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viselik's review
slow-paced
2.5
Rating: 2.5 Stars
The stories within this book were quite thought-provoking, though I did enjoy them, or well most of them. There is quite a variety of stories within the book, I deeply enjoyed the first two but by the end, I think I just felt confused as all the stories were just so different and I couldn't find a narrative plotline or theme between them all personally. Or I didn't get behind the characters.
I feel this book could be deeply enjoyed by a different reader and there could be a community for this book, but for me this was just confusing. Thinking more about this book, I felt more confused about more stories than ones I understood and enjoyed.
Access to the ARC was acquired thanks to NetGalley in exchange for an honest review even if I got to it so late.
The stories within this book were quite thought-provoking, though I did enjoy them, or well most of them. There is quite a variety of stories within the book, I deeply enjoyed the first two but by the end, I think I just felt confused as all the stories were just so different and I couldn't find a narrative plotline or theme between them all personally. Or I didn't get behind the characters.
I feel this book could be deeply enjoyed by a different reader and there could be a community for this book, but for me this was just confusing. Thinking more about this book, I felt more confused about more stories than ones I understood and enjoyed.
Access to the ARC was acquired thanks to NetGalley in exchange for an honest review even if I got to it so late.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abortion and Murder
maravoortman's review
3.5
Favorite chapters: Borealis, The Oak I Knew, And Then Again to the Next, A Theory on Lampposts, Tea Leaves & Trial.
literatelizard's review
3.0
A collection of short stories that uses magical realism and urban fantasy to celebrate queerness in its many forms. Love to see it. I wish that the magical/realism balance had fallen on the magical side a little harder, but that's largely a personal preference.
Thank you to netgalley for the arc.
Thank you to netgalley for the arc.
gintonic95's review
reflective
5.0
Thanks to NetGalley and Amble Press for this ARC.
It took me a long time to finish this book. Not because the wording or the topics were difficult, but because each little story left me in a different world that I was not ready to leave immediately. Each character had their own voice, each story had its own style, and never once did I feel like two novels were from the same book, or even the same author.
The theme and atmosphere of the stories were lighthearted in the beginning: cute fairies, clumsy wizards, shape-shifting aliens, et cetera. These chapters all featured queer characters but the main conflict of the story did not originate in their sexuality.
Then around The Color of Cream the atmosphere changed and we no longer got any happy endings. Many of these later short stories focused on processing grief, be it from the death of a loved one, infidelity of a partner, or losing a community's support for being queer.
This collection took me on a journey of discovering ordinary people's lives in extraordinary worlds. Thank you!
It took me a long time to finish this book. Not because the wording or the topics were difficult, but because each little story left me in a different world that I was not ready to leave immediately. Each character had their own voice, each story had its own style, and never once did I feel like two novels were from the same book, or even the same author.
The theme and atmosphere of the stories were lighthearted in the beginning: cute fairies, clumsy wizards, shape-shifting aliens, et cetera. These chapters all featured queer characters but the main conflict of the story did not originate in their sexuality.
Then around The Color of Cream the atmosphere changed and we no longer got any happy endings. Many of these later short stories focused on processing grief, be it from the death of a loved one, infidelity of a partner, or losing a community's support for being queer.
This collection took me on a journey of discovering ordinary people's lives in extraordinary worlds. Thank you!
themelleh's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Thank you to Jacob Budnez and Amble Press for the ARC of Tea Leaves, a collection of short stories.
There were so very many different stories to fall in love with, “And then again to the next,” was everything I love in a story, reincarnation and finding love over multitudes of lives.
A few of the stories were a bit too much for me. But overall, I felt like they really had aspects of the fears and hopes all us queer folk have when falling in love and being in relationships. The fairies and mysticism just make it a nicer world to play in than the real world.
I definitely recommend this to anyone who likes short queer stories or would even like to experience what a first generation queer fairy tale could be.
There were so very many different stories to fall in love with, “And then again to the next,” was everything I love in a story, reincarnation and finding love over multitudes of lives.
A few of the stories were a bit too much for me. But overall, I felt like they really had aspects of the fears and hopes all us queer folk have when falling in love and being in relationships. The fairies and mysticism just make it a nicer world to play in than the real world.
I definitely recommend this to anyone who likes short queer stories or would even like to experience what a first generation queer fairy tale could be.
chrissypops's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Thank you to NetGalley and Jacob Budenz for the opportunity to read Tea leaves as an ARC.
I picked this book as I love fantasy and often get recs for LGBTQ + books from my daughter.
The short stories vary in length and have a great fantasy base. Some are weird and wacky and others just have mild fantasy twist. Most ( I may of missed the linkage with some of the stories ) have an LGBTQ + narrative. And all I can say is that Jacob has the ability to give all the queer individuals excellent voices. Some stories are so subtle in the world that some struggle to find their place. Others, hit you over the head in the ugliness of humanity.. This is what I like about reading these books and all I can say is that o hear you !
There was a few short stories I didn’t bond with at all but overall, I thought the book was well written.
Thanks again! ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 3.5 stars
smolhousewitch's review against another edition
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
I had high hopes for this collection and unfortunately, it fell a bit short. I really struggled with some of these stories, especially in the first 150 pages or so - I was left wondering "why?" at the ends, seeing the potential threads of commentary or deeper meaning but not quite seeing them all come together cohesively by the end of each story. Many of the stories felt too on the nose, the metaphors a bit too blunt, and that lack of finesse felt like I was being hit over the head even while I struggled to parse a deeper lesson or meaning in the story. The second half stories, however, felt much stronger to me! They had much clearer voices, more natural-feeling characters, and clearer take-aways. Unfortunately, I think most readers would DNF a collection before getting to that point and this collection might have benefitted from the stories being ordered differently. I did appreciate the diversity of the stories and their characters, though, and I think this collection will certainly be loved by some readers - it just wasn't quite the right fit for me.
jules11jem's review
3.75
When I first started this anthology I wasn’t sure it would be for me. The stories were a little different from my usual reading taste. But as I kept reading I started to see the beauty in the diverse tones and atmospheres between the stories and really enjoyed it.
The bizarre fantasy elements make for a great setting to explore aspects of the queer experience in new and interesting ways.
Favorite stories include Ah, Well; Borealis; And Then Again To the Next; and The Oak I Knew.
The bizarre fantasy elements make for a great setting to explore aspects of the queer experience in new and interesting ways.
Favorite stories include Ah, Well; Borealis; And Then Again To the Next; and The Oak I Knew.
meganann1310's review
3.0
I like stories that have a sense of mysticism and the fantastical about them, and this collection has this in spades - overt and sometimes absurd! Each story foregrounds the supernatural and LGBTQIA+ characters, with the feel that these stories give voice to the outsiders and the magic just out of “traditional” life. Budenz’s ability to write with many voices is impressive, capturing the subtle agelessness of an ancient being alongside the diction of an insecure younger millennial. Overall, I enjoyed them but there were a few stories that felt unfinished or like they lacked meaning, though perhaps I was just searching for something in a story that was simply meant just to entertain.
ARC from NetGalley in exchange for honest review.
ARC from NetGalley in exchange for honest review.
eb_rivers's review against another edition
4.0
This is a fun and unique collection of magically queer stories! Each story has unique magics and interesting plots despite being short. The stories range from fun light heartedness to slightly terrifying and thought provoking. Two of my favorites are "Borealis" and "And Then Again to the Next"
Thank you to Net Galley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!
Thank you to Net Galley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!