sashahc's reviews
189 reviews

Moon of the Crusted Snow by Waubgeshig Rice

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad 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? It's complicated

5.0

“The Moon of the Crusted Snow” and “The Moon of the Turning Leaves” by Waubgeshig Rice are a post-apocalyptic duology set in an Anishanaabek reserve in what is now Canada.  It focuses on a young family and their community trying to survive and keep hope after the lights go out. As with many in the genre, the #book s are about the worst and best of people.  They are engrossing, intimate, dark, but ultimately hopeful.  

The Knight and the Necromancer: The Complete Series by A.H. Lee

adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

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

5.0

I just read a fun queer sword and sorcery trilogy called “The Knight and the Necromancer” by A.H. Lee.  Knightly prince meets misfit necromancer in a gay bar and adventures ensue.  Plots against the throne!  Encroaching sorcerous armies!  Ghosts and demons and werewolves and enchanted swords!  Spicy times in a hot springs!  It’s a delightfully distracting read with enjoyable characters.  I’ll definitely read more from this author. #book

This Ravenous Fate by Hayley Dennings

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious 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? Yes

5.0

Just finished “This Ravenous Fate” by Hayley Dennings.  Teenage Black Sapphic jazz age vampires in Harlem.  SO MUCH DRAMA.  The  friends to enemies to lovers have such divided loyalties.  V toxic family dynamics.  Bootleggers!  Gangs!  Questionable doctors! Corrupt politicians!  MANY UNDERHANDED PLOTS.  Rather a lot of blood.  Like, so much blood.  Definitely a vibe.

Immortal Dark by Tigest Girma

challenging dark emotional 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? Yes

5.0

In the mood for dark academia, African mythology based Black vampires, a high body count, and an unreliable teenage girl with a magical legacy and major anger issues?  “Immortal Dark” by Tigest Girma has your number.  This is 0% cozy, but has lush language, powerful characters, and very interesting world building. #book

Voyage of the Damned by Frances White

adventurous emotional funny mysterious tense medium-paced

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

5.0

“Voyage of the Damned” by Frances White is a delightful queer boat voyage with SO many murders.  It has a great sense of humor, a dark mystery to uncover, and unexpected and very human layers.  It’s also got a proudly chubby main character and one of my favorite six year olds ever.  A good #book for our present time.

Running Close to the Wind by Alexandra Rowland

adventurous funny lighthearted 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? Yes

5.0

This current spate of queer pirate tales pleases me greatly.  The newest #book is "Running Close to the Wind" by Alexandra Rowland.  It is gleefully funny, has surprising depths, and is unapologetically queer.  The MC is a lucky and charming utter chaos gremlin and there are sea serpents, glowing blue dogs, and an epic cake contest.  Plus a little anti-capitalism, as a treat.

Bride by Ali Hazelwood

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious medium-paced

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

5.0

“Bride” by Ali Hazelwood is fun entry into the paranormal romance #book genre.  The concept is an arranged werewolf - vampire political marriage, but the vampire bride is a hacker who is incredibly snarky, chaotic, and 100% has her own agenda.  There’s a mystery to solve, some found family, and plenty of spice.  I deeply enjoyed the sense of humor.

Sheine Lende by Darcie Little Badger

adventurous emotional hopeful 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

5.0

Recently read “Sheine Lende” by Darcie Little Badger.  It’s actually the prequel to Elatsoe, which I loved.  A smart and determined Lipan Apache girl has to find and rescue her mother.  I love that while the MC is leading the #book, she still has help from her family and friends.  And the world building is great.  There is also recognition of trauma, but it is not the heart of the book.

The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley

dark emotional funny mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

“The Ministry of Time” by Kaliane Bradley is a bitingly clever, layered, and complex #book.  It’s deliciously written and interweaves civil service bureaucracy, time travel, colonialism, arctic expeditions, and identity.  Plus romance, spies, and the future of the world.  The characters are deeply interesting and the world is small but rich.  And it asks, “Are we the baddies?”

The Weight of Our Sky by Hanna Alkaf

adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful fast-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? Yes

5.0

I read a really good #book this week that is not SFF nor queer nor cozy.  Shocking, I know.  “The Weight of Our Sky” by Hanna Alkaf takes place in 1969 Malaysia.  Melati is a typical Beatles obsessed teenage girl who also happens to have debilitating OCD. When race riots suddenly flare, she is separated from her mother and has to make her own way through the city.  It’s dark, hopeful, engaging, and funny at times.  Definitely worth a read.