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starship_olympus's reviews
338 reviews
Dragonfruit by Makiia Lucier
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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? No
5.0
I knew about this book from my other islander friends and was ecstatic to pick it up from my library. Imagine my surprise and delight that it wasn’t just an islander author, it was an author from MY ISLAND! I immediately ran to the group chat to scream my excitement seeing “Hafa Adai” in the dedication. I just about cried.
The story feels like home, it’s about diaspora, it’s about the sea and the love and magic that comes from her. I want to spend more time in this world. I want to read more books like this where I see a word and feel like an insider—“I know latte stones! I eat breadfruit, I know the fruit bats! I know the red clay and the dirt and the sand!”
The story itself is beautiful, the imagery lovely and descriptive. If there’s ever a return to this world what I want more than anything is something focused on conservation efforts to protect seadragons. I love dragons. I cried whenever any of them were hurt, even when it made sense.
What a beautiful, magical, full world Lucier created. Saina Ma’ase and BIBA GUAHAN!! BIBA MARIANAS!
The story feels like home, it’s about diaspora, it’s about the sea and the love and magic that comes from her. I want to spend more time in this world. I want to read more books like this where I see a word and feel like an insider—“I know latte stones! I eat breadfruit, I know the fruit bats! I know the red clay and the dirt and the sand!”
The story itself is beautiful, the imagery lovely and descriptive. If there’s ever a return to this world what I want more than anything is something focused on conservation efforts to protect seadragons. I love dragons. I cried whenever any of them were hurt, even when it made sense.
What a beautiful, magical, full world Lucier created. Saina Ma’ase and BIBA GUAHAN!! BIBA MARIANAS!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty and Animal death
Minor: Death, Dementia, Grief, and Death of parent
How to Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A Prayer for the Crown-Shy by Becky Chambers
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
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
5.0
Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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
4.25
I would love to see this as a stage play or read it in its original Japanese. The stories were compelling and heartfelt, but the prose wasn’t as…beautiful? rich? As I would’ve wanted (which makes sense as it’s translated from the stage into prose and then again into English.)
A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-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? No
5.0
What else must we do in this life but watch the rain fall, feel the force of the earth under our bodies, and be wonderful.
If You Could See the Sun by Ann Liang
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
5.0
This is exactly the kind of book I’ve been wanting. I’ve been playing video games for the past month but miss reading books and although I love to re-read Lord of the Rings it wasn’t hitting for me. It’s a LOT.
This hit in every single place I could’ve wanted. I love Alice, I get her. It makes sense and her choices make sense. I love Henry, who’s been in love with her for YEARS. I’m a sucker for an unrequited crush. Especially with academic rivals??? It’s cute.
I’m happy with Chanel, and with Alice’s realization that she does want human connections and friendships. Her auntie Xiaoyi is everything I want to be in an auntie. Her parents are kind, and there’s always something so special about an English teacher who’s on your side.
I have more to say about this book but I’m getting tired of typing on my phone. I just know this was a delight to read and a wonderful debut. The prose was also so lovely. It’s a book I know I’ll return to in the future whenever I need something heartwarming and kind and fun.
~from another invisible study machine
This hit in every single place I could’ve wanted. I love Alice, I get her. It makes sense and her choices make sense. I love Henry, who’s been in love with her for YEARS. I’m a sucker for an unrequited crush. Especially with academic rivals??? It’s cute.
I’m happy with Chanel, and with Alice’s realization that she does want human connections and friendships. Her auntie Xiaoyi is everything I want to be in an auntie. Her parents are kind, and there’s always something so special about an English teacher who’s on your side.
I have more to say about this book but I’m getting tired of typing on my phone. I just know this was a delight to read and a wonderful debut. The prose was also so lovely. It’s a book I know I’ll return to in the future whenever I need something heartwarming and kind and fun.
~from another invisible study machine
The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang
adventurous
dark
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
1.75
Im in that camp, I know, I really wish this had been marketed as a YA because of the style of writing. The Content is often graphic and there’s a lot of cursing, but to say that this is an adult book Purely based on the content I think is unfair.
There were a number of parts that got me. I was often on the edge of immersion and the inconsistency of the dialogue pulled me back out.
I really really really wish I liked this book more. genuinely and whole heartedly I do. But it didn’t hit.
There were a number of parts that got me. I was often on the edge of immersion and the inconsistency of the dialogue pulled me back out.
I really really really wish I liked this book more. genuinely and whole heartedly I do. But it didn’t hit.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Animal death, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Gore, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Bullying, Confinement, Cursing, Racism, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Forced institutionalization, and Alcohol
Once & Future by A.R. Capetta, Cory McCarthy
Did not finish book. Stopped at 10%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 10%.
I love Arthurian legend. i love retellings. I love space. I love diverse casts. I REALLY REALLY wanted to like this book. But calling genderqueer folks “fluids” gave me the ick, 40+ Arthur’s and not a single woman until now felt, weird and unjustified.
And then Morgana said “your people. Arabs”
And that is what made me put the book down. It felt dirty, and wrong, and after double triple checking to see if the authors were, as I expected, #FFFFFF, it all made sense.
I get it was published in 2018, but no one was like “maybe let’s not call people Arabs”. Not one?? The caucasity of it all.
And then Morgana said “your people. Arabs”
And that is what made me put the book down. It felt dirty, and wrong, and after double triple checking to see if the authors were, as I expected, #FFFFFF, it all made sense.
I get it was published in 2018, but no one was like “maybe let’s not call people Arabs”. Not one?? The caucasity of it all.
Elektra by Jennifer Saint
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I enjoyed it overall, but the middle of the book meandered a bit. It took a little bit of slugging through that bit to get to the parts that moved forward.
I can’t help but feel that a fifth of it could have been cut, at least of Clytemnestra, post sacrifice. Hers were the slowest bits, there were only so many ways to read about revenge, and it felt repetitive.
I really liked Cassandra, she was the most interesting character imo, with Elektra’s narration being second.
But overall it was wonderful to read these well known stories from this POV. Inventive and fresh!
I can’t help but feel that a fifth of it could have been cut, at least of Clytemnestra, post sacrifice. Hers were the slowest bits, there were only so many ways to read about revenge, and it felt repetitive.
I really liked Cassandra, she was the most interesting character imo, with Elektra’s narration being second.
But overall it was wonderful to read these well known stories from this POV. Inventive and fresh!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Blood, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Mental illness, Violence, Kidnapping, Death of parent, and War
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, and Kidnapping
The Black Tides of Heaven by Neon Yang
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
I could’ve spent 100 more years with this book. I think on a re-read I’ll give it 5 stars. I wish I had been able to read it in one sitting, the pacing is quick and the writing style is beautiful. It’s a book to be savored or devoured - as long as it is with love and with intention.
I’m excited to read more of Neon Yang’s work!
————
OKAY I JUST LOOKED UP NEON YANGS DISCOGRAPHY THERE ARE MORE OMG OMG OMG
I’m excited to read more of Neon Yang’s work!
————
OKAY I JUST LOOKED UP NEON YANGS DISCOGRAPHY THERE ARE MORE OMG OMG OMG
Content Warnings
Minor: Child death, Blood, Grief, and Murder