I love that the main character is a transwoman, but I think regency romances are just not my thing.
I don't care for this time period - all the focus oI love that the main character is a transwoman, but I think regency romances are just not my thing.
I don't care for this time period - all the focus on fancy dresses, ballroom dances and etiquette. Not this book's fault by any stretch of the imagination, I think it does what it does extremely well, it's just not for me. ...more
The world Meadows creates in this duology is so layered and well described that I found myself constantly thinking of it, whenever I put the book downThe world Meadows creates in this duology is so layered and well described that I found myself constantly thinking of it, whenever I put the book down. The worldbuilding is beautiful - lush is the word I would use to describe it. The plot is leisurely with time spent on detailed descriptions of characters, clothing, architecture, etc. There is a lot of special language, but the words are easy to decipher in context and make the world feel lived-in. There will be readers who will be turned off by the amount of minutia, but I found it enveloping and immersive.
Velasin comes from the kingdom of Ralia, which is what I would consider a more standard fantasy setting with a Victorian prudishness, homophobia and transphobia baked into their society. In the first novel, Velasin's arranged marriage to a noblewoman from Tithena is amended to him marrying the woman's brother, once the ambassador learns that he is gay. Tithena, the neighboring country, is much more progressive than Ralia, and it's beautiful to watch through Vel's eyes as he comes to a place where is accepted. His husband, Caethari, turns out to be a complete sweetheart. The first book focuses on their marriage and getting to know each other, the second examines the political fallout from their union.
While I found the second book started off a little slowly, by the end I can say: I absolutely loved it. The characters are complex and endearing (all of them, including the side-characters), and Tithena is a land I always wanted to return to. The writing invites sinking into and taking one's time with. I'm very glad to have read this series. ...more
My thoughts on this are all over the place, so here is a very rambling review:
This book is too long. I don't feel the necessity of adding Celadon's POMy thoughts on this are all over the place, so here is a very rambling review:
This book is too long. I don't feel the necessity of adding Celadon's POV. Although it is nice to get some ace representation, I'm never particularly enthralled with his parts and the narrative starts to feel bloated.
I hate Theodore. After he sets Celadon up with the stupid (view spoiler)[cage match (hide spoiler)] how could they trust him again? (view spoiler)[Plus, he's actually an assassin, or something? But they just hang out anyway? (hide spoiler)]
There's a lot of treading water with the other main characters and their relationships. This is a long book and it gets very draggy in the middle as the characters don't do a whole lot beyond pine and whine about their relationships. Arlo and Nausicaa go on some random fetch quests to collect stones. alright, then . . .
I enjoy the descriptions of their various fanciful outfits; I think it's very fun and cute. I'm less thrilled with the evolution of Arlo's magical die. (view spoiler)[ She straight-up has four wishes, in addition to the die being able to enhance her skills to an incredible degree for hours at a time! (hide spoiler)]
Also, as much as I enjoy a talking-cat mentor, there is too much exposition in the scenes where Luck and Arlo are "training" (infodumping.)
Queen Riadne is the villain of this book, which should be great because her cruelty and ruthlessness were shown in the first book to chilling effect. But apart from some flashbacks she doesn't actually feature all that much until the very end.
Don't get me wrong, I am delighted that we have a YA fantasy series with an all-queer cast of main characters! And I love to see a book with fun pop culture references to things like Final Fantasy, Sailor Moon, and Pokémon.
And Nausicaa! I love her! She's definitely my favourite!
However, this book didn't do it for me like A Dark and Hollow Star did, which is disappointing. Another round of developmental editing might have worked out the pacing issues, bloated length, and the overpowered MC....more
**spoiler alert** I really, really love the whole 'parallel universes' angle and the sense of reality shifting around you.
This started on Reddit and **spoiler alert** I really, really love the whole 'parallel universes' angle and the sense of reality shifting around you.
This started on Reddit and it has a creepypasta feel. I remember one such story from years ago, about someone coming home and finding the place abandoned and - after panicking and looking for their family for some time - the person eventually gave up, left, only to return later to find things as they should be, and that everyone had been there the whole time. If that type of story appeals to you, you will probably enjoy this book.
The chapters are short and it's a quick read, interspersed with mixed-media excerpts.
My main criticism is that it feels a bit too much like a videogame in parts - especially when the main character is running and hiding (a voice in her head literally tells her when to run and when to hide.) It's very much like a game, where you have to navigate a maze-like house and hide from a monster. There are a number of indie horror games like this, but it especially reminded me of Granny.
I didn't find the ending ambiguous at all - Eve is trapped in another reality (that's confirmed by the locket.) Charlie is looking for her, but everyone tells her that Eve never existed (the last forum post.) I guess you could say that the mechanics of how the parallel worlds work is left unexplained but that's never going to have a satisfying explanation anyway.
I wish we could have seen more of the parallel worlds - there are some tantalizing hints of how vast and sprawling this web of interconnected realities could be, in the notes and maps that Eve finds in the cabin in the woods. If only she had studied those a bit more, maybe she could have navigated a little better!
