Hello Fiction Dwellers! It’s finally FALL!

I say it’s fall like Indonesia has more than two seasons when we only have two : wet and dry. How are you my fellow fiction dwellers? It is that time of the month again when I tell you about all the books I’ve read throughout the month of September. I’m quite impressed with myself because I’ve read so many books. I think after realizing that I have no obligations besides waking up and reading, I went off the rails. All of the books I’ve picked up this month are all the books I’ve fantasized about reading. Back when I was still working my choices were minimal because I get extra picky with my reads. Now I just followed my mood only picking up what I want at the time. And oh boy! I’ve read a lot of good books! Some are recommendations from friends and some are impulse picks 😀

Sadly, I did not watch any anime or read manga this month. I’ve only been religiously following Season 3 of Mo Dao Zu Shi making sure to watch every new episode to see my sons, Wei Ying and Lan Zhan. For shows I did watch the whole season of Squid Game with my mom while I was reading The Keeper of Night. Unpopular opinion Squid Game was okay for me. I’m not much a watcher so everything is pretty much meh to me. Something I watched this month that wasn’t meh though! Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings !! Tony Leung DILF supremacy!! Truly a highlight to my September.

Books

First and foremost can I just praise myself for reading a lot of books by authors of color this month! *pats owns shoulder* In total I’ve read 10 books with a total of 3,694 pages! I think the last time I’ve read this much was in February with the help of audiobooks. But for this month I only read two books on audio while the others are either physical or ebooks. This month’s reads covers multiple genres but based on my Storygraph I’ve mostly read young adult tied with fantasy and second a tie between romance and contemporary. Somehow I managed to read one non fiction book which is awesome for me because it is a book that was recommended to me by my friend Eliza.

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I like you better than calculus, and math is the only thing that unites the universe.

The Kiss Quotient is the first to Helen Hoang’s romance series with the same title that takes place in the same universe as The Heart Principle and The Bride’s Test. The story follows Stella Lane, a successful econometrist working in Silicon Valley, that is on a mission to make change in her love and sex life. Being a character on the spectrum Stella wants to find ways to learn about what it means to be in a romantic relationship with someone. Stella’s method to start her research on love and sex is by hiring an escort and that escort happens to be Daniel Henney doppleganger (but hotter)-Vietnamese American-eight pack-best man tiddies in fiction-panty dropper-Michael Phan.
Fair warning I’m gonna throw all of my professionalism as a reviewer out the window because Michael has unhinged something in me like no other fictional man. And yes this review will be very biased! If you’re looking for an objective perspective there’s none. Only man tiddies.

“Gross, stop undressing her with your eyes,” Sophie said.
“Seriously,” Maddie chimed in.
“And since when do you keep rubber bands handy for her hair? Whipped much?” Janie added.

After reading a very sad and emotionally exhausting book I wanted to read something that I could turn off my brain to. I chose The Kiss Quotient by impulse because of Helen Hoang’s very simple writing style and addictive plot line making this the perfect book for my weird mood. Let’s be real friends, I finished it in a day. I literally COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN. All thoughts went out the window and I was only seeing Michael and Stella. Everything about them is so wholesome and heartwarming. Even though the situations and circumstances in which they entangled themselves in aren’t realistic there is still are believable parts that pull at your heart strings. For example, Stella’s drive to understand herself and determination to grow; Michael’s struggle with his insecurity and inner conflict regarding his father; and the loving bond shared between the two main characters. Michael is the perfect main man for this type of story, a senselessly whipped man with a soft heart and heart melting aspirations. Maybe that is just my type or it could be the high of the moment but I was whipped for Michael being drunkenly whipped for Stella.

He did love her. And her theory was confirmed. Michael’s β had changed from one to zero. For her.

There is no dull moment while reading The Kiss Quotient. I was invested, enticed, and obsessed as HECK with both of them. I wanted to see them be together and be happy more than any other ships I know. It is guaranteed that I will be rereading this book as it is the newest edition to my favorites shelf. Please read this book for serotonin, for Michael’s tiddies, for Stella, and of course a glimpse at Quan when he was still a sensitive f*ck boy.

