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readsforlove's reviews
831 reviews
Love at Second Sight by F.T. Lukens
4.25
F. T. Lukens has done it again. I'm telling you, no one does an ensemble cast like they do. If you loved So This Is Ever After, you'll love this book. The cast is similar, all with unique voices and personalities that are engaging and endearing. Lukens takes so much care in how they write relationships, never overlooking platonic bonds in order to uplift and praise romance. In this book especially, it really felt like the friendship between Al and Cam was the central point of the book, with the crushing on the sidelines. As an aroace person, I really appreciated the prioritizing of friendship here! And how we got to see so many different kinds of relationships in the various people who showed up for Cam.
The world building was also very well done. It was straightforward while still being complex, and I enjoyed the politics around each group of magical creatures. That was really interesting to delve into, and appreciated that the book took the time to do so. The magic itself was epic--loved the plant magic especially. And Lukens does a fantastic job of doing the "super special powered MC" without it feeling too cheesy. I was so here for the ride, and having a great time the whole way. Watching Cam settle into himself and his powers was so good--and such a great metaphor for queerness, honestly. I kind of want to reread it specifically to focus through that lens.
While I did overall love this book, I do have a few gripes: 1) the ending was just way too rushed. We didn't really get resolution to Al and Cam's relationship. Especially given Al's moms. That was frustrating, and with how much time we'd been given to invest in their friendship, it was frustrating not to get the payoff of them /really/ talking it out. The writing, especially at the beginning, was also rather repetitive, so we could have cut words down there and put them in the ending instead. 2) I would have like more time to resolve Cam's arc. I won't go into spoilery details, but I wanted Cam to truly be able to face their fears after the climax with the rest of the cast instead of just one friend.
None of these complaints are deal breakers though, and I will still be whole-heartedly recommending yet another banger of a book from this amazing author! Thank you so much to Netgalley and Simon and Schuster for the review copy.
The world building was also very well done. It was straightforward while still being complex, and I enjoyed the politics around each group of magical creatures. That was really interesting to delve into, and appreciated that the book took the time to do so. The magic itself was epic--loved the plant magic especially. And Lukens does a fantastic job of doing the "super special powered MC" without it feeling too cheesy. I was so here for the ride, and having a great time the whole way. Watching Cam settle into himself and his powers was so good--and such a great metaphor for queerness, honestly. I kind of want to reread it specifically to focus through that lens.
While I did overall love this book, I do have a few gripes: 1) the ending was just way too rushed. We didn't really get resolution to Al and Cam's relationship. Especially given Al's moms. That was frustrating, and with how much time we'd been given to invest in their friendship, it was frustrating not to get the payoff of them /really/ talking it out. The writing, especially at the beginning, was also rather repetitive, so we could have cut words down there and put them in the ending instead. 2) I would have like more time to resolve Cam's arc. I won't go into spoilery details, but I wanted Cam to truly be able to face their fears after the climax with the rest of the cast instead of just one friend.
None of these complaints are deal breakers though, and I will still be whole-heartedly recommending yet another banger of a book from this amazing author! Thank you so much to Netgalley and Simon and Schuster for the review copy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood
I Will Judge You by Your Bookshelf by Grant Snider
4.5
A lovely ode to creatives of all sorts. I felt very seen and understood by this short collection.
Don't Let the Forest In by C.G. Drews
4.0
I ... am not sure how to rate this. I'm settling on four stars, but like ... I'm also a mess? And kind of annoyed? But not sure if I'm annoyed with the author or with myself because the author definitely warned me, and I just ... didn't listen. Because I am a naive, gullible little idiot, I guess. I just want to curl up with a blanket and not talk to anyone for a while.
I came for the ace rep and left weeping. The ace rep was done well. Like. I kind of wish the ace horror had been leaned into a little more, but what bites we got was DELICIOUS and I was so here for it. But also I feel like, while I love this author and their work, I also get kind of triggered by their writing. It's so gutting and honest and real and just ... baby steps are required for me to make it through the book without coming apart. So definitely check the content warnings on this one, friends. But also ... read if you want sad, panicked, frantic gays hunting monsters and being angsty? Might come back with more coherent thoughts later. Who tf knows with this one.
Thank you to NetGalley for the free review copy!
I came for the ace rep and left weeping. The ace rep was done well. Like. I kind of wish the ace horror had been leaned into a little more, but what bites we got was DELICIOUS and I was so here for it. But also I feel like, while I love this author and their work, I also get kind of triggered by their writing. It's so gutting and honest and real and just ... baby steps are required for me to make it through the book without coming apart. So definitely check the content warnings on this one, friends. But also ... read if you want sad, panicked, frantic gays hunting monsters and being angsty? Might come back with more coherent thoughts later. Who tf knows with this one.
Thank you to NetGalley for the free review copy!
A Song For You And I by K. O'Neill
4.0
"It feels like a pair of perfectly fine boots that's never fitted me right. Am i supposed to go on tryin' to wear 'em forever?" -A Song for You and I by K. O'Neill
An asutute Gay might be able to tell from the above quote that this story is a love letter to anyone who has ever questioned the labels the world gave for them. The story doesn't really dive into the nuances of that questioning, but rather sits with the feelings the questioner has. There are so many panels of expressions of our main characters as they simply feel something deeply. The art was so reflective and slow and ponderous. Things resolved very gently and simply in this world of pegasi and rangers and violinists who play to sheep. It was a warm hug and gentle stroll of a book about finding yourself and the pains that come with doing that, but also the unexpected delights. Fans of K. O'Neill will not be disappointed, and newcomers to this author will be pleasantly surprised by the gentle hand O'Neill offers as they guide you through their stories.
Thank you to NetGalley for the review copy.
An asutute Gay might be able to tell from the above quote that this story is a love letter to anyone who has ever questioned the labels the world gave for them. The story doesn't really dive into the nuances of that questioning, but rather sits with the feelings the questioner has. There are so many panels of expressions of our main characters as they simply feel something deeply. The art was so reflective and slow and ponderous. Things resolved very gently and simply in this world of pegasi and rangers and violinists who play to sheep. It was a warm hug and gentle stroll of a book about finding yourself and the pains that come with doing that, but also the unexpected delights. Fans of K. O'Neill will not be disappointed, and newcomers to this author will be pleasantly surprised by the gentle hand O'Neill offers as they guide you through their stories.
Thank you to NetGalley for the review copy.
The Honey Witch by Sydney J. Shields
Did not finish book. Stopped at 48%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 48%.
4 people are waiting on Libby and I am no longer in the mood for this :( I plan to pick it up again eventually!