meets Mean Girls and When Dimple Met Rishi.
This story is very much character driven. The main conflict/resolution is very predictable. I saw it coming a mile away. Even though I knew what was going to happen, I still enjoyed seeing everything unfold. Seeing Ever clumsily navigate through a tornado of obstacles was so refreshingly. Too often in YA contemporary (esp. romances), I feel like solutions are come across too easily. There’s a conflict and then pow there’s a solution, all problems get solved and they all live happily ever after. In Loveboat, the consequences of the main conflict were obstacles that handicapped the main character until the end of the book. It was very messy and real and I loved every minute of it.
I was told that this book was the YA Crazy Rich Asians. Now if you know me, you how much I love everything Kevin Kwan has written. However, after reading this book I must confer, this book is nothing like the CRA trilogy. It is quite entirely in a class of its own. If there is a need to simile this book to something, I would say it moreso Mulan (minus the war and Mushu) meets Mean Girls and When Dimple Met Rishi.
This story is very much character driven. The main conflict/resolution is very predictable. I saw it coming a mile away. Even though I knew what was going to happen, I still enjoyed seeing everything unfold. Seeing Ever clumsily navigate through a tornado of obstacles was so refreshingly. Too often in YA contemporary (esp. romances), I feel like solutions are come across too easily. There’s a conflict and then pow there’s a solution, all problems get solved and they all live happily ever after. In Loveboat, the consequences of the main conflict were obstacles that handicapped the main character until the end of the book. It was very messy and real and I loved every minute of it.
Ever
I really like Ever. I understand her on a personal level. I can’t say I relate to her story exactly, I’m not Chinese-American, nor am I a first-generation immigrant, and I am blessed to have parents who are very supportive and accommodating to my dreams. Yet, I really connected to her internal struggle. I know what it’s like to be bound by family responsibility. I too have parents that sacrificed everything for me to be afforded the best opportunities. And it is expected that I, in turn, make all their sacrifices worth it.
When Ever’s mother revealed she had sold her necklace for her ticket, I gasped. Because I could very well see my own mother doing something along those lines. When you have a parent that loves you that selflessly and fiercely, what can you do? You’re not going to bite the hand that gave you everything. No, you’re going to get on the plane and spend a summer in a foreign land even if you don’t want to.
And yeah some people are going to shake their heads and tsk,tsk. You have to stand up for yourself they’ll say. But those people do not understand. And there are times when you lose yourself. When every action is based on “what will my parents think?”. Even though it all came crashing down in the end, seeing Ever break free and do all the crazy things imaginable was a blast and a half. And the heart-to-heart she has with her father near the end had me on the brink of tears. Dare I say it was better than when Mulan came home.
Rick
What a sweetheart. His backstory really moved me, it’s another one of those cases where you never really know whose suffering or what people are sacrificing.
He was a bit mood swingy in the beginning, and I had my eyebrow raised. But he always came back and explained and apologized. Like mature people do. I couldn’t really find much fault with him, much to Ever and my annoyance. Hey I guess some men really are evolved.
The only thing I will say, because I refuse to let him get off scot-free, is I wish he had communicated better. I think he was a bit too vague and “mysterious” at times. He could have just told Ever Xavier had it out for her. I feel like a lot of problems got blown out of proportion because of lack of communication.
Sophie
Don’t like her, sorry not sorry. I’m all for brash mistakes, I’ve made a couple myself. But what Sophie did was not a mistake, she intentionally set out to hurt Ever. And I’m not saying what Ever did wasn’t wrong, it very much was, but she didn’t deserve that.
Not to mention, Sophie repeatedly took advantage of Ever’s trust.
I understand why Ever chose to forgive her and move on, and I do believe Sophie regretted her actions. But I didn’t feel like her redemption was earned. The extent of her crime did not match the time. What she did was so awful and extreme, and she could have been a lot more remorseful.
For now, I hold a grudging respect for her, she has a lot stacked against her, and yet she does fairly well considering. I’m going to give her room to grow because I too am evolved. But I’m keeping one eye open🧐
Xavier
The verdict’s not out on this one. I don’t dislike him, but I don’t like him either. The fact is he led Sophie on, knowing full well he liked Ever. Which is wrong on so many levels. So much would have been avoided if he was upfront about how he felt.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Physical abuse, Self harm, and Sexual assault
Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
We all know the stereotype that is women in the horror genre, they’re either the damsel or the dimwit who makes all the dumbest decisions. Her being this supposed spoiled preppy debutante, I fully expected Noemí to be the latter. I was so prepared to shake my head as she made all the most obvious mistakes. But let me tell you, my girl broke the mold. Noemi Taboada is the gorgeous no-nonsense take-no-shit witty slick-talking manicured heroine we all deserve. I have never seen a main character so level-headed in a horror before. She made all the right decisions, granted she didn’t get all the best results. But as we all know mindset is key.
If there was ever someone to knowingly run into danger with, it is her.
