book review: Ply by Hernan Diaz

 

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 3.5/5

Thank you Riverhead Books for providing an ARC for review consideration via NetGalley! All opinions are my own. 

 

Hernan Diaz’s prose immediately drew me in…”Even at night, the bridge throws a shadow on the river — a black lane where the otherwise shimmering waters seem to deepen. I am invisible gliding down that narrow eclipse. No one can see me from above; no one can spot me from the shore. The whir of the propeller slicing through the current vanishes under the city’s hum that rolls over the river like a mist. The boat and I become nothing. A possibility no one considered.” 

 

The main character is unnamed, yet made deeply layered by the author sharing everything in her early life which has brought her to this point. A dual timeline was cleverly used to reveal this information, while getting the reader right into her current situation as a “pincher” stealing electricity in this future derelict city to trade for not only necessities but to donate to her favorite bands to play impromptu underground shows. 

 

The second part of the book shifts to her stealing electricity, but in aid to an older woman who is trying to succeed in an experiment she believes will change humanity. Because physics is my favorite genre, I was immediately intrigued by this new storyline. I also particularly loved the description of this woman…”Every now and then she falls behind on purpose to be able to study the old woman, whose features, in the yolky light of dawn, are a bit more relaxed. She’s an elegant cyclist whose upright posture and effortless pedaling manage to convey the understated joy her body finds in movement without renouncing a patrician sort of deportment. Hard to tell if her sinewy limbs are the result of ascetic emancipation or athletic discipline.” 

 

While the exceptional writing completely immersed me in the characters and world, I found myself needing to read this book in small chunks. It would have benefited from being much shorter, trimming excessive details while maintaining the integrity of the story. Furthermore, section two felt disjointed; weaving it into the rest of the book using the same dual timeline from the first half would have created a tighter, unputdownable five-star read. I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys literary works where the investment pays off in prose that reads almost like poetry.

book review: Trad Wife by Sarah Langan

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 5/5

Thank you Atria Books for providing an ARC for review consideration via NetGalley! All opinions are my own. 

Trad Wife by Sarah Langan is exactly the type of slow-release psychological horror I love. Jenny Caplan is talented, yet makes a bad decision by writing a deeply personal essay that ends up getting her fired and shattering her relationships. In an effort to redeem herself, she agrees to write an exposé on Mia Wright, a well know “trad wife” influencer. 

Jenny's personal struggles with her ruined career and fractured relationships are so compelling they could easily stand alone as an engrossing psychological drama. However, the addition of the trad wife trope and the horror elements take this book in a completely unexpected and terrifying direction. Genuine dread and sharp wit alternate beautifully, building into an absolute nightmare. 

If you aren't familiar with the trad-wife subculture, some of the nuances might fly over your head, but for everyone else, this is a must-read. It is witty, deeply unsettling, and completely engrossing. I will definitely be diving into Sarah Langan’s other novels!

book review: Ghost Orchid by Dani Cessna

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 5/5

Thank you Lake Union Publishing for providing an ARC for review consideration via NetGalley! All opinions are my own.

Miranda is living a complex life each of us can relate to, one that’s become unraveled by past choices. To cope, she’s built a life of stillness, security, and routine - but at the cost of keeping people at bay. Everything changes when she crosses paths with a strange older woman, Estelle, living in the swampy Everglades. This encounter begins Miranda’s journey to reclaim ownership of her life through being honest with herself (and others) and finding her voice again.

Estelle is the wise, grounded, and vibrant mentor we all need. The dichotomy between her and Miranda is brilliant. Furthermore, the touches of magic, Everglades history, and botanical lore add a rich layer to the story without overwhelming it. 

If you liked The Light Pirate, you will love Ghost Orchid. Both books beautifully immerse you in Florida’s nature while urging deep self-reflection.

book review: Fold Catastrophes by Peter Watts

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 3/5

Thank you Tachyon Publications for providing an ARC for review consideration via NetGalley! All opinions are my own.

