Tag: Science Fiction

Categories
Blog Fiction

Light from Uncommon Stars

Written by Ryka Aoki, Book 61 of 2021

Shizuka watched Lan and Thought of all the immigrant mothers in their neighborhoods. She thought of all those who had braved leaky boats, smugglers, and pirates to deliver their families from Vietnam. Then spent the rest of their lives never leaving Monterey Park.

Ryka Aoki, “Light from Uncommon Stars”

This book is a lot. It has deals with demons, a transgender protagonist, sentient AI, space travel, and LOTS of classical music. I can see how some people will LOVE this story but for me it felt like it took on a little too much at times. That being said there is a lot to love; tons of badass women, a doughnut shop, great narration, and lots of warmth and humor to balance the gravity of the conflicts. Ultimately its message is about what makes a life worth living and that is something I can get behind. 

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ALC. 

Recommended for: those interested in LGBTQ+ Representation, Science Fiction, and want something with substance but not too heavy.

Content Warnings: Transphobia, Familial Abuse, Racism, Violence, Sexual Abuse, Mental health, Self Harm 

Categories
Blog Fiction

Strange Beasts of China

written by Yan Ge, Book 57 of 2021

“The more resilient life is, the more you want to destroy it.” 

Yan Ge, “Strange Beasts of China”

I did not want to stop listening to this book, and I was listening to it on vacation so that means something. The unnamed narrator is a strangely likable loner with a few very dysfunctional relationships, who (literally) stumbles her way through improbable interactions with “beasts” of all kinds. Felt a bit like a stranger, darker version of Harry Potter if it had been set in China with a disoriented adult woman as its center. I’m not going to lie, I’m not sure I totally understood what was going on at times but I enjoyed it all the same. The stories can be quite dark, so I probably would only recommend this for mature readers and listeners.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ALC. 

Recommended for: those looking for something truly unusual. 


Content Warnings: Violence, Suicide, Death, Alcohol/Drug Use/Abuse, Family Separation

Categories
Blog Fiction

The World Gives Way

Written by Marissa Levien, Book 45 of 2021

“One thing that is true about humanity there will always be those who push the limits of stability and survival just to say they can. They scale the unscalable mountains. They dive to the impenetrable depths. They love the unlovable person. They will live in the unlivable desert.”

Marissa Levien,
“The World Gives Way“

Without giving anything away, “The World Gives Way” describes the intersection of the lives of two strangers at the end of the world. Overall I really enjoyed this book. The characters’ plight forced me to think about what truly matters and consider the implications of the destruction of the vulnerable environment that we all live in. One thing I really enjoyed about this book was the cinematic descriptions. I could clearly visualize this as a film or tv series. I know it’s a trope that “The book was better” when talking about adaptations but in this case, I would likely disagree. As a person who primarily reads for character depth, I was disappointed in the predictability and lack of nuance the characters displayed but was compelled to the end by the engaging plot.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ALC. 

Recommended for: Folks who favor stories of world building, science fiction fans. 

Content Warnings: Apocalypse, Slavery, Fatalism, Drugs, Addiction, Death of a Parent, Violence, Displacement

Categories
Blog Fiction

Dune

written by Frank Herbert, Book 1 of 2021

“There is no escape —we pay for the violence of our ancestors.”

Frank Herbert, Dune

I am going to be real honest on this one, the only reason I chose to read this was because I saw it was being made into a movie. My love for movies is nearly as great as my love for reading so anytime I see an adaptation that looks promising I’ll scramble to read the original story. 

Again I must be honest, I didn’t love this book. Science fiction lovers please don’t hate me. I’ve been dipping my toes in more science fiction and fantasy over the last year and I’ve loved it. Who doesn’t want to escape reality these days? I thought the premise was pretty interesting but I never grew to like or even get attached to any of the main characters. The most interesting characters, Alia and Chani in my opinion, were secondary and barely given any substance. I did love that the characters who are children had great agency and were the changemakers.

The story’s major protagonist, Paul Atreides is the teenage son of a Duke engaged in an escalating conflict with another noble family in the distant future. This book was written in the 1960’s, and for the time, I’m sure it was novel and radical (space travel, futuristic technology…powerful women characters). Unfortunately, it feels pretty lackluster today. 

The good news; I believe this will make a much better movie than book. I don’t expect deep character development from movies. A movie will silence the relentless repetitive monologues that all the characters engage in. A movie will have beautiful people and places to distract from flat characters and a predictable plot. 

Recommended for: Anyone looking to escape to another world and has a lot of time on their hands, this is a long book.

Actions I will take in response to this book:

  • This story made me think about contemporary climate change, land ownership, and the conflicts around those issues. My biggest takeaway was the reminder that children really are the future and that as an adult it’s my responsibility to the best I can for them.
    • Ally myself with younger generations to improve societal conditions that are unacceptable and harmful to both our our current situation, but especially their future. 
    • Watch the I am Greta Documentary to learn more about Greta Thunberg’s mission.
    • Recommend the book “A Children’s Bible” by Lydia Millet to anyone who wants to read something dystopian about the future we’re heading towards. 

Content Warnings: Drugs, Addiction, Death of a Parent, Violence, Displacement