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queer_bookwyrm's reviews
499 reviews
Impostor Syndrome by Mishell Baker
adventurous
dark
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? No
4.0
4 ⭐ CW: violence, death, blood, suicide mention, death of a parent mention, self harm, discussions of various mental illnesses
Imposter Syndrome by Mishell Baker is the final book in The Arcadia Project series. I have loved every book in this series! It's so underrated, I never see it on Instagram, but it needs to be talked about. We have a bisexual FMC with borderline personality disorder and a physical disability, and many other mental illnesses are represented. This is a great urban fantasy with some solid themes.
We pick up with Millie after the events of the last book. The Arcadia Project has split into two factions, with LA and New Orleans being on the side of not enslaving spirits in spell work, and everyone else clinging to the status quo they have been indoctrinated into. Millie feels like she is in an impossible situation trying to get everyone to see reason, and trying to make alliances with various Seelie and Unseelie fey. We get a heist! A couple of heists actually, but naturally, nothing goes the way it's supposed to, and things get a lot worse before they get better.
Millie gets a lot of personal growth in this book, and I love that the author lets us see how Millie interacted with the world as a disabled borderline without making it the central plot. Millie is constantly fighting her borderline dysphoria and the imposter syndrome that she isn't able to actually do something good. Magic never 'cures' Millie. The ending was kind of bittersweet, we don't really get to see a happy ending for Millie personally. We get to see more of Brand the manticore, which I loved. He's such a great character. I also loved seeing more of Elliot and the new spirit friend, Caveat.
If you're looking for an urban fantasy with fey, portals, magic, spirits, and a revolution, with lots of diversity and queer characters, pick up this series.
Imposter Syndrome by Mishell Baker is the final book in The Arcadia Project series. I have loved every book in this series! It's so underrated, I never see it on Instagram, but it needs to be talked about. We have a bisexual FMC with borderline personality disorder and a physical disability, and many other mental illnesses are represented. This is a great urban fantasy with some solid themes.
We pick up with Millie after the events of the last book. The Arcadia Project has split into two factions, with LA and New Orleans being on the side of not enslaving spirits in spell work, and everyone else clinging to the status quo they have been indoctrinated into. Millie feels like she is in an impossible situation trying to get everyone to see reason, and trying to make alliances with various Seelie and Unseelie fey. We get a heist! A couple of heists actually, but naturally, nothing goes the way it's supposed to, and things get a lot worse before they get better.
Millie gets a lot of personal growth in this book, and I love that the author lets us see how Millie interacted with the world as a disabled borderline without making it the central plot. Millie is constantly fighting her borderline dysphoria and the imposter syndrome that she isn't able to actually do something good. Magic never 'cures' Millie. The ending was kind of bittersweet, we don't really get to see a happy ending for Millie personally. We get to see more of Brand the manticore, which I loved. He's such a great character. I also loved seeing more of Elliot and the new spirit friend, Caveat.
If you're looking for an urban fantasy with fey, portals, magic, spirits, and a revolution, with lots of diversity and queer characters, pick up this series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Mental illness and Self harm
Minor: Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent
Saint by Adrienne Young
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
4 ⭐ CW: violence, self harm
Saint by Adrienne Young is the prequel to Fable in The World of the Narrows series. I really enjoyed Fable and Namesake, so I'm glad this one didn't disappoint like The Last Legacy did.
We follow Saint, Fable's father, and Isolde, Fable's mother before the events of the first World of the Narrows book. We get to learn more about Saint and how he ended up where he was, and more about why Isolde ran away from her mother in Bastian. We get to see them fall in love. It was nice to get more background on The Narrows and see how their Guild Trades became what they are and why the people there hate Saltbloods.
This book did give a lot of context to the mysterious characters we learned little about in Fable and Namesake, including the antagonist Zola and the criminal Roth family. However, there wasn't much in the way of tension or suspense since we already know what is going to happen with all of the characters. I liked the character moments we got, and that's mainly what this book was for. Establishing fan favorite characters and giving more life to Isolde.
