Roar Cat Reads

Tag: Book Review

  • The Adventure Zone: The Crystal Kingdom by the McElroy Family

    The Adventure Zone: The Crystal Kingdom by the McElroy Family

    Genre | Fantasy Graphic Novel
    Page #s | 272
    Publishing Date | July 2021

    Based on the blockbuster podcast where the McElroy brothers and their dad play a tabletop RPG and illustrated by cartooning powerhouse Carey Pietsch, The Adventure Zone: The Crystal Kingdom takes this #1 New York Times bestselling series to haunting new heights.

    A desperate call for help interrupts holiday celebrations at the Bureau of Balance, and sends Taako, Magnus and Merle on a high-stakes mission to find and Reclaim a fourth deadly relic: a powerful transmutation stone, hidden somewhere in the depths of a floating arcane laboratory that’s home to the Doctors Maureen and Lucas Miller. An unknown menace has seized control of the stone, and is using it to transform the lab into a virulent pink crystal that spreads to everything it touches.

    It’s only a matter of time before this sparkling disaster crash-lands, but in order to find the stone and save the whole planet from being King Midased, our heroes will have to fight their way through a gauntlet of rowdy robots and crystal golems, decide whether they can trust the evasive Lucas Miller, and solve the mystery of what—or who—has put them all in peril, before there’s no world left to save.

    Goodreads

    Although this is the fourth installment in the graphic novelization of the McElroy’s D&D actual play podcast The Adventure Zone, the story stands on its own as an entertaining romp with the McElroy’s characteristic charm, side jokes, and zany creativity.

    This time, Magnus, Merle, and Taako are saving a scientific research station that is slowing turning into pink crystal from crashing in the planet and crystallizing / killing everything. It’s a fun arc with beautiful artwork and a mix of fantasy and sci-fi tropes. This is what The Adventure Zone does best – throwing fun things at you, regardless of whether or not it makes complete sense.

    In addition to a great plot and fun worldbuilding, this story has excellent characters. I love an ambiguous villain, and Lucas’s motivations remain clouded for much of the book, which is great! The work that he and his mom did on planar mirrors is super cool, and a focus on familial love rather than romantic love is always welcome in my opinion.

    We get a lot of cameos and recurring characters in this section of the overarching Balance arc, which made Merle’s confused, “Who is that?” very rewarding as I was often wondering the same thing. This tongue in cheek acknowledgment of the sprawling story (as well as Clint McElroy’s hilarious inability to remember details) allows this story to stand alone while also moving the larger story forward.

    Speaking of Merle! I adored his character growth in this book as his faith in Pan is tested pretty significantly. The pay off was epic, and I loved it.

    I can’t wait for the next book to continue enjoying this story and the McElroy’s joyous humor. Until then – Happy Candlenights!

    What Makes This Book Queer?

    Taako flirts with death…literally. When the Grim Reaper appears and turns out to be a handsome man, Taako and death flirt fairly fantastically. I’m not sure if this is the first acknowledgement that Taako is gay, but it’s definitely the first time he openly has a crush (that is reciprocated). I ship them!

    We also get some side queer action in the characters of Killian and Carey, and COME ON. An orc/dragonborn lesbian romance? Yes, please!

    Who Do I Recommend This Book To?

    If your preferred flavour of D&D is silly with a side of dramatic story beats, you probably already know about The Adventure Zone. Do yourself a favour and read the book in addition to listening to the podcast – it’s a great adapation!

    Check out our Queer Lil Library for more book recommendations and reviews!

  • Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World by Benjamin Alire Saenz

    Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World by Benjamin Alire Saenz

    Genre | YA Contemporary Fiction
    Page #s | 516
    Publishing Date | October 2021

    In Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, two boys in a border town fell in love. Now, they must discover what it means to stay in love and build a relationship in a world that seems to challenge their very existence.

    Ari has spent all of high school burying who he really is, staying silent and invisible. He expected his senior year to be the same. But something in him cracked open when he fell in love with Dante, and he can’t go back. Suddenly he finds himself reaching out to new friends, standing up to bullies of all kinds, and making his voice heard. And, always, there is Dante, dreamy, witty Dante, who can get on Ari’s nerves and fill him with desire all at once.

    The boys are determined to forge a path for themselves in a world that doesn’t understand them. But when Ari is faced with a shocking loss, he’ll have to fight like never before to create a life that is truthfully, joyfully his own.

    Goodreads

    The long awaited sequel to one of my favorite books of all time, Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe, this book had a lot to live up to! Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World has the same quiet sweetness of its predecessor that builds upon previous themes in very satisfying ways.

    In the first book, Ari learns to love himself and open up to the possibility of romantic love. In the sequel, his willingness to be vulnerable and let other people into his life expands to include family and friends…and even the odd teacher or two. He has always been a squishy heart and thoughtful mind in a sullen body, and it is so lovely to see him share all the parts of himself with others. And for many of them to essentially roll their eyes and say, “Yeah, we knew you were a squishy heart! Thanks for catching up!”

    I also particularly loved seeing Ari, who spends 99% of his time in his head, discover the joys of a having a body. I don’t think I’ve ever read a book about a teenage boy discovering his sexuality in such an open, tasteful, and beautiful way. It helps that his love for Dante isn’t all, or even mostly, about sex. Ever the wise teenager, Ari spends a lot of time mulling over the intricacies and complications of loving someone vs. falling in love with someone. They are committed and thoughtful toward each other in a way that is somehow very believable for two 17-year-olds.