As a lover of hard science fiction -- frequenting both Cixin Liu's fiction and Carl Sagan's non-fiction -- I was incredibly excited to dive into Fold Catastrophes, my first read from the acclaimed Peter Watts! However, I left this collection of short stories and novellas feeling deeply conflicted. While each storyline offers a highly unique take on complex scientific ideas and theories, and Watts uses an exceptionally precise vocabulary to establish his settings, I ultimately struggled to get past the prose style. 

Watts writes in sharp fragments, stripping his sentences down to their bare bones, forcing the reading to constantly piece his thoughts together. Normally, I can devour hard sci-fi novels because the underlying concepts fascinate me, but Watt's narrative structure made it difficult to actually enjoy his brilliant ideas. His writing relies heavily on the reader filling in what is missing, leaving no room to breathe. The prose results in a confusing paradox: it is densely descriptive, yet simultaneously sparse. Just as a new thought takes shape, the text abruptly shifts without any narrative transition to set up the change. As a result, I probably only fully comprehend a quarter of what I read, making the experience exhausting.

Based on pure conceptual ingenuity, Fold Catastrophes would easily be a five-star read for me. Unfortunately, I have to give it a three-star rating because the unapproachable prose made the journey a chore rather than an enjoyable read. That said, Watts has an undeniable fallowing, and I am still intrigued enough to try his famous novel Blindsight. My hope is that a longer, continuous piece will allow me to settle into his unique style.

book review: She's a Doll by Barbara Truelove

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 4/5

Thank you Bindery Books for providing an ARC for review consideration via NetGalley! All opinions are my own.

I'm so ready for Fall weather, and She's a Doll by Barbara Truelove was the perfect creepy novel to kick off my "reading under the covers" season! Twenty-year-old Lucy is unexpectedly murdered by her best friend's brother. Trapped inside and antique dolls, she plots to take revenge against her killer.

Truelove takes this storyline idea from good to great by crafting endearing, quirky characters whose friendships and love are tested. With humorous dialogues and a totally unique way of envisioning Lucy's doll body and supernatural powers, these unexpected layers made me devour the book, eager to see how it would all end.

I would wholeheartedly recommend this to anyone desiring an offbeat, quick read of love and friendship with a little horror mixed in.

book review: Blightfall by Brandon Sanderson and Janci Patterson

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️  4/5

Thank you Random House Children's Books for providing an ARC for review consideration via NetGalley! All opinions are my own.

I was first introduced to Brandon Sanderson through his writing lectures at Brigham Young University, but Blightfall -- a collaboration with Janci Patterson and Book 1 of the Riftwake series -- is my very first venture into reading his work. 

While Blightfall is classified as Young Adult (ages 12+), I found it thoroughly compelling as an adult. Its accessible world-building and streamlined plot depth actually made it the perfect, welcoming entry point to Sanderson's universe.

The story follows a diverse cast of humans from the Defiant Defense Force alongside aliens, Kitsen, and slugs. Tasked with escorting diplomats to a distant human settlement to re-establish contact after decades of alien oppression, what should be an easy mission quickly goes awry. Upon discovering a debris field and hostile forces surrounding the planet, the team must explore the surface to uncover its secrets and find a way home, taking the reader along on a mysterious, high-stakes adventure.

The fast pace and imaginative world-building made this a page-turner! The narrative strikes a perfect balance: it is accessible enough to enjoy as a light space romp, yet detailed enough to satisfy science enthusiasts who want to pause and ponder. I loved exploring what life would look like when interacting with alien species across the galaxy. The characters are diverse, and important themes -- like navigating relationships, effective communication, teamwork, compassion, and acceptance -- are woven naturally into the plot.

My only minor gripe was the overuse of slang like "star" and scud." While I appreciated the creative sci-fi profanity, these words were peppered so frequently throughout the narrative that they became a bit distracting. They would have carried much more impact if used sparingly.

I will definitely be continuing this series as new books are released! I highly recommend this to sci-fi veterans and general fiction readers alike. If you enjoyed the Bobiverse series, you will love this as well.

book review: Under Story by Chloe Benjamin

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️  5/5

Thank you Putnam for providing an ARC for review consideration via NetGalley! All opinions are my own.

This is easily one of the best books I've ever read - so much so that a single review can't fully capture why it's so amazing. It's also a story best experienced with limited information.

