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taliejane's reviews
20 reviews
Sire by Jex Lane
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Not even gonna lie this series ruined me. In this book Devak and Samantha are added as characters and Mathew has a few months of real happiness... and he and I forget once again that this is DARK romance and EVERYTHING GOES TO SHIT.
You really begin to root for Mathew to find a way to destroy everyone who ever hurt him. I mean genuinely I was like "yeah kill a whole army my dude you deserve it". No but the character development and emotional turmoil, the plot development, the twists and turns???? For a what I thought would just be vamp π§ββοΈ smut?? Im a fool A FOOL
This series is some of the best story telling I've read for a while and it's a dark vampire romance what is happening!!
You really begin to root for Mathew to find a way to destroy everyone who ever hurt him. I mean genuinely I was like "yeah kill a whole army my dude you deserve it". No but the character development and emotional turmoil, the plot development, the twists and turns???? For a what I thought would just be vamp π§ββοΈ smut?? Im a fool A FOOL
This series is some of the best story telling I've read for a while and it's a dark vampire romance what is happening!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Animal cruelty, War, Violence, Toxic relationship, Torture, Toxic friendship, Suicidal thoughts, Rape, Stalking, Slavery, Sexual assault, Physical abuse, and Murder
This is for GROWN UPS
Captive by Jex Lane
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
So I admit I started reading this book purely because I wanted to read vampire smut. As these things usually go, I was instead pulled into an amazing world of *drum roll* beautiful monsters. No but actually what the HELL.
Before you even read any further THIS SERIES IS INCOMPLETE and the author might not finish the series any time soon so be warned. We respect author process and the right for authors to take breaks in this house!! But now I'm actually dead xoxox
What's this book about? Mathew is a new vampire - he's literally referred to as being 7 by the others lmao mans fully 39 anyway - he's a vampire babyyy. And he's out here all alone trying not to murder too many humans when he's captured by sexy but also sort of evil incubus Lord General Tarrick. Tarrick straight up wants to kill him that night but then Mathew turns out to be stronger than expected. Since incumbi and vampires are in a centuries long war (and half these people have been in the war from the start...they're old af) Tarring is like "oop π actually you might be a great weapon" and Mathew is like "im immediately falling in love".
I won't spoil the rest but this is a DARK ROMANCE people. It's sexy but it's also sad. You'll fall in love with Mathew because he is so beautifully charming and then everyone will be fucking awful to Mathew for like 3 years.
Jex Lane im your bitch now. You own me.
Before you even read any further THIS SERIES IS INCOMPLETE and the author might not finish the series any time soon so be warned. We respect author process and the right for authors to take breaks in this house!! But now I'm actually dead xoxox
What's this book about? Mathew is a new vampire - he's literally referred to as being 7 by the others lmao mans fully 39 anyway - he's a vampire babyyy. And he's out here all alone trying not to murder too many humans when he's captured by sexy but also sort of evil incubus Lord General Tarrick. Tarrick straight up wants to kill him that night but then Mathew turns out to be stronger than expected. Since incumbi and vampires are in a centuries long war (and half these people have been in the war from the start...they're old af) Tarring is like "oop π actually you might be a great weapon" and Mathew is like "im immediately falling in love".
I won't spoil the rest but this is a DARK ROMANCE people. It's sexy but it's also sad. You'll fall in love with Mathew because he is so beautifully charming and then everyone will be fucking awful to Mathew for like 3 years.
Jex Lane im your bitch now. You own me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, Rape, Emotional abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic friendship, War, Slavery, Self harm, and Death
Like just don't read it if you're under 18 my dudes
Brothersong by TJ Klune
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Ravensong by TJ Klune
OKAY SPOILERS FROM HERE BITCHES
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
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? Yes
5.0
For the sequel to Wolfsong we follow Gordo's perspective, all the way from leaving with Joe for those three years to the aftermath of Richard Collins' death. All the while, we watch Gordo resist the pull to Mark, his one time mate.
I waited to continue the Green Creek series because I knew they were releasing a new audiobook version of Ravensong and I really loved Kirt Graves' narration for the first book. But I had forgotten how UNWELL THESE CHARACTERS MAKE ME OMG I AM DESTROYED ONCE AGAIN TJ KLUNE HOW DARE YOU.
Gordo is such an amazing character for a POV. At first, I really missed Ox and Joe, but pretty soon I was feeling for Gordo and all he's been through. It was amazing to see his backstory and his history with the Bennett pack. And by 'amazing', I mean HEARTBREAKING. My man has been through so much and has been betrayed so often π©π©π©π©
This book really shined a different light on the Bennetts and werewolf politics. I love when books challenge our feelings about characters we grow to love and trust. When they add layers of complexity and complication. I was righteously angry at Thomas and Mark and the rest of them for abandoning Gordo. It really made sense how he felt throughout Wolfsong and the way he tried to protect Ox.
