thewordsdevourer's reviews
297 reviews
Finna, by Nino Cipri
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
this was rly fun! finna is an adventurous romp thru the multiverse and im so glad there's finally a sf book that doesnt bore me. this one also has an emotional core w/ relatable - albeit sometimes annoying - characters. the satire on corporate culture and the harsh grind under capitalism are hilarious yet sobering, and cipri rlu takes advantage of the endless possibilities of settings here, filling it w/ murderous furnitures, corporate zombies, and badass old captains. i'll def be reading the sequel.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Transphobia, Violence, Death, and Injury/injury detail
Minor: Sexual content and Toxic relationship
Paradais, by Fernanda Melchor
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
1.25
i think i understand what paradais tries to do, but the eventual execution of its ideas was just not it for me. melchor def delves into many aspects of life in mexico - or a particular kind of the country if u will - be it class, sex, colorism and life under gang control. the novel shows a unfiltered, brutal look into the lives of those rarely given such glaring spotlight in books. moreover, once the action gets going, it becomes a thrilling, rollicking ride thats almost impossible to stop.
w/ that said, a lot of the content can be raw, dark and challenging. this isnt a bad thing, esp as it's a necessity in the book, inseparable from the reality of the world depicted. my issue is when coupled w/ the endless droning narrative - or unending descriptions thats bafflingly detailed to the point of being redundant, to be more apt - of the story's first half, it becomes almost unbearable to trudge on and read.
ig melchor's technical and stylistic choice here is supposed to firmly put readers into polo's and franco's heads, providing a rationale or explanation for two main characters' warped views and choices that ultimately result in the tragic ending, but it simply overwhelms the narrative for me. the entire first half's spent describing and explaining both characters' psyches and situations, and imo for a supposed thriller there's too little action that drives the story forward, w/ the characters' actual plotting and action - which is excellent btw - only taking place in the last 20% or so.
considering the book's rating im obvs in the minority here and i do wish i could like it, but this just isnt it for me.
w/ that said, a lot of the content can be raw, dark and challenging. this isnt a bad thing, esp as it's a necessity in the book, inseparable from the reality of the world depicted. my issue is when coupled w/ the endless droning narrative - or unending descriptions thats bafflingly detailed to the point of being redundant, to be more apt - of the story's first half, it becomes almost unbearable to trudge on and read.
ig melchor's technical and stylistic choice here is supposed to firmly put readers into polo's and franco's heads, providing a rationale or explanation for two main characters' warped views and choices that ultimately result in the tragic ending, but it simply overwhelms the narrative for me. the entire first half's spent describing and explaining both characters' psyches and situations, and imo for a supposed thriller there's too little action that drives the story forward, w/ the characters' actual plotting and action - which is excellent btw - only taking place in the last 20% or so.
considering the book's rating im obvs in the minority here and i do wish i could like it, but this just isnt it for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Violence
Moderate: Murder, Rape, Emotional abuse, Body shaming, Sexual assault, Alcohol, and Kidnapping
Minor: Torture
Blood Feast: The Complete Short Stories of Malika Moustadraf, by Malika Moustadraf
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
a good collection of short stories that never fails to make one once again enraged at sexism and misogyny under the patriarchy. some of the stories in blood feast are better than others, w/ "just different" and "briwat" being some of my favorites.
i also like the intersectionality that moustradaf shows here, where the female characters who suffer under the patriarchy nevertheless engage in homophobia or some other form of discrimination. theyre thus illustrated as full, imperfect and multidimensional humans instead of merely empty vessels in which to reiterate the book's msg and themes.
moustradaf unflinchingly tells the stories and that inevitably involves some triggering content. moreover, some of the stories can be forgettable, either from their very short length or an unclear direction.
i also like the intersectionality that moustradaf shows here, where the female characters who suffer under the patriarchy nevertheless engage in homophobia or some other form of discrimination. theyre thus illustrated as full, imperfect and multidimensional humans instead of merely empty vessels in which to reiterate the book's msg and themes.
moustradaf unflinchingly tells the stories and that inevitably involves some triggering content. moreover, some of the stories can be forgettable, either from their very short length or an unclear direction.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Misogyny, and Homophobia
Moderate: Infidelity, Sexual harassment, Sexual content, Domestic abuse, Violence, Emotional abuse, Religious bigotry, and Blood
Minor: Pedophilia
All Princesses Die Before Dawn, by Quentin Zuttion
adventurous
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
*Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC
All Princesses Die Before Dawn is a slow read, chronicling the lives of a family in suburban France on one fateful day. The story is nice but not impactful enough for me, while the art fits the story with its dreamy style.
