Elfflame

I first heard about this many years ago shortly after it was initially released, and finally picked it up about two years ago to read. I loved it from the start, but life is full of distractions, so I ended up setting it aside only to pick it up again about a week ago. I'm so glad I did. The world is incredibly rich, and heavily based on historical fact, while winding a subtle magic and mythology through the world we know that feels as though it belongs.

Phedre's story is intriguing, and she is everything I love in a character. Smart, strong, and able to stand on her own, despite (or really because of) the people she loves. Too, the story does not shy from non-traditional pairings; two secondary pairings are of the same-sex variety, though Phedre spends most of her time with men. Still, she services both men and women in her trade, and never seems to differentiate between either.

The darker aspects of the story, and particularly Phedre's world, are excellently wrought in the way only someone who truly comprehends the needs of those who enjoy BDSM. Her need for it echos in her path as she finds herself lost in plots not of her own making.

The characters are lovely and memorable. Despite having a two-year gap between readings, I still was able to remember most with ease, and those I did not slotted quickly into place after a bit more description.

Carey is a master of this art, and I very much look forward to reading the sequels. I would highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys fantasy, historical, and even darker sexual stories, particularly those interested in BDSM, as this is not a common theme to find in a genre story of this sort, or caliber.

Oh, I didn't need that heart anyway.

This book destroyed me in all the best ways, and I need to now read everything Cole McCade has ever written. I can't even put into words why, but if you liked the first book, definitely check this one out, because Amani is now one of my all-time favorite characters ever.

Coming home on the bus tonight I finished this book with tears in my eyes. Even knowing that I still have Imriel's saga to read, it makes me sad because this is the end of Phedre's saga, even if her life continues on. I loved this series from beginning to end. It toyed with my emotions in a way I (mostly) love. It's not for the faint of heart, nor those who have difficulty reading long books, though it never truly felt long to me. It is incredibly dense, with a wealth of information about this world that few writers really go into. I admit, even I struggled at the end, because there was so much there left to read, but not for love of the book. It just looked shorter than it read, because there was so much left for Carey to wrap up.

I fell in love with these characters. Phedre, for her depth of love for those around her, her admiration for knowledge, and her strength in submission. Jocelyn, for his strength and determination despite everything they had to face, both together and separately. Imriel for his resilience, and all the best parts of both of his parents, not to mention his love and admiration for Phedre and Jocelyn. There are so many great characters in this book that to list all my favorites would make this a Kushiel-length review. But each and every one was expertly crafted, even the ones who were long gone by the time this book starts, and those who lasted but a few chapters, but still managed to touch Phedre and her companions. Even more, I love that Phedre remembers them all, both living and dead, there at the end. We are the sum of those we know and love.

In a few months, once I've finished a few other books I have sitting around, I look forward to returning to this world. I can't wait to see how Imriel will grow up, and what trials he will face, even though I know, like Phedre, his will not be an easy life. It's fascinating to me, that he really feels Phedre's son almost from the beginning, despite the fact that she never bore him. Almost as though he were the son of she and Melisande, rather than Melisande's husband. I love the fact that he has four parents. Two of blood, and two of mind. Even more, I admit to loving the fact that he's Melisande's son, because despite everything, she is a fascinating character, and her son takes strongly after her.

I also look forward to seeing how things have changed in the intervening years when Imriel's story picks up. I want to find out about how Hyacinth is doing in Alba, and whether Phedre and Jocelyn really did settle down (and maybe had a kid of their own blood?). Even more, I look forward to the emotional roller-coaster that Carey will take me on, because I know she will. And I know I'll love (almost) every minute of it.

I'm sitting here with a smile on my face. Sota and Masa are simply adorable. I just want to wrap my arms around them and never let go. Sota's so clueless, but Masa's patience with him is perfect. I loved this book so much that I literally couldn't stop reading once I'd started. If not for work and sleep, I'd have been done last night. I can't wait to see what more Ms. Forester does in this universe, because I want to devour it all.

The second I was told about this story, I knew I had to read it. It's right up my alley. I love boys in love with each other, because they're always so unbearably goofy and snarky and completely endearing. I'm so glad I managed to get my hands on an advanced copy, because waiting until the 11th to read it would have been far too long.

Non-spoilery review: If you enjoy BL or Yaoi, this is definitely for you. Especially if you enjoy mating stories. You won't be able to forget these two.

