Okay this is the most beautiful art style I've ever seen and it just gets better and better because the way Shirahama will just pull out one of the crOkay this is the most beautiful art style I've ever seen and it just gets better and better because the way Shirahama will just pull out one of the creepiest panels is amazing. And GOD the story, Coco's constant willingness, thanks to her friends, to think outside the box and find a way forward, to create a better and open future without relying on violence.... my heart. I love it <3...more
I genuinely loved this, I loved the toxic mess of emotions that was so erotic and sexually charged at times. I feel like more sapphic literature shoulI genuinely loved this, I loved the toxic mess of emotions that was so erotic and sexually charged at times. I feel like more sapphic literature should be unapologetically horny, it's a good look and a break from... well women not being allowed to have these feelings.
I am glad De Lafontaine was able to come back from the brink of doing what was done to her. It was nice to see the break from an abusive relationship, even if I was tearing my fingernails off as I read. Gibson did a good job to keep me guessing at Ms. D's motivations and her alignment. Granted, at the end of the book she isn't suddenly reformed, which I also appreciate because once you lose an abuser a switch doesn't magically switch in you, making you good. Seeing the abuse but unable to stop yourself from doing it to others is powerful.
Carmilla and Laura's romance was utterly delicious and I wasn't expecting it to get as deep as it did. There was a little whiplash, like when she went to SF with her friend, but... ya know. College drama I guess XD I can forgive it.
The biggest critique I have is Laura and her weight. Just call her fucking fat. Every single descriptor of her body was sheepish or infantilizing, which I get from Laura's perspective because she's self-conscious, but why not from Carmilla's? I remember Laura daydreaming about Carmilla and her super hot skinny goddess body, but not once was Carmilla AVIDLY fantasizing about Laura's... there were instances of attempted body worship for Laura (respect) but it's undermined by all of the above. Laura being the only fat girl in the story and described in embarrassing moments or putting down her own body isn't really a good look for trying to be body positive. Every other woman in the story is described as a goddess, thin, and so on. So having at least ONE other fat girl who wasn't super down about her body would've been a reprieve.
But these are only things you only notice if you're fat I guess.
Aside from that, it does not negate that I did enjoy this book. By the end of it I was miffed that Laura's view of her body never evolved but! At least we have a fat main character who is sexually forward after a certain point and the dommy babe in the relationship.
A great rivals to lovers experience that deals with abuse and the cycle that it causes....more
What a magical fantastical world! Such a great intro with such an interesting cast. Rec from a friend who LOVES manga and knows my tastes well. Great What a magical fantastical world! Such a great intro with such an interesting cast. Rec from a friend who LOVES manga and knows my tastes well. Great for someone who wants a gorgeous piece of art with an academia vibe going on....more
Such a fun manga to read! I love the concept behind it, that it's continuing the love story, that it doesn't end once the relationship happens. I alsoSuch a fun manga to read! I love the concept behind it, that it's continuing the love story, that it doesn't end once the relationship happens. I also love the conflict, which is, as the title would suggest, two people learning how to be in a relationship and what that means. I enjoyed every second of it :D...more
This was super cute! I love the idea of a celestial body falling in love with one super sweet witch. It dealt with a lot heavier family drama than I tThis was super cute! I love the idea of a celestial body falling in love with one super sweet witch. It dealt with a lot heavier family drama than I thought it would but it did so really well. And it didn't feel like it was shock effect, if that makes any sense? It was just good, meaningful, and I appreciated it all around. ...more
So one of the things that stands out to me about this is that Hannah Templer has the amazing ability to make a character that is truly and honestly flSo one of the things that stands out to me about this is that Hannah Templer has the amazing ability to make a character that is truly and honestly flawed, but not to the point where they annoy me or are forgiven for their poor behavior and never grow. Templer gives them that growth and it is so amazing.
There is so much growth in this book from the last one and it is BEAUTIFUL. Cass had some moments where she was getting on my nerves but it was understandable and human and not something to be excused. People get called out on their behavior but are never abandoned, they learn and UGH. I just love it. I could write an essay about it.
The mark of a great book in a great series is that it makes you want to completely and totally begin again, go back to the start, to see those charactThe mark of a great book in a great series is that it makes you want to completely and totally begin again, go back to the start, to see those characters once more, and to understand more deeply. Muir is one of those authors that deserves to be studied and appreciated and used to write complex and thoughtful story lines. Nona was just overflowing with love and anger and beauty, both the book and the character.
This book made me cry too many times to be legal. I cried on a fucking plane. And I would, will, happily subject myself to it again.
I don't know what to say other than read this??? Love the art??? Love the story???? Love the women who have been treated so poorly, despite putting thI don't know what to say other than read this??? Love the art??? Love the story???? Love the women who have been treated so poorly, despite putting their loves on the line???? Love it for the pain? The humanity? The beauty?