I do quite enjoy Adrienne Young's writing, so I'll keep coming back to her even when the romance tends to fall short. I definitely recommend this for anyone who enjoyed Fable and Namesake and wants to get to know Saint better.
Saint by Adrienne Young is the prequel to Fable in The World of the Narrows series. I really enjoyed Fable and Namesake, so I'm glad this one didn't disappoint like The Last Legacy did.
We follow Saint, Fable's father, and Isolde, Fable's mother before the events of the first World of the Narrows book. We get to learn more about Saint and how he ended up where he was, and more about why Isolde ran away from her mother in Bastian. We get to see them fall in love. It was nice to get more background on The Narrows and see how their Guild Trades became what they are and why the people there hate Saltbloods.
This book did give a lot of context to the mysterious characters we learned little about in Fable and Namesake, including the antagonist Zola and the criminal Roth family. However, there wasn't much in the way of tension or suspense since we already know what is going to happen with all of the characters. I liked the character moments we got, and that's mainly what this book was for. Establishing fan favorite characters and giving more life to Isolde.
I do quite enjoy Adrienne Young's writing, so I'll keep coming back to her even when the romance tends to fall short. I definitely recommend this for anyone who enjoyed Fable and Namesake and wants to get to know Saint better.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm
Moderate: Violence
The World We Make by N.K. Jemisin
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
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? No
5.0
5 ⭐ CW: racism, metaphysical violence
The World We Make by N.K. Jemisin is the second book in the Great Cities duology. This book is just as good as the first one! I can't speak highly enough of the level of world/universe building Jemisin does. I just love how layered everything is. I also love that it flips Lovecraftian horror on its head and makes an urban fantasy, cosmic horror that definitely has H.P. Lovecraft's racist ass turning in his grave.
We continue to follow Neek, the New York City avatar, and the boroughs after the battle in Staten Island. R'lyeh, the Squigglebitch, has taken up residence over Staten Island, influencing the people that live there and affecting collective sentiments about New York. The avatars are doing their best to fight against anti-New York concepts and "Make New York Great Again" politicians while still missing a piece of themselves. Aislin, the Staten Island avatar, is coming to terms with her choices and what Squigglebitch is doing to her family and her island.
We get to see and learn more about other Cities and their avatars. The New Yorks keep trying to get a Summit of the Cities to happen to convince them to help fight against Squigglebitch, but just like in real life, people prefer denial and to blame the victim if it will save them from discomfort. Our characters get more growth, which I love. Everyone is so queer! Well, except for Staten Island lol.
These books are just so excellent, and beautifully written. Everyone should read these books, but especially if you love New York.
The World We Make by N.K. Jemisin is the second book in the Great Cities duology. This book is just as good as the first one! I can't speak highly enough of the level of world/universe building Jemisin does. I just love how layered everything is. I also love that it flips Lovecraftian horror on its head and makes an urban fantasy, cosmic horror that definitely has H.P. Lovecraft's racist ass turning in his grave.
We continue to follow Neek, the New York City avatar, and the boroughs after the battle in Staten Island. R'lyeh, the Squigglebitch, has taken up residence over Staten Island, influencing the people that live there and affecting collective sentiments about New York. The avatars are doing their best to fight against anti-New York concepts and "Make New York Great Again" politicians while still missing a piece of themselves. Aislin, the Staten Island avatar, is coming to terms with her choices and what Squigglebitch is doing to her family and her island.
We get to see and learn more about other Cities and their avatars. The New Yorks keep trying to get a Summit of the Cities to happen to convince them to help fight against Squigglebitch, but just like in real life, people prefer denial and to blame the victim if it will save them from discomfort. Our characters get more growth, which I love. Everyone is so queer! Well, except for Staten Island lol.
