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queer_bookwyrm's reviews
526 reviews
Merciless Saviours by H.E. Edgmon
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Murder
Moderate: Animal death, Child abuse, Incest, Sexual violence
Minor: Miscarriage, Pregnancy
A Blade So Black by L.L. McKinney
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Violence
Minor: Police brutality, Death of parent
Freshwater by Akwaeke Emezi
challenging
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt
Serwa Boateng's Guide to Witchcraft and Mayhem by Roseanne A. Brown
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
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!
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!
Content Warnings
Minor: Violence
Children of Anguish and Anarchy by Tomi Adeyemi
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Torture, Violence, Blood
Heavenly Tyrant by Xiran Jay Zhao
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
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.
"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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Emotional abuse, Violence, Murder
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Miscarriage, Sexual assault, Suicide
Mister Impossible by Maggie Stiefvater
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Sexual violence
The Near Witch by V.E. Schwab
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Self harm
Minor: Child abuse, Death of parent
The Dragon Republic by R.F. Kuang
challenging
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
3.5 ⭐ CW: violence, blood, gore, vomit, self-harm, rape, death, war, substance use/addiction
The Dragon Republic by R.F Kuang is book two in The Poppy War trilogy. I had been putting this book off for a while, because although I enjoyed the Poppy War, it was a gruesome story. This was just as gruesome, but it dragged on and was way too long.
We continue following Rin as she struggles with the guilt of what she's done. Consumed by grief and rage, she drowns herself in opium. Then the Dragon Warlord recruits her and the Cike to join him in a revolution against the Empress and the Empire to create a democratic Republic. Rin joins in order to take revenge on the Empress who betrayed Nikan by letting the enemy in. But neither the Empress or the Dragon Warlord are what they seem, and Rin finds herself in an impossible position with the Hesperians and their religion looming over the Republican army, and Empress Daji's destructive reign.
This book was entirely too long. The entire part two needed to move quicker than it did. It was a lot of army marching and waiting, and not a lot happening. The pacing just didn't work for me. Part three was much better. Rin is a bit of a frustrating character, but you can't help but root for her and her friends. I do like that along with Rin, you can't be sure what the right side of this war is. We get a brutal examination of colonization and how religious conversion is tied inextricably to racism. The Hesperians are the West, and view Nikarans as inferior and barely human. We get more from some of the other characters like Kitay, who is my favorite, and Venka who I wish we saw more of.
I don't think I'm going to finish this series. It's so much work to read these books, and I'm not enjoying them enough to push through. I think this series would make for a brilliant TV series, but I just don't want to take the time to read it.
The Dragon Republic by R.F Kuang is book two in The Poppy War trilogy. I had been putting this book off for a while, because although I enjoyed the Poppy War, it was a gruesome story. This was just as gruesome, but it dragged on and was way too long.
We continue following Rin as she struggles with the guilt of what she's done. Consumed by grief and rage, she drowns herself in opium. Then the Dragon Warlord recruits her and the Cike to join him in a revolution against the Empress and the Empire to create a democratic Republic. Rin joins in order to take revenge on the Empress who betrayed Nikan by letting the enemy in. But neither the Empress or the Dragon Warlord are what they seem, and Rin finds herself in an impossible position with the Hesperians and their religion looming over the Republican army, and Empress Daji's destructive reign.
This book was entirely too long. The entire part two needed to move quicker than it did. It was a lot of army marching and waiting, and not a lot happening. The pacing just didn't work for me. Part three was much better. Rin is a bit of a frustrating character, but you can't help but root for her and her friends. I do like that along with Rin, you can't be sure what the right side of this war is. We get a brutal examination of colonization and how religious conversion is tied inextricably to racism. The Hesperians are the West, and view Nikarans as inferior and barely human. We get more from some of the other characters like Kitay, who is my favorite, and Venka who I wish we saw more of.
I don't think I'm going to finish this series. It's so much work to read these books, and I'm not enjoying them enough to push through. I think this series would make for a brilliant TV series, but I just don't want to take the time to read it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Death, Drug use, Gore, Rape, Self harm, Violence, Blood, Vomit, War
Lakelore by Anna-Marie McLemore
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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? No
4.0
4 ⭐ CW: bullying
"Once you get past the fear of being seen, you can get to the part where you know you're not alone."
Lakelore by Anna-Marie McLemore is a YA standalone magical realism story featuring two Mexican-American, nonbinary, neurodivergent characters. This is the second book I've read by this author, and it is stunning. The cover is stunning , and the words inside are equally beautiful.
We follow Bastián, a nonbinary kid with ADHD, who sees a world below the surface of the lake in their town. They are the only one that can see the lake come alive and entire into the world below. Until they meet Lore. Lore is a nonbinary kid with dyslexia, who has just moved to town after an incident at their old school. Lore can also see the world under the lake, and it doesn't take long for Bastián and Lore to find each other.
Bastián has been making alebrijes to help cope with the things they can't stop thinking about. Whenever they have a bad day or feel like they failed at something, they make little paper mache animals and then release them into the lake where they come alive. Not long after Lore moves to town, the world under the lake starts to find them on land and encroach upon them in strange ways that are unsettling. Lore keeps hearing eerie laughter and voice they can't get away from along with the colors of the lake invading them. All of this is happening as they both are trying to figure out how to live with neurodivergent brains.
This story is really about learning to accept all parts of yourself, the good and the bad. They have to learn that the ways their brains work may be frustrating and difficult, but it also makes them who they are, and that isn't all bad. Lore and Bastián accepting these things about each other helps them accept these things about themselves. We also see the acknowledgement of the thin line they have to walk as a trans person of color.
This was a sweet character driven story. It's so nice to see this kind of representation that has a happy ending. I'll definitely keep reading this author.
"Once you get past the fear of being seen, you can get to the part where you know you're not alone."
Lakelore by Anna-Marie McLemore is a YA standalone magical realism story featuring two Mexican-American, nonbinary, neurodivergent characters. This is the second book I've read by this author, and it is stunning. The cover is stunning , and the words inside are equally beautiful.
We follow Bastián, a nonbinary kid with ADHD, who sees a world below the surface of the lake in their town. They are the only one that can see the lake come alive and entire into the world below. Until they meet Lore. Lore is a nonbinary kid with dyslexia, who has just moved to town after an incident at their old school. Lore can also see the world under the lake, and it doesn't take long for Bastián and Lore to find each other.
Bastián has been making alebrijes to help cope with the things they can't stop thinking about. Whenever they have a bad day or feel like they failed at something, they make little paper mache animals and then release them into the lake where they come alive. Not long after Lore moves to town, the world under the lake starts to find them on land and encroach upon them in strange ways that are unsettling. Lore keeps hearing eerie laughter and voice they can't get away from along with the colors of the lake invading them. All of this is happening as they both are trying to figure out how to live with neurodivergent brains.
This story is really about learning to accept all parts of yourself, the good and the bad. They have to learn that the ways their brains work may be frustrating and difficult, but it also makes them who they are, and that isn't all bad. Lore and Bastián accepting these things about each other helps them accept these things about themselves. We also see the acknowledgement of the thin line they have to walk as a trans person of color.
This was a sweet character driven story. It's so nice to see this kind of representation that has a happy ending. I'll definitely keep reading this author.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying