oliverjames_ix's reviews
39 reviews

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 Steve Humphries, Sue Elliott

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.

This Is How You Lose the Time War by Max Gladstone, Amal El-Mohtar
Did not finish book. Stopped at 33%.

Got a third of the way into this book and just couldn't push through any longer. I thought I was going to enjoy this book given the premise of two rival spies corresponding via letters as they engage in time travelling warfare and romance. They barely touch upon the more interesting nature and time periods the two find themselves travelling through, instead leaving it as backdrop and set dressing. Instead it engages in superfluous metaphors, stilted turns of phrase, and a need to sound lyrical and whimsical to its detriment. Really couldn't feel connected to the love story being told, or why this time war even matters other than to act as a plot device. Had to put it down in the end.

Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend

adventurous hopeful lighthearted

4.25

First book of 2024; an adorably charming and imaginative read. Every character was really fascinating and well written. The world was so creative and interesting. It definitely felt like the book was really telling the first act of a much larger adventure, but it did tell its own satisfying tale, leaving a lot of fun questions and threads yet to be answered. The story could have been shorter/snappier in places but overall a truly whimsical read, and would have been one of my childhood favourites if it came out when I was a kid.

You're Not Supposed to Die Tonight by Kalynn Bayron

dark funny tense

3.25

A brilliant premise that allows for a meta take on the horror movie genre (in the vain of Scream). Sadly the ending and killer reveal really lost me in a way that honestly ruined my enjoyment of an otherwise well written, easy to devour thriller. Loved the characters, tension building and pacing. I just really jarred with the ending. A great queer horror story nonetheless.

The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon

adventurous dark inspiring

5.0

An 800+ page high fantasy epic that I devoured in a week (the last 400 pages in one day as well 😅). The book weaves 4 uniquely different character perspectives, across 2 continents in a world exploring grand adventure. The main plot is themed around a retelling of George and the Dragon, but how different cultures have perceived that tale and what the truth of it all is. I enjoyed every new character and culture introduced, as well as the relationships and intrigue that developed. Satisfying twists and turns, with gripping tension and danger. I loved this book!