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elianamargalit's review
5.0
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Yet again, Shira Glassman has succeeded in creating a world I want to be a part of and characters I'd love to be best friends with.
Her characters are so diverse and realistic and you can tell that she took care in creating each one. I especially love being able to see myself reflected in the Jewish characters, and I absolutely loved all of Soledad's language facts. And there are so many amusing lines, I found myself laughing out loud several times in the short amount of time it took me to read this.
Another thing Shira Glassman does so well is the way her characters act in socially conscious ways without it being preachy--I've read so many books where you can tell the author was trying to teach their readers about something "woke" and it comes off as a lecture, but that doesn't happen at all in this book. When Shira Glassman's characters practice good consent or talk about compulsory heterosexuality or demonstrate how to respect people from the same culture who practice in different ways, it doesn't feel like a lecture aimed at the readers, it feels completely natural. It comes off as a group of people who behave in these ways because it really is the right thing to do, not because they want to teach you a lesson about how to behave.
Plus, the book features a Hebrew blessing for turning into a werewolf. What could be better than that?
Yet again, Shira Glassman has succeeded in creating a world I want to be a part of and characters I'd love to be best friends with.
Her characters are so diverse and realistic and you can tell that she took care in creating each one. I especially love being able to see myself reflected in the Jewish characters, and I absolutely loved all of Soledad's language facts. And there are so many amusing lines, I found myself laughing out loud several times in the short amount of time it took me to read this.
Another thing Shira Glassman does so well is the way her characters act in socially conscious ways without it being preachy--I've read so many books where you can tell the author was trying to teach their readers about something "woke" and it comes off as a lecture, but that doesn't happen at all in this book. When Shira Glassman's characters practice good consent or talk about compulsory heterosexuality or demonstrate how to respect people from the same culture who practice in different ways, it doesn't feel like a lecture aimed at the readers, it feels completely natural. It comes off as a group of people who behave in these ways because it really is the right thing to do, not because they want to teach you a lesson about how to behave.
Plus, the book features a Hebrew blessing for turning into a werewolf. What could be better than that?
qace90's review
4.0
Nerdy, sexy short story
I liked a lot of the nerdery and interactions between all the characters, but some of the world building felt confusing, like being shoved into the middle of the story and unable to access the beginning. The sex scenes are definitely steamy and the chemistry between Blade and Soledad is wonderful. Some great moments between Blade and Cpt Werewolf, though would have liked more of the friendships. Overall, would recommend for a short, steamy f/f superhero story.
Content notes:
- on page sex, including oral, manual, strap-on penetration, sex in a public place
- violence, superhero-ing, injuries, hospitalization
- references to past as a thief
- Jewish religion and spirituality, especially central to one of the side characters
- man hitting on LI, takes rejection relatively well, mentions history of guy hitting on her tho
I liked a lot of the nerdery and interactions between all the characters, but some of the world building felt confusing, like being shoved into the middle of the story and unable to access the beginning. The sex scenes are definitely steamy and the chemistry between Blade and Soledad is wonderful. Some great moments between Blade and Cpt Werewolf, though would have liked more of the friendships. Overall, would recommend for a short, steamy f/f superhero story.
Content notes:
- on page sex, including oral, manual, strap-on penetration, sex in a public place
- violence, superhero-ing, injuries, hospitalization
- references to past as a thief
- Jewish religion and spirituality, especially central to one of the side characters
- man hitting on LI, takes rejection relatively well, mentions history of guy hitting on her tho
corrie's review
5.0
Shira Glassman’s books are pure joy to read. I’m particularly fan of her f/f-bi works (she writes m/m, m/f and non-binary as well). Glassman’s stories are basically angst free, cute, imaginative, funny and very well written. Her small, novella sized works have an amazingly solid story line. You don’t feel cheated at the end.
Cinnamon Blade is a super hero with a criminal past who keeps running into (and rescuing) the lovely and dorky Soledad Castillo from the bad guys. And the more she and her damsel in distress meet, the more their attraction grows. She would love to date the bookish beauty, but will the constant threat of vampires and aliens leave any room for sweet romance?
Cinnamon Blade: Knife in Shining Armor is - unlike former novellas Knit One, Girl Two and Fearless - peppered with hot sexy-times. I truly recommend you take a look at this author’s back catalogue (if you haven’t already) and try them out.
f/f explicit
Themes: a jewish super hero, OMG(!) Soledad is just the cutest aquamarine-loving little nerdy-poo on the planet, she even has crossword puzzle blankets, Connect-the-Dots must be the most original super hero I’ve ever come across.
