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shimaira's reviews
64 reviews
The Ruiner by Nem Rowan
5.0
This book was a rollercoaster of emotions. The ending was so tense, I didn't want to stop reading!
TL;DR review:
A BDSM club, kinky stuff, a mxm pairing that I shipped so hard it hurt, a trans MC, a well-written and terrifying stalker... All in all, a delicious mix of queer romance and thrilling horror.
Longer, more in-depth review:
On LGBTQ+:
The MC is trans and the hurt and hardships this has brought him throughout his life (esp with his mother) was both heart-wrenching and rage-inducing at points. (I wanted to yeet the mom into a volcano...) So be aware that there is transphobia in the book along with deadnaming. Thankfully, the MC has the love and support of his siblings and his friends. The MC has quite the thick-skin and is not afraid to stand his ground, and the same goes for his friends.
The MC desires a new playmate and possible boyfriend, and finds a very shy man with whom he falls in love. Their dynamic was amazing and this guy is my fav character in the whole book
TL;DR review:
A BDSM club, kinky stuff, a mxm pairing that I shipped so hard it hurt, a trans MC, a well-written and terrifying stalker... All in all, a delicious mix of queer romance and thrilling horror.
Longer, more in-depth review:
On LGBTQ+:
The MC is trans and the hurt and hardships this has brought him throughout his life (esp with his mother) was both heart-wrenching and rage-inducing at points. (I wanted to yeet the mom into a volcano...) So be aware that there is transphobia in the book along with deadnaming. Thankfully, the MC has the love and support of his siblings and his friends. The MC has quite the thick-skin and is not afraid to stand his ground, and the same goes for his friends.
The MC desires a new playmate and possible boyfriend, and finds a very shy man with whom he falls in love. Their dynamic was amazing and this guy is my fav character in the whole book
Lesser Known Monsters by Rory Michaelson
5.0
This book deserves 5 stars for the friendship synergy alone
The Bone Gate by Rory Michaelson
5.0
Oh boy... I called the first book a wild ride but this one was even wilder
Her Soul for Revenge by Harley Laroux
5.0
Juniper and Zane are amazing together. The intensity and action this book brings is
The Unholy Mother of the Demonic Child by Daniel Aegan
4.0
A dark academia book featuring lovely surprises but also heartrending ones.
No character is safe, which makes this a real page-turner!
TL;DR review:
A paranormal mystery set in a post-apocalyptic world with a whole new religion, this novel shows you the good and the bad parts of the surviving society--like how it's very queer accepting (there is one trans character who really made my queer momma instincts happy) to how deep corruption runs (content warning for sexual abuse--but know justice awaits).
Longer, more in-depth review:
On LGBTQ+:
There's a trans character introduced very early on in the book (I won't give details as to who it is because of spoilers). I was pleasantly surprised to see this character being embraced by the school staff and the students--it really helped that they made this a thing that fits their religion.
Furthermore, the Demonic Child (a man) had a lover who was also a man. Queerness is thus inherent to the religion taught in the school the story is set in.
On mystery:
The thing about mysteries is how you often know certain characters are "safe". Well, not in this book! Everyone is basically free game and if you want to find out who survives... Better start reading
No character is safe, which makes this a real page-turner!
TL;DR review:
A paranormal mystery set in a post-apocalyptic world with a whole new religion, this novel shows you the good and the bad parts of the surviving society--like how it's very queer accepting (there is one trans character who really made my queer momma instincts happy) to how deep corruption runs (content warning for sexual abuse--but know justice awaits).
Longer, more in-depth review:
On LGBTQ+:
There's a trans character introduced very early on in the book (I won't give details as to who it is because of spoilers). I was pleasantly surprised to see this character being embraced by the school staff and the students--it really helped that they made this a thing that fits their religion.
Furthermore, the Demonic Child (a man) had a lover who was also a man. Queerness is thus inherent to the religion taught in the school the story is set in.
