Yellowface by R.F. Kuang

 

R.F. Kuang Author Page

From Amazon:

Authors June Hayward and Athena Liu were supposed to be twin rising stars. But Athena’s a literary darling. June Hayward is literally nobody. Who wants stories about basic white girls, June thinks.

So when June witnesses Athena’s death in a freak accident, she acts on impulse: she steals Athena’s just-finished masterpiece, an experimental novel about the unsung contributions of Chinese laborers during World War I.

So what if June edits Athena’s novel and sends it to her agent as her own work? So what if she lets her new publisher rebrand her as Juniper Song—complete with an ambiguously ethnic author photo? Doesn’t this piece of history deserve to be told, whoever the teller? That’s what June claims, and the New York Times bestseller list seems to agree.

But June can’t get away from Athena’s shadow, and emerging evidence threatens to bring June’s (stolen) success down around her. As June races to protect her secret, she discovers exactly how far she will go to keep what she thinks she deserves.

With its totally immersive first-person voice, Yellowface grapples with questions of diversity, racism, and cultural appropriation, as well as the terrifying alienation of social media. R.F. Kuang’s novel is timely, razor-sharp, and eminently readable. 

My Thoughts:

Lord have mercy, I was not ready for this book! Let me first say, it was phenomenal. Kuang wove a tale of deception and betrayal, where the M.C. makes not just the wrong choice at every turn, but the WORST wrong choice. 

My book club debated this book for almost two hours. It was very interesting the different point of views we had about WHO June is talking to with the book. One thought was she was writing it as a book, another is she is telling the police or her publishers. I had my own thoughts, but don't want to spoil anything. 

Overall, we were all very uncomfortable with the Narrator. She is unreliable, whiney, and just a horrible person. Ultimately, it feels like the only reason she wants to write is for the fame. She doesn't truly want to write. Her unreliability comes from the fact that she will say one thing, then disprove it. For example, she says that Athena is a fantastic writer, that her final novel draft is amazing, pure gold. But in the next breath talks about how Athena is only popular because she's beautiful, Asian (a diversity hire), and rich. 

Spoiler below! 

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In my book club, we even talked about - did June murder Athena? She was making the pancakes, and then just watched her die. She didn't even try to save Athena, much less scream for help. In the fancy place Athena lives, there has to be a Doctor somewhere. How long did she wait to call the police? She def cased the apartment, taking notes and the manuscript. That takes time! And it feels very premeditated. 

One of the worst choices June makes is her refusal to try to write about anything else. She literally says that she could write about anything else, but then changes her mind because she already did so much research about China. In the young writers retreat she's teaching, she went full nuclear with the one student who was talking smack about her. In my opinion, she could have torn her to shreds, and then turned it around into a lesson about how public opinion can sway your mind, before you ever get a chance. How our own personal biases can wreck something, and how to combat that when it brings you down. She could have gotten those kids in her back pocket, and worked on taking that mindset to changing the public opinion of her, but she chose to ruin it all. Then she runs away like a coward instead of facing the music. 

I think the craziest thing for me is when Athena's ex-boyfriend is confronting June about her theft, and the way Kuang gets into your mind to root for June. I found myself sympathetic to her plight, as there was no proof, only public opinion. I had to keep reminding myself that she was in fact the villain in the story, she had done the harm, and it didn't matter there was no proof because they were right. 

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Spoilers over

Overall, Kuang wrote a very convincing character, who is easy to hate. I doubt that I can read this book again, but it was a fantastic read that I recommend. I would stay away if you have specific traumas this book keys in on, as it may be hurtful to read. 

Final Report:
Yellowface by R.F. Kuang
340-368 pages (depends on edition)
Age range: 14+ years
$14.99 (Kindle)
$13.13 (Paperback)
$14.68 (Hardcover)
$17.63 (Audiobook)
10/10

The Honey's By Ryan La Sala

 Ryan La Sala Author Page

From Amazon: 
Mars has always been the lesser twin, the shadow to his sister Caroline's radiance. But when Caroline dies under horrific circumstances, Mars is propelled to learn all he can about his once-inseparable sister who'd grown tragically distant.

