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tinyelfarcanist's reviews
323 reviews
True You 101 by T.J. Eckhart
Going through racial and gender prejudice, the characters are supposed to become more empathic and question their own biases.
For all this class expects to teach them, our main character, Blake Trudeau, spends the course playing their different changes as they think they're supposed to act. They are finally called out, and there wasn't much process into it as the classes are ending soon.
For a book that tries to be open-minded about diversity, in a magic world where discrimination is not supposed to be as prominent as in the mortal world, they still mix gender and sex.
There seems to be a set-up for future books in the series as not every question is answered, but as far as I know, this is standalone.
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
As a trans person myself, I was intrigued by this book. Getting your body to look the way you feel inside sounds terrific.
Trying different eye colours, heights, body types, and even genders, students are expected to find who they really are and how their bodies can represent them.
Stereotypes are a sort of cultural shortcut that is partly created by our minds, but which are primarily taught over generations.
Going through racial and gender prejudice, the characters are supposed to become more empathic and question their own biases.
For all this class expects to teach them, our main character, Blake Trudeau, spends the course playing their different changes as they think they're supposed to act. They are finally called out, and there wasn't much process into it as the classes are ending soon.
For a book that tries to be open-minded about diversity, in a magic world where discrimination is not supposed to be as prominent as in the mortal world, they still mix gender and sex.
There seems to be a set-up for future books in the series as not every question is answered, but as far as I know, this is standalone.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Eating disorder, Racism, Transphobia, Outing
Minor: Rape
Of Shade and Shadow: The Exiled by Niamh Schmid
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The story is told from the perspective of two traumatized and insecure teenagers. Awkward moments ensured. Their interactions are wholesome but somewhat repetitive, with them over apologizing to one another. It was refreshing reading a YA novel where the relationship between the MCs isn't romantic.
The world is fleshed out, and I'd love to learn more about it. The worldbuilding, however, wasn't subtle, done in short info dumps.
The book would benefit from an editor. Some paragraphs could be removed without affecting the story, and some scenes lack follow-up. Most notable, ellipses are overused.
There are unexpected twists, and a minor cliffhanger to keep you intrigued. But the worldbuilding and characters are enough to get me invested in the series.
The world is fleshed out, and I'd love to learn more about it. The worldbuilding, however, wasn't subtle, done in short info dumps.
The book would benefit from an editor. Some paragraphs could be removed without affecting the story, and some scenes lack follow-up. Most notable, ellipses are overused.
There are unexpected twists, and a minor cliffhanger to keep you intrigued. But the worldbuilding and characters are enough to get me invested in the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Physical abuse, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Murder
Minor: Genocide, Torture, War
Salt Magic by Hope Larson, Rebecca Mock
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This whimsical and emotional graphic novel has a fairytale feel. The main character is jealous of losing her brother's attention to his new wife, but she is also selfless and loves her family. Some elements could've been expanded more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Alcohol
Minor: Confinement, Sexism, Pregnancy
Stone Fruit by Lee Lai
challenging
emotional
sad
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? It's complicated
4.0
Lee Lai paints an authentic depiction of two women in the search for self, dealing with mental illness, their relationship, parenting, and family.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Abandonment
Moderate: Racism, Transphobia, Lesbophobia
Epilogues for Lost Gods by Cat Rector
dark
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
4.5
Cat Rector never fails to bring tears with her accurate renditions of human emotions, even when her characters are eternal gods.
*Spoilers for The Goddess of Nothing At All.*
After the events of Ragnarok, the gods try to rebuild their lives/afterlives while dealing with grief and guilt. Sigyn's daddy issues resurface, as we already know most problems in the realms are indirect consequences of Odin's manipulation. Loki remains one of the most complex characters I've read in fiction, deeply flawed but endearing.
I liked the addition of modernists (recently deceased humans), who bring new technologies and practices to gods who've lived for millennia. Working together to build a utopic city.
Regrets, memories, and the small pleasures of the living are depicted from snippets of the dead.
