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zafirahreads's review
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
drastichopeful's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Short read made it a little difficult for me to connect with the characters and the setting. It's a good standalone story, though, and it definitely interested me in the sequel! I liked watching both character's perspective on their relationship.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Eating disorder, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Confinement
Confinement does not actually occur, but it is a fear of Kel's The book's description also includes trigger warnings that potential readers may want to review.hartd's review
5.0
This is a very good m/m romance short story. It's unusual in a way that felt fresh to me. It's about a couple who have a major conflict and then resolve it. You also see how they got together, through flashbacks, as well as how they got to the point in their relationship where unaddressed issues came to the surface. The writing style is matter-of-fact rather than flowery, which I feel serves the story well.
It's set in a fantasy world, and the worldbuilding is subtle. Kel reads as trans to me, which comes across as incidental. The story also isn't about orientation, and the society seems queernormative. Social class does play a big role here, though, as does the nature of their relationship.
I'm very happy to have read this. I hope that the author returns to these characters and this world in the future, but this lovely story stands alone very well.
It's set in a fantasy world, and the worldbuilding is subtle. Kel reads as trans to me, which comes across as incidental. The story also isn't about orientation, and the society seems queernormative. Social class does play a big role here, though, as does the nature of their relationship.
I'm very happy to have read this. I hope that the author returns to these characters and this world in the future, but this lovely story stands alone very well.
tinyelfarcanist's review
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
One of my literary pet peeves is the romanticization of toxic relationships. We see how again and again Yaan discards Kel's concerns, being abusive and controlling of him.
I'm also not a fan of age gaps and power imbalances in romantic relationships. This novella's premise operates on both.
Against his family's counsel, Kel goes to live with Yaan and spends his days trapped in Yaan's quarters, waiting for him to come back and help him unwind from work.
Kel is only appreciated in Yaan's circles for his good looks. I don't believe the depiction of a trans character as a toyboy was a wise decision.
I'm also not a fan of age gaps and power imbalances in romantic relationships. This novella's premise operates on both.
Against his family's counsel, Kel goes to live with Yaan and spends his days trapped in Yaan's quarters, waiting for him to come back and help him unwind from work.
Kel is only appreciated in Yaan's circles for his good looks. I don't believe the depiction of a trans character as a toyboy was a wise decision.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship
Moderate: Classism, Cursing, and Eating disorder
Minor: Alcohol and Sexual content
km_meadows's review
5.0
short and sweet, can't wait for more Kel and Yaan content :) cute m/m romance with (pun intended) structural integrity also underlying the story.
Can relate to Kel being attached to places, people, and animals so much.
Can relate to Kel being attached to places, people, and animals so much.
meirinasoe's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
A short mlm novella, but enough to steal my heart!
Kel is a timid messenger boy who tries to do right by everyone he loves, though it could be challenging sometimes! Although Yaan could be such an idiot, especially when he gets patronizing and controlling I almost thought that they wouldn’t make it to the end.
The worldbuilding is unique and I am curious to learn more about it.
A really pleasant, light, heart-warming read.
Looking forward for the sequel, I hope Yaan learned his lessons cause Kel deserves someone who’d make him happy!
Kel is a timid messenger boy who tries to do right by everyone he loves, though it could be challenging sometimes! Although Yaan could be such an idiot, especially when he gets patronizing and controlling I almost thought that they wouldn’t make it to the end.
The worldbuilding is unique and I am curious to learn more about it.
A really pleasant, light, heart-warming read.
Looking forward for the sequel, I hope Yaan learned his lessons cause Kel deserves someone who’d make him happy!
rubycs's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
littlebookterror's review
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Structural Integrity is a novella that explores class and power dynamics in this queernormative world where we skip between the past and the present as two men navigate their relationship.
Trans messenger boy Kel is from a lower class and first meets Yaan working on government ground when he is working. Yaan is older, head of the property department, and interested in finding a new lover. In small snippets, we are introduced to Kel's current living situation (he no longer needs to work, living with Yaan) and see moments of the past as to how we got here. I also loved the subtle nods that Kel is on the asexuality spectrum - how he favours to be on the giving side and is equally happy just being physically close.
It's unique in the sense that what could be a simple romantic/sexual encounter that grew into a relationship, that is not all that's at play here. Kel is still very much connected to his family and visits his parents almost daily. He seems uncomfortable in his new clothes and has stopped eating despite being hungry, he is restless but unwilling to put his feelings into words and speak up. Yaan who is dealing with his own anxiety regarding his job (and maybe some relationship hangups) is blind to the situation and doesn't notice the tension in their relationship. It all comes to the surface when the theatre building in Kel's neighborhood is scheduled be torn down and replaced.
The chapters and time snippets are short, it gives the story a fast pace and a snappy rhythm that helps you keep the momentum. I loved how all these tiny moments added up to build a fuller picture of the two main characters and filled in their world when necessary.
I do feel the actual climax of the story fell a little flat for me. The solution for their argument was a little obvious but I actually minded a bit more that the underlying root of the problem was not fully adrdessed in the text. I wanted a bit more conversation or at least an acknowledgment that they needed to work on that - not a confession.
I liked their dynamic so much but I felt the romantic ending was not entirely earned. Very interested to see where the sequel(s) will take me.
I received an advanced reading copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Trans messenger boy Kel is from a lower class and first meets Yaan working on government ground when he is working. Yaan is older, head of the property department, and interested in finding a new lover. In small snippets, we are introduced to Kel's current living situation (he no longer needs to work, living with Yaan) and see moments of the past as to how we got here. I also loved the subtle nods that Kel is on the asexuality spectrum - how he favours to be on the giving side and is equally happy just being physically close.
It's unique in the sense that what could be a simple romantic/sexual encounter that grew into a relationship, that is not all that's at play here. Kel is still very much connected to his family and visits his parents almost daily. He seems uncomfortable in his new clothes and has stopped eating despite being hungry, he is restless but unwilling to put his feelings into words and speak up. Yaan who is dealing with his own anxiety regarding his job (and maybe some relationship hangups) is blind to the situation and doesn't notice the tension in their relationship. It all comes to the surface when the theatre building in Kel's neighborhood is scheduled be torn down and replaced.
The chapters and time snippets are short, it gives the story a fast pace and a snappy rhythm that helps you keep the momentum. I loved how all these tiny moments added up to build a fuller picture of the two main characters and filled in their world when necessary.
I do feel the actual climax of the story fell a little flat for me. The solution for their argument was a little obvious but I actually minded a bit more that the underlying root of the problem was not fully adrdessed in the text. I wanted a bit more conversation or at least an acknowledgment that they needed to work on that - not a confession.
I liked their dynamic so much but I felt the romantic ending was not entirely earned. Very interested to see where the sequel(s) will take me.
I received an advanced reading copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Classism and Eating disorder
Minor: Alcohol
non-explicit sexual contentsunlit_music's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This is honestly one of the loveliest stories I've ever read. It was so tender, affectionate, and beautifully told that I was sad when the book was over. I read this book in one sitting. I loved the main character and their love interest. Loved their family and friends, who were wonderfully supportive and kind. Please consider buying this book if you love:
- touching love stories
-asexual representation
- wonderful and relatable side characters
- slice of life stories
- character rich stories
- realistic and interesting world building
- touching love stories
-asexual representation
- wonderful and relatable side characters
- slice of life stories
- character rich stories
- realistic and interesting world building
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying, Mental illness, Classism, and Eating disorder