Tag Archives: LGBTQI

The Griffin Mission by Arizona Tape

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: The Griffin Mission
Author: Arizona Tape
Series: The Griffin Sanctuary #0.5
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, LGBTQI, Paranormal fantasy, Urban fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2021

Thoughts

This was a very short and easy read, one that told the tale of how the Griffin Sanctuary came about. The founders, Ella and Starlise were introduced to my knowledge in The Unicorn Herd (because I read this first), so it was fun to see how they fell for each other and created the sanctuary. Plus, there is some massive fangirling about the couple and their dedication to animals in The Unicorn Herd, so I kind of liked reading about the very beginning of all of this.

The Griffin Mission also gave more context to the world building of the Griffin Sanctuary. I thought it was a world that was nestled just beneath our own and existed side by side – because most of the fantasy genred books I read tend to do this. Instead, it’s actually based in a parallel world. One that works much like ours, but with some differences. I actually quite enjoyed the way in which this worked. Plus, the idea of portals between worlds and the fact that there are those who just stumble onto them sometimes.

Alongside the cute little romance and world building, I mostly just loved the idea of griffins. I love how Tape has taken a paranormal creature that pops up into a lot of stories and just kind of expanded on them. Like all animals, she’s given them different species and subspecies. Each with their own unique challenges and needs. Something that was ridiculously cute and adorable, plus, it made the whole idea of a paranormal sanctuary even more appealing. And now I can’t wait to read more of this series again.

<- More Arizona TapeThe Fairy Festival ->

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A Universe of Wishes edited by Dhonielle Clayton

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Overview
A Universe of Wishes: A We Need Diverse Books Anthology by Dhonielle Clayton

Title: A Universe of Wishes
Author: Dhonielle Clayton, Tara Sim, Natalie C. Parker, Libba Bray, Anna-Marie McLemore, Kwame Mbalia, V.E. Schwab, Rebecca Roanhorse, Nic Stone, Jenni Balch, Mark Oshiro, Samira Ahmed, Tessa Gratton, Zoraida Cordova & Tochi Onyebuchi
In: A Universe of Wishes (Dhonielle Clayton)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: LGBTQI, Short story collections, Young adult
Pace: Medium
Format: Anthology
Publisher: Crown
Year: 2020

Thoughts

A Universe of Wishes is a fantastic and brilliant anthology. One I really, really enjoyed. And one that introduced me to a whole lot more authors that I plan to add to my shelves. It was a fun and unique collection that gave the reader a whole lot of diversity, not only in tales and styles, but also in lead characters.

I loved that this is an #OwnVoices collection, and now I’m going to add more such collections to my shelves. I love having non-white leads in my stories. And this has given me a taste of a whole range of new authors and cultures. Something that I really love when reading – discovering the unknown.

This anthology runs the gambit of genres and styles. The only thing all of the stories have in common is that they are thoroughly enjoyable and I loved them. I look forward to reading this anthology again and again and again in the future.

<- HabibiA Universe of Wishes ->

Image source: Goodreads

Dream and Dare by Nic Stone

Book Review, , ,
Overview
A Universe of Wishes: A We Need Diverse Books Anthology by Dhonielle Clayton

Title: Dream and Dare
Author: Nic Stone
In: A Universe of Wishes (Dhonielle Clayton)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: LGBTQI, Paranormal fantasy
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Crown
Year: 2020

Thoughts

I love that the title of this short story is actually the names of the two lead characters. And that they are well-suited to their names. I mean, on the surface. They both definitely have elements of the other within their personalities, but mostly, they are very much like what their names imply.

Dream is seen to be the “perfect” wife, but is also into those activities which are considered unfeminine. I love that although she loves beautiful dresses, she also loves to climb trees and explore in these dresses. It’s a reminder that there is no one way of being a woman.

Contrastingly, Dare is tough and faces a lot of the ridicule for being “too masculine”. In fact, she deals with so much of this nonsense that she decides to effectively escape her life. And enact her revenge on all of those idiots who think that she needs “fixing”. It’s heartbreaking that both the girls experience prejudice in one form or another when they are just existing, but Dare’s constant battles are pretty hard to read about at times.

It was a pretty cute short story this one. I mean, they not only manage to find each other with a heavily implied happily ever after. But they also show that they’ve both been dancing around their interest in each other for years… a very cute little short story. And one I look forward to reading again in the future.

<- The Takeback TangoWish ->

Image source: Goodreads

Cristal Y Ceniza by Anna-Marie McLemore

Book Review, , ,
Overview
A Universe of Wishes: A We Need Diverse Books Anthology by Dhonielle Clayton

Title: Cristal Y Ceniza
Author: Anna-Marie McLemore
In: A Universe of Wishes (Dhonielle Clayton)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: LGBTQI, Retellings
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Crown
Year: 2020

Thoughts

This was a wonderfully unique spin on the Cinderella fairy tale. One that wasn’t dark and twisted. Rather, one that was about a young girl who was trying to find a way to save her family. And in doing so manages to capture the attention of the prince. And the king and queen. And just generally a whole heap of people. It also had a number of wonderful LGBTQI+ spins throughout that helped it become even more beautiful and inclusive.

