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queer_bookwyrm's reviews
499 reviews
The Last Legacy by Adrienne Young
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
3.5 ⭐ CW: violence, abuse, child abuse, murder mention
The Last Legacy by Adrienne Young is the third book in The Narrows world, but is separate from Fable and Namesake. Honestly, this one didn't really do it for me. Like Namesake, the romance fell kind of flat. I just didn't buy it. The extra world-building was cool, but it felt kind of unnecessary.
We follow Bryn Roth, the niece of Henrik Roth, the patriarch of the clandestine Roth family. The Roth's kind of gave me Peaky Blinders vibes, with their rough and tumble gangster ways while trying to move up in the world. Bryn wasn't raised among them, but now that she's 18, she's taking her place with them in the family business. She's kind of their diamond in the rough, since she was raised to understand the upper echelons of society. Her task is to whip them into shape to prove she can be trusted as one of them.
I found Bryn to be a strong FMC, but I felt it was undermined by the underdeveloped romance with the steelsmith, Ezra. Ezra isn't a Roth, but works for them. We get a forbidden fruit thing that I just didn't buy, because we don't see them interact enough to justify it. Bryn is fiercely independent, smart, and cunning, and throws it all away for a man. It was frustrating. At first I thought she would get over it and become a successful business person in her own right, but alas, amanormativity strikes again.
I really didn't think this stand alone added anything of value to the world of the Narrows. We get a bit of a better understanding as to how the merchant's guild works, but I don't think we needed a whole book for that. I still appreciate Young's writing, but these rushed and nonsensical romances really need to stop. We don't even get enough face time with any of the other characters to really care about them. I still have the prequel Saint left to read, so here's hoping that one is better than this one.
The Last Legacy by Adrienne Young is the third book in The Narrows world, but is separate from Fable and Namesake. Honestly, this one didn't really do it for me. Like Namesake, the romance fell kind of flat. I just didn't buy it. The extra world-building was cool, but it felt kind of unnecessary.
We follow Bryn Roth, the niece of Henrik Roth, the patriarch of the clandestine Roth family. The Roth's kind of gave me Peaky Blinders vibes, with their rough and tumble gangster ways while trying to move up in the world. Bryn wasn't raised among them, but now that she's 18, she's taking her place with them in the family business. She's kind of their diamond in the rough, since she was raised to understand the upper echelons of society. Her task is to whip them into shape to prove she can be trusted as one of them.
I found Bryn to be a strong FMC, but I felt it was undermined by the underdeveloped romance with the steelsmith, Ezra. Ezra isn't a Roth, but works for them. We get a forbidden fruit thing that I just didn't buy, because we don't see them interact enough to justify it. Bryn is fiercely independent, smart, and cunning, and throws it all away for a man. It was frustrating. At first I thought she would get over it and become a successful business person in her own right, but alas, amanormativity strikes again.
I really didn't think this stand alone added anything of value to the world of the Narrows. We get a bit of a better understanding as to how the merchant's guild works, but I don't think we needed a whole book for that. I still appreciate Young's writing, but these rushed and nonsensical romances really need to stop. We don't even get enough face time with any of the other characters to really care about them. I still have the prequel Saint left to read, so here's hoping that one is better than this one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Physical abuse, Violence, and Murder
The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
adventurous
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: death of a parent, domestic abuse, child abuse mention, gun violence, grief
The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes is book one in the Inheritance Games trilogy. This was a YA mystery full of riddles, puzzles, secret passage ways, and secret tunnels. This is what happens when rich people get bored.
We follow Avery Kylie Grambs, a 17 year old girl living with her half-sister after her mother's death, and just trying to get through high school so she can get into college, and get a steady paying job. Then one day a mysterious boy in an expensive suit delivers the news that she has just inherited a multi-billion dollar estate from recently deceased Tobias Hawthorne, his grandfather.
When Avery shows up to the reading of the will, she is struck to find that Tobias Hawthorne has two daughters and four grandsons who he has disinherited, and given everything to her. Obviously, this does not go over well with the family. Avery finds herself among a bunch of people who probably want her dead, and a riddle with many clues to solve, not to mention her attraction to two out of the four Hawthorne boys. What secrets was Tobias Hawthorne keeping, and why did he choose Avery, a random girl, he had seemingly never met?