    The whole book has a kind of dreamy, fantastical feel that is most obvious in the fact that there is very little plot happening here. In fact, the piece of plot that the book jacket forewarns you of doesn’t happen until at least 2/3 of the way through the book! It’s mostly just Ari having beautifully honest and poetic conversations with people. I have to admit that I sometimes thought this veered into the unrealistic, as almost no one says anything rude or incorrect (with one notable exception…but even then, Ari and his parents handle it perfectly). I advise readers to go in with the expectation that this is a book about healthy relationships, and enjoy the feast of examples before you.

    On the topic of plot, I will whole-heartedly defend Saenz’s choice to make this YA book’s central conflict NOT “will they stay together” or “will our parents/friends approve of us” but instead, the focus is on, “How do I exist in the world as a gay person (in the 80s)?” This is perhaps a very personal opinion, but I am tired of dramatic coming out stories; however, I also don’t want all of my books to gloss over all of the struggles involved in coming out. I felt that this book balanced these two extremes very well.

    Who Do I Recommend This Book To?

    If you love a book about good people doing good things whilst saying beautiful things, then you have hit the jackpot with Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World!

    Check out our Queer Lil Library for more book recommendations and reviews!

  • Under the Whispering Door by T.J. Klune

    Under the Whispering Door by T.J. Klune

    Genre | Fantasy
    Page #s | 373
    Publishing Date | September 2021

    When a reaper comes to collect Wallace Price from his own funeral, Wallace suspects he really might be dead.

    Instead of leading him directly to the afterlife, the reaper takes him to a small village. On the outskirts, off the path through the woods, tucked between mountains, is a particular tea shop, run by a man named Hugo. Hugo is the tea shop’s owner to locals and the ferryman to souls who need to cross over.

    But Wallace isn’t ready to abandon the life he barely lived. With Hugo’s help he finally starts to learn about all the things he missed in life.

    When the Manager, a curious and powerful being, arrives at the tea shop and gives Wallace one week to cross over, Wallace sets about living a lifetime in seven days.

    Under the Whispering Door is a contemporary fantasy about a ghost who refuses to cross over and the ferryman he falls in love with.

    Goodreads

    After falling entirely in love with The House in the Cerulean Sea, I couldn’t wait to dive into T.J. Klune’s newest book, Under the Whispering Door. I set my expectations too high, and the cozy novel wound up falling flat for me.

    This isn’t necessarily a bad book, although I will die on the hill that it has a bad ending. Instead, I just felt very “meh” as I read through the story. In a book about life after death, it may seem ridiculous to claim that it didn’t feel very realistic, but. It didn’t. Part of this stems from the fact that the rules about the afterlife are wibbly wobbly at best, and not in a charming Doctor Who way. I kept asking questions of the book, like “Why aren’t there more people coming through this way station?” and even when the book acknowledged this fact itself, the explanation fell flat. The truth is, Klune wanted to write a gay romance between a ghost and a living man, and honestly, more power to him! But that ghost was also not very well written.

    Wallace is comically terrible in his introductory scene, but when he abruptly dies, he quickly loses all of his fire. Again, that sounds pretty reasonable! But I felt that there wasn’t enough of a hint of good in him at the start nor was there enough of his bad qualities there in the end to make his character arc feel cohesive. Speaking of unrealistic characters, all of the people (living and dead) at Charon’s Crossing are snarky but wise, like a Gilmore Girls therapist. It was too much and too little simultaneously.

    That isn’t to say the book is all bad. I loved the ghost dog, messing with those trying to commune with the dearly departed, and the beauty of helping those who die full of pain. Klune’s wit and charm are evident on every page. But despite all of that…I wish I had just reread The House in the Cerulean Sea.

    Who Do I Recommend This Book To?

    If you’re looking for a breezy book with some deep thoughts, you can do worse than Under the Whispering Door.

    Check out our Queer Lil Library for more book recommendations and reviews!

  • You Should Read The Republic of Pirates After Watching Black Sails

    You Should Read The Republic of Pirates After Watching Black Sails

    For those fans who become interested in historical pirate history because of Black Sails, The Republic of Pirates by Colin Woodard is generally agreed to be the best place to start your research.  It’s an excellent work of non-fiction on its own: chaptered in roughly year-long periods within which we focus on the stories of four or so men, its very readable and easy to follow.  But for fans of Black Sails, this is a treasure trove of “Oh my gosh, that was REAL?”

    The Republic of Pirates focuses primarily upon pirates Bellamy, Hornigold, Blackbeard, and pirate hunter Woodes Rogers.  We also get a substantial amount of Charles Vane, and the tiniest, but delightfulest, of tastes of Calico Jack Rackham and Anne Bonny.  Of these, Bellamy is the only historical pirate that does not make an appearance in Black Sails, although his Robin Hood-esque anti-England mentality lives on in our main man, James Flint.

    Although the timelines shift and the events are obviously not exact, I was impressed by how much the show’s characters mirror reality.  For example, Hornigold really was an old-school pirate who was one of the first to accept an English pardon, and he did in fact become a pirate hunter as a result.  Blackbeard is larger than life both in history and in Black Sails, even down to his famous bandolier of pistols.  I was just as distraught by his death in this book as I was in the show, and though the manner in which it happens was not the same, it is equally as epic.  Woodes Rogers is almost entirely the man we know from the show, a privateer governor (though historically he was also a slave trader) who scrambles to establish his authority and is eventually bankrupted by his efforts.

