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elementarymydear's reviews
952 reviews
Upstaged by Robin Easter
4.0
This is such a sweet book, perfect for all the queer theatre kids out there!
The whole story is set at a performing arts summer camp, where they’re putting on a Cinderella-inspired show called “Ella”. Our main character, Ash, is the stage manager, and they have a crush on their best friend, leading lady Ivy.
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I really liked the setting of the summer camp; the rehearsal and show process provided a really strong narrative, and there was that sense of excitement and camaraderie that felt really nostalgic as an adult reader.
I also loved how all the characters were able to exist without their identities being a central talking point. They were all able to live as their authentic selves, without comment or question, and I think it’s so important to have books out there like this one for queer kids as they’re growing up.
The real star of the book, of course, is the friendship-turned-romance between Ash and Ivy. They have such a lovely friendship, and it was so sweet to see them figure out their feelings for each other.
All of this is tied together with bright, vibrant artwork, that really completes the summer fun vibes. While the book is aimed at middle grade readers, I think there’s something for all ages to enjoy.
I received a free copy for an honest review.
The whole story is set at a performing arts summer camp, where they’re putting on a Cinderella-inspired show called “Ella”. Our main character, Ash, is the stage manager, and they have a crush on their best friend, leading lady Ivy.
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I really liked the setting of the summer camp; the rehearsal and show process provided a really strong narrative, and there was that sense of excitement and camaraderie that felt really nostalgic as an adult reader.
I also loved how all the characters were able to exist without their identities being a central talking point. They were all able to live as their authentic selves, without comment or question, and I think it’s so important to have books out there like this one for queer kids as they’re growing up.
The real star of the book, of course, is the friendship-turned-romance between Ash and Ivy. They have such a lovely friendship, and it was so sweet to see them figure out their feelings for each other.
All of this is tied together with bright, vibrant artwork, that really completes the summer fun vibes. While the book is aimed at middle grade readers, I think there’s something for all ages to enjoy.
I received a free copy for an honest review.
Can't Spell Treason Without Tea by Rebecca Thorne
4.0
This book delivers exactly what it says on the tin. Sapphic romance? Check! Cosy vibes? Check! Adventures with dragons? Check!
I loved the two main characters, Reyna and Kianthe. They were both great characters in their own right, but also complemented each other and were a great couple to have a centre of the story. It was also nice to have a romantic story where they’re already together at the start.
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There was also a really fun fantasy adventure, and while it wasn’t the focal point of the story, it was a nice addition to give the story some drive and a nice conclusion.
An absolute gold star goes to the audiobook narrator, Jessica Threet. The commitment to this audiobook was honestly unmatched, she acted the absolute heck out of it, and really elevated the whole story.
I received a free copy for an honest review.
I loved the two main characters, Reyna and Kianthe. They were both great characters in their own right, but also complemented each other and were a great couple to have a centre of the story. It was also nice to have a romantic story where they’re already together at the start.
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There was also a really fun fantasy adventure, and while it wasn’t the focal point of the story, it was a nice addition to give the story some drive and a nice conclusion.
An absolute gold star goes to the audiobook narrator, Jessica Threet. The commitment to this audiobook was honestly unmatched, she acted the absolute heck out of it, and really elevated the whole story.
I received a free copy for an honest review.
Queer Heroes of Myth and Legend: A Celebration of Gay Gods, Sapphic Saints, and Queerness through the ages by Dan Jones
4.0
Having read an enjoyed Queer Villains of Myth and Legend earlier this year, I was excited to read Jones’ earlier book about the corresponding heroes.
We’re taken on a whistle-stop tour from antiquity through to Buffy, featuring mythological figures from different cultures around the world, and looking at how their queerness has been depicted and received over the years. There are some that most of us have heard of, some you probably haven’t, and overall a really great and varied selection.
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The tone is very light-hearted and sometime tongue-in-cheek, making it very accessible and the ideal book to dip in and out of. There are also a few illustrations which really enhance the book as a whole.
My biggest criticism is that there was no mention of asexuality, despite there being many opportunities too. There were multiple people – mostly women – where Jones concluded that their lack of desire was indicative that they were secretly gay, without even mentioning or considering asexuality. It would have been a great addition, not just because the asexual community are often passed over in any discussion of the LGBTQ+ community, but also that some of the characters were actually ones that many ace people identify with.
Jones is unable to resist the temptation to use modern terminology when looking at mythological figures (and some real people) from centuries ago, but given the light-hearted style of the whole book, if you can take this with a grain of salt it will be a very enjoyable and interesting read!
