Readathon Day 2 Thoughts 👇🏻
📚The Final Strife by Saara el-Arifi📚
Okay I have to admit, the head-hopping is officially really annoying. Usually books with multiple POV characters will break them up by chapter or at least have the same amount of page time for each character. This book, however, has no such continuity. Some chapters are all one character, some switch between up to four characters. One of these POV characters usually only gets like a couple of paragraphs, like they are being used and tossed away again arbitrarily. One of these characters did not get a single POV chapter until over thirty percent into the book. It’s really a shame, because I’m enjoying everything else. The story and the characters and the worldbuilding are all very cool, and the mystery subplot is extremely intriguing.
📚The Girl From The Well by Rin Chupeco📚
This book probably would’ve been a four star read without the odd ableist stereotypes. Aside from that though, I did really really enjoy this book. The narrator is dead and so the story is told in a way I wasn’t quite expecting, and it was very cool. Like I said, I loved the bad men dying horrible deaths. That part was my favorite. The Japanese ghost lore was cool, I can’t speak to how accurate it was since I’m not from that culture, but I liked it. Rating: 3.75/5
📚Pet by Akwaeke Emezi📚
My god, this book triggered all the feels. The premise really hit home for me. How good people deny that bad people exist in their good spaces, unintentionally allowing those bad people to thrive in hiding, is extremely important to me as someone who was raised in fundamentalist Christianity. Everyone wants to pretend the “godly men” they know could never do such horrible things, and their denial protects those men. I’ve seen and experienced it so many times. Oh how I wish I could have a pet monster climb out of a painting to hunt bad people for me, too. I will definitely be reading the prequel. Rating: a very solid and well earned 5/5 stars.
#akwaekeemezi #saaraelarifi #rinchupeco #transrightsreadathon #readingupdate #tbrlist #horrorbooks #fantasybooks #magicalrealism #queerlit
As the Readathon continues, the spotlight is on diverse storytelling and representation in literature. 'The Final Strife' by Saara el-Arifi captivates readers with its intricate worldbuilding and character dynamics, despite some frustrations with head-hopping narration. Meanwhile, 'The Girl From The Well' offers a chilling exploration of Japanese ghost lore, expertly blending horror with a critique of societal norms. Lastly, 'Pet' by Akwaeke Emezi resonates deeply, addressing the denial of dark realities within seemingly safe spaces, making for an impactful reading experience. Collectively, these stories not only entertain but provoke thoughtful discussions about identity and morality, enriching the overall Readathon experience. Don't miss the chance to join the conversation online using #transrightsreadathon, #readingupdate, and others to connect with fellow readers!