So, all I will say is if you love the accessible hard science of Cixin Liu, the atmospheric, philosophical prose of Emily St. John Mandel, and the deep character immersion of Sally Rooney, you will absolutely be drawn in with this blend. I am so excited that Warner Bros. and Heyday Films have acquired the screen rights -- I'm crossing my fingers for a cinematic adaptation styled after Netflix's Dark, which would be a perfect fit for this story. 

book review: Hoist House - A Novella and Stories

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 4/5

With deep roots in the state, the author sets all six short stories and the concluding novella in Minnesota. Local readers will enjoy references to familiar towns and establishments, though these details never detract from the experience for those that do not hail from the state.

Robertson is a remarkably efficient writer. She crafts diverse and compelling characters, evocative settings, and deep emotion using very few words -- one story spans less than two pages yet delivers a complete, impactful narrative. The final novella follows early immigrants navigating language barriers, class structures, and shifting family dynamics while working the local iron ore mines. While fascinating, the novella feels a bit dense. Packing so much story and dialogue into a short format leaves the plot feeling crowded. It would make a wonderful full-length novel, giving the rich storyline more room to breathe. 

Ultimately, this collection is highly recommended for anyone seeking thought-provoking stories about identity, sexuality, and personal growth. I will definitely be reading more of Robertson's work.

book review: The Hill In The Dark Grove by Liam Higginson

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 5/5

Thank you Random House for providing an ARC for review consideration via NetGalley! All opinions are my own.

The Hill in the Dark Grove by Liam Higginson is a folk novel that captures the immense beauty of the Welsh mountains through vivid descriptive detail. It introduces a slow-building, eerie darkness that befalls Carwyn and Rhian’s remote farm. The sheep become sickly, an unpleasant earthy smell intensifies, strange dreams overtake their nights, and they begin to question what they see and hear. As Carwyn becomes more obsessed with digging up artifacts discovered in an unused part of the farm, the strange occurrences and dread only get more intense. 

The couple reminisces about their early life together while pondering generational folklore that may shed light on what they are encountering during this hard, strange year. Ancestral history of the land is also interjected into the book. Both providing a full and invested yearning for the reader to hope this couple can pull themselves to the other side of this darkness. 

I had so much fun looking up the Welsh words in the text and finding recipes for cawl, wimberry pie, and bara brith bread. This extra layer immersed me much deeper into the book. I do wish the ancestral history was tied a bit more neatly together as a complete story so that I could fully understand how it connected to the excavated mound. Doing so might have rounded out the ending by giving a glimpse into what became of the couple and how the site might affect future inhabitants, while still remaining vague.

Despite these small notes, this book absolutely deserves a 5/5. I was astounded by the imagery and the author’s ability to evoke so much about these characters lives through the written word. Readers who love literary works will appreciate this, and those that enjoy lore, witchcraft, or horror will love it even more. I highly recommend this debut novel and so look forward to anything future this author might release.

book review: A Plagued Sea by Bo-Young Kim

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5

Thank you Honford Star for providing an ARC for review consideration via NetGalley! All opinions are my own.

One of the most enjoyable things about books is their ability to introduce you to new genres, places, ideas. A Plagued Sea by Bo-Young Kim introduced me to Lovecraftian horror - a subgenre centered around the terror of the unknown, isolated decaying communities, and tentacled monsters that defy the laws of physics and biology.

The novella takes place three years after Muyoung and her niece boarded a train to a remote Korean seaside village. Despite urgent warnings of a massive earthquake, they chose to go anyway. Since then, Muyoung and the rest of the visitors have been stuck under a government quarantine alongside the local residents. An ancient plague, unearthed from deep beneath the sea by the earthquake, is transforming victims into grotesque, fishy monsters - including Muyoung’s own niece.

At just over 100 pages, this novella is an easy read that you can finish in one or two sittings. Despite this short length, Bo-Young Kim does an incredible job at building a fully immersive, complete story. I would highly recommend this to anyone wanting to get a taste of the Lovecraftian genre. Or, if you simply enjoy haunting literary stories. 

book review: Sunrise by Tea Obreht

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️  3/5

Thank you Random House for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley! All opinions are my own.

