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fourthleafluck's reviews
30 reviews
Compound Fracture by Andrew Joseph White
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The Wizard Hunters by Martha Wells
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
The Reanimator's Remains by Kara Jorgensen
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
TLDR:
Atmospheric, shiver-inducing, and downright spooky, The Reanimator's Remains rose onto my favorite reads of the year before I even turned the last page. I was riveted from start to finish. If you're looking for a historical mystery for spooky season that also explores generational trauma and queer love with a folkloric twist, look no further.
Full review (light spoilers below):
There are so many things I love about the Reanimator Mysteries series and this book exemplifies many of them. It manages to be both a fantastic example of a mystery novel and to use that format to explore themes of queerness, recovery, and generational trauma at the same time.
Aldorhaven as a setting was deeply unsettling. Like most spooky settings, the visible issues of the risen dead were cloaking a far deeper rot within the town. The Dysterwood and its Lady sent literal shivers down my spine.
Thematically, TRR is so consistent and beautifully composed that it had me reading with my jaw dropped in appreciation. Everywhere we look in Aldorhaven, the past is present—literally, figuratively, emotionally— and it is choking out the future it birthed. It's up to Felipe, Oliver, and Gwen to sort out the past's secrets and come to terms with their own before someone else dies.
Much of the meat of this book is wrapped around Oliver's birth family and circumstances. I want to avoid too many spoilers, so I'll limit comments on that aspect of the book, but suffice it to say, TRR explores intergenerational trauma, power, and queerness in a way that I found deeply compelling.
Although a lot of this book has to do with Oliver's family and his past, there was a satisfying amount of complexity for Felipe as well. In previous books, Felipe forgiving himself for his past has been touched on, but I have been STARVING for a stronger sense of his past and why he is the way he is. This book gave us that. I left with a better understanding of his family dynamic, his personal history, and his relationship with Luisa.
The only element of the book that felt to me like it didn't live up to its potential was Gwen's presence on the trip and her vampire obsession. I LOVED seeing more of her this book, but felt like her presence wasn't as narratively significant as the beginning made me think it would be. I kept hoping her vampire knowledge would come in handy or her presence would fundamentally alter the climax of the book. I shall simply wish for more of her next time, and hold her in my heart until then.
As much as I can't wait for the final book next year, I will be so sad to see the last of these fellas. TRR felt like the strongest book of the series so far— like Mx Jorgensen at their most mysterious, unsettling, and heartfelt. I look forward to seeing where the Reanimator Mysteries takes us next.
Atmospheric, shiver-inducing, and downright spooky, The Reanimator's Remains rose onto my favorite reads of the year before I even turned the last page. I was riveted from start to finish. If you're looking for a historical mystery for spooky season that also explores generational trauma and queer love with a folkloric twist, look no further.
Full review (light spoilers below):
There are so many things I love about the Reanimator Mysteries series and this book exemplifies many of them. It manages to be both a fantastic example of a mystery novel and to use that format to explore themes of queerness, recovery, and generational trauma at the same time.
Aldorhaven as a setting was deeply unsettling. Like most spooky settings, the visible issues of the risen dead were cloaking a far deeper rot within the town. The Dysterwood and its Lady sent literal shivers down my spine.
Thematically, TRR is so consistent and beautifully composed that it had me reading with my jaw dropped in appreciation. Everywhere we look in Aldorhaven, the past is present—literally, figuratively, emotionally— and it is choking out the future it birthed. It's up to Felipe, Oliver, and Gwen to sort out the past's secrets and come to terms with their own before someone else dies.
Much of the meat of this book is wrapped around Oliver's birth family and circumstances. I want to avoid too many spoilers, so I'll limit comments on that aspect of the book, but suffice it to say, TRR explores intergenerational trauma, power, and queerness in a way that I found deeply compelling.
Although a lot of this book has to do with Oliver's family and his past, there was a satisfying amount of complexity for Felipe as well. In previous books, Felipe forgiving himself for his past has been touched on, but I have been STARVING for a stronger sense of his past and why he is the way he is. This book gave us that. I left with a better understanding of his family dynamic, his personal history, and his relationship with Luisa.
The only element of the book that felt to me like it didn't live up to its potential was Gwen's presence on the trip and her vampire obsession. I LOVED seeing more of her this book, but felt like her presence wasn't as narratively significant as the beginning made me think it would be. I kept hoping her vampire knowledge would come in handy or her presence would fundamentally alter the climax of the book. I shall simply wish for more of her next time, and hold her in my heart until then.
As much as I can't wait for the final book next year, I will be so sad to see the last of these fellas. TRR felt like the strongest book of the series so far— like Mx Jorgensen at their most mysterious, unsettling, and heartfelt. I look forward to seeing where the Reanimator Mysteries takes us next.
Legend of the White Snake by Sher Lee
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
The Palace of Eros by Caro De Robertis
emotional
reflective
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Mythic, sumptuous, and expressive, The Palace of Eros is an artfully crafted retelling of the Eros and Psyche myth that explores the blossoming of intimacy, gender, and sapphic love while in a patriarchal system.
Until Eros, Psyche's experience with her femininity is primarily one of forced objectification by her father, jealous anger from her sisters, and tender recognition from her mother. Her relationship with Eros gives her room to express herself sexually and creatively without unwelcome eyes observing. And as she comes into herself, she draws closer to Eros as well.
Eros' exploration of gender and sex was equally compelling. Born into the privilege of godhood but restrained by circumstance and Zeus' authority, Eros has lost much of what makes her herself by the time she encounters Psyche. Her love for Psyche is instantaneous as she finds in Psyche a sense of defiance and strong personality, which Eros has long denied herself.
Together, they build a happiness neither anticipated.