Now for the spoilers. This is a universe where all children are born the same. At a certain age, they become a boy or a girl. When they hit eighteen, they grow horns or a tail. And with that second change comes the possibility of mating. Sota and Masa have been best friends forever, and Sota wants them to always be together. As tailed. Unfortunately, he doesn't get that wish. What he gets instead is a best friend who will do anything to save him from the bully who has been getting rougher and scarier as Sota gets close to his change. And he ends up getting what he wanted in a completely unexpected and new way.I'm a sucker for hurt/comfort stories, and this one delivers in spades. Ken's a typical bad guy for this sort of thing, but Forester makes him not only believable, but gives reason to his madness, even if he is in the wrong. I love how careful and gentle Masa is with Sota, knowing how much Ken's attacks have hurt him emotionally, and willing, despite everything, to let Sota set the pace.The background characters are lovely as well. All three of their parents are wonderful, each in their own ways. Masa's calm, understanding parents happily take Sota in as a second son even before the boys have changed. And Sota's loving mother, who does everything she can, despite having lost her husband. It's wonderful to see the five of them come together as a family, something that was already there before, though Sota doesn't quite recognize it for what it is until the boys have Mated.Mai and Shiro are interesting, too. They start out as annoyances, but they add a great balance to the boys' relationship that helps keep the story from being completely about them being alone together. And I am very much looking forward to learning more about Mr. Yoshida and his own personal life. I think we'll find he's been far more hurt that Sota has been.I highly recommend this book. I really can't say enough good things about it, and I eagerly await the next in the series.

Unable to finish due to technical difficulties at Chapter 15 scene 2. Will have to pick this up again later.

This book (well, really, the end of the last book through most of this one) broke me to the point where I could barely sleep until they got back together.

I love Alexis Hall's stories, but this is definitely one of my favorites. She's definitely a master storyteller.

I don't know why I even got this far. The writing itself is excellent, the world (universe?) is fascinating, and the characters are interesting. But the violence is so omnipresent, it feels like there's no reason to even get to know the characters, as they will just die in a book or two. After the attack on Mustang in this book, I just had to stop. I shouldn't even have tried to get this far, really. If you don't like violence, this is not the series to read.

I've been anticipating this for a while now, despite the nay-sayers. I was a little worried when I started reading, because I was so scared she was going to take away everything I loved to imagine about Harry's future, but she didn't. From page one, I was hooked. Albus and Scorpius were everything I'd imagined and more. And the new additions to canon were glorious.

So many bits just made me grin wide. I won't single any one thing out here to keep this spoiler free, but if you're in Harry Potter fandom and worried that this will ruin your enjoyment of the fandom, don't. It's glorious, wonderful fun.

It's a short, simple read because of the format, but you can still feel JK Rowling's handprint on the story. This one is very much canon, and you can see she's had as much fun with it as she has with the other books. Characters I never expected appear in this story, from all across the books. If you're fond of Harry Potter, all I can say is give it a chance, even if you're doubting. JKR will make you a believer yet again.

I miss Carrie Fisher. I miss her sarcasm, her willingness to stand up in a fight, her constant talk about her real problems, not a one of which she ever blamed on anyone else. This book isn't a love story about Carrie and Harrison. It is, however, in some ways, a love letter to the character who took over Carrie's life. To Leia's affect on her in all ways.

For a fan who was there from the beginning, this book is a reminder of life before, and life during the uproar that was Star Wars. It reminds me of who she and Mark and Harrison became, and how fresh and new they were in that first film. We all owe them so much.

Read this if you love Carrie Fisher. Read this if you love Star Wars. Read this if you're curious about the affair (but don't expect a grand, sweeping love story). But most of all read this if you are a fan who grew up during this time, who remembers that time before, who loves the characters, who loves Carrie.

I love Leia. I love Carrie. And I'm so grateful she got to share this with us before the end. I miss her every day.

I don't remember a time before Star Trek. I was born the year it was cancelled. I grew up in a time of syndicated episodes, and always hurried to watch in my grandfather's den every time I visited them. It was just something I loved. I watched every episode faithfully. And when the movies were released, I watched them, too.

And I loved Spock. I don't recall the exact moment, but I know I had several times where I identified with Spock. Quiet, introverted, fascinated by information. If I had been part of that crew, his was the role I most wanted to take. His people the people I wanted to be a part of. I remember running upstairs after we got home from Wrath of Khan and being horrified that I couldn't watch a new episode, proving to me that Spock wasn't dead at all. That he would never really be gone, so long as we had the show. Unfortunately, Sports won out that day over Star Trek, and the usual syndicated slot was taken by an extended baseball game.

So by extension, I loved Leonard Nimoy. How could I not love the man who created a character I loved so much? And the more I knew about him, the more I adored him. He put his passion into everything he did. Spoke out about things that truly mattered to him. So much so that many things were released that might never have seen the light of day, like Never Forget, which spoke about the Jewish experience in a way that had not been done before.

When I got a twitter account, his was one of the first celebrities I added. His posts about life always made me smile. His memories of his Star Trek companions even more so. And too, he spoke out about his illness, the one that took him from us. I will always admire him for his courage and generosity. I only hope he and DeForrest Kelly and James Doohan are up there smiling down on us.

It has always been in the back of my mind that I should read his books, but I'd never gotten around to it. Not until someone gifted this one to me for my birthday. I loved it from the first page. Nimoy shines out of the page, his voice so clear in my ear it is as though I am hearing it on tape. But too, it only makes me wish for more. I will be tracking down his first book, because I want to read more. I do hope, though, that someone who knew him well finds a way to write a final book about his life, covering all that this book stops before. Because I would read it. In a heartbeat.

I highly recommend this to any Star Trek fan. There is simply so much that goes on behind the scenes that you can't tell from the finished product. Nimoy's narration never drags down, but pushes you along, curious as to what will happen next, even when you know.

And one final word; to quote Nimoy: LLAP.

Read this once before, listened again today on Lavar Burton Reads. Great story. Makes me think of some of my favorite Anne McCaffrey and also the Psi Corps in Babylon 5.

Been making my way through M/M stories that seem to have high ratings here on Goodreads, so I picked up this one, and I'm so very glad I did. It feels a little like a softer m/m Kushiel, but it's also it's own world with some pretty great characters. I would have loved to spend the length of a Kushiel novel in this world, because the idea of the Adorned was fascinating, and I would have loved to meet more, and the variety of their lives. I also wanted to know more about the history of the Blooded, though it is made quite clear in the story that they are god-descended people. I did wonder if they were only in that one country, or if they could be found elsewhere in this world, though.

I was very fond of Etan from about the time he met Robaird, and their little family of four were particularly lovely. I loved hearing about the art of the tattoos, and how Etan knew more than a usual Adorned almost from the beginning. I also loved that their love story was such a slow build. That they cared about each other and wanted each other for a good long time before they allowed themselves to come together. Their fate after was wrenching to me, but ultimately satisfying. I was glad they managed to find a calm after the storm.

If you're fond of fantasy, tattoos, or male/male romance, I highly recommend it. Particularly if you always wanted the backstory of Delaunay and Alcuin, as this echoes that in some very nice ways.

Definitely a satisfying read overall, and I will be looking to see what else Mr Tristan has written.

I'm a huge fan of fairy tales and fairy tale retellings. Especially the ones that are clever, and make you curious and make you think. This is both. I've read many versions of Beauty and the Beast over the years, but I think this may be my favorite. Rosamund Hodge takes this story and makes it her own. The characters are exactly what you would expect, and yet so very different as well. The mystery of how the curse came to be is fascinating, and makes me want so much more.

The ending was not at all what I was expecting to happen, but a perfect end to her version of this story. If you haven't read this, but enjoy fairy tale retellings, I highly recommend it. Especially if you are a fan of the Lunar Chronicles.

I was worried this was going to be a hard book to read, given how the last one ended. It was, but it was very much worth the read. I highly recommend the entire series to anyone who likes YA distopias.

I picked up this series both because a friend recommended it and because most sites recommend it as a great follow-up after the Hunger Games. It did not disappoint. In fact, in many ways, I like it better.

I was far more drawn to Tris than I ever was to Katniss (and I liked Katniss a lot). And I thought her romance with Four was a far more balanced relationship than either of Katniss's relationships with Peeta and Gale. She's a generally stronger character, both on her own, and with Four. She just felt more real to me in many ways that Katniss did not. I wanted to keep following her story.

Before I got the book, I heard that people had gotten their hands on an advanced copy, and were Not Happy, but I refused to let that stop me. I figured it would probably be something that wouldn't bug me as much, because I'm a fan of realism and of alternative stories. I'm glad I didn't let it stop me, but I was wrong that it wouldn't bug me.

I got the book on Monday, and would have finished last night, but then I hit that part–the part where Tris dies. And I thought for sure she had to be saved, they wouldn't just let her die...but I was scared to read on. So I put it off until this morning. I arrived at work a soggy mess.

