Dione Basseri

Nonstop listen!

Revisado: 01-27-23

I finished this in one sitting. Just like every other Wayward Children book!

Now, the book begins with a trigger warning for child sexual abuse, and DAMN, take that SERIOUSLY. As the warning says, Antoinette escapes before anything “happens,” but as an observer, even one who has had this assurance, every movement by her abuser makes your stomach twist. I’ve got no particular triggers, but the first half of the book had me on high alert.

But then, Antoinette escapes, and we’re treated to yet another wonderful (and terrible) world beyond a door. This time, we’re in a shop which specializes in lost things. But this shop also has access to many other doors, allowing us glimpses into many more worlds, as Antoinette goes on bartering adventures…until the inevitable “price” of her adventures is explained.

I would never call these books “fast.” McGuire certainly takes time to focus on scenery–such as Antoinette’s first trip to a market–but I think the genius here is that only scenes which are plot-relevant appear. This book, in particular, covers at least 2 years of adventures in the Shop, but I can only think of three or four actual scenes that get any focus. The rest of the time is covered in broad sweeps of narrative, in a manner that is rather dream-like. If Antoinette had woken up and realized the whole adventure had happened in just a night, it would feel perfectly logical.

I wait an entire year for each new Wayward Children book, and my only regret on getting an advanced copy this year was that I now have to wait a few extra days more! Agh! This series! <3

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Middling

Revisado: 08-09-22

At times a slog, at times entrancing. I wonder if the original version of the Stand (the "cut" version) might feel better in flow. Work was done to cut things down significantly, so I'd assume that what was cut wasn't NECESSARY to understanding the plot. At the same time, I think the PLOT wasn't what interested me! The different vignettes of people in their final days of Captain Trips (or death by some other means) were horrifying, but very interesting. Not so much the extensive backstory given to these characters that King kills off so readily, but the improbably events leading to their deaths. Sort of a Final Destination thing.

The final quarter of the book, having basically none of these vignettes, is the part I enjoyed least. The problem is, King spends plenty of times making his male characters assholes and his female characters paragons, but then only allows the men to DO things. So when the men go off to face death, you don't really care.

For a better look at a post-pandemic apocalypse, check out "Station Eleven."

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Modern sense and sensibilities

Revisado: 07-18-22

My favorite thing about this book is that it has just taken modern manners on how to treat a trans person, and plopped it down in Regency England. No long-winded justification for respect, just RESPECT. No outing, no microaggressions, no villainous transphobic rant, just...respect.

Also, the sex scenes are REALLY well-done. :P

This is wish-fulfilment, and why not? Why not have nice things? While the book begins with Viola stewing in her fears of rejection, should her old friend Justin, Duke of Gracewood, recognize her, once that recognition is made, the drama isn't that she transitioned, it's that she let him think she was dead. And then further drama as the two try to carve out a place for themselves which takes into account the expectations of a Duke (that is, continuing the family line) and also the expectations of a lady's maid (to not be disgraced by an affair).

And the biggest, most dangerous moment in the book? Has NOTHING to do with their romance. And yet their romance AND their childhood friendship play a part in bringing about the expected happy ending.

Audiobook bonus: Matched identity in the narrator! And I'd have accepted nothing else than a trans woman voicing a trans woman.

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esto le resultó útil a 3 personas

Spy tale somewhat marred by unproven child

Revisado: 07-18-22

This bit of historical fiction is based around many of the unproveable details of Agent 355, a spy for the American rebellion in the war for independence. Even the idea of the spy being a woman is debatable, based purely on the fact that "355" might be mean "lady" in one of the codes used by revolutionary spies.

Benedict fleshes out this spy by giving her a name and background: Elizabeth Morris, child of Tory (as in anti-revolution) parents, who used her place in society to ferry information to the rebels. It's an interesting tale, and serves as a stand-in for the many unknown, brave spies in that war, and in many other. Spies who, if all things go as they should, are never to be known.

I just don't like that this stories decides to go along with on yet another unproven theory: that said spy gave birth to a child on the prison ship. After such an adventurous tale, it reeks of "ah, but she did the one thing she was SUPPOSED to do and had a baby!" Elizabeth couldn't be satisfied with the work she did for the revolution, and even the joy of finding love. The narrative had to fulfil her with progeny.

