castle_samj's reviews
36 reviews

The Familiar by Leigh Bardugo

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

Home: Habitat, Range, Niche, Territory by Martha Wells

challenging fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

Obviously very short. My issue is it doesn’t have the same perspective as the previous books, so it was disorienting. I like the overall snapshot, but the delivery was strange 

Exit Strategy by Martha Wells

adventurous funny reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Many Love: A Memoir of Polyamory and Finding Love(s) by Sophie Lucido Johnson

lighthearted fast-paced

3.0

This book had a wide variety of polyamory-related anecdotes. Some were great, others were hard to read about. The general storytelling was hard to follow, as numerous different people or relationships were mentioned with little to no segue. I’m also not quite settled on the overall takeaway that the author intended; the ending

focuses on the engagement between the author and Luke, giving the impression that the ‘relationship escalator’ is ultimately the goal even if you take a little detour through alternative relationship styles. However, taken with the context that Luke bird watches so much because it simply makes him happy, I think the author tried to show that she chose this life because it works for her and feels good and makes her happy.

 
There are many good examples throughout for showing compassion, grace, and empathy with ALL relationships, not just the romantic/sexual ones.

If I was unsure of being polyamorous, I would read this book and take its value as a part of a larger investigation into what being polyamorous means for myself, as well as for others. 

Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao

adventurous challenging dark emotional tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

There are several empowering moments, after wading through a ton of disheartening concepts. I appreciated the commentary related to non-monogamy, sexual orientation, and feminism. 

Sea of Tranquility by Emily St. John Mandel

adventurous mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

The Companion by E.E. Ottoman

hopeful inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

challenging dark tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Dawn by Octavia E. Butler

challenging dark reflective 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? No

3.0

It's a complicated read at this point in history (2024) - I recognize the inspirational value of this series, and the social commentary that Butler was going for, yet I'm still left feeling a bit dirty, icky; like unfortunately and consistently reminded of imperfection in the human condition.

The Girl with Stars in Her Eyes by Xio Axelrod

emotional inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

I like that I read most of the book NOT expecting it to be a romance story. Basically the romance was a factor, not exclusively the plot.