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serena_dawn's review against another edition
3.0
I requested and received this ebook ARC from NetGalley.
I liked the peeks behind the scene of the how and why of the world's making, it's mythology, and I believe that means there's more to come. Johnny and Alison are the outcasts in their school - and they're wizards (yes, a term that apparently applies to genders, although that's never stated).
Primarily this novel reminded me of the Matrix and Magicians (TV show/book, recalling Harry Potter and Narnia) it's school halls are named with gods/goddesses like Apollo, Ares, Odin, Plutus and Zeus (but apparently these gods are wizards, in fact everyone has potential for magic use), but the power origins and makers are called Asuras, Devas and Maras which are a different world myth entirely. I would have preferred the origin story as it were to have been smoothed out better, it certainly doesn't run as well as the timeline written after every chapter, or the explanation for the world and the dream Everywhen.
All wizards (who are not of the Legacy of Lineage, parents having been wizards) are abducted, the memories of friends and family taken, erased. As if that's not nightmare enough, wizards aren't very progressive - and they're all being held prisoner at the Institute -it's join or be a "Defector".
What's more, in Johnny's dreams is the terrifying Sandman following, hunting, him. Luckily, Johnny isn't facing all this alone, he has Alison and Blake and Hunter -who he's falling in love with.
And Linh, who he seeks to uncover school secrets with to join the Defectors and gain his freedom before it's too late and either the Sandman or the school "Smiths" get him.
There's a few open ended questions - what happens with Linh and the Defectors, what connects Luther to Melchior and Alwina? How did a unicorn die...?
I have say tell one of the weirdest things happened while reading a fellatio scene in this book. I was at work on lunch (I often read on my phone) when one of my coworkers sits down to have their break (there's only one table in a smallish room so that's not unusual) anyway a bit of time passes- coworker kind of laughs at his phone, I look up, and he tells me he's reading a joke about this guy sending a dick pic to a man despite the man telling him like three times he's not a woman and not being believed. I am reading gay fellatio and he's sympathizing with "a poor dick-pic guy being scarred for life".
I liked the peeks behind the scene of the how and why of the world's making, it's mythology, and I believe that means there's more to come. Johnny and Alison are the outcasts in their school - and they're wizards (yes, a term that apparently applies to genders, although that's never stated).
Primarily this novel reminded me of the Matrix and Magicians (TV show/book, recalling Harry Potter and Narnia) it's school halls are named with gods/goddesses like Apollo, Ares, Odin, Plutus and Zeus (but apparently these gods are wizards, in fact everyone has potential for magic use), but the power origins and makers are called Asuras, Devas and Maras which are a different world myth entirely. I would have preferred the origin story as it were to have been smoothed out better, it certainly doesn't run as well as the timeline written after every chapter, or the explanation for the world and the dream Everywhen.
All wizards (who are not of the Legacy of Lineage, parents having been wizards) are abducted, the memories of friends and family taken, erased. As if that's not nightmare enough, wizards aren't very progressive - and they're all being held prisoner at the Institute -it's join or be a "Defector".
What's more, in Johnny's dreams is the terrifying Sandman following, hunting, him. Luckily, Johnny isn't facing all this alone, he has Alison and Blake and Hunter -who he's falling in love with.
And Linh, who he seeks to uncover school secrets with to join the Defectors and gain his freedom before it's too late and either the Sandman or the school "Smiths" get him.
There's a few open ended questions - what happens with Linh and the Defectors, what connects Luther to Melchior and Alwina? How did a unicorn die...?
I have say tell one of the weirdest things happened while reading a fellatio scene in this book. I was at work on lunch (I often read on my phone) when one of my coworkers sits down to have their break (there's only one table in a smallish room so that's not unusual) anyway a bit of time passes- coworker kind of laughs at his phone, I look up, and he tells me he's reading a joke about this guy sending a dick pic to a man despite the man telling him like three times he's not a woman and not being believed. I am reading gay fellatio and he's sympathizing with "a poor dick-pic guy being scarred for life".
nichollinlove's review
2.0
I wanted to love this book. I'm hoping because this book is "Teen Fiction" as stated near the barcode and I am 33 (obviously NOT a teenager) forced me to like it less. I'd really like to give my copy to an actual teenager and hear their own unbiased feedback.
I think the characters themselves are wonderful, they are complex and in desperate need of representation in literature. They are completely relatable to your inner awkward teen self.
Johnny's dialect was confusing at times and made it hard to stay with him as he bounced back and forth between young and old. When I could hang with Johnny, his sweet and gentle soul was a pleasure to be with. Ali was endlessly witty and caring and strong, I really enjoyed her character. Blake, Hunter, Linh were all portrayed realistically to their ages as well.