I received a free copy for an honest review.
We’re taken on a whistle-stop tour from antiquity through to Buffy, featuring mythological figures from different cultures around the world, and looking at how their queerness has been depicted and received over the years. There are some that most of us have heard of, some you probably haven’t, and overall a really great and varied selection.
📚Blog📖YouTube📖Instagram📚
The tone is very light-hearted and sometime tongue-in-cheek, making it very accessible and the ideal book to dip in and out of. There are also a few illustrations which really enhance the book as a whole.
My biggest criticism is that there was no mention of asexuality, despite there being many opportunities too. There were multiple people – mostly women – where Jones concluded that their lack of desire was indicative that they were secretly gay, without even mentioning or considering asexuality. It would have been a great addition, not just because the asexual community are often passed over in any discussion of the LGBTQ+ community, but also that some of the characters were actually ones that many ace people identify with.
Jones is unable to resist the temptation to use modern terminology when looking at mythological figures (and some real people) from centuries ago, but given the light-hearted style of the whole book, if you can take this with a grain of salt it will be a very enjoyable and interesting read!
I received a free copy for an honest review.
The Home I Find With You by Skye Kilaen
3.0
In The Home I Find With You, Skye Kilaen vividly depicts a near-future where the USA has been torn apart by civil war. The setting was written in such an immersive way that from the first page I was drawn into the world and into the story. There was a very immediate sense of the dangers faced by the characters, as well as how society works in this new landscape.
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I also thought that the setting worked really well with the polyamorous themes. In this world monogamy is no longer the default, and I thought it made for a really interesting approach to the different character dynamics. It changed the expectations the characters had for each other, which made for a fascinating and refreshing approach.
It was actually the romance itself which I didn’t enjoy so much in this book. I didn’t particularly root for the main couple, and quite often didn’t like Clark. I also didn’t find their dynamic the most convincing, which is a shame as I think if it had been done slightly different I would have found it very compelling.
I received a free copy for an honest review.
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I also thought that the setting worked really well with the polyamorous themes. In this world monogamy is no longer the default, and I thought it made for a really interesting approach to the different character dynamics. It changed the expectations the characters had for each other, which made for a fascinating and refreshing approach.
It was actually the romance itself which I didn’t enjoy so much in this book. I didn’t particularly root for the main couple, and quite often didn’t like Clark. I also didn’t find their dynamic the most convincing, which is a shame as I think if it had been done slightly different I would have found it very compelling.
I received a free copy for an honest review.
Mary I: Queen of Sorrows by Alison Weir
5.0
Mary I might be one of the most controversial figures that Alison Weir has depicted in her fiction books. With her nickname ‘Bloody Mary’ her reputation leaves much to be desired, yet at the start of her reign she was a beloved monarch rescuing her subjects from an attempted power grab.
As Weir herself acknowledges in the historical note (it’s always worth noting how good her historical notes are), the challenge in this book was reconciling these different extremes of Mary’s character, and she landed it exactly right. It would have been easy for the book to become some sort of villain-backstory, or the tale of a tragically misunderstood anti-hero, but Weir approaches Mary’s story with the nuance needed for a real person’s life.
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As with her previous book about Mary’s father, the infamous Henry VIII, Weir does an excellent job of providing the context and grounding for us to understand the person’s actions, without endorsing them. There was a sense, especially as tragedy played an ever-increasing role in Mary’s life, of delusion bordering on madness towards the end of the book. We became immersed in Mary’s world and shared in her tragedies. Even when she was far from sympathetic, I still felt like I understood her.
This book successfully takes on one of Britain’s most notorious monarchs, exploring her humanity and tragedy while still acknowledging that her reputation was not unfounded. It’s another excellent historical fiction from Alison Weir, who continues to deliver on every front.
I received a free copy for an honest review.
As Weir herself acknowledges in the historical note (it’s always worth noting how good her historical notes are), the challenge in this book was reconciling these different extremes of Mary’s character, and she landed it exactly right. It would have been easy for the book to become some sort of villain-backstory, or the tale of a tragically misunderstood anti-hero, but Weir approaches Mary’s story with the nuance needed for a real person’s life.
📚Blog📖YouTube📖Instagram📚
As with her previous book about Mary’s father, the infamous Henry VIII, Weir does an excellent job of providing the context and grounding for us to understand the person’s actions, without endorsing them. There was a sense, especially as tragedy played an ever-increasing role in Mary’s life, of delusion bordering on madness towards the end of the book. We became immersed in Mary’s world and shared in her tragedies. Even when she was far from sympathetic, I still felt like I understood her.
