I wound up moving in August, which drained a lot of my brain/willpower. So most of my books this month are re-reads.
I love Ilona Andrews, so it’s unsurprising I reached for these as comfort reads.
August wound up being a busy month for me, so this is coming out later than usual.
Sixthlight’s summary says it best: “This is basically “recovering from imposter syndrome: the epic fantasy novel”, as Lysande learns to make friends, wield power, and stab people, and I liked it a lot. Plus the central – romance is a bit strong – central developing relationship is a bi-for-bi-with-D/s-undertones power struggle between Lysande and city ruler Luca Fontaine, whose thesis is “I murdered a lot of people to get where I am and I apologise for none of it””
The Dom/sub UST vibes was *chefs kiss*. I had to inhale and stare into the distance at multiple points. I need the sequel and resolved sexual tension now!
Read More »I do have a nonfiction piece that’s close to being finished, but I’d like to ask some friends to take a look at it. In the meanwhile, here’s what I recommend from what I’ve read, watched, and listened to this month!
Essay collection. JFC this man’s writing.
Funny, easy to read, and informative. Also I never thought I’d say this about a book about STIs, but it has an absolutely adorable cover too.
I hate the summary on the book, so I present you chai’s words that convinced me to pick it up: “goth god-vessel/sea captain slash bisexy mermaid”. Also includes a high priestess mired in politics, and a warrior come home upon his mother’s death.
I somehow thought this was sci fic, as in space ships and outer space? The intimacy at the end in the bathouse!! MY HEART. I need book 2 and I need my OTP to happen.
Read More »May was a slow month in terms of loving what I read, but podcasts came through!
Katie takes a summer job caring for her neighbor’s 217 (!) cats, but both her neighbor and the cats have some secrets up their sleeves…
Omg the cats are so good in this. If you’re a cat lover, do not miss this.
Read More »I have no clue how to give this a summary because it’s effectively 5 stories in one: an immigration story, a coming out story, Tattercoats, Cinderella, and the Little Mermaid.
Suffice to say I lost my cool while reading this and am incredibly jealous of Trungles’ writing skills. Patreon here.
Read More »I come bearing more half-sketched thoughts.
With power comes responsibility, and I was thinking about how we as a community often give power to people because we like them (just as a person) or the work they do. But we don’t often think about (or ask) if this person will use this power well, or how they will use this power.
I’d also love to do a similar checklist or questions for community members to self-reflect on the people we choose to give power to, but IDK anything more beyond that.
In the meanwhile, here are some questions that are on my mind:
Identity porn ensues when April goes on a date with actor Marcus… who is also the fanfic author she’s been falling in love with.
I laughed so fucking hard. If you’re in fandom, especially fanfic, do not miss this. She includes actual ao3 tags in it and aslkfj;ask
Read More »A queer fantasy novella about learning to choose love that nurtures rather than hurts you. Also lovely fairy tale vibes. My feels! De Bodard’s Patreon here.
Secret cinnamon roll mercenary meets up with a nun. They each have secrets. Hijinks on the road ensues.
I didn’t realize T. Kingfisher had a new book in this universe, and boy did it come out when I needed a laugh-out-loud pick-me-up. Kingfisher (aka Ursula Vernon)’s Patreon here.
A memoir about the author’s postpartum psychosis. It’s billed as a memoir of motherhood and madness, but what hooked me was the way she discusses myth, family legacy/trauma, and the cycles we repeat. Her writing is excellent, and by the time she goes mad, it’s inevitable and even expected.
Julie from the Kate Daniels series returns to Atlanta with a new name and face to save her mom.
Y’all know Andrews is an insta-read author for me. They started posting snippets of this on their blog in 2020 and the finished version did not disappoint. I need the sequels ASAP!
A historical fantasy romance with a classic set-up: does our heroine choose love and duty, or freedom and magic?
I know everyone loves Polk’s Kingston Cycle, but it left me cold. I did, however, love The Midnight Bargain, Nadi in particular, and the love interest’s grovel. Nadi’s line at the end about winning made me tear up too. (I do echo sixthlight’s review that the book is weirdly heteronormative, with the exception of an aromantic/asexual character)
Read More »Edit 2/11/21 to add Barriner’s lqb2 newsletter.