These books are just so excellent, and beautifully written. Everyone should read these books, but especially if you love New York.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
A Drop of Venom by Sajni Patel
adventurous
dark
emotional
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? No
5.0
5 ⭐ CW: Rape and discussions of sexual assault, rape culture, abuse, violence, blood, death, death of a parent
A Drop of Venom By Sajni Patel is book one in the Venom series. This was such an amazing book! It's YA retelling of the Medusa myth using Indian folklore. This was a bit of a brutal read if you are sensitive to descriptions of sexual assault, but I think it's an important story for young adults to read.
We follow Manisha, a girl who's people have been running from the king for years during the Fire Wars. In order to protect her, Manisha's mother and sisters tell her to get taken in by priestesses and to pretend to be one of them until it is safe. The apsara's are very different than Manisha's own people, and teach girls to be quiet, obedient, and submissive. Apsara's are never to be touched by a man or are considered defiled and banished. While at the temple, Manisha meets the slayer of monsters, Pratyush, and forms a budding relationship despite their roles and circumstances.
Then Manisha is sexually assaulted by a male visitor and is kicked over a cliff and left for dead in a pile of vipers. When she comes to, she is surprised to be alive, and not only that, she has new found abilities. Manisha is on a quest to find her family, and along the way confronts how her trauma has changed her, and strives to help other girls being victimized by power hungry men, and the rape culture that excuses their behavior. Meanwhile, Pratyush has been sent to kill the monster who has been turning men to stone, not knowing it is the girl he loves.
This book had some serious themes around sexual assault and rape culture. Rape culture is sneaky. It allows and excuses men to behave like monsters, and no one questions it, even other women. Ultimately, this story is about taking power back, recognizing your own power, and saving yourself. It's also the story of how violence changes girls. The characters are so good. Manisha's strength is so good to see, but it doesn't stop us from seeing her pain and vulnerability. Pratyush is such a good guy. Definitely gonna be a wife guy. He, like Manisha, also feels trapped by expectation and the role he has been given. He just wants a simple life with fancy clothes and a girl he can worship. I absolutely love Noni. I want a giant snake companion.
I can't wait to see where this story goes next and to learn more about Manisha's sisters and what they are doing. Also, can't wait to see if they overthrow that bastard of a king.
A Drop of Venom By Sajni Patel is book one in the Venom series. This was such an amazing book! It's YA retelling of the Medusa myth using Indian folklore. This was a bit of a brutal read if you are sensitive to descriptions of sexual assault, but I think it's an important story for young adults to read.
We follow Manisha, a girl who's people have been running from the king for years during the Fire Wars. In order to protect her, Manisha's mother and sisters tell her to get taken in by priestesses and to pretend to be one of them until it is safe. The apsara's are very different than Manisha's own people, and teach girls to be quiet, obedient, and submissive. Apsara's are never to be touched by a man or are considered defiled and banished. While at the temple, Manisha meets the slayer of monsters, Pratyush, and forms a budding relationship despite their roles and circumstances.
Then Manisha is sexually assaulted by a male visitor and is kicked over a cliff and left for dead in a pile of vipers. When she comes to, she is surprised to be alive, and not only that, she has new found abilities. Manisha is on a quest to find her family, and along the way confronts how her trauma has changed her, and strives to help other girls being victimized by power hungry men, and the rape culture that excuses their behavior. Meanwhile, Pratyush has been sent to kill the monster who has been turning men to stone, not knowing it is the girl he loves.
This book had some serious themes around sexual assault and rape culture. Rape culture is sneaky. It allows and excuses men to behave like monsters, and no one questions it, even other women. Ultimately, this story is about taking power back, recognizing your own power, and saving yourself. It's also the story of how violence changes girls. The characters are so good. Manisha's strength is so good to see, but it doesn't stop us from seeing her pain and vulnerability. Pratyush is such a good guy. Definitely gonna be a wife guy. He, like Manisha, also feels trapped by expectation and the role he has been given. He just wants a simple life with fancy clothes and a girl he can worship. I absolutely love Noni. I want a giant snake companion.
