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SO excited to be starting the summer with amazing reads from @tordotcompub @torbooks !!!
#ulterior motive is to post the tote bag I hand dyed this weekend#mod j#books#emily tesh#martha wells#emma mieko candon#vajra chandrasekera#s.l. huang#torbooks
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ROUND 1D, MATCH 3 OUT OF 8!
Propaganda Under the Cut:
Dr. Cadence Mbella:
See here https://lesbrary.com/danika-reviews-the-little-homo-sapiens-scientist-by-s-l-huang/
Sh'eenaz:
Her story, A Little Sacrifice, is a heartbreaking spin on the original tale.
#the little homo sapiens scientist#s.l. huang#sl huang#sh'eenaz#sword of destiny#the witcher#andrzej sapkowski#the little mermaid#little mermaid#fairytale#hans christian andersen#poll tournament#poll bracket#character polls#polls#round 1#round 1d#the little merpoll
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vote YES if you have finished the entire book.
vote NO if you have not finished the entire book.
(faq · submit a book)
#The Vela#Yoon Ha Lee#Becky Chambers#Rivers Solomon#S.L. Huang#scifi#books#poll#result: no#l: English
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Adaptation and the Powers of the False: A Review of The Water Outlaws by S. L. Huang
(I try to avoid “spoiler warnings” but, as a courtesy, since this book is not yet published I will note that my approach to review will include discussion of plot elements including from the end of the book. Please consider yourself forewarned.)
This book kind of drove me crazy.
The Water Outlaws is an upcoming 2023 novel written by S.L. Huang and published by Tordotcom. It is a loose…
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❤️🔥 Burning Roses by S.L. Huang
“Love, even more than hate, could always sharpen anger to the keenest of points.”
I had no idea that I needed this book in my life until I read it. I originally was looking up Red Riding Hood retellings and this book came up on the list, and since it is a novella, I got it.
Burning Roses is about Rosa, AKA Red Riding Hood, along with Hou Yi, the famed archer, as they run from their pasts, which quickly catch up to them. This book traverses western and eastern fairy tales and folklore and the different perspectives on magic. Also, as the audience, we are constantly asking ourselves to look past the labels of “hero” and “villain”, instead seeing the characters are people. We get to embrace Rosa and Hou Yi with their flaws and all, giving them opportunities to redeem themselves.
If you like fairy tale retellings ranging from the Brothers Grimm to Chinese mythology, I highly recommend this book.
#godzilla reads#burning roses#s.l. Huang#book review#fairy tale retellings#chinese mythology#reading#reads#book blog#book blurb#quotes#bookworm#booklr#booklover#bibliophile
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Book bait ask game: 13!
Hello! Thank you for the ask!
13. The last book you read
The last book I read was Burning Roses by S.L. Huang. It's a retelling of Red Riding Hood and Hou Yi and it's about regret of things done in the past while trying to make up for it by using the skills that you regret using in the first place. A very interesting and short read, definitely recommend!
Ask me more book questions!
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REVIEW
The Water Outlaws by S.L. Huang
Brutal, tortured, oppressed society with women in this book enduring much. From the beginning the men were misogynistic, entitled, and evil with no redeeming qualities. The writing was well done, the imagery drew me in, the characters were easy to relate to, and yet…I found myself skimming from time to time. I had trouble with the Chinese names and keeping the characters sorted though the main characters were easier to follow.
This seemed to be a story of good versus evil with those in power wanting more and more while stepping on those they felt less than themselves. They had no qualms about killing, raping, torturing, and taking what they wanted.
Lin Chong had strength and power and a will to survive. Accused of something she didn’t do and by standing up for herself…she nearly died. Finding herself with a group of predominately female bandits with an agenda of her own, Lin Chong began to come into her own, realize greater power, and see that the black and white world she believed in was not quite what she thought it was.
There were elements of fantasy, magic, and myth with changes wrought by the few that might have a trickle down impact on many.
Did I enjoy this book? For the most part
Would I read more by this author? Maybe
Thank you to NetGalley and Tor Publishing Group for the ARC – This is my honest review.
