Take a photo of a barcode or cover
wilt's reviews
91 reviews
Fiorenzo by Sebastian Nothwell
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This is going to be a really difficult book to talk about because while I really enjoyed some elements of the story, the writing, and characters, there were just as many parts I had a tough time getting through and would would be hard pressed to find a reader to recommend the full experience to.
My main issue thankfully isn't with the story itself but rather the structure. This is a long book. Which isn't a bad thing, but even as a reader who typically loves brick-like books with lengthy descriptions and tangents and heavy character focus, I really felt like Fiorenzo could have worked better if the word count was halved. It felt like there were three different books here - in that the first 20% was a tense, mysterious erotica that pulled me into a world erupting with vibrant culture and history and artful texture. I loved the beginning of this book, everything from the opening scene to the physical intimacy to the presentation of a city that made me wish I could walk around its streets and harbors and galleries and fountains and art and canals, and I could go on. Even with the fast paced romance unfolding I was intrigued to see where it would lead between these two interesting, complex, confident characters.
But the remaining 80% took such a dramatic pace shift that I struggled with to the very end. Moreso because it kept going back and forth between huge blocks of slow, overly detailed descriptions of mundane events (and never ending self-depreciation), and the actual riveting plot full of cool settings and gripping motivations and impactful consequences. Because like I said, I really liked the story here! But the mundane moments were simply too drawn out and even repetitive. That isn't even to say they needed to be cut out all together, they were just way, way too long and somewhat boring compared to the rest of the book that shined so well. They drowned out some truly interesting sections of story and writing, and made for an overall negative reading experience.
But one more thing I did really enjoy was Enzo's anatomy. I didn't even know before I started reading this book that there would be something of interest there. The author's note had me intrigued, but when I tell you I sat up in excitement and shook my e-reader when I picked up on where exactly it was leading it would be an understatement. Even though Enzo isn't trans or intersex (by the author's word), as a trans man reader I am ecstatic to see broader explorations of non typical anatomy in queer romance. Especially when it's presented as a point of pleasure for the one who has it, and doesn't take away from his masculinity. It's exciting to see, and very enjoyable to read, and I don't think him not being trans or intersex took away from the experience at all. Fictional experiences like these, I think, can actually help normalize the real-world variances present in queer circles, especially because it's not that far off from what some people do have, and it's just plain fun to read. Though, I did feel the actual reveal lacked any feeling of impact or narrative satisfaction, that is again another unfortunate victim of the book's structure.
All in all, this book has a lot of charm and a genuinely compelling story. But it's way too long, with not enough substance to justify it. I'm still glad I finished it, for the sections that did shine, and for the ending that did fill me with a satisfied yet unexpected spark of joy. For the characters, and the art filled world, and the wounds, and the rage, and healing. But I could not read it again, or really recommend it as it is, and that is a huge shame.
This author feels like he has a lot of potential to shine, and I want to know what other queer stories he's written. There are so many elements here that align exactly with what I enjoy. But it would be a challenge to get me to read more from him without the assurance that his other works have had much stronger editing intervention.
This is going to be a really difficult book to talk about because while I really enjoyed some elements of the story, the writing, and characters, there were just as many parts I had a tough time getting through and would would be hard pressed to find a reader to recommend the full experience to.
My main issue thankfully isn't with the story itself but rather the structure. This is a long book. Which isn't a bad thing, but even as a reader who typically loves brick-like books with lengthy descriptions and tangents and heavy character focus, I really felt like Fiorenzo could have worked better if the word count was halved. It felt like there were three different books here - in that the first 20% was a tense, mysterious erotica that pulled me into a world erupting with vibrant culture and history and artful texture. I loved the beginning of this book, everything from the opening scene to the physical intimacy to the presentation of a city that made me wish I could walk around its streets and harbors and galleries and fountains and art and canals, and I could go on. Even with the fast paced romance unfolding I was intrigued to see where it would lead between these two interesting, complex, confident characters.