I can't wait to see where this story goes next and to learn more about Manisha's sisters and what they are doing. Also, can't wait to see if they overthrow that bastard of a king.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Blood, and Death of parent
To Be Taught, If Fortunate by Becky Chambers
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
4 ⭐ CW: Animal death
To Be Taught, If Fortunate by Becky Chambers is a scifi novella following four astronauts on a deep space mission. I very much enjoyed this story. It was very different from Chambers' Wayfarer series. Though still character focused, this story was more science heavy. Usually with novellas I wish we had more, but I think it served the story well to keep it short.
The book starts with a message to Earth from Ariadne, a spaceflight engineer, detailing the ship Meran's exploits to different planets and moons in deep space. This simplified summary tells us all about each of the crew members, their experiences and discoveries, and their hardships. They are on an ecological mission, doing their best not to contaminate or harm these new environments, and no intent to colonize.
I loved the idea of somaforming in this. This is the process of changing the human body to be better suited to its environment instead of terra forming and environment to fit human needs. This is a lot of emphasis on the science in science fiction in this, but I don't think it's too complicated for non-sciencey people (I am not sciencey).
Chambers always does such an excellent job of making you fall in love with the characters without having to give you an entire backstory heavy with a useless plot. Everyone is queer in one way or another. It's a very efficient story, so you don't feel like you've ended without satisfaction. Would I like to know what happens with the crew in the end? Yes, but I'm sure that would be another story.
Once again, I implore you to read anything by Becky Chambers.
To Be Taught, If Fortunate by Becky Chambers is a scifi novella following four astronauts on a deep space mission. I very much enjoyed this story. It was very different from Chambers' Wayfarer series. Though still character focused, this story was more science heavy. Usually with novellas I wish we had more, but I think it served the story well to keep it short.
The book starts with a message to Earth from Ariadne, a spaceflight engineer, detailing the ship Meran's exploits to different planets and moons in deep space. This simplified summary tells us all about each of the crew members, their experiences and discoveries, and their hardships. They are on an ecological mission, doing their best not to contaminate or harm these new environments, and no intent to colonize.
I loved the idea of somaforming in this. This is the process of changing the human body to be better suited to its environment instead of terra forming and environment to fit human needs. This is a lot of emphasis on the science in science fiction in this, but I don't think it's too complicated for non-sciencey people (I am not sciencey).
Chambers always does such an excellent job of making you fall in love with the characters without having to give you an entire backstory heavy with a useless plot. Everyone is queer in one way or another. It's a very efficient story, so you don't feel like you've ended without satisfaction. Would I like to know what happens with the crew in the end? Yes, but I'm sure that would be another story.
Once again, I implore you to read anything by Becky Chambers.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death
Uprooted by Naomi Novik
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
3.5 ⭐ CW: Death, violence, blood, death of a parent, sexual content
Uprooted by Naomi Novik is a fantasy reminiscent of Grimm fairytales and turns the idea of a dragon coming to take a maiden on its head. Although I did enjoy the story, the pacing wasn't great and made for a slow read, so I knocked it down half a Star.
We follow Agnieszka, a peasant girl who always manages to get herself dirty and untidy. Every ten years the Dragon, a wizard lord, would come to their village and take an exceptional girl. At the end of ten years, she would come back changed and leave the valley for good. No one expected the Dragon to choose Agnieszka. Eventually, she realizes she was chosen because she possessed magic, and was to be trained as a witch.
