Here are a few short reviews of books I’ve read in the past month.
The Screaming Divas by Suzanne Kamata
Provided by the publisher for review. Find Suzanne’s interview at Girls in Capes.
When I started this book, I was expecting something more along the lines of a book about a band, with a lot of practicing and concerts, but the book ended up reading more like The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants except with a punk band instead of magic jeans.
Originally, I’d set this book aside because the first chapter didn’t hook me, but I’m glad I ended up following through, because as it turns out, the character (Trudy) whose point of view is shown in the first chapter is the least interesting and relatable. I enjoyed each of the other three girls’ plotlines, especially Esther’s, and I found some of my own life experiences reflected in Harumi. Cassie was my favorite of the girls, though I didn’t quite like the progression of her plot.
The Screaming Divas was a fascinating read after that initial bump, but the strange change of pace towards the end and the overall plot wasn’t really for me. However, the book has fascinating diversity and represents each character in what I find to be a very fair way.
3 out of 5 stars
Kindred by Octavia Butler
Purchased for the Girls in Capes book club.
Octavia Butler’s been on my list a long time, and KINDRED was an incredible introduction to this prolific science fiction author. Following a woman as she gets yanked back and forth in time between the present day (1976) and the antebellum South, the novel is harsh and emotionally difficult in the best kind of way.
Its emotional difficulty will turn many readers off, but this book is an important one to read, especially for those interested in history. Despite its genre, KINDRED is an obviously well-researched and deeply thoughtful read.
5 out of 5 stars
Feliza Casano 