5 stars
Cinnamon Blade is a super hero with a criminal past who keeps running into (and rescuing) the lovely and dorky Soledad Castillo from the bad guys. And the more she and her damsel in distress meet, the more their attraction grows. She would love to date the bookish beauty, but will the constant threat of vampires and aliens leave any room for sweet romance?
Cinnamon Blade: Knife in Shining Armor is - unlike former novellas Knit One, Girl Two and Fearless - peppered with hot sexy-times. I truly recommend you take a look at this author’s back catalogue (if you haven’t already) and try them out.
f/f explicit
Themes: a jewish super hero, OMG(!) Soledad is just the cutest aquamarine-loving little nerdy-poo on the planet, she even has crossword puzzle blankets, Connect-the-Dots must be the most original super hero I’ve ever come across.
5 stars
rhodered's review
4.0
So much fun! I loved the nerdy jokes - such as having too many books stacked on the bed to have sex there, so they had to use the sofa. Plus, feminism, extreme thoughtfulness about your date, and random jokes about Jewish prayers. As well as a true platonic friendship between a man and a woman.
One of the things I also liked was the bi/pan rep. Cinnamon is butch, but also bi. And her partner is allowed to admit she’s mostly lesbian but those feelings can be occasionally fluid.
I like this world, you can see how it could hold a series and is probably quite detailed in the author’s mind. It’s not skimpy. It would be nice to see what develops.
One of the things I also liked was the bi/pan rep. Cinnamon is butch, but also bi. And her partner is allowed to admit she’s mostly lesbian but those feelings can be occasionally fluid.
I like this world, you can see how it could hold a series and is probably quite detailed in the author’s mind. It’s not skimpy. It would be nice to see what develops.
jambery's review
3.0
Excellent for an afternoon distraction. What's not to love about a bisexual Jewish superhero living in Florida and romancing a beautiful woman?
theknightswhosaybook's review
4.0
This was so cute and good and made me all bubbly inside... ahhh!!
Okay, so. I know the blurb literally warns you it's "High-heat f/f romance" but my standards for "smut I'm willing to read" are so low that I did feel a little like a shocked and scandalized old lady going "oh my!" sometimes. But it was ok and people whose default isn't "avert your eyes and skip the sex" will not have my problems.
Also, funny? Literally hilarious? Original? Creative? Cute? Romantic? Cinnamon Blade is such a badass snarker, Soledad is soooooo nerdy and cute, and the little glimpses we get of the superhero team hint that Shira Glassman could write a really great superhero book focused on them if she wanted to.
The Jewish representation is so funny and accurate, and there's some talking about Soledad not being sure of her labels even though she knows she likes women, and they're both so good for each other and so considerate. So many good things in such a quick steamy novella with action and humor.
Okay, so. I know the blurb literally warns you it's "High-heat f/f romance" but my standards for "smut I'm willing to read" are so low that I did feel a little like a shocked and scandalized old lady going "oh my!" sometimes. But it was ok and people whose default isn't "avert your eyes and skip the sex" will not have my problems.
Also, funny? Literally hilarious? Original? Creative? Cute? Romantic? Cinnamon Blade is such a badass snarker, Soledad is soooooo nerdy and cute, and the little glimpses we get of the superhero team hint that Shira Glassman could write a really great superhero book focused on them if she wanted to.
The Jewish representation is so funny and accurate, and there's some talking about Soledad not being sure of her labels even though she knows she likes women, and they're both so good for each other and so considerate. So many good things in such a quick steamy novella with action and humor.
captainraz's review
5.0
Possibly Shira's best book yet
Beautifully sweet and heart-warming, there are dozens of things I loved about this book.
Superheroes! Werewolves! Puns about sexuality!
But most of all, two dorks falling in love and being dorks with each other.
I really loved this and I hope we get to see more of Cinnamon and Soledad, and their amazing cast of supporting characters.
Beautifully sweet and heart-warming, there are dozens of things I loved about this book.
Superheroes! Werewolves! Puns about sexuality!
But most of all, two dorks falling in love and being dorks with each other.
I really loved this and I hope we get to see more of Cinnamon and Soledad, and their amazing cast of supporting characters.
mikaeladisnerd's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
llincathryn's review
4.0
The chemistry between Blade and Soledad was palpable, and I really enjoyed seeing them attempt to navigate the early stages of their relationship while working around Blade’s superheroing commitments. I loved the glimpses of Blade’s tight-knit, found-family superhero team - particularly her close friendship with Captain Werewolf – and I’m looking forward to seeing more of them all in future instalments. This was fun and fast-moving with tons of heart.