There are multiple things happening in this novel, all with the setting and thematic backdrop of Princess Diana's death. Zuttion does a good job of layering the story and its themes, though it can feel a little disjointed at times. A sense of melancholy also permeates the book; coupling with the slow pace, it makes for a moody combination suited for certain readers more than others, with me belonging in the latter. We do not learn much about the characters aside from the one day shown in the novel, and while I am interested in Lulu's story, I do not feel connected enough to or impacted by the other characters and overall plot (or lack thereof). As someone who quite values emotional impact in my reading, needless to say this is not as good a reading experience as can be.
The art fares better in my opinion. It has a certain dream-like, ethereal quality that fits the book's inclusion of fairytales and renders the story with a particular uniqueness. The color scheme is nice as well, maintaining the novel's dreaminess while also portraying the vibrane and tranquility of summer. It can be hard to discern facial expressions at times, however, and the font in the e-book edition is small, making it almost impossible to see punctuations.
This is a nice read overall, but its pace, tone and story are suited for some readers more than others. One has to be in a particular mood to truly enjoy it, but objectively it is nice enough.
All Princesses Die Before Dawn is a slow read, chronicling the lives of a family in suburban France on one fateful day. The story is nice but not impactful enough for me, while the art fits the story with its dreamy style.
There are multiple things happening in this novel, all with the setting and thematic backdrop of Princess Diana's death. Zuttion does a good job of layering the story and its themes, though it can feel a little disjointed at times. A sense of melancholy also permeates the book; coupling with the slow pace, it makes for a moody combination suited for certain readers more than others, with me belonging in the latter. We do not learn much about the characters aside from the one day shown in the novel, and while I am interested in Lulu's story, I do not feel connected enough to or impacted by the other characters and overall plot (or lack thereof). As someone who quite values emotional impact in my reading, needless to say this is not as good a reading experience as can be.
The art fares better in my opinion. It has a certain dream-like, ethereal quality that fits the book's inclusion of fairytales and renders the story with a particular uniqueness. The color scheme is nice as well, maintaining the novel's dreaminess while also portraying the vibrane and tranquility of summer. It can be hard to discern facial expressions at times, however, and the font in the e-book edition is small, making it almost impossible to see punctuations.
This is a nice read overall, but its pace, tone and story are suited for some readers more than others. One has to be in a particular mood to truly enjoy it, but objectively it is nice enough.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Sexual content, Infidelity, Homophobia, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Death, Car accident, and Medical content
The Gentleman's Book of Vices, by Jess Everlee
adventurous
emotional
funny
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? Yes
4.0
the gentleman's book of vices is a fun, nicely written novel that belies real depth and impactful thematic exploration. i love this book's recipe: gays! grumpy meets sunshine! gays w/ great friends! gay angst! impending doom but ultimately happy ending!
i rly like the characters. the main duo charlie and miles are great individually and tgt, each has complex characterization and development. the side characters esp charlie's friends and alma are also great; i enjoy the former's banter and quips, and the latter's refreshingly non-streotypical portrayal.
the writing imo is very nice and flows smoothly. another thing i rly enjoy is everlee's handling of the themes and emotional moments. the parallel between charlie and miles' reality and fictional erotica make for some great character development and thematic exploration. i esp enjoy the more unique take of charlie's noble idiocy, how it plays into his deeper fear but also illustrates the impact of miles' works on him. the high stakes of marriage also ups the angst level, but i think it's handled nicely and doesnt feel gratuitous.
as fort the smut, it was ok; it's a lil weird bc i feel like charlie and miles' simple interactions, makeouts, and foreplay are more sizzling than the actual sex scenes, which i think are too short, making the payoff unsatisfactory despite the lengthy lead-up. and i wish there more of them as well.
nevertheless, this was one of the best romances ive read this yr. the story's nicely executed, peppered w/ great characters and a main couple whose lovelorn passages actually make me feel things, in addition to an adept exploration of the themes. happy w/ a gay happy ending and cant wait for the sequel.
i rly like the characters. the main duo charlie and miles are great individually and tgt, each has complex characterization and development. the side characters esp charlie's friends and alma are also great; i enjoy the former's banter and quips, and the latter's refreshingly non-streotypical portrayal.
the writing imo is very nice and flows smoothly. another thing i rly enjoy is everlee's handling of the themes and emotional moments. the parallel between charlie and miles' reality and fictional erotica make for some great character development and thematic exploration. i esp enjoy the more unique take of charlie's noble idiocy, how it plays into his deeper fear but also illustrates the impact of miles' works on him. the high stakes of marriage also ups the angst level, but i think it's handled nicely and doesnt feel gratuitous.
