When I picked up Electra Rex, I was hoping for a crazy little space romp with slightly unhinged characters, and that's exactly what I got. There's a cWhen I picked up Electra Rex, I was hoping for a crazy little space romp with slightly unhinged characters, and that's exactly what I got. There's a chaos to this story that comes directly from its main character, and it is so much fun to watch Electra's adventures and misadventures unravel. The aliens are varied, and there's a strong unpinning of humor to the story that lends itself well to the premise. Definitely an underappreciated little gem, well worth the read....more
Sadly, this was a situation where I found the premise incredibly interesting but the execution largely unengaging. I'm not sure I fully bought into thSadly, this was a situation where I found the premise incredibly interesting but the execution largely unengaging. I'm not sure I fully bought into the character dynamics or the story as a whole, and it took far too long into the book to feel like any progress was being made. To be clear, I'm a fan of dithering around with characters on a journey, but Godkiller didn't really accomplish that in any way that I found particularly notable. One of those books that provides momentary fun throughout its pages, but that I know I'm probably not going to retain much on....more
Very good at what it does and works well as a short, contained work. Trillin is incredibly endearing as a character, earnest and quick to embarrassmenVery good at what it does and works well as a short, contained work. Trillin is incredibly endearing as a character, earnest and quick to embarrassment, and Sian is the crackpot, risk-taking modern mad scientist/witch that sapphics deserve. It's a quick read, give it a go!...more
One day I'll find a sapphic manga with a premise that seems initially interesting that doesn't end up being a frustrating instalove situation with chaOne day I'll find a sapphic manga with a premise that seems initially interesting that doesn't end up being a frustrating instalove situation with characters who are just passable. I know plenty of people like a quicker pacing, but it's never been for me. Maybe I should look at some more fantasy or sci-fi storylines that are forced to spend more time on other plot points.... Still, kind of disappointed. Entertainment industry backdrops usually work for me....more
This is a wonderful recontextualization of the original Frankenstein story that expands on the same base theme within regard to biracial and queer ideThis is a wonderful recontextualization of the original Frankenstein story that expands on the same base theme within regard to biracial and queer identities, as well as giving more in depth looks at how Frankenstein is, in part, a story about parenthood and neglect. The voices and existence of these characters as both their own people and the original characters is deeply engaging. I do wish the story would have done more with the fact that Frankenstein by Mary Shelley does exist in the world (Dr. Frank is called Dr. Frank due to her attachment to the story and Plum and Ash also express more than passing familiarity) by letting the characters not just acknowledge but interact with the blatant parallels that their own stories exhibit. A very engaging read, I didn't want to put it down once....more
Extremely heartfelt and beautifully written. I absolutely adore this author's style and will definitely be glancing through her other works. Honestly,Extremely heartfelt and beautifully written. I absolutely adore this author's style and will definitely be glancing through her other works. Honestly, this is one of the best novellas I've read in a long time....more
Where Starlight Burns is described as a cozy space opera romance, centering around an accomplished doctor who eagerly takes a posting on one of the moWhere Starlight Burns is described as a cozy space opera romance, centering around an accomplished doctor who eagerly takes a posting on one of the most reviled space stations and a sex worker who specializes in providing human company to nonhuman clients. Dr. Cori Nova and Aster Moss's paths collide when Aster quickly becomes one of Cori's most common patients, as other doctors are reluctant to treat her due to the taboo about interspecies sex work and how it risks lowering humans in the eyes of others.
I enjoyed the concept of this book, and the exploration of this world's specific social taboos and how people respond to them was interesting. Cori is very much taking a position in an underprivileged area that's deemed a waste of time and resources by most of society, and that's reflected in her interactions with her coworkers, patients, and the other people she encounters. I love space opera, because it tends to focus on people and social dynamics, and Where the Starlight Burns did lean into this in places.
However, in terms of the romance, I'm not sure this book was for me. Cori and Aster move quite quickly in their relationship, and much of them building their relationship happens between chapters. We go from them meeting, to the expression of interest, to them living together without too many problems. That in itself isn't a problem, but a lot of the actual development of the relationship isn't shown, and how well that part's written usually decides whether or nor I enjoy the romance aspect of a book. Not having any of that felt like I was missing out on the story's main beats, especially as a good chunk of the book centers more on the romance than anything else.
