Review: The Tainted Cup

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Title: The Tainted Cup
Author: Robert Jackson Bennett
Pages: 413
Series: Shadow of the Leviathan #1
Release: February 6, 2024

From the physical structure of the world to the unique botanical magic employed within its (very big) walls, Robert Jackson Bennett has built an undeniably cool sandbox to play around in. This first book of the trilogy is a dynamic fantasy murder mystery that should please longtime RJB fans and newcomers alike.

I’ve always enjoyed Bennett’s sharp dialogue and great character work. Here, I loved the master and apprentice dynamic between Ana and Din. Ana, especially, was a superbly written character. It’s never enough to be told a character is a genius, we have to see it in action and Ana’s genius is all show and no tell.

While I wasn’t always captivated by the mystery at the heart of the book, Bennett builds out the layers of the conspiracy nicely and doles out the twists and reveals in a satisfying manner. I am truly excited to see what the next book has in store, as it seems like Bennett has just scratched the surface of what stories are possible within the Empire of Khanum.

★★★½

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Review: The Repeat Room

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Title: The Repeat Room 
Author: Jesse Ball 
Pages: 256 
Release: September 24, 2024 

A searing and harrowing portrait of the criminal justice system of a dystopian future. Utterly enthralling and thought-provoking.

The Repeat Room features the most starkly contrasting halves of a novel that I can remember. The first half details the criminal justice system of a dystopian future, one where an ordinary citizen decides whether a perpetrator deserves to live or die after visiting “the repeat room” – a new technological advance that allows a juror to walk a mile in the perpetrator’s shoes – seeing moments of their life from before their alleged crime occurred. The second half is what Abel, our main character, actually sees when he goes to the repeat room…a harrowing and vivid account of the life of the accused. Ball spends the first act setting the stage before delivering the knockout gut-punch in the second half and never letting you get back up.

Although this left me with more questions than answers, I was utterly enthralled the entire time. I’m excited to hear what others think about this book as the story is certainly not for the faint of heart, but raises interesting questions about the state of our current justice system, capital punishment, and how our singular perspective limits our perception of those around us.

★★★★½

My thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Review: In Universes

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Title: In Universes 
Author: Emet North 
Pages: 240 
Release: April 30, 2024 

An absorbing exploration of a kaleidoscopic set of parallel worlds – delving into trauma, grief, and the complexities of healing from our fractures. 

North’s writing is engaging and imaginative in the ways it plumbs the depths of Raffi’s psyche and their search for belonging. As the kaleidoscope turns, each subsequent world spins off its axis. Details change, relationships flip, and roles reverse, but some version of Raffi remains a constant amidst the swirling chaos.

I really enjoyed my time immersed in the pages of In Universes. It’s a compelling and vivid read bound to pull you into its multiversal web.

★★★★

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Review: Beautyland

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Title: Beautyland 
Author: Marie-Helene Bertino
Pages: 336 
Release: January 16, 2024 

Bertino skillfully dissects the alien nature of growing up and the complexities of human existence with dry wit, deadpan observational comedy, and incisive insights into life’s little absurdities.

This is a rare book where the concept and execution are both pitch perfect. Even if you dropped the fact that the main character is (oh by the way) an alien, this would still be a wonderful coming of age story. The alien angle is just gravy that Bertino plays with to great (tragi)comedic effect. Her writing is heartfelt, deeply funny, and without a whiff of cynicism about it. I loved this and can’t recommend it highly enough. 

★★★★★
✪ SPECULATIVE SHELF STARRED BOOK

My thanks to the public library for providing me with a post-release copy in exchange for a pinky promise that I’ll give it back within 14 days. (I did).

Review: Rakesfall

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Title: Rakesfall 
Author: Vajra Chandrasekera 
Pages: 304 
Release: June 18, 2024 

Surreal, lyrical, beautiful, haunting – featuring a heady mélange of narrative forms and storytelling styles – Rakesfall is an evocative epic poem of a novel. 

It’s impossible to distill Vajra Chandrasekera’s sprawling opus into any short plot synopsis (so kudos to whoever wrote the publisher’s summary), but readers will need to recalibrate their expectations if they go in looking for the everlasting romance said summary implies. Rakesfall defies any easy genre categorization. It’s closer to New Weird or “slipstream” than anything else. Oftentimes difficult to parse, but very hard to put down. The emphasis on atmosphere (read: “vibes”) over plot was a refreshing change of pace over most mainstream genre fare, as well.

This will surely be polarizing among readers as nothing is spoonfed and it challenges you at every turn. But with two incredible books (see The Saint of Bright Doors) releasing within the last year, Chandrasekera has cemented himself as a must-read author and a bold new voice in speculative fiction.

