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The Black Tides of Heaven
The Black Tides of Heaven | JY Yang
The Black Tides of Heaven is one of a pair of unique, standalone introductions to JY Yang's Tensorate Series, which Kate Elliott calls "effortlessly fascinating." For more of the story you can read its twin novella The Red Threads of Fortune, available simultaneously. Mokoya and Akeha, the twin children of the Protector, were sold to the Grand Monastery as infants. While Mokoya developed her strange prophetic gift, Akeha was always the one who could see the strings that moved adults to action. While Mokoya received visions of what would be, Akeha realized what could be. What's more, they saw the sickness at the heart of their mother's Protectorate. A rebellion is growing. The Machinists discover new levers to move the world every day, while the Tensors fight to put them down and preserve the power of the state. Unwilling to continue as a pawn in their mother's twisted schemes, Akeha leaves the Tensorate behind and falls in with the rebels. But every step Akeha takes towards the Machinists is a step away from Mokoya. Can Akeha find peace without shattering the bond they share with their twin? At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
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JacintaMCarter
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Pickpick

#2023Book45
I really liked the two main characters and was excited that the stakes in this book seemed so high. But then the resolutions were always kind of a let-down because their successes felt too easily won.

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iread2much
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Mehso-so

The beginning got really bogged down in the whole gender identity theme, but once the story started moving, it got more interesting.
Twins are born to a brutal tyrant. One of them is a prophet, whose vision can‘t be changed and when their dictator mother starts a brutal campaign against some rebels, the siblings must decide where they stand.
2.5/5 read for a fantasy light on world building and character building and heavy on gender issues

Leftcoastzen Wow ,👏the whole beautiful dog! 2y
iread2much @Leftcoastzen 😅 he doesn‘t like books, so it‘s hard to get a photo of him with them. He was very tired this day 2y
MemoirsForMe Always love seeing your sweet fur babies! Happy Holidays! 🤗🎄 2y
iread2much @UwannaPublishme thank you! 😊 2y
25 likes4 comments
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murfman
Pickpick

I really liked this bit of Asian-centric fantasy. The characters were fun, and I really enjoyed the world-building . I'll probably continue on with the series later on.

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vlwelser
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Pickpick

This was fun but I may not continue with the series. I do like these kinds of gender bending alternative world type books. And the #audiobook was well done.

#BookSpinBingo @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 2y
32 likes1 comment
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RainyDayReading
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Pickpick

I‘m still not sure how I feel about this. I enjoyed the second half more than the first. The characters are engaging and I love the dynamic, but I wish there was a little more explanation for the world because it sounds so cool! This is very much a larger story shoved into a novella (complete with time jumps). I wish this was a full length book! There‘s a lot of really wonderful things in this, just not enough to make it a favorite. Low pick.

RainyDayReading @TheAromaofBooks This was my #bookspin for January 3y
RainyDayReading Also used for #tbrdeckofcards 1st in a series @Clwojick 3y
Clwojick Brilliant! ❤️💖 3y
See All 6 Comments
TheAromaofBooks I really like that cover!! 3y
RainyDayReading @TheAromaofBooks It really is a beautiful cover, even more so when you get all 4 novellas in the series lined up next to each other 3y
TheAromaofBooks Oooo I love it when a series looks bonus-good when you put them all together!!! 3y
39 likes6 comments
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RainyDayReading
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I work part of this weekend, so most of my reading will be confined to one day. But I‘m hoping to finish the tagged novella for #bookspin and either finish The Martian or start and finish The Man Who Died Twice. Not sure which I‘m going to go for. Funny how even though I work surrounded by books, I have so little time to actually read them now 😅
@Andrew65

Andrew65 Loved The Martian. 3y
RainyDayReading @Andrew65 I‘m almost halfway through and really loving it! 3y
17 likes2 comments
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RainyDayReading
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My first #bookspin and #doublespin of 2022 are The Black Tides of Heaven and Assassin‘s Orbit! I also pulled the first 2 cards from my TBR Deck of Cards and wound up with Mood Read and 1st in a series. Overall, not a bad start. I‘ll probably focus on the card prompts the second half of the month since nothing is immediately jumping out to me for either prompt. @TheAromaofBooks @Clwojick

AshleyHoss820 Oh, how creative!! I love it! 😊 (edited) 3y
Clwojick Awesome! 3y
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! Good luck!! 3y
31 likes4 comments
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rockpools
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Pickpick

Thanks for recommending this @Leniverse - I read enjoyed spending time in this world with twins Mokoya and Akeha, & may well continue the series.

