This was not only inspiring but gave me some hope with how relatable it is to current times. However, it’s also sad to see we’re dealing with the sameThis was not only inspiring but gave me some hope with how relatable it is to current times. However, it’s also sad to see we’re dealing with the same issues as Linda has been fighting for for years. There’s definitely been a shift this time around, and we can only pray that we see actual change and accountability for once. ...more
I don't know how to review this book. It felt like a fever dream.
My brain is never quiet, there are always thoughts and images. The way this story isI don't know how to review this book. It felt like a fever dream.
My brain is never quiet, there are always thoughts and images. The way this story is told felt very similar. The narrative and inner dialogue of the characters felt like a stream of consciousness, every detail, whether minor or major was included, and every detail was important to the story.
The first half of the book focuses on a platoon commander's POV in the summer of 1949. It's disturbing and dark and difficult to read at times. The second half is from the POV of a young Palestinian woman who is obsessed with how the rape and murder of a young Palestinian girl in 1949 coincides with her birthday many years later. Interestingly enough, there are many similarities between the two POVs. I can't help noticing the obsessive wanderings the commander would go on and how closely it mimics the final few pages of the Palestinian woman's POV as she wanders through the Negev Desert. Dogs barking. The smell of gasoline. And the camels. And the similar outcomes we see in both POVs. I can see why this book has been nominated for so many awards. It is a literary masterpiece. A short, but haunting read that will stay with you forever.
"Sometimes it’s inevitable for the past to be forgotten, especially if the present is no less horrific.”
I had no intention of picking up this book. After the masterpiece that is the Hunger Games trilogy and The Underland Chronicles, I was hesitant to reaI had no intention of picking up this book. After the masterpiece that is the Hunger Games trilogy and The Underland Chronicles, I was hesitant to read book focused on President Snow and his villain origin story. However, Scholastics offered to send me a copy for free, so I couldn't say no, and decided to give it a chance.
This book took me much longer to read than it should have. The issue wasn't the pacing, but more the parallels I kept seeing between the Capitol and Israel, and the Districts and Palestine. It was hard to read sometimes seeing the kind of rhetoric that Snow and his fellow classmates and teachers and governments espouse and how similar it is to Israel's propaganda and lies we're seeing on the news right now. There were a lot of scenes that just felt too similar to real life.
I do want to reread this book one day and actually take notes or annotate this book, just so I can write a proper review.
The discussions Chorio (yes, I call him that because he reminds me of the infection) has with Dr. Gaul were horrifying at times, but also enlightening in a dark way. It put so much into perspective and made me realize that maybe this was an important story to tell. A lot of villain origin stories are personal; something happens to the main character, they're hurt by someone they love/trust, and instead of being the victim, they choose revenge. But Suzanne does something more with this book. There isn't just one main villain, but a society built on control, power, chaos, violence, and justification. We get to see the structural and societal aspects of how a governing body uses power to subjugate people, and then uses their acts of resistance to wage a continuous war against them and their values to stay on top. Like I said, the parallels with what is going on in our world right now fit so well with this book. It made for a difficult read.
There are two classic examples we see in this book that reminded me so much of the genocide happening in Palestine right now.
The first being the murder of a mentor by a tribute. We see the mentor toying with the tribute, playing with the food, keeping it just out of reach, knowing the tribute is starving. And when the tribute retaliates, the Capitol media twists the story to prove to their audience that the districts are violent and uncontrollable and the Hunger Games is a necessity to remind them where they stand in the social hierarchy. We see the same thing happening in Gaza. Israel blockages the Gaza strip, turning it into a concentration camp, restricting what can go in and out, and having complete control of electricity, food, water, fuel, and supplies. This isn't a new thing that happened just after October 7th. And yet when people fight back and resist, as is their right under International Law, what does Israel do? Decides to play the victim and use an act of resistance, a moment of self defence, to commit a genocide and ethnic cleansing of the Palestinians in Gaza. And they enjoy every second of it too. Just like we saw the Capitol dragging the tributes that ran from the bombing at the arena on the streets, relishing the torture they can inflict on the districts, we see the same macabre amusement in their tiktoks as they laugh while blowing up buildings and mosques, attacking schools and hospitals, and targeting civilians.