Majority of the story takes place in the very obviously haunted mansion known as the High Place. I can’t explain it, but Moreno-Garcia has this fantastic way of transporting you into her world, even when you don’t want to be. The few times I put the book down I still found myself trapped in Noemí’s world. So, in the two days it took me to devour this book, there I was breathing the stale, frigid air. Walking the accursed, gloomy halls. I felt it on my skin and I hated every minute of it.
If there was anything I hated more than the High Place it was the family that lived there. The Doyles (minus Francis) are by far the most vile twisted bunch of people I have ever had the displeasure of encountering. The grandfather was the devil himself. Virgil was a sadistic creep. And Florence, I don’t know what she was but she was all wrong.
While there is a crucial supernatural element to this story, it didn’t terrify me nearly as much as the Doyles did. The toxic environment that they created was so intense and so unpredictable. I was at the edge of my seat from the moment Noemí arrived at the High Place to the last chapter.
At one point all I wanted was for Noemí to leave Katalina and save herself. I’m horrible I know I know. But there are times when ya gotta look out for numero uno. If I was Noemí I would outy 5000 after a week or so. But that circles back to why Noemí is someone I would knowingly run into danger with. And even though her future was technically on the line, she wasn’t self-motivated. She stayed true to her mission, she wasn’t leaving until she knew her cousin was okay.
Speaking of Katalina. I fully expected her to be this erratic damsel in distress. Quite the contrary, my girl got the finesse game on lock. I was very impressed with her character and backstory.
So many trippy twists and insane turns. Dios mío, I can’t express how much I enjoyed this book. Evert time I thought I had figured it all out, something else would happen and throw me completely off-trail. Magnifique in every way.
I could not be more excited for the adaptation. I hope Hulu stays true to the story.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
Once again we learned never trust rich white people in the middle of nowhere
When I tell you I legit screamed “get out” a good three times while reading this book.
I don’t know if it’s maturity, a need for adventure, or the current state of the world but recently I’ve been very dedicated to overcoming my aversion to the horror genre. So when I heard [author: Silvia Moreno Garcia] was writing a horror story set in 1950s Mexico, I was sold. All year I’ve indulged in classic horror stories. And without hesitance, I’ll say that this was the best.
When I tell you I legit screamed “get out” a good three times while reading this book.
I don’t know if it’s maturity, a need for adventure, or the current state of the world but recently I’ve been very dedicated to overcoming my aversion to the horror genre. So when I heard [author: Silvia Moreno Garcia] was writing a horror story set in 1950s Mexico, I was sold. All year I’ve indulged in classic horror stories. And without hesitance, I’ll say that this was the best.
Glamor Be Thy Name
We all know the stereotype that is women in the horror genre, they’re either the damsel or the dimwit who makes all the dumbest decisions. Her being this supposed spoiled preppy debutante, I fully expected Noemí to be the latter. I was so prepared to shake my head as she made all the most obvious mistakes. But let me tell you, my girl broke the mold. Noemi Taboada is the gorgeous no-nonsense take-no-shit witty slick-talking manicured heroine we all deserve. I have never seen a main character so level-headed in a horror before. She made all the right decisions, granted she didn’t get all the best results. But as we all know mindset is key.
If there was ever someone to knowingly run into danger with, it is her.
The House on the Hill
Majority of the story takes place in the very obviously haunted mansion known as the High Place. I can’t explain it, but Moreno-Garcia has this fantastic way of transporting you into her world, even when you don’t want to be. The few times I put the book down I still found myself trapped in Noemí’s world. So, in the two days it took me to devour this book, there I was breathing the stale, frigid air. Walking the accursed, gloomy halls. I felt it on my skin and I hated every minute of it.
The Weird White Family Also on the Hill
If there was anything I hated more than the High Place it was the family that lived there. The Doyles (minus Francis) are by far the most vile twisted bunch of people I have ever had the displeasure of encountering. The grandfather was the devil himself. Virgil was a sadistic creep. And Florence, I don’t know what she was but she was all wrong.
While there is a crucial supernatural element to this story, it didn’t terrify me nearly as much as the Doyles did. The toxic environment that they created was so intense and so unpredictable. I was at the edge of my seat from the moment Noemí arrived at the High Place to the last chapter.
The Two Taboadas
At one point all I wanted was for Noemí to leave Katalina and save herself. I’m horrible I know I know. But there are times when ya gotta look out for numero uno. If I was Noemí I would outy 5000 after a week or so. But that circles back to why Noemí is someone I would knowingly run into danger with. And even though her future was technically on the line, she wasn’t self-motivated. She stayed true to her mission, she wasn’t leaving until she knew her cousin was okay.
Speaking of Katalina. I fully expected her to be this erratic damsel in distress. Quite the contrary, my girl got the finesse game on lock. I was very impressed with her character and backstory.
The Plot
So many trippy twists and insane turns. Dios mío, I can’t express how much I enjoyed this book. Evert time I thought I had figured it all out, something else would happen and throw me completely off-trail. Magnifique in every way.