This was full of twists and turns! I've never been good at riddles and puzzles, but I enjoy reading about them. All of the Hawthorne boys are a study in privilege, but have very distinct personalities. Nash, the oldest, doesn't seem to care about inheriting the estate and has a bit of a savior complex; Grayson, the heir apparent, who fully expected to inherit everything is magnetic, powerful, and commanding; Jameson, is the sensation seeker and risk taker, and loved the riddles and games his grandfather set up for them growing up (he's also deeply troubled); and Xander, the golden retriever of a youngest brother who just wants to build robots, eat scones, and be possibly more complicated than he lets on.
I really never knew what was coming next, and even when our characters had thought they figured it out, there was more. There isn't a ton of diversity in this book, but Xander is half Black and the bodyguard is Black, and there are two side characters that are sapphic, one of which is explicitly bisexual.
Looking forward to book two after that ending!
The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes is book one in the Inheritance Games trilogy. This was a YA mystery full of riddles, puzzles, secret passage ways, and secret tunnels. This is what happens when rich people get bored.
We follow Avery Kylie Grambs, a 17 year old girl living with her half-sister after her mother's death, and just trying to get through high school so she can get into college, and get a steady paying job. Then one day a mysterious boy in an expensive suit delivers the news that she has just inherited a multi-billion dollar estate from recently deceased Tobias Hawthorne, his grandfather.
When Avery shows up to the reading of the will, she is struck to find that Tobias Hawthorne has two daughters and four grandsons who he has disinherited, and given everything to her. Obviously, this does not go over well with the family. Avery finds herself among a bunch of people who probably want her dead, and a riddle with many clues to solve, not to mention her attraction to two out of the four Hawthorne boys. What secrets was Tobias Hawthorne keeping, and why did he choose Avery, a random girl, he had seemingly never met?
This was full of twists and turns! I've never been good at riddles and puzzles, but I enjoy reading about them. All of the Hawthorne boys are a study in privilege, but have very distinct personalities. Nash, the oldest, doesn't seem to care about inheriting the estate and has a bit of a savior complex; Grayson, the heir apparent, who fully expected to inherit everything is magnetic, powerful, and commanding; Jameson, is the sensation seeker and risk taker, and loved the riddles and games his grandfather set up for them growing up (he's also deeply troubled); and Xander, the golden retriever of a youngest brother who just wants to build robots, eat scones, and be possibly more complicated than he lets on.
I really never knew what was coming next, and even when our characters had thought they figured it out, there was more. There isn't a ton of diversity in this book, but Xander is half Black and the bodyguard is Black, and there are two side characters that are sapphic, one of which is explicitly bisexual.
Looking forward to book two after that ending!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Gun violence, and Grief
Minor: Child abuse and Death of parent
Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan
adventurous
slow-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
Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan is book one in the Celestial Kingdom duology. This was a fantasy romance inspired by the legend of Chang'e, the Chinese Moon Goddess, and had beautiful, lyrical prose that was almost poetic.
We follow Xingyin, daughter of Chang'e, living secluded on the moon where her mother has been isolated as punishment for ingesting an immortality elixir meant for her husband. When the Celestial Empress comes to check in on Chang'e and her punishment, it is discovered that Xingyin is there illegally. With the help of their attendant, Ping'er, Xingyin escapes on a cloud, but is dropped into the Celestial Kingdom, where her very existence is a danger to her.
Xingyin gets the opportunity to become the Celestial Prince's companion and study with him to learn more about controlling her magic. Along the way they become close friends, and eventually fall in love, ill-fated as it is with him being the prince, and she with her concealed identity. Xingyin becomes an expert archer and a badass as she fights creatures and monsters, all while trying to figure out a way to free her mother from her prison. There is also a love triangle, dragons, and lots of magic.
This was a wonderful story, but I did find it a bit slow and meandering in places as we see Xingyin doing battle after battle. I did see the twist coming from a mile away, but Xingyin was a strong character, and I appreciated that. I definitely want to learn more about the demon realm here, because it's clear to Xingyin that good and evil isn't so cut and dry when the Celestial Emperor doesn't seem to be the greatest person, and the demons (and dragons) do have a point about their oppression. This is a story about freedom and enduring love.
Looking forward to book two!
Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan is book one in the Celestial Kingdom duology. This was a fantasy romance inspired by the legend of Chang'e, the Chinese Moon Goddess, and had beautiful, lyrical prose that was almost poetic.
