biancarogers's reviews
875 reviews

Immortal is a standalone fantasy that transports readers into a vividly detailed world of magic, political intrigue, and unexpected love. At its center is Liyen, a compelling protagonist whose transformation from reluctant heir to resolute leader is brought to life through Natalie Naudus' exceptional narration. The story's emotional heart lies in Liyen's poignant relationship with her grandfather, whose selfless sacrifice to save her from poisoning sets off a chain of events that leads to a dramatic confrontation with the Immortal Queen. Tan weaves themes of love and responsibility throughout the narrative, making each character's choices resonate with genuine emotional weight and consequence.

Naudus' narration elevates the already engrossing story to new heights. Her attention to tone and pacing enhances the story's intimate emotional moments and exhilarating action sequences. Her nuanced delivery adds depth to every character interaction, particularly in portraying Liyen's internal conflict between duty and desire as she navigates her growing connection with the God of War while defending her kingdom. Tan's immersive world-building and Naudus' captivating performance create an unforgettable audiobook experience. 
This standalone fantasy is a must-read for fans of the genre! ✨️

The Undocumented Americans by Karla Cornejo Villavicencio offers an unflinching portrayal of undocumented life in America, moving beyond conventional immigrant narratives to expose a reality shaped by exploitation and resilience. Rather than focusing on triumphant “American Dream” stories, Villavicencio confronts the paradox of immigrants being essential in times of crisis yet discarded when no longer needed. She challenges the hypocrisy at the heart of this dynamic with sharp wit and honesty. 

Through a powerful blend of personal narrative and social critique, the book serves as both witness and moral reckoning. Villavicencio doesn't seek sympathy; instead, she asserts the inherent worth of her subjects while challenging readers to confront their role in sustaining systemic inequities. Her sharp wit makes difficult truths more approachable without lessening their weight. I came across this book at a crucial moment, as its honest perspective deeply resonates with my growing concerns about the direction our country is taking.

In Cursed Bunny, Bora Chung crafts ten tales where horror and magical realism collide, transforming ordinary fears into supernatural nightmares. A toilet births a flesh-and-blood being, a cursed lamp exacts karmic revenge, and corporate ambition takes a cannibalistic turn. Through Anton Hur's deft translation, these stories – most potent in the collection's first half – weave dark fables about greed, power, and human nature. Chung excels at building tension through mundane details before shattering reality's veneer, creating an atmosphere where the bizarre feels unnervingly plausible. Though not for the faint-hearted, her debut rewards readers with an unforgettable blend of visceral imagery and incisive social commentary that exposes the monstrous potential lurking within everyday life.

In A Map of Future Ruins, Lauren Markham masterfully intertwines her family’s intimate migration story with the broader forces of global upheaval. By tracing her lineage through waves of displacement, Markham uses contemporary Greece as a reflective crossroads—a place where climate catastrophe, mass migration, and questions of identity collide with stark clarity. Her evocative prose transforms this Mediterranean landscape into a prism for exploring humanity’s most urgent dilemmas: Who belongs? Who survives? And what becomes of sovereignty when borders dissolve?

Markham’s unflinching analysis of migration, spanning epochs and continents, reveals a grim continuity: the fortified borders and criminalization of refugees today echo age-old patterns of exclusion. She incisively critiques the hypocrisy of wealthy nations whose policies fuel climate destruction while denying refuge to those displaced by it. With sharp insight and profound empathy, A Map of Future Ruins challenges readers to confront a central paradox of our age: the nations most responsible for global displacement are often the least willing to offer sanctuary.