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A remnant of the freebies

Revisado: 07-17-22

There was a time that Audible tried to lure us in with monthly freebies, and they weren't...generally...great. Not awful, but this should have been skippable, but for my need to be a completionist.

Here is the adaptation of a one-man-show, wherein God tells you that you've got it wrong. But, like, in a liberal-backing sense. Which, hey, I approve. Love that He said gay is OK, here. I definitely would not want to hear a conservative version of this, oof.

But, meh. It's part of the Plus Catalog, nowadays, but you can skip on by unless the description makes it seem like exactly your thing.

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A small overview, needs more parts

Revisado: 07-17-22

It's been 2 years, Audible. Ask for a new volume! There's plenty more Black athletes to cover. Hell, this didn't even touch on Serena Williams, Muhammad Ali, or Michael Jordan, and that's just looking at obvious names. What about athletics that are not often considered "sports," like ballet with Misty Copeland?

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A new, fascinating focus in the Goblin Emperor!

Revisado: 07-17-22

Why did I sit on this book so long? Just the crushing weight of my TBR, really....

Now, this book is a thematic departure from the "Goblin Emperor." But in quality, it remains as riveting as the first book in the series! If you loved book 1 and are wondering if you'll like a book that does not focus on Maia/Edrehasivar, do not worry; you'll fall in love with the narrative voice of Thara Celehar as fast as you did with Maia's.

This book is more about mystery, the human (or elf and goblin) psyche, and a world abound in necromantic magics. Celehar, as a Witness for the Dead, is sometimes aided by his ability to summon the spirits of the recently departed for inquiry, but more often, has to solve crimes through deduction and interviews with the still-living. Sadly, no Zone of Truth for this Witness, meaning recognizing that even the most helpful (and handsome) of interviewees might muddle his case with half-truths and outright lies.

The speech of the book is very formal, a lot of "thee" and "thou" and "we" instead of "I," but overall, it's not stultifying. I think that it works great in the audiobook version, where you just get into the groove and accept the narrator's cadence. Addison highlights any slips in grammar (especially slips into less-formal "you" and "I") in a way that adds to the mystery. It's not flavor. It's an actual important part of the story.

All of the book is fantastic, of course, but I particularly love any section where we learn more about the world's fantasy elements. The section on the Hill of Werewolves was such a contemplative and FASCINATING section.

I loved this book so much that I jumped right into the next book when I was done. Thank goodness for ARCs!

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Regret.

Revisado: 07-16-22

Definitely a book that couldn't get published, nowadays. It's just ableism, run rampant.

Sturgeon's story posits "Homo Gestalt." A single organism spread across multiple bodies. But in order for such an organism to exist, each portion must have severe limitations and disabilities. And the end result is a notion that these portions, these people, are less than whole. It's supposed to be seen as a "next stage in evolution," but it's just a big step back in morality.

The narrator did fine. But the text itself...ugh. I listened to this because it's in one of my classic sci-fi anthologies, "Science Fiction Argosy," but now regret that. This isn't just skippable, it's ADVISABLE to skip.

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Free, but not worth it

Revisado: 07-01-22

I think a bunch of us got this as a free Audible pick, but, in retrospect, Audible was just really throwing the dregs at us.

The thing is, I don't need another bury-the-gays story. Maybe you do. But the lack of nuance in this very basic and oft-repeated tale didn't really...do anything for me. Or to me. I am going to forget this in days.

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The variety of experience

Revisado: 07-01-22

I blasted through this audiobook in one afternoon. But it wasn't exactly a comfortable afternoon. But not in a bad way. In a "well, this is realistic and realism is terrifying" way.

I was particularly interested in what I'm pretty sure is the longest story in the collection (hard to tell, with audio), "Sweet on the Tongue." The story of a courtship, a life shattering, and three lives being put back together. For all the horror of the middle of the story, it ends on such an ideal, caring note.

You can't just think of this as a quick read. Even if, like me, you listen to it in one session, it's going to stick with you.

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esto le resultó útil a 1 persona