We follow Xingyin, daughter of Chang'e, living secluded on the moon where her mother has been isolated as punishment for ingesting an immortality elixir meant for her husband. When the Celestial Empress comes to check in on Chang'e and her punishment, it is discovered that Xingyin is there illegally. With the help of their attendant, Ping'er, Xingyin escapes on a cloud, but is dropped into the Celestial Kingdom, where her very existence is a danger to her.
Xingyin gets the opportunity to become the Celestial Prince's companion and study with him to learn more about controlling her magic. Along the way they become close friends, and eventually fall in love, ill-fated as it is with him being the prince, and she with her concealed identity. Xingyin becomes an expert archer and a badass as she fights creatures and monsters, all while trying to figure out a way to free her mother from her prison. There is also a love triangle, dragons, and lots of magic.
This was a wonderful story, but I did find it a bit slow and meandering in places as we see Xingyin doing battle after battle. I did see the twist coming from a mile away, but Xingyin was a strong character, and I appreciated that. I definitely want to learn more about the demon realm here, because it's clear to Xingyin that good and evil isn't so cut and dry when the Celestial Emperor doesn't seem to be the greatest person, and the demons (and dragons) do have a point about their oppression. This is a story about freedom and enduring love.
Looking forward to book two!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Blood
The Deep Sky by Yume Kitasei
adventurous
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? No
4.0
4 ⭐ CW: violence, racism mention, miscarriage mention, death, child death mention
The Deep Sky by Yume Kitasei is a speculative fiction scifi mystery that gave me Among Us and 2001 A Space Odyssey vibes. A friend sent me this after she read it and loved it, and I can see why! This was a great read, and different from a lot of other scifi in space stories I've read.
We follow Asuka on the spaceship Phoenix on its way to Planet X with a crew of 80 people, all of whom can and will need to give birth along the way. Earth is going through a climate crisis and extreme weather while also being on the verge of World War III between the US and China. The Phoenix is the hope that will unite them together. Asuka is the Alternate, meaning she has no specific concentration area, does whatever is needed. When Asuka and another crew member go on a space walk to investigate something on the hull, a bomb goes off killing three people, but leaves Asuka alive. Asuka works to figure who did it, while the crew lapses into suspicion and fear. They must find a way to get the ship back on course to Planet X.
This was a great mystery! I was tense the whole way. We go back and forth between the time after the explosion and years before the launch on Earth for Asuka. Asuka and her crewmates were all part of a special school that trained them for this very mission since they were 12 years old. We get to see how intense and competitive the training was juxtaposed with how they all interact currently on a ship in space. Everyone is suspicious of everyone, and to top it off, the ship AI seems to be malfunctioning and may be the problem.
Asuka was an interesting character. To be honest I didn't like her very much at first. She was kind of mopey and self pitying, and held grudges, but she did grow on me a bit since she was a pretty steadfast and pragmatic character. With Asuka being Half-Japanese and Half-Hispanic American, she always felt like an outsider and a fraud, like she was never enough of one or the other. There were a ton of queer characters in this book, lots of sapphic relationships, and a couple of trans side characters.
I don't think there will be a second book, but I would be interested in seeing what happens next for this crew. This was a great space faring book, with realistic speculative fiction elements.
The Deep Sky by Yume Kitasei is a speculative fiction scifi mystery that gave me Among Us and 2001 A Space Odyssey vibes. A friend sent me this after she read it and loved it, and I can see why! This was a great read, and different from a lot of other scifi in space stories I've read.
We follow Asuka on the spaceship Phoenix on its way to Planet X with a crew of 80 people, all of whom can and will need to give birth along the way. Earth is going through a climate crisis and extreme weather while also being on the verge of World War III between the US and China. The Phoenix is the hope that will unite them together. Asuka is the Alternate, meaning she has no specific concentration area, does whatever is needed. When Asuka and another crew member go on a space walk to investigate something on the hull, a bomb goes off killing three people, but leaves Asuka alive. Asuka works to figure who did it, while the crew lapses into suspicion and fear. They must find a way to get the ship back on course to Planet X.
This was a great mystery! I was tense the whole way. We go back and forth between the time after the explosion and years before the launch on Earth for Asuka. Asuka and her crewmates were all part of a special school that trained them for this very mission since they were 12 years old. We get to see how intense and competitive the training was juxtaposed with how they all interact currently on a ship in space. Everyone is suspicious of everyone, and to top it off, the ship AI seems to be malfunctioning and may be the problem.
