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Otts

otts@books.theunseen.city

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In grad school, I read 10-12 novels a week and some heavy literary theory. No interest in non-fiction now, and mainly read sci-fi and fantasy. Using this account to track/share my reading from 2023 onward (and maybe backward, if my completionist tendencies kick in). On Mastodon @ottsatwork@artsio.com.

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(e)k Mary Robinette Kowal(r)en The Spare Man liburuaren kritika egin du

Mary Robinette Kowal: The Spare Man (Hardcover, 2022, Doherty Associates, LLC, Tom) 4 izar

Hugo, Locus, and Nebula-Award winner Mary Robinette Kowal blends her no-nonsense approach to life in …

Murder mystery in space

4 izar

I've read and enjoyed all of Kowal's books. The worldbuilding is considered & smart, and her characters are always horny for each other (often, newlyweds).

Didn't expect a mystery, but this was fun. Initially annoyed by all the cocktail recipes, but she persuaded me to seek out complex flavors of the non-alcoholic variety (my preference). I always learn something from her, including a 5-senses grounding technique.

(e)k Malaka Gharib(r)en It Won't Always Be Like This liburuaren kritika egin du

Malaka Gharib: It Won't Always Be Like This (2022, Potter/Ten Speed/Harmony/Rodale) 4 izar

Summer visits to Egypt to hang with Dad and his new family

4 izar

Her second graphic memoir, it explores her Arabic and Muslim side. A bit more angsty given it was Gharib's teenaged years (and it was the 90s). I love her openness in relating messy family stuff, and cringe at the same insecurity I felt from wanting to fit in with dominant (American) culture.

The colors and panel structure in this book are more varied. It's exciting to see this cartoonist grow.

(e)k Megan Kelso(r)en Artichoke Tales liburuaren kritika egin du

Megan Kelso: Artichoke Tales (2010, Fantagraphics Books) 3 izar

Simple folk living their lives

3 izar

A local artist I’m lucky to call a friend. I did not expect such a serious and mature story. The art style seems so … innocent. The villages have their own traditions, belief systems, and a shared history that I didn’t follow enough to fully understand. But I know how to load a cannon now, and there are some lovely moments beautifully drawn.

(e)k Olivie Blake(r)en The Atlas Six liburuaren kritika egin du

Olivie Blake: The Atlas Six (Hardcover, 2022, Tor Books) 3 izar

Gimmicky and drawn out

2 izar

Written like bad streaming TV: mandatory "plot twists" clumsily done, drawing things out artificially, a rushed final episode, and introducing a shadowy character in the last shot to laugh menacingly.

Frustrating, like most Dark Academia books. It’s got some interesting ideas and moments, but the writing doesn’t sustain them. The magic system and world-building are underdeveloped. Is it a rule in this genre that magic users have to be assholes?

(e)k Everina Maxwell(r)en Winter's Orbit liburuaren kritika egin du

Everina Maxwell: Winter's Orbit (Paperback, 2022, Tor Books) 5 izar

While the Iskat Empire has long dominated the system through treaties and political alliances, several …

Ga-aays in Spa-aaace!

4 izar

By the end, I really liked this. Up until then, it felt a bit YA in how it treated the leads’ feelings for each other. Why draw things out with the whole “not talking to each other honestly” trope? I have nothing against prolonging things, but it needs to be deftly done to not feel cheap. This wasn’t cheap though! I loved these boys. Their marriage (not a spoiler) feels hard-won. Plus, look at that cover. SO gay.