queer_bookwyrm's reviews
505 reviews

3.5 ⭐ CW: death, death of an animal, underage drinking, minor sexual content 

A Lesson in Vengeance by Victoria Lee is a YA thriller about a girl's boarding school with a history of witchcraft and gruesome murders. This was a good book, but a slow read for a thriller. 

We follow Felicity Morrow at Dalloway School upon her return from her leave of absence the previous year. Felicity had been admitted to a mental healthcare facility after the death of her ex-girlfriend. She had become obsessed with the Dalloway Five, a group of students from the 1700s that were accused of witchcraft and all died in gruesome, inexplicable ways. Felicity's fixation of witchcraft and ghosts, makes her a bit of an unreliable narrator. She is drawn back into old patterns when writing prodigy Ellis Haley shows up asking Felicity to help her research the Dalloway Five. 

This was a great atmospheric read for fall. It's perfect dark academia down to the aesthetics of tweed, elbow patches, and wealthy girls with a disdain for technology who think themselves superior for reading classic works for fiction. Felicity's thesis project is pretty meta in this story. She is doing on how the depictions of mental illness are used to build suspense and a sense of mistrust, and conflation of magic and madness in female characteristics. That's definitely what is going on in this book. You constantly question Felicity's stability, and whether magic is real or if she is just losing it. 

There are a lot of themes about mental illness and how women in fiction are depicted with it. Ellis Haley makes for a compelling character as well. I do wish it had moved along a little quicker with less focus on Felicity's apparent haunting, but it was clearly meant to make the reader question things. All in all, it was pretty messed up what happened. 

3 ⭐ CW: Violence, blood, death 

Big Bad by Lily Anderson is a novel from the Buffy the Vampire Slayer universe. This was not an incredibly deep or thoughtful read, but it certainly was fun. This is great for fans of BtVS. 

We follow Jonathan, part of the Trio of Losers in Demondale, in a dimension where the mayor has blocked out the Sun and Sunnydale has been turned into a full on Hell colony with demons and vamps able to walk around at all times of day. Warren is accidentally killed during his attempt at demon ascension by Buffy when she is transported to this dimension that isn't her own. While there, she manages to steal some magical relics that allow her to erase any Hell on Earth dimension. Jonathan and Andrew become part of an unlikely group to stop the slayer and protect their dimension. 

It was pretty fun to see a topsy-turvy version of Sunnydale where the demons rule, and the slayer is essentially the "bad guy." We get to see some old favorites from Anya, Angel, Spike, Drusilla, and Willow, along with some cameos from some of our favorite villains. The only real message from the story was about Jonathan and Andrew learning that Warren was a jerk, and that they shouldn't be such pitiful cowards all the time. Like I said, not terribly deep, but a fun romp all the same. 

5 ⭐ CW: (provided by the author) childhood sexual assault (off page, some details discussed), childhood physical abuse (corporal punishment, off page, described), childhood physical abuse (confinement punishment), childhood neglect, gaslighting, grooming, suicide (off page, mention), death of an animal (off page, described), discussions of fatphobia, body horror/gore, violence, death 

Delicious Monsters by Liselle Sambury is a standalone YA horror that was absolutely excellent. This book has me in a vice grip the entire time. I think this is the first horror book I've ever given five stars to. This is what I want from the horror genre. 

We follow two perspectives: Daisy, a troubled girl who can see ghosts and whose mother inherits a huge mansion in northern Ontario. Daisy is looking forward to being out of Toronto to escape the thoughts of being dumped by her boyfriend, but she quickly finds out that there is something up with the house, and her mom is keeping some major secrets. And Brittany ten years later, who helps run a popular web series called Haunted. She is desperate to get out from under her own mother's thumb and the fame her mother has garnered with her book, "Miracle Mansion." She gets wrapped up in her pursuit of what really happened in that mansion with Daisy and to expose the monsters that hide in plain sight. 

There is so much I loved about this book. The feeling of dread and suspense was executed perfectly, and made me want to keep reading past my bed time. The complicated mother-daughter relationships. We see two very different (but in some ways similar) relationship dynamics between Daisy and her mom and Brittany and her mom. I love that Brittany's focus for the web series was Forgotten Black Girls. It really makes it clear that the public doesn't like seeing our faces on the news. How many true crime documentaries are there about white women and girls, and how many are about Black women and girls? The answer is almost none. 

We also get a heartbreaking story about abuse, and the people who let it happen and turn a blind eye. There were a few reveals I guessed pretty early on, but there were plenty of other twists I didn't see coming until the two timelines converged. The back and forth of Daisy's story and Brittany's was a great way to do that. We also get some really great plant imagery (where my plant people at?!) and creepy birds. The house itself was its own sinister character that would have had me running. 