It also added this bittersweet longing to his relationship with Mark. He loved him deeply but also was strong enough to protect himself from people who had let him down. As the reader, I totally believed it. I felt like this was a character who has grown to rely on himself out of necessity. Instead of becoming bitter and cruel, he just held people closer to him and continued to value loyalty and family. But then when Mark returns and get infected by the Omega, he panics. That feeling was so raw and heartbreaking. It felt earned once they came back together. As of they had tried everything else. They had chosen each other in the end. Basically, TJ Klune killed me and now im dead and a ghost. A ghost is writing this review.
The plot with the hunters and omegas was also really well developed and didn't feel predictable or thrown together to facilitate the romance (sometimes I find this to be a problem with paranormal romance). All of the strong elements of Wolfsong, the prose changing for pack conversations, the character development, the family ties, and the banter, were consistent in Ravensong. An extremely strong sequel. π
Content Warnings
Minor: Body horror
The King's Men by Nora Sakavic
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
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? Yes
5.0
Okay so...listen...
Is this a well-written, unproblematic series with a plot that makes sense and a semblance of a grounding in reality? No. Do I even necessarily recommend it? No. Am I entirely obsessed with it to the point that I'm still thinking about it months later and am deep in the trenches of the fandom? YES 5 STARS THIS SERIES RUINED MY LIFE βββββ
Neil Josten has been on the run from my crime lord father as long as he can remember. Yearning for some semblance of a life, he joins an Exy team in his senior year of high school. Unexpectedly, he is noticed by a college Exy coach and recruited to the Palmetto foxes. However, he really SHOULD NOT become a high profile college athlete because, a) he is, as mentioned above, on the run, and b) one of his team mates is part of the crime family associated with his father. YEAH IT'S A MAFIA/COLLEGE FOOTBALL/QUEER ROMANCE SERIES. Fight me Goodreads!! I love it!!
CW: Violence, Murder, Torture, SA, Addiction (like it's a mafia story so...).
Okay so the romance doesn't really start until the third book. Because the characters are usually busy with not-getting-murdered-by-the-mafia and romance takes a back seat behind like trauma and winning college sports games.
But damn does Sakavic craft a story. I know the author is problematic too and the characterisations are often clichΓ©d. I haven't had a chance to look into her much yet but just, let me have this π
The plot is messy as hell. But if you can offer it the suspension of disbelief you'd give something like a supernatural romance (and I grew up watching The Vampire Diaries and Twilight) then it is GRIPPING. To say I devoured these books (audiobooks cause it was exam season) is an understatement. My heart was RACING.
The characterisations in this book are really what make it. I mean the author basically takes a bunch of messy teenagers, puts them through the most insane trauma, and then let's them be sweet and supportive and loyal to one another. You're screaming at the book LEAVE THEM ALONE and then they protect each other. The love interest (sort of, like mans not a romantic lead or anything) Andrew is essentially written as a numb-to-the-world, psychopath who cares about almost nothing, except the protagonist's life. OKAY HE CARES ABOUT NOTHING BUT NEIL AND ALSO HIS TEAMMATES AND TWIN BROTHER. I'M CRYING.
Look, there are more books in the world that I could ever read. So I'm going to cling to the ones that make my heart beat fast in my chest and fill my thoughts for months afterwards because that makes me feel alive. It's not Austen or BrontΓ« okay but it's 5 stars.
Is this a well-written, unproblematic series with a plot that makes sense and a semblance of a grounding in reality? No. Do I even necessarily recommend it? No. Am I entirely obsessed with it to the point that I'm still thinking about it months later and am deep in the trenches of the fandom? YES 5 STARS THIS SERIES RUINED MY LIFE βββββ
Neil Josten has been on the run from my crime lord father as long as he can remember. Yearning for some semblance of a life, he joins an Exy team in his senior year of high school. Unexpectedly, he is noticed by a college Exy coach and recruited to the Palmetto foxes. However, he really SHOULD NOT become a high profile college athlete because, a) he is, as mentioned above, on the run, and b) one of his team mates is part of the crime family associated with his father. YEAH IT'S A MAFIA/COLLEGE FOOTBALL/QUEER ROMANCE SERIES. Fight me Goodreads!! I love it!!
CW: Violence, Murder, Torture, SA, Addiction (like it's a mafia story so...).
Okay so the romance doesn't really start until the third book. Because the characters are usually busy with not-getting-murdered-by-the-mafia and romance takes a back seat behind like trauma and winning college sports games.
But damn does Sakavic craft a story. I know the author is problematic too and the characterisations are often clichΓ©d. I haven't had a chance to look into her much yet but just, let me have this π
The plot is messy as hell. But if you can offer it the suspension of disbelief you'd give something like a supernatural romance (and I grew up watching The Vampire Diaries and Twilight) then it is GRIPPING. To say I devoured these books (audiobooks cause it was exam season) is an understatement. My heart was RACING.
The characterisations in this book are really what make it. I mean the author basically takes a bunch of messy teenagers, puts them through the most insane trauma, and then let's them be sweet and supportive and loyal to one another. You're screaming at the book LEAVE THEM ALONE and then they protect each other. The love interest (sort of, like mans not a romantic lead or anything) Andrew is essentially written as a numb-to-the-world, psychopath who cares about almost nothing, except the protagonist's life. OKAY HE CARES ABOUT NOTHING BUT NEIL AND ALSO HIS TEAMMATES AND TWIN BROTHER. I'M CRYING.
