This is a painful, difficult review to write, as I have to face the uncomfortable truth that I was initially too focused on the book’s glittery bits (amplified by my own excitement around the history of the women’s suffrage movement) to question, deeply or fast enough, its many hurtful messages. A Rogue of One’s Own held my attention, and that is to say a lot these days. I was happy to return to the early … Continue reading A Rogue of One’s Own by Evie Dunmore →
Content warnings: recent death of alcoholic parent, several references to euthanizing shelter animals I’ve enjoyed all three of Anna Burke’s books so far, which take place in settings where I would last for no longer than a week, if I’m being generous. In order, they are: A dystopian climate fiction with lesbian pirates and terrifying giant squids A lyrical, dark f/f reinterpretation of Beauty and the Beast A super-queer Robin Hood retelling, which was also … Continue reading Spindrift by Anna Burke →
Queens of Noise is like a great punk song – short, loud, chaotic, and unforgettable. This f/f shifter romance includes multiple kinds of shifters plus witches, most of whom are in bands, and many of whom are people of color and people who identify as queer in some way. It also includes a battle of the bands and evil chickens. The only problem with this book is that I want it to go on and … Continue reading Queens of Noise by Leigh Harlen →
Deven and the Dragon is an adorable novella that is as sweet and light as the best meringue. This fairy tale-like story has clear Beauty and the Beast influences but without the coercion. It’s a m/m romance involving a rogue and a dragon shifter, both of whom love books. It warmed my cranky heart. The plot is thus: Deven is the local hottie. He works in the stables and enjoys consensually casual sexual relationships with … Continue reading Deven and the Dragon by Eliot Grayson →
I should couch this review with the admission that I am the biggest scaredy cat. I don’t usually read romance thrillers, let alone straight ahead thrillers with only a little bit of lovin. Not only do I need to be promised a happy ending, I also want the beginning and middle to be fairly cheerful and absent of conflict. I am, admittedly, a bit ridiculous, but yes, I would prefer to be wrapped up in … Continue reading When No One is Watching by Alyssa Cole →
Deathless Divide has women killing zombies while building complicated friendships, and that was delightful enough to make me (almost) happy. If I could excise the parts of the books that frustrated me, I would be even happier. The first book in this series, Dread Nation, was a near-perfect book, so my hopes for Deathless Divide were high. This series is set in an alternate-history 19th century United States, where Civil War ends after the walking … Continue reading Deathless Divide by Justina Ireland →
CW: Off the page suicide attempt of a minor character. Classism, including jokes about hobos. The blurb for Last Tang Standing recommends it for “fans of Crazy Rich Asians and Bridget Jones’s Diary.” I liked those books, and I can see the superficial similarities—this is a humorous diary set in wealthy Singapore—but this book doesn’t bring much of an original perspective to the story of a 30-something finding themselves. Last Tang Standing tries so hard … Continue reading Last Tang Standing by Lauren Ho →
A woman has been stabbed on the hike and bike path around Ladybird Lake in Austin, Texas. Detective Jacob Merritt is on the case, but he and his partner Kendra are convinced there’s more to it than the opportunistic attack it appears to be. It doesn’t take long for the Feds to swoop in and take the case off their hands – confirming suspicions that there’s something big going on – but Jacob does not … Continue reading Hidden by Laura Griffin →
If you are an Ilona Andrews fan (and if you aren’t, why not??) I have good news for you. Emerald Blaze gives us everything we expect from an Andrews book: a competent heroine facing an unusual supernatural threat, an alpha-esque love interest with whom she has scorching chemistry, a great secondary cast, exciting action, strong world-building and sense of place, and jokes on jokes on jokes. I truly enjoyed every moment of the reading experience, … Continue reading Emerald Blaze by Ilona Andrews →
Content warning: It’s important to note that the speculative history the book is based on is very very plausible, some already happening in our world, things like energy wars, crumbling infrastructure, and inept government officials cutting off essential resources and services so they can continue grabbing at more power. There’s also mentions and descriptions of torture in the book. Take stock of your mental and emotional bandwidth before diving in if any of these subjects … Continue reading Deal with the Devil by Kit Rocha →
Oh my gosh, this novella is INTENSE. If you like gritty, feminist retellings of fairy tales then be sure to try Flyaway, a loose retelling of several fairy tales set in Australia. To tell you which fairy tale is the central story is a spoiler but it’s the best kind – a mystery resolution that you don’t see coming but that, once revealed, leaves you saying, “Oh, of COURSE.” It’s not a romance, and there … Continue reading Flyaway by Kathleen Jennings →
