Julia

I...don't know if I'll return to this. It was fine, but my two main issues are that the world feels fairly derivative of Maas' Prythian, which definitely pre-existed it, and there's only one sex scene! But it's really just a glorified makeout! I want my spice spicier than that, what can I say.

This is practically perfect Hazelwood. Not in Love definitely one of my top two faves of hers, and now the end of this duology makes for a very closely beloved top #3 (my other is Love, Theoretically). Classic Hazelwood banter, spice, the works. For me personally, making a finance bro sexy (even if he's technically a biotech finance bro) is a real tall order, and she delivered. Also, the title! Chef's kiss.

Look, I love a shipboard caper! So much about this is so good, and Marske's prose is razor sharp and very, very funny. My main beef with this book is I really resented one of the female main character's commitment phobia, which impacted by feelings about the (excellent, queer) spice. But honestly, that's a personal problem.

I think this is a tremendously valuable book and my trainees have given me feedback that's definitely true for their experiences, as well. My read dates are wrong, though - it actually took me over a year to get through! I'm not sure why. I do think that Mullan's repetition, which I think works for me in some contexts and not others, led me to drag my heels a little bit when I was wanting the power of her ideas and practice to be more condensed/concentrated. I'll definitely be returning to parts of it again and again, especially the practical elements.

Really enjoyed this trilogy. My star ratings would be higher if the murder-y parts weren't riiiiiiiight at the edge of my tolerance for violence in romance. I especially love how Weaver attends to the non-romance relationships, both between the female main characters (pre-existing and developing friendships), and the male main characters (brothers). Also, her spice is GREAT.

I'm not mad I read this, and think I would eventually read the other half of the duology, but am not in a rush to do so. I liked the world and the parts of the plot related to politics and persecution. Still, could have used more spicy scenes (a chronic lament for me), and I'm not sure what it is, but was just missing the compelling plot elements that propel me into going to the sequel right away in oher series.

A delightful romp! Save for the scary mystery bits (which were also great, just legitimately nerve-wracking). Love these characters, love the slow build, love the world. Marske had me at "queer magical Edwardian romance." Excited to read the rest of the trilogy.

Collective Liberation Book Club pick for May. I liked this! Not as gobsmacking as some of the other things we read (like the powerful punch of Norma Wong earlier this year), but self-reflective, meditative, and grounding. I think my favorite part was a relatively small detail about how the world is also interacting back with us, and climate crises may expand the Overton window very rapidly, and how we might rise to meet those crises/that expansion.

Oh dear. In a "spicy pepper book club" with 3 friends, and none of us loved this. Too much telling, not showing, and the characters were a bit wooden. I liked the concept of the world, though!