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ditten's reviews
604 reviews
Roger Crenshaw: The Vampires of New Haven by Taylor Titmouse
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Hot, fun, MMM erotica set in the 1900s with a trans folklorist at Yale who studies vampires and so happens to meet two of them and they have a night of filthy fun. Because honestly, who wouldn't fuck two hot vampires if they had a chance?
AND the ebook has a handful of gorg, explicit illustrations!!
AND the ebook has a handful of gorg, explicit illustrations!!
Yield Under Great Persuasion by Alexandra Rowland
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I'm IN LOVE with this book about about Tam, an awful little goblin who's fed up with his definitely-not-boyfriend (Nicolau???) who's so wonderful it inspires nothing but hate and horniness in Tam. Only maybe Tam is actually only fed up with himself and his goblin ways and is ready to be a little less awful. If only his first thought wasn't to fling himself out a window every time he had to confront real thoughts and feelings maybe change wouldn't be so difficult, but it's terrible and trying is hard, and progress isn't linear. Good thing Tam is stubborn, because both he and Nicolau deserve this.
Cosy, funny af, romantic, unlikeable MC who's actually my little meow meow and I love him so much, fantastic LI with a huge heart AND a huge dick, communication in a relationship (!), trying and failing doesn't mean your effort was wasted, emotions are hard, self-love is scary, worth isn't determined by results or output, letting yourself be loved even when you don't love yourself, banter, hot men holding cute babies makes them even more attractive, low-fantasy world building, lots of crops and lots of gods. Loved it so much!!
Cosy, funny af, romantic, unlikeable MC who's actually my little meow meow and I love him so much, fantastic LI with a huge heart AND a huge dick, communication in a relationship (!), trying and failing doesn't mean your effort was wasted, emotions are hard, self-love is scary, worth isn't determined by results or output, letting yourself be loved even when you don't love yourself, banter, hot men holding cute babies makes them even more attractive, low-fantasy world building, lots of crops and lots of gods. Loved it so much!!
Fake Dates and Fanged Mistakes: Short Story by Alice Winters
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
Funny short feat. Julian painting the Great Gustov
The Nightmare Before Kissmas by Sara Raasch
Did not finish book. Stopped at 62%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 62%.
I liked Coal and his disaster bi ways. If this had been a novella about him and Hex with minimal plot, I probably would've loved it.
That said, I can't take all the holiday politics seriously and there's sooo much of it. The plot reads too YA, especially since none of these grown adults have ever thought of just telling their parents no.
As is, I had to force myself to keep listening to the audiobook and so a dnf is probably the better way to go.
That said, I can't take all the holiday politics seriously and there's sooo much of it. The plot reads too YA, especially since none of these grown adults have ever thought of just telling their parents no.
As is, I had to force myself to keep listening to the audiobook and so a dnf is probably the better way to go.
A Mage's Guide to Human Familiars by A.J. Sherwood
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I originally picked up this audiobook purely because it has three of my fave narrators - Michael Ferraiuolo, Greg Boudreaux, and Tim Page.
I'm so glad I did because this book was GOOD! It's fantasy, magic, mages, familiars, and it has an actually well-balanced poly relationship between the three MCs that works so well!
I've read quite a few MMM books at this point, and my list of ones I love is sadly short but just got a bit longer with The Mage's Guide.
Bel, Nico, and Garen are all amazing and I adore them together. The book is very lighthearted and just a fun, easy read. I'm excited for more of these guys and their world in book 2
I'm so glad I did because this book was GOOD! It's fantasy, magic, mages, familiars, and it has an actually well-balanced poly relationship between the three MCs that works so well!
I've read quite a few MMM books at this point, and my list of ones I love is sadly short but just got a bit longer with The Mage's Guide.
Bel, Nico, and Garen are all amazing and I adore them together. The book is very lighthearted and just a fun, easy read. I'm excited for more of these guys and their world in book 2
Palestine Wail by Yahia Lababidi
3.5
The introduction and afterword were both very strong, while I felt the poems themselves were a bit hit and miss for me.
Still, the message of this book is clear and impactful, and it's a fairly quick read.
Still, the message of this book is clear and impactful, and it's a fairly quick read.
My Rosebud Boy by Rainbow Rowell
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Snowbax flower shop and tattoo parlor Snowbaz AU, hell yeah.
Simon having a tattoo pain kink wasn't something I saw coming but seems entirely in character 😆
Super cute little bonus AU from Ms Rowell.
Simon having a tattoo pain kink wasn't something I saw coming but seems entirely in character 😆
Super cute little bonus AU from Ms Rowell.