In Téa Obreht's newest novel, we follow multiple characters interacting with the mysterious, remote town of Sunrise, Wyoming, across three points in the past hundred years. Obreht's detailed, descriptive writing quickly piqued my interest and I was intrigued to find out the town's secrets. However, before I reached the quarter mark, I got the feeling much of the character backstories weren't critical to the core plot. These backstories were interesting, and could loosely be seen as adding to the character development. Yet, my engagement began wavering without enough bread crumbs to build discovery and momentum. Ultimately, I didn't find the story to ever tie together in a satisfying or particularly novel way. The book might have benefited from prioritizing a more complex story around the town of Sunrise first, then using all characters to support that vision. Instead, the few clues that were presented were vague and spread out; the crucial plot pieces needed to be more bluntly laid out. 

Readers who enjoy literary, historical fiction might still find fulfillment here. Obreht's style and depth overall make her a writer I would like to read more from.

book review: Erase Me, Happy Head, and Dead Head by Josh Silver

From my book review post yesterday it is clear that I discovered a new favorite author in Josh Silver! After devouring the over four-hundred pages of Fruit Fly in a single sitting, I immediately requested his three other novels from the library and proceeded to binge read every single one of them.

What makes Silver's writing so addictive? Each book is a dark, twisty, wild ride featuring complex, outwardly damaged characters that Silver infuses with a deeply compelling, lovable core. He expertly uses inner dialogue to inject unexpected humor into heavy topics -- including mental health, addiction, violence, rape, suicide, sexual identity, and domestic abuse. These spots of lightness serve as a brilliant reminder that, beneath it all, we are a beautifully messy work in process.

While each of Silver’s books are built around similar themes, each boasts a completely unique and highly original plot. I can’t get across just how impossible these books are to put down (and, I’m not alone in feeling this since all of these books get a solid 4.25 stars from other reviewers). Here is a breakdown of Josh Silver's other books.

Erase Me (published under the title Traumaland in the UK), is a total mind trip. Halfway through, I literally stopped and said out loud, "What?! This is bonkers." 

To preserve the jaw-dropping twists, I will just say this novel is about a seventeen year old, Eli, who was in a near fatal car crash and goes to extremes to try and get both his memories and his emotions back.

Happy Head and Dead Head are a duology that follow Seb and Finn at a facility for troubled teens. Run by Dr. Stone and Madame Manning, the facility claims to cure modern unhappiness by giving stressed teens the tools to cope. Unfortunately, not everything is what it appears and it ends up being more like a dystopian Squid Game than a place where “commitment, growth, and gratitude can lead to a happy head.” As these teens try to determine who can be trusted as they try and escape, they explore love and what it actually means to be happy - being who you are, not changing for anyone, and hoping to inspire those others to do the same.

All four of Silver's books are ripe for being adapted to the screen. So, I was so excited to see Happy Head and Dead Head were acquired in a “highly competitive auction,” according to the author’s wikipedia’s page. 

Silver’s unique background explains why his books are so deep and relatable. He originally attended the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London and performed in the West End and on Broadway. At 30, he shifted paths going back to school to get training as a mental health nurse, saying he himself has struggled with mental health his whole life, and still can. While working in adult inpatient settings, in adolescent wards, and with younger children, he enjoys writing in spare moments. His joy for writing, and also his personal struggles with mental health and his clinical experiences, seep into the pages offering such a wonderful perspective. Be sure to read more about the author in a wonderful interview with him in the back of Happy Head. “The notion of happiness is prescribed to us. It’s everywhere. I mean, social media says I should make loads of smoothies and film myself drinking them. Those people look happy. Or do a dance to a song I hate so people like my stuff and follow me. Those dopamine hits will help. I can apparently care about the climate and important things, definitely, just need to make sure I look hot while I’m out protesting. Then post about it. If you’re gay, be a cool one, please. Effortlessly cool. Like it’s not been difficult.”

book review: Fruit Fly by Josh Silver

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5 

Thank you Crooked Lane Books for providing an ARC for review consideration via NetGalley! All opinions are my own.

