Books Like...

In the Country by Mia Alvar is a collection of short stories that focus on the Filipino diaspora, showcasing different Filipinx characters in various circumstances and locations around the world. The stories explore themes of home, displacement, social class, and matters of the heart, providing insight into the Filipino experience from different perspectives.

The book delves into the lives of Filipino expats living abroad, capturing the struggles and joys of navigating identity, relationships, and cultural heritage in different parts of the world. The writing style is described as beautifully written, with subtle yet wrenching characters who are negotiating the complexities of the Filipino diaspora in a human way.

Monstress Book One in the series 'Monstress' by Sana Takeda and Marjorie M. Liu is a graphic novel that follows the story of Maika Halfwolf, a sympathetic lead character who struggles to contain the beast within her. As Maika embarks on a quest to uncover the secrets of her late mother, she finds herself on a sea voyage to the mysterious Island of Bones, where she hopes to gain a better understanding of the creature inside her. The book is filled with stunning artwork and gorgeous coloring, bringing to life a beautifully designed and original world filled with diverse characters and intricate world-building. The story is compelling, complex, and emotionally engaging, supported by the exquisite illustrations that enhance the overall narrative.

The Traitor Baru Cormorant follows the journey of Baru, a brilliant and complex protagonist, who is plucked from her native family to be educated by an empire that is taking over her homeland. As she rises through the ranks of the empire, she navigates a world of political intrigue, betrayal, and difficult choices. Baru's ultimate goal is to gain enough power to potentially liberate her home, but the central question remains: is she a traitor, and to what exactly? The book delves into themes of morality, sacrifice, and the cost of trying to change a system from within, all while exploring a society undergoing colonization, economic manipulation, and cultural suppression.

The writing style of The Traitor Baru Cormorant is described as intellectually devastating and emotionally rigorous, blending elements reminiscent of authors like Guy Gavriel Kay and KJ Parker. The story unfolds with intricate plot twists, deep character studies, and a focus on political and economic intrigue. Despite being a fantasy novel without traditional magic elements, the book captivates readers with its complex characters, well-built world, and a narrative that challenges readers to question the boundaries of power and loyalty.

Gideon the Ninth is a fantasy sci-fi novel about lesbian necromancers entangled in a Battle Royale cum murder mystery in a haunted mansion in space. The book follows the irrepressibly snarky goth jock lead, Gideon, through action sequences that could rival the best of shounen anime. Despite a hand-wavy world-building at times, the extremely metal plot turns and great ending keep readers hooked. The storytelling style is described as a new level of reading, encouraging readers to give it a try, especially through the audio version for better comprehension.