For the first 2/3 of this book, I was sure it was going to be a 5-star read. Queer romance? An aspiring writer who's too hard on herself? Obsessive, uFor the first 2/3 of this book, I was sure it was going to be a 5-star read. Queer romance? An aspiring writer who's too hard on herself? Obsessive, unhealthy student=teacher relationship? I was in. Tonally it reminded me of Nina LaCour's We Are Okay, which I really enjoyed.
Unfortunately, the last 1/3 went off the rails for me. Many of the elements introduced (the fight, her crush, the bear??) went nowhere, and even the intriguing elements like Laila's writing aspirations and the character of Nazarenko seemed to fall away with no resolution. It's a shame, as the start of the book promises a fun queer romance, and a light-hearted (but still serious) journey of self-discovery for a young writer. That's not quite what the reader gets though. Still, there were lots of elements I enjoyed, and I would read more from Riley Redgate. I just think the last 1/3 could have been better edited....more
This was an unexpected joy: the gay zombie love story I didn't know I wanted to read. This was an unexpected joy: the gay zombie love story I didn't know I wanted to read. ...more
This was such an unexpected delight! I didn't know what to expect when I started this – and it certainly wasn't what I got. I loved the idea that the This was such an unexpected delight! I didn't know what to expect when I started this – and it certainly wasn't what I got. I loved the idea that the past might be preferable for an urban lost boy: orphaned, neglected, caught up in drugs and guns. The 'yoof speak' was a little cringey, but it always is when adults try to write authentic teenage dialogue. Overall I found this fun, fantastical and uplifting....more
Teenage girls who become violent, uncontrollable big cats when their periods come? YES PLEASE. I love this comic book series and can’t wait for the neTeenage girls who become violent, uncontrollable big cats when their periods come? YES PLEASE. I love this comic book series and can’t wait for the next one....more
You might see the slim size of this book, or that it's shelved in the children's section, and think it's lightweight. But it's one of the most complexYou might see the slim size of this book, or that it's shelved in the children's section, and think it's lightweight. But it's one of the most complex, affecting and intense books I've read in a while. I wish it was many times the length – not because it needs it, but because I want to spend longer in this world and learn more about the history and present of aboriginal people in Australia. ...more
**spoiler alert** I love the idea of Westworld meets Disneyland (with a bit of sex robots mixed in), and this was a smart and interesting read. It doe**spoiler alert** I love the idea of Westworld meets Disneyland (with a bit of sex robots mixed in), and this was a smart and interesting read. It does end up falling into some YA cliches towards the end (a cute boy! let's overthrow the system together!), but there's still a lot of good stuff here....more
We've had the woke millennial rework of Riverdale and Sabrina the Teenage Witch – now it's time for Nancy Drew! I enjoyed this. The artwork looks goodWe've had the woke millennial rework of Riverdale and Sabrina the Teenage Witch – now it's time for Nancy Drew! I enjoyed this. The artwork looks good, the characters are distinctive, and the story is interesting. Also props for having the queer female characters look 'hot to queer woman' rather than 'hot to straight guys'. I'll be reading the next one. ...more
Girls who come from the sea, queer love, and gorgeous goth-cute artwork – of course I was going to like this. But it's not a cute love story, it's darGirls who come from the sea, queer love, and gorgeous goth-cute artwork – of course I was going to like this. But it's not a cute love story, it's dark as hell – weird tooth myths, octopus-vomiting, skeleton wolves, oh and also the girls from the sea are actually teeth who have to fight the skeleton wolves in a dream. It's batshit and I guess the story doesn't really make 'sense' (if we want to be boring and have things make sense all the time), and usually quirkiness for the sake of it is annoying, but here it feels earned and genuine.
I'm tempted to dock a point as there's a suggestion that when the two girls kiss, Mila is 'really' kissing a guy (he's a god but also an octopus and also trapped behind Agnes's teeth, it's complicated). But Mila doesn't end up with him, and when she kisses Agnes she desires/loves her as a female, so it's a minor quibble.
In short, this book is super-weird and super-gorgeous and I loved it....more
Loading...