Some things feel like bits and pieces that were left dangling on purpose for future exploration - for instance, who was that man in the woods? Are people really acting as "tourists" going through these realms? I wouldn't be surprised if Kliewer returns to the universe of this book again in the future. ...more
I enjoyed the leisurely pacing and the lush descriptions. Bloom is genuinely unsettling, and the juxtaposition between pastoral beauty and gruesome hoI enjoyed the leisurely pacing and the lush descriptions. Bloom is genuinely unsettling, and the juxtaposition between pastoral beauty and gruesome horror is interesting, as is the uneasy dichotomy that exists within the main character. Ro is a young assistant professor and vacillates between being a somewhat pretentious young "genius" and a waffling, insecure lover who is willing to overlook too many red flags. I liked this, but I think this particular subgenre of horror (is this a spoiler? (view spoiler)[serial-killer horror (hide spoiler)]) is just not my thing....more
I really liked the anxiety rep in this. The way that Giles Ashby's anxiety was shown felt very relatable to me. I also appreciated that the end acknowI really liked the anxiety rep in this. The way that Giles Ashby's anxiety was shown felt very relatable to me. I also appreciated that the end acknowledged this was something he would always have. Also, Giles is an introvert and prefers to stay at home with his family and this was not shown as a bad thing.
He does have to occasionally go out in the world and interact with people, for example, for his son's school trip. But if he wants to stay home and live a "quiet" life ninety percent of the time, he has every right to do that. The more I think about it, the more I needed to read this, actually.
Riley and Giles - reading about them was like a warm hug. And the kid (Milo) was all kinds of adorable - I love that he's so interested in space, is obsessed with Pluto, and that his hero is Neil DeGrasse Tyson. Details like this really help make the characters come alive.
This was also a slow burn, but the emotions were cranked up to 90 the entire time, as the two MCs have known each other forever.
This is an absolutely beautiful book and important. I love that this exists! However, I do have a couple critiques:
-each character profile includes thThis is an absolutely beautiful book and important. I love that this exists! However, I do have a couple critiques:
-each character profile includes their first appearance (good) but I really wish it also included recommended reading for significant issues and (if possible) collections. Reproducing some excerpts from key issues would have been ideal but lacking that, at least give us editor's notes telling us where to look!
-writer and artist credits are missing. Why aren't the creators of these characters listed?
The book also contains tons of absolutely gorgeous artwork - however - it is all reproduced from existing comics, not new artwork for this collection. This is only a problem because rather than credit the artists on the pages where their artwork appears, all of the artists are lumped together at the back. This is not useful. Sure, technically the artists are "given credit," but the reader doesn't know who drew what.
-there are some pretty glaring omissions. And while Axelrod notes in the introduction that this isn't meant to be "an exhaustive list" - are you seriously going to produce a DC Book of Pride and leave out Wonder Woman? Wonder Woman?! And we're retconning her relationship with Io? I . . .
I don't know if this was an oversight by Axelrod or a mandate from DC Editorial (I strongly suspect the latter), but either way it's disappointing.
Also, I'm pretty sure Catwoman came out as bi in recent years as well, but there is no entry for her, either. Curious.
Overall though, I am delighted that a book like this exists. I had a great time looking at all the pretty artwork and I wish we'd had stuff like this when I was a kid. I love that DC has been giving us so many queer superheroes in recent years....more
They are adorable! I love Fin, Walker and the triplets! This book has the most delightful romcom energy and I loved every moment.
Is the premise ridicThey are adorable! I love Fin, Walker and the triplets! This book has the most delightful romcom energy and I loved every moment.
Is the premise ridiculous and a wee bit problematic? Yes, sure. Is it over-the-top? Yes, sure. It's a romcom. And I have to say - it has my whole heart!
Fin is an early childhood educator turned nanny, in his twenties, looking for a job. His older brother puts him in touch with Walker Cameron, a wealthy financier (I think?) in his forties, who's had an impossible time retaining a nanny due to his extremely boisterous six year old identical triplets. The girls are determined to drive off any nanny Walker hires.
Walker is known to be somewhat foreboding in his work life, but he is absolutely overwhelmed by his daughters. Fin sees that the girls are lashing out because they want their father's attention. Walker wants to be a good parent, he's just easily overwhelmed and doesn't know what to do. Because of his willingness to learn and apply himself to stepping up as a parent, Fin agrees to stay on as their nanny and help Walker with his parenting.
And it's a romance, so they fall in love!
Right away, the age gap and power imbalance is going to put some readers off and that's fine. Not every romance is going to work for every reader. But I thought the author did a great job with the personalities of the main characters and using that to balance things out. Fin always feels like the one in control - he has a support system and can easily quit and get a job elsewhere, but he wants to help Walker and the girls.
Walker is constantly trying to do the right thing by both his children and Fin and is extremely hesitant to cross any sort of boundaries until Fin absolutely assures him that it's what he wants. The way Walker melts instantly, all the time, for his daughters and for Fin gave me the warm fuzzies every time!
Also, I love that Walker is close to his sister, Agnes, and that they get along so well. Always love to see positive sibling relationships in books. Peeking ahead at the series, it seems like she gets her own book later on and I am super excited for it!...more
Misha is a gay screenwriter living in Hollywood, who finds himself having sinister run-ins with characters from his various projects in the real worldMisha is a gay screenwriter living in Hollywood, who finds himself having sinister run-ins with characters from his various projects in the real world.
This is a terrifically fun horror novel but it also has a lot to say about queer representation in media. Not only does it set out to subvert genre tropes (such as "bury your gays") it also discusses the exploitation of queer trauma in a really smart way that acknowledges the importance of both horror as a genre and telling queer stories of all kinds....more
Loading...
