Babel By Rebecca F. Kuang: English And Indonesian Translation

Kings of Sin Series: Book 1 - Book 4 by Ana Huang

I've tasted the poison and no cures can even help me.

My first encounter with Ana Huang's work was with Twisted Series. Then, I've added Kings of Sin as my new addiction. But here's my honest thoughts about half of the collection from the series.

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Kings of Sin #1: King of Wrath Dante Russo and Vivian Lau Rating: 3.0/5.0 Ana Huang knows how to kick hard and right on each of her first book of the series, and King of Wrath successfully wrapped my head around it just like Twisted Love. Plot wise, predictable. I mean at this point, I don't think there would be any left billionaires corny cheesy scenario of a love scene that hasn't been written, so yes, the plot is okay enough. But, the book gave you one twisted starter that is for me personally was brilliant enough to make you sit tight and devour the whole story. And that thing is the part when Dante and Vivian's relationship actually started because of the blackmailing Vivian's Dad pulled on Dante. This twisted scene alone, make the whole story fascinating and worth to follow. Genius touch! Lastly, I genuinely am not a fan of Dante Russo, but Vivian can put me to do the house chores for the whole year and I won't complain. That woman is gorgeous.

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Kings of Sin #2: King of Pride Isabella Valencia and Kai Young Rating: 2.5/5.0 I would like to blame myself for riding the whole Twisted Series and Kings of Sin's book in very short time, which led myself to feel deadly boring of this entire. But to be honest? This book just ain't. It didn't ate, it didn't bite me hard. I took almost a month to finish the book, which is pretty confusing cause I devour the previous books in only one and half week. The steamy part might interestingly hot and phew, hot. But it's not the sole reason I read this book. I want to see two nerds, doing nerdiest and steamiest shits ever, to proof that NERDS ARE NOT BORING PERSON. Kai Young translating Latin for fun is so nerd, but yes we need to see more of that mentioned. Like, Kai Young if you wanna be a knockoff Henry Winter, you better do your job right! I really did try my best to like him but my God this guy just so unbearable to me. He was just too perfect to be a character, like I need a freaky twisted of him, like specific nerd shit he can pull. But thanks to my lovely Isabella Valencia, I can sit on this ride and finish the book. Perhaps the lack of plot building, too predictable twist on the side of Kai Young's character are ones that kinda turn me off. This book singlehandedly almost make me stop read the next book.

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Kings of Sin #3: King of Greed Alessandra Davenport and Dominic Davenport Rating: 4.0/5.0 Some people said three is not a lucky number, but it's never with me and the 3rd book of each series I've read from Ana Huang's works. The plot is about a married couple who lost their sparks and love and warmth of marriage, that initially started from a beautiful and loving relationship. The whole book basically is the series of attempts of Dominic Davenport to win his ex wife, Alessandra, yet also series of reality checks for Dominic that he was the one who firstly drove away from his own marriage. Dominc realized that his whole relationship isn't just broke because of him being greedy. Works are just the trigger for him to drive away, but trauma from the past is the root of all bad things that happen inside his marriage. So he is trying his best to solve it and save his marriage. I love how Alessandra, despite being madly in love with Dominic, still prioritize her ownself and her dignity. She stands up for herself when no one else did. She knows loving someone too much and too dearly made her lose the love for herself and she, FIX THAT. I was at the point where I don't mind to not reading any smut scene come from this book cause the way they solved the problem is so… mature. I love how feel like I'm a guardian of Alessandra and how the attempts to win her back by Dominic, slowly win me too. Dominic, you have all the blessing buddy.

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Kings of Sin #4: King of Sloth Sloane Kensington and Xavier Castillo Rating: 3.5/5.0 I felt like #3 of the series was a roller coaster for my feeling so the #4 felt like cool down. I mean, Sloane is also figuratively cold. Sloane's straightforwardness is cool and okay for me until she become unhinged like Jesus Lord, please do something to this North Pole. I almost hit the breaking point but yes thanks for the Mr. Xavier 'Horny Pantsy' Castillo, this book is saved at last. Genuinely, I don't have any other thoughts but yes well written character. But Ana really need to stop putting previous characters from the series into her new books cause it really page consuming and I rather learn and read about the reason 'why is this character being like this?' rather than seeing another appearance of Alex Volkov.

Spent my new year eve with dead writers.

Caffeine intakes throughout the September ‘24.

Pretty books are everything.

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March to April: Caffeine's Gallery.

Crazy how this bitter liquid (although not all of them are) helped me cope with everything.

I love X (formerly Twitter), it helps find cute things.

Bring back my sanity. I pity myself for not even mad at their wrong-doings to Bunny

Saturday's study log and reflections.

Jakarta on that Saturday was quite solemn, despite the news that has broken so many people's hearts. People—from high school students to middle- and lower-class workers, individuals to organizations and political parties—took to the streets (specifically in front of the House of Representatives at Senayan and the KPU - General Elections Commission - at Menteng) to protest recent political events that felt like violations of Indonesia's fundamental laws. The protests began on August 22, 2024, and continued on August 23 and August 24, although the last two days weren't as massive as the first.

As someone who studies Human Rights and a small portion of international law, what these masses of people did in Jakarta and other cities in Indonesia is solid evidence of how people in this country still love democracy and want it to remain the government's solemn system. The protests they voiced (and will keep voicing until their goals are accomplished) help to restore the checks and balances that the government of Indonesia seems to have forgotten, as they have become drunk with power.

Many protesters were hurt, and some even lost their eyes. It's heartbreaking that the cost of democracy is the blood of its own people who need it the most.

This massive event reflects what I've been studying these past two months in my EDX course: Human Rights, Human Wrong. I've learned how a government can be both the protector and the abuser of its own people. What happened in Indonesia is a clear example. This realization has deepened my understanding of the delicate balance required to maintain a just society and the courage needed to stand up against injustice.

I may not take part in the protest directly, but let me do my part by sharing the stories of people who came back home safely and how they cried about their friends' brutal abductions by police. Let me share the screams for justice of people who are moving en masse to regain the utmost power of democracy. Their courage and determination inspire me to use my voice to amplify their cause, ensuring that their struggles are not forgotten.

Let the government realize how easily they can gain power, and how easily it can slip away from their hands. Democracy is not just a system but a living, breathing entity that requires constant vigilance and care from both the governed and those who govern.

Mentari samar merasuk ke dalam sukma, membangunkan jiwa yang masih ingin direngkuh oleh malam. Kendati demikian, jejak-jejak jiwamu kembali menyapa alam bawah sadar, menginatkan mata agar lekas terbuka walau sayup-sayup.

Nihil pesan baru tak buat hati jadi masygul, karena yang paling menggubah bahagia adalah menelusuri sajak pesan penuh rayuan-rayuan malu sisa semalam. Sudah pagi, tapi bibir ini t’lah bentukkan sabit senyum, merona-rona pipi mengingat gurauan Tuan.

Maka tenggelamlah dinda ini ke dalam perinduan akanmu, dan rasa ini sekiranya akan tinggal sampai waktu yang tak tentu. Detik, menit, jam, terhabiskan dengan menggoreskan asa tentang kamu, kamu, kamu lagi. Tinta-tinta t’lah warnai kertas, gambarkan rayuan-rayuan lain yang siap memakanmu hingga habis tak tersisa. Kala selesai menulis, rindu itu datang lagi...

Oh, mabuk rindu sudah diri ini...