Look, there are more books in the world that I could ever read. So I'm going to cling to the ones that make my heart beat fast in my chest and fill my thoughts for months afterwards because that makes me feel alive. It's not Austen or BrontΓ« okay but it's 5 stars.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Sexual violence
The Raven King by Nora Sakavic
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Sexual violence
The Foxhole Court by Nora Sakavic
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence and Violence
The Subs Club by J.A. Rock
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
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? Yes
5.0
Ouch my heart π
A year ago, David and his three best friends, whom he loves above all else, lost the fifth member of their group, Hal, in a BDSM breath-play scene gone wrong. Since then, David's been struggling to understand what happened and to feel comfortable in his community. How can he truly ever trust in a dom when he sees people playing unsafely at every turn? This is why he founds The Subs Club, an online blog for subs and bottoms to have open discussions and to review the local doms. Then he meets D (a big burly dom, also called David) and starts to think again about reviewing such intimate moments with another person.
Okay so I'm not great at summaries. But this book is so unexpectedly gut-punchingly moving. Of course there's lots of kinky sex too, and it's also written beautifully mind-you. Full of realistic and human descriptions of intimacy instead of porny scenes with reality defying logistics and people who are never awkward or dorky during sex.
No, but the real HEART of this book is a story of four close friends going through terrible grief and trying to rebuild their identities in relation to their community. It is about communicating your needs to your partner and how much bravery that can take. It's about forgiveness and the cruelty of life. Honestly, this is such a page-turner. I raced through it like with a Kris Ripper or Alexis Hall book. Highly recommend to anyone who loves sexy, queer romance with soul and poignancy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Just be aware a big part of the plot is someone dying in a breath-play kink scene.
I Was Their American Dream: A Graphic Memoir by Malaka Gharib
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
I loved this graphic novel! Malaka takes the reader on a charmingly illustrated journey through her experience as the child of first generation immigrants in the USA - her father from Egypt and mother from the Philippines.
She explains ways in which she loved the various aspects of both cultures but also how she sometimes struggled between honouring her heritage and growing up as an all American woman. The anecdotes are interesting (I knew very little about either culture going in!) and at times super relatable (Irish catholics and Filipino catholics are not so different haha). The illustrations are really cool, although at first I didn't like the style so much, it totally grew on me and I loved how all the characters were shown with so much love.
It's also very insightful and poignant at times, discussing unique immigrant experiences surrounding your identity and how you interact with the majority culture of a country. As neither an American nor an immigrant in my own country, it was a totally new thing to learn about! Sometimes Malaka was accused of being too whitewashed by people in her own culture. Other times, she was told she identified too strongly as an immigrant and she shouldn't ask people what mix of ethnicity they were. Meanwhile, that was always the way she identified herself to others in order to connect with her community. It was a really interesting conflict. And it was beautiful, hopeful ending.
The tone of the story is consistently uplifting and energetic. I'd really recommend it to anyone, although younger kids might struggle with the vocabulary.
She explains ways in which she loved the various aspects of both cultures but also how she sometimes struggled between honouring her heritage and growing up as an all American woman. The anecdotes are interesting (I knew very little about either culture going in!) and at times super relatable (Irish catholics and Filipino catholics are not so different haha). The illustrations are really cool, although at first I didn't like the style so much, it totally grew on me and I loved how all the characters were shown with so much love.
It's also very insightful and poignant at times, discussing unique immigrant experiences surrounding your identity and how you interact with the majority culture of a country. As neither an American nor an immigrant in my own country, it was a totally new thing to learn about! Sometimes Malaka was accused of being too whitewashed by people in her own culture. Other times, she was told she identified too strongly as an immigrant and she shouldn't ask people what mix of ethnicity they were. Meanwhile, that was always the way she identified herself to others in order to connect with her community. It was a really interesting conflict. And it was beautiful, hopeful ending.
The tone of the story is consistently uplifting and energetic. I'd really recommend it to anyone, although younger kids might struggle with the vocabulary.
Catalysts by Kris Ripper
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
I mean I literally have no notes. Kris Ripper owns me now. Ze owns my whole soul, I'm zir servant.
No but for real this π is π a π book π
Lil synopsis: Will is struggling to maintain a normal relationship because he yearns for a certain dynamic - he craves submission but is too scared to explore that side of himself. Luckily, his twin brother Ads is a complete menace and (after discovering his search history lmao) connects him with the local BDSM community aka Hugh Reynolds ππππ
Not only is it a beautiful example of how a writer can jump between POVs without disrupting the pace and narrative, but instead ADD to the tension and engagement of the reader. It is also a perfect marriage between incredibly hot scenes and intensely introspective and poignant character analysis. I mean I DEVOURED this book and at the time of writing this review am halfway through the second one.
I havent raced through books with this much fervor since discovery Alexis Hall's writing during the global panini. 5/5 cannot recommend highly enough. I could HEAR my heart beat.