Mars's genderfluidity means he's often excluded from the traditions -- and expectations -- of his politically-connected family. This includes attendance at the prestigious Aspen Conservancy Summer Academy where his sister poured so much of her time. But with his grief still fresh, he insists on attending in her place.

What Mars finds is a bucolic fairytale not meant for him. Folksy charm and sun-drenched festivities camouflage old-fashioned gender roles and a toxic preparatory rigor. Mars seeks out his sister's old friends: a group of girls dubbed the Honeys, named for the beehives they maintain behind their cabin. They are beautiful and terrifying -- and Mars is certain they're connected to Caroline's death.

But the longer he stays at Aspen, the more the sweet mountain breezes give way to hints of decay. Mars’s memories begin to falter, bleached beneath the relentless summer sun. Something is hunting him in broad daylight, toying with his mind. If Mars can't find it soon, it will eat him alive.

My Thoughts:

Honestly, this was a tough book to start, as I was expecting something else when I cracked it open. (I was told Midsommar meets summer camp, which it does have echos of, but not like I was thinking.)

Luckily, I powered through my initial confusion to keep reading as wow wow wow!! By chapter 5/6, I was completely hooked, and ended up finishing the rest of the book in one day. My local book club had a lot of fun when we talked about the book as well. (which my fast reading helped). 

Mars' quick wits and desire to simply be themselves really found something in me. I enjoyed how the author dealt with the grief of losing someone, as well as the frustrations that queer people have when dealing with family/heteronormative society. There were a few moments that seemed predictable, but overall I had no idea where the author was taking us, which I enjoyed the most. The 'Bury your gays' trope was not present either, which was refreshing. If you're looking for a happy, wrapped up ending with all of your questions answered, then this is not it. I think that it ended wonderfully, but some friends were wanting more answers. 

Without spoiling anything, the author has a perfect description for Non-Binary that I've ever heard, not only to someone of the queer community but also to heteronormative folks. It's a great answer when they ask questions. 

I have since bought all Ryan's other works, and am working through them while still reading other books too Hehe. 

Final Report:
The Honey's by Ryan La Sala
340-368 pages (depends on edition)
Age range: 14+ years
$6.99 (Kindle)
$10.99 (Paperback)
$9.99 (Hardcover)
$14.91 (Audiobook)
10/10

Extra:

Below are my favorite quotes from the book :) 

"But invisible to anyone else is the moment we both reach a grim understanding as to why we’re being introduced. We’re both gay."

"maybe it’s because I’ve spent my life on the outside, peering through a yearning distance at the games girls play, memorizing every turn and trick with the desperate hope that one day I’d be invited to play along, too."

"participate in their stuff. Sports and poker night. Show them you’re, like, chill.” “Wyatt, that’s not being chill. That’s performative heterosexuality.""

2024 Read Harder---- FAILED!

 So.... long story short, I failed my Read Harder 2024 challenge. I totally spaced on writing here again, and it just fell by the wayside. 

I will say, that my job was really unsatisfying, which lead to me zoning out, doom scrolling, etc. I was in survival mode, and learning hard on my partner to make it day to day. Luckily, this year I am doing a lot better mentally, at a new place for work, and able to handle trying this again! 

Not the read harder challenge per se, but more of writing about what I am reading.

Let's hope it goes better! :D 

Mandrake Manor by J.P. Rindfleisch IX

1. Read a cozy fantasy book

JP Rindfleisch IX website

From Amazon:
Inherited magic.
A secret neighborhood.
And... a formidable Homeowner's Association?

When Mathias Mandrake becomes the unexpected heir of Mandrake Manor, he and his friends are thrust into a world of witchery and mystery. Juggling romance, nosy neighbors, and looming fines, they must decide: is the magic worth the mayhem?