I cannot recommend this book enough. Liselle Sambury is amazing. I already love her Blood Like Magic duology, but now I will actively be looking for her other books. 

2.5 ⭐ CW: foster care, child abuse and neglect mentions, death of a child, grief 

The Vanishing Game by Kate Kae Myers is YA mystery I got in a box of random books a cousin gave me. I did not enjoy this book. To be honest it probably would have gotten three stars, but the ending really ruined it for me. Spoilers ahead. 

We follow Jocelyn, a teen in foster care whose twin brother Jack has died. When she gets a letter from Jason December, Jack's childhood code name, she goes back to the first foster home they were in together, Seale House, to find more clues he left for her. Convinced Jack is still alive, she meets up with Noah, a boy they were friends with at Seale House to help figure out the clues, riddles, and ciphers, along with their budding romance. 

This story just did not grab me. The foster care background story should have made me feel something, but it didn't. The mystery itself just wasn't it for me either. If you're looking for a good mystery with clues, puzzles and riddles, read The Inheritance Games instead. Like I said before, this was going to get three stars, because although I wasn't loving it, it was terrible enough to dnf. That ending though really put the nail in the coffin. 

To end the story with the reveal that Jack had been dead the whole time, and for five years at that, and then to give Jocelyn multiple personalities or dissociative identity disorder where she essentially was Jack was stupid. Even more stupid was that she also had telekinetic abilities? It all seemed way too convenient. Those things really just undermined the theme of letting go of your past and moving through trauma. It also didn't make any of the logistics of the clues and their placements make any sense. 

I have another book by this author, but I think I'm all set.

4 ⭐ CW: violence, child death mentions, child sexual abuse mentions, death, death of a parent, self-harm 

The Girl From the Well by Rin Chupeco is book one in the Girl from the Well duology. This was a YA horror book based on the Japanese ghost story of Okiku, the same story that The Ring is based on. This was incredibly creepy and the perfect spooky season read. If it were a movie, I'd be too much of a wimp to watch it lol. 

We follow the ghost of Okiku, a vengeful spirit who preys on men who have harmed and killed children. The spirits of the children they killed are chained to their backs until the ghost frees them. This is her only goal until she encounters Tark, a 15 year old boy with seals tattooed on his skin and is haunted by another much more evil spirit. Tark and his cousin Callie travel to Japan to fulfill his mother's wish of returning to a temple to hopefully rid him of the evil spirit. 

I really liked learning about some ancient Japanese rituals and ghost stories. Okiku is a compelling character with a sad backstory, and has a noble cause. Though the deaths she inflicts are gruesome, it is saved for those who have inflicted worse on other children. The entire point of view is from the ghost's perspective, which made for an interesting storytelling device. 

Read this if you like The Ring, vengeful spirits, exorcisms, and creepy kids. 

4 ⭐ CW: violence, child abuse mention, cursing 

The Crack at the Heart of Everything by Fiona Fenn is a standalone fantasy MLM romance set 300 years in the future after a cataclysmic event known as the 'Incident.' I was gifted this e-Arc by the author in exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed this story more than I thought I would. I love the character centered nature of the story and the unexpected setting. 

We follow Orpheus, royal mage to Queen Lore, who considers himself a villain. He's your typical grump that really only wants to be loved. Orpheus has cursed himself by casting a spell and creating spell driven machines so powerful it must have had some blow back. He is banished from the palace as a result. To his chagrin, he is accompanied by Lore's General, the handsome and cheerful Fenrir Rawkner. We have a real grumpy/sunshine situation. 

As Orpheus leaves the palace for the first time in his life and witnesses the damage his magic has caused in the hands of Lore, he begins to feel guilt and shame for his part in it. He feels like the villain more than ever. What he doesn't expect is his growing relationship with Fenrir, who constantly teases him and makes him feel wanted. Orpheus finally figures out what the crack at the heart of everything is, and resolves to fix it, even if it means his death. 

I really liked the banter in this between Orpheus and Fenrir. Orpheus just really needs a hug and to be treated like a human being. He's like a dark little cinnamon roll. I was a little confused at first about where the story takes place. I assumed it was a fantasy world, but there are references to Greek mythology and modern technology. It was almost fantasy steampunk. I like the blending of modern technology with magic, but the whole crack to Hell and hell beasts felt a little weird. I also thought that some of the interludes that focused on Orpheus past would have been better served as a prologue to set us up. The same goes for the epilogue. It just didn't fit there. I also wish we had gotten a bit more about Life's motivation to rule the world/bring Hell to earth. 

If you're looking for a cute slow burn MLM romance in a fantasy setting that doesn't have a ton of worldbuilding, I recommend this. The relationship made up for some of the holes in the setting. The characters are very good. 

4 ⭐ CW: bullying 

Amari and the Great Game by B.B. Alston is book two in the Supernatural Investigations series. This was a great second book! I'm loving all the world building and the expanding cast of characters. 