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❁ The Bride Test (The Kiss Quotient #2) by Helen Hoang ❁

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Release Date : September 19th 2019

Recommended by : Bey / @juliansdiaz on Twitter

Em yêu anh yêu em. Girl loves boy loves girl.

The Bride Test is Helen Hoang’s second instalment of The Kiss Quotient series. Following a different character that is in the same universe as it’s predecessor. In The Bride Test the story follows Khai Diep, cousin of Michael from The Kiss Quotient, and younger brother to Quan from The Heart Principle. Khai Diep has lived his life believing that he feels nothing. Feelings such as love and grief is a hard concept for him to wrap his mind around. Believing that this is his fate he uses it as shield to distance people from him concluding that relationships isn’t possible for someone like him. But all of that changed when Khai’s mom worried for her son’s well being, she takes it upon herself to find Khai his perfect wife.

Esme Tran is a mixed baby born of a Vietnamese mother and a mysterious American father. She lives in a shack in the slums of Ho Chi Minh City earning the bare minimum as a maid. All of that changed when Khai’s mom offered her an opportunity she can’t refuse. A chance to change her life and her daughter’s life for the better by seducing a stranger into marriage.

I have come forth with another biased review of another Helen Hoang book. One night I got this strong urge to read The Bride Test, I immediately bought the eBook and dove right into the story. What admire most about Helen Hoang’s writing is how easy and comfortable it is to settle back into the world and the characters without missing a single beat. It feels like talking to a friend that I haven’t met in years but I could easily pick up conversations like it was yesterday. Helen Hoang is like that! What I wasn’t prepared for is how much I love this book from start to end. I was grinning, cackling, and feeling the full force of fluttery butterflies. In this story though it also tackles topics such as grief and trauma from losing a loved one. It also explores the biased notions of people coming from a country in the global south and the prejudices that come with it.

“It wasn’t loneliness if it could be eradicated with work or a Netflix marathon or a good book. Real loneliness would stick with you all the time. Real loneliness would hurt you nonstop.”

The slow burn of the romance and the crackling tension that is built between the two characters is a surprise. Comparing to the other two books in the series, The Bride Test took it’s time to build the sexual tension and not dive straight into the deed. What I found entertaining as well is reading about Khai’s uncontrolled horny thoughts. His inner monologues during the first chapters got me screaming. Khai has no self control when it comes to his thoughts and it’s adorable. Of course I have to bring up that scene of Khai, Michael, and Quan together discussing about how to please women. Hence another reason to love Khai!

What I found very endearing as well is Esme being unapologetically herself all the while being very understanding towards Khai. Loving Khai for the person he is fully no questions asked. Even though she tries hard to fit in, her true self shows more than the idea of a person she wants to be. Esme’s determination and aspirations also got me rooting for her as I want her to have the best life ever. And the fact that she did everything within her power all by herself is all the more meaningful. Esme fought her way to prove herself beyond the preconceived notions of being a person from the global south by doing all the means to establish herself in America. From working to going to school and having dreams of being the Esme in her head. This is what I admire most of The Bride Test how it breaks barriers of conversations that doesn’t come up in other books. The immigrant experience and the struggles that come with it.

“My heart works in a different way, but it’s yours. You’re my one.”

Final thoughts, The Bride Test is exceeded my expectations and managed to surprise me. Helen Hoang made me fall in love with all three fictional couples but I have to admit Khai and Esme has a much more special place than the other two. Sorry not sorry. A well deserved five star to Helen Hoang for giving me joy. Will I pick up Helen Hoang’s future releases? Definitely. I highly recommend to anyone that’s looking for a light adult romance with South East Asian representation that is equally heart warming and crackling with sexual tension. Fair warning some of the situations are outrageous beyond belief but it’s a good form of escapism.

