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madmadmaddymad's reviews
193 reviews
Poised in Either Eye by Fell A. Marsh, B. Pigeon
adventurous
lighthearted
slow-paced
3.0
I got this book for free, by winning the Storygraphs giveaway!
I will say that I found the premise fascinating, and I liked Zephyr and Mateo and their dynamic quite a lot. But the pacing of this book is kind of a nightmare, and the storytelling is a little bewildering. I wasn’t sure whether the book wanted to be a mundane story about learning how to be human, and all of the spice-of-life that entails, or dealing with mysterious “hunters” when the high stakes were suddenly introduced. But it was a fun romp through an urban fantasy with a pair of cute dragon boys.
Overall, it just seemed like the kind of book that needed a little… more.
I will say that I found the premise fascinating, and I liked Zephyr and Mateo and their dynamic quite a lot. But the pacing of this book is kind of a nightmare, and the storytelling is a little bewildering. I wasn’t sure whether the book wanted to be a mundane story about learning how to be human, and all of the spice-of-life that entails, or dealing with mysterious “hunters” when the high stakes were suddenly introduced. But it was a fun romp through an urban fantasy with a pair of cute dragon boys.
Overall, it just seemed like the kind of book that needed a little… more.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse and Kidnapping
Minor: Gun violence
Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
A contemporary setting with supernatural elements. A murder mystery with a satisfying and thrilling conclusion. Lovable characters and a protagonist you can really root for! Also, she’s bringing that asexual representation! This is an amazing book.
The villain is so sinister. Ellie is an excellent protagonist. I love Jay. And I love the theme that keeps popping up where she’ll talk about like, Greek mythology and how pervasive it is in American culture, somehow everyone knows the tale of Icarus flying too close to the sun, but stories of native people are forgotten and never told in school settings, unless it’s in a strictly historical, marked-by-tragedy and white guilt type of way.
Just, a really excellent book all around. I had fun getting to know these characters and I really loved the resolution with the villain. AND THE ENDING DIDN’T LET ME DOWN, cause I was about to leave work and just sit on the floor in my bedroom crying.
The villain is so sinister. Ellie is an excellent protagonist. I love Jay. And I love the theme that keeps popping up where she’ll talk about like, Greek mythology and how pervasive it is in American culture, somehow everyone knows the tale of Icarus flying too close to the sun, but stories of native people are forgotten and never told in school settings, unless it’s in a strictly historical, marked-by-tragedy and white guilt type of way.
Just, a really excellent book all around. I had fun getting to know these characters and I really loved the resolution with the villain. AND THE ENDING DIDN’T LET ME DOWN, cause I was about to leave work and just sit on the floor in my bedroom crying.
Beast's Mercy by Rebecca Massey
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
It’s a story we’ve all heard before, but it has just enough action, intrigue, and mystery to keep the reader’s attention. The protagonist and his love interest are so endearing and easy to love! And of course I am SO HERE for the message, and how the author dealt with the theme of “the beast” within. Sometimes love doesn’t break the curse. And that’s okay. Sometimes we need to embrace what makes us different, what makes us monstrous. I loved reading this adventure about Vincent and Dalvin and I LOVED the ending.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Suicidal thoughts, and Violence
Moderate: Child abuse and Homophobia
Brothersong by TJ Klune
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is one of the best series I’ve read in a LONG time. TJ Klune hit every beat with perfection. High stakes supernatural drama. A villain I loved to hate. A found family that warmed my heart. Brotherly love, the bond of a pack, and a mating bond that we get to watch grow, from two utterly oblivious idiots to reluctant mates to - “I will do anything for you.”
I cried so much from reading this, although they weren’t always sad tears. It has a very intense ending, but it was still happy. And that is something that really matters to me - at least when it comes to LGBTQ stories - the happily ever after, and I feel safe to declare this one a solid A+!
Wonderfully, fantastically, spectacularly queer, a satisfying ramp-up of action throughout, and an ending that felt well-earned. What an adventure! I would recommend this book series to just about everyone!
I cried so much from reading this, although they weren’t always sad tears. It has a very intense ending, but it was still happy. And that is something that really matters to me - at least when it comes to LGBTQ stories - the happily ever after, and I feel safe to declare this one a solid A+!
Wonderfully, fantastically, spectacularly queer, a satisfying ramp-up of action throughout, and an ending that felt well-earned. What an adventure! I would recommend this book series to just about everyone!
Lovesong by TJ Klune
emotional
inspiring
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
*chokes back a sob*
Heartsong by TJ Klune
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book shattered my heart and put it back together.