We follow up with Amari at the start of summer when she learns her best friend Elsie will be going to school in a different country, so this is their last summer at the Bureau summer camp. The summer isn't off to a great start, but then a time freeze happens at the Supernatural Congress, and the acting Prime Minister is blaming magicians and other Unwanteds. Amari and her friends try to solve the mystery and prove that not all magicians are bad. Meanwhile, Amari also has to deal with the League of Magicians trying to get her to become their leader. 

Amari gets wrapped up in the dangerous Great Game against Dylan Van Helsing in order to win the crown and become the league's leader. All this while still worried about her brother's curse and how other Unwanteds are being treated in the world. This story continues themes on oppression and judging people for just being who they are. There are such strong friendships in this, and it's super heart warming. 

The end had me right on the edge! It's a good thing the third book just came out, because I need to know what happens next. Elsie must be protected at all costs. Also, I want Jayden's ability so bad! 

4 ⭐ CW: violence, blood, death, gore, child abuse mention 

The Rose Society by Marie Lu is book two in the Young Elites series. This book was so much darker than the first book, but I still loved it! I love having a series all about the villain, and a villain Adelina certainly is. 

We pick up with Adeline and her sister Violetta after she has been cast out from the Dagger Society. Adelina seeks to find more Elites to join her own society in order to take over Kenettra. Adelina's ambition has taken over as the darkness inside her grows. She finds Magiano, an elusive Elite who is a thief guided by greed and has the ability to mimic another Elite's power, and Sergio another Elite who was cast out of the Daggers and controls the rain and storms. Together they are a fearsome group with grey morals. Now they must defeat the Inquisition Axis and free the malfettos. 

The Daggers are still reeling from the loss of their leader, but also want to defeat the Inquisition Axis. However, they are doing this by allying with the rival nation of Beldain and their Young Elite Queen. Rafaelle has also discovered something shattering about Elites and the consequences of their powers. Both groups clash as they fight for the same thing. 

Adelina descends further into madness as her illusions become more unpredictable, and she struggles to figure what is real and what are just the whispers in her head. She's such a great character, although not someone we are particularly rooting for. I do like that this book doesn't clearly give us a good guy or a hero. 

Looking forward to seeing how this story wraps up and what will be Adelina's (and Kenettra's) fate. 

4 ⭐ CW: cursing, homophobia, transphobia, bullying, racism, death of a parent, grief, AIDs mentions

Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World by Benjamin Alire Sáenz is book two in the Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of Universe duology. I read book one years ago, and loved the story and the writing, and I felt much the same about this one. It gave some much needed depth to the characters. 

We continue to follow Ari and Dante's relationship in the summer of 1988 before their senior year of high school. We see a lot more character development and growth from Ari, who has become much more introspective and mature. We see him discover that his parents and other adults in his life are people too, which sounds obvious, but I think as teenagers we fail to see anyone but ourselves. His relationship with Dante deepens and becomes more complicated. I think it's important to see that even good relationships have complications. 

I love that Ari finally gets out of his own way enough to actually have friends and come out of his shell a little bit. We also get to learn more about his dad and their relationship. I think these books are great for people who may need perspective on what it was like to be gay in the 80s during the AIDS pandemic, and the constant fear and worry that the world would never accept you. 

I did think this was a bit longer and slower than it needed to be since there was no real over arching plot. It was all character focused. The writing was beautiful and made up for that a bit. Glad I picked this one up. 

4 ⭐ CW: (provided by the author) g*noc!de, violence, PTSD, prejudice, alcohol use, bullying, sexual harassment, death of a parent, homophobia, death, sexual assault mention

Faye and the World's End by Nicole Bailey is book three in the Faye and the Ether Series. This is a good continuation of this story. We get a little more plot this time than last book now that we aren't focusing solely on Faye's PTSD, but it still is a bit slower than I think it needed to be. We spend a lot of time with our characters and their mundane moments, which makes for a nice palette cleanser between tougher reads. 

We pick up after the events of the previous book with Faye grieving and still trying to figure out her magic. She's also trying to figure out her feelings for Telanes while poor Marious has to settle for unrequited love. We get a bit more progress with the war between Faye's group of beings and the dragons and sirens under her father, Heracles. We get to meet a few more of beings of the Ether as the Protectors try to gather them to their cause against Typhon and Heracles. 

There is a lot here about prejudice and overcoming it for a common cause, and not judging a being solely on the group they belong to. As always with Nicole, it was an emotional rollercoaster there near the end.  I am looking forward to seeing how the story progresses, since this book could have served as a final book without feeling like anything was unfinished. 

It's been so nice reading her backlog and seeing how much her writing has changed over the years. This is a fun series, and I'll definitely continue reading, but I think I prefer her adult series.