Reviews Batch 7

A Wizard Alone by Diane Duane
Originally Posted on GoodReads: July 10, 2018

A pretty good exploration of grief and, though I'm by no means an expert on the topic, autism. Like, this was the book that gave me at least some understanding of what autism is, even if the character in question is at the severe end of the spectrum and we still don't have any concrete evidence as to what's going on in autistic heads. But that's all I'm gonna say about that for fear of shoving my foot down my throat.

The only really problematic bit comes at the end, so from here on out is spoilers. 

Okay, so I completely understand that Darryl is a Wizard and a special "creature" in addition to being a Wizard. I completely buy the conceit that he can do things like shove his autism off on Kit and leave it behind in a magical construct. However, I personally think that using Wizardry (and Darryl's special snowflake-ness) as a cure for autism is problematic. It's wish fulfillment and I'm pretty much left thinking "That is not how that works and saying that's how that works is problematic." But, as I've said before, I'm by no means an expert or anything so discussing it further is beyond me. *shrug* This is just how I feel about it. [Okay, so I completely understand that Darryl is a Wizard and a special "creature" in addition to being a Wizard. I completely buy the conceit that he can do things like shove his autism off on Kit and leave it behind in a magical construct. However, I personally think that using Wizardry (and Darryl's special snowflake-ness) as a cure for autism is problematic. It's wish fulfillment and I'm pretty much left thinking "That is not how that works and saying that's how that works is problematic." But, as I've said before, I'm by no means an expert or anything so discussing it further is beyond me. *shrug* This is just how I feel about it. (hide spoiler)]

Magic Binds by Ilona Andrews
Originally Posted on GoodReads: July 10, 2021

It’s been a very long time since a book has legit made me cry. Like, actual tears with some hard-ish breathing. Magic Binds is awesome. I loved it. I can’t wait til Tuesday when Magic Triumphs arrives.

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
Originally Posted on GoodReads: July 18, 2017

Yup... that was definitely a book.

The beginning was alright, the middle meandered a lot, and the end very much reminded me of "The Warlock's Hairy Heart" from J.K. Rowling's Tales of Beedle the Bard. So, I guess I know where she got her inspiration for that one from?

Though I've seen a couple Dorian Gray movies, or I guess I should say, I've seen one and The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen which has Dorian in it... I wasn't expecting Dorian to be the one who "killed" his portrait. It also seemed to happen rather suddenly... or maybe I was just so tired when I was finishing it that my skimming made it seem to happen more suddenly than it did.

I don't have any deep thoughts about this book. I've been wanting to read it for a long time and now I have so yay, I guess?