@booksnotdecaf

Binti is a short 90 pages (paperback) that really tries to build an entire history of social contention within its limited time. For what it was able to present, it did a fairly decent job. There is only so much that can be squashed into under 100 pages, however, and anyone looking for a fully fleshed-out world will not find it here. 

There were a number of threads pinned to the board that were not unfurled even halfway, let alone finished. The "magic" or mathematics used in relation to the tech known as astroglobes, much or anything to do with Oozma Uni, the political system(s) of the galaxy/galaxies, etc., were all vaguely discussed in a way that provided a fish bone's structure of the world, but nothing definite or substantial.  Additionally, the major event aboard the Third Fish was pretty well glossed over at the end, which gives the impression of future lackadaisical handling of important trauma/situations. 

I enjoyed the writing style, the lore and insights we did get, and the potential this first book set for the remainder of the series. I also think there could have been a bit... more. 

Rating: 3.75/5 

I'm not sure this needed to be 400+ pages, since the vast majority was quite simply a continuous loop of say hurtful things, f*ck, give silent treatment, f*ck, and start over. If the use, abuse, and possess is what you're looking for, though, you found it.

So Thirsty is the second of Rachel Harrison's I've read - the first being Such Sharp Teeth - and thus far I've noticed two things. 

One, she has a consistent, almost monotonous voice. Maybe it's simply how I read it, but even the action scenes provoke the barest spike of emotional response. The scene leading into the vampiric infection (not exactly a spoiler, considering the title/cover) was a bit chaotic, but it didn't lead me to feel stressed or nervous or on the edge of my seat. It simply was. 

Two, themes of friendship have been major motivators in both books, while the romance has been subtle and refreshingly straight forward. Do the FMC have personal block that have stunted the romantic growth a bit? Sure. Does it create obnoxious, back and forth, juvenile drama that is wholly unnecessary for the sake of page filler? No a bit. Well, one could argue the tish-est bit in So Thirsty, but not really. And I really appreciate...

Looking for a quick read exclusively about sex with a possessive, crazed dude? Here ya go. If you take it for what it is, and don't try to overanalyze or put morality into it, it's not bad. 

*potential spoilers*

I read Meg Smitherman’s Swallowed before reading Thrum, and I can’t decide if I’m happy I did so or not.

The novellas are almost parallel models, except one entity is a ship and the other is a planet. Both books surround an FMC who is influenced by the respective entity, have their feelings inflated to incite overwhelming lust, and are devoted to their very sidelined supporting characters [crew] until they’re not.

This one was extremely predictable/stereotypical (I feel) of a sci-fi story. The “twist” was truly not a surprise, and the horror was undercut supremely by the back and forth with Dorian and the way she kept thinking ‘this wasn’t meant for human minds’. My girl, you signed up to go find other lifeforms amongst the stars, what do you mean you weren’t prepared to interact with alien beings?

All that said, I still enjoyed it. It was 128 pages of uncomplicated, deepspace lite horror for an evening of ignoring the arrogant little snowstorm that April used for its grand entrance.

Rating: 4/5
Spice Level: 2/5

By the time I had checked this out from the library, looked at it promisingly over the top of the other library book I actually prioritized, returned it to the library without having picked it up with the intent to actually start it, and found it as an audiobook on Libby, I had completely forgotten what it was even about.

With these types of books, though, I find it is a more enjoyable reading experience for me if I don’t have a clear or even moderate expectation. I let the author do their thing, the words paint the picture in my mind, and I just ride along as flowy as possible.

A Cosmology of Monster by Shaun Hamill is a novel that demonstrates the difficulties of hereditary mental health/health difficulties under the guise of horror themes. It centers one one family that is haunted by a monster from the grandparents to the children, and the struggle (and sacrife) of one child to end their generational curse.

I love when authors convey mental health as ‘livin...