**spoiler alert** Preface to say - I don't know why I keep picking up 2000/2010's NA fantasy books with straight MF relationships and expect to enjoy **spoiler alert** Preface to say - I don't know why I keep picking up 2000/2010's NA fantasy books with straight MF relationships and expect to enjoy them. No clue, I'm in a slump and just going with it. I am not the audience for these but yet continue to read.
I read this in a sitting, the first 3/4's of this book was entertaining and I'd love to see a queer version of it. There's: - Protagonist is the food tester for the commander, she gets to see the inner politics and maneuvering happening, emphasis on testing and tasting for various poisons - Strong NA heroine trope of her outsmarting and surprising a bunch of people with how she stays alive and survives in random tests - Traumatic backstory and protagonist working through PTSD and grief - Lots of loyalty checks from her handler and the commander, the reader doesn't know who to trust and what is a set up - Creating world building for more books: there's different regions, each has specific trade, customs, rulings, topography, magic systems, etc. Magic has a mind control and telepathy element I am intrigued with. - Examining the effects of socialism. the commander overtook the monarchy and implemented new rulings and systems. some new rules seemed to help the people, while other systems were dumb, as expected. - I love a training montage. protagonist ends up learning self defense in her spare time and befriending Ari & Janco (arguably the best characters in the whole book)
Very entertaining. I want more food tester plots, I love seeing the inner workings of court and political shenanigans from a different lens. This had the classic NA trope of heroine learning to trust herself, get a backbone, and become a badass. This also had the horrid backstory protagonist is working through.
HowEver...
The last quarter of this book fell apart, was rushed, and jammed so much in that didn't need to be there: - This went from the slowest of slow relationship arc from the protagonist and assassin throughout the book to immediately "we must kiss, then have fade to black sex on this dirty ass straw covered prison floor while waiting for our attackers to leave and then profess undying love for each other" for no damn reason. the romance should have been drawn out over a couple books, there was no need for that nonsense. This also went from them acknowledging that they trust one another to immediately together. Why ruin all the slow build development and character growth? - More grumblings from me of having a 19 year old girl in a relationship with a 30-40 yr old grown ass man. This one is also her handler. She is a prisoner, he is in charge of her life. That power dynamic is not one I enjoy. Let her at least have her frontal lobe developed please. He also had a lot of abuse of power over her, which I also am not on board with. - The plot went off the rails with trying to do too much in a short period of time. This was clearly set up as the first in a series, not everything needed to be wrapped up neatly in a bow. - The commander was supposed to be this fair and just leader, but was super bigoted against magic users. One saved his life and he still sentenced them to death? What. - No explanation on random buzzing the protagonist could do (assuming it's magic but who knows) - That's so 2000 trope of using threat of rape as a plot device
And finally, the "WTF IS HAPPENING" reveal of the commander being trans that was clunky at best. - We find out the commander hates magic users solely because they could tell that he's trans and he doesn't want his secret out. Very good leadership happening there. He would execute babies, y'all. - This ham fisted misgendering and dead naming situation inside his head that we had to read through. And him killing off his inner demons. - Internalized transphobia to the extreme. - I don't know whether to applaud or cringe at Snyder including this in the book. It added 0 value to the story or plot. But also, what books in 2005 were including trans characters in their books, in a way that wasn't as the punchline of a joke? The commander was heavily respected throughout the book, and after the 'big reveal' he was still the same guy and treated the same. Yay? Maybe? Idek. I did read that this is Snyder's first book, so I'm going to guess that things get better in future books.
I am both intrigued with wanting to see how the plot line of the protagonist learning how to use her magic and the magic system pans out. I also don't want to read about the romance in this. I do hope that Ari and Janco are recurring characters and also are in love with each other. Again - they're my favorite characters lol.
Adding a star because of the world building and plot that was intriguing for the majority of the book. Minus a bunch of stars for everything else listed above.
CWs: transphobia, misgendering, deadnaming, child sexual assault and child abuse, explicit rape recounted from memory, threats of rape multiple times, abuse of power, lots of murder, knives, blood and gore, mind control, torture, suicide ideation, poisoning, drugging, kidnapping, slavery, bullying...more
The first half of this was brrrrrrutal. But once that was cleared up, this went from super angsty painful to almost too sweet, then insert m3.5 stars
The first half of this was brrrrrrutal. But once that was cleared up, this went from super angsty painful to almost too sweet, then insert mustache twirling villain for some more plot to finish the book up.
I rarely feel like I want less pages from Vivancos, but in this case I did a bit....more
Probably a 4.5 star, but I'm still riding on the post happiness of seeing a satisfying end to the series.
