Reviews

Odder Still by D.N. Bryn

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becandbooks's review against another edition

4.0

Odder Still is an engaging, queer fantasy with a steampunk feel and a plot of political uprising. The story takes place in gorgeously depicted worlds of swamps, beaches and underwater societies and follows Rubem, a reclusive drunk with attachment issues - unless it's with his exotic rescue pets. He is drawn into a whirlwind ride when a parasite decides to make him a host. On a quest to avoid being completely taken over, Rubem elicits the help of a powerful family.

Full of slow-burn romance, unique world-building, and a fierce battle for survival, loyalty and doing the right thing this is a fantastic ride of a story. It is unapologetically inclusive, with main and side characters with queer, trans and disabled identities. An absolute must-read for fantasy lovers chasing books with a heartwarming touch.

→ trigger warnings:
Spoiler
alcohol consumption & abuse, alcoholism, death of an animal (including graphic pet death), gore, mind control, near-drowning, nonconsensual medical experimentation, needles, blood depiction, body horror

Note: Review copy received from NetGalley. This does not impact opinions within this review.

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discarded_dust_jacket's review

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25

This was such a unique story concept and world; I was pleasantly surprised by that. A steampunk underwater city occupied by selkies? So cool! The disability representation as well as trans and non-binary representation was really great as well.

The reason it didn’t get a higher rating from me was more a matter of personal preference. Sometimes I struggle to push through fantasy in first person POV when it spends a large chunk of the narrative waxing philosophical inside the protagonist’s head. That’s just a me thing though. I would for sure recommend this to anyone who enjoys queer sci-fi/fantasy.

Content Warnings

mysimas's review

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So the protagonist straight up butchers five people in front of the guy whom he basically holds hostage and then he says sorry and the guy’s response is a genuine ‘I forgive you’? What in the everloving fuck kinda reaction is that?

mateyy's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

stxrlight's review against another edition

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4.0

This book has an original storyline with great potential, the writing reads away easily and enjoyable and the characters and their dialogues are interesting. Unfortunately I couldn't fully connect with the main character and that makes it hard for me to enjoy the book to the fullest, which is why I stopped in chapter five.

Also the parasite stuck to his neck and able to control him, or insert it's emotions onto him so strongly that he acts on them, makes me a little uncomfortable. Which in truth caught me off guard a little, because I don't really have anything I couldn't read about before, but that just means this book isn't for me. If you can get beside that, this is definitely a story you should try out. If not because of the smooth writing, then for the interesting storyline!

krisalexcole's review

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adventurous emotional medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

Content Warnings

my_will2read's review against another edition

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I will probably come back to this one and try again, but it was harder for me to get into this one - even tho I was really excited to get to know Rubem and Tavish! I'll try again in a few months maybe.

mergs_scribbles's review

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4.0

This is the first book I read by D.N. Bryn and I really liked it. Definitely have to add more of the author’s books to my tbr. Great suspense, complex characters, and villains that made me want to pull my hair out.

tinyelfarcanist's review

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adventurous emotional mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Rubem is running away from people who invaded his home in search of energy-producing parasites. But everyone he meets is more interested in taking advantage of the parasite attached to him than his well-being.

Maraheem is an underwater steampunk city populated by freckled ginger selkies. The class disparity is evident, and Rubem readily empathizes with the lower city's hardships. He finds an unlikely ally in Tavish, who uses his wealth to help the underprivileged.

Bryn built a queernormative and diverse world. Rubem is dark-skinned and gay, never fitting in any place and silencing his grief with alcohol. Tavish is an altruistic selkie princeling who happens to be plump, blind, and trans. From the moment they meet, their interactions are filled with bangxiety.

The alliance between these two men from different standings while fighting for their lives drives them to question the future they want.

An environmentalist tale of loneliness, connection, and love. Get it if you are looking for mental health and queer representation. There's a beautiful poem at the beginning of each chapter.

Content Warnings

angelbirbs's review

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adventurous emotional funny mysterious sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

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