Anna Tan's Blog, page 22
July 29, 2020
#bookreview: The Space Between Worlds | Micaiah Johnson
The Space Between Worlds by Micaiah JohnsonMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Cara has a job not many can hold--traversing through different Earths in the multiverse--because most of her other selves are already dead. But technological advancements may mean Cara's job is invalidated--and her latest pull reveals unexpected events. What starts off as a simple multiverse-travelling story turns dark and complex when Cara uncovers dangerous truths.
The Space Between Worlds is perfect for casual sci-fi readers, ...
July 21, 2020
#bookreview: Lead Like a Woman | Deborah Smith Pegues
Lead Like a Woman: Gain Confidence, Navigate Obstacles, Empower Others by Deborah Smith PeguesMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Lead Like A Woman is divided into two parts: 'Inherent Traits to Embrace and Manage' and 'Counterproductive Tendencies to Let Go'.
The entire book works on a generalising of "female traits and tendencies", whether it is a natural or taught one--this is helpful in some areas, not so helpful in others. Still, any book that addresses gender stereotypes will have to make generalisat...
July 15, 2020
#bookreview: Creatures of Near Kingdoms | Zedeck Siew, Sharon Chin
Creatures of Near Kingdoms by Zedeck SiewMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Creatures of Near Kingdoms is a beautifully illustrated bestiary of Malaysian flora and fauna. Each one-page description is accompanied by a full-page illustration or lino print.
It's whimsical. And fantastic. And witty.
And occasionally confusing if you're trying too hard to figure out The Point.
It's best read in short bursts. Take it as a collection of microfiction, if you will.
View all my reviews
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I'm lagging behind in my revi...
June 30, 2020
#bookreview: The SEA is Ours: Tales of Steampunk Southeast Asia
The Sea Is Ours: Tales from Steampunk Southeast Asia by Jaymee GohMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
I suppose if I like half of an anthology, the anthology is a good one. I've been trying to find a way to review this more critically, but it just seems that I can't.
I suppose the dissonance comes from several things, the first of which primarily stems from the lack of steam in this version of steampunk. There's a quite a bit folklore/magic, sometimes used in combination with the technology; where it seems t...
June 17, 2020
#bookreview: Daclaxvia: Book 1: Nascent | D. John Cliffson
Daclaxvia: Book 1: Nascent by D. John CliffsonDaclaxvia: Nascent follows the three Manstead siblings and their dealings with angels and demons across the world (and out of it). First, there's Max, the genius, estranged, eldest child, an avowed atheist who is found wanting. Then there's Mark, the middle child who becomes one of the first Nascent-capable, Augmented Intelligence humans but is ambivalent in his faith. Finally, Meghan, the baby of the family, is the bleeding heart Christian who puts ...
June 14, 2020
#musicmonday: The Only Thing Worse...
"Opinions are immunity to being told you're wrong"
June 10, 2020
#bookreview: Strange Ways | Gray Williams
Strange Ways by Gray WilliamsMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Strange Ways is a story of guilt and grief, and how you deal with them in an unjust world. It's about personal choices and political choices and taking the higher ground... or not... in a dark, gritty London full of illegal magic.
In some ways, Strange Ways can be read metaphorically. Amidst the Coleman family drama is the underlying question of justice for the oppressed; in this case, magic users. Karina Khurana appears in The End of the Line...
June 2, 2020
#bookreview: Tales of Superhuman Powers: 55 Traditional Stories from Around the World
Tales of Superhuman Powers: 55 Traditional Stories from Around the World by Csenge Virág ZalkaMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
If you're interested in how folk and fairy tales differ--or are the same!--around the world this is a good place to start.
The 55 tales are arranged around various superhuman powers, including shape-shifting, control of the elements, superstrength and mind-reading. Besides the tales themselves, Csenge provides some background to the stories and where they come from, as well as var...
May 31, 2020
#musicmonday: Fall for Anything | The Script
(This wasn't exactly what Wilson Moy meant, but...)
May 26, 2020
#bookreview: Seen. Known. Loved: 5 Truths About God and Your Love Language | Gary Chapman, R York Moore
Seen. Known. Loved.: 5 Truths About God and Your Love Language by Gary ChapmanMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
I dunno. It's a really, really short book? 95-ish pages--at least based on the contents page of this e-ARC. My Kindle says its 51 minutes long (at my average reading speed), so more like a booklet.
Seen. Known. Loved: 5 Truths About God and Your Love Language rides on Chapman's earlier 5 Love Languages book(s), relating each love language to an expression of God's love. Although he (they?) explain...