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❁ The Heart Principle (The Kiss Quotient #3) by Helen Hoang ❁

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Release Date : September 19th 2019

Recommended by : Bey / @juliansdiaz on Twitter

I’ll draw a line around you, and I’ll protect you and stand up for you and speak up for you when it’s right. I’ll keep you safe. And I’ll do the same for me. Because I matter, too.

The Heart Principle has given me what I needed during this transitioning time of my life. The messages that are contained within the pages of self love, compassion, and patience resonated with me. The struggles that the characters go through to accept themselves slowly from bits and pieces to become whole is making my heart so soft and tender I got tears in my eyes. Quan with his infinite supply of affection and love for Anna and his drive to become bigger than himself for her is sending my head in the clouds. As a Chinese-Indonesian I know what it feels like to be lost in translation and the hierarchy in families. The depiction of the tough love attitude in Anna’s family hits close to home for me as well. How frustrating it is to swallow your feelings down to please your family— to be what they picture you to be and meeting their expectations. Helen Hoang writes these scenes in it’s ugliest form of self hatred combined with Anna’s struggle with her mental health making it unbearable for me to read which makes me want to protect her. The writing overall is immaculate and raw at the same time. Depicting the ups and downs of a relationship very well from the good, the bad, and the ugly while weaving in comfort and wholesomeness. This book is the serotonin boost I needed! It made me feel things while reading—joy, sadness, anger, and many more—pushing me to read more and more. I wish there is more pages because I didn’t want it to end.

The ending is satisfying and clears up a lot of hanging issues that the characters experienced. But it did feel rushed during the last few chapters not giving any further detail into the other characters, specifically Priscilla, and mostly focusing on Anna’s progress. Though it isn’t perfect the ending feels right. I can happily say that I will reading Helen Hoang’s other books within this series. And my feelings is telling me that I will reach out for The Heart Principle again so this book will for sure join the ranks of my favorite books.

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❁ Loveless by Alice Oseman ❁

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Release Date : September 19th 2019

“I’ve learnt some Things. Like the way friendship can be just as intense, beautiful and endless as romance. Like the way there’s love everywhere around me – there’s love for my friends, there’s love for my paintings, there’s love for myself.”

Loveless is YA contemporary coming age story by the 2010’s leading YA author Alice Oseman, the author to the popular graphic novel series Heartstopper and other coveted young adult novels following the perspectives of the other characters of Heartstopper— Radio Silence and Solitaire. Loveless is Alice Oseman’s newest novel in their repertoire of relatable and hard hitting young adult novels that focuses on one of the many identities in the queer spectrum. In this novel it is about Asexuality and Aromanticism. I finally decided to pick up this book because : One, my Scribd free trial is going to end; Two, I can only find the audiobook of Loveless on that platform. So I was in a bit of a rush to read it within this month; Third, because Alice Oseman books just gives me so much serotonin. I will gladly testify that it exceeded my expectations just like when I read Radio Silence. Prior to reading this book I have always been curious of the other identities in the queer spectrum (something that isn’t common in Indonesia). It is not knowledge that can be easily understood coming from a country like mine, so Alice Oseman books really helps a lot in facilitating my curiosity to learn more about it.

The story follows Georgia, an 18 year old high-school graduate that is going to university with two of her best friends, Pip, the smart out going chaotic friend that has impeccable style, and Jason, the calm level headed friend that loves the live action adaptation of Scooby Doo. Throughout the novel Georgia is confused about her feelings towards relationships and love. What frustrates her more is that love is something that has been hyped up a lot in all aspects of her life—from her family, school, the fanfics she reads, movies, music, you name it! Georgia is self established love expert! But somehow every time Georgia is put in real life situations that involves love (e.g kissing, dating, sex) she recoils from it. To find out the answers to her debacle regarding her identity Georgia tries to discover herself by dating, research, and joining the queer society in uni. During her time in uni Georgie befriends her mysterious roommate that is the ideal image of uni life named Rooney that has destructive tendencies and baggage that needs unpacking. Soon Rooney becomes the newest edition to her inner circle all the while budding heads with Pip. Then there is also the president of the queer society, Sunil, a gay asexual 3rd year that is also (coincidentally) Georgia’s uni parent.