Snow for Christmas by Rainbow Rowell
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
5.0
Simon and Baz are everything to me! I loved getting a look at them together a few months after AFTWB and seeing how in love they still are ❤️
Never Met A Devil Like You by Magnus Thorne
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
A short MM erotica novella that was generally hot but had a few things I wasn't into, like watersports. The dirty talk was mostly hot, though again, part of it veered into something I didn't like.
Fast read, trans rep (MC), pretty well written, lots of kinks that are all listed at the beginning of the book.
Fast read, trans rep (MC), pretty well written, lots of kinks that are all listed at the beginning of the book.
Despised And Rejected by A.T. Fitzroy
Both Dennis and Antoinette, the MCs of the book, are queer, and while society is pushing them to marry, they instead become friends. It's a complicated friendship though, especially for the Antoinette who, while lesbian, has found she's developed feelings for a man for the first time when she falls in love with Dennis. Dennis can't and doesn't reciprocate her feelings, and he's instead fallen in love with a man who's among the circle of pacifists him and Antoinette meet up with once the war's broken out to discuss anti-war sentiments, ethics, and how to avoid being called up to serve when conscription is imposed.
The tone of the book goes from a happy vacation tale in summer 1914, to much deeper and sadder themes once the war starts. It's not a happy book but it is an incredibly powerful and impactful one that gives us a unique insight into queer life in 1914-1915 England, as well as an overly patriotic and war-hungry British society. It's a time where being a pacifist was not looked kindly upon, and the punishment for conscientious objectors was harsh both in terms of prison and a stripping of rights, as well as from the pacifist's fellow citizens.
Being a hardcore pacifist AND gay? Almost untenable in terms of living a decent life during this time. The fact that Rose Allatini wrote this book at the time she did is incredible, and I'm very glad to have read it.
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Originally published in early 1918, Despised and Rejected is staunchly pacifist and very queer. Given the time of its release, its little wonder the book was banned and heavily fined a few months after publication. Not for being queer though, but instead for endangering recruiting efforts for the war.
I don't think I'll ever get over reading queer books from over 100 years ago. There's something about not just knowing queer people have always existed, but seeing writers defy the law of the time in order to write books with queer themes that feels so powerful, inspiring, and heart-achingly fierce.
Despised and Rejected argues that being queer is inherent, natural, and beautiful, and that being different doesn't have to be something bad. It seems even reviewers at the time were taken aback by the "bold" claim of homosexuality as natural and not a choice, and it's definitely not something I've seen so explicitly stated in the other queer books I've read from the time.
I don't think I'll ever get over reading queer books from over 100 years ago. There's something about not just knowing queer people have always existed, but seeing writers defy the law of the time in order to write books with queer themes that feels so powerful, inspiring, and heart-achingly fierce.
Despised and Rejected argues that being queer is inherent, natural, and beautiful, and that being different doesn't have to be something bad. It seems even reviewers at the time were taken aback by the "bold" claim of homosexuality as natural and not a choice, and it's definitely not something I've seen so explicitly stated in the other queer books I've read from the time.
"We want more light, more breathing-space, more tolerance and understanding: not this narrow-minded wholesale condemnation and covering-up; this instinctive shuddering and turning away from a side of nature that, like every other side, has its right to a hearing, its right to open discussion."
Both Dennis and Antoinette, the MCs of the book, are queer, and while society is pushing them to marry, they instead become friends. It's a complicated friendship though, especially for the Antoinette who, while lesbian, has found she's developed feelings for a man for the first time when she falls in love with Dennis. Dennis can't and doesn't reciprocate her feelings, and he's instead fallen in love with a man who's among the circle of pacifists him and Antoinette meet up with once the war's broken out to discuss anti-war sentiments, ethics, and how to avoid being called up to serve when conscription is imposed.
The tone of the book goes from a happy vacation tale in summer 1914, to much deeper and sadder themes once the war starts. It's not a happy book but it is an incredibly powerful and impactful one that gives us a unique insight into queer life in 1914-1915 England, as well as an overly patriotic and war-hungry British society. It's a time where being a pacifist was not looked kindly upon, and the punishment for conscientious objectors was harsh both in terms of prison and a stripping of rights, as well as from the pacifist's fellow citizens.
Being a hardcore pacifist AND gay? Almost untenable in terms of living a decent life during this time. The fact that Rose Allatini wrote this book at the time she did is incredible, and I'm very glad to have read it.
"The senselessness of all his repression and self-denial stood revealed to him. Seeing at last with Alan's eyes, and in the light of his own experience, he recognised that herein had lain the real perversion: in the continuous struggle between brain and body, the continuous struggle to suppress his instincts and force them into ways not natural to them. It had not lain in his passion for Alan. That, and that alone, given the peculiarities of his nature, had been right, had been beautiful, because it was truthful."