I‘m struggling to review it though! If you‘re looking for a short, different story for #ReadingAsia2021 #Singapore, with fantasy, action, a world where children live as gender-free, & the characters, world & slackcraft (magic, I guess) are interesting without overwhelming the text, maybe give it a go.

Leniverse It is difficult to review! It's so different it's hard to talk about it without saying too much. Glad you liked it though. But where did you get Singapore from? Is that where the author is from? I just assumed China, because of the magic system and the dynastic society. 3y
julesG @Leniverse The author is Singaporean. (says Wikipedia) 3y
rockpools @Leniverse @julesG Yes, their website describes them as living in/based in Singapore. 3y
Librarybelle I really like the cover! 3y
Cathythoughts Amazing cover 💫 3y
64 likes5 comments
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rockpools
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And now for something completely different.

Thanks @Leniverse

Leniverse Hope you like it! 😬😅 3y
37 likes1 comment
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BookmarkTavern
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Pickpick

NB twins are traded to a monastery by their mother. Each twin rebels against their mother and Fate as they can, from within the system and without.

Some fascinating world building with magic & technology coexisting in this world. We get hints of the larger world & a larger history without getting info dumped.

Even with time jumps, the plot moves swiftly & cohesively. Although I would have liked more time spent with the characters. 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌑

BookmarkTavern @TheAromaofBooks My #DoubleSpin book for June! 🏳️‍🌈 3y
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 3y
80 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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BookmarkTavern
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Going to the doctor for the first time in… a bit.

Who is letting me be an adult? I don‘t like it. 🙃

DinoMom Love the bookmark! 3y
dylanisreading A friend just gifted me this bookmark. Love it! Good job adulting! 3y
mandarchy I love the book mark and I'm not digging adulting today either. Currently at the eye doctor. 3y
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Zoe-h Great bookmark! 3y
Hooked_on_books I love the bookmark, too! 3y
73 likes6 comments
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BookmarkTavern
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Book, sun, breeze, and sandbox. ☀️

75 likes1 stack add
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Kenyazero
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Mehso-so

When I was a teen, I fell in love with Octavia Butler's Imago. I loved that some children in that world were born genderless and later chose their genders. I enjoyed finding that again in this world, as well as a combination of magic and science. Overall, I was not captured by this book. I felt like I missed important parts of the story that connected earlier events to later ones, and earlier emotions to later ones. #LGBTQAuthors #LGBTQBooks

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Kenyazero
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Thanks, @Ast_Arslan and @Eggs for the #WorldBookDay tag! It's been fun seeing what everyone is reading right now.
I'm always reading several things at once, with some far on the back burner. My most active reads right now are The Black Tides of Heaven, Love Letters to Jane's World, and the Jan2021 issue of National Geographic!

Ast_Arslan Thanks for playing 🌸 I added the tagged book to my list 🤩 4y
18 likes1 comment
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NeedsMoreBooks
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Pickpick

This book is the first in the Tensorate duology. Focusing on the twin non-binary siblings, Akeha and Mokoya, the novel also deals with the contrast between elemental magic and technology. The twins‘ mother is the Procetorate who rules her empire. However, the twins decide on their genders and their life choices create repercussions. Mokoya confirms as female and Akeha as male. I am looking forward to reading the second book.

Come-read-with-me Sounds good! 4y
56 likes1 comment
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broughtyoubooks
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Pickpick

Started this one knowing it was part of a series(?) - for once, so now I'm kind of interested how the next ones follow on from this narrative. It packed a lot into a short book, really beautifully. And the characters were complex enough to be engaging, given how brief it was.