What I love about Alice Oseman’s writing is their relatability and the cultural references that I grew up knowing during my angsty years. In Loveless it is no different than Oseman’s other works there is confusion and a lot of figuring out weaving in self discovery, heart warming friendship, and teenage angst. The way Oseman depicts the fragile experience in discovering ones identity through their characters is well written. All of the characters are very well fleshed out, their growth and development are believable. The themes of sexuality and identity is done immaculately. Personally I find it educational without it being to serious or preachy opting a lighter tone that is concise and direct. In this book the setting takes place mostly in university something that is different compared to Oseman’s other works I’ve read. I find it much more refreshing because the characters are fully independent in this book. It definitely adds a layer of relatability. Overall, I enjoyed reading this book. It is evident enough I flew through this book finishing it within two days. Will it be in my favorite shelf? Maybe. I might need time to think on it. BUT still highly recommend!

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❁ Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner ❁

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Release Date : September 19th 2019

Recommended by : Eliza / @Iadymisaki on Twitter

“In fact, she was both my first and second words: Umma, then Mom. I called to her in two languages. Even then I must have known that no one would ever love me as much as she would.”

Crying in H Mart is a memoir centered around Michelle Zauner’s experience growing up as a Korean-American, her ambition and passion in art, her relationship with her mother, and the overwhelming grief after losing her mother.

Michelle Zauner’s accounts of her whole life since childhood to adulthood is explored through food. Food became Zauner’s gateway to understanding and having a sense of closeness to her mother. It also played a part in consoling and soothing Zauner’s grief after she passed. Zauner’s personal and detailed writing bleeds raw emotion that can be felt through the pages. There is joy and love but also frustration, anger, disappointments, and grief. The complex relationship between mother and daughter is told in a way to give readers a peak into the many turbulences Zauner experienced with her mother that many Asian kids can relate to. Even though I grew up in Indonesia I can see the similarities and some I have experienced myself. The way that food became the middle ground between mother and daughter to cease fire and connect without hostility is very similar to my own experiences. The many deaths that happened in Zauner’s mother’s side of the family is also something I can relate to deeply.

“love was an action, an instinct, a response roused by unplanned moments and small gestures, an inconvenience in someone else’s favor.”

Zauner presented each memory through random accounts. The writing is not linear or well organized. It is a bit chaotic but clear and precise which makes it much more personal. It’s as though Zauner is telling readers about each moment first hand. That could be quite confusing for some readers but personally as someone that does the same thing I had zero problems. I quite enjoy the disorganized way Zauner jumps from one memory to the next accounting which dish reminded her of which place or what photography is taken at what moment. Every memory is connected to a dish that is intricately written, complete with ingredient listings, and a step by step cooking method. It is reflected in the writing that Zauner puts so much care and love into this book to express the deep cherished bond she has with her mother. I will not expose myself on how many times I shed tears reading this book but I would like to say that I highly recommend everyone read Crying in H Mart.

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❁ Raybearer (Raybearer #1) by Jordan Ifueko ❁

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Release Date : 18th August 2020

Recommended by : Nessma / @talkoftales on Twitter

Raybearer is the ray of sunshine in young adult fantasy that refreshed the genre with it’s fascinating and unique world building proving to be 2020’s strongest fantasy debuts.

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❁ The Vanished Birds by Simon Jimenez ❁

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Release Date : 14th January 2020

Recommended by : Ash / @kellanokar on Twitter

An emotional Sci-Fi standalone about a bond shared between two souls, a bond that stands the test of time.

Around a week ago my Twitter timeline was flooded by a close friend’s mental break down over this book. For a while I was simply entertained by it but with the passing days I got really curious because she kept tweeting the quotes. Since I just finished my current read at that time I was looking for something new. I tried reading three other books before I finally picked up The Vanished Birds. I went in completely blind something I will recommend to all future readers should do to fully enjoy the book. The grip was instant and enticing from the first chapter. Right then I knew it is gonna be an EXPERIENCE reading this book.