My Thoughts:

I really enjoyed the story. It was a little obvious with where some of the plot lines were headed, but it was a sweet read, and it was fun. I would've loved a little more fleshing out of the characters and setting, so I am hoping there will be a sequel! I think that it was originally written as a chapter by chapter story, for something like NaNoWriMo. I give it a 10 out of 10, because it was extremely fun to read. 

Final Report:
Mandrake Manor by JP Rindfleisch IX
320-322 pages (depends on edition)
Age range: 
$2.99 (Kindle)
$14.99 (Paperback)
10/10

Let Your Hearts Be Light: MM Holiday Romance by Fae Quinn

 

Fae Quinn author site

From Amazon:
Baxter: As a 42-year-old single father the last thing I expected before Christmas was for my daughter to sign me up for a community matchmaking event. The Christmas Buddies program becomes a challenge I can’t wait to overcome when I realize the man that has been assigned as my buddy for the holiday season is none other than Paxton Montgomery. He’s massive, grumpy, incredibly gorgeous (in a lumberjack kinda way), and also—weirdly enough—the only person in town who doesn’t like me. Can I change Paxton’s tune by the end of the holiday season? Or am I destined to spend yet another Christmas craving companionship and someone to hold my head up before I drown in the stress of my broken bakery?

Paxton: I’m not a people person. I know this about myself and I am at peace with it. The only exception I have is my son. He’s the most important person in the entire world to me. So I had no choice but to go along with his scheme as he rigs the Christmas Buddy drawing so we can spend the holiday season with the girl he’s had a crush on since junior high. The only catch: her father is a crucial part of the bargain. Can I survive the holiday season with sunshine golden boy Baxter bombarding me with his jokes and his too-bright smiles? Or will I succumb to my dark desires and strangle the grin right off his too-pretty face?

Let Your Heart Be Light! Is a standalone slow burn Holiday MM romance with high heat, a HEA, and no cliffhangers. It features a relationship between two adorable single fathers as they navigate the Holiday season. Together they’re warm, young, and tooth-achingly sweet. If you like funny stories with too many dad jokes, Christmas magic, grumpy x sunshine, and lots of steam then read on!

My Thoughts:

I started this book on New Years day as a quasi-cleanse from my regular reading habits (litrpg/fantasy) knowing full well that it was going to be hokey, cheesy, with a dash of predictability. It delivered on all accounts, but it was a like warm hug (with some sexy times added), that I was glad to read. 

We start off meeting Baxter, single dad, baker, and small town homo with a smile for each and every person. His daughter forces him to sign up for a Christmas Buddies event the school is doing, since in her words "he needs more friends". Next, we meet Paxton, single dad, handyman, and small town bisexual who is built like a sexy lumberjack, but dislikes most people and shows it... often. His son signs him up for the same Christmas Buddies program as a way to get closer to his crush (Baxter's daughter), and Paxton goes along with it since he loves his son. 

Drama ensues as Paxton's gruff demeanor clashes with Baxter's adorable golden retriever personality. It's rather predictable at times, but there are several curveballs thrown in to the mix that are refreshing to read. Without giving too much away, it was a rather adorable read, giving both men time to be vulnerable with each other and allow the other to be comfort in return. In this time of toxic masculinity, it is a reminder that we are all human, and none of us know what is going on behind closed doors for people. When you can, be kind, because sometimes the people hurting the most have the biggest smiles. 

The ending was quite adorable, and as someone in a committed relationship, was def really fun to see them blossom from almost enemies to acting almost like teenagers. (I really enjoyed that. Shows that just because you are in your 30s-40s, it doesn't mean you have to give up having fun and being silly at times.) 

If you are looking for a predictable yet wonderful Queer holiday romance, this book is for you!! 