    Charles Vane is just as much of a “proper pirate” in history as in the show, refusing to accept a pardon and taking down former brothers who abandon the cause.  He’s also presented as the most ruthless of the pirates (most of the pirates killed very few men on captured ships), which brought to mind Eleanor’s comment about the crew of the Ranger being animals.  Although they are not in the book very long, I loved the historical story of Jack Rackham and Anne Bonny.  When they ask governmental permission for Anne to annul her marriage so that she can marry Jack, Woodes Rogers refuses, saying that if they move forward with this, he will jail Anne and force Jack to whip her.  In answer, they renege on their pardons and turn pirate again!

    I was also delighted to learn that the Urca de Lima was a real Spanish ship that was wrecked, along with her massive defense ships, littering beaches with gold for the taking.  It is not quite the story presented in Black Sails, but the same desperate scramble for gold is there.

    All of this is excellent, but by far my favorite part of this book was the description of what life in England was like during the early 1700s, especially for sailors.  The gross pay disparities, the forced work, the violent punishments for small infractions – it really made me understand why piracy was so appealing to so many “normal” men.  It wasn’t a desire for hedonism so much as an escape from tyrannical rule.  My empathy grew even greater once I understood the historical context for their actions.

    The one downside to this book is the appalling lack of women, which I suppose isn’t surprising given that history largely ignored the roles women played.  One more reason why Black Sails is excellent for intentionally giving women a place and a voice!

    I highly recommend lovers of pirates or Black Sails read The Republic of Pirates by Colin Woodard.  Enjoy!

  • Ace: What Asexuality Reveals About Desire, Society and the Meaning of Sex by Angela Chen

    Ace: What Asexuality Reveals About Desire, Society and the Meaning of Sex by Angela Chen

    Genre | Non-fiction
    Page #s | 210
    Publishing Date | September 2020

    An engaging exploration of what it means to be asexual in a world that’s obsessed with sexual attraction, and what we can all learn about desire and identity by using an ace lens to see the world

    What exactly is sexual attraction and what is it like to go through the world not experiencing it? What does asexuality reveal about consent, about compromise, about the structures of society? This exceedingly accessible guide to asexuality shows that the issues that aces face—confusion around sexual activity, the intersection of sexuality and identity, navigating different needs in relationships—are conflicts that all of us need to address as we move through the world.

    Through interviews, cultural criticism, and memoir, ACE invites all readers to consider big-picture issues through the lens of asexuality, because every place that sexuality touches our world, asexuality does too.

    Journalist Angela Chen uses her own journey of self-discovery as an asexual person to unpretentiously educate and vulnerably connect with readers, effortlessly weaving analysis of sexuality and societally imposed norms with interviews of ace people. Among those included are the woman who had blood tests done because she was convinced that “not wanting sex” was a sign of serious illness, and the man who grew up in an evangelical household and did everything “right,” only to realize after marriage that his experience of sexuality had never been the same as that of others. Also represented are disabled aces, aces of color, non-gender-conforming aces questioning whether their asexuality is a reaction against stereotypes, and aces who don’t want romantic relationships asking how our society can make room for them.

    Goodreads

    The Roar Cat Reads community includes many people who identify as asexual, and I’ve long felt like the term demisexual could be a good fit for me. Despite this, I was eager to read Chen’s book to further educate myself and dispel cultural stereotypes about asexuality. I was not disappointed! This is a phenomenal book that is equally useful for those within and without the asexual community.

    For those who identify as asexual (or who might after learning more about the term), this book offers validation and inclusion. Asexuality is a spectrum with many lived experiences. Although the thing that binds asexuals is a lack of desire for sex, there is still a huge variety within the community of those who are sex-repelled, those who enjoy sex, and those who are somewhere in between. Additionally, the book covers aromanticism and the way that this interacts with asexuality. “If you think you belong, then you belong” seems to be the message of this book.

    For those who are not asexual, Ace does a great job providing frames of reference to allow anyone a brief glimpse from an asexual perspective (the anecdote about the game show Naked Attraction was very effective). Chen also calmly takes apart common stereotypes that exist about sexuality with compassion and an utter lack of judgment.

    My favorite chapters were those that dealt with the intersection between asexuality and race and/or disability. There are cultural stereotypes about Asian men and disabled people that cause asexuals within these groups to feel like they are letting down the cause by seemingly supporting the stereotype. Desire is a nebulous concept impacted by multiple factors, and Chen allows for all of this, ultimately insisting that the label of asexuality applies if you want it to apply.

    As soon as I finished this book, I wanted to read it again. It’s so educational and inspiring, and I want its messages to sink even deeper into my brain! Definitely a book worth buying.

    Who Do I Recommend This Book To?

    This book is great for everyone, but for different reasons. If you are asexual, or think you might be, this book will validate your experience. If you’re not asexual, this book will educate and enlighten.

    Check out our Queer Lil Library for more book recommendations and reviews!

  • On a Sunbeam by Tillie Walden

    On a Sunbeam by Tillie Walden

    Genre | Science Fiction Graphic Novel
    Page #s | 533
    Publishing Date | May 2018

    Throughout the deepest reaches of space, a crew rebuilds beautiful and broken-down structures, painstakingly putting the past together. As new member Mia gets to know her team, the story flashes back to her pivotal year in boarding school, where she fell in love with a mysterious new student. Soon, though, Mia reveals her true purpose for joining their ship—to track down her long-lost love.