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❁ The Keeper of the Night (The Keeper of the Night #1) by Kylie Lee Baker ❁

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Release Date : October 12th 2021

Recommended by : Nessma / @talkoftales on Twitter

ARC provided by the publisher Inkyard Press / Harper Collins through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review as part of blog tour organized by TBR and Beyond Tours

Please check out my review and playlist during my stop on October 13th, 2021

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❁ Jade Fire Gold by June C. L. Tan ❁

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Release Date : October 12th 2021

ARC provided by the publisher Harper Teen through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review as part of blog tour organized by TBR and Beyond Tours

Please check out my review and playlist during my stop on October 17th, 2021

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❁ The Atlas Six by Olivie Blake ❁

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Self Pub Release Date : January 31st 2020

Rerelease Date : March 3rd 2022

Recommended by : Nessma / @talkoftales on Twitter

“Knowledge is carnage. You can’t have it without sacrifice.”

The Atlas Six is the first book to a dark academia series, The Atlas, that has exploded on the scene during the first half of 2021 by Olivie Blake. The Atlas Six was self published but recently got acquired by TOR Books set to be re-released with a new cover on March, 3rd 2022. I’ve known about this series for quite some time now. Many of my closest friends has read this book and loved it. For a whole month (or maybe longer) my Twitter timeline was flooded by either : reactions from people reading the book, quotes, and etc. It was hard to escape The Atlas Six bubble which got me curious with the book so I purchased the eBook then left it for a day when I’m in the mood. Which led to this review because yes, I have finally read The Atlas Six!

Before I start my review I would like to add a disclaimer that dark academia isn’t a sub-genre that falls within my interests and it isn’t a genre I actively seek out. Please do take my review with a grain a salt because this is a book that is outside my comfort zone. I’ve only read one dark academia book in my lifetime so that should be evident enough that this review will be very subjective.

“We are the gods of our own universes, aren’t we? Destructive ones.”

Starting the story we follow six different characters that are all either : smart, cunning, beautiful, rich, talented, or a combination of everything. Each character is offered by a mysterious man called Atlas of a once in a lifetime opportunity to join an elite secret society of magical academicians in the world tasked as caretakers of the Alexandrian Library. There they will be go through trials to secure the coveted spot as a member of The Alexandrian Society but at a cost. Six will become five as one is will be eliminated by the end of trials.

The six characters that are given this opportunity are : Libby Rhodes and Nico de Varona, two individuals with the ability to manipulate the physical world; Reina Mori, a naturalist that exceeds raw power; Parisa Kamali, a telepath with the ability to traverse through other people’s minds; Callum Nova, an empath that can manipulate and influence emotions; and lastly Tristan Caine, who sees reality at it’s realest state being able to see through any illusion.

In The Atlas Six there is a strong aspect of magic and the theories surrounding it. The magic system of the story is one of the factors that impressed me most. In the world Blake created the existence of magic is common, any child can manifest magical abilities to a certain degree. The most learned of the magical population are called Medeians. All of the members of The Society are some of the most powerful Medeians that exist the world. I liked the concept of the magic system how any ability has the possibility to manifest, they can go undetected or sometimes they can manifest without the user knowing. Magic is a loose concept with potential to expand it’s ranges beyond the impossible stretching through realities, dimensions, etc. It is limitless and abstract. Magic also correlates with class and social standing, the measurement of one’s potential by their magical abilities and how mortals are on the bottom of the food chain because their lack of magical abilities.

“The problem with knowledge, is it’s inexhaustible craving. the more of it you have, the less you feel you know”

Blake’s writing is flowery, oozing sophistication, and full of grandiose. It is complex and challenging for me as a reader to understand the magical theories, machinations, and all the knowledge related tid bits of the story. The amount of magical academic topics and discussions are staggering that everything became so jumbled up for me that I could not connect the dots anymore. I could probably make a vague outline but if its an in depth discussion about what transpired or discussed I would not remember anything. To be honest I got lost in the sauce most of the time. Which meant that I didn’t understand the overarching plot line fully and clearly. I understood that Blake foreshadowed certain things about the story that connects the dots of the overarching plot line but it all fell flat for me because of my lack of understanding as a whole. Which made the ending less satisfying and more hollow for me as a reader.

