Author: Zaheerah

A twenty-something reader. Slowly making her way through the endless pit that is her TBR pile.
Books

Review: When the Tiger Came Down the Mountain (The Singing Hills Cycle, #2)

by ZaheerahLeave a Comment on Review: When the Tiger Came Down the Mountain (The Singing Hills Cycle, #2)
Review: When the Tiger Came Down the Mountain (The Singing Hills Cycle, #2)

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Cleric Chih and their new companions find themselves in an unsafe situation, and to stay alive, Chih must recount the story of the tiger and her scholar lover to survive the night. But they must watch their words as one mishap may unleash the anger of the ferocious tigers who listen closely on.    

In my previous review of The Empress of Salt and Fortune, I referred to the story as a “near-epic tale, all condensed into a hundred pages.” While the stakes are not as high this time, I found When the Tiger Came Down the Mountain an exceptional sequel that captivated me way more than the first in such a drastic way. My third foray into Nghi Vo’s work, and I am mesmerised by her storytelling skills.

Chih takes the stage this time and tells the story of tiger Ho Thi Thao and the scholar Dieu and finds themselves at the mercy of the tigers, who interject to explain how their version of the same story happened. The Singing Hills Cycle series, at its core, is about the power of storytelling, and this novella particularly emphasises how history is remembered by the winners. The mediation between Chih and the tiger sisters is thrilling and frightening. Chih is cut off at many points in their recollection of the story by the tigers to correct or disagree with their rendition of the story, new information that shifts Chih’s entire perspective of the tale and makes them even more on edge as they wait out the night.

Nghi Vo’s ability to command words is enthralling. Stuck on a cold mountain, the clock ticking until sunrise, readers can expect to feel like they’re sitting along Chih, anxiously watching their every word, hoping it’s not their last, listening to the love story of Ho Thi Thao and Dao, a sapphic tale between two complicated women. Nghi Vo knows how to keep readers captured, creating fully realised stories in such a tight number of pages. Something about this series so far makes me feel at peace. Much like its predecessor, When the Tiger Came Down the Mountain was glorious, and Nghi Vo’s storytelling has won my heart and soul. I highly recommend and eagerly await more about our beloved cleric, Chih.

GOODREADS | AMAZON | AUTHOR

Media

Here are the resources that helped me to make my own V-tuber

by ZaheerahLeave a Comment on Here are the resources that helped me to make my own V-tuber

Hi! Long time, no see.

Today’s post is going to be a little different. I’ve mentioned previously that I started streaming to improve my public speaking while I continue to look for a new full-time job. (still searching haha help me) I’ve shown my PNG models that I use in lieu of a face cam and one of the biggest streaming goals I’ve made for myself was to make my own vtube model.

What is V-tube/V-tuber?
A VTuber, or virtual YouTuber, is an online entertainer who uses a virtual avatar generated using computer graphics. Popular V-tubers include IronMouse, Shxtou and Shylily. Many of these big names are often backed up agencies such as hololive or VShojo and have massed fans into the million brackets. However, anyone can be a vtuber with just downloading a program like V-tube Studio and using a pre-made model.

Wikipedia

I hope that summary was enough for anyone who isn’t familiar with the concept. I know my family wasn’t when they saw me making my own model. So, you’re probably thinking, Zaheerah, why didn’t you just use one of the hundreds of pre-made models available on the internet?

Well, yes, I could’ve definitely found one online, but I found the idea of designing my own model and rigging the model using Live2D a fun challenge to myself artistically. I picked up digital art after years away during the lockdown and never really branched nor challenged myself to improve, so the idea of making my own vtube model was a fun hobby to give me a break from the gloomy job-searching process.