The author gave insight to some experiences that are endured only by the LGBTQ community and I think he executed those moments well enough. While highlighting these horrible experiences is a necessary evil, I do wish there had been more on how they affected both Johnny and Ali's mental states.
I wasn't as moved by the "magic" aspect of the book. It just felt like it was reaching too much too fast. I couldn't keep the pace of the story under control. I also felt some of the information that supported the plot was flimsy and inconsistent at times. And it was hard to see the world with what I was given sometimes.
I would entertain the idea of reading the second one when it comes around but I am hesitant to be first on the list and will probably wait to see what kind of feedback it gets. I'd really love to see Johnny's future endeavors, but maybe with a more solid plot and voice.
I received this book through Goodreads giveaways and am offering my honest opinion of it. I will do my best to find a younger mind to share this book with and hope it finds them better than it did me.
I think the characters themselves are wonderful, they are complex and in desperate need of representation in literature. They are completely relatable to your inner awkward teen self.
Johnny's dialect was confusing at times and made it hard to stay with him as he bounced back and forth between young and old. When I could hang with Johnny, his sweet and gentle soul was a pleasure to be with. Ali was endlessly witty and caring and strong, I really enjoyed her character. Blake, Hunter, Linh were all portrayed realistically to their ages as well.
The author gave insight to some experiences that are endured only by the LGBTQ community and I think he executed those moments well enough. While highlighting these horrible experiences is a necessary evil, I do wish there had been more on how they affected both Johnny and Ali's mental states.
I wasn't as moved by the "magic" aspect of the book. It just felt like it was reaching too much too fast. I couldn't keep the pace of the story under control. I also felt some of the information that supported the plot was flimsy and inconsistent at times. And it was hard to see the world with what I was given sometimes.
I would entertain the idea of reading the second one when it comes around but I am hesitant to be first on the list and will probably wait to see what kind of feedback it gets. I'd really love to see Johnny's future endeavors, but maybe with a more solid plot and voice.
I received this book through Goodreads giveaways and am offering my honest opinion of it. I will do my best to find a younger mind to share this book with and hope it finds them better than it did me.
bibliophiliadk's review
3.0
INTERESTING PREMISE, POOR EXECUTION
Actual rating: 2.5 ⭐️
I was so excited for this book mainly because if the title - I mean, how can you not get excited about a book about a gay wizard who so openly claims his sexuality that the books is named after it?! Sadly, it had a lot of issues that made it hard to love this book as much as I wanted to.
THE THINGS I LIKED
Queer representation: Johnny is gay. Alison is transgender. Hunter is a little unsure of his sexuality at first. Blake is probably pansexual though it is never voiced. I loved how each of these were represented.
THE THINGS I DISLIKED
Magic?: What magic? Though this is a book about magic and wizards, there is actually very little magic in it...
Pace: The pace was just all over the place, making the story feel oddly patchy and fragmented.
Writing: Sorry, but the writing felt almost amateurish, there were simply too many unnecessary descriptions.They hindered the story instead of driving it forward.
World building: Yeah, this part was REALLY lacking. Everything was super confusing because it was unexplained. And the different fantasy elements just didn't seem to go together somehow, it was as if there were too many ideas. They were left un-executed and almost seemed like three different fantasy-worlds patched together into one.
ARC provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
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Actual rating: 2.5 ⭐️
I was so excited for this book mainly because if the title - I mean, how can you not get excited about a book about a gay wizard who so openly claims his sexuality that the books is named after it?! Sadly, it had a lot of issues that made it hard to love this book as much as I wanted to.
"Just two guys riding a unicorn. Nothing gay about that."
THE THINGS I LIKED
Queer representation: Johnny is gay. Alison is transgender. Hunter is a little unsure of his sexuality at first. Blake is probably pansexual though it is never voiced. I loved how each of these were represented.
THE THINGS I DISLIKED
Magic?: What magic? Though this is a book about magic and wizards, there is actually very little magic in it...
Pace: The pace was just all over the place, making the story feel oddly patchy and fragmented.
Writing: Sorry, but the writing felt almost amateurish, there were simply too many unnecessary descriptions.They hindered the story instead of driving it forward.
World building: Yeah, this part was REALLY lacking. Everything was super confusing because it was unexplained. And the different fantasy elements just didn't seem to go together somehow, it was as if there were too many ideas. They were left un-executed and almost seemed like three different fantasy-worlds patched together into one.
ARC provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
FOLLOW MY BLOG FOR MORE BOOK GOODNESS
jasonswrench's review
4.0
OK, so I wasn't completely sure what I expected, but I was pleasantly surprised that this book didn't rely on some of the wizarding tropes that exist out there. Sure, the main character gets sucked inside a wizarding world and ends up attending a wizarding academy, but this place is no Hogwarts.