★★★★½

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Review: Toward Eternity

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“Music is as eternal as the universe, it is part of its very fabric, and a musician is only picking at a small corner of the universe, a tiny dot in it, when they turn air and time into sound. A musician’s task is not to create sound from nothingness; a true musician understands that music is the primordial state of the universe, the very first world, and silence is a cloak upon this state, and a musician’s job is to create a tear in that cloak to let out the music underneath. We do not create music, we draw it out from underneath the silence. I draw it out from my cello, my tear in the cloak.”

Title: Toward Eternity 
Author: Anton Hur 
Pages: 256 
Release: July 9, 2024 

Already renowned for his works of translation, Anton Hur demonstrates his prowess as a novelist in Toward Eternity, an engrossing exploration of the essence of humanity.

While the narrative initially embraces a slow pace and interiority for our protagonists, it begins to accelerate through time, challenging readers to keep pace with the plot’s ever-expanding Russian Doll-like recursions. I preferred the start of the story for its more accessible nature, but I understood the choice to jump through time to see how the past had reverberated into the future.

The novel truly shines when contemplating memory, artistry, and what it means to be human in the face of technological progress. Much like the Ship of Theseus paradox, if nanotechnology replaced our cells one by one, at what point do we stop being ourselves? And, from the perspective of artistic expression, if you are an instrumentalist playing notes written by someone else, are you any less an artist? Does your music not draw from your soul? I found these questions to be particularly interesting, especially considering Hur’s prolific work translating the words of other novelists and how that might inform his viewpoint on this.

Ultimately, there’s quite a bit to take away from Toward Eternity – you can latch on to the big ideas and philosophical questions it raises or you can just focus on the fun, sci-fi thriller aspects that make this so readable. Either way, Hur has written something really wonderful and I look forward to reading more of his work in the future.

★★★★½

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Review: Lost Ark Dreaming

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Title: Lost Ark Dreaming
Author: Suyi Davies Okungbowa
Pages: 192
Release: May 21, 2024

Within the confines of its short page count, Suyi Davies Okunbowa deploys truly impressive economical worldbuilding to situate us right into this literal fish(creature)-out-of-water tale.

The narrative unfolds within a massive skyscraper that towers above the flooded African coast, where societal classes are physically stratified – akin to turning the train from Snowpiercer vertically – the higher class residing above and the lower class below the ever-rising sea level, a literal manifestation of social hierarchy.

What sets this novella apart are the deeply felt interludes scattered throughout. These reflections delve into the complexities of humanity, trauma, displacement, class, intergenerational oral tradition, immigration, and more. It’s a tapestry of themes carefully woven throughout the narrative.

Lost Ark Dreaming is not only profound, but also approachable and exciting. It left me wanting more, and I look forward to seeing whatever Okungbowa writes next.

★★★★

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Top K-Dramas of 2023

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I watched twice as much Korean content as I did Western content in 2023. K-dramas are able to convey complete, sharply-written, and affecting tales in a manner unlike anything found stateside. These dramas represent the best of what I watched that was released in 2023:

  1. Twinkling Watermelon (16 episodes – Viki) – An emotionally touching tale that explores themes of family, sacrifice, and embracing the full brilliance of one’s life journey. The narrative is truly captivating, and Ryeoun’s exceptional performance, along with the rest of the young cast, adds to the beauty of this heartwarming experience.
  2. The Eighth Sense (10 episodes – Viki) – Exceptional character development, with Ji Hyung’s evolution standing out. The leads exhibit incredible chemistry, and the unique lo-fi style and pacing make for an engaging viewing experience. It ends in surprisingly optimistic fashion.
  3. Moving (20 episodes – Hulu) – Exceptionally well-crafted with outstanding acting, this show boasts a fascinating yet peculiar overall structure. The intricate plot is incredibly satisfying as it seamlessly comes together. The characters are superbly fleshed out, with even minor ones benefiting from succinctly told backstories. I did end up enjoying the journey more than the destination, though.
  4. Bloodhounds (8 episodes – Netflix) – Incredibly violent yet compelling, this consistently kept me on edge about the fate of the characters. Despite some illogical protagonist actions, the (good) characters are very easy to root foot. The series, starting with a potential 10/10, ends at a very good 8.5/10.
  5. King the Land (16 episodes – Netflix) – Light and frothy – this one doesn’t seem to be reinventing the wheel at any point (except when it comes to consent in K-dramas). I imagined that Lee Jun-ho’s involvement meant that this would be well-written and would be satisfying in the end (it was!). I enjoyed it for what it was and really loved both leads.
  6. D.P. – Season 2 (6 episodes – Netflix) – Significantly improved and less somber than the first season, with Episode 3 standing out as the series’ high point. The chilling atmosphere of Episode 4 at the remote outpost is also noteworthy. The bromance between the leads is a highlight, and the side characters are more well-developed in this season.
  7. Duty After School – Part 1 (6 episodes – Viki) – Impressive production quality and it effectively manages a large cast, offering distinct character portrayals. The action is gripping and intense, and it capturing the essence of high schoolers convincingly. Despite a promising start, Part 2 turns out to be a significant letdown.
  8. A Time Called You (12 episodes – Netflix) – All I kept hearing was that the original Taiwanese version was far superior, but since I couldn’t watch that anywhere I was happy to use this as my frame of reference for the story. The main leads, especially Jeon Yeo Been, handle their roles well. While the chemistry may be lacking, everyone’s doing interesting work. The ending was satisfying, and overall, it was an enjoyable ride. Jeon Yeo Been stood out, and Sun Hyo Seop was very charming—I’d definitely watch more of his work.
  9. The Worst of Evil (12 episodes – Hulu) – Hulu dramas are definitely measuring up to Netflix in terms of top-tier production design. Episode 9’s hallway fight scene is mind-blowing. I was impressed with both the main lead and the second male lead—and they excel in their respective roles. The narrative around the Korea-China-Japan drug trade is a bit convoluted. Despite a not entirely satisfying ending, the overall execution is commendable, and I enjoyed my time with it.
  10. Lies Hidden in My Garden (8 episodes – Viki) – Eerie and atmospheric, with a deliberate pacing. The cinematography is exceptionally beautiful, showcasing top-notch framing and production quality. The acting is very good, but the story and plotting are just okay.
  11. Castaway Diva (12 episodes – Netflix)
  12. Soundtrack #2 (6 episodes – Disney+)
  13. My Dearest – Part I (10 episodes – Viki)
  14. Our Blooming Youth (20 episodes – Viki)
  15. The Interest of Love (16 episodes – Netflix)
  16. Doona! (9 episodes – Netflix)
  17. Shadow Detective – Season 2 (8 episodes – Hulu)
  18. Black Knight (6 episodes – Netflix)
  19. My Dearest – Part 2 (11 episodes – Viki)
  20. Duty After School – Part 2 (4 episodes – Viki)
  21. Bo Ra! Deborah (14 episodes – Amazon)
  22. Jun & Jun (8 episodes – Viki)