Just a heads up, this isn’t a tutorial post. If I had to teach anyone the stuff I’ve learnt, I would’ve failed miserably. But instead, I wanted to share the resources that helped me make my first v-tube model. There are SO many tutorials out there, and it can get overwhelming to find which one can be beneficial to learn from. I’ve watched so many, and while they all do teach the same things, I found that certain videos were just made more beginner-friendly than others. Since I drew my model myself, these tutorials won’t include any of how to make a model stuff. (sorry!) However, I am in the process of making version two of my V-tube model now that I understand the basics properly. (You can follow me on Twitch, where I’ll be basically starting from scratch on stream, so feel free to come watch me struggle again, lol – if you’re reading this the day I post, hey! I’m probably live playing Baldur’s Gate 3)

               What is Live2D

According to Wikipedia, Live2D is an animation software that can be used to generate real-time 2D animations—usually anime-style characters—using layered, continuous parts based on an illustration, without the need of frame-by-frame animation or a 3D model.

Wikipedia
Continue reading “Here are the resources that helped me to make my own V-tuber” →
Books

Review: All These Sunken Souls: A Black Horror Anthology

by ZaheerahLeave a Comment on Review: All These Sunken Souls: A Black Horror Anthology
Review: All These Sunken Souls: A Black Horror Anthology

*I received a copy from the publisher via Netgalley in return for an honest review. This in no way affected my opinion of the book.*

Rating: 3 out of 5.

All These Sunken Souls features short horror stories from bestselling authors to rising new authors. I was super excited to read this anthology, featuring some authors whose work I’ve previously enjoyed to some new (to me) faces that I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for. This anthology kicks off so strong, and I was thoroughly enjoying each new story, however, I felt towards the end, it really lost steam. Rating anthologies is somewhat tricky because while I put the overall book at three stars, some of these pieces are 5-star quality.

Some of the standout pieces include:

Kalynn Bayron starts the anthology with a thrilling piece about a monster eager to satisfy its need to kill and finds its match in its newest victim. This one threw me off in the best way possible. It was such an unexpected ending and was the best choice to begin with.

Ashia Monet’s haunting tale about a mysterious entity that arrives at a church. I liked how this one dealt with religious hypocrisy, and the visuals in this short were one of the best. I was not the biggest fan of Monet’s debut, but this one was spectacular.

All My Best Friends Are Dead by Liselle Sambury. 10/10. My favourite. It reminded me of those late 90s/early 2000s teen shows that had always had one Halloween/horror episode in their lineup. But with actual horror and not sanitised for a young audience.

Papa Pearlie by Ryan Douglass. A young man joins his family gathering, headed by the patriarch of his family and discovers a secret that followed his family for years. I was a bit unsure at the start, but by the end, this was the story that made me put down my phone at 1 a.m. and forced me to sleep. So creepy; I loved it.

Overall, there are many more I could praise. Still, there are also many which were disappointing and the general feeling I had regarding them was that they all had excellent ideas and thrilling concepts. The execution of them is where I found myself almost skipping to the next story. But the ones that I did enjoy were some fantastic and frightening reads.

GOODREADS | AMAZON

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Review: The Lies of the Ajungo

by ZaheerahLeave a Comment on Review: The Lies of the Ajungo
Review: The Lies of the Ajungo

Rating: 4 out of 5.

No one believes anyone in the City of Lies? Why would you? In the City of Lies, every child has their tongue cut out when they turn thirteen to appease the Ajungo Empire and make sure its meagre supply of water isn’t cut off. Tutu is days away from turning thirteen, and in his desperate attempt to save his mother, he volunteers to travel outside his city to bring back water for his people. But the desert is merciless, and Tutu might not be able to survive the brutal secrets hidden within its sand.

Another goldmine was found through Twitter once again. The Lies of the Ajungo seems like an innocent story of a young boy whose love for his mother sends him on an excursion beyond what he’s ever known. Once Tutu settles into his journey, he soon learns the deep injustice and lies has kept his people from truly living. The Ajungo Empire’s so-called help is not what it seems, and their stain on its people shatters Tutu’s innocence. An extremely intriguing form of magic is introduced, and the fantasy setting feels remarkable. The Lies of the Ajungo is really about Tutu’s journey, both physically and emotionally, and his growth makes you proud.

