mozbolt's reviews
953 reviews

I'd probably say and maybe have already said about half of these unironically because I have no patience for egotism or stupidity. Also sometimes I'm just clueless about boy things, which also frustrates them because they are, of course, the center of the universe. 

This book had me ugly crying at 1 am. I haven't been so messed up by a book since A Little Life. Extremely horrifying and devastating while also an important and necessary book.

 Not going to lie, I felt like this story was unfinished. It seemed like the author had a great idea for a book, but it petered out into this novella. The ensemble of potentially interesting characters only had time to be defined by their backstories before the book ended. The horror aspect was fun for like 30 pages and then became sci-fi blahhh. I really wish Rio had given herself more time to flesh this story out into a longer work because it could have been so good! 

 

This collection functions beautifully on so many levels. Firstly, the poems themselves are frank, full of joy, friendship, love, and also anger, vengeance, and exhaustion. There are many references to other poets and individuals such as Ross Gay, Frank O'Hara, and Chelsea Manning, which adds brevity to the work as it implements historical and literary criticism. Also, the collage pages add a level of imagery and reflection on the faces, postures, and bodies of many recognizable individuals who are trans, do drag, or are nonbinary, or are cis dressing as the opposite sex. Finally, the study guide at the end of the book is a great addition that provides questions and project suggestions that ask the reader to interact further with themes and stories in Melt's collection, as well as footnotes on names mentioned in the poems. This book felt like a conversation, and I will be reading more of Melt's work in the future.

 

This was an informative and frank read addressing ableism in general but also the way in which social pressures push disabled and neurodivergent people toward an expectation of "normalcy" through technology. Shew pushes against the narrative that tech such as wheelchairs, prosthetics, hearing aids, etc. are solutions, defining them as tools instead. These tools do not always work in the way that able-bodied people think, and I learned much about the amputee experience and the nuances, discomforts, and social issues they present, especially in a world that is not built for people with disabilities. This book helped me address my own biases as an able-bodied person, and also provided more context about neurodivergence that felt empowering. One of the best things I read in Shaw's essay on neurodivergence was that taking away stimming (an often stigmatized action such as rocking, flappy hands, etc.) silences the way autistic and other neurospicey folks "gather, process, and express information." This is a form of oppression that can be "silencing, deadening, and reducing." Shew also highlights the ways in which disability can be an asset, especially in space, asking readers to look at the uses that physical limitations on earth could be useful in space, such as ostemy bags. She makes the rather humorous statement that pooping can be such a pain in space, but if everyone had ostemy bags, they wouldn't have to worry about the nuances of evacuating their bowels in space lol. She also made the point that there is more disability in our future, especially in the wake of climate change causing natural disasters and changes in wildlife behavior, meaning spread of physical disability and disease. There are so many things that able-bodied people (myself included) miss at times because it isn't talked about. Or rather, the voices in science are those of able-bodied and neurotypical individuals and teams who are still not consulting the perspectives of those impacted by disability. Hearing others' perspectives is so important as we move more quickly into an uncertain and at times, frightening future. Also, this book was short and well-sectioned so I found it to be accessible and easy to follow. 

The Lady Trent series is absolutely phenomenal and I cannot stop recommending it to people. As I read the books it felt more and more like Isabella was a real person. Her dedication to her work and passion was so inspiring. Her 'memoirs' are funny, snarky, and incredible documentation of her travels and discoveries. She address the reader at times, which is very much in the Victorian style, matching the content and world perfectly. She is a trailblazer for women in STEM in her world, reminding me of so many other scientifically-minded women who made and make discoveries and fought the patriarchy. Each of her failures or struggles made me root for her more and every victory was so satisfying. I will probably reread this series in the future as I cannot go forever without hanging out with Isabella again. 

Carissa Broadbent coming in strong AGAIN. Despite being a spin off from the Crowns of Nyaxia series, this book is still relevant as it explores other deities of the White Pantheon, other kingdoms and human territories, and shines a light on the Bloodborn and their relationship with Nyaxia. The slow burn, enemies to lovers romance was on point, as were the characters. Broadbent does a great job providing complex, relatable characters with poignant histories and futures that could go many different directions, always sneaking in a plot twist. I loved Sylina's storyline and internal conflict as she ventures away from her sheltered life into a mission that pushes her into maturity and independence, all while building a relationship with Atrius based on respect and deep understanding. This book was emotional, entertaining, steamy, gory, and twisted. So good. 

This is the kind of book where if you don't do a little research along the way, there is a good chance you might be somewhat lost. Context is everything in 'Ring Shout' and it's a wild ride. I saw in the acknowledgements that Clark was inspired by Toni Morrison, which appeared to me through the way the protagonist's knowledge of her environment and self were always extremely present and in the moment, with the stability of her sense of self and her actions keeping the convulsing world around her in place. This book builds the world through her eyes and as the reader you have to try to understand who the main character is based on her perspective; the plot is not spelled out - you just need to keep up. 'Ring Shout' reminded me of the tagline of 'Babel' by RF Kuang - 'the necessity of violence.' At what point is vengeance necessary and when does the ethics of vengeance enter the conversation? Is it possible to take the need for regaining rights and control too far? Or is the reality so extreme that the best and only option for change is anarchy and revolution? Ring Shout explores these questions and more while also packing a magic, folklore, history, tradition, horror, and wonderful characters into 180 pages. I found this book to be relevant to the post-2024-election questions, anger, and protestation, as well as 2020 BLM movement. I also learned much about Gullah culture, the origins of ring shouts - history and tradition that never seems to make it to the front of US history conversations. Highly recommend. 

This series has fully integrated archeology and romance in the fourth book, each one continuing an ongoing story that feels like a true memoir. I absolutely adore Isabella, especially as she gives less and less of a care about how she is perceived as she explores and researches dragons and the Draconian people. There was quite a bit of close-up dragon time in this one, as the breeding and hatching of dragons by humans is brought into the conversation. The romance was subtle throughout the whole series, and yet so obvious. Just two extremely analytical, pragmatic individuals falling in love based off mutual respect and attraction toward each other's passions and intelligence. Absolute gold and my favorite installment in the series.