Caught Between Pages > Recent Status Updates

oh boy this is gonna be a wild ride:
- a cast of all men thus far EXCEPT one girl
- BUT the girl is <8 (not sexualizable HOPEFULLY) and mute. So we don't have to be worried about her doing something masculine like SPEAKING
- BUT despite being 1 a child and 2 an urchin, she is a pillar of absolute morality to guide the men around her
- RAPE as a plot device/used to demonize a queer character/the main antagonist so far

Okay so it completely went over my head that Remedios was a literal child at the time of her marriage. As in, literally prepubescent. So... Yikes.
BUT I was right in remembering that Pilar is fierce in her autonomy, and that the Buendia boys are all broken so that their edges are sharp and ready for war.
My favorite character, for now, is still Melquiades, because he remains kind to his last breath. Bless him.

Okay but how is this not required reading all over the country yet?
Cry counter: I don't even know anymore.
Laugh counter: ditto.
Starr is everything, Maya is everything, Seven, Vante, and all the rest of Starr's family are everything.
Hailey can choke.
THE PROM THOUGH UGH STARR BABY ILY

Just a chapter before bed but I already see why this has been on the NYT list for like 60 weeks now.

It's not because of the writing, more my own musings after closing the book, but I'm struck with how dissatisfied these "transhumanists"seem to be with being human. O'Connell likens their fervor to religious zeal, but I don't think any god in any pantheon ever inspired such a need to transcend flesh and blood bodies. Fascinating stuff.

It's not because of the writing, more my own musings after closing the book, but I'm struck with how dissatisfied these "transhumanists"seem to be with being human. O'Connell likens their fervor to religious zeal, but I don't think any god in any pantheon ever inspired such a need to transcend flesh and blood bodies. Fascinating stuff.

Absolutely fascinating. Mark O'Connell has such a lovely tongue-in-cheek writing style, and the subject matter is such that it feels less like non-fiction and more like a pre-dystopian scifi tale told in a journalistic way. I have to keep reminding myself that he's writing about real people, real beliefs, and real technologies.

Ok so at the halfway point ish we get some fun warfare stuff. Noice. But the political sphere is where Kestrel really shines and I miss that

So, while I'm trash for the trope that's basically been the crux of the plot up till this point (and I won't say what it is because spoilers), I really kinda miss the political intrigue.

Honestly, it takes me a hot second sometimes to hear the words behind Frazer's blatant racism (if I have to read the word "savage" used in a non-90s-skater-boy context one more time...) but his exploration of the place magic has in people's sociopolitical spheres is pretty neat.

Honestly this book is gonna translate so well to film.
There are parts that are just a liiiittle too fast but will be PERFECT when transcribed to a screenplay (mostly, I'm talking about the speed of the romances).
It's a lil Str8 AF, but nothing is perfect ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

O.M.G. Y'all. This book.
So, if you're into non-stop action, beautifully rich descriptions, and dynamic characters, this one's for you.
If you're into an in-depth discussion on colorism, slavery, oppression, humanity, forgiveness, love, etc., this one's for you.
If NONE OF THAT MANAGED TO CONVINCE YOU... There's also a horned lion that Zelie rides. Like Appa from AtlA.
I love this book so much.

Ok I have NEVER seen colorism addressed in a book like this. This is already shaping up to be one of my favorite reads of the year

Ok so Belles are slaves. 110%. Just FYI.

I'm not sure yet how I feel about the pacing or prose, but the plot is intriguing and the characters are nuanced and complex. Love it.

Really though, it's all about the concept. The commodification of beauty and the impossible standards women are held to hit SO close to home despite this being a fantasy. I'm only half done and I already can't wait for book two.

Ok so Belles are slaves. 110%. Just FYI.

I'm not sure yet how I feel about the pacing or prose, but the plot is intriguing and the characters are nuanced and complex. Love it.

Really though, it's all about the concept. The commodification of beauty and the impossible standards women are held to hit SO close to home despite this being a fantasy. I'm only half done and I already can't wait for book two.

I love Camellia and I want her to have friends who support her successes and ambitions is that too much to ask

Y'all. This is some Moana type ending and I am HERE FOR IT.

I'm really enjoying this so far! It's slower by far than the Red Rising series, so the pace was jarring at first. But once I got into it, I was INTO IT.

Notable updates:
- rape as a plot device
- inconsistent characterization (Gwen has ruined everything so far but it's fine i'm fine i don't even care)
- blatant religion-bashing on all sides (yay intolerance!)
- pedophilia???

Seriously, If I wasn't vehemently against DNFing books this one would be long forgotten.

Where is the feminism I was promised?????