cowboylikecj's reviews
31 reviews

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

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

4.75

this was an absolutely crazy read. I saw the movie first and loved it, but now I wish so many parts of this book had been better portrayed in the film. There is so so so much here that I would’ve loved to see in the film. That being said, the film giving Lucy Gray a more significant perspective is something I really enjoyed. Coriolanus Snow is a terrifying TERRIFYING man and wow

The Butcher and the Wren by Alaina Urquhart

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.0

this was an interesting read! definitely out of my typical genre but I enjoyed it. As a big fan of morbid podcast it was interesting to almost hear alaina's voice in this book. the plot twist was a bit insane and unexpected, and i was confused for a minute, but i liked the way it went and made the story more personal and connected without doing some hannibal/clarice thing. A great read that i am going to recommend to my crime fiction loving dad 

The Chalice of the Gods by Rick Riordan

adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted fast-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? N/A

4.25

nostalgia filled fun fest!!! I loved it 

Affinity by Sarah Waters

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.75

better than the night watch, not as good as tipping the velvet. an interesting tale with a plot twist I somehow didn’t predict.

kinda upsetting to see the main character lose out the way she did when she did nothing wrong but I am intrigued by Ruth and Selina. Would love to know more about them

Orlando by Virginia Woolf

adventurous mysterious reflective fast-paced

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

4.0

an incredibly interesting read with such an interesting and in depth view on gender and the existence of people between and around the genders typically discussed especially at the time. fantastic that it’s dedicated to her love :)

The Night Watch by Sarah Waters

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

3.25

Not nearly as good or even comparable to tipping the velvet. I am a huge fan of World War II queer history and this book appealed to me very much but it felt unfinished and most of the characters were incredibly unlikeable. Kay and Viv turned out to be the only redeemable members of the ensemble.

it’s so fucking insane that Helen cheated on Kay with Julia like that and we were just supposed to like what be okay with it… also I was so mad Duncan wasn’t actually gay and in fact was actually actively homophobic.

also I feel like the story implied more between Viv and Kay and I would’ve liked to see more exploration of that. it also felt deeply unfinished. I loved loved loved Kay and Mickey though and I wanted to love Helen so bad.

the end with Helen being rescued by Kay was actually rly good but I wanted all to be explored way more.

frankly super disappointing. 

Hijab Butch Blues by Lamya H

emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring reflective sad fast-paced

5.0

this is frankly an incredible read. like just so good. The religious allusions are soo Good and i heavily related to Lamya in some ways and got to hear a new experience from a queer person with a very different background than mine. I loved it. Cried multiple times lol

D'Vaughn and Kris Plan a Wedding by Chencia C. Higgins

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted fast-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

4.0

A bit cheesy and silly, but overall a very satisfying and fun romance!!! Seeing a butch/studfemme romance in a fun little goofy romcom is so so so important to me. Seeing those words used without shame and openly in a romcom is just so!!!! perfect. very happy with this one :) 

Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo

emotional hopeful informative inspiring 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? It's complicated

5.0

this is an exceptional novel. Malinda Lo is a hero for gathering all of the history she did for this and I am absolutely going to read everything in her bibliography as well. This story is so well done, it feels like a love letter to butches and femmes and it tells a story often forgotten especially in the study of butchfemme relationships. Lily was incredible, Cath was so cute, the way lily dealt with her family, her culture, her friends and her sexuality was masterful. I would suggest this to anyone interested in lesbian history, Chinese-American history, the history of space travel, and just general post ww2 history. I love history I love lesbians I love this book 

Tipping the Velvet by Sarah Waters

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

this book was soooo fucking good I am crazy for any historical fiction but the GENDER of it all Sarah Waters is a fucking genius