This book successfully takes on one of Britain’s most notorious monarchs, exploring her humanity and tragedy while still acknowledging that her reputation was not unfounded. It’s another excellent historical fiction from Alison Weir, who continues to deliver on every front.
I received a free copy for an honest review.
Homebody by Theo Parish
5.0
A good graphic memoir just hits different, and Homebody is no exception. Even just the introduction had drawn me in by the heartstrings and wouldn’t let me go.
We’re taken on a journey through Theo’s relationship with their gender, starting in childhood through to the present. While it’s told in mostly chronological order, there are also particular subjects and topics that take us on a reflection of their life so far, such as looking back at hairstyles or nicknames. It’s a deeply personal story, but Parish does an excellent job of warmly inviting us in to share in it.
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The text is beautiful and very lyrical, to the point that out of its visual context there would be some incredibly poetry in there. That would deprive us, though, of the illustrations, which not only support but also enhance the text. The artwork has a cinematic quality, and from the very start I felt transported into Theo’s world.
This is an excellently crafted, moving but uplifting reflection on gender, growing up, and the joy of living as your authentic self. It could not have come at a better moment, given all that is happening to trans rights in the UK at the moment, but this book is a reminder not only that trans people exist (and always have done), but that the most powerful thing we can do as a society is give people the space to be their true selves.
I received a free copy for an honest review.
We’re taken on a journey through Theo’s relationship with their gender, starting in childhood through to the present. While it’s told in mostly chronological order, there are also particular subjects and topics that take us on a reflection of their life so far, such as looking back at hairstyles or nicknames. It’s a deeply personal story, but Parish does an excellent job of warmly inviting us in to share in it.
📚Blog📖YouTube📖Instagram📚
The text is beautiful and very lyrical, to the point that out of its visual context there would be some incredibly poetry in there. That would deprive us, though, of the illustrations, which not only support but also enhance the text. The artwork has a cinematic quality, and from the very start I felt transported into Theo’s world.
This is an excellently crafted, moving but uplifting reflection on gender, growing up, and the joy of living as your authentic self. It could not have come at a better moment, given all that is happening to trans rights in the UK at the moment, but this book is a reminder not only that trans people exist (and always have done), but that the most powerful thing we can do as a society is give people the space to be their true selves.
I received a free copy for an honest review.
Red Runs The Witch's Thread by Victoria Williamson
5.0
Inspired by a true story, this book takes the historical, the mystical, and the psychological, and expertly weaves them together (no pun intended!).
The story switches between two timelines. Christian as an adult is desperate to create the whitest thread in Britain, but she is constantly reminded of the events of her childhood, where half a dozen people were burned as witches because of her accusations. The childhood chapters are in first person while the adulthood chapters are in third person, and while I usually don’t enjoy switching between first and third person like this, I thought it worked brilliantly here. It really helped create a distinct voice between the two, and towards the end of the book, as Christian truly began to descend into madness, the two perspectives started to twist together which was really effective.
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I loved how colours were used throughout the story, which is no mean feat given that this is not an image-based medium! It made the world seem so tangible, and really brought out Christian’s obsessive qualities, particularly around the colour red. The emphasis on black and white really added to the bleak nature of much of the story. It really helped to bring out the various themes of the story and the characters, and gave the book a spooky, fantastical feel.
This is another excellent book from Victoria Williamson, atmospheric as always, that draws you in and doesn’t let go.
I received a free copy for an honest review.
The story switches between two timelines. Christian as an adult is desperate to create the whitest thread in Britain, but she is constantly reminded of the events of her childhood, where half a dozen people were burned as witches because of her accusations. The childhood chapters are in first person while the adulthood chapters are in third person, and while I usually don’t enjoy switching between first and third person like this, I thought it worked brilliantly here. It really helped create a distinct voice between the two, and towards the end of the book, as Christian truly began to descend into madness, the two perspectives started to twist together which was really effective.
📚Blog📖YouTube📖Instagram📚
I loved how colours were used throughout the story, which is no mean feat given that this is not an image-based medium! It made the world seem so tangible, and really brought out Christian’s obsessive qualities, particularly around the colour red. The emphasis on black and white really added to the bleak nature of much of the story. It really helped to bring out the various themes of the story and the characters, and gave the book a spooky, fantastical feel.
This is another excellent book from Victoria Williamson, atmospheric as always, that draws you in and doesn’t let go.
