oliverjames_ix's reviews
23 reviews

Herc by Phoenicia Rogerson

adventurous dark emotional

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

3.5

Alice in Borderland, Vol. 1 by Haro Aso

dark mysterious tense

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

4.0

The Name of All Things by Jenn Lyons

adventurous dark emotional

• 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

4.5

The second in what has quickly become one of my favourite fantasy series. With a premise that could be considered quite jarring from the first books conclusion; Jenn Lyons expertly introduces us to a new part of the world, with its own rich stories and characters. The world building, lore, vibrance of its peoples and ideas. This a book that isn't afraid to tackle many themes on gender, sexuality and fluidity in a way that's so well done not just for a fantasy book, but any book I've read. Brilliant sequel, and I can't wait to read the next!

Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree

adventurous lighthearted relaxing

• 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

The prequel to the book that got me back into reading again, and it is just as compelling, cosy and heartfelt as the first. Legends & Lattes told the story of it never being too late to make a change in life, (something i needed to hear at the time). Bookshops & Bonedust is about those seeds of change being planted. Revisiting some of the characters from Legends & Lattes was a delight, and new the characters here were just as exceptional. This book builds on the immersive world building of the first, and I just want to keep finding out more. I adore this series. 

Gender Euphoria by Laura Kate Dale

hopeful informative inspiring

4.5

Euphoria is the most apt word to describe the essays within this book. So many times I found myself happily teary eyed at the personal stories of hope and empowerment. So many times I was sat sharing in the joy and love of each new writer. I just wish we got to see more essays not from the editor (as they take up nearly half the book), but instead we got to see more voices share their stories.

Not Guilty: Queer Stories from a Century of Discrimination by Sue Elliott, Steve Humphries

challenging informative inspiring

4.75

A book both inspiring and heartbreaking. It tells the tale of the last 100 years living as a gay man in the UK. The criminalisation, stigma, denial, deceit and the fights back again injustice. Told via the testimonies of gay men who not only lived through it, but played a major but unknown part in getting to where we are today. Their stories are spliced between well written historical context, and make what could have been a very dry read into a very emotional intimate one.

Queer: A Graphic History by Meg-John Barker

informative reflective relaxing

3.0

Less a graphic history/novel and more an educational piece with illustrations. Nothing really in depth, very beginners guide to queer theory. Was quite a dry read, and often felt like reading a wiki summuary of wueer academia.

The Ruin of Kings by Jenn Lyons

adventurous dark tense

• 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

Such an interesting way to tell a grand fantasy epic, and introduce you into a new world. The book is written as a transcript of conversation between two dueling narrators on the protagonists life - including footnotes from the transcriber. The chapters mix between 1st & 3rd person, leaving you to decipher which (if any) of the two narrators is telling the truth or being biased. The timeline hopping and constsnt introduction to historical events make it sometimes difficult to follow (chapters were re-read on occasion, though the glossary and hierarchies provided helped). Slow to start, but once it had me I couldn't put it down. Definitely picking up the sequel!

Caraval by Stephanie Garber

adventurous dark emotional

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

2.5

Was hoping for whimsy and magic; instead left feeling flat. Really liked the idea and premise at the start, thought the story was going to this big grand place with drama & mystery. In the end it didn't really feel like anything mattered. The twists removed all sense of suspense, urgency and danger. Fine but forgetful.

Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire

adventurous inspiring 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

What happens to Alice when she comes back from Wonderland? This atmospheric novella looks to answer that for all children who find their way through a hidden doorway. I love this book, and even more so on the re-read this time. The cast are brilliant and diverse, the imagery strange and beautiful. It meshes mystery with with and creativity effortlessly. I adore this book.