A heartbreaking saga of a family torn apart by resentment, misunderstanding, and the fragile interpretation of honor. Lyrical and reflective, this novA heartbreaking saga of a family torn apart by resentment, misunderstanding, and the fragile interpretation of honor. Lyrical and reflective, this novel explores the bittersweet immigrant experience, the pains of leaving one home to create another, the balancing of tradition and assimilation, and the nuances of cultural expectations and expressions. It is a look into the ways that withheld truths both save and damn us, how our freedoms are almost never without cost, and how the things meant to empower us can be used as a means of harm when in the wrong hands. It is a devastating look at misguided youth, of aching hearts, of intentions and actions, of sisterly love and of sacrificing one happiness for the chance at another. Gripping, and full of the dire choices many women must make everyday, Honor is a stunning account of a life lived with great pain, but great love as well. ...more
A compellingly dark western that explores the secrets we keep, and the price we pay to live free. Using an intriguing mix of horror and history, Lone A compellingly dark western that explores the secrets we keep, and the price we pay to live free. Using an intriguing mix of horror and history, Lone Women is a gritty and arresting novel, where guilt and trauma take physical shape, where the families we forge along our journeys can light the dark paths in life. It is equally bleak and hopeful, a bittersweet story that feels true. Filled with looming dread and chilling secrets, Lone Women is sure to resonate with those who have internalized pain, who lay awake considering choices made, opportunities missed. A whisper in the night, full of everything unsaid. ...more
A whimsical journey into the Mayan underworld that examines feminism, tradition, and coming of age. With intriguing characters and compelling quests, A whimsical journey into the Mayan underworld that examines feminism, tradition, and coming of age. With intriguing characters and compelling quests, this YA adventure is a modern fairy tale which invokes the best from both past and present, human and godly. Casiopea and Hun-Kamé make a fascinating duo, as they explore what it means to be human, what makes a fleeting life worthwhile, what is the toll of immorality. A fun novel that brims with culture and charm. ...more
A dark, sensual study in grief and codependency. Unsettling, fevered, and pulsing with loneliness, Blue Hunger is a fascinating journey into the chasmA dark, sensual study in grief and codependency. Unsettling, fevered, and pulsing with loneliness, Blue Hunger is a fascinating journey into the chasm of grief; it is a trip through the labyrinth of loss, a look into the ways in which we try to fill its void, be it through vices or through relationships. This novella is a deliriously compelling look at the feeling of otherness, the ways that language and emotion shape how we view ourselves and those around us; how we will go to any lengths to feel a part of someone, something. A gripping and powerful story. ...more
A tender series of vignettes on sibling relationships, family lore, and the ways in which stories shape who we are and who we believe we can become. SA tender series of vignettes on sibling relationships, family lore, and the ways in which stories shape who we are and who we believe we can become. Succinct, wistful, and with the different stages of understanding and acceptance that come with trauma, enlightenment, and companionship, Defenestrate is an imaginative nod to our inheritance as storytellers, and our right to create something new from the legacies we are tied to. ...more
A compellingly fresh and emotional coming of age that centers around familial bonds, identity, and the immigrant experience. With endearing and authentic protagonists, Between Two Moons is an honest and all encompassing view of twin girls as they navigate racism, their own religious and cultural identities, and their growing uncertainty as they grow apart and find their ways back to one another. This is an ode to immigrant parents, to their children who fight to remain loyal to their traditions but who also wish to forge their own identities and ambitions, and to the faith and love that changes, but never falls completely apart. This is an essential coming of age story; it is urgent, timely, and brillant....more
A flexuous saga of ethics, ideals, passions, and relationships between three very different but close knit families in London. Filled with humor, and A flexuous saga of ethics, ideals, passions, and relationships between three very different but close knit families in London. Filled with humor, and all the varying chaos that comes with clashing beliefs, desires, and motivations, this novel widely explores the experiences of those just trying to get by. The prose has a unique flare that gives the impression of living alongside each character as the years go by, the emotions building up until they finally implode. ...more
A solemn journey through codependence, poverty, and loss. After the sudden death of their mother, we see reclusive twins struggle to adapt to the worlA solemn journey through codependence, poverty, and loss. After the sudden death of their mother, we see reclusive twins struggle to adapt to the world around them, untangling dark secrets, building resentment and disappointment around every corner. Like the title, we see how unsteady the ground of relationships and quality of life is when it sits atop a foundation of lies, of buried things unwillingly unearthed. Beautiful prose filled with sorrow and revelation, will resonate strongly with anyone who has been lied to “for their own good.” ...more
A sentimental and heart wrenching saga that attests to the value of imagination and love. We see how bonds and stories so often save us in the darkestA sentimental and heart wrenching saga that attests to the value of imagination and love. We see how bonds and stories so often save us in the darkest of times, and how every accomplishment, every journey, every step towards healing, starts with a dream, a song, a memory. As a twin myself this story hit me hard. ...more