as fort the smut, it was ok; it's a lil weird bc i feel like charlie and miles' simple interactions, makeouts, and foreplay are more sizzling than the actual sex scenes, which i think are too short, making the payoff unsatisfactory despite the lengthy lead-up. and i wish there more of them as well.
nevertheless, this was one of the best romances ive read this yr. the story's nicely executed, peppered w/ great characters and a main couple whose lovelorn passages actually make me feel things, in addition to an adept exploration of the themes. happy w/ a gay happy ending and cant wait for the sequel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Sexual content
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Death
Cold Enough for Snow, by Jessica Au
adventurous
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25
uhhhh idrk how i feel abt this one tbh. cold enough for snow is neither too plot- or character-driven, but is instead abt a pair of mother-daughter's holiday travels in japan, flowing blithefully along while interspersed with some flashback events or harking back to some past happenings not wholly related to the narrator.
the language does flow smoothly, but for me it's not rly remarkable in any other way. and while the main characters experience plenty of sights and senses during their travels, none of it is detailed or specific enough to evoke anything from me. hate to compare to other books, but while this is a lil similar to banana yoshimoto's kitchen, it's not as sensorily impactful as the latter, which is a bit of a shame. still, the main mother-daughter duo is painfully relatable, and some of the writing rings with wisdom.
the language does flow smoothly, but for me it's not rly remarkable in any other way. and while the main characters experience plenty of sights and senses during their travels, none of it is detailed or specific enough to evoke anything from me. hate to compare to other books, but while this is a lil similar to banana yoshimoto's kitchen, it's not as sensorily impactful as the latter, which is a bit of a shame. still, the main mother-daughter duo is painfully relatable, and some of the writing rings with wisdom.
How to Order the Universe, by María José Ferrada
funny
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
an unconventional story abt a salesman father and his daughter, how to order the universe is a surprisingly charming novel, undercut by a sense of understatedness thats nevertheless filled w/ metaphor, warmth, and grim persistence.
the main father-daughter duo are very endearing somehow; they act like colleagues more than anything else but ig the seriousness of which the father regards his daughter and and indulges her to be his accomplice makes it all quite quirky and endearing. aside from this, however, the novel's other aspects are quite forgettable, and the dark turn of events towards the end - while i suppose is realistically reflective of historical facts - feels too abrupt for me, yet it's admirable that ferrada's able to relay quite a lot in as few words.
the main father-daughter duo are very endearing somehow; they act like colleagues more than anything else but ig the seriousness of which the father regards his daughter and and indulges her to be his accomplice makes it all quite quirky and endearing. aside from this, however, the novel's other aspects are quite forgettable, and the dark turn of events towards the end - while i suppose is realistically reflective of historical facts - feels too abrupt for me, yet it's admirable that ferrada's able to relay quite a lot in as few words.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder and Death
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
Drawing on the Edge, by Ersin Karabulut
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-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
3.75
*Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC
Drawing on the Edge is an absorbing memoir, retelling the author's childhood and early years as a cartoonist. What I really like about comics and graphic novels is the fact that they are an excellent way for readers to learn about topics they might otherwise not go for, the visual form fortunately making unfamiliar subjects and/or difficult matters a lot more accessible. Such is definitely the case here with Karabulut's book, delving into the author's early life while also shedding light on the larger political and social context of the Turkish backdrop, the personal and political inexplicably intertwined, impossible to exist without affecting the other.
I like that the book manages to retain its humorous voice despite the heavy, high-stakes atmosphere of its setting, one with intimidation, censorship, religious zealotry, and historical unbridled violence. Karabulut's dreams and everyday life can be a respite from the political backdrop of Turkey, despite also being inevitably impacted by it in turn. The joy from being completely absorbed in a personal passion like art, excitement over the most meager interactions with his cartoonist idols, spontaneity of school shenanigans that are depiected are relatable and oft humorous.
Aside from being able to talk about Turkish political and social happenings in a flowing and easily comprehensible way without info-dumping, what I most like about the book is its emotional core, especially scenes with the author and his comics characters, deeply touching in its illustration of dreams let go and achieved, the power of the latter in not only inspiring Karabulut but also allowing him to inspire others, which the last chapter superbly demonstrates.
The art is great, with the author slightly modifying the style to best fit each scene. Scenic illustrations can be stunning, especially those of Beyoglu, and characters move seamlessly. I have nothing much to say because the art works really well with the story without ever being a distraction. All in all, this is a great, informational and even touching autobiographical book, and I will definitely be keeping an eye out for the next volume.