The Dragon is the grumpiest of wizards that believes magic is very formulaic, and is frustrated when Agnieszka seems hopeless at learning magic the way he thinks she should. Instead, Agnieszka leaned toward the style of magic of Baba Jaga, a more intuitive magic. The Dragon's task in his tower was to hold back the force of the Wood, a sentient evil trying to take over the entire valley. When Agnieszka's friend Kasia is taken into the Wood by monsters, she does the impossible and gets her out of the tree she is trapped inside and cleanses her of the Wood's corruption. Because of this, the Prince of the kingdom demands she free his mother the Queen, even though she has been trapped for 20 years.
This was an interesting story, and I liked the concept of the magic and the Wood. Agnieszka was a nice departure for a female MC in this kind of story. She wasn't beautiful, and though she had a little romance with the Dragon, it wasn't an important plot point. I really loved the lore of the Wood. I do wish the story had been a bit quicker about getting to the point. Everything just took so long. I think this is a pattern for this author. I've read another of her books that I liked, but it took me a while to get into it.
Uprooted by Naomi Novik is a fantasy reminiscent of Grimm fairytales and turns the idea of a dragon coming to take a maiden on its head. Although I did enjoy the story, the pacing wasn't great and made for a slow read, so I knocked it down half a Star.
We follow Agnieszka, a peasant girl who always manages to get herself dirty and untidy. Every ten years the Dragon, a wizard lord, would come to their village and take an exceptional girl. At the end of ten years, she would come back changed and leave the valley for good. No one expected the Dragon to choose Agnieszka. Eventually, she realizes she was chosen because she possessed magic, and was to be trained as a witch.
The Dragon is the grumpiest of wizards that believes magic is very formulaic, and is frustrated when Agnieszka seems hopeless at learning magic the way he thinks she should. Instead, Agnieszka leaned toward the style of magic of Baba Jaga, a more intuitive magic. The Dragon's task in his tower was to hold back the force of the Wood, a sentient evil trying to take over the entire valley. When Agnieszka's friend Kasia is taken into the Wood by monsters, she does the impossible and gets her out of the tree she is trapped inside and cleanses her of the Wood's corruption. Because of this, the Prince of the kingdom demands she free his mother the Queen, even though she has been trapped for 20 years.
This was an interesting story, and I liked the concept of the magic and the Wood. Agnieszka was a nice departure for a female MC in this kind of story. She wasn't beautiful, and though she had a little romance with the Dragon, it wasn't an important plot point. I really loved the lore of the Wood. I do wish the story had been a bit quicker about getting to the point. Everything just took so long. I think this is a pattern for this author. I've read another of her books that I liked, but it took me a while to get into it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Blood and Death of parent
When Wishes Bleed by Casey L. Bond
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
2 ⭐ CW: death, violence
When Wishes Bleed by Casey L. Bond is a YA fantasy romance that is The Bachelor meets any book about witches. I got a bundle of books by this author second hand, but this was a huge disappointment to the point that I'm not sure I'll read any of her other books. Prepare yourself as I eviscerate this book.
We follow Sable, Daughter of Fate in the Gallows where the witches live in Sector 13. Sable is an outcast among her people, and Fate lives inside her, talks to her, and directs her actions. She can also Divine the fate of others. During a festival where non-witches from the lower sectors are in 13, Sable reads the fate of a handsome stranger using a wishbone. The wishbone bleeds when it is broken, meaning the stranger is fated to die by murder. Soon she realizes that the handsome stranger is Prince Tauren, and is invited to the palace to participate in a Bachelor style competition to become Tauren's wife. But Sable will be going to protect him and figure out who will be trying to murder him.
This story was super predictable. Of course they fall in love. Of course they can't be together, because of different customs, but of course they actually do end up together. The Bachelor thing was really contrived and didn't really add much. The magic system of the witches had potential, but we didn't get much out of it. It was a very slow moving story, and the side characters weren't fleshed out enough. I did not like the way the author wrote Sable's male friend. He was a supportive friend for a hot second, until she rejected him, and then he was jealous, combative and annoying. The author then added a new, more serious villain 60% of the way in, and then the conflict was over in a few short chapters. It was very anticlimactic.
