queer_bookwyrm's reviews
518 reviews

4 ⭐ CW: death/murder 

Murder by Memory by Olivia Waite is the first book in the Dorothy Gentlemen series, a cozy sci-fi mystery novella. I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. This was pitched as Becky Chambers meets Miss Marple. This was a fun, short read, with plenty of queer characters, perfect for murder mystery fans. 

We follow Dorothy, a ship's detective, as she wakes up aboard the HMS Fairweather, a generation ship in space. On this ship, all passengers have immortality for the long journey, and are provided a new body upon request, and their minds are stored in a library. Dorothy wakes up to find she is not in a body of her own. In fact she shouldn't be awake at all. Someone else aboard the ship has been found murdered. Dorothy must find out why the passenger was murdered and why her own memory book was erased. 

I like Dorothy as a character. She's a no nonsense auntie type. Although she's in the body of a much younger person, she's definitely got older lady energy. We see her relationship with her nephew Ruthie, who helped design the ship, and learn a bit about her before she stored herself in the library. All the characters we see in the story are queer, including Dorothy. The mystery felt quite low stakes since no one really does forever on the ship unless their mind book is destroyed. It wasn't a difficult mystery to figure out, but the way it was discovered and explained was interesting. I do wish it had been a little longer, so we could have gotten to know Dorothy a little more and gotten to know more about the Fairweather, and why these people are on a generation ship in the first place. 

This was a light and easy read, and I would be interested in reading a book two. Murder by Memory releases on March 28th. 

4 ⭐ CW: Transphobia, homophobia, homophobic slurs, bullying, suicide mention, suicidal thoughts, anxiety

Becoming Nicole: The Transformation of an American Family by Amy Ellis Nutt is a nonfiction book chronicalling the very public transition of Nicole Maines. This is a book I've been meaning to read for a while since Nicole and her family are from Maine, and are largely the reason transgender students in Maine gained the right to use the bathroom that best matches their gender identity. I also borrowed it from the Downeast Rainbow Alliance's (the organization I work for) lending library. 

This book gives us a deep play by play of Nicole's life before she was Nicole and how her being a transgender girl affected her family and her experiences at school. We see that Nicole was very aware of being a girl and not a boy from a very young age, even when her father, Wayne, didn't want to accept that. We see how her mother Kelly fought endlessly for Nicole's right to be herself, as well as seeing Wayne's eventual acceptance of having a trans daughter. 

We also see the family struggle with the harassment and bullying from kids and adults alike just for Nicole being who she was. Although this book came out a decade ago, it serves as an important historical perspective on what trans rights looked like before the information was widely available, known and understood. It shows the battles that had to be fought just to gain the simple right of going to the bathroom, which we are now still fighting under the current Presidential administration. It's so important to see how far we have come with transgender rights, even though we are taking steps backward as we speak. If there is one thing to take away from this book, is that the cat is out of the bag. Trans people are here to stay, and we won't stop fighting for our rights. 

I didn't love all the background information we got on every single person talked about in here or the preoccupation with biology and science of transgender individuals, but I think this is a great place to start for those who want to understand what is at stake, especially for trans youth. 

Nicole is now a happy, healthy adult, and an actress in Hollywood, and I am so proud that she and her family fought for our rights in the state of Maine. 

4 ⭐ CW: (provided by the author) incest, childhood sexual abuse, other sexual violence involving minors, violence, murder, torture, body horror, nonconsensual pregnancy mention, pregnancy loss mention, animal death, mental illness, suicidality, depersonalization 

Merciless Saviors by H.E. Edgmon is book two in The Ouroboros duology. I did really enjoy this one, but for some reason I think I liked book one a little more. This one is just as raw, chaotic, and messy, but it took a very different turn in vibes. Spoilers for book one ahead. 

We pick up with Gem Echols I'm the church after they have used the Ouroboros to kill Zephyr and gain his powers. With Gem being the Magician, the god that is supposed to keep the balance, things are now suddenly very out of balance. The other gods powers aren't working the way they should. Rory's power of communing with the animals now makes it so everyone can hear them, not just her; Enzo's power isn't working at all; Death can reanimate corpses; and the Muse is being his art to life. Gem, Rory, and Enzo must search for a way to restore the balance, but they will have to make the biggest sacrifice in order to achieve it. 

We really get to see Gem spiral out of control here. They are having a hard time hanging on to reality. Gem continues to make not great decisions due to poor impulse control, which affects all the gods, pulling them all back to the Ether to face what they left behind. Even while back in their own world Gem doesn't really feel like the self, and constantly makes things worse. In the end, the story is really about letting go, accepting the love you're given, and being okay with not having complete control. It's also about giving yourself permission to heal. 

These are all such complex characters. There are no heroes, but they all have the capacity to love and to change as humans. I love that Edgmon writes messy queer characters that reflect the self-loathing and confusion a lot of people feel. Not every character needs to be the hero to matter, and the same is true in life. There is so much pain in this story, but so much heart. 

