Alex
I changed this to five stars because I pretty much listened to 10 hours of her talking about math and I was never bored once so, kudos. Also, I loved learning about math and how it relates to drag and how it relates to the universe. Very unique and engaging.
Is this the best retelling of Cinderella?
I mean- it might be. This is a beautifully crafted world with a lovely queer cast and a different take on the Fairy Godmother-trope. Ash is a dark fantasy that really reminds you how heartbreaking the tale of Cinderella is- the abuse, the pain, the hopelessness... I started and finished this book in one night, sitting outside, freezing- but not wanting to stop for even a second to go inside.
The cold toes were absolutely worth it.
4.25 rounded up. There was only ONE thing I wasn't a huge fan of and that is a completely personal preference. I found this book to be wildly captivating with an unravelling mystery that was fun to follow. I was surprised that I had a really damn good time with this!
2.5 rounded up. Nothing wrong at all with this book, I just was not attached to ANY character. At all. The entire time!
2.5 rounded up. Semi-reaffirming for those in the field but it's nothing most librarians don't know— so, a great book for those on the outside, and decent read for those on the inside
This book talked far too much about nipples for me to really get into it. Good and unique! But weird choices sometimes.
SPOILERS!!!!
****************
I really hate when books end on a hopeless note. After all the trauma and assault the MC went through, it was an incredibly unfortunate ending that nothing had changed. Would not recommend.
I'm not sure if a book can be perfect, but to me, Cemetery Boys is. It's radical, beautiful, hilarious and heartbreaking.
April is a wonderful fat main character!! I don't think I've ever read a romance that celebrates self-love while addressing the trauma that comes with being a fat woman while ALSO having delightful fanfiction and fandom references all the live long day!
There is so much love and honesty and communication and drama and rated E (for explicit, not for everyone!) content wrapped up in a niche interest I instantly devoured. April is smart and sexy and Marcus is layered and also sexy and I mean, what's not to love here?
Y'know, this was just a solid fun time. Nothing crazy, nothing amazing, but enjoyable!
Horror is best when it's not really about monsters or aliens- when it's about the real world around you, the things you don't see or the things you ignore. This alien horror was beautiful woven, sickening, heartbreaking, and hopeful all at the same time.
I can't say that Gideon the Ninth was a perfect book, but I CAN say that this beautiful genre-crossing slam dunk of a wild fucking novel took my heart with humor, disaster lesbians, heart-break and imagination I can barely comprehend. If you can listen to the audiobook to hear Gideon's and Harrow's voices, I URGE you to do so. It brings so much character and heart to the book.
I learned a lot more theory and left questioning what I thought I knew about antiracism.
I don't know what I was expecting, but to fall in love with a series like this wasn't one of them. I'm going to devour this series and savor every damn bite.
This isn't a horror book that has any characters you can get emotionally attached to or care for, which really didn't work for me. The woman-identifying characters were incredibly one dimensional and clearly written by a dude. Though to be fair, all of the characters were one dimensional.
The most interesting part was the last 25% of the book and even then, the ending kind of made me roll my eyes. However if you like bleak endings, this one is for you.
Let it be known that I will hurt anyone for Kel.
I am so happy how this series is reading so far- Kel is a no-nonsense, justice seeking girl who plays the by the rules and also makes her own. I'm so excited to see her journey as she becomes a Knight!