Still, it was a fun read, and I definitely think it's a good one for people looking for a generally smooth-sailing romance with a little bit of sci-fi underpinnings. Give it a go!...more
I wish that more happened in this??? There were suggestions of an interesting world, and interesting personal and interpersonal conflicts that could bI wish that more happened in this??? There were suggestions of an interesting world, and interesting personal and interpersonal conflicts that could be explored, but none of them really went beyond those suggestions. For instance:
1) This is a world where AI now creates their own successors. 2) Fawn considers Indira's art objectifying of AI. 3) Indira is struggling with medical issues resulting from an accident with an AI-driven car. 4) Fawn faces disdain from other AI for her human appearance. 5) Indira has recurring problems with the healthcare system that prevents her from getting the care she needs for her chronic pain. 6) Fawn and her parents are facing financial issues after they used their savings for her human appearance.
There's so much potential in all of that, and none of it goes anywhere. Indira and Fawn have a cute relationship, certainly, and it's fun to watch that develop, but it feels like a taunt to set up these potential plot threads and not do anything with them.
Cute story, cute art, wish it did more with its own material....more
I was looking for more manga, comics, etc. to read and a friend recommended this, but honestly... Meh? A "oh that felt like nothing" meh? ContemporaryI was looking for more manga, comics, etc. to read and a friend recommended this, but honestly... Meh? A "oh that felt like nothing" meh? Contemporary romance is a genre that I'm generally just "okay, that's average" about, but I still read it, because when it hits for me, it HITS. This one is... below average for me.
Bloom Into You goes in HARD on the instalove, to the point that I reread the declaration page about five times to assure myself that, yes, that happened. The characters were barely even established at that point, and the story wanted to immediately trudge into the back-and-forth of negotiating the confusion of feelings and relationship dynamics. Sorry, but I can't care about the relationship between two characters I barely know.
This does also play into two tropes that I'm not particularly fond of, even beyond instalove. From Nanami's angle, we have "you might be happy alone now, but the right person is out there and you will find them one day." From Yuu's angle, we have "you've never really wanted to be part of a relationship but someone you care about is in love with you and maybe you should give them a chance even though that's not presently how you feel????" There's one or two pages that try to navigate these dynamics sensibly, but it's generally drowned out by instalove and more of the same.
Beyond that, it really felt like very little of substance happened in this, beyond the whole "I'm in love with you," thing. Yuu is very much going through the same conflict at the end as at the beginning, and I can't even tell you the order of events in this because of that.
Anyway, nope. Can't say this one is for me....more
Very cute story, very cute art! It doesn't particularly stand out among similar comics I've read, but it was definitely fun to read and I'm glad I fouVery cute story, very cute art! It doesn't particularly stand out among similar comics I've read, but it was definitely fun to read and I'm glad I found it because it was just what I needed yesterday....more
I knew this wasn't going to be a stellar read for me, but I simply had to read this for the girl I was when the Girls Like Girls music video came out I knew this wasn't going to be a stellar read for me, but I simply had to read this for the girl I was when the Girls Like Girls music video came out in 2015, only a few months before it finally sunk in that wishing you liked girls usually means that you do, in fact, like girls. So it was as an overinvested ally that I watched this video over and over again and reblogged silly little art prints of the lyrics on Tumblr.
(To be entirely fair to baby me, I hadn't figured out the whole asexuality thing yet, so I really didn't like girls in the way I thought you had to if you were sapphic. I would have never figured out the bi thing if I hadn't figured out the ace thing first. But I digress.)
Girls Like Girls is about what you'd expect from a contemporary YA debut. It's a pretty straight-forward book with alright characters and somewhat overstated storylines. But it was enjoyable to learn a little more about the characters from the music video that had an impact on so many people. Pacing's a bit odd, and the ending's anticlimactic, but it's a passable story that does what it set out to do. And even if it's not the best thing in the world, it made me smile, and that's enough for this....more
Don't want to harp on this for to long, but in short, In the Event of Love was simply not for me. I found it pretty underwhelming most of the time, anDon't want to harp on this for to long, but in short, In the Event of Love was simply not for me. I found it pretty underwhelming most of the time, and the characters fell pretty flat. Ergo, the romance fell pretty flat. It reminds me of those cookie-cutter Hallmark movies where the characters feel like popsicle sticks that someone drew faces on and then proceeded to mash their popsicle stick bodies together. Everything that happened was just sort of... there. Which doesn't make for a very entertaining read, in my eyes, even though I know there are plenty of people who enjoy this sort of story.