My biggest rant is about the Black characters. She described these Black women using food (a big nope) and used the word 'exotic' for them. The side character Mira was added as an "escort" (read servant) to Sable and made all her clothes and did her hair. I wanted way more from her. And then at the end when she has arguably more power and status than Sable she continues to serve her by dressing her and doing her hair! What kind of bullshit is that? The last 10% of the book was totally unnecessary, and felt like a really long epilogue.
This just wasn't well done in my opinion. If anyone has read other books by this author, let me know if they are worth it, because right now, I might just donate them.
When Wishes Bleed by Casey L. Bond is a YA fantasy romance that is The Bachelor meets any book about witches. I got a bundle of books by this author second hand, but this was a huge disappointment to the point that I'm not sure I'll read any of her other books. Prepare yourself as I eviscerate this book.
We follow Sable, Daughter of Fate in the Gallows where the witches live in Sector 13. Sable is an outcast among her people, and Fate lives inside her, talks to her, and directs her actions. She can also Divine the fate of others. During a festival where non-witches from the lower sectors are in 13, Sable reads the fate of a handsome stranger using a wishbone. The wishbone bleeds when it is broken, meaning the stranger is fated to die by murder. Soon she realizes that the handsome stranger is Prince Tauren, and is invited to the palace to participate in a Bachelor style competition to become Tauren's wife. But Sable will be going to protect him and figure out who will be trying to murder him.
This story was super predictable. Of course they fall in love. Of course they can't be together, because of different customs, but of course they actually do end up together. The Bachelor thing was really contrived and didn't really add much. The magic system of the witches had potential, but we didn't get much out of it. It was a very slow moving story, and the side characters weren't fleshed out enough. I did not like the way the author wrote Sable's male friend. He was a supportive friend for a hot second, until she rejected him, and then he was jealous, combative and annoying. The author then added a new, more serious villain 60% of the way in, and then the conflict was over in a few short chapters. It was very anticlimactic.
My biggest rant is about the Black characters. She described these Black women using food (a big nope) and used the word 'exotic' for them. The side character Mira was added as an "escort" (read servant) to Sable and made all her clothes and did her hair. I wanted way more from her. And then at the end when she has arguably more power and status than Sable she continues to serve her by dressing her and doing her hair! What kind of bullshit is that? The last 10% of the book was totally unnecessary, and felt like a really long epilogue.
This just wasn't well done in my opinion. If anyone has read other books by this author, let me know if they are worth it, because right now, I might just donate them.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Violence
A Complicated Love Story Set in Space by Shaun David Hutchinson
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
3.5 ⭐ CW: death, sexual assault
A Complicated Love Story Set in Space by Shaun David Hutchinson is a YA scifi romance that was recommended to me by an irl friend. This was a wild read, but I felt there were some things left unresolved. This may be because I tend to be more invested in the plot and world-building than on romance.
We follow Noa North, who wakes up in space outside of a ship. He doesn't remember how he got there, but suddenly he has to figure out how to repair a spaceship with the help of a voice that belongs to a boy named DJ. Noa and DJ have no idea what is happening or how they got aboard the ship Qriosity, and they find a girl Jenny who is also inexplicably trapped there. The three of them must keep the ship from blowing up all while figuring out what is going on and how to get back home.
The relationship between Noa and DJ is definitely the focal point of the story. I love a good gays in space story, but I felt I needed a little bit more from it. I found Noa incredibly annoying, and I wanted way more development from Jenny who was actually a bisexual badass. I truly didn't expect the twist that came, but it mostly felt incomplete when we don't get an explanation or follow up on the universe that was created. I don't want to spoil anything, so I won't say much more about it, but I thought the ending was unsatisfactory.