The second example we see is what happens during the tour of the arena. It doesn't take a genius to realize the bombing was staged by the Capitol to get the citizens riled up against the Districts, to get them to watch the Hunger Games with relish rather than discomfort. And what do we see irl. That Israel knew about Hamas' plans a year in advance and did nothing to stop it, and not only that, but they let teenage girls, who had no experience, blindly shoot into crowds of people killing their own, knowing they could use the deaths of their own civilians to wage a war against innocent people, also knowing that they would have plenty of support from the other colonizers they look up to.
I sit here writing this review, and I can't help wondering how people watched the movie and did not make the connections that I'm making right now. And this isn't even everything. There were a lot of conversations in this book with Dr. Gaul that I'm blanking on right now that go into more depth about the mental gymnastics colonizers/oppressors come up with to justify their war crimes. There is a lot of mention of chaos, control, and contract, and how humans are inherently violent and will attack if put in certain situations. It implies that chaos is inevitable, but by using control and contracts, people in a position of power can create a sort of "controlled chaos environment", which we see again in real world examples.
Propaganda, dehumanization, and villainization are used by the media and colonizers like the US, Britain, Europe, and Israel to mark brown, Arab people as dangerous, violent individuals who either need to be enlightened by white people's "democracy", or be subjugated and manipulated in order for these colonizers to make use of their natural resources for their own capitalistic gains. Their lives don't amount to the same as white lives, and can be used any way they please. And if a bunch of Zionist terrorists want to ethnically cleanse a country off the map and take it as their own, why would anyone care when they're just brown Arabs?
Reading this book through Chorio's perspective was frustrating. I honestly do not understand how people were falling in love with him. His narrative makes you want to strangle him. He is full of himself, and so obsessed with control and possessiveness when it comes to Lucy Gray, that it's close to impossible to ignore all the red flags just because he's charming. Everything he does has an ulterior motive. He's always in it for himself. At one point, I think he mentions how he doesn't really care about anything except his own comfort. And we see that at the end of the book.
The ending felt a little rushed. A lot happens in a few pages and as the reader, you're left with a lot of questions. But what is clear is that Chorio remains Chorio until the very end. He has slight side quests where he considers being different/better, but at the end of the day, he cares more about his own comfort and wellbeing, and knows that that is only possible with control. Whether it's controlling the narrative, the people, the news, etc.
4.5/5 stars. A book I will 100% pick up again one day to read more closely....more
I really truly wanted to love this book. After reading Juniper and Thorn I had such high hopes, but unfortunately this book just didn't live up to my I really truly wanted to love this book. After reading Juniper and Thorn I had such high hopes, but unfortunately this book just didn't live up to my exceptions. Ava discusses a lot of important themes in her stories, and this book is no exception. My main issue was with the main character and the enemies-to-lovers romance. Effy was just not very likeable, and while she has reasons for being the way she is, it made it really difficult to enjoy the story. Her interactions with Preston in the beginning felt almost forced, like the author was really trying to push the "enemies" part of their relationship. It wasn't until chapter 7/8 when I finally started to feel a little more invested in the story. Considering the book is 17 chapters long, that's pretty much the halfway mark. The romance made me roll my eyes a little, but that's definitely me. I think after reading Emily Wilde, my romance expectations were higher, and everything about Effy and Preston constantly touching annoyed me. Like at one point I just wanted to shake them and tell them to hurry up lol. I did kind of guess where things were headed, so the ending wasn't super shocking to me, and while the vibes were definitely there to an extent (I mostly mean spooky vibes, I don't know if I would personally classify this book as dark academia), it didn't improve my overall experience of reading this book....more
A very informative read in a format that is slightly more accessible if you don't have the brain energy to read a whole non-fiction book with a bunch A very informative read in a format that is slightly more accessible if you don't have the brain energy to read a whole non-fiction book with a bunch of text and chapters.
Reading this as events unfold in Gaza and the West Bank was haunting in a way, especially seeing how nothing has changed from when Joe was in Palestine taking note of people's stories of imprisonment, resistance, and ethnic cleansing.
At one point he describes Gaza's cramped conditions holding less than a million Palestinians, whereas now there are over 2 million in that same concentration camp...
The last chapter where he discusses this whole "conflict" with some Israelis felt so similar to the last few weeks of watching people trying to debate that genocide isn't that bad. At one point, one white zionist Israeli settler says she's "tired" and just wants to live her life and not discuss whether Palestinians deserve to be free...Honestly, very close to reality. ...more
I wasn't expecting this book to make me reflect so much on my life and the choices I make everyday. While I don't necessarily believe having a positivI wasn't expecting this book to make me reflect so much on my life and the choices I make everyday. While I don't necessarily believe having a positive mindset or attitude can completely change your life, I think there is some truth to it.