I do want to say that despite not enjoying this book myself, I am glad it exists. I'm glad we're to a point where there are queer equivalents of popular cookie-cutter styles out there. Because I'm sure there's someone out there who waited in earnest for this book and enjoyed every minute of it. It's just really not for me....more
Note at the top, since I had to learn this one myself: the POV character is demisexual!!! Y'all, we gotta start hyping aspec characters more!!! Every Note at the top, since I had to learn this one myself: the POV character is demisexual!!! Y'all, we gotta start hyping aspec characters more!!! Every review that has crossed my dash has called Ellie "bisexual" and just ended it there, which is great, but do you realize how rare it is to find any ace-spec character as a romance lead unless you're specifically searching? INCREDIBLY
Onto the review!
If I had to describe Kiss Her Once for Me in one word, it would be "earnest."
I decided a few weeks back that I'd be reading queer holiday romances off and on throughout the month of December. Why? Mostly because I can, and there's been a lot that have come out this year. Also partially because I'm gearing up to write my first romcom in the coming month, and I could use a refresher on the genre. In undertaking this, however, I knew I had to brace myself for a bit of corny contrivance, because... Well, it's a holiday romance. And while queer Hallmark is cool because it's queer, ultimately it's still Hallmark. Which is great if you enjoy that, but I'm generally pretty neutral toward it at best.
But that's fine! Those are fun in their own way, and I fully expected to encounter those! That's part of why I'm reading so many at once, so I can get a better handle on what I do and don't like for the sake of my own writing.
With this bracing of self in mind, I am pleased to announce that my first foray into this self-imposed challenge is an unquestionable hit!. (Which, thank god, because my own novel is a "fake dating for a family gathering" contrivance, so I can add this to my reference pile.)
Kiss Her Once for Me had extremely solid characters with conflict beyond those involving their romantic relationships. Ellie's whole fake dating ordeal starts because she's low on money and has been stuck in a depressive rut for a solid year. Her self-worth has plummeted, and she doesn't know what to do to work herself back up. So she throws herself into her webcomic and her patterns, and doesn't look much beyond that until Andrew's proposal. I never once questioned either of their motives about the fake relationship; the set-up was entirely believable.
Can I just say? I adore the Kim-Prescott family. Cochrun took the time to make each family member interesting, both individually and in their dynamics. And it really felt like it heightened the stakes, because Ellie adored them and was adored by them. What would they say when she and Andrew inevitably called it off? What would they say if they found out? Was it at all possible to save face with these people she was bonding with? It took her "will they, won't they" with Jack and gave it consequences outside of the immediate.
Which is another huge thing: this book felt like it had tangible consequences. Of course, you're rooting for Ellie and Jack, of course you want to see them happy and together because that's what you signed up for. But there are workings beyond them. Ellie's financial state, Andrew's inheritance, the family's regard, and later (view spoiler)[Jack's own monetary safety net (hide spoiler)]. And the book never ignores any of those, even when the characters deal with these problems in questionable ways. And when the character make questionable decisions (such as engaging in a fake relationship in the first place), they are always held accountable by the narrative.
As for Ellie and Jack, I thoroughly enjoyed the two of them. They're incredibly cute, with their own sets of hang-ups that overlap and interact in interesting ways. And I can buy them as a couple, which is always a good thing! It was a smart narrative choice to involve the "Snow Day" flashbacks throughout the story, because it felt like you were tracing both romance narratives at the same time, which made it feel all the more stronger.
Only thing that kind of got on my nerves about this book: dude, why do we have so many song references? We always know what song's playing in any scene where there's music, and the narration consistently remarks upon it. Which... isn't inherently bad. But it happened so frequently, and usually in ways that pulled me out of the narrative. Which really sucks when you're otherwise enjoying something.
I want to end this on a positive note by saying, I really loved the handling of Ellie's individual arc, and it was probably one of the biggest things that sold me on this book. When we meet her, she's... not in a great place. She's a mess, and she refuses to let anyone help her for fear of seeming less than perfect. By the end, though, she manages to acknowledge that she's become a self-fulfilling prophecy and lets the people around her help her find her footing, finally facing the realities of both her childhood and her present. And those chapters toward the end? They're powerful. In a book about taking chances, she finally takes a chance on herself and it pays off in the most fulfilling ways imaginable. And that arc? That's where so much of the book's earnestness comes from: a girl learning her own inherent worth, learning to take a leap, and embracing the love and friendship she once denied herself.