“More interesting than the game is always the players, you know.”

The character’s are distinct, well written, and fully realized throughout the story. Their interactions with one another is some of the most interesting moments in The Atlas Six. Seeing a group of talented, smart, powerful, and beautiful people living together and compete for influence is interesting. How they use their wits and cunningness to out maneuver each other and create coalitions all the while exposing their inner strengths and weaknesses is entertaining. The non platonic and platonic relationships are all impactful to the story. Blake’s ability to write meaningful interactions between her characters is commendable. There is a tenderness, vulnerability, and raw emotions that bleeds out the page. The sex scenes are so well and beautifully written that I was in awe while reading it. If I had to choose a favorite character I think I would pick Callum Nova. Though Callum has an unsettling vibe I liked his development in the second half of the story.

“Beware the man who faces you unarmed.

If in his eyes you are not the target, then you can be sure you are the weapon.”

Final thoughts, The Atlas Six is an amazing first book to a magical dark academia series that is full of twists and turns that will surely leave readers on the floor stunned beyond belief. Sadly this book is too big brained for me to fathom it’s complex and in depth magical academic topics. The compelling characters and expansive magic system really made me enjoy the story even though I didn’t understand most of what is happening. I say if you’re like me and dark academia is something you don’t normally gravitate towards proceed with caution. But if you like a mix of magic with academic and intellectual discussions complete with mind bending twists and revelations this is a book for you.

The world's best young magicians accept the opportunity of a lifetime. Six are chosen. Only five will walk away.

We are thrilled to announce the acquisition of #TheAtlasSix by @OlivieBlake, available as an ebook now! Pre-order the hardback, out 3/1/22. https://t.co/v6FixmQWr2 pic.twitter.com/zRAQGopw19

— Tor Books (@torbooks) September 28, 2021

Blogging

For the month of September I’ve blogged quite a bit! I’m very proud of myself for being able to crank out two reviews for two new favorites, The Vanished Birds by Simon Jimenez and Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko. I also participated in a blog tour for A Clash of Steel by C. B. Lee organized by Colored Pages Book Tours. My August Wrap Up was also posted before the end of the month and I did a book tag for the first time after I got nominated by the amazing  Jayati from It’s Just A Coffee Addicted Bibliophile.

Bookish Content Creator Shout Out!

☾ Emily from Ink Stained Reverie posted a review of The Descent of the Drowned by Ana Lal Din.

☾ Kat from Bibliosmile introduced a new book blog meme “New Title Tuesday” for readers to discuss all the new releases of the year.

☾ Shreya from Binded by Letters posted a wonderful review of the newly NYT Best Seller sensation Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao.

☾ Maria from The Character Study posted a discussion post about Being a Mood Reader.

☾ Kashvi from Kerch Books posted her recommendations of Books to Read this Fall.

☾ Hids from Hids and Seek posted a book review of Tokyo Ever After by Emiko Jean.

☾ Sam from Literary Delirium posted a review of The Hawthorne Legacy, the sequel of The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes.

☾ Sonya from Wolf Rose Reads posted a cover reveal for Long Story Short from Serena Kaylor.

☾ Mesal from Earthly Abode posted a recommendation list of 13 (actually) Underrated Books.

☾ Aamna from The Ink Slinger posted a list of 5 Books for People who love Kaz Brekker.

☾ Courtney from Incessant Bookworm posted a review of The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin.

October ?

During this spooky month I want to read more adult fantasy because September I read way too many contemporary and I’m craving for something more complex for October. These are my top four books I want to read this month. Hopefully I can get to all of them. Fingers crossed! <3

Thank you for reading!

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