3-4 Stars
BLURB
Inspired by a classic of martial arts literature, S. L. Huang's The Water Outlaws are bandits of devastating ruthlessness, unseemly femininity, dangerous philosophies, and ungovernable gender who are ready to make history—or tear it apart.
In the jianghu, you break the law to make it your own.
Lin Chong is an expert arms instructor, training the Emperor's soldiers in sword and truncheon, battle axe and spear, lance and crossbow. Unlike bolder friends who flirt with challenging the unequal hierarchies and values of Imperial society, she believes in keeping her head down and doing her job.
Until a powerful man with a vendetta rips that carefully-built life away.
Disgraced, tattooed as a criminal, and on the run from an Imperial Marshall who will stop at nothing to see her dead, Lin Chong is recruited by the Bandits of Liangshan. Mountain outlaws on the margins of society, the Liangshan Bandits proclaim a belief in justice—for women, for the downtrodden, for progressive thinkers a corrupt Empire would imprison or destroy. They’re also murderers, thieves, smugglers, and cutthroats.
Apart, they love like demons and fight like tigers. Together, they could bring down an empire.
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ROUND 2D, MATCH 2 OUT OF 4!
Propaganda Under the Cut:
Dr. Cadence Mbella:
See here https://lesbrary.com/danika-reviews-the-little-homo-sapiens-scientist-by-s-l-huang/
Erika:
[No Propaganda Submitted]
#dr. cadence mbella#cadence mbella#the little homo sapiens scientist#erika#mer made#black trans fairy tales#s.l. huang#s.t. lynn#the little mermaid#little mermaid#fairytale#fairy tale#poll tournament#poll bracket#character polls#polls#round 2#round 2d#the little merpoll
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The Water Outlaws by S.L. Huang
With thanks to the publisher, Solaris Books, for providing an advanced reading copy of this book.
Back when I was a kid, back in the rose-tinted days of the late eighties, I distinctly remember being glued to the TV screen on a regular basis by a couple of Japanese TV shows. One was fantastic Saiyūki (aka Monkey), based on Wu Cheng’en’s Journey to the West, and the other was the equally…
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“Brandon Sanderson’s vast worlds, surprising plots, and wonderful characters have taken the sci-fi fantasy world by storm. However, even more authors like Brandon Sanderson are out there waiting for you to pick them up and read without delay.
As a decade-long Sanderson fan, I have been recommending his books in the Cosmere, the Cytoverse, and his other worlds for quite a long time. I look forward to his god-level magic systems, dense world histories, and complex political systems. Often, all three are at the brink of collapse or dramatic change due to the actions of odd little dorks trying their best. So I seek out authors like Brandon Sanderson to experience the same magic. From the existence of Doomslug to Spren to that one scene where a character compares his love interest to a potato in a minefield, I cannot get enough weird little details and world-building gems. Whenever I read a Brandon Sanderson book, I always feel like I am visiting an old friend. It is equal parts comforting and emotionally devastating and I cannot help but fall in love each time.“
#8 UNPUTDOWNABLE AUTHORS LIKE BRANDON SANDERSON#brandon sanderson#authors like Brandon Sanderson#brandy sandy#brando sando#REBECCA ROANHORSE#N. K. JEMISIN#TASHA SURI#SAARA EL-ARIFI#M. K. ENGLAND#S.L. HUANG#V.E. SCHWAB#PATRICK ROTHFUSS#science fiction books#fantasy books#book post#book list
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Próximamente: The Water Outlaws - S. L. Huang
Mantente al día con las nuevas publicaciones y lanzamientos
AQUI
https://lacazadoraysumultiverso.blogspot.com/search/label/Pr%C3%B3ximamente
#libros#novelas#literatura#lectura#books#amazon#goodreads#casa del libro#reseña#sinopsis#fecha publicacion#portada#tumblr#blog#S.L. Huang#The Watree Outlaws#series#sagas
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The Water Outlaws by S. L Huang -- A Review
Trigger Warnings: Attempted sexual assault, graphic violence, death, torture, a brief discussion and brief scene of cannibalism, classism, misogyny, murder, talk of work camps, mental illness, suicide, war, wrongful accused of a crime, political censorship, decapitation, nonconsensual body modifications (tattoos), corrupt government, death of a minor.