We do get some interesting themes on exploitation of child actors, bury your gays and fridging tropes. It almost feels like this book needs a sequel to flesh out what has been teased to give the story more depth. If you enjoy a good gays in space romp that isn't too heavy hitting, this is good for that. Minus the discussions of sexual assault, I would be wary of that if that's something you are sensitive about.
A Complicated Love Story Set in Space by Shaun David Hutchinson is a YA scifi romance that was recommended to me by an irl friend. This was a wild read, but I felt there were some things left unresolved. This may be because I tend to be more invested in the plot and world-building than on romance.
We follow Noa North, who wakes up in space outside of a ship. He doesn't remember how he got there, but suddenly he has to figure out how to repair a spaceship with the help of a voice that belongs to a boy named DJ. Noa and DJ have no idea what is happening or how they got aboard the ship Qriosity, and they find a girl Jenny who is also inexplicably trapped there. The three of them must keep the ship from blowing up all while figuring out what is going on and how to get back home.
The relationship between Noa and DJ is definitely the focal point of the story. I love a good gays in space story, but I felt I needed a little bit more from it. I found Noa incredibly annoying, and I wanted way more development from Jenny who was actually a bisexual badass. I truly didn't expect the twist that came, but it mostly felt incomplete when we don't get an explanation or follow up on the universe that was created. I don't want to spoil anything, so I won't say much more about it, but I thought the ending was unsatisfactory.
We do get some interesting themes on exploitation of child actors, bury your gays and fridging tropes. It almost feels like this book needs a sequel to flesh out what has been teased to give the story more depth. If you enjoy a good gays in space romp that isn't too heavy hitting, this is good for that. Minus the discussions of sexual assault, I would be wary of that if that's something you are sensitive about.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape
Moderate: Death
A Ruinous Fate by Kaylie Smith
adventurous
dark
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
4.0
4 ⭐ CW: violence, blood, human(?)trafficking
A Ruinous Fate by Kaylie Smith is book one in the Heartless Fates series. I went in knowing pretty much nothing about this book, and I wasn't sure about it at first, but it really grew on me.
We follow Calliope Rosewood, a witch with a bad streak of luck and a power she fears. The Fates control her future through witches dice, and Call is only three rolls away from that control. When her ex, Ezra betrays her she's one roll closer to that fate and sends her on a journey to the Neverending Forest with him and a band of chaotic bisexuals. Destiny is a fickle thing.
I loved that all of these characters were complete disaster bisexuals. We have Ezra, Calla's ex who can't seem to get out of his own way, but has a great poker face. Gideon, Ezra's handsome brother who always seems to have a plan. Delphine, the blue skinned beautiful siren with a traumatic past. Hannah, the quiet witch who pines for Delphine. Caspian, the handsome and flirtatious Onyx witch who is our charmer. And Kestrel, the uptight one who is jealous and salty that Gideon broke his heart. So much pining. So much drama. The magic of the Neverending Forest was great with all the dangerous flora and fauna, and the terrifying Witch Eater.
I also really enjoyed watching Calla figure out her abilities that she's been pushing down her whole life. I do wish we had gotten more from Hannah, she just kind of disappeared into the background and didn't do much other than be demure and pine for Delphine. I'm hoping we get more out of her in the next book. That cliffhanger! I definitely want to read book 2!
A Ruinous Fate by Kaylie Smith is book one in the Heartless Fates series. I went in knowing pretty much nothing about this book, and I wasn't sure about it at first, but it really grew on me.
We follow Calliope Rosewood, a witch with a bad streak of luck and a power she fears. The Fates control her future through witches dice, and Call is only three rolls away from that control. When her ex, Ezra betrays her she's one roll closer to that fate and sends her on a journey to the Neverending Forest with him and a band of chaotic bisexuals. Destiny is a fickle thing.