The “Cinderella” in this story is travelling to the ball not to win over the prince, or to find a better fate for herself. But, to save her mothers from being separated – they live in a country that separates those who are in same-sex relationships and forces them to remarry into hetero-couples (feels a little too hauntingly familiar in this day and age). The fact that there is magic to be had to send her there and it is the very family she is trying to save who also act as the fairy godmothers makes it all that much better.

Then there is the fact that the prince is actually trans. The immediate understanding in his activities when the “Cinderella” states her case is really sweet and made my heart melt a little bit. There was the obvious moment of attraction and lust between the two, but it was the support that I found to be truly romantic. Maybe that’s because lust and attraction can be fleeting – but supporting one another? That’s forever.

Lastly, I loved the courage that is shown throughout this. When offered a sure thing to save just her family, the girl decides to go with the uncertainty to try and help everyone. It’s such a nice moment and a reminder that although not everyone will always do the right thing, there are plenty of people who are willing to try. A great short story of romance, love and the need to fight for what is right in the world.

<- The Scarlet WomanLiberia ->

Image source: Goodreads

Girls of Paper and Fire by Natasha Ngan

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Girls of Paper and Fire
Author: Natasha Ngan
Series: Girls of Paper and Fire #1
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Fantasy, LGBTQI, Young adult
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Year: 2018

Thoughts

This novel was extremely fucking brilliant. It took me a few chapters to truly want to know what was going to happen next, but then it felt like Girls of Paper and Fire was in my head constantly. Ngan did a fantastic job of world building from the first moment, and her attention to the character’s growth made this a completely irreplaceable book in my opinion. I get why people rave about this so much.

Lei’s journey is seriously heartbreaking. I love how she finds her strength. She is ripped from her home, placed into a horrifying world, and finds her first love. One that’s very existence could get her killed. I strongly suspect that her family has, in fact, been killed though. Which is just something I think will come up later in the series. But is heartbreaking, nonetheless. Part of the reason it took me quite a while to read this was because of how much my heart hurt with every challenge Lei faced.

Lei fits the fairly typical YA heroine mould in that she’s from a poor background, thrust into an unfortunate circumstance and finds a way to triumph when no one expects her to. Her very normalcy is highlighted, but then she’s also special. However, where she is different stands out the most for me. The use of a Chinese sounding (to me) cultural backdrop for starters was a nice departure. Actually, the entire world building was seriously unique and fun. But then there’s the love interest – Wren. Straight up, the fact that this is a F/F couple deviates. But also, the way they are able to create this relationship and how Lei is able to find her own strength in it.

I can’t wait to see how this phenomenal series evolves and where it goes. Likewise, if this is how Ngan wants to start her writing career, then I can’t wait to see what more I will get to sink my teeth into over the coming years. This was a completely unforgettable book that I will definitely read again in the future. And I can’t wait to get the rest of this series for my shelves!

<- More Natasha NganGirls of Storm and Shadow ->

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The Thanksgiving Parade from Hell by R.L. Merrill

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: The Thanksgiving Parade from Hell
Author: R.L. Merrill
In: Worst Holiday Ever (Miscellaneous)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance, LGBTQI
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Year: 2018

Thoughts

Dalton and Orrie are a ridiculously cute couple. They are completely adorable and so damn sweet together. My heart definitely beat faster in the hope for their future. And because this was a wonderfully sweet and gorgeous story, they get it. Not without a lot of issues along the way though.

My husband and I decided a long time ago that Christmas would be about one event… no running around like headless chickens all day long. And that is just between two families. I can’t imagine jumping between four! That to start with just sounded and felt ridiculously difficult and complex. And, as it unfolded, it was even worse than I had anticipated.

This was a fun, chaotic story evolving into a beautiful ending. With the one family portion that the couple actually got along well with. I love that in the one day they not only run the gambit of their four families, but they also had to deal with their own insecurities. A brilliant holiday story.

<- Ringing in the ReeferThankful in Perdition ->

Image source: Fantastic Fiction

Skye Falling by Mia McKenzie

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Skye Falling
Author: Mia McKenzie
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, LGBTQI, Race
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2021

Thoughts

This was a brilliant and kind of intense read. But damn, it was also kind of amazing. I mean, it was a great story of self-discovery, with some impressively dynamic relationships and a whole heap of emotional connections. Throughout this personal journey Skye spends a whole lot of time looking inwards. It’s a nice reminder that we never truly stop growing and learning.

This book gave me all of the feelings, it was intense and complex. Skye not only has to navigate her current friendships and family dynamics. But there a heap of new relationships and family dynamics that she also has to negotiate. I love that Skye slowly creates a relationship with the new members of her family. Relationships are never quite as easy as they seem in the books, they’re always way more complicated and McKenzie honours this fact.

Skye is forced to face up to a whole heap of hard truths and realities in her own actions. But it’s about more than that. Skye is forced to face the changing times and how the things we treasure don’t always stay the same. McKenzie also beautifully shows some of the challenges that African American women face and the realities of being an LGBTQI+ woman. McKenzie pulls in so many social justice issues and my head is still spinning after reading this.

