Media roundup, Mar-Apr
Apr. 30th, 2026 13:33![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
superborbDisorientation, by Elaine Hsieh Chou (DNF): A satirical humor about a Taiwanese American literature PhD student who discovers the canonical Chinese American poet she's writing her dissertation on is actually white. This got taken back by the library multiple times and so I finally have decided... I probably should just drop it... Even if I DO think I'm right at the point where she probably starts Learning Something!! The protag is just so unlikeable that it was a struggle. Her problems with identity and her problems generally are just so... high school / college level, not late grad school. The cringe of being reluctant to use "the r word" on a blatantly racist guy. But I also do kinda want to know what happens. Does she dump her yellow fever boyfriend? Does she finally become friends with the cool girl militant antiracist rival? I have one week left of this loan...
Cinder House, by Freya Marske: Cinderella retelling where Ella is the ghost of her childhood home. I thought it could've used more description of the ballet itself, vs more fluffy language for that part. I enjoyed it, but ultimately it felt a bit unsatisfying -- too much of a power fantasy maybe? I REALLY thought she was going to trans the prince given the hints too, but alas. However, the trapped in the house vibes were excellently done. Definitely felt that was the strongest emotional part of the book. The closure on why her stepmother kills her father and her was perfectly done.
The Wax Child, by Olga Ravn: The beeswax doll created by an accused witch in 17th century Denmark narrates the events as its mistress moves, makes friends, and is persecuted. I didn't really understand this one to be honest... The style was interesting, but I wonder if I was too distracted from paying enough attention to more subtle details that would've made it more satisfying?
Annihilation, by Jeff VanderMeer: A team is sent to explore a mysterious area which has unusual properties; all previous expeditions have ended in disaster. This was fine, but I don't think I'll continue to the sequel or ever reread this.
Empire of Sand, by Tasha Suri; Realm of Ash, by Tasha Suri: A duology set in a fantasy, Mughal India-ish land where the oppressed Amrithi dance magic. The first is the elder sister's, as she resists the assimilation of her stepmother and is discovered before being sent to serve with the Emperor's mystics; the second is the younger sister's, who had assimilated well before her husband died in a tragedy and now must discover why the empire is falling apart. They were a bit YA-ish and I see why there's some uncomfortableness in the world building in the context of modern politics. The magic bloodline stuff was a bit passé, but the romances were good and the endings satisfying. Basically what it says on the tin.
The Village Beyond the Mist, by Sachiko Kashiwaba: Young girl spends a summer in a magical village working odd jobs; inspired Spirited Away. Cute and satisfying! A kid's book really, but still enjoyable to adults.
Breakneck, by Dan Wang: The thesis is "America is run by lawyers, and China is run by engineers." I've read his annual letters for a while, so I was interested in the book. Some details I didn't know, some interesting anecdotes, and very readable. However, a lighter read than I expected -- I'm not really sure who would be the real audience for this, since I expect those casually interested would know most of this and if you're not at least casually interested, why are you reading a whole book about it...
Feeding Ghosts, by Tessa Hulls: Graphic memoir exploring her grandma's, her mom's and her trauma as her grandma fled to Hong Kong and then had a mental breakdown from which she never recovered. Heavy stuff, definitely a biased viewpoint -- but of course, a memoir ought to be biased.
Games wise, I finished with Balatro after I unlocked everything (I don't think I'm meant for roguelikes...), and am now addicted to Merge Teahouse. I think the combination of a true storyline with little idle game and organizing things...
Cinder House, by Freya Marske: Cinderella retelling where Ella is the ghost of her childhood home. I thought it could've used more description of the ballet itself, vs more fluffy language for that part. I enjoyed it, but ultimately it felt a bit unsatisfying -- too much of a power fantasy maybe? I REALLY thought she was going to trans the prince given the hints too, but alas. However, the trapped in the house vibes were excellently done. Definitely felt that was the strongest emotional part of the book. The closure on why her stepmother kills her father and her was perfectly done.
The Wax Child, by Olga Ravn: The beeswax doll created by an accused witch in 17th century Denmark narrates the events as its mistress moves, makes friends, and is persecuted. I didn't really understand this one to be honest... The style was interesting, but I wonder if I was too distracted from paying enough attention to more subtle details that would've made it more satisfying?
Annihilation, by Jeff VanderMeer: A team is sent to explore a mysterious area which has unusual properties; all previous expeditions have ended in disaster. This was fine, but I don't think I'll continue to the sequel or ever reread this.
Empire of Sand, by Tasha Suri; Realm of Ash, by Tasha Suri: A duology set in a fantasy, Mughal India-ish land where the oppressed Amrithi dance magic. The first is the elder sister's, as she resists the assimilation of her stepmother and is discovered before being sent to serve with the Emperor's mystics; the second is the younger sister's, who had assimilated well before her husband died in a tragedy and now must discover why the empire is falling apart. They were a bit YA-ish and I see why there's some uncomfortableness in the world building in the context of modern politics. The magic bloodline stuff was a bit passé, but the romances were good and the endings satisfying. Basically what it says on the tin.
The Village Beyond the Mist, by Sachiko Kashiwaba: Young girl spends a summer in a magical village working odd jobs; inspired Spirited Away. Cute and satisfying! A kid's book really, but still enjoyable to adults.
Breakneck, by Dan Wang: The thesis is "America is run by lawyers, and China is run by engineers." I've read his annual letters for a while, so I was interested in the book. Some details I didn't know, some interesting anecdotes, and very readable. However, a lighter read than I expected -- I'm not really sure who would be the real audience for this, since I expect those casually interested would know most of this and if you're not at least casually interested, why are you reading a whole book about it...
Feeding Ghosts, by Tessa Hulls: Graphic memoir exploring her grandma's, her mom's and her trauma as her grandma fled to Hong Kong and then had a mental breakdown from which she never recovered. Heavy stuff, definitely a biased viewpoint -- but of course, a memoir ought to be biased.
Games wise, I finished with Balatro after I unlocked everything (I don't think I'm meant for roguelikes...), and am now addicted to Merge Teahouse. I think the combination of a true storyline with little idle game and organizing things...