Carmilla, the first vampire, whose story came before Dracula, who tempts unsuspecting women to their death. I've never considered reading the novel (ICarmilla, the first vampire, whose story came before Dracula, who tempts unsuspecting women to their death. I've never considered reading the novel (I know, a shame) but with how beautifully this was done, art and writing, I'll have to give it a shot.
I can't put my finger on it, but something about this graphic novel didn't fulfill me which is funny considering it's about vampires. It just didn't feel complete, even if it is going to be a part of a series (which is what the ending led me to believe)....more
Holy hell this book was absolutely stunning. Gave me all the feels I never expected and had me eating it in nearly one sitting. I've found a new love Holy hell this book was absolutely stunning. Gave me all the feels I never expected and had me eating it in nearly one sitting. I've found a new love for Westerns, especially ones told through a woman's eye by a female author. There's a different... essence to it that I can't quite put my finger on. And this book, in all its melancholy, pain, and sorrow has that essence.
The time period was a little hard for me to grasp, for most of it I thought it was in the Old West, a timepiece, but then it seemed it was in a dystopThe time period was a little hard for me to grasp, for most of it I thought it was in the Old West, a timepiece, but then it seemed it was in a dystopian future. A future where books are restricted and the librarians travel from town to town handing out "approved" materials, which is mostly propaganda supporting the War. But what kind of war, we're never told. But the librarians are rebels, handing out unapproved literature that expands people's world view. It's a dangerous job and we're following a character who wants to join them.
Esther is a Good Girl who turns out to be some level of sapphic, and I only say that because the book absolutely refused to say the word lesbian... even though we were surrounded by them. And Esther stowed away with the Librarians without their approval and now needs to prove herself to them, despite their distrust, and despite their cold attitude. She gains exposure to change her worldview, but fights it with every turn because she's been told she deserves the pain and suffering she has endured.
This book waaaas... okay! I did enjoy the Old West themes and the frontier and the descriptions given. It was fun to follow a character slowly coming to terms with her sexuality after a harrowing experience, and I really did enjoy a lot of the cast! Actually all of the cast, it was a solid and fun lineup and mostly women!
I did like seeing someone realize that their sexuality isn't an affliction (oof) and allow themselves to find joy and freedom, but I feel like we didn't get too much of that. Esther's journey was as quick as the book but not as satisfying as it was tied to a romance I couldn't much care about. Cye was very, very cool but I just didn't feel that charisma between the two of them that gets me excited about most romances.
By the end of the book I really just wanted more. This was an interesting set up into what seems to be a very interesting world. I only got to see a fraction of it....more
Kicking off pride month with one hell of a book that now holds a very dear place in my heart.
To say this was one of my most anticipated reads of 2023 Kicking off pride month with one hell of a book that now holds a very dear place in my heart.
To say this was one of my most anticipated reads of 2023 is vastly underselling how excited I am, was, continue to be, for this book. Queer Westerns aren't something I see very often, as a matter of fact the only other Queer Western I'd read up until this point was Vermilion: The Adventures of Lou Merriwether, Psychopomp which was more in the fantasy vein of it.
Lucky Red falls more into what could be considered a true western: a character down on their luck that makes a name for themselves, falls in love, and get some revenge. Westerns were always something that intrigued me, from books, to movies, to shows, but I could never truly enjoy it. And, being honest here, a lot of the western classics are not made for women (or at least not with them in mind), and especially not for sapphic women, who envisioned themselves in that hard won role, as the gunslinger, getting the girl.
And it's funny to have it so skewed this way, considering how queer the wild west was.
But tangent aside, this book plucked all the right strings for me and was refreshing as it did so. Lucky Red set the Wild West genre down exactly where it needs to be. It's queer, features a main character who is in sex work and does not actively shame her, and is actually friends with the women she works beside. Not to mention seeing Bridget slowly realize the hand she's been dealt in life, the hardships she's faced due to her gender, the desire to freedom, burned a hole in my chest.
I wanted Bridget to be free, too, even as she tripped and stumbled and burned a few bridges along the way. I loved all of the character, even if they weren't as fleshed out as I would've liked them to be, I just like when the background characters are richer, but that falls on personal taste and not on the skill of Cravens' writing ability. Which is stellar, by the way.
I found myself falling in love with Spartan Lee, right beside Bridget. The skillful writing and pure SAPPHIC essence that was carried throughout each of their interactions, the beauty and skill that it takes to really encapsulate exactly what it's like to be taken by storm by another woman. Ugh. I hate that I loved it so much.
And the end! Oh! The end... chef's kisses all around.