Packed into just 80 pages is a powerful story of a boy doing almost anything to bring peace to his city and save his mother, Tutu’s story almost feels restricted by its story length, bursting with beautiful details and gut-wrenching emotions. The Lies of the Ajungo is a stunning story that packs a hefty punch, prepare for emotions; it hits you hard.

GOODREADS | AMAZON | AUTHOR

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Review: Exit Strategy

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Review: Exit Strategy

Rating: 5 out of 5.

In the final novella instalment, Murderbot finds its way home to rescue its former owner, Dr. Mensah, who is being held captive by GrayCris. Having previously collected incriminating evidence, Murderbot can no longer hide under the shadows as GrayCris continues its very public attack on Dr Mensah’s character and even goes as far as kidnapping her as a threat to the Preservation Alliance to drop its litigation case.

But hell hath no fury like a self-aware SecUnit scorned, and Murderbot begins its own rescue operation, rejoining with Mensah’s old colleagues and launching an offensive attack on GrayCris. Throughout the novellas, Murderbot slowly grows its case against GrayCris, and their illegal activities and the result makes for an exhilarating final battle against corporate greed: both physical and mental, as Murderbot turns the system on itself in a near cinematic moment that blows me away. The finale fight felt like its own form of theatre, and I was a mere audience member in the front view, soaking it all in.

Murderbot is determined against all odds to save Dr Mensah or die trying. Exit Strategy is the breath you’ve been holding all along in the series. And when the dust settles, Murderbot knows it still has a long way to go. Exit Strategy wraps up the GrayCris arc with a satisfying and entertaining conclusion. But Murderbot’s story is far from over, and I’m super excited to see where their intergalactic journey will take them next.

GOODREADS | AMAZON | AUTHOR

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Review: Rogue Protocol

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Review: Rogue Protocol

Rating: 5 out of 5.

Martha Wells continues her thrilling journey of the highly entertaining and most complex AI around. (Sorry, ChatGPT, take a seat this time) In Rogue Protocol, Murderbot finds itself on a new task, seeking evidence against the sinister corporation GrayCris.

The story picks up with Murderbot on its way to a transit station, almost forgotten in a hyper-connected society, hoping to find evidence against GrayCris and help Doctor Mensah (who we first meet in All Systems Red) in her case against the entity for its safety violations. 

Rogue Protocol might just be my favourite out of the novellas in this series. While I prefer the previous novellas’ quieter introspection, Murderbot is pushed to the limits in this one as it’s a lot more action-packed and adventurous. As usual, Murderbot navigates the complexities of human emotions while dealing with its growing anxieties, but this time with the ever-increasing threat of GrayCris hovering closer in their mind, as it notes that people have begun to question its disappearance from the public eye.

After adopting its human persona again, Murderbot’s cover is almost completely ruined when it realises another research group has their own security bot called Miki, who can detect Murderbot’s presence if they’re not careful. So, it convinces Miki that it is a hired help to ensure Miki’s group’s survival.

In Artificial Conditions, we see how Murderbot understands its fellow AI counterparts, understanding its different needs and expectation from their contractors, but Miki is different. Miki is treated as part of the team, even referring to them as her friends. For once, Murderbot can almost wonder what life could be like if they didn’t see it as a mass murderer.

Wells continues to develop and improve upon Murderbot as an engaging and hilarious character, its thought processes dive deeper into its struggle with identity and relationships. Overall, Rogue Protocol is incredibly engaging and another captivating instalment in the adventures of Murderbot. As we step closer to the dangerous reach of GrayCris, you can’t help but root for the snarky SecUnit who can’t seem to catch a break.

GOODREADS | AMAZON | AUTHOR

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