    An inventive world, a breathtaking love story, and stunning art come together in this new work by award-winning artist Tillie Walden.

    Goodreads

    Do you remember the moment when you realized that there are no women in The Hobbit? It was strange, right, because the story felt so natural and complete. Well, I’m here to offer you the exact opposite: On a Sunbeam, a science fiction graphic novel in which there are absolutely no men. It took me awhile to realize, since I assumed the story was simply focused on a queer group of construction workers, one of whom had flashbacks to her time at an all-female boarding school. But as we see more of the world, I’m pretty sure there are just…no men. Only women and nonbinary people allowed!

    It’s awesome, especially since the story revolves around the aforementioned construction crew (that works on giant floating buildings in a glorious tribute to “my sci-fi is cool rather than realistic”) and a mob boss family that protects an isolated planet of magical healing energy. Traditionally male playgrounds, but they aren’t missed here. Instead, we get to explore sisterhood, both biologically and found. The families here are hard won and well deserved, and I loved reading every page.

    What Makes This Book Queer?

    There are multiple sapphic romances in this book, from the lesbians who run the construction crew and must re-evaluate how they want to spend their lives together after an excitingly dangerous phase of getting to know each other. There’s a nonbinary character on the crew, and interestingly, the lack of men in this world doesn’t mean a lack of discrimination. Elliot’s pronouns are defended in a stand-up-and-clap scene that is a lesson to all feminists. And at the heart of the story is the slow burn / cut short / reunion romance between our protagonist Mia and the girl who got away back in school.

    Who Do I Recommend This Book To?

    On a Sunbeam is perfect for anyone who likes a found family narrative set in a gorgeously realized fantasy sci-fi world.

    Check out our Queer Lil Library for more book recommendations and reviews!

  • Swordspoint by Ellen Kushner

    Swordspoint by Ellen Kushner

    Genre | Fiction
    Page #s | 329
    Publishing Date | February 1987

    The classic forerunner to The Fall of the Kings now with three bonus stories. 

    Hailed by critics as “a bravura performance” (Locus) and “witty, sharp-eyed, [and] full of interesting people” (Newsday), this classic melodrama of manners, filled with remarkable plot twists and unexpected humor, takes fantasy to an unprecedented level of elegant writing and scintillating wit. Award-winning author Ellen Kushner has created a world of unforgettable characters whose political ambitions, passionate love affairs, and age-old rivalries collide with deadly results.

    Swordspoint

    On the treacherous streets of Riverside, a man lives and dies by the sword. Even the nobles on the Hill turn to duels to settle their disputes. Within this elite, dangerous world, Richard St. Vier is the undisputed master, as skilled as he is ruthless–until a death by the sword is met with outrage instead of awe, and the city discovers that the line between hero and villain can be altered in the blink of an eye.

    Goodreads

    Swordspoint is a gorgeously written novel with incredible character work, but…I just couldn’t get invested in the story. It felt like nothing much was happening for the first half of the book, and the “polite society talks around itself in hidden messages” often went over my head. I loved Richard and Alec, and goodness knows that arrogant young men with swords and books are my weakness, but I ended the book without any compulsion to indulge in more.

    That’s not to say there’s nothing good here. The world building is simple but deeply satisfying, with the lower class Riverside district nicely compared and contrasted with The Hill where nobility live. The role of swordsmen as a bridge between these worlds is excellently demonstrated in St Vier’s story, as he acts with all of the honor of a nobleman but is treated with the disdain of a Riversider. He also encapsulates the hypocrisy of the nobility, since they have no problem killing each other, but only if a long list of rules have been checked off first.

    It’s worth mentioning that the women in this book are not treated well. Granted, it was written in 1987, but it’s still uncomfortable to read about women casually being called whores and being mistreated by the men who own them (either formally or informally). There is one woman with power who is quite interesting, but because she’s the only one and her power comes through subterfuge and sexual favors, she instead comes across rather stereotypical.

    What Makes This Book Queer?

    For a moment, I thought everyone in Swordspoint was bisexual, and this is almost the case. That is awesome, but we do only get to spend time with male/male partners. I love Richard and Alec, but combined with the uncomfortable female characters, the queerness is tainted by a whiff of misogyny.

    Rating: 3.5 out of 5.

    Check out our Queer Lil Library for more book recommendations and reviews!

  • Wilderwood by Halli Starling

    Wilderwood by Halli Starling

    Genre | Fantasy / Romance
    Page #s | 256
    Publishing Date | August 2021

    “They say we are born, not made, as vampires. Created vampires are feral, ruthless killers who desire blood above all else. Those who are born into this fate have better control and thus are civilized. That we are only brutal if we choose to be. And so because we have free will, we are more like the humans and the other creatures with souls. I have never once felt human, or like anything else. I know what I am, and it is because of that feeling, and because of the marks on my flesh, that I stand steadfast in my cause.”

    Wilderwood is a haven for those who have been cast out of “proper” society: academics, artists, the eccentrics and undesirous. It is also home to other kind and having weres, mages, and even an ancient griffin living amongst mortals just isn’t done.

    Except in Wilderwood.