I will be keeping an eye out for more H.E. Edgmon in the future. They might become an auto buy author for me. 

4 ⭐ CW: violence, cursing, police violence mention, death of a parent mention, HP references 

A Blade So Black by L.L. McKinney is book one in The Nightmare-Verse series. This was a great Alice in Wonderland retelling featuring plenty of Black Girl Magic and a nerdy bisexual Black girl. Love. This was pretty fast paced and enjoyable. 

We follow Alice, who after losing her father, meets Hatta who is sort of a mentor Watcher type who trains her to become a Dreamwalker. In this world, Wonderland is made up of the dreams of humans, and only humans can defeat the nightmares. When Hatta is poisoned, she must try to find the cure without putting everyone in danger, while also trying to navigate regular life in Atlanta with an overprotective mom. 

I love that Alice is into cosplaying and references nerdy stuff throughout. We do get some HP references, but this also came out before we knew how awful that woman is. We also get a sapphic side couple that is a wonderful princess/knight situation. I love all the different ways the author incorporated aspects of Alice in Wonderland into the story without just making a 1:1 story. I do wish we had gotten to see a bit more of Wonderland with a little more world-building. 

I look forward to book two, because as of now, it's unclear what the motives of the villain(s) are. It is a little predictable, but I think that's just the YA-ness of it. Still a fun read. 

4 ⭐ CW: sexual assault, sexual content, child sexual abuse, self-harm, suicidal ideation, suicide attempt 

Freshwater by Akwaeke Emezi is a semi biographical literary fiction, and was their debut novel. This was the first book I've read by them that wasn't YA, and it had a very different vibe. It was nothing like I was expecting. 

We follow Ada, a Nigerian girl who is inhabited by spirits that were trapped within her at birth, so she always has "one foot on the other side." This leads her to "go mad". Most of the story is actually told by the spirits. We get povs from different spirits to see how they are experiencing Ada's life. Ada was always an emotionally volatile child, but when she goes to America, she experiences a sexual assault that further splits her personalities in order to protect her. 

Emezi uses Igbo folklore to bring the story to life. It's so interesting to see what westerners would describe as a kind of mental illness, Emezi explains it as being Ogbanje. There is a lot of discussion of self and the fight that happens within with the spirits. It's also interesting that this spiritual novel reflects the author's experiences. 

The prose is very descriptive and beautiful, but a little heavy handed and too floral for my taste. This book was less than 300 pages, but it felt like it took forever, because I really had to pay attention and think about each word being used. It was an incredibly well written book, it just isn't what I normally read. I think I'll stick to their YA books. They have a new one coming out soon. 

5 ⭐ CW: fantasy violence 

Serwa Boateng's Guide to Witchcraft and Mayhem by Roseanne A. Brown is book two in the Serwa Boateng series. Another great middle grade read! These books are fast paced, and have a distinct voice that makes you love Serwa. 

We pick up with Serwa after the events of book one when she finds out a monumental secret her parents kept from her. Now she is dealing with having to figure out her new power and who she is. She feels stuck between the thing she's always been and the thing she's been taught is evil. Now she works to find the Midnight Drum to free her grandmother, but she realizes too late that might not be the best idea. 

We learn more about Boahinmaa and abayifo in this book, and we see Serwa's growing relationship with her aunt. We also see her growing disillusionment toward the Okomofuo. We also get a heist! I just love how focused on friendship and family these books are. I don't want to spoil anything, so I won't say much else, but there is a giant two headed crocodile. One head is a happy enthusiastic puppy, and the other is an emo cynical puppy lol. 

I'm looking forward to book three coming out later this year! 

4.75 ⭐ CW: violence, death, torture, blood, gore 

Children of Anguish and Anarchy by Tomi Adeyemi is the final book in the Legacy of Orïsha trilogy. I have waited years for this book since I started this series back in 2018. I have loved this series so much, and it's been a wild ride. This last book did not disappoint. I'm just sad that this story and the world has come to a close. I could follow these characters forever. Possible spoilers for book 2 ahead. 

We pick up right after the end of book two when Zélié, In an, Amari, Tzain, and other maji are taken during the battle between the maji and the tîtans. The foreigners have taken them so their King can find a girl with the sun in her blood, so he can sacrifice her and become a god. Things do not work out for the foreigners, because as we know, maji do not go quietly, but the Skulls always seem like they are one step ahead. We meet another new set of people called the New Gaīans, who have their own unique powers and cool hidden city. Zélie and the Gaīans must work together to save both of their people to defeat the Skulls. 

It felt like such a departure in the story at first when our main characters are taken from Orïsha, but we finally see the strife between maji and everyone else ends when they face a common enemy. We finally get pov chapters from Tzain, which were much needed to develop his character. We got so much new magic and world-building, I loved it. So much happens in this book, it's crazy that it happens all in under 400 pages. I did feel like the ending was a little abrupt, but I think that's just because the whole book was so fast paced, we didn't really get a moment to slow down. 