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SassenachTheBookWizard
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Trying to squeeze this in today

Riveted_Reader_Melissa This one‘s been on my to read list for awhile. 4y
60 likes1 stack add1 comment
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effani
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Pickpick

I enjoyed this book, although it didn't blow me away the way I was hoping it would. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series, because I think it might be able to go into more depth with story now that the worldbuilding is established.

I've seen people complaining that the main character, Akeha, is unlikeably bratty, so I don't know what it says about me that I found him entirely too relateable. But there you are.

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TracyReadsBooks
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#20Days20Series Day 19

I can‘t believe we‘re almost to the end! It‘s been fun diving into my shelves, thinking about series I‘ve really enjoyed. Today‘s addition to my #Top20Series list is Yang‘s Tensorate series. Described as silkpunk (science fiction/fantasy inspired by classical East Asian antiquity) what makes this series of novellas stand out is the world building, characters, and, of course, great stories. Plus, the covers!😍

@Andrew65

Andrew65 Looks great, and only one more day left! 4y
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UnRuLee
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Pickpick

WOW. I love this. Yang does expert worldbuilding and gets you deeply invested in the characters from the start. I‘m definitely grabbing the rest of this series!

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sherryvdh
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Laying in bed and starting 2 books tonight. Both will be for #booked2020 prompts. Faith is #SetInHollywood, while the tagged book is #PanAsianAuthorOrSilkPunk. Only one more #Winter prompt left to complete after this!
@BarbaraTheBibliophage @Cinfhen @4thhouseontheleft

Cinfhen Woohoo 🎉 you‘re doing great with the challenge 💜 5y
40 likes1 comment
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ReadingEnvy
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Pickpick

I was feeling a little too much reality in my end of year Asian focused reading and came across a review of this novella in Litsy from @Lindy . An interesting kingdom in the clouds where gender is decided by each person upon reaching adulthood, if ever, and these twins have to come to terms with the ramifications of their gifts. I think this is one of two novellas by this Singaporean author to introduce this universe.

Lindy Yay! I have now read three novellas in the Tensorate series, which has been described as “silkpunk.” My experience with volumes 2 & 3 was even better than the first, perhaps because I already had a grounding in the world and its characters. There‘s a fourth volume that I have yet to read: (edited) 5y
ReadingEnvy @Lindy it's an interesting strategy, to go all novella 5y
Lindy @ReadingEnvy They seem to have an affinity for the form, because the stories seem to be exactly the right length. 5y
53 likes3 comments
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Lindy
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Pickpick

A standalone novella in the Tensorate series, I picked this up because I read that its Singaporean author is genderqueer. The fantasy world in which children have until adulthood to declare their gender immediately drew me in. “The saying goes: the black tides of heaven direct the courses of human lives. To which a wise teacher said: but, as with all waters, one can swim against the tide.” #Audiobook narrated by Nancy Wu. #LGBTQ

Soubhiville Sounds cool. 5y
Lindy @Soubhiville 👍I‘m on to another in the Tensorate series: 5y
42 likes3 stack adds2 comments
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Lindy
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People make mistakes. They can‘t *be* mistakes. #lgbtq 🏳️‍🌈

(Photo of non-binary author JY Yang is from internet.)

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Lindy
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Audiowalking on a frosty a Christmas Eve.

42 likes1 stack add
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uwak
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Pickpick

this was a pretty darned neat novella 😁 I really liked Yang's fantasy setting, especially the aspect wherein people are allowed to choose their gender rather than it being assigned at birth, though it's not as prevalent in the plot as I hoped. will definitely continue with the rest of these books in the future and I'm eager to see what other works this author puts out 👍

#fantasy #kindle #libby

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uwak
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trying to force myself out of my holiday weekend potato mode to get some work done 💻 was originally going to read the 2nd Murderbot novella but it was checked out on all of my digital library systems so Tensorate series it is, then 😊

BehindthePages I blamed my slow brain and lack of work yesterday on a turkey hangover ;) 5y
uwak @Letora for me it's more like a literal potato hangover (of both the mashed and sweet variety) 🤣 5y
12 likes2 comments
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xicanti
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Pickpick

JY Yang‘s clear prose and succinct, evocative worldbuilding pulled me in but good. The plot‘s effective too, with its conflict between magic-as-tech and mechanical tech, but I read the last half of the novella in a single sitting because I wanted to watch Yang peel back new layers of their world. If you like how Kai Ashante Wilson rethinks standard SFF tropes but you struggle with his syntax, I recommend you try JY Yang as a counterpoint.