    Octavia Wilder cares for those who live in the town her ancestor built and when a feral vampire threatens the peace, she partners with the Ranger who has brought word of the threat.

    Ranger Roderick Arman hunts Corbin Luther, the feral vampire who killed his partner two years ago. When Luther’s trail leads him to the odd little town of Wilderwood, he quickly realizes there’s more to the town – and his hunt – than expected.

    Ranger Bellemy Eislen disappeared two years ago when what was to be a quick trip to the Faelands on behalf of the Rangers went entirely wrong. Trapped in another realm, they tirelessly sought a way back to their world. And to Wilderwood and Octavia.

    The three of them must fight to save Wilderwood from an invasion from another realm and protect the town from the Faelands Queen.

    Wilderwood is a fantasy/romance book with some violent and sexual elements. The story features a polyamorous, queer romance between three consenting adults.

    Goodreads

    If you’ve ever read a book and rolled your eyes at the developing love triangle, thinking, “Why don’t they just bone each other?” then boy, is this the book for you! It was so refreshing to see three competent adults deal with their attraction to each other with communication, a priority for their partner’s happiness, and an openness to new experiences.

    Although Wilderwood is set in the “1800’s,” it’s first and foremost a fantasy, with all the word’s implications. If you have to handwave away a linguistic anachronism here or a modern concept there, well, get used to it. There are vampires and encroaching fey worlds; realism is not the point here.

    You know what’s also not realistic? How horny everyone gets in the most horrific situations! I have a feeling that my opinion is only revealing how rarely I read erotica, because these people sure got turned on at the most inopportune times. The sex scenes were good fun, but I couldn’t help wishing that they would like, rest before the big battle or just have an anxious sulk….This is probably why no one is writing a book about my life.

    The highlight of this book for me was how unapologetically queer it is. There is a trans character whose pronouns are immediately respected by all, gay love between side characters, and the aforementioned polyamory between magical beings of all genders. It was so nice to see diverse relationships play out with no mention of their diversity. This is my favorite part of fantasy – showing the world as we want it to be (though I would prefer mine with a LOT fewer melted cows).

    Check out our Queer Lil Library for more book recommendations and reviews!

  • Once Ghosted, Twice Shy by Alyssa Cole

    Once Ghosted, Twice Shy by Alyssa Cole

    Genre | Contemporary Romance
    Page #s | 106
    Publishing Date | January 2019

    Alyssa Cole returns with a fun, sexy romance novella in the Reluctant Royals series!

    While her boss the prince was busy wooing his betrothed, Likotsi had her own love affair after swiping right on a dating app. But her romance had ended in heartbreak, and now, back in NYC again, she’s determined to rediscover her joy–so of course she runs into the woman who broke her heart.

    When Likotsi and Fabiola meet again on a stalled subway train months later, Fab asks for just one cup of tea. Likotsi, hoping to know why she was unceremoniously dumped, agrees. Tea and food soon leads to them exploring the city together, and their past, with Fab slowly revealing why she let Likotsi go, and both of them wondering if they can turn this second chance into a happily ever after.

    Goodreads

    Once Ghosted, Twice Shy is the bite-sized romance you want to sink into on a rainy day. It’s a sweet story about two women who are given a second chance to get things right, told in present day with flashbacks to their initial meeting. There isn’t much of a mystery here, but it’s satisfying to learn what happened and how they got to the place of hurt in which we first find them.

    Likotsi and Fabiola are queer black women who are on opposite ends of the class spectrum. While Likotsi works for the prince of a Wakanda-esque country, while Fabiola dreams of being a jewelry entrepreneur and deals with the repercussions of the American immigrant system. They come from different perspectives but share a love of fashion, exploration, and each other.

    I’m a sucker for this kind of story. They originally met with the explicit intention of hooking up, but couldn’t resist Their Feelings and the desire for a deeper connection. There is a lot of unnecessary miscommunication (or actual lack of communication entirely), but they get there in the end.

    Who Would I Recommend This Book To?

    Once Ghost, Twice Shy is a great little romance to boost spirits on a boring afternoon.

    Rating: 3 out of 5.

    Check out our Queer Lil Library for more book recommendations and reviews!

  • The Councillor by E.J. Beaton

    The Councillor by E.J. Beaton

    Genre | Fantasy
    Page #s | 442
    Publishing Date | March 2021

    This Machiavellian fantasy follows a scholar’s quest to choose the next ruler of her kingdom amidst lies, conspiracy, and assassination.

    When the death of Iron Queen Sarelin Brey fractures the realm of Elira, Lysande Prior, the palace scholar and the queen’s closest friend, is appointed Councillor. Publically, Lysande must choose the next monarch from amongst the city-rulers vying for the throne. Privately, she seeks to discover which ruler murdered the queen, suspecting the use of magic.

    Resourceful, analytical, and quiet, Lysande appears to embody the motto she was raised with: everything in its place. Yet while she hides her drug addiction from her new associates, she cannot hide her growing interest in power. She becomes locked in a game of strategy with the city-rulers – especially the erudite prince Luca Fontaine, who seems to shift between ally and rival.

    Further from home, an old enemy is stirring: the magic-wielding White Queen is on the move again, and her alliance with a traitor among the royal milieu poses a danger not just to the peace of the realm, but to the survival of everything that Lysande cares about.