Fruit Fly by Josh Silver will easily be knocking a book off to take its place on my top five shelf! I desperately hope this gets adapted for the screen because I was so incredibly invested in these characters. The depth is just remarkable; the authors ability to read people and capture both their inner and outer dialogue is masterfully done.

Mallory seemingly has the perfect curated life - a stately house and a handsome husband. Yet, she's been unable to write another book since her debut novel and fights demons in both her marriage and her mind. On the flip side is Leo, a fellow writer of poetry, who battles addictions and demons of his own. Mallory attempts to claw her way back to the life she wants when she crosses paths with Leo, realizing his personal story is just the plot for her next novel. But, at what cost? And, is his story truly hers to tell?

As we navigate everything that unfolds, it's unclear whether either of them is a reliable narrator. Interjections of diegetic text from both Mallory and Leo provide an even deeper layer of these characters. Ultimately, in their similar lives - if not for money and location - they are both just trying to survive. I was wholly unprepared for the incredible ride of this book - it is a raw, dark, nail-biting, and deeply relatable.

book review: Awake Awake by Fiona Mozley

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5 

Thank you Algonquin Books for providing an ARC for review consideration via NetGalley! All opinions are my own.

Fiona Mozley’s Awake Awake is a timely and uniquely modern literary novel that follows a diverse group of classmates from their school days into their thirties. I was immediately drawn in by this rich cast of characters, who represent a wide spectrum of backgrounds, religions, politics, and life paths. Mozley delivers information through seamless storytelling, making the reader feel like an organic extension of the friend group. 

Alongside this group dynamic, the protagonist, Mary, works through the shifting realities of her own memories. Did her grandfather have a hand in Hitler’s death? Or do she and her brother share similar mental health struggles? These nuanced discussions on mental health are incredibly important. I appreciate how the novel centers this topic, exploring it not just in a clinical setting, but through the support from friends and family as well.

The religious and political themes are woven beautifully and authentically into the plot without feeling forced. Having lived my own formative years in the 2000s and 2010s, I can definitely attest that life isn't siloed from these issues—they really have been a constant background presence in our lives. Mozley perfectly captures the tension between activism and peace, being pro-war, or caring deeply but lacking the agency to act. The last quarter of the book brings these thought-provoking topics to a head, leaving me with several favorite quotes to revisit.

I highly recommend this to anyone who appreciates slow-unfolding, coming-of-age stories. If you also love the extra depth that subtle dialects and British settings bring to a narrative, Fiona Mozley is an author to add to your list. I certainly plan on reading more of her work.

book review: Etna by Paul Yoon

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 5/5

Wow. Just… wow. I’m calling it now: this will easily be my favorite book of the year, and honestly, likely one of my favorites for a long time to come.

As my own dog napped, head laid contently on my legs, I began this book. And from that first paragraph until the last, I was immersed, seeing so much of Etna in my own. She is taken from the only place she’s known and thrust into the front lines of a war. As the war finishes, Etna yearns to go back home, encountering humans and animals along the way, all lending to a deeply woven journey of the harshness and strife of life, but also the beauty and humanity as well. So much emotion is contained within this short book, I’d like to start back over on the first page to experience it all over again. 

I think almost anyone could find something to connect with in this story. It’s a beautiful, universal tale.

Thank you Scribner for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

book review: The Lost Mozart by David K. Israel

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️  5/5

Thank you Post Hill Press for providing an ARC for review consideration via NetGalley! All opinions are my own.

Get ready to immerse yourself in the world of classical music! David K. Israel, the author of The Lost Mozart, is a composer and musician himself, so this literary work is deeply infused with musical history, songs, and classical composers.

This is a coming-of-age story about Noah, a twenty-one-year-old college senior trying desperately to figure out how to use his degree—partly to prove his parents wrong, and partly to prove something to himself. While interning at a radio station, Noah forms an unlikely friendship with Bertram, an elderly radio announcer. Noah is welcomed into Bertram’s wider circle of friends, who provide a listening ear, crucial support, and wise guidance during this pivotal time in his life.

While hanging out and discussing music with this eclectic group, Noah unbelievably stumbles across the beginning of an unfinished Mozart string quartet. He decides to complete the piece in an effort to gain notoriety and earn money to help his friends. Getting the piece finished and finding an audience is a bumpy ride, but Noah’s inner circle stays close, and he even navigates a new romance with Eos along the way.

