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turrean's reviews
2264 reviews
The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
A gorgeous fantasy with a Russian folkloric setting. Beautifully told. The audiobook narration was excellent, and sounded authentic to my (admittedly untutored) ear. There were a few point-of-view accounts that I thought were unnecessary (the brother who wants to become a monk, for example.)
The fate of some of the characters was so distressing!I found I pitied Anna far more than I disliked her. Her family sees her as a burden, but she’s denied the one choice women had in that era to escape being given to a husband. I know she’s in some ways a dark shadow of Vasya, who makes her own way. But poor Anna had no chance at redemption.
The fate of some of the characters was so distressing!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Blood, Grief, Religious bigotry, and Death of parent
China Trade by S.J. Rozan
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
First in the series. Attitudes felt a bit dated but it is 30 years old, so the sexism is spot on for the times.
The recording was sub par. The narrator sounded robotic during the action, and made the main character’s voice weirdly young and dithery. Though the mother was a hoot!
The recording was sub par. The narrator sounded robotic during the action, and made the main character’s voice weirdly young and dithery. Though the mother was a hoot!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Sexism, Sexual assault, Violence, Xenophobia, Blood, and Murder
Savvy by Ingrid Law
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Engaging and hopeful. I thought a few of the adults escaped trouble more easily than the real world would permit, but I have zero complaints about the ending!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Medical content, and Car accident
Shakespeare: The Man Who Pays the Rent by Brendan O’Hea, Judi Dench
funny
informative
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
What a fantastic memoir! Judi Dench is a peerless Shakespearean actress, with insights and stories that illuminate the plays for the reader.
Sorcery and Small Magics by Maiga Doocy
funny
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? Yes
The magic system is complex, and I’m not sure even after reading the book that I really understand the distinctions among cantrips, spells, and grandmagic. The line between scriver and caster seems fluid, too. The setting is lovely, detailed and full of enchantment. The urgent challenges faced by the farmers like Grimm’s family stand in stark contrast to the artificiality of the Coterie & Fount.
The pace is very slow. Leo is tediously irresponsible and impulsive, Grimm is tediously stuffy and taciturn. A great many plot lines are unresolved at the end.
The pace is very slow. Leo is tediously irresponsible and impulsive, Grimm is tediously stuffy and taciturn. A great many plot lines are unresolved at the end.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
We Solve Murders by Richard Osman
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Delightful thriller / mystery. Reminded me of some of Donald Westlake’s best (that’s high praise from me.) I’m a fan of Osman’s other books, especially his inclusion of older characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, and Grief
Moderate: Gun violence
The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi by S.A. Chakraborty
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Absolutely perfect. Swashbuckling adventures, tricksy djinn, loyal friends and crew, and a power-hungry villain…this novel has it all. The audiobook was hugely entertaining. A few interludes that (I assume) were written as dialogue between characters were done so well. It was like overhearing a conversation.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Sexism, Violence, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Transphobia and Xenophobia
The Teller of Small Fortunes by Julie Leong
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
There were some lovely moments that had some Becky Chambers / Terry Pratchett overtones (particularly a subplot relating to a nunnery & a troll). The plot unfolds easily: old hurts are easily mended (“But, darling, I thought you understood!”), crises handily averted, personal growth assured. Cozy and sweet, a good fit as YA. The epilogue and the encounters with an important mage hinted at the author’s ability to tell a more complex and nuanced story.
There was a point in the story where the greedy edicts of the ruling class have led to higher prices for animal feed, economic worry, and the threat of ruin for merchants and traders. Aha, I thought, this is where the story will turn! Instead, this leads exactly nowhere. In fact, a powerful person explains that protagonist is just a foolish girl who doesn’t understand the threats the realm faces, and that the true servants of an empire must be selfish, manipulative, and cold if that’s what duty requires to serve the greater good. The lower classes are ruled over by (mostly) benevolent bureaucrats who don’t need to explain themselves. In fact, the common folk “can go on with their lives now; they can grumble about taxes and make plans for their families’ futures without the weight of fearing what might have been. Because you, and I, and the Crown have carried that burden for them.” On the heels of a recent US election, this was a depressing thought. Thanks, but no thanks, I’ll take my economic policies with explanations, please, with a side order of fearing what might have been.
Also, the Eshteran Crown needs to invest in a far, far better spy network.
There was a point in the story where the greedy edicts of the ruling class have led to higher prices for animal feed, economic worry, and the threat of ruin for merchants and traders. Aha, I thought, this is where the story will turn! Instead, this leads exactly nowhere. In fact, a powerful person explains that protagonist is just a foolish girl who doesn’t understand the threats the realm faces, and that the true servants of an empire must be selfish, manipulative, and cold if that’s what duty requires to serve the greater good. The lower classes are ruled over by (mostly) benevolent bureaucrats who don’t need to explain themselves. In fact, the common folk “can go on with their lives now; they can grumble about taxes and make plans for their families’ futures without the weight of fearing what might have been. Because you, and I, and the Crown have carried that burden for them.” On the heels of a recent US election, this was a depressing thought. Thanks, but no thanks, I’ll take my economic policies with explanations, please, with a side order of fearing what might have been.
Also, the Eshteran Crown needs to invest in a far, far better spy network.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Xenophobia, and War
The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
This one was a winner. The main character’s desire for the security of power was in conflict with her growing awareness of the way racism has infiltrated and corrupted her society, from its language, to employment, to the extreme conditions caused by climate change. Thoughtful, intelligent writing (reminds me of Connie Willis) plus clever twists and turns equals a great novel.