Asuka was an interesting character. To be honest I didn't like her very much at first. She was kind of mopey and self pitying, and held grudges, but she did grow on me a bit since she was a pretty steadfast and pragmatic character. With Asuka being Half-Japanese and Half-Hispanic American, she always felt like an outsider and a fraud, like she was never enough of one or the other. There were a ton of queer characters in this book, lots of sapphic relationships, and a couple of trans side characters.
I don't think there will be a second book, but I would be interested in seeing what happens next for this crew. This was a great space faring book, with realistic speculative fiction elements.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Violence
Minor: Child death, Miscarriage, and Racism
The Eternal Ones by Namina Forna
adventurous
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
4.0
4 ⭐ CW: Violence, blood, gore, death, misogyny
The Eternal Ones by Namina Forna is the final book in the Deathless trilogy. I have really enjoyed this series, and I think it has some great commentary on oppression, free will, and how we're all connected. Of the three, this is probably my least favorite, although still a great read.
We continue following Deka in her search for her keita, her divinity, and a way to defeat the Gilded Ones and the Idugu. It's a long and hard road fraught with setbacks and failures, but Deka and her friends learn there is more to the gods than the Oteran gods would have them believe.
We got to explore some great new locations in this book, all with beautifully vivid descriptions. There was a lot more world building that happened in this book, which was great, but unfortunately it also slowed down the plot a lot and made the pacing a bit weird. It was a little too slow in places, and I thought some things were unnecessarily rehashed. The last third of the book was where most of the excitement and intensity happens.
We do get to see Deka have more growth and healing throughout the story. Ixa is still my favorite little shape shifting lizard.
If you're looking for a series by a Black author with strong characters, found family, and strong commentary on the rights of women, the role religion plays in oppression, and great fantasy elements, then pick up the Deathless trilogy.
The Eternal Ones by Namina Forna is the final book in the Deathless trilogy. I have really enjoyed this series, and I think it has some great commentary on oppression, free will, and how we're all connected. Of the three, this is probably my least favorite, although still a great read.
We continue following Deka in her search for her keita, her divinity, and a way to defeat the Gilded Ones and the Idugu. It's a long and hard road fraught with setbacks and failures, but Deka and her friends learn there is more to the gods than the Oteran gods would have them believe.
We got to explore some great new locations in this book, all with beautifully vivid descriptions. There was a lot more world building that happened in this book, which was great, but unfortunately it also slowed down the plot a lot and made the pacing a bit weird. It was a little too slow in places, and I thought some things were unnecessarily rehashed. The last third of the book was where most of the excitement and intensity happens.
We do get to see Deka have more growth and healing throughout the story. Ixa is still my favorite little shape shifting lizard.
If you're looking for a series by a Black author with strong characters, found family, and strong commentary on the rights of women, the role religion plays in oppression, and great fantasy elements, then pick up the Deathless trilogy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Misogyny, Sexual violence, and Blood
Serwa Boateng's Guide to Vampire Hunting by Roseanne A. Brown
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
5 ⭐ CW: bullying, racial micro aggressions, child abuse mentions
Serwa Boateng's Guide to Vampire Hunting by Roseanne A. Brown is book one in the Serwa Boateng series. This was sort of like a Ghanian folklore inspired Buffy the Vampire Slayer. This book was excellent, and by far my favorite MG novel I've read so far!
We follow Serwa Boateng, a 12 year old girl who has grown up training to be a Slayer for the Abomofuo, a group of hunters that kill adze (Firefly like vampires) and other black magic beings. When an abayifo (black magic witch) shows up and throws Serwa's life into chaos, her parents ship her off to live with her nonmagical cousin and aunt, where she has to go to middle school for the first time. Would honestly rather hunt vampires tbh.
Serwa struggles to adjust to normal life, having to endure the subtle racism of white teachers and students for the first time. Eventually she becomes part of a group of friends that band together to help save the town from a blood sucking adze. But there are secrets and twists Serwa isn't prepared for, and it further turns her world upside down.
Omg the twists in this book were unreal! The suspense was major. I was hooked the whole way through. Brown does not shy away from talking about the hard stuff like racism and child abuse. There were some great themes here about white-washing history and the importance of friendship. I like the make up of the friend group too: Eunju, the angry and stuck up Korean girl; Mateo, the anxious soft Latino boy with a stutter; Gavin, the jokester who uses humor as a defense mechanism; and Roxy, Serwa's cryptid loving cousin.