I could not be more excited for the adaptation. I hope Hulu stays true to the story.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault
War Girls by Tochi Onyebuchi
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Forest of a Thousand Lanterns by Julie C. Dao
My god. To start off I didn't even want to read this book. Never in my life have I liked Snow White. Ever. Nothing about her even slightly peaks my interest. So when I heard this was a retelling, my expectations for this book couldn't be lower. I was going through a dry spell where I couldn't find anything to read so I went ahead and picked it up. The setting really being the only reason I was willing to give it a chance.
The tricky thing about this book is it starts off really modest. We have Xifeng and she's with her aunt and they're watching the world go by. And you're like "ok this seems pretty decent". And then, BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! Everything kicks in. And you're off. You're breathing hard as you race through this fantastic world that Dao has fabricated. At the same time, there's a great mental journey at hand. As you journey through the hellfire with Xifeng and watch her growth.
Heart-wrenching action aside, this book delves surprisingly deep into the culture of women. Women are taught to hate each other's every success. And given all that we have to go through for the simplest of victories, it's so easy to stoop to envy and jealousy. Eventually we forget sight of what really important. Every woman in this book, whether she realized it or not, wanted nothing more than to be loved.
Song's (or was it Sung ? I can't remember her name😬) need for love was the hand of the emperor. Which explains her hate for the Empress. No matter how hard she fought she would always be second.
The Empress need for love came in the need to love a daughter.
Xifeng's sought to make her aunt proud, in hopes that she would finally receive the mother that was lost to her. Which is why she fought so hard to fulfill the destiny.
Even Guma, in the sick scheme of it all, wanted to give her niece the love she never received: a successful future.
Once I realized this, my perception changed. I couldn't go to the characters and direct caterogize bad/good. Every character, no matter how despicable, was simply a product of the world they lived in. A world deprived of love. So they spend their lives fighting for it, at any means.
And it's sad. And then you realize it's no different from the world you live in.
Another thing this book handle well is the disease of beauty. Beauty is everything in this world. To be ugly is thought worse than being dumb. Whenever Xifeng went into a frenzy over her face it really touched me. Somehow I genuinely understood what she was going through. As much as I'll like to think Xifeng's methods extreme, I honestly I don't think it's too far-fetched. If a study came tomorrow claiming that animal hearts made all beautiful, half of the animal kingdom would be extinct.
This book is true masterpiece. It truly shows how much time and heart Dao put into this. And her writing is absolutely gorgeous. I simply cannot wait for the next book.
adventurous
challenging
dark
sad
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Perfection is a disease of a nation. It's the soul that needs the surgery. ~ Beyonce
My god. To start off I didn't even want to read this book. Never in my life have I liked Snow White. Ever. Nothing about her even slightly peaks my interest. So when I heard this was a retelling, my expectations for this book couldn't be lower. I was going through a dry spell where I couldn't find anything to read so I went ahead and picked it up. The setting really being the only reason I was willing to give it a chance.
The tricky thing about this book is it starts off really modest. We have Xifeng and she's with her aunt and they're watching the world go by. And you're like "ok this seems pretty decent". And then, BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! Everything kicks in. And you're off. You're breathing hard as you race through this fantastic world that Dao has fabricated. At the same time, there's a great mental journey at hand. As you journey through the hellfire with Xifeng and watch her growth.
Heart-wrenching action aside, this book delves surprisingly deep into the culture of women. Women are taught to hate each other's every success. And given all that we have to go through for the simplest of victories, it's so easy to stoop to envy and jealousy. Eventually we forget sight of what really important. Every woman in this book, whether she realized it or not, wanted nothing more than to be loved.
Song's (or was it Sung ? I can't remember her name😬) need for love was the hand of the emperor. Which explains her hate for the Empress. No matter how hard she fought she would always be second.
The Empress need for love came in the need to love a daughter.
Xifeng's sought to make her aunt proud, in hopes that she would finally receive the mother that was lost to her. Which is why she fought so hard to fulfill the destiny.
Even Guma, in the sick scheme of it all, wanted to give her niece the love she never received: a successful future.
Once I realized this, my perception changed. I couldn't go to the characters and direct caterogize bad/good. Every character, no matter how despicable, was simply a product of the world they lived in. A world deprived of love. So they spend their lives fighting for it, at any means.
And it's sad. And then you realize it's no different from the world you live in.
Another thing this book handle well is the disease of beauty. Beauty is everything in this world. To be ugly is thought worse than being dumb. Whenever Xifeng went into a frenzy over her face it really touched me. Somehow I genuinely understood what she was going through. As much as I'll like to think Xifeng's methods extreme, I honestly I don't think it's too far-fetched. If a study came tomorrow claiming that animal hearts made all beautiful, half of the animal kingdom would be extinct.
This book is true masterpiece. It truly shows how much time and heart Dao put into this. And her writing is absolutely gorgeous. I simply cannot wait for the next book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gore