But the remaining 80% took such a dramatic pace shift that I struggled with to the very end. Moreso because it kept going back and forth between huge blocks of slow, overly detailed descriptions of mundane events (and never ending self-depreciation), and the actual riveting plot full of cool settings and gripping motivations and impactful consequences. Because like I said, I really liked the story here! But the mundane moments were simply too drawn out and even repetitive. That isn't even to say they needed to be cut out all together, they were just way, way too long and somewhat boring compared to the rest of the book that shined so well. They drowned out some truly interesting sections of story and writing, and made for an overall negative reading experience.
But one more thing I did really enjoy was Enzo's anatomy. I didn't even know before I started reading this book that there would be something of interest there. The author's note had me intrigued, but when I tell you I sat up in excitement and shook my e-reader when I picked up on where exactly it was leading it would be an understatement. Even though Enzo isn't trans or intersex (by the author's word), as a trans man reader I am ecstatic to see broader explorations of non typical anatomy in queer romance. Especially when it's presented as a point of pleasure for the one who has it, and doesn't take away from his masculinity. It's exciting to see, and very enjoyable to read, and I don't think him not being trans or intersex took away from the experience at all. Fictional experiences like these, I think, can actually help normalize the real-world variances present in queer circles, especially because it's not that far off from what some people do have, and it's just plain fun to read. Though, I did feel the actual reveal lacked any feeling of impact or narrative satisfaction, that is again another unfortunate victim of the book's structure.
All in all, this book has a lot of charm and a genuinely compelling story. But it's way too long, with not enough substance to justify it. I'm still glad I finished it, for the sections that did shine, and for the ending that did fill me with a satisfied yet unexpected spark of joy. For the characters, and the art filled world, and the wounds, and the rage, and healing. But I could not read it again, or really recommend it as it is, and that is a huge shame.
This author feels like he has a lot of potential to shine, and I want to know what other queer stories he's written. There are so many elements here that align exactly with what I enjoy. But it would be a challenge to get me to read more from him without the assurance that his other works have had much stronger editing intervention.
Bound in Flesh: An Anthology of Trans Body Horror by Lor Gislason
4.0
(I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.)
This anthology is awesome. I'm not someone who usually enjoys short story collections because there's always a few stories that don't hit as well as the others. But having read a body horror novella by a trans author in the past I knew there would be something unique and creative to find here. And this ended up being so much better than I even expected.
It's impossible to pick a single favorite story because I could go on about what think is great about almost every single one of them. In the interest of keeping this concise I wanted to limit myself to picking three favorites, but this collection is just too good for that. So here are my top 5:
Wormspace - For setting the tone and making me feel genuinely disturbed from the get go, which made me wildly curious about the rest of the stories. The tension of the buildup really makes this my favorite choice for an opening.
Coming Out - For its startling quality. This is the point where I really thought okay, this collection is something special. I loved the structure of this story, the attention to its telling, and the details in the omissions that forced my brain to meet the horrors halfway.
Long Fingers - For quote-worthy paragraphs and an energy that made me feel excited to be trans, and for showing me that horror can be heartwarming when read by the monster.
A Brief History of The Santa Carcossa Archipelago - For getting weird with it. For mixing horror and sex in a way that felt nauseating and sweet at the same time, and oddly comforting. And I'm always a sucker for science.
Looking for the Big Death - For being a strong finish that really ramped up the horror and wrapped the anthology up in a memorable, exhilerating way. This was probably the story that disturbed me the most and I couldn't ask for a more satisfying end to this lovely gruesome collection.
The only story I disliked was The Haunting of Aiden Finch because it felt like it didn't really meet the theme of body horror to me. The quality didn't feel on the same level as the others, especially following Wormspace, and that's why I can't really give this a 5 stars. Maybe if the horror was more involved with the bodies of the characters and less relegated to a seperate entity it could have worked for me. But as it is it felt out of place and just didn't click with me.
Overall I'm surprised by how much I loved this collection. It makes me excited for the future of queer horror and grateful to be at a point where trans writers can get together to form works of art like this.