I love that Brown makes it clear that nothing is black and white or as it seems. Things we have been taught are bad, might not be evil. This was just so good, and I'm looking forward to book two!
Serwa Boateng's Guide to Vampire Hunting by Roseanne A. Brown is book one in the Serwa Boateng series. This was sort of like a Ghanian folklore inspired Buffy the Vampire Slayer. This book was excellent, and by far my favorite MG novel I've read so far!
We follow Serwa Boateng, a 12 year old girl who has grown up training to be a Slayer for the Abomofuo, a group of hunters that kill adze (Firefly like vampires) and other black magic beings. When an abayifo (black magic witch) shows up and throws Serwa's life into chaos, her parents ship her off to live with her nonmagical cousin and aunt, where she has to go to middle school for the first time. Would honestly rather hunt vampires tbh.
Serwa struggles to adjust to normal life, having to endure the subtle racism of white teachers and students for the first time. Eventually she becomes part of a group of friends that band together to help save the town from a blood sucking adze. But there are secrets and twists Serwa isn't prepared for, and it further turns her world upside down.
Omg the twists in this book were unreal! The suspense was major. I was hooked the whole way through. Brown does not shy away from talking about the hard stuff like racism and child abuse. There were some great themes here about white-washing history and the importance of friendship. I like the make up of the friend group too: Eunju, the angry and stuck up Korean girl; Mateo, the anxious soft Latino boy with a stutter; Gavin, the jokester who uses humor as a defense mechanism; and Roxy, Serwa's cryptid loving cousin.
I love that Brown makes it clear that nothing is black and white or as it seems. Things we have been taught are bad, might not be evil. This was just so good, and I'm looking forward to book two!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, and Racism
The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-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, immolation, death, death of children
The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri is book one in the Burning Kingdom series. I have now read two thirds of the Sapphic Trifecta books, and I liked this one much better than She Who Became the Sun! This was another slow read, but the pay off seemed better and I enjoyed the characters a lot more.
We follow several povs, but our main character is Priya, a maidservant. Priya was once a temple child on the Hirana, but escaped when all the temple children were burned alive. Now she is back on the Hirana at the behest of the imprisoned princess Malini, the sister of the despot emperor. Priya finds she is still connected to the Hirana, and uses that to her advantage. She begins a growing relationship with Malini.
Priya wants to see her people, the Ahiranyi, free from Parijat and the Emperor, and Malini wants to end her brother's terrible reign and hatred and burning of women. Priya discovers more about herself and her growing powers, and Malini struggles to find which mask is her true face, while fearing it is the monstrous one.
This was a great, sweeping story. Priya and Malini were both compelling and had so much growth throughout the book. They are both fierce in their own ways. Malini turned out to be pretty ruthless, which ended up serving her well. I also liked that her relationship with Priya was a slow burn that was layered and imperfect. Most of the characters were pretty morally gray, no one was really a villain (except Emperor Chandra. Fuck that guy), everyone just wanted a better life for themselves and their respective countries. There was some really interesting stuff about fate, belief, and faith.
Looking forward to book two!
The Jasmine Throne by Tasha Suri is book one in the Burning Kingdom series. I have now read two thirds of the Sapphic Trifecta books, and I liked this one much better than She Who Became the Sun! This was another slow read, but the pay off seemed better and I enjoyed the characters a lot more.
We follow several povs, but our main character is Priya, a maidservant. Priya was once a temple child on the Hirana, but escaped when all the temple children were burned alive. Now she is back on the Hirana at the behest of the imprisoned princess Malini, the sister of the despot emperor. Priya finds she is still connected to the Hirana, and uses that to her advantage. She begins a growing relationship with Malini.
Priya wants to see her people, the Ahiranyi, free from Parijat and the Emperor, and Malini wants to end her brother's terrible reign and hatred and burning of women. Priya discovers more about herself and her growing powers, and Malini struggles to find which mask is her true face, while fearing it is the monstrous one.
This was a great, sweeping story. Priya and Malini were both compelling and had so much growth throughout the book. They are both fierce in their own ways. Malini turned out to be pretty ruthless, which ended up serving her well. I also liked that her relationship with Priya was a slow burn that was layered and imperfect. Most of the characters were pretty morally gray, no one was really a villain (except Emperor Chandra. Fuck that guy), everyone just wanted a better life for themselves and their respective countries. There was some really interesting stuff about fate, belief, and faith.
