faerieboo's reviews
13 reviews

The Orchid and the Lion by Gabriel Hargrave

emotional reflective tense medium-paced

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

3.25

The Orchid and the Lion is a frustrating, draining and sometimes enjoyable read that is easy to digest. It’s not complicated, it’s not too long, and there are gems that shine through the otherwise muddy waters of the rest of the narrative. Unfortunately, this wasn’t for me, but I can see the appeal to those who do enjoy it and I can’t fault the author for tackling something like this. They did a good job with adding kink and sex work without demonising it, and they do a good job with making sure consent is explicit.

Read the full (unedited) review here: https://faerieboo.substack.com/p/the-orchid-and-the-lion

Content Warnings

Boy Meets Ghoul by Birdie Milano

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funny lighthearted relaxing 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? No

4.0

I thoroughly enjoyed the first book, Boy Meets Hamster, and jumped into this one without hesitation. Much like the previous, it was full of events that seemed somewhat unrealistic and everything worked out in the end -- somehow -- but it was entertaining and I'm disappointed it seems like there aren't plans for another instalment. If you're looking for something to read to escape reality, to not think and to just enjoy, this is the book for you.

Boy Meets Hamster by Birdie Milano

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funny lighthearted relaxing 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? It's complicated

4.0

Boy Meets Hamster is a quick, fun read that toes the line between realistic and unrealistic. The main character is a typical teenager yet the things that happen to him are absurd and get tied up in a neat little bow by the end of the story. It's good to keep in mind that this is a middle grade book, so these elements don't detract from the book, but despite not being the target demographic for this book (being 20 at the time of reading it) I adored it enough to purchase the sequel!

Read the full review here: https://faerieboo.substack.com/p/boy-meets-hamster

Content Warnings