Still watching: Gyeongsang Creature, Call it Love, Crash Course in Romance

Top Television of 2023

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Aside from reading, I spent the remainder of my media consumption time on television. Although a departure for this blog, I wanted to put this list together to shout out my favorite TV from 2023, much of which has a speculative bent.

  1. The Bear (Season 2 – Hulu) – An unoriginal choice, but this was another stellar season. The best of what I watched this year.
  2. Party Down (Season 3 – STARZ) – Possibly the best “revival” I’ve ever seen. Give Ken Marino an Emmy – he’s doing incredible work in every episode.
  3. The Other Two (Season 3 – HBOMAX) – The production budget definitely went up and it shows. They were able to take bigger swings and execute high concepts to pair with their familiar joke-dense material (B&W Pleasantville ode, fake Applebees, AIDS play, Globby). There’s more impactful, long term storytelling here in the final season. The humor is so specific and spot on for the absurdity of the entertainment industry.
  4. Barry (Season 4 – HBOMAX) – Carries over the great stuff from Season 3. Really legitimately funny. My opinions of each character have changed considerably over the course of the series. A fitting capper to a series I didn’t start loving until the 3rd season.
  5. Foundation (Season 2 – Apple TV+) – Continues to be a visual marvel. No other show looks as good. The uneven acting from the younger characters and the convoluted plot really holds it back from being an incredible show, though. Less focus on those younger characters plus the introduction of many great side characters elevates the show. Episode 9 is probably the best episode of the entire run. Excellent stuff. 
  6. Sex Education (Season 4 – Netflix) – Everything is still very polished and gels so well together. Acting, music, production design, cinematography. It’s evolved in interesting and necessary ways, while also staying true to its core message.
  7. What We Do in the Shadows (Season 5 – Hulu)
  8. Beef (Season 1 – Netflix)
  9. Am I Being Unreasonable? (Season 1 – Hulu)
  10. A Murder at the End of the World (Season 1 – Hulu)
  11. Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story (Season 1 – Netflix)
  12. For All Mankind (Season 4 – Apple TV+)
  13. Gen V (Season 1 – Amazon Prime)
  14. Schmigadoon! (Season 2 – Apple TV+)
  15. The Last of Us (Season 1 – HBOMAX)
  16. Yellowjackets (Season 2 – Showtime)
  17. Silo (Season 1 – Apple TV+)
  18. Big Mouth (Season 7 – Netflix)
  19. The Mandalorian (Season 3 – Disney+)
  20. It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (Season 16 – FXX)
  21. Ahsoka (Season 1 – Disney+)
  22. Monarch: Legacy of Monsters (Season 1 – Apple TV+)

Docuseries/Reality – Our Planet S2, Squid Game: The Challenge S1, The Great British Bake Off S11, Extraordinary Birder with Christian Cooper, The Traitors US S1, Survivor S44, Survivor S45.

My full ranking of the 2023 Korean Dramas I watched this year.