Looking forward to book two!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Child death
The Wenamak Web by Marie Howalt
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? No
4.0
4 ⭐ CW: violence, gun violence
The Wenamak Web by Marie Howalt is the third book in the Colibri Investigations novella series. I love these short scifi books! They are such a great palette cleanser between heavy books. The nice thing about these is that you don't really have to read them in order to understand what is going on, although it does help to give context.
We're back with the private investigator team of Richard Hart, Eddie, and Alanna as they take a job on Wenamak from a wendek client. We get to learn a lot more about the wendek and their culture in this book. Howalt is really great at expanding the world with each book. These books kind of remind me of Becky Chambers Wayfarer series, in that they aren't really about the bigger plot or intense scifi themes, but mostly about the characters and the world-building.
This one was action packed and fun. We even see the return of a character from the last book. All of these books are queer, which really just makes me ship Alanna and Eddie. I do hope we get to see the mysterious and beautiful Micah Dietrich again soon, just to make Richard all flustered. I also love the disability representation in these books. Richard had a brain injury caused from a sickness that has made it so he can't process audio input. He can hear when people are talking, but can't process their speech, so he lip reads instead. We also explore Eddie's hyper addiction. Alanna continues to be the softest cinnamon roll.
This was a fun read, and I look forward to the next adventure with Colibri Investigations!
The Wenamak Web by Marie Howalt is the third book in the Colibri Investigations novella series. I love these short scifi books! They are such a great palette cleanser between heavy books. The nice thing about these is that you don't really have to read them in order to understand what is going on, although it does help to give context.
We're back with the private investigator team of Richard Hart, Eddie, and Alanna as they take a job on Wenamak from a wendek client. We get to learn a lot more about the wendek and their culture in this book. Howalt is really great at expanding the world with each book. These books kind of remind me of Becky Chambers Wayfarer series, in that they aren't really about the bigger plot or intense scifi themes, but mostly about the characters and the world-building.
This one was action packed and fun. We even see the return of a character from the last book. All of these books are queer, which really just makes me ship Alanna and Eddie. I do hope we get to see the mysterious and beautiful Micah Dietrich again soon, just to make Richard all flustered. I also love the disability representation in these books. Richard had a brain injury caused from a sickness that has made it so he can't process audio input. He can hear when people are talking, but can't process their speech, so he lip reads instead. We also explore Eddie's hyper addiction. Alanna continues to be the softest cinnamon roll.
This was a fun read, and I look forward to the next adventure with Colibri Investigations!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence and Sexual violence
Jade City by Fonda Lee
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
4 ⭐ CW: Violence, blood, death, self harm mention, suicide mention, sexual content, gun violence
Jade City by Fonda Lee is book one in the Green Bone Saga. This was a modern wuxia gangster story that was sort of like an Asian inspired The Godfather. Although, not my typical kind of read, I did enjoy it, despite the slower pace.
We follow four Green Bone siblings in the Kaul family in the No Peak clan in Kekon. Lan, the oldest and the Pillar of the clan is reasonable, savvy, and respected; Hilo, the second brother is the clan's Horn in charge of the military arm of things and is brash, charismatic, and quick to anger; Shae, the youngest sister who has just returned from foreign schooling and is struggling with her identity since trying to distance herself from clan business; and Anden, the young adopted half-Kekonese son attending an academy for aspiring Green Bones.
The No Peak clan has been living in a time of peace since the Many Nations war ended, but when the rival clan the Mountain starts trying to gain more power, No Peak must use their Jade and show their power. Each of the siblings wages their own inner battles along with the very real battles happening in the streets.
This book had some of the most excellent world-building and culture building I've ever read. In just under 500 pages, Lee has created an entire fleshed out culture, belief system, and magic system all focused on Kekon's natural resource: Jade. In this world Jade gives power to anyone holding it, increasing their speed, strength, perception, along with other supernatural abilities. Jade doesn't come without its cost, however. Green Bones must train for years before they can tolerate carrying Jade without succumbing to fever and going mad. The structure of the clans were so complex! They had such a rigid system around politeness and civility.
This was a great story about family, power, and business with a dash of fantasy. I'm not sure if I'll continue the series or not. I think I'll have to be in the right mood to read the next one. Glad I picked this up though!