I’m so in love with this world and these characters! Every. Single. One of them is so special to me.
Robbie takes over as the POV character in this emotional, rend-your-heart-in-two story of high stakes supernatural drama! I don’t want to tell any spoilers, but what happens to Robbie at the start of this novel is an emotionally devastating mindfuck. Also in this book - another loss for Team Human (Rico, you beautiful bastard, I’m so glad you’re still here.) An asexual werewolf! (KELLY, YOU ARE MY FAVORITE.) And Jessie gets a girlfriend! (“We really are the gayest pack that ever existed,” JSHSJVHHJC OH MY GOD I’M SCREAMING)
You’d think I’d be tired of the mating bond stuff after three books but I am HYPED for Carter and Gavin’s story. Bring it on TJ Klune. Gimme everything you’ve got.
I’m so in love with this world and these characters! Every. Single. One of them is so special to me.
Robbie takes over as the POV character in this emotional, rend-your-heart-in-two story of high stakes supernatural drama! I don’t want to tell any spoilers, but what happens to Robbie at the start of this novel is an emotionally devastating mindfuck. Also in this book - another loss for Team Human (Rico, you beautiful bastard, I’m so glad you’re still here.) An asexual werewolf! (KELLY, YOU ARE MY FAVORITE.) And Jessie gets a girlfriend! (“We really are the gayest pack that ever existed,” JSHSJVHHJC OH MY GOD I’M SCREAMING)
You’d think I’d be tired of the mating bond stuff after three books but I am HYPED for Carter and Gavin’s story. Bring it on TJ Klune. Gimme everything you’ve got.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Violence, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Death
Nick and Charlie by Alice Oseman
emotional
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Ah, I think Alice Osman might be a more talented artist than a storyteller, lol.
The pacing of this book is all over the place. There’s not much of a story. It’s cute - and has a happy end - but it’s VERY hilariously melodramatic.
The pacing of this book is all over the place. There’s not much of a story. It’s cute - and has a happy end - but it’s VERY hilariously melodramatic.
Not the Witch You Wed by April Asher
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
It’s extremely cheesy, but I had a good time with it.
The one thing I don’t understand is why Vi and Thorn were cast as a witch and a werewolf… they could have just been a man and a woman for all the effect it had on the story.
The “elder’s council” seemed extremely arbitrary with their rules for mating and at what age a witch needs to be bound… also… what exactly is Thorn’s job? Is it important? Does he earn a lot of money being an alpha? The worldbuilding in this novel was extremely weak, and the two main characters seemed to be ready to fall in love the author just needed strange, arbitrary reasons to keep them apart.
The one thing I don’t understand is why Vi and Thorn were cast as a witch and a werewolf… they could have just been a man and a woman for all the effect it had on the story.
The “elder’s council” seemed extremely arbitrary with their rules for mating and at what age a witch needs to be bound… also… what exactly is Thorn’s job? Is it important? Does he earn a lot of money being an alpha? The worldbuilding in this novel was extremely weak, and the two main characters seemed to be ready to fall in love the author just needed strange, arbitrary reasons to keep them apart.
Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
INCREDIBLE. This is exactly the kind of book I love to read.
Realistic fantasy with a touch of modern elements. Julian is super loveable! Yadriel has my whole heart! And I like the way it depicts family dynamics of growing up trans in a latinx household and the extra struggle of dealing with gendered language.
Besides that, the story itself is a truly compelling page turner. It’s 5 stars and it deserves more, to be honest!
Realistic fantasy with a touch of modern elements. Julian is super loveable! Yadriel has my whole heart! And I like the way it depicts family dynamics of growing up trans in a latinx household and the extra struggle of dealing with gendered language.
Besides that, the story itself is a truly compelling page turner. It’s 5 stars and it deserves more, to be honest!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Transphobia and Violence
Payback's a Witch by Lana Harper
adventurous
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
It takes a while to set up. I’m not sure if I needed as much exposition as the author gave - especially considering this is lighter on the worldbuilding when it comes to magical witchy stories - but it’s certainly a good time!
Good bisexual representation, a strong WLW rom-com style relationship, and a pretty satisfying takedown of a toxic hyper-masculinity entitled man child of an ex boyfriend.
It’s worth checking out but probably won’t be something I’ll ever be re-reading.
Good bisexual representation, a strong WLW rom-com style relationship, and a pretty satisfying takedown of a toxic hyper-masculinity entitled man child of an ex boyfriend.
It’s worth checking out but probably won’t be something I’ll ever be re-reading.