Book Review: These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong

These Violent Delights

by Chloe Gong (YA Gong)

 

This is a noir, mafia/gang retelling of Romeo and Juliet that will break the mold. Not only is it a noir and mafia/retelling it’s set in Shanghai in the 1920’s. Russians play the Montagu’s and the Capulets are Chinese. Our star-crossed lovers join forces to discover what mystery disease is plaguing the citizens of Shanghai. It’s filled with mystery, Shakespeare Easter eggs and historical subplot along with a side of romance and bildungsromans.

 

I listened to the audio version which I would also recommend. The audiobook features Cindy Kay, a conscientious narrator, who makes sure the different languages she uses are pronounced with accuracy. Shanghai-nese, Cantonese and Russian in addition to British accents and Russian accented English are portrayed clearly and beautifully. Wonderful immersive read!

 

(Would recommend if you like Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim or Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco.)

 

( official Chloe Gong web site )

 

Recommended by Caitlin L.
Bennett Martin Public Library — Public Service

 

Have you read or listened to this one? What did you think? Did you find this review helpful?

New reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide website. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide Blog individually over the course of the entire month. Click the tag for the reviewer's name to see more of this reviewer’s recommendations!

Book Review: The Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao

The Iron Widow

by Xiran Jay Zhao (YA Zhao)

 

Let me start off by saying it is hard to do this book justice without a whole podcast. It is by turns a futuristic dystopia, a love triangle, enemies to lovers/friends to lovers and a history-rewritten novel. Zetian is a woman from an impoverished inter-generational, provincial Chinese family who is sold as a concubine to pilot mechas with a male partner. She knows being sold will most likely result in her death, having watched it happen to her perfect older sister, yet she proceeds willingly in an attempt to mete out justice to the pilot who murdered her sister. She discovers she is more powerful than she believed. She finds love but doesn’t need it to be successful. This whole plot is inspired by the story of Wu Zetian, China’s only empress, who lived from 624- 709 AD. The audiobook is especially cool as the narrator pronounces Chinese names and nouns for a non-Chinese speaking audience. #womanboss #femaleempowerment

 

(If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try Pacific Rim, The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang or Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir.)

 

( publisher’s official Iron Widow web page ) | ( official Xiran Jay Zhao web site – including links to her Twitter, Instagram and YouTube pages )

 

Recommended by Caitlin L.
Bennett Martin Public Library — Public Service

 

Have you read or listened to this one? What did you think? Did you find this review helpful?

New reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide website. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide Blog individually over the course of the entire month. Click the tag for the reviewer's name to see more of this reviewer’s recommendations!

Book Review: Goldie Vance, Vol. 1 by Hope Larson and Brittney Williams

Goldie Vance, Vol. 1

by Hope Larson and Brittney Williams (YA PB (Graphic Novel) Larson)

 

Goldie Vance is a fresh take on the childhood mysteries of Nancy Drew. Goldie Vance is a 16 year old who uses intelligence, friendship and intuition to solve the mysteries that occur at the Florida resort that she and her father run. She and her friends are people of color, presented as smart protagonists who are saving the day. The illustrations are beautiful, and the story is heartfelt. The mysteries will intrigue the young and teen reader.

 

[If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try The Backstagers by James Tynion IV, or Lumberjanes by Noelle Stevenson.]

 

[ Wikipedia page for the Goldie Vance series of graphic novels ] | [ official Hope Larson Twitter feed ] | [ official Brittney Williams web site ]

 

Recommended by Caitlin L.
Bennett Martin Public Library — Public Services

 

Have you read or listened to this one? What did you think? Did you find this review helpful?

New reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide website. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide Blog individually over the course of the entire month. Click the tag for the reviewer's name to see more of this reviewer’s recommendations!

Book Review: Redbone: The True Story of a Native American Rock Band by Christian Staebler

Redbone: The True Story of a Native American Rock Band

by Christian Staebler (YA PB (Graphic Novel) Staebler)

 

This gorgeously illustrated graphic novel tells the story of 60s and 70s era rock band Redbone, best known for their hit “Come and Get Your Love.” The story follows the beginnings of the band, the heyday and all the different, varied artists they worked with throughout their career up to their involvement in various indigenous rights activities. The book is quick informative read and good for anyone interested in a music or First Nations history read.

[ publisher’s official Redbone book web site ] | [ English translation of official Christian Staebler French language web site ] [ semi-official Redbone band history site ]

 

Recommended by Caitlin L.
Bennett Martin Public Library — Public Services

 

Have you read or listened to this one? What did you think? Did you find this review helpful?

New reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide website. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide Blog individually over the course of the entire month. Click the tag for the reviewer's name to see more of this reviewer’s recommendations!

Book Review: Yes, Please by Amy Poehler (as audiobook)

Yes, Please
by Amy Poehler (Compact Disc Biography Poehler)

Amy Poehler’s life is perfectly distilled in this book comprised of short autobiographical stories. The audio book is narrated by Ms. Poehler and is a joy to listen to as she adds side notes and anecdotes not in the manuscript. It would recommend Ms. Poehler’s comedic approach to life, reflection and self-help.

[If you enjoy this, you may also wish to try Bossypants by Tina Fey, or Scrappy Little Nobody by Anna Kendrick.]

[ official amysaysyesplease.com web site ] | [ Wikipedia page for Amy Poehler ]

Recommended by Cait L.
Bennett Martin Public Library

Have you read or listened to this one? What did you think? Did you find this review helpful?

New reviews appear every month on the Staff Recommendations page of the BookGuide website. You can visit that page to see them all, or watch them appear here in the BookGuide blog individually over the course of the entire month. Click the tag for the reviewer's name to see more of this reviewer’s recommendations!