If you're looking for a solid Christmas romance, pick this up. I honestly do love it. ...more
Starting even YA books that sound interesting to me is such a game of roulette, and not for any reason of YA authors or even YA in general. I am very Starting even YA books that sound interesting to me is such a game of roulette, and not for any reason of YA authors or even YA in general. I am very much not the intended audience when it comes to the standard YA style and format; it takes quite a bit of other story elements that I like to push me over into full immersion. But, alas, the me who watched BBC Merlin with my dad in middle school because it was one of the few shows we both enjoyed, the me who once wrote a short story where Lancelot is a woman and Guinevere is incredibly gay, that me reared its head when I saw this, and I knew I needed to read it.
Honestly? A really good call.
Gwen & Art Are Not in Love centers around a princess and the a descendant of King Arthur who are betrothed even before they are born to create peace between the current ruling family and those who believe that Arthur's descendants should still be on the throne. The children are named in accordance with legends, and they get along... not well at all, actually. They're both stubborn and not very well socialized, and by the time they're teens, they both consider the other to be the bane of their existence. However, they end up agreeing to pretend to like one another to get their parents off their backs and cover up the fact that neither of them even have the capacity to find each other attractive.
The character interactions are really what sell this one. Gwen and Art are both incredibly pig-headed, stubborn individuals who initially bring out the worst in each other because neither knows how to back down or deal with their bitter emotions about their lack of control without taking it out on the other. But when they're forced to tolerate each other and work together, they find this really great balance of when to push and when to give, resulting in the most brutal friendly banter and a highly effective partnership. They're actually kind of scary as friends, and I love the dynamic so much, especially since both of them benefit from their friendship.
And the other characters also mesh really well with the main two and each other. There's Gabriel, Gwen's older brother who will one day inherit the throne despite his passion being learning and teaching. There's Bridget, a lady knight who is actively scorned by most of "polite" society despite being allowed to compete. There's Sid, Art's manservant and best friend who is here to have a good time and make sure no one gets killed. And there's Agnes, Gwen's peppy lady maid who she comes to think of as a friend once Art forces her to get out of her comfort zone and talk to people. Every single one of the characters plays off of each other wonderfully, and they really end up feeling like a cohesive friend group by the end of the book.
The plot's solid, although the pacing is a bit off for me. The story centers around the unrest between Gwen's father and his supporters and the "cultists" who believe that magic is real and Arthur's descendants should be on the throne. This is the main impetus for Gwen and Arthur's arranged marriage and contributes to the difficult relationships both have with their parents. It's also the reason for a lot of the political tension that hovers mostly unseen in the background until the halfway point and ultimately dominates the plot.
I know some people don't like the shift from the more light-hearted shenanigans to the higher-stakes of a political clash and the potential for war, but I actually think it makes thematic sense. Gwen and Art's main character arcs are at least partially about figuring out what it means to navigate the world as an adult, both in terms of what they want out of adulthood and the responsibilities they'll be expected to assume. This is even the case with both Gabriel and Bridget, honestly. They have to learn how to both be true to themselves and how to interact with the expectations others have of them. Shifting from the more internal aspects to the more external applications in the second half made sense to me. It felt like a natural escalation. That being said, the ending - mainly the last couple chapters - is incredibly rushed and sudden. Reading it actively felt like reading a condensed version of what was originally a more drawn out, naturalistic ending. It didn't hinder my enjoyment too much, but it did draw me out of the story more than once.
Regardless, this was a really great story with wonderful characters, and I'm glad I took the time to read it! ...more
I wanted to like this a lot more than I actually did. The premise of this story is compelling - there are fantastical creatures living in the midst ofI wanted to like this a lot more than I actually did. The premise of this story is compelling - there are fantastical creatures living in the midst of humanity, and they're fighting to be seen, heard, and respected. There's so much to be done with this, and yet I feel as though this book barely scratched the surface of its own concept. When it was good, it was great. But most of the time it was just okay.
I honestly think the POV and timeline shifts got in the way for me a bit. Which is odd, since I usually adore those particular narrative tools. Many of the plotlines seemed single-stranded and only distantly connected to one another, preventing the story from coming together as a cohesive whole. I'm optimistic that this will be addressed in later books, as the author has a fascinating style and a lot of loose ends to work with, but the fact remains that No Gods, No Monsters read like an extended prologue rather than a contained kick-off for the series.
Might come back for the second book at some point....more
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