Really enjoyed Kazia's arc throughout the seProbably a 4.5 star, but I'm still riding on the post happiness of seeing a satisfying end to the series.
Really enjoyed Kazia's arc throughout the series, and glad we got into his head and also into Lucien's. Plus, rats! And another adorable dragon. And Whisper, my favorite.
Excited to listen to 4-6 audios when they get released!...more
Very low angst, sweet college romance between roommates. A bit forgettable, but enjoyed the lack of conflict and drama in this2.5 stars rounded down.
Very low angst, sweet college romance between roommates. A bit forgettable, but enjoyed the lack of conflict and drama in this. Also would be so nice to live in this idealistic world with the college culture there where being queer isn't a big deal. Good for them. I also want to go to a bar named 'shenanigans.'...more
A short romcom audible exclusive audio - a bit unmemorable while listening to this, but after creeping on the author, this is own voices and Bertie's A short romcom audible exclusive audio - a bit unmemorable while listening to this, but after creeping on the author, this is own voices and Bertie's first fiction (and romance) story, which is cute to see.
The majority of the conflict in this is surrounding the MC's fear of sharing that he's trans with the guy he likes and the push back that may come from it, which is a mood. No steam in this, and was a bit too quick to feel much connection between the one sided 'enemies' to friends to lovers situation going on, but was an easy listen and a nice surprise seeing audible publishing a queer romance with a trans lead.
I am loving the slower burn sports romances this week! This book worked for me. Both MCs are dumbasses in their own way on being obliviouAudio review
I am loving the slower burn sports romances this week! This book worked for me. Both MCs are dumbasses in their own way on being oblivious to their relationship and feelings towards each other. Benji was an excellent himbo, who also had a lot of layers on his childhood and upbringing. Loved how open he was with yoga and meditation and working through his anger. Olly's mental health arc throughout the book felt so well done.
I'm not usually one for bro-y language, but for some reason the audio worked with all the "bud" and "buddy" thrown around. The side characters were also entertaining, and the narrations for them were well done.
This book is 80% miscommunication and wanting to shake the MCs for not just talking to each other about their feelings, but in a way that worked for me? I haven't read a good miscommunication/obliviots read in a while, and this filled that gap. Having very real and intense conversations surrounding family, mental health, and feelings also helped make this book feel grounded and less like a silly plot. Angst city.
Very enjoyable read. Olly and Benji were both characters that I really loved both individually and together. Yay, bud.
CWs for homophobia/homomisia, bullying, abuse, assault, biphobia...more
I'm really hoping all the missing plot elements will be answered in the next book, because man oh man is this plot being held up by a string. But I'm I'm really hoping all the missing plot elements will be answered in the next book, because man oh man is this plot being held up by a string. But I'm too far invested now, lol.
I really liked Sei's growth arc from a grail to a person, and Marek was an idiot, but in an overprotective and endearing way. Loved loved loooooved the dragon and fellcat bantering/bickering going on. Electrocution/sex with some lightning was a new and fun one. Good for them.
I'm just closing my eyes to all the ???? things that didn't add up or answers we never got, and going off vibes. This world is enjoyable, I love seeing other cameos from past characters. I'm hoping the next book has everything click together. I'm glad there's more animal chaos going on in this....more
Definitely a vibey road trip with a himbo and a prickly MC. There was so much bickering on classism in this, but it didn't feel like much was said somDefinitely a vibey road trip with a himbo and a prickly MC. There was so much bickering on classism in this, but it didn't feel like much was said somehow? Nothing was changed, the MC's both had valid reasoning behind how they viewed and used money. There was a lot of emphasis on it, and like most of my complaints with Cat Sebastian's reads - Get this dang plot out of my vibe read!! (/joking)
Hearing about Flagstaff made me a bit nostalgic and want to move back to AZ. I loved the himbo energy. ...more
I am very bummed this one didn't work for me. A t4t romance! Traditionally published! Yay for more queer romances!
There were elements I did really enjI am very bummed this one didn't work for me. A t4t romance! Traditionally published! Yay for more queer romances!
There were elements I did really enjoy:
-Luna and her mom's relationship was very pure and tender, I really loved seeing such support from a parent. -Some of the chemistry was off the charts for the leads. There were adorable cuddling moments, vulnerability, and some great times where they opened up emotionally. I liked how Luna would push back on Jean-Pierre's internalized transphobic or sexist comments and make him think a little bit. I liked how they could argue and fight with each other, while afterwards apologizing and not running away. Conflict resolution is great. -Hooray for explicit sex scenes in a tradpub, we love to see it.