At its heart, the story of Eros and Psyche is about Love and the Soul coming together despite great difficulty. The difficulty in this adaptation is marked by sexism, fetishization, intersexism/transphobia, and other issues that felt particularly resonant to me as a sapphic person. There were many times throughout the book where I had to take a quick break because of how familiar certain parts of their experiences felt.
Despite the familiarities, the story remains distinctly of its time and place, as well as told in an innovative and intimate way. Every shift the author makes from the original Apuleius builds upon the thematic core of the book and fills out the myth in new and visceral ways. Caro de Robertis has left a masterful fingerprint on a timeless story. I cannot wait to see what they do next.
Until Eros, Psyche's experience with her femininity is primarily one of forced objectification by her father, jealous anger from her sisters, and tender recognition from her mother. Her relationship with Eros gives her room to express herself sexually and creatively without unwelcome eyes observing. And as she comes into herself, she draws closer to Eros as well.
Eros' exploration of gender and sex was equally compelling. Born into the privilege of godhood but restrained by circumstance and Zeus' authority, Eros has lost much of what makes her herself by the time she encounters Psyche. Her love for Psyche is instantaneous as she finds in Psyche a sense of defiance and strong personality, which Eros has long denied herself.
Together, they build a happiness neither anticipated.
At its heart, the story of Eros and Psyche is about Love and the Soul coming together despite great difficulty. The difficulty in this adaptation is marked by sexism, fetishization, intersexism/transphobia, and other issues that felt particularly resonant to me as a sapphic person. There were many times throughout the book where I had to take a quick break because of how familiar certain parts of their experiences felt.
Despite the familiarities, the story remains distinctly of its time and place, as well as told in an innovative and intimate way. Every shift the author makes from the original Apuleius builds upon the thematic core of the book and fills out the myth in new and visceral ways. Caro de Robertis has left a masterful fingerprint on a timeless story. I cannot wait to see what they do next.
Celestial Monsters by Aiden Thomas
adventurous
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
5.0
Flamboyants: The Queer Harlem Renaissance I Wish I'd Known by George M. Johnson
informative
inspiring
reflective
5.0
A Darker Mischief by Derek Milman
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
The Bell in the Fog by Lev AC Rosen
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Cubs & Campfires by Dylan Drakes
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Summary:
Luca, a self-possessed and ambitious sex columnist gets offered a prestigious opportunity to write an article about being abstinent for a summer, and signs up for the isolated job of fire watch for a national park in Washington State to avoid temptation. When Luca gets there, he almost immediately encounters Artair, a hot, funny, and sweet bear who seems to know the woods better than anyone (and has the most adorable fox companion). With the vast expanse of golden summertime forest stretching out before the two of them and their increasingly sensual encounters, Luca must decide between a blossoming connection and the best professional opportunity he's ever encountered.
Thoughts:
I thoroughly enjoyed it. The humor of the book runs towards tongue-in-cheek, and the overall tone is lighthearted and unashamed in its frequent cheesiness. That being said, the conflicts the characters experience do feel substantive, and the solutions satisfying.
Both Luca and Artair are sexually experienced and have chemistry and insta-lust for each other— which felt believable enough to me. The sexuality is GORGEOUS, largely joyful, and has an undercurrent of play that really feeds into the slightly surreal setting and everything we learn about the characters. The more sensual and smutty scenes really allow Drakes' strengths to shine— and they are frequent.
On a more personal note, as a fat guy who is into bigger guys, this book filled me with a sense of joy I did not think I would ever be able to feel reading a book. I did not think I would ever be able to read about guys like me on the pages of a book— let alone a version of us that is so lovingly and hornily rendered.
Conclusion/TLDR:
This book does precisely what it says on the tin. It is a low-angst, playful, VERY sexy romance between two big guys who are really into each other. The story is cleanly executed, the characters lovable, and the sex scenes frequent. If you're looking for a high steam M/M romance that is sweet, sincere, and celebrates big guys, I can't recommend Cubs and Campfires enough.
Luca, a self-possessed and ambitious sex columnist gets offered a prestigious opportunity to write an article about being abstinent for a summer, and signs up for the isolated job of fire watch for a national park in Washington State to avoid temptation. When Luca gets there, he almost immediately encounters Artair, a hot, funny, and sweet bear who seems to know the woods better than anyone (and has the most adorable fox companion). With the vast expanse of golden summertime forest stretching out before the two of them and their increasingly sensual encounters, Luca must decide between a blossoming connection and the best professional opportunity he's ever encountered.
Thoughts:
I thoroughly enjoyed it. The humor of the book runs towards tongue-in-cheek, and the overall tone is lighthearted and unashamed in its frequent cheesiness. That being said, the conflicts the characters experience do feel substantive, and the solutions satisfying.
Both Luca and Artair are sexually experienced and have chemistry and insta-lust for each other— which felt believable enough to me. The sexuality is GORGEOUS, largely joyful, and has an undercurrent of play that really feeds into the slightly surreal setting and everything we learn about the characters. The more sensual and smutty scenes really allow Drakes' strengths to shine— and they are frequent.
On a more personal note, as a fat guy who is into bigger guys, this book filled me with a sense of joy I did not think I would ever be able to feel reading a book. I did not think I would ever be able to read about guys like me on the pages of a book— let alone a version of us that is so lovingly and hornily rendered.
Conclusion/TLDR:
This book does precisely what it says on the tin. It is a low-angst, playful, VERY sexy romance between two big guys who are really into each other. The story is cleanly executed, the characters lovable, and the sex scenes frequent. If you're looking for a high steam M/M romance that is sweet, sincere, and celebrates big guys, I can't recommend Cubs and Campfires enough.