Final Report:
318-320 pages
Adult ages
$0.00 (Kindle Unlimited)
$4.99 (Kindle)
$18.99 (Paperback)
$28.99 (Hardcover)
9/10

Welcome Back? It's 2024!

 So.... I may have forgotten all about this blog. Life sometimes comes at you fast, and next thing you look up and see that 11 years have passed since your last entry. 

TLDR: Graduated from College, worked retail as I got certified to teach, and started teaching. In my 9th year, and not sure how long I'll keep at it. 

I know not many people read my blog when I first started, and doubt that anyone will read it going forward. But I think that I am going to re-start it, and focus on my Book Riot Read Harder Challenge 2024, and maybe review more books as I read them too. 

Here's my list as it is! If anyone wants to suggest something for the TBD ones, please let me know! 

1. Read a cozy fantasy book. Mandrake Manor by JP Rindfleisch IX
2. Read a YA book by a trans author. The Witch King by H.E. Edgemon
3. Read a middle grade horror novel. Root Magic by Eden Royce
4. Read a history book by a BIPOC author. Mott Street; A Chinese American Family's story of Exclusion and Homecoming by Ava Chin
5. Read a sci-fi novella. Remote Control by Nnedi Okorafor
6. Read a middle grade book with an LGBTQIA main character. The Spells We Cast by Jason June
7. Read an indie published collection of poetry by a BIPOC or queer author. The Wet Hex by Sun Yung Shin
8. Read a book in translation from a country you’ve never visited. Wildwitch, Wildfire by Lene Kaarberbol
9. Read a book recommended by a librarian. Her Majesty's Royal Coven by Juno Dawson
10. Read a historical fiction book by an Indigenous author. A Council of Dolls by Mona Susan Powers
11. Read a picture book published in the last five years. Can You Believe It? How to Spot Fake News and Find the Facts by Joyce Grant and Kathleen Marcotte
12. Read a genre book (SFF, horror, mystery, romance) by a disabled author. Til Death Do Us Bard by Rose Black
13. Read a comic that has been banned. The Complete Maus by Art Spiegelman
14. Read a book by an author with an upcoming event (virtual or in person) and then attend the event. Baby X by Kira Peikoff
15. Read a YA nonfiction book. Queer Ducks by Eliot Schrefer
16. Read a book based solely on the title. Hell Followed Us by Andrew Joseph White
17. Read a book about media literacy. What the Fact by Seema Yasmin
18. Read a book about drag or queer artistry. The Art of Drag by Jake Hall
19. Read a romance with neurodivergent characters. The Reanimator's Heart by Kara Jorgensen
20. Read a book about books (fiction or nonfiction). Ink Blood Sister Scribe by Emma Torzs
21. Read a book that went under the radar in 2023. Godkiller by Hannah Kaner
22. Read a manga or manhwa. The Way of the Househusband by Kousuke Oono
23. Read a “howdunit” or “whydunit” mystery. Lavender House by Lev A.C. Rosen
24. Pick a challenge from any of the previous years’ challenges to repeat! BOOKRIOT'S READ HARDER CHALLENGE 2021: Read a memoir by a Latinx author. Hola Papi by John Paul Brammer

Click below if you want to do the challenge as well. Book Riot Read Harder Challenge 2024

Cinder by Marissa Meyers

Marissa Meyer's website
Marissa Meyer's livejournal

Book 1 of the Lunar Chronicles

Enter another world where androids walk among us, though they are not always noticeable. The entire world has united to stand against the Lunars, a people who live on the moon and desire to take over the Earth as their own. In New Beijing, we are introduced to Cinder, an android girl who lives with her adoptive mother and two sisters, trying to keep them afloat with her skills as a mechanic, while hoping to dodge the draft of androids in the fight to save lives against a mysterious plague.

When one of her sisters falls prey to the plague, her adoptive mother volunteers her for the draft, and Cinder is thrust into a world she does not wish to be in, and gets even closer to Prince Kai than she ever thought possible. Based on the title (referring to Cinderella), we know that she will play some important part in the on-coming war between the Earth and the Lunars, but towards the middle and end of the book, our suspicions are justified by some major revelations. (Trying so hard not to give spoilers!)