Anything else Cravens decides to write, I eagerly await. Her skilled way of writing complex queer women will have eating out of the palm of her hand for a while. A talented and stunning debut!
**Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this book & Random House Publishing for sending a copy to Copperfield's Petaluma in exchange for a fair and honest review.**...more
This was so. Stinking. Cute. Pretty basic in story but honestly really refreshing to read, to see. A fun little read that's uplifting!!This was so. Stinking. Cute. Pretty basic in story but honestly really refreshing to read, to see. A fun little read that's uplifting!!...more
I liked it! Was very cute, brought up some sweet moments, had a twist ending that I was not expecting but honestly loved with my whole heart. Another I liked it! Was very cute, brought up some sweet moments, had a twist ending that I was not expecting but honestly loved with my whole heart. Another wholesome, comforting read....more
Woof this was boring. Very repetitive, not very entertaining or interesting characters, and a boring plot. It was fun at first but quickly dwindled ofWoof this was boring. Very repetitive, not very entertaining or interesting characters, and a boring plot. It was fun at first but quickly dwindled off into a bland story. ...more
WOW. Okay this book was so so interesting. Ford is SO skilled at his descriptors, it painted such a clear image in my head. I think it was on the firsWOW. Okay this book was so so interesting. Ford is SO skilled at his descriptors, it painted such a clear image in my head. I think it was on the first ten pages, when there was a description about the tower Aelis would inhabit, that really stole my breath away. It was so clear and honestly so well done. And it continued for our heroine, each new thing she encountered I was so excited to SEE it. It was painted with words and I was there, beside Aelis, witnessing it.
And Aelis... oh Aelis, my self-talking, learning to adapt, ruthless bad ass necromancer beloved. Bi sexual (maybe poly???) and crushing HARD on a very charming elven archer. I think she's made it to my list of top ten favorite character, her internal/external dialogue was so interesting and let us get to know her in a way I hadn't really seen before. Everyone loves an underdog and Aelis may not have been born one, but she became one and kept her head high through it all. GOD. Love her.
The pacing was a little odd, I thought it would be cozy for most of the book, getting to know the village, but that part was short lived. Seeing a look at the world surrounding the village Aelis is in really got me excited for the rest of the series that will follow. There's a rich world here I honestly can't wait to explore.
AND THE ENDING. OH GOD. Stress... and I still have -checks calendar- 8 months until the next one...........more
I can’t even believe this book. It was stunning and beautiful and so wonderfully written and POLYAMOROUS. I don’t have much to say other than to beg yI can’t even believe this book. It was stunning and beautiful and so wonderfully written and POLYAMOROUS. I don’t have much to say other than to beg you to read it, to feel the pain and sorrow and the joys of feeling someone rise up and fight for their freedom.
I cried. I held my breath for a week as I read this book and when the release came I wept. Not much can do that to me, not much holds itself over me like this book did.
S.T. Gibson is a masterful storyteller and I will devour everything she reads. ...more
I think one of my favorite things in horror is space horror. The idea of being in space, with nowhere to go other than the spaceship you call your homI think one of my favorite things in horror is space horror. The idea of being in space, with nowhere to go other than the spaceship you call your home is such a claustrophobic scene. It was a good set up for sure, the terror that our main character Jacklyn felt when there were loud, terrifying bangs surrounding her when she was alone, working on that ship which was all her own. Adding the terror and loneliness of space to being alone while something unfamiliar is crashing all around you really got the hair to raise off of my arms.
I did feel a little overwhelmed by just how much was put into this book. (view spoiler)[There was family trauma, traumatic loss, mental instability, sexual assault to a droid (implied but definitely can read between the lines), failed ex-earth colony, failing travel to a new colony, alien "invasion", and even a new medical technology derived from the DNA of said alien (hide spoiler)]. It could have made a really solid full length novel and I would have really enjoyed being able to thoroughly explore all of that. There was just a lot that seemed so good but there just wasn't enough time to really feel fulfilled on all of it. It did make the world feel richer, but I didn't get to really enjoy it.
I was a little disappointed with the horror at the end. The build up to the reveal was so good, when the team was heading through each and every section of the ship and the paralyzing fear that came from each and every step knowing the monsters were right near them, even when Jack was alone, in the elevator, terrified and alone. -chef's kiss- stunning! But everything after? The scenes where the creatures descended and took Jack's teammates? Eh. It was creepy and I don't need the gore but it just was... a little underwhelming. There wasn't a solid, or chilling moment when describing the monsters. I may just been inexperienced with horror but the reveal was just... okay!
I did love Jack, I did love her relationships and I was so interested on what was going on in her life. It was a solid novella, I just wish there was more!
**Thank you to NetGalley & Tor for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.**...more
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