I love that the ending of this isn’t neat and tidy. There is no tie it all in a bow ending that shows everyone riding off into the sunset. Rather, everyone finds a new path and a way to find their happy new reality. Life never has a satisfactory conclusion that ties up every loose end. And I love that Skye Falling didn’t either.

<- More Mia McKenzieMore race ->

Image source: Goodreads

Witchy Vol. 2 by Ariel Slamet Ries

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: Witchy Volume 2
Author: Ariel Slamet Ries
Series: Witchy #2
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Graphic novels, LGBTQI, Magic, Witches
Pace: Fast
Format: Graphic novel
Year: 2022

Thoughts

I freaking loved this graphic novel. I mean, I loved the first volume, so it makes total sense that I loved the second one. But I actually think that I loved this a little more. Maybe because now that most of the world building and backstory has been solidified, Ries was able to dig a bit deeper into the particulars of Nyeve.

Everything about this tale is beautiful and complex. It is a great journey all on its own, but there’s also this great sense of social commentary as well. Every moment of this made me reflect on the world that I live in, the biases and restrictions that we place on the “other”. It’s amazing how provocative and emotive the imagery throughout this is.

I do love how Nyeve marches to the beat of her own drum. Throughout all of this people are trying to twist and shape her to their own idea of rebellion and future. Trying to show her how to go against the grain, but to do so by fitting THEIR preconceived idea of how that looks. And it’s when she decides to truly be herself and ignore all the ideas of other people that she truly comes into her own.

There are lots of bits of Bananas past that are slowly coming to light throughout this graphic novel. I want to believe that he is good and going to be a great guide for Nyeve. But there’s that lingering feeling that he might be the source of some serious betrayal in the future. I just can’t wait to find out if I’m right or wrong!!!

<- Witchy Vol. 1More Ariel Slamet Ries ->

Image source: Simon & Schuster

Roommate by Sarina Bowen

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Roommate
Author: Sarina Bowen
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance, LGBTQI
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2021

Thoughts

Since their mentions in Sweetheart, Kieran and Roderick are just too damn cute a couple. Which, of course means that I’ve been hanging to read their romance. Plus, Kieran is such a sweet and quiet boy in all of his appearances throughout the True North series. It made me want to get to know him more. Which, as seems to be the case with Sarina Bowen stories, didn’t disappoint.

Although throughout this Kieran is discovering and acknowledging his sexuality, it’s not really the point of conflict throughout. I love that his being gay really isn’t treated as anything, well, at all in his internal dialogue. Rather, it is all of the family conflicts and his sense of self within the Shipley clan that is the main driving point of contention throughout. It’s nice to have an LGBTQI+ story that doesn’t really make any kind of deal about accepting one’s sexuality.

Then there’s Roderick. He’s a great counterpoint to Kieran’s quiet reticence. He is bubbly and cheerful. And accepting of his own crap. Accepting to the point that he is so self-aware he almost self-sabotages. Again, the point of intention doesn’t come from his crappy family or anything like that, but from his self-awareness and sense of self. For Roderick, this fact is that he worries that he throws too much of himself into a relationship.

I love that although there is initially a little resistance between these two gorgeous hunks, once they’re together, it’s the journey of self-awareness that drive the story’s conflict. Yes, other people come into this, but it’s a bit of a tangential influence. Mostly, the two figure out how to work through their own nonsense and make it work in a relationship together. Definitely a story too cute for words.

<- More Sarina BowenTop Secret ->

Image source: Goodreads

The Gender Games by Juno Dawson

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: The Gender Games: The Problem with Men and Women, from Someone Who Has Been Both
Author: Juno Dawson
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Biographies, LGBTQI, Memoirs
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2017

Thoughts

This memoir is fantastic, intense, and seriously wonderful. It was also very thought provoking and sometimes confronting. Dawson has a great style of writing that makes you want to dive into her story page after page. Even in those moments that you might feel a little bit uncomfortable. There is just something about her writing that is enjoyable and emotional, even when the topic is sometimes difficult.

As one would expect, this memoir is a very intense look at gender and how it makes life difficult. Dawson is a lot more brutal with her analysis of that, but that’s the overall idea. I also love that Dawson is able to highlight the different challenges that come to each gender. Whilst she was identified to society as a male for the first twenty, thirty (I can’t remember exactly) years of her life, and then has started her transition, the expectations which are placed on us for an arbitrary classification are all encompassing. And Dawson has the unique experience of seeing this from both sides.

This was one of those slower reads for me. Not because it wasn’t brilliant, but because every single chapter was thought provoking. It took me a long time to absorb everything that Dawson had to say. And I honestly felt like Dawson’s words deserved that time to process. Gender and sexuality is something that has long fascinated me, and I really wanted to understand more of Dawson’s experiences. As much as someone who identifies as the gender, I was born ever can…

This memoir is brilliantly written, impossible to forget and just all round fantastic. I definitely fell completely in love with Dawson’s voice. And now that I know she is a YA author, I just want more of her work on my shelves!!!

<- An Appetite for WonderSurvival ->

Image source: Booktopia