However, the list of things that didn't work just kept growing as I reflected on them:
- There's such an emphasis on trans people's genitals in the real world, I might be extra sensitive to it. There's an almost scientific info dumping approach to explaining a phalloplasty and vaginoplasty in this, while the leads are having sex. It was clunky and also at the least sexy time. - This book couldn't decide if it was going to be a very realistic contemporary romance where real world issues were sprinkled in throughout the story (the heroine is very outspoken on trans rights, Black justice, capitalism, ethics, etc) or if it wanted to be a very wish fulfillment "rich man comes and takes care of all my problems, pays my bills, and looks at me like I'm the sun and the stars." Both are great elements to include in stories; it is really hard to not point out the blatant hypocrisy and contradiction when combining the two. Are we not going to talk about eating the rich to our millionaire boyfriend? - THE COOKING PLOT WAS UNREAL. You're going to tell me that two people who can barely crack an egg without getting shell pieces in it can go from 0 cooking skills to learn how to cook highly technical dishes AND ALSO bake desserts in like a month or two? In what world. Again - if this was going for the "suspend disbelief and roll with this plot" element, that's great. However, so much real-world shit was holding this plot down to earth. - There's about 2 million adjectives and descriptions of food, cooking, baking, and eating, that got old very quick. - This could have gotten rid of 50% of the cooking/fake dating plot and added in actual scenes with the leads getting to know each other, and dating. It felt like the best moments in this were the handful of one-on-one moments between the leads. Lost opportunity. - This got very preachy and info-dumping at times, even for me. - The bigot grandpa plot was cartoonishly evil with his competition and cooking requirements. - How could you take such a beautiful name like Jean-Pierre and shorten it to JP. Pleaase. - I really hope cis or non-queer readers who read this book don't make the assumption that T4T romances must include leads having top and/or bottom surgery, or have to "pass" in order to be trans. I really am stressed that this will be the only romance with trans leads someone will read, and the assumption that surgery, HRT, and passing are the 'norm' or requirements in the community. (It's not.) I loved that these leads both wanted surgery and hormones and were mostly able to get them. I am worried that it'll be generalized that it's the norm to do these things for trans folks to fit into a cis-normative world.
Overall, this left me stressed, and grumpy at times. Is it because I'm a part of this community (I'm nonbinary) and am holding it to higher standards compared to other queer romances I read? Is it because this is tradpub and a bit out of my element? Are my own fears being projected? Did I have exceedingly high expectations that this didn't meet? Probably yes to all of this....more
This was surprisingly fun! The humor throughout this worked for me; it was dark and dry, which is always a good time. Vampire bodyguard and assassin wThis was surprisingly fun! The humor throughout this worked for me; it was dark and dry, which is always a good time. Vampire bodyguard and assassin who, gasp, inadvertently becomes bonded to the creature he kills. The bantering and bickering of the two of them binded to each other really did add to the story.
Warning to romance readers: the lead MC has explicit sex with multiple other people throughout this book, and this appears to be a slow burn and mystery of who the actual LI will be. No HFN or HEA at the moment.
The plotline and shenanigans in this are entertaining enough that the lack of romance worked, if that makes any sense. There's some murder, some incubus's, horny magic, and a fish named Kevin who is beloved by his owner. Lots of sass, plenty of bickering, an assassin who says whatever is on his mind.
Kirt Graves did an excellent job narrating. It takes a bit of skill to make bickering with yourself sound realistic and humorous....more
Getting the worst part out of the way, this audiobook ended at 79%. 79%! The deceit!
Moving along, this was an enjoyable sci-fi alien romance, with soGetting the worst part out of the way, this audiobook ended at 79%. 79%! The deceit!
Moving along, this was an enjoyable sci-fi alien romance, with some tails and unique cultural differences. There's miscommunication which causes the human MC to accidentally become bonded/mated to the alien merchant he normally sells things to. And turned out to be this very sweet and unique little romance.
Aliens view their partners a lot differently than humans do, and I loved reading how their different relationships and bonding moments go. Sex isn't something pleasurable for aliens, and it's a very noncon/dubcon(?) ceremony. Genetic material is what they call cum, which at times was hilarious.
"You tried to expel genetic material without me!!" ...more
Reread - I love Bell so much. This one is tied for favorite with Whisper & Julien in the first book. Soft fantasy vibes.
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I just... love thiReread - I love Bell so much. This one is tied for favorite with Whisper & Julien in the first book. Soft fantasy vibes.
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I just... love this. Love this series, love this family of princes, love this romance. Just, chef's kiss.
Sweetheart Bell, a dragon (!!!) and ferret, double hidden identities, political maneuvering, adorable little moments between Rakos and Bell. Emotional head massage, magic sharing, on the road shenanigans. How dare Lark make me love these two just as much as Julien and Whisper!!...more
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