The ending is terrible and beautiful and real, and I hate that Tobias is alone, but I do have faith that he will help create a world Tris would have been proud of saving. I ache for them both, and want to go back to before I started. Or perhaps just after she forgave him, and live in that moment, and never finish the book. But it would always have felt unfinished to me. I think she gave it the right ending. To have any less sacrifice for their new world would have felt a cheat. And I'm also glad Christina stopped Tobias from forgetting. That would have been just as horrible.

To those of you I have recc'd this series to, I apologize for the heartache you will go through at the ending, but I hope you'll agree with me once you've finished–it was definitely worth the ride.

This book pulls you in. It is not a light book. It is not a happy book. But it is a true book. It is one everyone should read, if they can. Especially in the world of today, where people are believing it's truth less and less. This book is part of my attempt this year to understand better the people my paternal grandfather came from, and to understand what their people were put through during the Reich's reign in Germany.

As Elie says: “...Without this testimony, my life as a writer—or my life, period—would not have become what it is: that of a witness who believes he has a moral obligation to try to prevent the enemy from enjoying one last victory by allowing his crimes to be erased from human memory.” Through his words, I begin to understand my need to read these stories, despite the pain they bring. This needs to be remembered. To be understood. For people to stand witness, now that the survivors are fading. We need to take their places, to remind the world what happened, and why it was a horrific thing, the evils of humans who think themselves otherwise good. We need to know these things. And I am glad for the courage of people like Elie, who survived, who told their stories, despite the pain it must have caused them to remember.

If you can, read this book. It deserves to be read and understood and remembered, as does Elie and his suffering, and his courage. I only wish he were here today to speak out against what is currently happening in the US. I know he would have words to say. Thank you, Elie, for your words, and for your memories.

Upon reading the premise of this one, I scoured the internet, but was unable to find it. I actually ended up getting a library card just so I could. I definitely wish I could buy it. I totally would. Peter in this is so in-character, you never don't see him as Peter. And ditto Captain Hook. I love this take on the story. It fits so much of Barrie's story world of Neverland. I highly recommend to anyone who loves Peter, but would love an LGBT take on the tale.

A surprisingly unusual and unique M/M love story. Highly recommended.

My complete review here.

I don't think I can be cogent at the moment, but when I got to the moment just before the truth is revealed and my bus rolled up, I almost stayed behind to finish...

Is it October yet?

This really is a lovely little story, and one that fans of Arthurian lore would probably very much enjoy. The main character is an Arthurian scholar, looking for proof that King Arthur truly existed. His story takes a wild turn, though, when his boyfriend breaks up with him on Christmas Eve, and he finds himself falling into a place that might be entirely fantasized on his part, and might be one part ghost story, and one part legend. Whichever it is, the rest of the tale is very heartfelt and revealing, and the character gets a lovely happy ending.

I'm a sucker for Arthurian legend. Particularly the idea of past/future lives, which this story implies. Even if everything that happens is all in their heads, the Main character and his boyfriend still have a fascinating story to tell, and are woven into a much larger plot that makes me wish this book were ten times its size. I'd love to see more characters in this universe, though to do so might destroy the filmy layer between fantasy and reality that the author has so carefully constructed.

Either way, I'm very glad I bought this story, and highly recommend it for a nice quick read.

I admit to buying far too many books long before I ever read them, and so I often forget exactly what a book is by the time I do. That said, I knew this was an Arthurian story (I mean, Lancelot is the title character), so that made me decide to finally read it. Unfortunately, I couldn't remember for certain what type of story it was beyond that. I had some idea it might be a gay Arthurian romance (right up my alley), so I read it with that in mind. Let's just say I was very confused for the first half of the book. Even the book didn't make it clear if it was a heterosexual or homosexual story, but made enough reference for me to think it was–right up until he “fell in love” with a girl. Presumably.

Now I will say this: the story feels like it does a good job of taking the traditions of an Arthurian romance, including the dangers and unpredictability of the fae into account. But I was still puzzled until they finally reached Camelot, and the true romance came into play. I won't give away more here except to say yes, this is a gay Arthurian romance. If that's what you're looking for, this is definitely worth picking up.

There are some SPAG issues. Too when the author means to, apostrophes where they shouldn't be, and far too many commas. But despite these issues, it was well worth the read. The author seems to have a (mostly) good sense of flow, and the characters all were quite enjoyable/interesting.

I immediately picked up the second book, because watching these two makes me definitely want more of them. Three stars for the SPAG issues, otherwise it would have been four.

Welp, this killed me. Even knowing how their story ends, I was hopeful, but this is just devastating.