dearrivarie

A powerful and heartwarming story, This Is Not My Home is a beautifully illustrated story that depicts the struggles of moving to a foreign country and redefining the meaning of home as more than just a physical space.

isbn: 978-0316377102| pages: 48
publication date: January 24, 2023 | source: physical / tour
genre: children's, picture book
rating: 9/10

A M A Z O N | G O O D R E A D S | B O O K S H O P *
B O O K D E P O S I T O R Y | B A R N E S A N D N O B L E S
links with an (*) are affiliate where, when used to purchase gives me a small commission to support my blog at no extra cost to you!

I think this is my first time reviewing a picture book and I never would have thought that I would be so emotional over it. This is Not My Home captured my attention first with its adorable illustrations and then with the heartwarming story. Lily finds out one morning that they have to move back to Taiwan to take care of her grandma. The following pages display the contrast of their California home and community with the different environment of a new country through Lily’s eyes.

As a Taiwanese American who used to spend every summer back in Taiwan, this story felt so comforting and nostalgic, but I still appreciated how easy it was empathize with Lily and how foreign everything felt. I found myself reassuring her in my mind as she found herself missing the familiar comfort of her friends and home and just holding my breath for the moment that Taiwan could finally break through and become home for her.

This story explores the scariness behind moving to a new country in a way that feels so pure and innocent. To Lily, Taiwan just simply can’t be her home because it’s not California. But a turning point in the story allows Lily to start realizing that home is made of more than the physical location but rather the people and experiences you make.

Joint Website

Vivienne Chang: Website | Instagram | Twitter | Goodreads

Eugenia Yoh: Website | Instagram | Goodreads | Etsy | LinkedIn

Thank you to TBR & Beyond, Vivienne Chang and Eugenia Yoh, and Little Brown Publishing for the opportunity to participate in this tour. Please check out all the other stops by clicking on the banner!

I've been trying my hand at digital journaling and it was so fun compiling some images from my Taiwan trip this past summer and some Google images of iconic Taiwan highlights (aka the Taiwan bear and all the mopeds!)

8:00 AM 2 Comments

Hello there! We are officially two weeks into the new year and I’ve finally pulled it all together to share my favorite reads of 2022. I fell into a massive reading slump last year and am still in the process of recovering so my overall enjoyment and motivation took a big hit. However, I did manage to read some absolute gems that have made it onto my favorites shelf.

I do also want to note that a handful of titles on the list are published under HarperCollins (noted with an asterisk) and to acknowledge the current strike that has been ongoing for 40+ days. If any of these titles interest you, all covers are linked to the HarperCollins Union BookShop page where a portion of your purchase will go towards supporting the union members.

If you would like more information or to donate to their support fund - please check out their social media and following links:
instagram | twitter | strike fund | bookshop

babel by r.f. kuang **
I went into Babel with a lot of anticipation and R.F. Kuang absolutely did not disappoint. The commentary on academia, societal prejudices, and the effects of imperialism were so immaculately woven into the story and I am left still reeling with so many thoughts.

My full review is currently sitting in my drafts because this is a HarperCollins novel so I won’t be sharing my review until a fairer contract is signed.

daughter of the moon goddess by sue lynn tan **
My first read of 2022 and undoubtedly one of the most magical stories I read last year, this book was equal parts an exciting new fantasy adventure and the comforting familiarity of wuxia elements from my childhood C-dramas. I’m currently about a third into the sequel but have been putting it off because I’m so anxious about the outcome and for everything the characters have to go through…i.e. I’m just being a scaredy cat.
my review

year of the reaper by makiia lucier
Hands down the most unexpected favorite goes to Year of the Reaper because I picked this up from my library on a whim and ended up swept into a fantastical adventure that reminded me why I loved YA fantasy so much. Makiia Lucier takes familiar elements of the genre and creates the best cast of characters that are so dimensional and the relationships both romantic and platonic absolutely warmed my heart.