Each chapter in this book follows a difference character. But every character lives in the same ward in Tokyo and do eventually come to know/hear about one another. I think it was a very sweet way to tie all the stories together. I wish I could meet the librarian who plays such an important role in each chapter and with these character's lives. She has a gift of finding the books that people need and giving them the push to discover a new way to look at life.
A lot of the characters in this book felt so similar to me. We live life on autopilot. Working so we can afford to live. Not sure if what we're doing is something that we're passionate about, or unable to follow through with our dreams because of life circumstances. And while a lot of that has to do with the capitalist environment we live in, this book shows the reader that there are ways to find some happiness and some passion and drive. It has a positive message about society and community, and how to belong in a world where we feel like we're not connected.
This book is meant for all ages and different stages of life, and I think everyone can get something unique from it.
"Sometimes, though, I think about the future. What will I be doing years from now? I don't have the same kind of burning desire like I used to when all I wanted was to escape to Tokyo, and I don't feel excited anymore about achieving a goal."
"You managed to find employment, you go to work every day and you can feed yourself. That's a fine achievement."
"I was working in order to eat, but I never had time to eat because of work."
^this one is a personal attack
"The days go by more happily when you have something to dream about. It's not always a bad thing to have a dream, with no plan of ever carrying it out."
"He might be tough enough to survive any conditions and have special powers, but he sulks if he doesn't get enough attention and cries at the drop of a hat."
"If you throw yourself into doing the things you like, it's possible to live a happy, healthy life as he does, even if one is old, retired, divorced and living alone."
^maybe for those of us who are especially lonely and covid conscious...more
I really enjoyed this book, and I think I would have loved it even more if I had read it faster. But unfortunately, my reading the last 3 months has bI really enjoyed this book, and I think I would have loved it even more if I had read it faster. But unfortunately, my reading the last 3 months has been super slow, sometimes not picking up a book for days at a time, not because I'm not interested in the story, but because my brain is just tired.
I loved so many aspects of this book. The main character is disabled and disfigured, which is so rare to see in fantasy. Kissen has a prosthetic leg, and uses a cane and a wheelchair at times. Her found family is also disabled and it's just so good and nice to see that incorporated into a fantasy setting seamlessly as it should be. One member of her family uses a wheelchair and the other is deaf, and they all use signspeak to speak to each other. I was literally ...more
I know I've said this before, but I regret not picking up this series sooner. As soon as I finished Sunbolt, I knew I needed to read the next book immI know I've said this before, but I regret not picking up this series sooner. As soon as I finished Sunbolt, I knew I needed to read the next book immediately because I could not stop thinking about this world and these characters.
Intisar writes books that are diverse, but still have that older fantasy vibe that I fell in love with as a child. I grew up reading Tamora Pierce and C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien and all the other classics. My heart goes all warm and fuzzy thinking about that period of my life and those books and how attached I became to the world and the characters. The only thing that was lacking was diversity and representation that I could relate to. I think one of the reasons I'm so hesitant about reading newer YA releases is because of how romance-focused publishing has become, which is definitely influenced by booktok. Tropes sell. And enemies-to-lovers and smut in YA is a thing now, and if you don't have either of those or the other tropes that people are obsessed with, publishing won't want your book. It's actually really sad.
Intisar's books feel so refreshing but also familiar. And this book was no different.
I had trouble putting it down because I was so immersed in what was happening and what was going to happen. Hitomi is now one of my all-time favourite characters. She dives right into trouble, determined to help the people she loves even at the expense of her own life. She's definitely a "main character" in the sense her magic doesn't act like other mages, but she's down-to-earth and loveable because she doesn't see herself as above the people around her.
Because I'm obsessed with one (1) fanfic series, aka The Rigel Black Chronicles, I spent the entirety of this book feeling like Hitomi was just like Rigel Black/Harriet Potter. And Kenta is Leo. The similarities were striking and honestly made me scream sometimes. So I've totally done my best to convince the HGSS discord server to read the series.
The one-line that really summarizes this book and also The Rigel Black Chronicles:
"Even though you have the annoying habit of nearly getting yourself killed for other people on a regular basis."
Just AHHHHHsdjfsklfjskf
Anyway, back to the book. As a Tamora Pierce fan–this is not shocking–my least favourite book of hers was A Woman Who Rides Like a Man because of the Bazhir rep. And while Tammy has addressed this, it is still something I have to brace myself for every time I pick up that book.