Full of informed queer representation, this book is about healing from trauma, companionship, and forgiveness.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
*Spoilers for The Goddess of Nothing At All.*
After the events of Ragnarok, the gods try to rebuild their lives/afterlives while dealing with grief and guilt. Sigyn's daddy issues resurface, as we already know most problems in the realms are indirect consequences of Odin's manipulation. Loki remains one of the most complex characters I've read in fiction, deeply flawed but endearing.
I liked the addition of modernists (recently deceased humans), who bring new technologies and practices to gods who've lived for millennia. Working together to build a utopic city.
Regrets, memories, and the small pleasures of the living are depicted from snippets of the dead.
Full of informed queer representation, this book is about healing from trauma, companionship, and forgiveness.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Grief, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death, Cursing, Death, Infidelity, Sexual content, Torture, Xenophobia, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Alcohol, War
Minor: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual violence, Transphobia, Medical content
Hilda and the Black Hound by Luke Pearson
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
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
Cute, fun, and full of heart.
Pearson's illustrations are consolidating into a more evocative and refined style.
Pearson's illustrations are consolidating into a more evocative and refined style.
Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
With a charming array of characters, Legends & Lattes manages to keep you excited with an update on a coffee shop's menu. Now I want to try every pastry mentioned in the book.
I love how they get to create these aromatic beverages ahead of their time thanks to gnomish ingenuity. Oh, the magic of gnomish technology!
There's a blooming romance, but I didn't catch the chemistry the rest of the characters seemed to. In the end, this is not a romantic story, but one of found family and new chapters.
I love how they get to create these aromatic beverages ahead of their time thanks to gnomish ingenuity. Oh, the magic of gnomish technology!
There's a blooming romance, but I didn't catch the chemistry the rest of the characters seemed to. In the end, this is not a romantic story, but one of found family and new chapters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Sexual harassment
Minor: Death, Violence
Real Hero Shit by Kendra Wells
adventurous
funny
relaxing
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
5.0
FIVE FABULOUS STARS for this queer, fun, and irreverent graphic novel.
A queer prince joining an adventuring party sounded right up my alley, and it fulfilled my expectations. Sexy semi-nude prince from page 1 what's not to love?
I need more from this world and these characters. Kendra Wells seems to be setting up a bigger story for them.
A queer prince joining an adventuring party sounded right up my alley, and it fulfilled my expectations. Sexy semi-nude prince from page 1 what's not to love?
I need more from this world and these characters. Kendra Wells seems to be setting up a bigger story for them.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Religious bigotry
Moderate: Death, Infidelity, Sexual content
I Think Our Son Is Gay, Vol. 02 by Okura
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This mom is parenting goals. I was afraid this would become repetitive, but the introduction of new characters keeps it compelling.
We get to see more about Yuri with a full chapter from his POV
We get to see more about Yuri with a full chapter from his POV
Content Warnings
Graphic: Outing
Moderate: Homophobia
More Than Enough by E. Wambheim
I first heard of this book in a list of queer retellings, and it jumped up on my TBR. I loved the prose of some passages but wished it was more consistent all through. There were a couple of occurrences of the much-hated "let out the breath he had been holding".
I liked the depiction of how hiding who you are takes a toll on you. How it causes irritability, hurting you and the people around you.
A heartwarming tale of trauma, acceptance, consent and trust.
dark
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-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
4.0
Once upon a time, they said, as if they had not yet been born when the happenings transpired.
Once upon a time, they said, as if to turn the already-inexplicable truth into something even more mysterious.
I first heard of this book in a list of queer retellings, and it jumped up on my TBR. I loved the prose of some passages but wished it was more consistent all through. There were a couple of occurrences of the much-hated "let out the breath he had been holding".
Was death such that you could grieve for what you had left behind? If so, then yes, Petra would miss him—miss him dearly. He would miss so much: the sun against his skin, the background hum of bees and cicadas, the taste of water when he'd gone too long without a drink. He would miss picking fruit in the summer and finding the first green hints of spring in the last of the melting snow. He would miss waking on winter mornings to find foxes curled under the blankets with him for warmth and company.
I liked the depiction of how hiding who you are takes a toll on you. How it causes irritability, hurting you and the people around you.
A heartwarming tale of trauma, acceptance, consent and trust.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Panic attacks/disorders, Acephobia/Arophobia, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Sexual harassment
Moderate: Ableism