The reading was delightful and kept me guessing what would happen next. In this regards, it's similar to another famous wizarding series. In many respects, the central character's sexuality is almost a backdrop rather than the focus of the story itself. One of my biggest critiques of a lot of LGBTQIA literature is that coming of age stories are all angst and coming out and no story. Instead, the characters in this book deal with coming out and their sexualities and gender identity, but those issues are hung on the backdrop of the crazy wizarding world the characters are sucked into. For this reason, I'm really glad this book is getting published and will hopefully be read by a lot of people.
As a note, I did get the opportunity to read this book prior to publication. However, the opinions of this review are 100% mine and were not affected by the publisher or author in any way.
The reading was delightful and kept me guessing what would happen next. In this regards, it's similar to another famous wizarding series. In many respects, the central character's sexuality is almost a backdrop rather than the focus of the story itself. One of my biggest critiques of a lot of LGBTQIA literature is that coming of age stories are all angst and coming out and no story. Instead, the characters in this book deal with coming out and their sexualities and gender identity, but those issues are hung on the backdrop of the crazy wizarding world the characters are sucked into. For this reason, I'm really glad this book is getting published and will hopefully be read by a lot of people.
As a note, I did get the opportunity to read this book prior to publication. However, the opinions of this review are 100% mine and were not affected by the publisher or author in any way.
cynsworkshop's review
3.0
Originally reviewed on Cyn's Workshop
I'm a Gay Wizard is a fascinating novel with a compelling beginning, but then begins to lack as the mystery of Marduk Institute begins to unfold.
The saving grace of the novel is the complexities of the characters. They are dealing with their sexual identities in a world that abuses them. Johnny is gay, and despite not going out of his way to hide it, he does not broadcast it for fear of being ridiculed and abused. There is a scene that is quite brutal but shows something authentic that happens almost daily. It is a hate crime, and it is a powerful scene to show the reader.
However, while the characterization is adequate, the pacing of the novel seems to lag. Once Johnny and Alison enter their new school for wizards and witches, the reader does not get to learn much about the magic. It does have a delightful blend of real Wiccan practices, fantasy, and science fiction to make it tangible to the reader. Nevertheless, the pacing is a big issue with the novel.
There is a mystery unfolding within the novel, but it takes too long to develop the story alongside the characters. It ended up coming off as tedious and repetitious, going back and forth on the character development than focusing on the story itself. The story loses itself in the characters.
Now, while the characters are allowed to be complicated, sometimes the tone of their narratives makes them unlikable at times. They seem pushy and ignore the boundaries of their friends. It seems as though the author had a hard time trying to find the balance in creating the tension between the characters.
Overall, while the characters do offer something for the narrative, the pacing fails to give it life.
See more reviews at Cyn's Workshop and follow me on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Tumblr | | Goodreads+ | LinkedIn
I'm a Gay Wizard is a fascinating novel with a compelling beginning, but then begins to lack as the mystery of Marduk Institute begins to unfold.
The saving grace of the novel is the complexities of the characters. They are dealing with their sexual identities in a world that abuses them. Johnny is gay, and despite not going out of his way to hide it, he does not broadcast it for fear of being ridiculed and abused. There is a scene that is quite brutal but shows something authentic that happens almost daily. It is a hate crime, and it is a powerful scene to show the reader.
However, while the characterization is adequate, the pacing of the novel seems to lag. Once Johnny and Alison enter their new school for wizards and witches, the reader does not get to learn much about the magic. It does have a delightful blend of real Wiccan practices, fantasy, and science fiction to make it tangible to the reader. Nevertheless, the pacing is a big issue with the novel.
There is a mystery unfolding within the novel, but it takes too long to develop the story alongside the characters. It ended up coming off as tedious and repetitious, going back and forth on the character development than focusing on the story itself. The story loses itself in the characters.
Now, while the characters are allowed to be complicated, sometimes the tone of their narratives makes them unlikable at times. They seem pushy and ignore the boundaries of their friends. It seems as though the author had a hard time trying to find the balance in creating the tension between the characters.
Overall, while the characters do offer something for the narrative, the pacing fails to give it life.
See more reviews at Cyn's Workshop and follow me on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Tumblr | | Goodreads+ | LinkedIn
jacemchale's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Transphobia and Homophobia
anarose13's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
vellichorblues's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-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
dbguide2's review against another edition
I mange to get to about 11% and (once again) realised I wasn’t connecting at all to the characters. I’m definitely more of a character reader. Don’t get me wrong, I really really love my plots, but badly written characters spoil the vibe for me and is the main cause of me dnfing a book.
Plus, there was a lot of information being shoved at the reader in the tiny part that I read and that’s another reason to not carry on reading. I like having information but not that much in such a little timespan.