Jade City by Fonda Lee is book one in the Green Bone Saga. This was a modern wuxia gangster story that was sort of like an Asian inspired The Godfather. Although, not my typical kind of read, I did enjoy it, despite the slower pace.
We follow four Green Bone siblings in the Kaul family in the No Peak clan in Kekon. Lan, the oldest and the Pillar of the clan is reasonable, savvy, and respected; Hilo, the second brother is the clan's Horn in charge of the military arm of things and is brash, charismatic, and quick to anger; Shae, the youngest sister who has just returned from foreign schooling and is struggling with her identity since trying to distance herself from clan business; and Anden, the young adopted half-Kekonese son attending an academy for aspiring Green Bones.
The No Peak clan has been living in a time of peace since the Many Nations war ended, but when the rival clan the Mountain starts trying to gain more power, No Peak must use their Jade and show their power. Each of the siblings wages their own inner battles along with the very real battles happening in the streets.
This book had some of the most excellent world-building and culture building I've ever read. In just under 500 pages, Lee has created an entire fleshed out culture, belief system, and magic system all focused on Kekon's natural resource: Jade. In this world Jade gives power to anyone holding it, increasing their speed, strength, perception, along with other supernatural abilities. Jade doesn't come without its cost, however. Green Bones must train for years before they can tolerate carrying Jade without succumbing to fever and going mad. The structure of the clans were so complex! They had such a rigid system around politeness and civility.
This was a great story about family, power, and business with a dash of fantasy. I'm not sure if I'll continue the series or not. I think I'll have to be in the right mood to read the next one. Glad I picked this up though!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Sexual content, Violence, and Blood
Minor: Self harm and Suicide
A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-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 ⭐
A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers is book one of the Monk and Robot series. This was such a cute novella! Probably the cutest and coziest book I've read in a long time. Becky Chambers is definitely becoming one of my favourite authors.
We follow Sibling Dex, a monk on a futuristic moon who does a lot of gardening. Dex suddenly feels unfulfilled by their vocation and is overwhelmed by the urge to hear cricket song, so they make the change and become a traveling tea monk. Learning this new vocation of providing comfort, tea, and a listening ear to those in need satisfies them for a time, but they still feel bothered by feeling unfulfilled.
Dex decides one day to literally go off the beaten path by going into the wilderness to find an abandoned shrine in a mountain. They encounter a robot named Splendid Spotted Mosscap, Mosscap for short. Humans haven't seen robots since they acquired sentience and decided to leave humanity peacefully hundreds of years ago. Mosscap asks, "What do humans need?" An impossible question. Mosscap accompanies Dex on their journey, and they both learn about each other, while Mosscap imparts some much needed wisdom.
I loved this low stakes story! The relationship between Dex and Mosscap is so cute and effortless. I love that this is a story where sentient robots didn't become evil, and their choice to leave humanity inspired humans to be better. We don't get a lot of hopeful scifi anymore, so this was quite refreshing. I also appreciated the theme about Dex searching for their purpose in their late 20s early 30s. I think this is something a lot of us can relate to.
I will definitely be reading the next book!
A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers is book one of the Monk and Robot series. This was such a cute novella! Probably the cutest and coziest book I've read in a long time. Becky Chambers is definitely becoming one of my favourite authors.
We follow Sibling Dex, a monk on a futuristic moon who does a lot of gardening. Dex suddenly feels unfulfilled by their vocation and is overwhelmed by the urge to hear cricket song, so they make the change and become a traveling tea monk. Learning this new vocation of providing comfort, tea, and a listening ear to those in need satisfies them for a time, but they still feel bothered by feeling unfulfilled.
Dex decides one day to literally go off the beaten path by going into the wilderness to find an abandoned shrine in a mountain. They encounter a robot named Splendid Spotted Mosscap, Mosscap for short. Humans haven't seen robots since they acquired sentience and decided to leave humanity peacefully hundreds of years ago. Mosscap asks, "What do humans need?" An impossible question. Mosscap accompanies Dex on their journey, and they both learn about each other, while Mosscap imparts some much needed wisdom.
I loved this low stakes story! The relationship between Dex and Mosscap is so cute and effortless. I love that this is a story where sentient robots didn't become evil, and their choice to leave humanity inspired humans to be better. We don't get a lot of hopeful scifi anymore, so this was quite refreshing. I also appreciated the theme about Dex searching for their purpose in their late 20s early 30s. I think this is something a lot of us can relate to.
I will definitely be reading the next book!