the red palace by june hur
The only audiobook to make it to my top five, I was apprehensive about picking this up because historical mysteries are not typically my thing. But I was so curious about the premise and I’m so glad that my curiosity won. The atmosphere is so beautifully written and Michelle E. Lee’s narration brought all the complexities to life. This book gives all the major K-drama vibes and I desperately need this to be turned into one immediately.

when we were them by laura taylor namey
This book solidified Laura Taylor Namey as a favorite YA contemporary author because this hit me so hard in the feels and something that I wished I could’ve read when transitioning from high school to college. This somehow perfectly captures the anxious feeling that comes when moving from one chapter of your life into the next and how relationships change and grow in that process.
my review

violet made of thorns by gina chen
If you love unapologetically devious main characters who know they aren’t innocent but will do what must be done for their personal gain then you will love Violet. Classic fairytale retellings have been a hit or miss for me lately but Gina Chen has created the most compelling one I’ve read recently. This was so fun to read and the ending had me absolutely desperate for the sequel.

portrait of a thief by grade d. lin
Portrait of a Thief is perfect for anyone who has a soft spot for action/heist movies. Is it the most realistic in execution? Definitely not, convenience shows up regularly to move the plot along, but as someone who grew up watching heist movies with her parents, this was comforting to read. Pair that with the beautiful prose that explores the Asian American identity through its cast made this one of my new favorite comfort reads.
my review

an arrow to the moon by emily x.r. pan
Emily X.R. Pan is hands down one of my favorite authors when it comes to prose and her writing absolutely shone with this retelling of Chang’e and Houyi. The story explores themes of family, love, and responsibilities and my heart still hurts every time I think about this book.
my review

little thieves by margaret owens
Another novel with a slightly selfish and despicable heroine, Little Thieves is a retelling of the Goose Girl and follows the adopted daughter of Death and Fortune when she angers a local deity and is cursed to turn into gems. This has the perfect balance of witty banter between characters and a well developed plot that I absolutely flew through.

That’s my list! I wanted desperately to reach ten but in the end, there are the nine that stood out to me amongst all the titles I’ve read. Please let me know if you’ve read any of these and your thoughts as well as some of your favorites from last year!

Here’s to a brighter reading year in 2023!

8:00 AM 4 Comments

A Broken Blade is a classic fantasy story that checks off all the boxes to become a beloved internet tale. In an era where TikTok has quickly and easily become the dominant social media platform, this is a perfect example of how its influence has impacted this niche of fantasy. With Melissa Blair also having a BookTok platform dedicated to sharing her favorite reads, this truly read as a love letter to TikTok's bookish community.

b o o k s h o p * | g o o d r e a d s | a m a z o n
links with an (*) are affiliate where, when used to purchase gives me a small commission to support my blog at no extra cost to you!

I received a copy from Union Square & Co. in exchange for an honest review - all thoughts shared below reflect my personal opinion.

If you spend any amount of time on bookish social media, you'll easily come across videos, graphics, posts, etc. that describe books using tropes - at this point it's almost become a guaranteed way to pitch or review a story. For her debut, Melissa Blair essentially took the top tropes and blended them all together. From a kickass heroine with an unknown past, a dark and mysterious love interest, political intrigue, and of course "there was only one bed," A Broken Blade takes what is familiar to many YA fantasy fans and ages the story up to a NA audience to tackle darker themes of colonialism and addiction.

From the beginning, Keera is presented to us as a character abiding by her tropes but with the potential to reveal more about herself as time passes. While she falls into some stereotypes, such as reminding the reader on multiple occasions that she's that much stronger than xyz character, I appreciated that she didn't sit idly in her role as the skilled assassin. We got to see her in combat and use strategy to stay one step ahead of her opponents as well as her healing process as she fights her dependency on alcohol. There was room to grow and the author leaned into that, taking a character arc that's so widely used and molding it for Keera herself.