Memories of Ash though is 'what if A Woman Who Rides Like a Man was done well'. The plot is not exactly the same, but we do get a glimpse of the desert tribes and their hospitality. Their culture is clearly influenced by Middle Eastern/Arab culture. And it was done so well! It actually made me smile and so happy, and I have a feeling we're going to see even more in the third book, which makes me even more excited.
I think I mentioned in my review for Sunbolt how resourceful Hitomi is. Well, that doesn't stop in this book. Whenever I know Hitomi has a plan or is up to something, but as the reader we don't exactly know all the details yet, I get so giddy. It does remind me a lot of Rigel, so that's probably why, but also, there's something so thrilling about not knowing what the character is up to, but also knowing at the same time that whatever they're going to do will be epic in some way. I just love Hitomi so much and get so excited whenever she's planning how to take down evil people.
I think my favourite side characters were the lycan guards, especially Osman Bey. I just had a feeling about them and it turned out to be right and I'm still sdfdksjfsdklf about their role in this book.
We finally get to see some old friends again, which was so bittersweet because Hitomi doesn't have a lot of her memories. I really, really love Kenta so much and his determination to not let Hitomi do things on her own and protect her was also very Leo-esque. We also get to see a reunion of a sorts, that was more painful than I was expecting. And we get to see a certain breather again!!!
Honestly the interrogation scene under the truth-spell was probably my favourite scene in this book. I get chills thinking about it.
Hitomi herself goes through so much in this book, but I also thinks she learns to accept help from others instead of trying to do everything on her own. She still struggles with putting others at risk, but by the end I think she learns that people are more than capable of understanding risk and it's not her job to try and protect everyone all the time.
I cannot wait to see what happens next. I miss this world and these characters already and I can't stop thinking about them. I wish the third book was already out in the world, but I'm even more excited to reread this series. Also, I badly need a map of this world. LIKE BADLY.
2025 Reread: Just as great as the first time I read this
***
I think this broke my reading slump.
Intisar Khanani's writing and world-building are so com2025 Reread: Just as great as the first time I read this
***
I think this broke my reading slump.
Intisar Khanani's writing and world-building are so comforting and exactly what I needed to feel like reading again.
I haven't gotten around to reading Sunbolt, so when I got the opportunity to read the prequel I hopped on it because it seemed like a good time. There's just something so familiar about this new world. In some ways it reminds me of Dauntless Path. It's refreshing and different, but filled with the same loveable and charming characters. Prequels aren't usually my favourite books to read because they're kind of an awkward length, but Shadow Thief has the perfect build up for what I think Sunbolt will continue. It ended off so well and as a prequel I think it gives us a good background on Hitomi before jumping into her story.
I'm really looking forward to picking up Sunbolt now. I guess sometimes you have to revisit your favourite authors to get out of a reading slump....more
I requested this book because spooky vibes. The premise kind of reminded me of Mexican Gothic (minus the mushrooms), and it's been a while since I've I requested this book because spooky vibes. The premise kind of reminded me of Mexican Gothic (minus the mushrooms), and it's been a while since I've read a spooky book, so I thought I would give this a chance.
I pretty much went in with zero expectations and only a vague idea of what this book was about. And boy did it take me by surprise.
So to start off...
1. Spooky House duh 2. Grumpy warden of said Spooky House who is mysterious and lonely and no he doesn't need anyone and the mc is annoying and she needs to leave him alone but also ...more
Okay, this was actually pretty good. I loved the lore behind the Gift and the Remarkables, and its connection with the enslavement of Black people in Okay, this was actually pretty good. I loved the lore behind the Gift and the Remarkables, and its connection with the enslavement of Black people in the US and the Underground Railway. Such a cool way to mix history in with some fantasy elements. I definitely got Percy Jackson vibes from this book, which made it super enjoyable to read. It was fast-paced and jumped around from setting to setting (again, so similar to PJO), and the world-building was done really well. I'm curious to see what happens next, especially now that we've seen a bit of Uhuru. It sounds like a dream world, but I like how this book doesn't shy from the darker and ugly parts of Remarkable history either.
The main characters were fun and loveable. I loved the dynamic between the three by the end of the book. And I loved the family aspects especially. It was just very sweet and wholesome at times.
Definitely a book series I would recommend for middle grade readers. It's nice to diverge from reading the same popular middle-grade books, yet have the familiarity of the story style, but with a diverse cast of characters and a back story and world that is so unique. ...more