I loved that all of these characters were complete disaster bisexuals. We have Ezra, Calla's ex who can't seem to get out of his own way, but has a great poker face. Gideon, Ezra's handsome brother who always seems to have a plan. Delphine, the blue skinned beautiful siren with a traumatic past. Hannah, the quiet witch who pines for Delphine. Caspian, the handsome and flirtatious Onyx witch who is our charmer. And Kestrel, the uptight one who is jealous and salty that Gideon broke his heart. So much pining. So much drama. The magic of the Neverending Forest was great with all the dangerous flora and fauna, and the terrifying Witch Eater.
I also really enjoyed watching Calla figure out her abilities that she's been pushing down her whole life. I do wish we had gotten more from Hannah, she just kind of disappeared into the background and didn't do much other than be demure and pine for Delphine. I'm hoping we get more out of her in the next book. That cliffhanger! I definitely want to read book 2!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Trafficking
The Galaxy, and the Ground Within by Becky Chambers
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
5 ⭐ CW: medical trauma, war mention, colonisation mention
The Galaxy and the Ground Within by Becky Chambers is the last book in the Wayfarers series. This was an excellent conclusion to this world. To be honest I could just keep reading stories based on this forever, always learning more and expanding on worldbuilding. This one was the coziest yet of the four books.
We follow three aliens that are thrown together by circumstances out of their control, and must navigate five days together. We have Pei, the Aeluon who is dating Ashby from book 1; Roveg, an exiled Quelin sim creator; and Speaker, an Akarak separated from her twin. They are all under the care of their chipper host, a Laru named Ouloo and her child Tupo. They all learn about each other and their species, and form unlikely friendships.
One of the things I love about this series is that the stories are not high stakes. These are just people stranded on a plant due to a technology hiccup and just have to hang out with each other for five days. Chambers does an excellent job with expanding the world-building (universe building?) with each successive book. I love that all the characters were different aliens we have seen mentioned or had cameos in previous books, and none of them were human focused stories. We learn so much about Aeluon, Quelin, Laru, and Akaraks.
While it is quite a cozy read, Chambers also manages to give us some deeper themes around colonization and its lasting impact along with the arrogance of imperialism. She also talks about reproductive choice, and choosing to not become a parent. She explores political themes without making that the point of the story. In the end, it's about the character moments. I absolutely loved Roveg and Speaker as friends. Adorable. Tupo is an adorable long limbed fluff noodle I just want to squeeze.
If I haven't said it once, I'll say it a thousand times: go read this series! Becky Chambers is now one of my favorite authors.
The Galaxy and the Ground Within by Becky Chambers is the last book in the Wayfarers series. This was an excellent conclusion to this world. To be honest I could just keep reading stories based on this forever, always learning more and expanding on worldbuilding. This one was the coziest yet of the four books.
We follow three aliens that are thrown together by circumstances out of their control, and must navigate five days together. We have Pei, the Aeluon who is dating Ashby from book 1; Roveg, an exiled Quelin sim creator; and Speaker, an Akarak separated from her twin. They are all under the care of their chipper host, a Laru named Ouloo and her child Tupo. They all learn about each other and their species, and form unlikely friendships.
One of the things I love about this series is that the stories are not high stakes. These are just people stranded on a plant due to a technology hiccup and just have to hang out with each other for five days. Chambers does an excellent job with expanding the world-building (universe building?) with each successive book. I love that all the characters were different aliens we have seen mentioned or had cameos in previous books, and none of them were human focused stories. We learn so much about Aeluon, Quelin, Laru, and Akaraks.
While it is quite a cozy read, Chambers also manages to give us some deeper themes around colonization and its lasting impact along with the arrogance of imperialism. She also talks about reproductive choice, and choosing to not become a parent. She explores political themes without making that the point of the story. In the end, it's about the character moments. I absolutely loved Roveg and Speaker as friends. Adorable. Tupo is an adorable long limbed fluff noodle I just want to squeeze.
If I haven't said it once, I'll say it a thousand times: go read this series! Becky Chambers is now one of my favorite authors.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Medical trauma
Minor: Colonisation and War