Kevin Nguyen’s Mỹ Documents is sharp, unsettling, and undeniably well-written. The premise—a government policy forces Vietnamese Americans into internKevin Nguyen’s Mỹ Documents is sharp, unsettling, and undeniably well-written. The premise—a government policy forces Vietnamese Americans into internment camps—hits close to home for me as someone of Japanese descent and the parallels to the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II. The story captures how fear, misinformation, and government overreach can lead to horrifying consequences. There are also themes of exploitation and appropriation of tragedy and the complications of family ties.
Unfortunately, while I don’t mind unlikable characters, I wish we’d seen more growth from them over the course of the story. Then again, maybe that’s the point: that bad things can happen and we don’t have to learn and grow from them—there does not need to be a silver lining.
I also found it jarring that there are moments where devastating things happen, but instead of sitting in the emotions, the narrative barrels ahead to the next event. It made it hard for me to feel fully connected to the story at times.
Still, the book is worth reading for its thought-provoking premise and its eerie relevance to today’s political climate. It’s one of those novels that’ll stick with you, even if it leaves you feeling more unsettled than satisfied. Solid four stars, and I could see myself pushing this up to five if I find myself thinking about it long after having finished it.
When I was going through a hard time, someone advised me that anger was an appropriate reaction to an angering situation. This book was an expansion oWhen I was going through a hard time, someone advised me that anger was an appropriate reaction to an angering situation. This book was an expansion on that theme, and it really resonated with me.
"Anger is the expression of hope...The anger we have as women is an act of radical imagination...Your anger is a gift you give to yourself and the world that is yours."...more
I absolutely loved The Ancients. It’s the story of a world ravaged by climate change, where civilization has been set back thousands of years. The intI absolutely loved The Ancients. It’s the story of a world ravaged by climate change, where civilization has been set back thousands of years. The interwoven stories of survival and hope kept me hooked from start to finish.
None of the characters were purely likable, but they were all compelling in their own ways, forcing me to stay invested in their struggles.
I loved the messages about sustainability and hope in such a bleak future. My only minor gripe was how neatly everything wrapped up in the end, which felt a little too tidy given the harshness of the story. That said, it didn’t take away from how incredible this book was overall—highly recommend!
I was super into this in the beginning: it was like reading Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy for the first time, but a little more modern and less BriI was super into this in the beginning: it was like reading Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy for the first time, but a little more modern and less British.
But then nothing happened. And nothing kept happening. And then I was 30% of the way through and still nothing had happened.
So, because I started this without knowing anything about it, I thought it’d be a cute YA SF book about an AI and a group of internet friends. This is actually a THRILLER. And it gets kind of intense.
I enjoyed it, loved the diverse characters, and thought the writing was solid.
So, because I started this without knowing anything about it, I thought it’d be a cute YA SF book about an AI and a group of internet friends. This is actually a THRILLER. And it gets kind of intense.
I enjoyed it, loved the diverse characters, and thought the writing was solid....more
This book was recommended to me, but the summary didn't sound up my alley--I was surprised that I ended up enjoying it. I didn't care much for Flavia This book was recommended to me, but the summary didn't sound up my alley--I was surprised that I ended up enjoying it. I didn't care much for Flavia as a person (oh, she's such a brat to her sisters), but I loved her as a character.
I probably won't be reading the next one, but I can definitely think of a few people I would recommend this to.
If you like mysteries, chemistry, and precocious kids, this one's for you....more
This one starts with a great premise but quickly loses its way. The setup—driving a mysterious woman and her black box across the country with a ton oThis one starts with a great premise but quickly loses its way. The setup—driving a mysterious woman and her black box across the country with a ton of odd rules—was really intriguing at first. There’s also some smart commentary on internet culture and conspiracy theories, which could’ve been interesting. But the characters just fell flat for me. I couldn’t connect with them, and honestly, I didn’t really care what happened to them.
The pacing was also all over the place. What starts as a potential page-turner turns into a long, drawn-out adventure. The initial tension fizzles out, and the story ends up feeling more absurd than thrilling. I found myself struggling to keep going. For a book with such a wild premise, I was surprised by how uneven and slow it felt overall. I really wanted to like it more, but it just didn’t click for me.
Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press!...more
If Cebo Campbell set out to write an uncomfortable read, one that pushes boundaries: mission accomplished. This book is such an interesting thought exIf Cebo Campbell set out to write an uncomfortable read, one that pushes boundaries: mission accomplished. This book is such an interesting thought experiment, and the writing is so good I was hooked the whole way through.
The premise is wild: one day, all the white people in America walk into the nearest body of water and disappear. A year later, Charlie Brunton, a Black professor and ex-convict, gets a call from his daughter Sidney, who’s been isolating herself in Wisconsin ever since the event. The two of them—estranged and carrying plenty of baggage—set off on a road trip through a world that’s completely changed. Along the way, they face what it means to be Black in this "post-racial" America while trying to figure out their own complicated relationship. It’s equal parts heart-wrenching, thought-provoking, and totally unique.
I know some reviews have slammed the ending, but I liked it. I’m all for open-ended stories that make you think, and this one felt like it ended exactly where it should. That said, my one gripe is Sidney. She felt a little flat at the beginning, more like a caricature than a real person, and that made some of the more emotional parts of the book miss a beat for me. But it’s a small thing in an otherwise great book.
And a note: some of the reviews I’ve seen are just baffling. Did we read the same book? People saying the author is spewing hate or calling for genocide: no. That’s not what this is. This book is about race, identity, and what happens when power structures are flipped on their heads. It’s supposed to make you uncomfortable. That’s the point.
In the end, Sky Full of Elephants is a book that sticks with you. It’s sharp, original, and packed with heart. I’m looking forward to whatever Cebo Campbell writes next.
Thank you to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster!...more