That same could be said for the plot and the rest of the cast - I could have easily read and dismissed this book as "every other fantasy novel involving fae" and I admit to having fallen into that headspace at first. But it's admirable to note that the story doesn't rely on its tropes to carry readers through all 400+ pages and instead uses the familiar to present and highlight commentary on systemic violence and colonialism. With the premise of the world based on the eradication of the Elves and the enslavement of Halflings, there's a conversation started surrounding the unfair claim of land and erasure of culture based on one race's superior savior complex.

As the first book in a projected duology, A Broken Blade sets the scene for a new fantasy world that is easily accessible to a wide audience due to its usage of familiar characters and plot arcs and begins an adventure that leaves room for lots of development in its sequel.

Thank you again to Union Square & Co. for a copy of A Broken Blade in exchange for an honest review - all thoughts shared reflect my personal opinion.

8:00 AM No Comments

Hello there, I hope you've been well as the seasons start to change and the weather becomes colder. I've definitely hit a rough patch over the past couple of months when it comes to feeling a sense of disillusionment about my internet presence and contribution (which honestly came out of the blue). After taking a couple months to clear my head, I'm finally starting to miss the routine of blogging and feel a little more centered about continuing to share on this small corner of the internet.

This rough patch affected pretty much every single hobby of mine and my reading pace fell drastically. But I recently finished some books and it's gotten me thinking about my next read so here's a little list of hopefuls that I'd like to get to before the end of 2022.

all covers are linked to a bookshop affiliate link - when used to purchase gives me a small commission to support my blog at no extra cost to you!

heart of the sun warrior
by sue lynn tan
This should come as no surprise if you've been around since the start of the year. The sequel to Sue Lynn Tan's Daughter of the Moon Goddess comes out (in exactly 10 days!!) and I'm more than ready to jump back into the world of the Celestial Kingdoms. I fell in love with everything about book one, from the complex characters to beautiful storytelling, and cannot wait to see where the next chapter of Xingyin's journey takes her.

the atlas six
by olivie blake
I don't think you can mention 'dark academia' without someone bringing up The Atlas Six. While I originally wasn't interested in the premise and admittedly felt intimidated by the whole dark academia aesthetic, I recently read R.F. Kuang's Babel and have been 100% converted so now I just want to read about another cohort of academics who may very well break my heart.

foul lady fortune
by chloe gong
Here's another book that I was originally on the fence after finding myself enjoying These Violent Delights and Our Violent Ends but feeling like I missed something because I didn't love them like the rest of the internet. However, the longer I sit on the fence, the more my curiosity is piqued and reading Michelle's (@magicalreads7) review sealed my fate and now a copy sits on my shelves.

all covers are linked to a bookshop affiliate link - when used to purchase gives me a small commission to support my blog at no extra cost to you!

the silence that binds us
by joanna ho
I could make an entire post of books that I picked up and ended up 'pausing' for no reason and The Silence That Binds Us would be on that list. Easily one of my more anticipated releases of the year, I could not tell you why I read 20-some pages and then stopped. I'm finally tackling it again and this time am fully dedicated to follow through from start to finish.

the bear and the nightingale
by katherine arden
Another title that should be familiar to you if you're a frequent visitor - I adore Katherine Arden's Winternight trilogy and have been itching to reread them for years. My friend Mari (@macnbooks) recently finished the entire trilogy and hearing her thoughts has made me miss the characters and world so much which solidified the decision to finally start my reread.

the night circus
by erin morgenstern
According to Goodreads, I read The Night Circus in 2016 and in the six years that have passed since then, I can recall absolutely nothing about the story other than the magical vibes and what the synopsis tells me. I have also had this book in my room for the past six months with the intention to reread it and have just never followed through so I'm putting it into words now with the hopes that it'll give me that final push to pick this up.