    In a world where the low-born keep their heads down, Lysande must learn to fight an enemy who wears many guises… even as she wages her own battle between ambition and restraint.

    Goodreads

    When the queen is murdered, her lowborn orphan scholar is responsible for picking the next ruler despite the dissatisfaction of the ruling class. They’re about to be a lot more upset, because this taste of power goes to Lysande’s head, and she’s not about to give it up.

    I ADORED Lysande’s morally complicated character. It is so rare to read a book with a genius drug addict protagonist with a chip on their shoulder who… is a woman. Lysande is not a bad person; once she has power, she immediately stops the executions of magical people (who are rounded up and killed out of fear rather than justice). But she consciously chooses to pick her battles and only ask for so much, even if it means some will suffer for it. Even if it doesn’t make her hero, well, that’s exactly why I like her. She’s not a hero.

    Sharing the load of leadership with Lysande is a group of city rulers. They’re from wildly distinct regions (winter, desert, jungle, Italy), which strains credulity, but I love them all the same. Lysande has to navigate friendships and political alliances while working out who murdered the queen under orders from the White Queen (aka the looming threat). She also navigates sexy times with multiple people, both men and women, with some pretty provocative explorations of power play. What is this book?! I love it.

    I found the first 50-100 pages a little slow, but once Lysande meets the other city rulers, it picks up enormously. It helps that the prose is stunning and lyrical, and eventually I just couldn’t put it down. This is very much set up for a sequel, and I hope we get one soon!

    Who Would I Recommend This Book To?

    The Councillor is perfect for anyone who wishes fantasy novels focused on the smart people rather than the buff people.

    Rating: 5 out of 5.

    Check out our Queer Lil Library for more book recommendations and reviews!

  • I’ll Be the One by Lyla Lee

    I’ll Be the One by Lyla Lee

    Genre | YA Contemporary Fiction
    Page #s | 328
    Publishing Date | June 2020

    The world of K-Pop has never met a star like this. Debut author Lyla Lee delivers a deliciously fun, thoughtful rom-com celebrating confidence and body positivity—perfect for fans of Jenny Han and Julie Murphy.

    Skye Shin has heard it all. Fat girls shouldn’t dance. Wear bright colors. Shouldn’t call attention to themselves. But Skye dreams of joining the glittering world of K-Pop, and to do that, she’s about to break all the rules that society, the media, and even her own mother, have set for girls like her.

    She’ll challenge thousands of other performers in an internationally televised competition looking for the next K-pop star, and she’ll do it better than anyone else.

    When Skye nails her audition, she’s immediately swept into a whirlwind of countless practices, shocking performances, and the drama that comes with reality TV. What she doesn’t count on are the highly fat-phobic beauty standards of the Korean pop entertainment industry, her sudden media fame and scrutiny, or the sparks that soon fly with her fellow competitor, Henry Cho.

    But Skye has her sights on becoming the world’s first plus-sized K-pop star, and that means winning the competition—without losing herself.

    Goodreads

    I am not (yet) into K-Pop, but I am very much into empowered teens chasing their dreams (and their crushes) while crushing their haters. I’ll Be the One is a super cute book about challenging fatphobia in Korean American culture, family support, and some good ol’ fashioned YA romance.

    Skye is one of my favorite protagonists. She is the exact opposite of me, since she uses people’s verbal and nonverbal judgements as fuel for her own awesomeness. She’s a size 16 in a culture that thinks size 2 is too big, but she’s an amazing dancer and singer, so she auditions for a TV idol competition. The female judge constantly gives her a hard time about her weight (it feels like a meaningful acknowledgement of how women often police ourselves to a higher standard), but Skye continues to outperform her contestants and stands up for herself on national television in some really triumphal fist-to-the-sky moments.

    Along the way, Skye becomes friends with a lesbian couple, cutely acknowledges her bisexuality because she was checking one of them out, and then falls in love with Instagram star Henry Cho. You know how YA romances are so often ridiculous, but some of them are unbelievable in just the right way? This is one of the good ones! I loved watching them become friends, flirt, and evolve into something more. Bonus points for a double-bisexual couple!

    This is a purely fun, delightful, inspiring book, and I hope everyone reads it!

    Who Would I Recommend This Book To?

    I’ll Be the One is the perfect weekend read for when you want to tear through a story with a grin on your face.

    Rating: 4 out of 5.

    Check out our Queer Lil Library for more book recommendations and reviews!

  • ¡Hola Papi!: How to Come Out in a Walmart Parking Lot and Other Life Lessons by John Paul Brammer

    ¡Hola Papi!: How to Come Out in a Walmart Parking Lot and Other Life Lessons by John Paul Brammer

    Genre | Memoir
    Page #s | 224
    Publishing Date | June 2021

    From popular LGBTQ advice columnist and writer John Paul Brammer comes a hilarious, heartwarming memoir-in-essays chronicling his journey growing up as a queer, mixed-race kid in America’s heartland to becoming the “Chicano Carrie Bradshaw” of his generation.

    The first time someone called John Paul (JP) Brammer “Papi” was on the popular gay hookup app Grindr. At first, it was flattering; JP took this as white-guy speak for “hey, handsome.” Who doesn’t want to be called handsome? But then it happened again and again…and again, leaving JP wondering: Who the hell is Papi?