On mystery:
The thing about mysteries is how you often know certain characters are "safe". Well, not in this book! Everyone is basically free game and if you want to find out who survives... Better start reading
The Uncanny and the Dead: A Spooky By Association Anthology by Alice Scott, Hester Steel, Ezra Arndt, Frank Rudiger Lopes, C.M. Rosens, Allie Pino, Michelle Tang, L.J. Thomas
5.0
A great anthology with a lot of range. Some stories are paranormal suspense while others will fill you with dread.
The anthology itself is beautifully designed, with each story having their own header art.
Above each story you will also find a short list of content warnings, which is something I love to see.
Longer, more in-depth review:
Because it's an anthology of various short stories, it's hard to review without dropping spoilers.
One of the things I always enjoy about anthologies is how they introduce you to new writers. Love a certain story? Look up the author and see what else they have to offer :) Sometimes an anthology is what leads one to find their new favourite author.
It can also be the other way around, where you already have an author you love and an anthology offers a short story in the same universe as existing books.
On LGBTQ+:
With queer authors, there are also several stories that clearly feature queer characters. For example, THE FIELD DEVOURS has a character who uses they/them pronouns.
On THE RELUCTANT HUSBAND:
Yeah, I'm biased... I love C. M. Rosens THE CROWS so when I was reading THE RELUCTANT HUSBAND and realised it was basically a prequel to that novel... I literally did a little squeal of joy
The anthology itself is beautifully designed, with each story having their own header art.
Above each story you will also find a short list of content warnings, which is something I love to see.
Longer, more in-depth review:
Because it's an anthology of various short stories, it's hard to review without dropping spoilers.
One of the things I always enjoy about anthologies is how they introduce you to new writers. Love a certain story? Look up the author and see what else they have to offer :) Sometimes an anthology is what leads one to find their new favourite author.
It can also be the other way around, where you already have an author you love and an anthology offers a short story in the same universe as existing books.
On LGBTQ+:
With queer authors, there are also several stories that clearly feature queer characters. For example, THE FIELD DEVOURS has a character who uses they/them pronouns.
On THE RELUCTANT HUSBAND:
Yeah, I'm biased... I love C. M. Rosens THE CROWS so when I was reading THE RELUCTANT HUSBAND and realised it was basically a prequel to that novel... I literally did a little squeal of joy
The Lost Girl of Goose Creek by Claire Olivia Golden
5.0
This book made me sob almost non-stop for the second half--and I loved it.
TL;DR review:
Be prepared to have your heart ripped apart and your soul shred, because Etta's journey through abuse and recovery is terrifyingly realistic.
Longer, more in-depth review:
On abuse & trauma:
The abuse is both detailed and not, but due to the way it is written, every tiny detail still hits like a hammer. From matter-of-fact statements of things that happened, to how Etta responds to what has happened, to how her mind tries to cope.
I don't want to give too many spoilers, but there is one part... Just scrolling through that broke my heart.
The trauma is written so well I began to doubt if this book was even fiction.
On recovery:
This part of the book is what got me the most emotional--I cried so much my eyes were puffy for days! (And Claire knows because I sent her photos of my teary face
TL;DR review:
Be prepared to have your heart ripped apart and your soul shred, because Etta's journey through abuse and recovery is terrifyingly realistic.
Longer, more in-depth review:
On abuse & trauma:
The abuse is both detailed and not, but due to the way it is written, every tiny detail still hits like a hammer. From matter-of-fact statements of things that happened, to how Etta responds to what has happened, to how her mind tries to cope.
I don't want to give too many spoilers, but there is one part... Just scrolling through that broke my heart.
The trauma is written so well I began to doubt if this book was even fiction.
On recovery:
This part of the book is what got me the most emotional--I cried so much my eyes were puffy for days! (And Claire knows because I sent her photos of my teary face
The Torn Earth by Rory Michaelson
5.0
This is the most amazing end to a trilogy I've read yet. Buckle up, as it's even wilder than the previous books!
Tall White Tenement by Anna Kirchner
5.0
A wild ride with magic and demons, all while still finding time to discuss ace and aro feels
Undergrounder by J.E. Glass
5.0
"I don't need sleep, I need answers" sums up my reading experience. Also: I need a sequel and I need it now