I'm feeling a bit rusty after being away for so long but it is nice to feel that buzz of excitement to create once again. I would love to know what you have been up to, if you've read anything good and what books are on your end of year tbr - please share them with me down below ♡

7:00 PM 2 Comments

"I loved weaving, but the fabrics I made weren't my only measures of worth. I was more than a bolt of silk."

the power of fairytales
Celtic folklore is hands down one of my buzzwords and I'll always have a soft spot for the whims of the fae. The world is immersive and fun that only comes with the air of mystery and danger of bargains with magic.

determination and survival
Ella's story throughout is a testament to her desire to survive and succeed. She eventually has to face the consequences of her actions and seeing her realization of her worth and power was so satisfying.

the portrayal of relationships
It's not a YA fantasy without some romantic tension and this one took a surprisingly different turn. Ella and Callum's relationship highlighted the push and pull that come from toxic relationships reflecting the fickle nature of bargains and their outcomes.

there's always an unexpected
There can't be too much said without giving something away but there are certainly many twists and turns that I wasn't expecting which only heightened the excitement and tension.

the magic of weaving
The vivid descriptions of Ella's creations were so detailed and immersive that I could paint a crystal clear image in my head of each one.

thank you to TBR and Beyond Tours, Cyla Panin, and Amulet Books for the opportunity to participate on this tour - click the banner to see the rest of the stops!

m o o d b o a r d

images from unsplash: field / silk / shells / mannequin

a b o u t t h e a u t h o r

website | twitter | instagram | goodreads

8:00 AM No Comments

"We all believe we are the center of the universe, but we forget that we are merely specks among the stars. Moving through the streams of possible futures, sometimes colliding."

Please note, this review may contain spoilers for Book One - A Magic Steeped in Poison.
Check out my review here for more information!

the power of the serpent
A Venom Dark and Sweet is the conclusion to Judy I. Lin's The Book of Tea duology where the kingdom of Dàxī finds itself on the brink of turmoil following the return of The Banished Prince. After the chancellor's betrayal, Lin has been reunited with her sister but is forced on the run with the princess as the ancient serpent sinks its fangs deeper into the palace and heart of the kingdom. Told with dual POVs following Ning and Kang, the story unfolds and offers both sides of the battle as history, magic, and reality begin to blend itself together.

While I had enjoyed A Magic Steeped in Poison, there was a small spark that was missing and I hoped the sequel would draw that conclusion, but it's hard to pinpoint what exactly didn't hit the spot. I enjoyed Kang's perspective and being able to finally learn more about his character which was one of my hopes for this sequel since he felt very distant in book one. Where I struggled a bit was the writing within Lin's portion of the story feeling a lot more telling than showing in regards to her journey. Despite that, I did love being back in the world and learning alongside Lin the extent of her magic as well as discovering more about the abilities of shénnóng-shī.

While Lin's storyline might have read younger to me, I've realized that I don't need to connect 100% with a character in order to admire them. Lin has the power of ambition and strength and she wields those alongside her gentleness and hope which is admirable as her story progresses. Her love for her sister drives each action and her struggles with her role in the tapestry of the world are heartfelt and easily relatable as well.

a new dynasty
My criticisms seem to line up with a couple other reviews I've read wherein the pacing of this book just felt so condensed that I wouldn't have minded the extension of a third book to fully flesh out the plot. I simply wish we could have gotten more time especially to discover more deeply the amazing world that July I. Lin has created. There's so much history and culture that is incredibly fascinating that the second half feels like a time bomb with all the events coming together for the finale.

This duology in it of itself feels like a warm blanket of comfort from the exploration of tea culture to the vivid descriptions of food and architecture. There's a feeling of familiarity that has made it easy to bond with the characters even if parts of the writing didn't click perfectly in place for me personally. I now want to curl up with a large tome all about the different types of tea and their medicinal or magical properties because even a small step into Lin's world feels like a glimpse of her adventure.

thank you so much to TBR & Beyond Tours, Judy I. Lin, and Feiwel and Friends for the opportunity to participate on this tour - check out the other stops by clicking the banner above!

m o o d b o a r d