    What started as a racialized moniker given to him on a hookup app soon became the inspiration for his now wildly popular advice column “¡Hola Papi!,” launching his career as the Cheryl Strayed for young queer people everywhere—and some straight people too. JP had his doubts at first—what advice could he really offer while he himself stumbled through his early 20s? Sometimes the best advice to dole outcomes from looking within, which is what JP has done in his column and book—and readers have flocked to him for honest, heartfelt wisdom, and of course, a few laughs.

    Goodreads

    Although I’ve followed Brammer on Twitter for years, I have to admit that I’ve never read the advice column that inspired this book! I will be rectifying this oversight, since Brammer is an incredible author who combines personal anecdotes with universal guidance with ease.

    This book is short and sweet, marching through significant portions of his life in chapters prefaced by a hypothetical advice question. It’s lovely to think of this book as a love letter to his past selves, helping him work through the doubts and concerns that plagued him.

    I particularly loved the chapter about spending his adolescence dating a girl. Despite identifying as a gay man, he has a lot of fondness for that relationship, because our interactions are far more nuanced and meaningful than simply addressing (or not addressing) sexual gratification. For all the queers coming out later in life, it’s a nice lesson in appreciating our pasts for what they gave us, rather than focusing on what was denied to us.

    Far less relatable, but equally great, was his chapter on reconciling his Hispanic identity with his privilege and a family that tried to Americanize as quickly as possible. Watching him grow under the tutelage and teasing of older Hispanic coworkers was adorable, and I liked how he rewrote his history to show the drive and determination that resulted in becoming Americanized actually being the most Hispanic quality possible.

    This is a book all about treating ourselves gently, sharing stories with grace and with an eye toward growth and wholeness. Brammer is a talented writer, and though I’m not eager to read his porn descriptions (a funny/depressing chapter about capitalism and the hustle!), I am excited to read his work going forward.

    Who Would I Recommend This Book To?

    ¡Hola Papi! is the book for memoir enthusiasts who want a hits-the-highlights reel.

    Rating: 4 out of 5.

    Check out our Queer Lil Library for more book recommendations and reviews!

  • The Subtweet by Vivek Shraya

    The Subtweet by Vivek Shraya

    Genre | Contemporary Fiction
    Page #s | 220
    Publishing Date | April 2020

    Everyone talks about falling in love, but falling in friendship can be just as captivating. When Neela Devaki’s song is covered by internet-famous artist Rukmini, the two musicians meet and a transformative friendship begins. But as Rukmini’s star rises and Neela’s stagnates, jealousy and self-doubt creep in. With a single tweet, their friendship implodes, one career is destroyed, and the two women find themselves at the center of an internet firestorm.

    Celebrated multidisciplinary artist Vivek Shraya’s second novel is a stirring examination of making art in the modern era, a love letter to brown women, an authentic glimpse into the music industry, and a nuanced exploration of the promise and peril of being seen.

    Goodreads

    The Subtweet is a book about friendship, ambition, and regret. The fact that it packs all of this into 220 pages, and that this length feels perfect, is nothing short of amazing. The story of Neela and Rukmini, two aspiring musicians, zips along at a steady pace, skipping through time without feeling rushed, unwilling to linger unecessarily.

    The story is primarily told through Neela’s point of view. She is a creative, full of passion and the desire to push cultural limitations as well as her own. Accordingly, she is judgmental, standoffish, and scared of genuine connection. When she meets Rukmini, a woman who stumbles into musical fame by performing a cover of Neela’s song, she is in awe of the joy that Rukmini brings to creation. The two women grow close, but their different approaches to music stir up insecurity and jealousy that ultimately pulls them apart.

    There is so much to unpack in this little book; it handles women, social media, and race with ease while juggling the complicated relationship between success, talent, and imposter’s syndrome. As Neela, Rukmini, and others pursue success in a career with significant obstacles embedded in the system for women (and women of colour specifically), they sometimes use each other or throw each other under the bus, prompting legitimate questions about whether actions were made because of jealousy or opportunity. It never feels catty; instead, it leaves readers wondering where the moral line is, or ought to be.

    Additionally, the book made me think about current debates about marginalized communities holding themselves to higher (and sometimes impossible) standards. Rukmini’s success takes off when a white woman invites her on her tour; she is later taken to task for singing songs about marginalization to white audiences, but it’s hard to blame her for seizing an opportunity. And speaking of white people, Shraya does such a good job writing white characters who are good at saying the right thing until they undermine their “progressiveness” with their privilege in the same breath.

    The Subtweet is a deep book, and one that lends itself well to a book club pick – which is why I’m so excited to discuss it with my book club tonight! Top of my list of questions: What happened to Rukmini and will she ever become friends with Neela again??

    What Makes This Book Queer?

    Vivek Shraya is a trans artist and author, and in a super cool move, she’s made Rukmini trans, but in a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it way. In fact, I DID miss it! My friend had to point out that Rukmini offhandedly worries that Hayley hires her for being “a hip brown trans girl,” and that this is the only time it’s mentioned. I love a story that dives into the reality of being trans, but I also love a story where it is incidental, because that is not the piece of identity that is being explored.

    Side note: Although, YES, it is cool to see a book explore the friendship between two women, Neela and Rukmini’s relationship could so easily have tipped over into romance, and I really wanted it to! I ship them, but I’m still pleased with the story we got.

    Who Would I Recommend This Book To?

    The Subtweet is a thoughtful, incisive book that expertly questions the intersections of ambition, success, gender, and race. Everyone should read it!