This anthology is awesome. I'm not someone who usually enjoys short story collections because there's always a few stories that don't hit as well as the others. But having read a body horror novella by a trans author in the past I knew there would be something unique and creative to find here. And this ended up being so much better than I even expected.
It's impossible to pick a single favorite story because I could go on about what think is great about almost every single one of them. In the interest of keeping this concise I wanted to limit myself to picking three favorites, but this collection is just too good for that. So here are my top 5:
Wormspace - For setting the tone and making me feel genuinely disturbed from the get go, which made me wildly curious about the rest of the stories. The tension of the buildup really makes this my favorite choice for an opening.
Coming Out - For its startling quality. This is the point where I really thought okay, this collection is something special. I loved the structure of this story, the attention to its telling, and the details in the omissions that forced my brain to meet the horrors halfway.
Long Fingers - For quote-worthy paragraphs and an energy that made me feel excited to be trans, and for showing me that horror can be heartwarming when read by the monster.
A Brief History of The Santa Carcossa Archipelago - For getting weird with it. For mixing horror and sex in a way that felt nauseating and sweet at the same time, and oddly comforting. And I'm always a sucker for science.
Looking for the Big Death - For being a strong finish that really ramped up the horror and wrapped the anthology up in a memorable, exhilerating way. This was probably the story that disturbed me the most and I couldn't ask for a more satisfying end to this lovely gruesome collection.
The only story I disliked was The Haunting of Aiden Finch because it felt like it didn't really meet the theme of body horror to me. The quality didn't feel on the same level as the others, especially following Wormspace, and that's why I can't really give this a 5 stars. Maybe if the horror was more involved with the bodies of the characters and less relegated to a seperate entity it could have worked for me. But as it is it felt out of place and just didn't click with me.
Overall I'm surprised by how much I loved this collection. It makes me excited for the future of queer horror and grateful to be at a point where trans writers can get together to form works of art like this.
Ariah by B.R. Sanders
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Wow. Just... wow.
I don't even know where to begin. Nothing I could say would be as impactful as reading Ariah was for me.
I don't even know where to begin. Nothing I could say would be as impactful as reading Ariah was for me.
Master of One by Danielle Bennett, Jaida Jones
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.25
My main qualm with this book is the fact that it's YA. And the clipped writing style that confused me on more than a few dozen occasions. And my desire for deeper/lengthier descriptions during emotional sections. Yes this book is 531 pages. I still wish it had more words.
But aside from that I loved the plot. I loved the tone--the violence, the pain, the determination. The messy friendships, the secrets, the kisses. The injuries! The world! The magic metal animal companions (even if I still think Havemercy did it better) and the very real weight of consequences.
I really didn't think I was going to like Rags at first--with all his quippy dialogue and snarky attitude. But about halfway through he cemented himself as my favorite POV with Somhairle as a close 2nd. I absolutely tore through the 2nd half and I can't wait for the next book to come out. I care about these characters. I am fascinated by the fae. And I want badly to return to this fucked up world.
I do hope this author duo will return to writing adult fiction someday, if they have any interest to. But even if they don't I'm here for life. I love their stories and the way they characterize their casts, and can't wait to read whatever else they'll offer to the world.
But aside from that I loved the plot. I loved the tone--the violence, the pain, the determination. The messy friendships, the secrets, the kisses. The injuries! The world! The magic metal animal companions (even if I still think Havemercy did it better) and the very real weight of consequences.
I really didn't think I was going to like Rags at first--with all his quippy dialogue and snarky attitude. But about halfway through he cemented himself as my favorite POV with Somhairle as a close 2nd. I absolutely tore through the 2nd half and I can't wait for the next book to come out. I care about these characters. I am fascinated by the fae. And I want badly to return to this fucked up world.
I do hope this author duo will return to writing adult fiction someday, if they have any interest to. But even if they don't I'm here for life. I love their stories and the way they characterize their casts, and can't wait to read whatever else they'll offer to the world.