A sequel filled with style and suspense. Agatha Christie again fills this story with twists and turns, and creates characters filled with personality A sequel filled with style and suspense. Agatha Christie again fills this story with twists and turns, and creates characters filled with personality and moral ambiguity. Poirot is charming and eccentric as usual, and there were secrets kept until the very end. The added side romance, although brief, is a welcome addition that I look forward to seeing more of further in the series. A fun, campy mystery. ...more
A chilling journey into the labyrinth of the mind. Through fever dream memories and gruesome experiments, we see first hands the terrible consequencesA chilling journey into the labyrinth of the mind. Through fever dream memories and gruesome experiments, we see first hands the terrible consequences for morbid curiosity, as well as the disturbing attempts to completely control others. Sundial is a suspenseful and thrilling peeling back of layers that is “the self”, and the sides of ourselves that we show others, the sides that we wish to save only for ourselves. Identity is a fragile and unpredictable thing which is a dangerous mix of environment, invention, and impulse. The symbolism of mirrors and motherhood is brilliantly terrifying and thought provoking. A hazy journey through the hostile lands of ego and instinct. ...more
2.5. A bleak, sobering account of the victims of Josef Mengele’s Zoo. The author wields some powerful prose here, and I give her the benefit of the do2.5. A bleak, sobering account of the victims of Josef Mengele’s Zoo. The author wields some powerful prose here, and I give her the benefit of the doubt that she had good intentions. These types of stories are so difficult to write tastefully and accurately. Nonetheless, as a twin I did feel an immediate attachement to our narrators, and was fairly satisfied with the way the story was wrapped up. This may be better suited to some readers than others. ...more
If I could sum this book up in one word it would be disappointing. The New York Times describes this novel as “ingenious and lovestruck.” Let’s unpackIf I could sum this book up in one word it would be disappointing. The New York Times describes this novel as “ingenious and lovestruck.” Let’s unpack that. Ingenious? No. The best thing about this book is the cover, it is admittedly beautiful and caught my eye. The summary holds promise as well. A modern Antigone, and as a twin myself, I am incredibly partial to stories that feature twins. However, the Antigone reference waits until the very end to show itself, and when it does it is so gratuitous and rushed that the sour taste it leaves in your mouth almost completely overshadows it. Lovestruck? I believe the correct word is fetishized. For a much more perfectly said and thorough review on this matter, please see the review of @KahaneeWitches, but to reiterate: the role of the hijab in this story is mostly used for sexual encounters between the characters. It was so incredibly uncomfortable to read, I lost my respect for the book almost instantly after the inexplicably rushed and forced sexual entanglement of Eamonn and Aneeka. Overall, this book seems to have been written to cater to a very specific type of Western ( WASP ) audience. There were areas of this story, such as the political conflicts, as well as the discussion of radicalization, that could have been elaborated on for a more productive, interesting read. I just could not get past the issues in this book, which is a shame because there could have been a lot more done with the nod to Antigone. Really unfortunate, dangerous in the wrong hands type of book....more
This heartfelt debut is a carefully constructed examination of incarciration, mental health, and the ways in which families are tested and strengtheneThis heartfelt debut is a carefully constructed examination of incarciration, mental health, and the ways in which families are tested and strengthened. Through the eyes of three sisters brought togther and torn apart by trauma and struggle, we see the fragility of innocence, the urge we have to protect families against the outside world, even at the risk of growing apart. We see the ways in which women must often pick up the pieces in the face of devestation, and the long, widing road towards forgiveness. This novel is a timely statement on justice and reforging strained relationships. ...more
An engrossing family drama that discusses family dynamics, discovering truths, and coming together after falling apart. Following protagonist Glory inAn engrossing family drama that discusses family dynamics, discovering truths, and coming together after falling apart. Following protagonist Glory in the wake of her father’s death and move back to London from LA, we see the complications of navigating new relationships and rekindling ones that have nearly burnt out. It is a character study in reconciling the image our family with the true one, in finding our identity amongst the one we have crafted to cater to the expectations of others. Though tense and somber at times, it is ultimately a heartwarming and affirming journey of reunification and new beginnings. ...more
A heavy, haunting novel of violence, and those who are lost in its whirlpool. We see how the choices of oppressors, murderers, and violent men are obsA heavy, haunting novel of violence, and those who are lost in its whirlpool. We see how the choices of oppressors, murderers, and violent men are obsessed over, how every little movement, thought, must hold some great meaning or reason, but so often as a society that obsession overshadows the victims, those whose brilliant lights were extinguished, and those who were left behind to grieve and wonder what could have been. Raw and heart wrenching....more
Loading...
