#bookwyrm #30daybookchallenge Day 29 - Novella - Brighter than Scale, Swifter than Flame - Neon Yang #neonyang #sapphicromance #SFF #fantasynovella #dragons #queerfantasy #dragonromance #booksky #booktok #bookstagram #DutyVsDesire #QueerJoy #ttrpgpodcast #gamemastersbookclub https://www.k-squareproductions.com/gmbc

📚Book Review📚

‘Brighter Than Scale, Swifter Than Flame’ by Neon Yang.

Cover art by Tran Nguyen.

I’ve been feeling a bit disillusioned with fantasy lately, but I took a chance on this novella (partly because it was a novella) because of the beautiful cover art. I really enjoyed this story of self-discovery and identity that reminded me in some ways of Yoon Ha Lee’s ‘Phoenix Extravagant’. Yeva is a very relatable character shaped by circumstances outside of her control, and only just learning how to make her own choices.

There is a definite sense of the damaging effects of colonialism, and how removing a child from one culture and putting them in a situation where they are forced to conform to another culture’s rules and expectations - whilst simultaneously being othered - strips them of agency and prevents them from developing a healthy sense of self.

The romance element is very gentle and subdued and centred on the loneliness of the two main characters and is as much about a blossoming and unexpected friendship as it is about attraction.

Features disability representation of both acquired hand deformity and chronic illness.

The lovely Twiglet is, as usual, keeping me company.

Q. Have you read any good novellas, novelettes, or short stories lately?

#reading #novella #fantasy #queerrepresentation #neonyang #caturday

Currently reading. #NeonYang #AscentToGodhood #SilkPunk #AmReading

I cannot WAIT to read #NeonYang's book. One I've been looking forward to for a while. #reading #sff
@bookstodon

Started reading #TheBlackTidesOfHeaven by #JYYang (or #NeonYang), and while it's got some good opening descriptions it's also showing signs of being overwritten. Quick, the author's workshop buddies need to go back in time to tell them four metaphors in one paragraph just to describe scenery are too much.