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Great review! Beautiful cover ❤️ 5y
48 likes1 stack add2 comments
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xicanti
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Friday afternoon book & beer. The romance with the transphobic leads did NOT work out, so I‘ve switched to a trans-positive fantasy. It‘s my last unread book from Tor.com‘s free Pride bundle, and it‘s very good so far.

The beer is a Tabula Rosa from Devil May Care Brewing Co. It‘s got the character of a fruit beer but is a little too floral for my palate. Still, I seem to be drinking it rather quickly...

readingjedi Beer sounds good. I'm having a Brewdog Indie - not particularly exciting but when it's really cold it's just so crisp & refreshing. 5y
xicanti @readingjedi mmmm! I feel that way about Tsingtao. It‘s not inspiring beer or anything, but it‘s just so good straight out of the fridge after a hot walk. 5y
52 likes2 comments
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Skyrimir
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I had never heard of silkpunk before, but I‘m excited to start this! Also, I love reading under my t shirt quilts! I have such a hard time getting rid of favorite shirts, I always end up turning them into a blanket when I get enough that I don‘t wear much anymore.

Sunraven I‘ve totally been thinking of doing that with some t-shirts, too! How do you usually sew them together? I‘ve been pondering the best way for a while now. 5y
Skyrimir @Sunraven I do simple quilts, just squares that are the same size and I use my machine. The first I had so many issues because the fabric is stretchy. After that I used felt lining instead of the poly lining and it was SO much easier because the shirts kind of stuck to the felt and didn‘t stretch as much. There‘s also a “glue” spray you can get to help with that, my sister likes to use that but I haven‘t tried it. 5y
Sunraven Some fabric glue spray has been staring at me from my Amazon “saved for later” for months for exactly this reason, haha. Did the first wonky one still come out usable? I think I can deal with fighting with/learning from the first one if it will still come out usable. It‘s just that I‘ve only ever made one quilt top in my life, and it still isn‘t quilted, so if things come out too wonky, I might end up with another UFO. 😅 5y
Skyrimir Definitely still came out usable! And it was mostly that the lines where the squares met weren‘t as straight as I would have liked. I use it all the time though and have gotten compliments on it, so it must be okay, haha 5y
25 likes1 stack add4 comments
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LeticiaToraci
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Mehso-so

This was interesting, only the writing style was at times a tiring narration, reminding me of a fairy tale. I'm still in doubt about following this series.

BillBlume Seems your reaction mirrors mine. I was sad, because I really wanted to love this, but I just couldn‘t. 5y
11 likes1 comment
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BillBlume
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Mehso-so

I‘m mixed about this novella by JY Yang. The world building is fantastic. They do a fantastic job introducing the way people in this world are born genderless until they choose whether they wish to be male or female. The story itself just got too melodramatic for my tastes about halfway through it, and the ending fizzles out for me.

My full GR review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2851200049?book_show_action=false&from_rev...

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BillBlume
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Since I‘ve been taking forever to finish my current reads this year, I‘ve decided to tackle a novella I got in Tor.com‘s giveaway earlier this week. I know next to nothing about The Black Tides of Heaven (haven‘t even looked at the jacket copy), and I haven‘t read JY Yang before, so I‘m looking forward to being surprised.

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rachelsbrittain
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Free ebook bundle to celebrate Pride on Tor right now!

https://ebookclub.tor.com/

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TracyReadsBooks
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This just popped up in my email and is super cool! I‘ve read the tagged book, which is excellent, and I‘m excited to read the other three. If I remember correctly, it‘s really easy to sign up (maybe just sign up and give Tor your email?!?) and the best part is there‘s a free book to download every month. Definitely take a look if you are a fan of science fiction and/or fantasy!

imyril Passing Strange was just delightful. Enjoy! 5y
TracyReadsBooks @imyril Good to know! The other two I haven‘t read also sound great...and you can‘t beat the price! 5y
11 likes2 comments
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LibrarianRyan
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Hey all, look what Tor Books has as free downloads this month

https://ebookclub.tor.com/?utm_source=exacttarget&utm_medium=eblast&utm_term=tor...