I'm so sad to be leaving this world. I wish we could stick around and see how Orïsha rebuilds itself, and how they ally with the Gaīans. There was a spark of romance for Amari that I thought didn't really get to be explored. I just really want a short story to do a proper wrap up. I can't gush enough about this series. Thank you Tomi Adeyemi for bringing these characters to life. 

5 ⭐ CW: (provided by the author) violence, abuse, body horror, mass murder, toxic relationship dynamics, discussions of reproductive coercion, allusions to childhood sexual abuse, references to miscarriage, domestic violence, sexual assault, and suicide

"They tell me you are vulgar, dangerous, bloodthirsty, self-absorbed, manipulative, and all-around, affront to sensibility. What do you have to say for yourself, Wu Zetian? 

Yes, that's pretty much who I am. Still want to marry me, Your Majesty?" 

Heavenly Tyrant by Xiran Jay Zhao is book two in the Iron Widow series. I have been waiting so long for this book, and it did not disappoint! There is so much female rage in this, just like in book one, but this time it's much more politically focused. This was a very long book, but it kept my attention the whole time. Possible spoilers for book one ahead. 

We pick up with Zetian after the events of book one, and she finds herself to have inadvertently started a revolution by waking Emperor Qin Zheng. Now Zetian has to live with the choices she has made and the people she has killed to get here. We find that despite her justifiable rage against the establishment, Zetian is quite naive about what happens after you topple a government and what it actually takes to have power and rule a country. We see her very unhealthy relationship with Qin Zheng, and the heartbreak and betrayal she endures from someone she loves. 

Absolutely so much happened in this book, it's impossible to summarize it all. We get way more on the political side of things in this book as we see Zetian learning more about how government works and learns about the laborist movement. I have such complicated feelings about Qin Zheng, because one the one hand, he and Zetian's relationship is extremely toxic and he's definitely a dick, but on the other hand, he has some fairly progressive political ideas. Don't get me wrong, Zetian is also extremely toxic to Zheng as well. We learn so much more about the Hunduns and about the gods in the Heavenly Court. Some wild stuff happens at the end that leaves us on a cliffhanger about Shimin. 

I'm so mad we had to wait so long for this book, and now I have to wait again for book three! 😭 I just want these characters to be happy. I loved this book, this series is definitely a favorite. Many tabs were used in the reading of this book. 

3.5 ⭐ CW: violence, gun violence, death 

Mister Impossible by Maggie Steifvater is book two in The Dreamers trilogy. I enjoy this world that Steifvater has built, but I think this book suffered from second book syndrome. It took me so long to get into this book, and then the story moved so slowly along. The ending was very good, and I definitely didn't see it coming. 

We pick up with Ronan Lynch after the events in book one as he is traveling with Hennessey and Bryde to find other dreamers and protect them from the Moderators. We also follow Jordan, Hennessey's dreamt clone, in her pursuit of finding a way to stay awake even if Hennessey dies. Then we follow Carmen Farooq-Lane as she struggles with the mission of the Moderators, and tries to figure out what her role is. Declan is trying his best to be his boring self while worrying about his brother's. Matthew just wants to know if he's real. 

This book was a bit of a slog. With so many povs, it took a while for things to get interesting. There was a lot of going here and there and doing this small thing and talking about feelings. I also thought there was a lot more telling than showing. I found Ronan to be extremely frustrating in this book. It was almost like he was growing in the wrong direction. I did like learning more about each of these characters, I just wish it hadn't taken so long. 

That ending did surprise me, and I'm interested enough that I will finish the series, and hope that the story moves along a little faster. 

4 ⭐ CW: death of a parent mention, self-harm, child abuse 

The Near Witch by V.E. Schwab is a YA fantasy about the dangers of belief and fear. It's also the first book Schwab ever published. I've read a bunch of Schwab books now, and it's clear this was a debut book. Although I enjoyed it well enough it doesn't quite live up to the quality of story I'm used to with her. 

We follow Lexi Harris in the village of Near beside the moor. There are no strangers in Near, and witches are real. When a stranger is spotted in the night and children suddenly go missing the stranger is blamed. Lexi finds the stranger and makes him Cole. He's a witch with the power of the wind, but he did not lure the children away. Cole and Lexi must find the children and figure out what is causing the children to go missing before the villagers of Near decide to kill the person it's easiest to blame. The stranger. 

We have a bit of a mystery here with the children going missing in the night with no trace and no clues. I love the way magic is weaved into the story. The sisters on the of moor are great characters. Two old witches using the craft they have to try to protect the children that are left. I like that nature magic aspect. I do think the story was a bit redundant in places. It felt like we were going in circles there for a while. A lot of things felt pretty vague as well. There wasn't much in the way of world-building, which is usually what I love about Schwab. 

The edition I have also came with an extra short story telling us about Cole's past before he came to Near, so that was a nice perk. A decent story, but not my favorite from this author.