meliemelo's reviews
2174 reviews
Ancillary Sword by Ann Leckie
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
An excellent follow-up to one of my favourite reads this year. I absolutely LOVED the not-subtle anti-colonialist message and the care the author took not to fall into certain traps. I thought I'd miss the flashbacks but the book works really well as it is, especially as we still get the "multiple self" sense from Breq, although differently this time. Objectively, the pacing may not have been optimal but it didn't bother me.
I cannot wait until my reserved copy of the third book arrives at the library, hopefully very soon! And I will definitely add this trilogy to my "must own" list!
I cannot wait until my reserved copy of the third book arrives at the library, hopefully very soon! And I will definitely add this trilogy to my "must own" list!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical trauma, Medical content, Colonisation, Gun violence, Murder, Xenophobia, Police brutality, Injury/Injury detail, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Alcohol, and Death
Moderate: Sexual violence, Violence, Trafficking, Addiction, Slavery, and Cultural appropriation
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
One Piece: East Blue 1-2-3, Vol. 1 (Omnibus Edition) by Eiichiro Oda
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I enjoyed rereading those very first adventures, even though, as with many shonen, I sometimes find the fighting scenes overly long and confusing.
One issue with that edition however: the pages aren't cut out very well and there's a bit missing from the left.
One issue with that edition however: the pages aren't cut out very well and there's a bit missing from the left.
The Arrival by Shaun Tan
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
Evocative and powerful, this exploration of the experience of immigration through surrealism will stay with me for a while
Royal Assassin by Robin Hobb
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
After a quick skimming through a summary of the first book, read so long ago, I ventured into this second one. Although Fitz is absolutely insufferable, especially in his pursuit of Molly, it did not make me enjoy the novel less. The intrigues are quite fascinating, even when they take a while to bear fruit. I've already started on the next book and intend to slowly make my way through the whole series.
Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
As amazing as it is inventive. I loved following Breq's past and present adventures, and the way Ann Leckie deals with gender, while not being the first book I read in that style, still deserves some applause. Can't wait to get the next one!
None of the Above: Reflections on Life Beyond the Binary by Travis Alabanza
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
4.25
Intense and sometimes (rightfully) uncomfortable, this is probably best read in small parcels to be more easily digested. Unfortunately for me, I was on an airplane with only one book downloaded...
The structure (centered around certain phrases) is quite interesting, even though it can lead to some ramblings. I appreciated that Travis did not try to justify themselves and knew their intended audience.
The structure (centered around certain phrases) is quite interesting, even though it can lead to some ramblings. I appreciated that Travis did not try to justify themselves and knew their intended audience.
The Villa by Ruth Kelly, Ruth Kelly
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
I got it from the library, purely because of my love for "Battle Royale"/"show of death" settings which I thought, from the tag line, this would be. It was not that, but it could have been a decent thriller. Unfortunately, I felt it tried so hard to be provocative that it became ridiculous and painful to read at times, as well as very predictable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Bullying, Child abuse, Mental illness, Murder, Confinement, Gaslighting, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Alcoholism, Blood, Body shaming, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Death, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Toxic relationship, Alcohol, Sexual violence, and Violence
Moderate: Self harm
The Burnings by Naomi Kelsey
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
A long book that unfortunately did not captivate me as much as I had hoped. Although some of what it was trying to say was interesting, a lot of it seemed repeated too much, as if that alone should drive the point. Some of the characters' actions did not make sense given the information they already had (especially Margareta, with a decision on which most of the resulting plot hinged!).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Fire/Fire injury, Child death, Body horror, Torture, Blood, Violence, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Rape, Pregnancy, Physical abuse, Misogyny, Murder, Miscarriage, Injury/Injury detail, Infertility, Gore, Excrement, Death, and Confinement
We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I am fascinated by how masterfully Shirley Jackson manages to create such an eery atmosphere, making you feel so much when so little happens. Merricat is a mesmerising heroine and I was equally intrigued by Constance and Uncle Julian. I found the last few chapters harrowing, more so than I had anticipated, mainly because of how deeply invested I was in Merricat and her feelings.
On a side note, I wasn't too keen on the analysis provided at the end of my edition, but it did not make me like the story any less.
On a side note, I wasn't too keen on the analysis provided at the end of my edition, but it did not make me like the story any less.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Death, Death of parent, Child death, Bullying, Mental illness, Terminal illness, Murder, Dementia, Confinement, and Violence
In the Lives of Puppets by T.J. Klune
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
A lovely tale. T.J. Klune really has great, hilarious characters (Rambo! Nurse Ratched!), which can also make you very emotional. I loved the ace rep, and most of all the whole found-family feel to it. I'm not sure about the ending, but I read it when I was quite tired and perhaps didn't fully appreciate it because of that.