Karisa Yay! Just grabbed my free copy. Took a second to figure how to get it to my Kindle. Now ready to read. Thanks!!!😀🙌 5y
LibrarianRyan @Karisa yep. Kindle uses Mobi format originally developed for Palm Pilot. 5y
49 likes1 stack add2 comments
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LaurenReads
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Pickpick

This novella series is a great way to celebrate pride month if your looking for a #ownvoices sci-fi series, this is it!

3 likes1 stack add
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Mitch
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Oh thank you, thank you, thank you @StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego - you‘re the best. Some gorgeous books, love discovering new things, and then amazing bookmarks, stationary, socks and even Dr P/ Cream Soda sweets- my fav beverages! Thank you 😘😘😘😘😘. Big thanks for organising @Avanders #sffs

Gissy Nice ❤️❤️❤️❤️👏👏👏👏 6y
Gissy I want to read that book of IY Yang 6y
Mitch @Gissy it looks soooo good! 6y
Avanders 🧬🦄♥️👏🏽👏🏽 6y
StillLookingForCarmenSanDiego Yay! I'm glad you like it! ... I wasn't totally sure if you had the NK Jemisin book or not. But I know we love strong female characters, and Jemisin is queen at that. But if you do have it, I'm more than happy to send you another book. 6y
85 likes5 comments
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EllanaRose
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Pickpick

Heart breaking and brilliant
#24in48

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EllanaRose
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I just signed up to #24in48 and I currently have 29 books planned for it.
This is totally sensible, right?

Right???

saresmoore I think it‘s best to suspend “sense” as one embarks upon a Readathon. 6y
EllanaRose @saresmoore - Oh you are not wrong. I can totally do it... In my dreams XD 6y
sprainedbrain You can totally do it. 😂😂😂 6y
Reggie Lololol 6y
61 likes5 comments
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lauralovesbooks1
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Pickpick

Excellent world building that pulled me right into the story.

25 likes1 stack add
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esurient
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I broke down.

I bought it.

Cheers to 2018, #RehobothBeach.

10 likes1 stack add
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Kamisha
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Pickpick

Blew through this one today once I finally had time to sit down and read it! Amazing world-building and I love how the characters in this world go through a confirmation to choose their gender whenever they are ready. Beautiful fantasy done succinctly in novella form. Can‘t wait to check out the rest of the series!

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cmckinnon
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Pickpick

Very interesting book. I love the world building and the characters.

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esurient
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I really would rather you didn't advertise the day after the promotion in your promotion materials.

#irked

Clare-Dragonfly Not book-related, but I got THREE emails from Uber encouraging me to take advantage of a promotion that ended before the first email arrived. 6y
esurient @Clare-Dragonfly Ugh, that's even worse! 6y
7 likes2 comments
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LauraJ
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More good stuff from Tor.com. Get it while you can. #freebie

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llwheeler
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PSA! Tor.com has a free ebook of The Black Tides of Heaven until Nov 16, 2018

Yang's Tensorate novellas are some of the best books I've read this year. Really excellent fantasy. Get it if you're at all into sff and haven't read it yet! Also excellent for diversity #ownvoices

LibrarianRyan 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 6y
29 likes1 comment
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alvingregorio
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3 library holds came at the same time, including this one. 😟 Well of Ascension and Less are the other ones. Which to drop???

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TheBookStacker
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Took a tip from @Liberty and started this series, here‘s hoping! 🤞🏼 Also I‘m in bed comfy and warm by 8:30 having worked a 13 hour day and been up since 3am. So I think 2 pages and I‘ll be passed out (no offense book)

Tanisha_A The cover! 😍 6y
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GivenLemons
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Pickpick

A fantastic book! This novella has interesting world building and compelling characters told in snippets of different times in the character‘s life. I loved it! #fantasy #novella