cupitonians's reviews
687 reviews

Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler

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

5.0

26 February 2025
Perfect re-read for these times!

21 March 2023
I first found out about Octavia Butler through other black artists/authors/shows. If I'd discovered this as a teenager, I'm sure I'd have Earthseed quotes tattooed on me, I would've written fan fic, I would've made it my entire personality. Discovering this now is a bit bittersweet. I am sad I didn't know she existed till recently, but happy I've found her. This first book is a truly masterful dystopian novel that is bleak, and so hard hitting because it feels like this world she imagined in the 90s is now only 3-5 years away from becoming our full fledged reality. Yikes! As hard as this was to read, I'm going immediately to the next book because I NEED to know what happens next!
Wrath of the Triple Goddess by Rick Riordan

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

3.25

James by Percival Everett

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adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

Flew through this riveting retelling of Huckleberry Finn, told from the perspective of the runaway slave Jim! Brilliant from start to finish!
Eye Candy by Esme Brett

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

3.0

All Systems Red by Martha Wells

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

3.5

The plot was alright, but the universe is intriguing, and the murderbot is A+. What an icon!
(analog) Cruising: a manual by Leo Herrera

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funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

5.0

I am so in awe that we live in a day and age where such a powerhouse of a manual exists! What an homage to queer culture and our queer elders. To quote LH, "The power of analog cruising is its timelessness. There was no way to replicate this online. The dopamine of swiping and the Pavlovian bells of our phones had been replaced by anticipation and pheromones. Here was only the unforgiving, thrilling present. We couldn't take photos, but we could be visions. So many died creating, protecting and enjoying these kinds of spaces, through wars and plagues and financial ruin. Prince Charming may not always show, but when we cruise face to face, we honor heaven."
Freshwater by Akwaeke Emezi

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dark emotional inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

 5 Feb 2025
I listened to the audiobook this time and the experience was so much richer and nuanced than I first experienced it! I'm a massive AE fan so I love everything they write - but this one is a masterpiece of a debut novel and holds a very special place in my heart.

6 Feb 2021
This was so difficult to read (subject matter), and I wanted to put it away in the beginning. And yet, without me realising it, I was drawn so deeply into the story. I couldn't look away. What an amazing way to tell your life's journey, through the eyes of the spirits that occupies your body. I also really love the reclaiming of the ogbanje as a fully fleshed reality, rather than a curse or passing mention. But perhaps the most relatable and moving part of the book was how gender and fluidity was tackled. I understood instinctually and deeply that feeling of not feeling right in your body on either side of the binary! Just brilliant. 
The Luis Ortega Survival Club by Sonora Reyes

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emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

Mother Country by Etaf Rum

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challenging emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-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? It's complicated

5.0

Evenings and Weekends by Oisín McKenna

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

4.0