Drawing on the Edge is an absorbing memoir, retelling the author's childhood and early years as a cartoonist. What I really like about comics and graphic novels is the fact that they are an excellent way for readers to learn about topics they might otherwise not go for, the visual form fortunately making unfamiliar subjects and/or difficult matters a lot more accessible. Such is definitely the case here with Karabulut's book, delving into the author's early life while also shedding light on the larger political and social context of the Turkish backdrop, the personal and political inexplicably intertwined, impossible to exist without affecting the other.
I like that the book manages to retain its humorous voice despite the heavy, high-stakes atmosphere of its setting, one with intimidation, censorship, religious zealotry, and historical unbridled violence. Karabulut's dreams and everyday life can be a respite from the political backdrop of Turkey, despite also being inevitably impacted by it in turn. The joy from being completely absorbed in a personal passion like art, excitement over the most meager interactions with his cartoonist idols, spontaneity of school shenanigans that are depiected are relatable and oft humorous.
Aside from being able to talk about Turkish political and social happenings in a flowing and easily comprehensible way without info-dumping, what I most like about the book is its emotional core, especially scenes with the author and his comics characters, deeply touching in its illustration of dreams let go and achieved, the power of the latter in not only inspiring Karabulut but also allowing him to inspire others, which the last chapter superbly demonstrates.
The art is great, with the author slightly modifying the style to best fit each scene. Scenic illustrations can be stunning, especially those of Beyoglu, and characters move seamlessly. I have nothing much to say because the art works really well with the story without ever being a distraction. All in all, this is a great, informational and even touching autobiographical book, and I will definitely be keeping an eye out for the next volume.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Violence, Stalking, Murder, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Death and Infidelity
Detransition, Baby, by Torrey Peters
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-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? Yes
4.25
what a read. detransition, baby is a relevatory and provocative novel, one which i delight in its intriguing premise, great execution, brilliant emotional characterization and telling of a trans experience.
peters incisively and grippingly examines motherhood, the trans experience, gender, identity politics, sex and sex work in this book, stripping layer upon layer of complexity thats enmeshed in a dash of political correctness, making her characters bare all, voicing taboos and things that are oft unspoken - representational politics be damned - to exhilarating effect. indeed, there were moments that simply stupefied me of how good this book is. and i learned a lot abt transness, this book having depicted in a humane sense many terms i merely know of but have never truly understood in depth.
meanwhile, the characters (and esp reese) are a hot mess - in a sense that theyre all each deep in a certain level of shit - specifically life shit - and trying to navigate thru a surprise pregnancy in different ways, each forced to face their own issues in the process. the ability to make readers empathize w/ characters who they sometimes also want to throttle is certainly a hallmark of a great writer, but peters, imo, goes above and beyond here. this esp pertains to ames/amy, whose story connects w/ me in a visceral way; we couldnt be more different, but her story deeply affects me in a way fiction rarely ever does, reading it was def sth else. it's indeed a lil baffling that her accidental outing plotline's suddenly dropped near the end: whatever happens after katrina's advice-seeking w/ reese and her friends? whats ames' reaction upon finding out the company supposedly knowing her secret?
and the book's last 15% and ending are less stellar than the rest, imo. the former feels awkward to me, like the author's trying to tie it all up but ends up veering into a slightly strange territory. i also wish we heard more from ames aside from that bit near the end. as for the ending, it does annoy me w/ how vague and slightly ~kumbaya~ it is, its tone a lil jarring w/ the book's irreverent tone.
even so, this is an undeniably thought-provoking, impactful, and even humorous novel, one that reads like a queer classic, and an amazing and welcoming addition to mainstream trans lit.
peters incisively and grippingly examines motherhood, the trans experience, gender, identity politics, sex and sex work in this book, stripping layer upon layer of complexity thats enmeshed in a dash of political correctness, making her characters bare all, voicing taboos and things that are oft unspoken - representational politics be damned - to exhilarating effect. indeed, there were moments that simply stupefied me of how good this book is. and i learned a lot abt transness, this book having depicted in a humane sense many terms i merely know of but have never truly understood in depth.