I received a free copy for an honest review.
The Romanov Brides: A Novel of the Last Tsarina and Her Sisters by Clare McHugh
3.0
In The Romanov Brides, Clare McHugh takes us back to the courts of 19th Century Europe, where romance and politics (and, let’s face it, family trees!) are all intertwined.
The book focuses on three sisters, all grandchildren of Queen Victoria, navigating the world as young women. We really got a sense of the pressure each one was under from various family members, and what it took to make their own decisions. Each of the three sisters had their own quiet strength, and across the course of the book found their own ways to live the life they wanted.
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It’s clear that a lot of research went into this book (I really enjoyed reading the information on the author’s website about the real people behind the characters), and it made the whole story feel much more grounded. Often real life is stranger than fiction, and McHugh takes this in her stride, presenting these people and events as they were, warts and all. I thought she did an especially job of depicting Queen Victoria, who could easily have overshadowed the other characters, but was well-placed as a well-respected but interfering grandmother.
I would have liked it to be slightly faster paced, especially as so much happened to the characters after the events of the book that I wanted to read more about. The book does take its time with the story and while sometimes this works really well, sometimes I wanted to have a little bit more of the wider events that these sisters were involved with, especially the Russian revolution.
I received a free copy for an honest review.
The book focuses on three sisters, all grandchildren of Queen Victoria, navigating the world as young women. We really got a sense of the pressure each one was under from various family members, and what it took to make their own decisions. Each of the three sisters had their own quiet strength, and across the course of the book found their own ways to live the life they wanted.
📚Blog📖YouTube📖Instagram📚
It’s clear that a lot of research went into this book (I really enjoyed reading the information on the author’s website about the real people behind the characters), and it made the whole story feel much more grounded. Often real life is stranger than fiction, and McHugh takes this in her stride, presenting these people and events as they were, warts and all. I thought she did an especially job of depicting Queen Victoria, who could easily have overshadowed the other characters, but was well-placed as a well-respected but interfering grandmother.
I would have liked it to be slightly faster paced, especially as so much happened to the characters after the events of the book that I wanted to read more about. The book does take its time with the story and while sometimes this works really well, sometimes I wanted to have a little bit more of the wider events that these sisters were involved with, especially the Russian revolution.
I received a free copy for an honest review.
The Butterflies of Meadow Hill Manor by Stefanie Parks
5.0
This was a powerful, moving, and whimsical story. Not only did the plot draw me in, but when I saw it was set in Derbyshire I had to read it! Little did I know I was in for an absolute treat.
Amy, a pre-teen girl, has moved to Derbyshire to stay with her aunt in a mysterious manor house. After a past loss Amy is healing from the trauma, and her parents hope that by staying with her aunt she will have the space to recover.
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The fantastical elements were so creative, so vividly depicted, and added so much to the story. I really felt the sense of awe and wonder that the characters had, as I too was drawn in by the magic. There was an air of mystery as well, as it was revealed across the course of the story what the magic could do and what it was there for.
At its heart though, this is a beautiful and heartbreaking story about grief. Although we don’t know at the start exactly what Amy has been through, we know she has been through something incredibly traumatic, and the more we learn about her past the more my heart went out to her. As well as Amy, we also see how the rest of her family copes with their grief, and how their different coping mechanisms can clash and cause tensions. The book doesn’t shy away from that, but instead takes them in its stride. Most importantly, the story is about healing and reconnecting with both ourselves and those around us after a tragedy.
I received a free copy for an honest review.
Amy, a pre-teen girl, has moved to Derbyshire to stay with her aunt in a mysterious manor house. After a past loss Amy is healing from the trauma, and her parents hope that by staying with her aunt she will have the space to recover.
📚Blog📖YouTube📖Instagram📚
The fantastical elements were so creative, so vividly depicted, and added so much to the story. I really felt the sense of awe and wonder that the characters had, as I too was drawn in by the magic. There was an air of mystery as well, as it was revealed across the course of the story what the magic could do and what it was there for.
At its heart though, this is a beautiful and heartbreaking story about grief. Although we don’t know at the start exactly what Amy has been through, we know she has been through something incredibly traumatic, and the more we learn about her past the more my heart went out to her. As well as Amy, we also see how the rest of her family copes with their grief, and how their different coping mechanisms can clash and cause tensions. The book doesn’t shy away from that, but instead takes them in its stride. Most importantly, the story is about healing and reconnecting with both ourselves and those around us after a tragedy.
I received a free copy for an honest review.