book reviews

  • Book Cover: A Song to Drown Rivers
    A Song to Drown Rivers
    Ann Liang’s A Song to Drown Rivers is an emotional exploration of sacrifice and revenge. Xishi is an unparalleled beauty who lives in a remote Yue village, terrorized by nightmares of her younger sister’s murder at the hands of Wu soldiers. Enter Fanli, a famous military advisor to the …
  • Book Cover: Real Americans by Rachel Khong.
    Real Americans
    Real Americans by Rachel Khong is a multi-generational novel that centers on American identity and the theme of nature vs. nurture. The novel starts with Lily Chen and tells the meet cute story of how she meets and falls in love with Matthew. I found this part of the novel the most enjoyable. …
  • book cover: The Redemption of Morgan Bright.
    The Redemption of Morgan Bright
    Chris Panatier’s The Redemption of Morgan Bright is a fantasy-horror novel with a patriarchy reminiscent of The Handmaiden’s Tale. In a world where men can have their wives admitted for psychiatric care against their will, all under the guise of “domestic psychosis,” Morgan …
  • Mirrored Heavens book cover, featuring a woman with glowing eyes and large headdress.
    Mirrored Heavens
    Mirrored Heavens is the fabulous conclusion to the Between Earth and Sky trilogy by Rebecca Roanhorse. With fantastic world building, magic, and intrigue, the Between Earth and Sky trilogy is on par with some of my other favorite fantasy series, such as the Broken Earth, and Inheritance trilogies …
  • The Swans of Harlem book cover, yellow with black text and 5 dancing ballerinas.
    The Swans of Harlem
    The Swans of Harlem by Karen Valby tells the story of five Black ballerinas, and their time with the Dance Theatre of Harlem (DTH). Predominately a character study, and a recount of the triumphs and trials of the featured five Black ballerinas, Swans also touches on history, racism, and AIDS. DTH …
  • Empire of the Damned Book cover
    Empire of the Damned
    Empire of the Damned, by Jay Kristoff is the second novel in the Empire of the Vampire series. I have always loved vampire novels, ever since reading Interview with the Vampire. Empire has all the qualities that I loved from that series: a tortured main character with a sordid past, interesting …
  • Succeeding as a Solopreneur
    Given that I’ve been thinking about how to expand my career options beyond the traditional tech job, when I saw Succeeding as a Solopreneur: Six Keys to taking the Leap, Winning Clients, and Building Wealth by Liz J. Steblay offered by NetGalley, it seemed very timely. Overall, it was a …
  • Book Cover: The City of Stardust by Georgia Summers.
    The City of Stardust
    “Once upon a time, in a magical city on a distant shore, lived Ever Everly.” The City of Stardust by Georgia Summers The City of Stardust by Georgia Summers is a fast-paced fantasy novel that centers around a family curse, magic, fairytales, and monsters. On the surface, The City of …
  • Book cover image featuring a city skyline.
    The Morningside
    The Morningside1 by Téa Obreht is set in the not-so-distant future, where due to the destructive forces of human nature, the world has been ravaged by rising tides, food shortages, and unpredictable weather patterns. Silvia and her mother have come to reside at The Morningside, what was once a …
  • Book cover image featuring a man and woman leaning back to back in front of a storefront.
    Love You, Mean It
    If you’re a fan of romantic comedies, enemies to lovers, and fake dating tropes, then this book is for you! Love You, Mean It by Jilly Gagnon tells the story of Ellie Greco. When a local real estate developer’s plans threaten the family business, Greco’s Deli, Ellie goes to great …