    Rating: 4 out of 5.

    Check out our Queer Lil Library for more book recommendations and reviews!

  • A Closed and Common Orbit by Becky Chambers

    A Closed and Common Orbit by Becky Chambers

    Genre | Science Fiction
    Page #s | 365
    Publishing Date | October 2016

    Lovelace was once merely a ship’s artificial intelligence. When she wakes up in an new body, following a total system shut-down and reboot, she has no memory of what came before. As Lovelace learns to negotiate the universe and discover who she is, she makes friends with Pepper, an excitable engineer, who’s determined to help her learn and grow.

    Together, Pepper and Lovey will discover that no matter how vast space is, two people can fill it together.

    A Closed and Common Orbit is the stand-alone sequel to Becky Chambers’ beloved debut novel The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet and is perfect for fans of Firefly, Joss Whedon, Mass Effect and Star Wars.

    Goodreads

    After falling completely in love with Chambers’ first book in this series, The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet, I was disappointed to find that it took me a while to connect with the alternating storylines in A Closed and Common Orbit. I should not have doubted! I wound up absolutely loving the story of two beings learning how to survive and find connection, one a human unwillingly treated as a machine and the other an AI unwillingly treated as human.

    Jane/Pepper’s story was fascinating, and arguably the more plot-driven arc as we wait to see how she will survive living in a rundown spaceship after escaping a factory that raises human slaves. I loved watching her grow up with Owl, her AI mother, and scavenge for food and parts. However, it was a very smart move on Chambers’ part to balance the isolation and desperation of Pepper’s past with the Sidra’s (formerly Lovelace) story of struggling to fit in to a happy, healthy society. Together, they make a cohesive story.

    As always, Chambers’ books take advantage of a sci fi setting to create uniquely diverse alien races that have a variety of gender and sexuality presentations. In this book, we get a closer look at Auleons, both generally at their cultural festival and specifically in the character of Tak. With the central premise that it is very difficult for their species to breed, an entire culture emerges around the importance of mating and parenting as a respected full-time job for fathers who went to school to prepare. Additionally, we’re introduced to their four genders and how the culture makes space for and celebrates each one.

    Finally, I really enjoyed the conversations about what makes someone/something worthy of personhood. There is such a satisfying hook to Pepper being raised by an AI and therefore feeling invested in helping Sidra fit in as an illegal AI with a body. It’s clear to the readers that this crime is absurd and that AI should be granted personhood, but the book pushes this to challenge our assumption about any technology that has been granted even the barest form of personality. Whether coded through genes or software, who are we to determine where personhood begins? So interesting!

    Who Would I Recommend This Book To?

    A Closed and Common Orbit is perfect for lovers of sci-fi and philosophy.

    Rating: 4 out of 5.

    Check out our Queer Lil Library for more book recommendations and reviews!

  • Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall

    Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall

    Genre | Contemporary Fiction
    Page #s | 427
    Publishing Date | July 2020

    Luc O’Donnell is tangentially–and reluctantly–famous. His rock star parents split when he was young, and the father he’s never met spent the next twenty years cruising in and out of rehab. Now that his dad’s making a comeback, Luc’s back in the public eye, and one compromising photo is enough to ruin everything.

    To clean up his image, Luc has to find a nice, normal relationship…and Oliver Blackwood is as nice and normal as they come. He’s a barrister, an ethical vegetarian, and he’s never inspired a moment of scandal in his life. In other words: perfect boyfriend material. Unfortunately apart from being gay, single, and really, really in need of a date for a big event, Luc and Oliver have nothing in common. So they strike a deal to be publicity-friendly (fake) boyfriends until the dust has settled. Then they can go their separate ways and pretend it never happened.

    But the thing about fake-dating is that it can feel a lot like real-dating. And that’s when you get used to someone. Start falling for them. Don’t ever want to let them go.

    Goodreads

    This is probably the worst way to start a book review, but honestly, just go read Spotlight on Stories‘ review of Boyfriend Material instead! It was her review that inspired me to read the book, and after I finished, all I could think was, “Yup, Chelsea was right!”

    Boyfriend Material is a thoroughly entertaining book, but I wouldn’t say it’s necessarily good. It revels in its own cleverness, and the quirks of the world and its characters strain credulity. Everyone here is dialed up to eleven, and it’s kind of exhausting.

    But what everyone is here for is the romance, so let’s get into what truly matters: is the spark between Luc and Oliver believable? Well…I guess? Let’s be clear. We’re living in a glorious age of fake dating queer stories, and I am predisposed to adore any story with this trope. And this has a good set up, since the two men knew each other previously, were attracted to each other, but mistakenly assumed the other was not into them. However, there were so many points along the way when I couldn’t support them being together. Luc is a fun character, and I love him, but I do NOT understand why Oliver had a crush on him, and he probably shouldn’t have put up with Luc’s terrible behaviour.

    In an effort to even the playing ground (I assume), Oliver becomes the terrible communicator and ridiculous drama llama for the last 50 pages. Although the cause is believable, it is totally out of character for him and felt like an excuse to throw a final obstacle into their path.

    All of that is pretty bad, I guess, but I did read the 427-page book in two days, so I do kind of recommend it? It’s good frivolous fun, and if that’s what you’re looking for, I say give it a go!

    Rating: 3 out of 5.

    Check out our Queer Lil Library for more book recommendations and reviews!