resing's reviews
155 reviews

All of Our Demise by C.L. Herman, Amanda Foody

adventurous dark mysterious sad medium-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? Yes

4.5

On the surface, this two-book series follows others like Lord of the Flies and The Hunger Games. What will a group of kids do when forced to fight for their lives? However, there’s enough unique about the authors’ approach to make it interesting. Strong female leads and questions about dominant culture around sexuality make this a more inclusive novel than many other similar ones. 

Parable of the Talents by Octavia E. Butler

challenging dark emotional sad tense slow-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

3.75

Not your typical science fiction. If you’ve read the first book in this series, this one is a lot like it. There’s a much different plot and the ending is different, however a lot of the characters are the same and some of the world building and character development that made the first one great were missing in this sequel. 
I would recommend reading. However, it was a really tough read for me. A little slow and really some horrible situations in depth that aren’t light reading at all. 
Octavia Butler is a talented and creative writer with a unique perspective. While this book was written decades ago, the future world it predicts matches, in some ways what’s happened in the years since she wrote it. 

Sandry's Book by Tamora Pierce

adventurous funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing 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? Yes

4.5

An enjoyable story. Even though this is written for a middle grade audience, this 40–something would read it again! I like how the author explains at the end how she’s moving beyond “the feudal, European” settings of her other fantasy stories. Exploring Asian and middle-east settings and themes. 

All of Us Villains by C.L. Herman, Amanda Foody

adventurous dark mysterious fast-paced

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

4.0

If it weren't so dark, I'd rate it even higher. Well written with a fun twist on the magical teens in a deathmatch. Some great moral dilemmas presented well like how to deal with family members that might not be looking out for your best interests and how to handle changes in friendships given outside pressure

Wild Seed by Octavia E. Butler

dark emotional tense medium-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? Yes

4.25

Octavia Butler created two new types of monsters and made them the main characters of this book. And she uses their special powers as a tool to explore basic human themes in a world tied to the African roots of slavery. 

The hero is a woman who’s control over her body is absolute. She uses her power to love forever and help those around her. She’s not perfect and struggles with how to deal with being controlled by another with a deadly power. In the end…I’ll leave it to you to discover. It’s a worthwhile journey. 

I feel a connection to the special powers of the descendants of African immigrants to the US and how much they care for each other just like the families of all the people in the US, also mostly immigrants. 

My second Butler novel will not be my last. This one was a little bit on the horror side for me, or I might have rated it even higher. An outstanding book I highly enjoyed reading. I read the paperback version. 

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

dark mysterious sad slow-paced

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

4.0

Recommended by my daughter who’s read at least one more book in this series. I read it because I’ve been trying to find great fantasy books by female authors. I like this one and will probably try the next. 

The author deals with some dark themes like death and abandonment in a way that’s understandable and not too scary. There’s a good mystery about a mythological figure and some spiritual magic like tarot

Lady Knight by Tamora Pierce

adventurous emotional funny lighthearted 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? No

4.0

Good finish to the series. Very much in keeping with the previous 3 books. The lady knight is a strong female heroine who isn’t made out to be perfect. Overall, I’d say the only thing that would’ve increased my rating is a little less fighting. I used to like the swordplay. Not so much these days. 

The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story by Nikole Hannah-Jones

emotional hopeful informative inspiring sad slow-paced

5.0

The 1619 Project book might be the most important book of this century, so far. Nikole Hannah-Jones has assembled an all-star cast of historians, writers, and artists to contribute to this and the various other projects under the same brand. However, for me, this one really brought the full picture together.

The book is expanded and updated from the New York Times magazine special edition with the same name. New essays include the final, concluding chapter which ties all the others together and calls us all to support reparations - now!

Read this to learn the history that's been missing. After finishing it, you'll have a new appreciation for the amazing accomplishments of Black Americans despite constant oppresion. And, you'll no longer be able to claim you don't understand why reparations are needed.

My Face Is Black Is True: Callie House and the Struggle for Ex-Slave Reparations by Mary Frances Berry

challenging dark informative inspiring slow-paced

5.0

Discover a story of a Black female hero you never knew existed. 

Mary Frances Berry researched the movement to support the aging population of the formerly enslaved that reached a peak more 100 years ago. A Black female leader, Callie House, persisted through constant attacks by the US Government to help this oppressed population. 

The fate of the formerly enslaved is sad to learn about and the people who oppose them behave terribly. However, the persistence of the heroine is inspiring. 

Read this to gain perspective on the critical need to acknowledge the effects of slavery which can’t be reversed but can be addressed. 

Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler

adventurous dark medium-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? Yes

4.0

Octavia Butler’s strong, female lead lives in a bit too distant future California that’s easy to imagine. 

This is my first book by Butler and won’t be my last. I’ve already started two more!

Hollywood producers are developing miniseries and movie versions of Butler’s novels. Read the books first — there’s so much more detail in a novel versus a movie and watching before reading diminishes the reading experience.