meanwhile, the characters (and esp reese) are a hot mess - in a sense that theyre all each deep in a certain level of shit - specifically life shit - and trying to navigate thru a surprise pregnancy in different ways, each forced to face their own issues in the process. the ability to make readers empathize w/ characters who they sometimes also want to throttle is certainly a hallmark of a great writer, but peters, imo, goes above and beyond here. this esp pertains to ames/amy, whose story connects w/ me in a visceral way; we couldnt be more different, but her story deeply affects me in a way fiction rarely ever does, reading it was def sth else. it's indeed a lil baffling that her accidental outing plotline's suddenly dropped near the end: whatever happens after katrina's advice-seeking w/ reese and her friends? whats ames' reaction upon finding out the company supposedly knowing her secret?
and the book's last 15% and ending are less stellar than the rest, imo. the former feels awkward to me, like the author's trying to tie it all up but ends up veering into a slightly strange territory. i also wish we heard more from ames aside from that bit near the end. as for the ending, it does annoy me w/ how vague and slightly ~kumbaya~ it is, its tone a lil jarring w/ the book's irreverent tone.
even so, this is an undeniably thought-provoking, impactful, and even humorous novel, one that reads like a queer classic, and an amazing and welcoming addition to mainstream trans lit.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Infidelity, Dysphoria, Outing, Sexual content, and Transphobia
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Injury/injury detail, Medical content, and Violence
Minor: Death, Drug abuse, Suicide, and Abortion
Sir Callie and the Champions of Helston, by Esme Symes-Smith
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
*Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC
This was an enjoyable read. Sir Callie and the Champions of Helston is a rollicking adventure full of heart and wisdom, tactfully tackling its very relevant message and themes.
The fantasy setting is nothing new, but Symes-Smith uses it cleverfully to literally but also symbolically reflect the real world and explore the book's themes. The symbolism is perhaps my favorite thing about this novel: it elevates the story on technical, character and emotional levels. I also like how there are constant important information and revelations revealed throughout the book; it keeps things surprising and adds depth to the story. The characters and their individual arcs are great as well, each different, some with more privileges than others, yet all have been affected by Helston's rigid hierarchy and now band together to change the place for the better. Neal and his story are a favorite.
And while I mostly like how the characters are handled, I have minor qualms with Callie and Peran. For the former, they're overly brash at times, their impulsive actions without thought for consequences + initial dislike for all things remotely feminine are annoying. I wish we learned more about how they realized they were non-binary, especially as the concept should be almost alien in the rigid world of the story. It's also relevant to how others treat them, as I don't think repeatedly saying "I'm not a girl" -- even though outwardly they look like one -- to people who have never known of anything aside from the binary was helpful. It's like talking about astrophysics to a bunch of kids. I also think Peran could've been more nuanced. He's certainly evil through and through but the lack of nuance makes him a boring character, let alone the villain. The middle chunk of the book was a little repetitive as well, dragging the pacing.
Nevertheless, this is a fun yet wise book with a lot of heart, whose themes of family, courage and identity are precious. I'm happy that many young people will get to read this book, not only comforted by seeing it reflect themselves but also see how diverse the world truly is.
This was an enjoyable read. Sir Callie and the Champions of Helston is a rollicking adventure full of heart and wisdom, tactfully tackling its very relevant message and themes.
The fantasy setting is nothing new, but Symes-Smith uses it cleverfully to literally but also symbolically reflect the real world and explore the book's themes. The symbolism is perhaps my favorite thing about this novel: it elevates the story on technical, character and emotional levels. I also like how there are constant important information and revelations revealed throughout the book; it keeps things surprising and adds depth to the story. The characters and their individual arcs are great as well, each different, some with more privileges than others, yet all have been affected by Helston's rigid hierarchy and now band together to change the place for the better. Neal and his story are a favorite.
And while I mostly like how the characters are handled, I have minor qualms with Callie and Peran. For the former, they're overly brash at times, their impulsive actions without thought for consequences + initial dislike for all things remotely feminine are annoying. I wish we learned more about how they realized they were non-binary, especially as the concept should be almost alien in the rigid world of the story. It's also relevant to how others treat them, as I don't think repeatedly saying "I'm not a girl" -- even though outwardly they look like one -- to people who have never known of anything aside from the binary was helpful. It's like talking about astrophysics to a bunch of kids. I also think Peran could've been more nuanced. He's certainly evil through and through but the lack of nuance makes him a boring character, let alone the villain. The middle chunk of the book was a little repetitive as well, dragging the pacing.
Nevertheless, this is a fun yet wise book with a lot of heart, whose themes of family, courage and identity are precious. I'm happy that many young people will get to read this book, not only comforted by seeing it reflect themselves but also see how diverse the world truly is.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Homophobia, and Sexism
Moderate: Violence and Toxic relationship
Minor: Grief and Death