Israel’s personal background in classical music brings an incredibly rich layer to the characters and the overall story. The musical tidbits are woven in beautifully without ever feeling forced, and I came away with a much deeper understanding of the genre. However, readers who are already familiar with—or have a deep love for—the ins and outs of classical music will likely appreciate this the most. While the narrative always expertly circled back to the main plot, there were times when the heavy musical detours caused me to lose track of the story a bit. Still, I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a rich, rewarding, and challenging read.

book review: It Audit Be You by Madylen Valdes

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️  4/5 

Thank you author Madylen Valdes for providing an ARC for review consideration via NetGalley! All opinions are my own.

It Audit Be You is a quick, witty romantic comedy that serves as the perfect beach read or weekend escape!

Fresh off a breakup, Louisa packs up for a new tax law job in D.C. where fate would have it her ex-best friend from law school, Jackson, also happens to work. As Louisa navigates the steep learning curve of her new career, she is forced to confront the unresolved feelings reigniting between them.

The author has a knack for crafting flawed, goofy, and totally relatable characters. Louisa is instantly endearing, and her chemistry with Jackson feels completely authentic. Flipping between past and present worked really well to share their history. 

While this sweet, immersive story is a perfect match for anyone navigating early-career stress and romance, it is just as delightful for readers looking back fondly on that chaotic chapter of life.

book review: The Circle and The Every by Dave Eggers

Utterly absurd, yet completely plausible. Much like 1984, The Circle and The Every, by Dave Eggers, feel like fiction, but also undeniably like real life at the present time. The Circle was written in 2013, only three years after Instagram was released. So, it’s amazing to me that the author had so much insight and imagination into what social media would transform into over the years. And, the struggles we would have with wanting to use the services social media (and other apps like health tracking and AI) offer in order that we might share with the world and feel connected, while also battling internally with constant issues of data and privacy. 

The stories and characters alone would make The Circle engrossing to read. But, with how closely this mirrors our current situation, the author provided so much more contemplation above the baseline narrative. For example, the apps that become integrated in everyday life are so imaginative. And, if not for all the pressing privacy issues, I would want them all. It’s much like today, the conundrum weighing the costs to benefits these services provide, yet also being mindful, and cautiously aware, of the associated risks and negative impacts. It’s astounding the similarities in how much data and privacy the characters in the story freely give up, much like us today. Seeing things evolve in the storyline, slowly at first and then snowballing, made me realize how normal things become over time, unquestioned and accepted. While this is a fictional story, I highly recommend reading it in the present moment. It will definitely push your mind to consider what path is right for you going forward. And, it's definitely not all doom and gloom. There is so much humor strung throughout - the workplace scenarios, especially, are hilarious, yet completely accurate.

The Every is a good follow-up story to The Circle, doing a great job of continuing on with some of the same characters from the first book as background, while introducing storylines for two new main characters that feel fresh and worthwhile to be told (not re-purposed from the first book). I continued to enjoy the imagination the author has in all of the apps and services he comes up with! Many, I legitimately think he should pursue trying to make a reality in the real world! This book continues to engage the reader to ponder deeply the balance we have between sharing and privacy, topics very relevant in todays world as people start to discuss backtracking to a more analog world in an effort to claw back some privacy and free thinking, and pursue real-life connections over digital. Like The Circle, the author did a really great job of talking about such a serious topic, while also making the storyline and characters light hearted and relatable. Even if someone chose to read this book without digging into any of the messages in a meaningful way, they would enjoy the plot and character development.

book review: Yellowface by R.F. Kuang

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️  3.5/5

Yellowface kept me engaged as an enjoyable and interesting read. I did recently read The Plot/The Sequel by Jean Hanff Korelitz and Fruit Fly by Josh Silver and will say I found those to be a bit more of a unique take on this trope. Both also created a higher level of pace and suspense in needed areas. I did appreciate R.F. Kuang's discussions on cultural appropriation and authenticity. Possibly, if I had read it before any other similar books, the plot and execution might have knocked me off my feet better.