grey_jayne's reviews
798 reviews

Deadendia: The Watcher's Test: Book 1 by Hamish Steele

adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious 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? Yes

5.0

I watched both iterations of the animation far enough apart that I don't remember much from the original short. Super gay, super loving. The comics are well worth your time and yet another unique version.

I Am the Dark That Answers When You Call by Jamison Shea

challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.25

What a duology!!! Jamison Shea delivered with these books. Maybe the darkest YA books I've read. The monster moments are my favorite; my only real complaint is that more of those moments would have helped the first half of this book. But that finale....wow! Also, maybe the gentlest hint of polyam life in horror too. Beautiful.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Gore

The Hills of Estrella Roja by Ashley Robin Franklin

adventurous emotional funny lighthearted mysterious 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

5.0

I have read a lot of Ashley Robin's work and I had my reservations because my favorites are her adult comics, not YA, but there was no need to worry. The Hills of Estrella Roja is great.

This story is full of magic and suspense, where plot moments are unearthed at just the right time, and the most blushing meet cute relationship ever. As usual, this book is lovingly and beautifully queer. What a delight!

Lumberjanes, Vol. 2: Friendship to the Max by Grace Ellis, ND Stevenson

adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious 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? No

5.0

This series is really cute. This time, they're interacting with gods. What will they get up to next?

Lumberjanes, Vol. 1: Beware the Kitten Holy by Grace Ellis, ND Stevenson, Shannon Watters

adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious 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

5.0

Lumberjanes is great wholesome fun. Distinct characters, fascinating creatures, and camp spirit. Friendship to the max!

I will say that this volume feels more like a prequel of sorts but I love what it's set up for future volumes.

The Z Word by Lindsay King-Miller

challenging dark emotional funny hopeful sad tense 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

5.0

The Z Word is biting satire that skewers Corporate greed and phony promises they make to the queer community. Some may find this book too intense for where we are as a society but I believe that this scathing rebuke of rainbow capitalism arrived at exactly the right time. Reading this book gave me some much needed catharsis. We should be angry. It's time to stand up and fight. This book is a rallying cry.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Homophobia, Pandemic/Epidemic

Beyond the Ruby Veil by Mara Fitzgerald

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious tense medium-paced

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

5.0

Beyond the Ruby Veil was rad! Mallory O'Meara recommended it to me on the Reading Glasses podcast a long time ago now. Well worth the wait. I was not expecting the amount of gore and viscera. Quite the horror fantasy and I love it. However, I need a breather from its tension before I finish the duology.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Gore

Sorrowland by Rivers Solomon

challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious sad tense 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

5.0

Rivers Solomon is a fantastic author and Sorrowland does not disappoint. I was a little impatient to start but once this story really gets going, the eco scifi body horror becomes something truly wild. Really cool! 

Approach this book with care, it has sights to show you. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Racism, Grief, Murder

Know Your Station by Sarah Gailey, Liana Kangas

challenging dark inspiring mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

Know Your Station starts off a little dry but builds to a wallop of an ending. I would have liked to get to the twist sooner because I'd already figured out the whodunit. This is one of my least fave Sarah Gailey stories but I'd rather be reading their work than many others so there eventually has to be something I vibe with less. But the ending brought it all together, so I'm not mad at it.

Aquicorn Cove by K. O'Neill

emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective relaxing sad 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? N/A

5.0

Another great world created by K. O'Neill with empathetic leads who learn how to care more for each other in community. Super cute with a powerful message.