My Rating
8/10. I have been trying to read more POC books as I find myself reading a lot of white-centric books. Not only to support the authors, but I love the different stories that come from different life experiences unlike my own. This was such a good book to start with. Huang is a stunt performer, which made the fight scenes AMAZING! Seriously it felt like I was watching it happen, the way I gripped the book so tightly and held my breath was incredible. It has been so long since a book has enraptured me. If you like the old Chinese martial arts movies, this is that but as a book! Amazing job.
Overview
Lin Chong is an arms instructor for the Imperial Guard, and she is good. The issue is she is a woman, and men think they can take advantage of her. Gao Qui is an Imperial Martial who is also the Emperor's friend; Lin Chong upsets him and he decides to destroy her life. Lin Chong is forced to escape the Empire and join the Liangshan mountain bandits who seek justice for women, deviants, and progressive thinkers, all people whom the empire and men would feel threatened by. They are also murderers, thieves, smugglers and cutthroats.
These are very dangerous people who think for themselves and change a political society that is interested in the betterment of those they deem powerful and smart, otherwise known as, men.
My Thoughts
This book is a gender supun retelling of the Chinese Classic ‘Water Margins’ by Shi Nai'an published around the mid-14th century. I have not read the original book, so I cannot speak to how good of an adaptation it is, however, S.L Huang has done well writing a commentary society today. Even though we are not in the mid-14th century there are still parallels we can draw back to in our modern society.
We open to our main character, Lin Chong. She knows she is held back due to her gender. Lin Chong mentions how she has to be perfect compared to her male counterparts because there is less room for mistakes, saying “... She had no margin for raucous missteps, not the way her male colleagues did '' (pg. 25). Lin Chong is in a male-dominated field, by herself. She has no other woman in a similar position to talk or go to for guidance. Gao Qui, the Imperia Martial, makes many comments on the weakness of women, stating “... People warned me about you, they said it was only trouble, hiring a woman…” (pg. 31). Gao Qui, friend of the Emperor, meaning he is almost untouchable which is why what happens to Lin Chong is so horrible. Although she never attempted assassination and he forced her weapons upon her, he has more power and authority. His word is far above her own. No matter how many friends she has. This is the beginning of Lin Chong’s adventure. This is still a very big part of society today, whether or not we acknowledge it, it happens. Our whole world is built for men, to make them comfortable, keep them in power and keep women below them.
Anyway, enough with depressing shit. We have to talk about my favourite character in the whole book. Lu Da! She is probably one of the worst monks to ever exist, she says she is no longer a monk because she “... missed curfew … A hundred and seventy-three times … because I was drunk!” (pg. 6). She is also much too dramatic for her own good, saying multiple times she would kill herself for bringing any harm to her sisters and friends. If there was ever a way to bring in Gen Z humour to a book, suicidal jokes are the way to go. Lu Da is a force to be reckoned with, her strength is unmatched. I can’t think I will find another character I love so much, so soon. She was well-written. I wish I could meet her.
I know I keep saying it, but... the fight scenes are AMAZING. Take the training scene.
“With a brush of wind, sister Lin flew into the air -- literally flew. One hemp soul flashed against Hu Snniang’s sternum, propelling her a full three pieces back before she hit the ground and rolled against the grass. Lin Chong spun off the kick and her hands and feet flashed from the air, one two three four five six, attacking Li Kui at her pressure points before somehow swinging behind the other woman with an elbow squeezed about her neck. In a blink, Li Kui had slumped to the ground, submissive” (pg. 138), and this scene later, “... tore into them through them bone bursting as if their flesh inverted from the inside out, human faces exploding into skulls and then nothing. Slivers of meat and skeletons whipped like daggers…” (pg. 276).
Huang has a way of writing combat that is understandable and so very entertaining. It is a little gory, which I can understand that turns some readers off of this particular book, but I love the gore. This is an adult book, be warned if you are unsettled, this may not be for you.
