mitzee's reviews
335 reviews

The London Séance Society by Sarah Penner

adventurous dark emotional informative mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• 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

4.5

Really enjoyed this fun (albeit dark and moody) read. I was able to figure out the mystery aspect so that aspect of the story wasn’t particularly well written but perhaps that’s what the author intended. 

Record of a Spaceborn Few by Becky Chambers

adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted reflective sad slow-paced

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

4.75

Loved the continued exploration of what it means to be human through this sci-if lens. Especially enjoyed the life+death cycle in this book. Chambers continues to make me fall in love with their storytelling style. 

The Love Prescription: 7 Days to More Intimacy, Connection, and Joy by John Gottman, Julie Schwartz Gottman

informative inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

5.0

The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers

adventurous emotional lighthearted reflective 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? It's complicated

5.0

I loved this exploration of human customs, emotions, and relationships through the lens of sci-fi/space races and characters. I also think Chambers’ proposals of how tot hunk about AI is really interesting - especially reading Chambers’ Robot and Monk books (also after reading TJ Klune’s In The Lives of Puppets.) Its the best aspects of Star Trek.

Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao

adventurous challenging dark emotional sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

Incredible story, amazing SFF elements woven into a East Asian based alternate society. I didn’t give it five because I did feel like the story started to lag a bit towards the end, it began to feel like a slog and I had to “put it down” and come back again later. Seems set up for a next book and I’m looking forward to seeing what happens in it!

Dragons of Deceit by Tracy Hickman, Margaret Weis

adventurous funny medium-paced

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

4.75

It’s pretty standard fare as far as fantasy goes: ensemble cast of characters (some funny, some driven, some menacing) but nobody necessarily takes center stage. More about the story and the magic

Red Clocks by Leni Zumas

emotional hopeful inspiring sad 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

Interwoven stories about people who menstruate. Sweet and reflective, but also a short exploration of the consequences when conservatives win and bodily autonomy is lost (in my perception).

The Black Tides of Heaven by Neon Yang

emotional reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

Was appropriately short. Liked the short and concise story.

The Burning God by R.F. Kuang

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

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

3.75

In the Lives of Puppets by TJ Klune

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring 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? It's complicated

4.5

Loved that TJ Klune leaned into the SF part of SFF (Sci-fi/Fantasy) for this one. I general love TJ Klune stories anyway but really liked that element here. 

I felt like there were references to Wizard of Oz, Pinocchio, and 80s pop culture films in this that really felt like it was written for my generation.  

I think it also taught me a little bit about ACE (asexual) folks. 

Also made me wonder if, since we program AI, if our eventual downfall by their hands is because we have subconsciously programmed that into their nature.