Overall I greatly enjoyed the book. While it was a quick read, it was fascinating to see a classic fairytale re-written in a futuristic setting, yet still maintain some of it's charm. The world that the book describes is a little over the top and unbelievable, but hey, it's a teen fantasy novel! If you're looking for a good read that has a sequel out already (Scarlet), and is expecting two more novels to the series, then look no further!!! It's a great story, though a bit obvious about some of the mysterious parts that we aren't supposed to know until later on in the book.


Final Report:
Cinder by Marissa Meyers
448 pages
Age range: 12 - 17 years
$9.99 (Trade paperback and Nook)
9/10

Available at your local Barnes and Noble or at Barnes and Noble online

The Unsuspecting Mage by Brian S. Pratt

Barnes and Noble Author Page

I forget how I originally found The Unsuspecting Mage, but it was when I was searching for books on my Kindle (Yes I have a Kindle and a Nook... let's move on!). I quickly fell in love with the story, and purchased the other 6 books in the 7 book series.

James is a high school senior living with his grandparents after the demise of his parents. His grandfather is pushing him to find a job, while his grandmother nurtures his love to fantasy/science fiction novels, as well as role-playing games such as Dungeons and Dragons. One day, his grandfather slips a job ad into his lunch sack that seems right up his alley. It calls for someone who would like to learn real magic, who loves adventure/role-playing games, and who will be able to travel if necessary. When he decides to answer the ad, he is transported to another world, into the middle of the forest. There he is met by a greenish, imp-like creature named Igor who tells him that in this world, magic is real, he cannot go home yet, and that he needs to travel to the nearest village, that of Trendle.

Thus begins James' series of adventures in this world, as well as his trial and error take on magic (after losing the book that is supposed to tell him how magic works), and his desire to find out more about the God, Morcyth, whose amulet he now possess. He makes many friends along the way, from the young, roguish Miko, to the deadly Jiron, as well as many enemies, some who he defeats, and others he does not (at least yet). He must follow his heart and intuition to find out more about WHY he's been summoned to this world, and how he can help those around him.

It's amusing to see how lost someone from our world would be in another world, or even back in time. Common phrases and pop culture references would be lost on others, while probably making us laugh (as they do James). While many reviewers dislike the book series, comparing it too much to a D&D campaign, I find it to be thrilling. While I read the series in its entirety at least a year ago, I have recently picked it up again, and have read all the way to the 7th book, where I am now. I would disagree with some reviewers who say that the characters are static and do not change much. While it's true that many do stay the same in certain areas of their personalities, in other ways they do change. James has a hard time with killing, unless he absolutely has to, which many of the other characters do not have issues with. Throughout the series, he still hates it, but does come to realize that it may be a necessary evil in order to save himself from fighting the people again, later on down the line.

While many characters do make stupid mistakes (like seeing someone tied up in a hotel room being surprised with a blow to the head when he enters the room), to me it makes them more believable as characters. I'm in my mid-20s, and I still make stupid mistakes, often the same ones over and over again. So it's nice to see characters who don't automatically become amazingly astute and perfect over the course of the series.

I will admit that the writing does seem to be a little juvenile (granted the series does seem to be written for a younger audience), it was the author's choice to write it the way it is. I find the pace to be well set most of the time, and for the action to be enough to keep my interest. There are many puns and pop culture references throughout the series (meeting a Captain Kurk), which just added to my enjoyment of the series. (I love horrible puns and word play)

If you want an enjoyable read that wont take 7 years to get through, this is the book for you!

Final Report:
The Unsuspecting Mage by Brian S. Pratt
316 pages
$13.95 (Paperback)
$9.99 (Free)
7/10

Available at your local Barnes and Noble or at Barnes and Noble Online