It is very interesting how queerness is presented in this book. It isn't so much a queer book, as it is a book with queer characters. This has to be my favourite kind of book. It doesn't make a big deal about same-gender couples or people who don’t quite fit their birth sex. Although it is not explicitly said, it is very heavily inferred that Lu Junyi and her friend, Jia, are romantically involved,
“ ‘We promised… we promised we would never marry’ … it wasn't uncommon for an unmarried wealthy person to take a house companion of the same sex, though it was uncommon for such an arrangement to last more than a short time … No one chose to remain unmarried as another wealthy woman’s house companion when a contract with a proper husband was available instead” (pg. 116-117). Now I don't know about you but that certainly sounds like a loophole to live with your girlfriend and not get caught by me. This is not the only instance when a same-sex couple is mentioned. In a conversation between Chao Gai and Wu Yong, she says
“... ‘Sister An couldn’t keep me in bed another day if she offered me the nightly ‘treatment’ she gives sister Song.’ … Not everyone in the camp knew Sister An and Sister Song were burnishing each other’s weapons so to speak…” (pg. 239).
Liangshan is a place for people who do not fit in with the societal norm, which means those who don’t fall into the heteronormative agenda.
The topic of gender is also brought about. For example, the Ruan Brothers aren't all male, but they are all called the Ruan Brothers. When the Liangshan go on one of their missions, they need to dress as female merchants, and the Brothers are part of this mission;
“ ‘I’m going to be the prettiest woman out of any of you,’ Seventh Brother bragged … ‘Speak for yourself!’ Fifth Brother shot back with a laugh. Lin Chong had learned he switched back and forth between men’s and women’s clothes on normal days according to his whim, which here at Liangshan aren't entirely uncommented on.” (pg. 164)
Fifth Brother does not fall into the gender binary, changing their clothing depending on how they feel that day. Again, I am so impressed with the ease with which this is presented, it's not as if it is something unusual and should be hidden. But rather it is brought up as a fact, and then we move on. We don't linger on it and make it into a big deal that Fifth Brother is sometimes a man or a woman.
One thing I love is when authors give us the . Yes, I know that they don't have to and most of the time the story is wrapped up nicely without it, but I just feel it is nice to end on a calming note after intense emotions, and let me tell you, I had some very intense ones. The ending was an absolute whirlwind. Everything happened fast. It was crazy. It kept getting faster. I annotate my books and there were 35 pages that I left blank because I couldn't stop reading. I felt I had to read faster because everything moved so fast, not in a bad way, it's war ya know? I was tense. I think I physically held my breath in parts. I read the last battle scene with fantasy battle music in the background, the best decision I have ever made. Although I wasn't reading anymore, I felt I was physically there. That was such an incredible feeling!
The one thing that I found most difficult while reading this book was the number of characters. We switched from watching Lin Chong and the Liangshan to Lu Junyi in the main city. I found it a little difficult keeping up with the characters, their names and what they do. Thankfully a list of characters and their main role in the story was included. If it wasn’t for the dramatis personae I would have been lost. This is a reality I find with a lot of fantasy books, not just Huang’s. Too many characters and too complex of a story for me to keep them straight.
Conclusion
The Water Outlaws is a fantasy story that surrounds women, female empowerment, unconventional femininity, dangerous philosophies, and rebels who will not be silenced. S.L. Huang is an exceptional writer. If you like the 80’s martial arts movies, it is for you. The women actually have a personality!! I wholeheartedly suggest this to anyone who enjoys well-written battles.
#the water outlaws#S.L Huang#book review#historical fantasy#historical fiction#lgbtqia#lgbtq pride#nonbinary#books#review#adult fiction#2023#queer#fantasy#asian fantasy#chinese fantasy#retelling
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Currently Reading: Burning Roses by S.L. Huang
Another short story of what seems to be an older Red Riding Hood and Hou Li as they try to make...amends(?) for the past, for the troubles they have caused. There are other stories mixed in, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, Beauty and the Beast. And it seems to be full of regrets and punishments.
Definitely interested to see where this ends. And it's apparently the third in a series so I have to have the first two now...
#burning roses#s.l. huang#retellings#currently reading#reading#booklr#book#library book#book talk#fantasy
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