sashahc's reviews
189 reviews

The Sunbearer Trials by Aiden Thomas

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adventurous funny lighthearted 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? Yes

5.0

"Sunbearer Trials" by Aiden Thomas is about a totally chaotic but good hearted teenage semidiós (demigod) named Teo, the trans son of Quetzal.  He is a lesser powered semidiós, a Jade, so is shocked when he is picked for The Sunbearer Trials, a competition held every 10 years to replenish the power of the sun and prevent the evil obsidion gods from escaping captivity.  The winner carries light to the temples of Reino del Sol, but they must also sacrifice the loser to fuel the sun stones.  It's middle grade and chock full of queer and trans characters and goofy friendships.  Very fun read, and about once a month Z asks me if the next in the series is out yet.
How to Succeed in Witchcraft by Aislinn Brophy

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emotional 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

5.0

Just read a very cute high school queer magical drama club girls of color enemies to sweethearts #book.  With supporting roles by racism, classism, a creepy teacher, and the crushing responsibilities of upward mobility.  Definitely check out ”How to Succeed in Witchcraft” 
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Siren Queen by Nghi Vo

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adventurous dark mysterious 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? Yes

5.0


"Siren Queen" by Nghi Vo takes place in pre-Code Hollywood.  Chinese American Luli Wei is growing up in a Chinese Laundry in Los Angeles, but desperately wants to be a movie star. She is willing to give up part of her soul to get there, and given that the movie studios are run by the fae, she may have to.  Her requirements are “No maids, no funny talking, no fainting flowers.”  She falls into a magical world of backstabbing, danger, and passion.  The book is about being an ambitious and proud outsider in a white and straight world, and choosing what to risk and what to fight for.  It’s a beautifully written, deeply queer, and rather melancholy 
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The City Beautiful by Aden Polydoros

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adventurous emotional hopeful reflective 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? Yes

5.0

I am loving the current renaissance of Jewish fantasy, especially queer Jewish fantasy.  It’s so fun and rich and weird.  Aden Polydoros’ #book “The City Beautiful” is about a queer Jewish immigrant teenage boy in 1893 Chicago.  Haunted by a dybbuk and his own past, he’s trying to solve the disappearances of other Jewish youths.  It’s sweet and funny and deeply sad at points.  It’s about PTSD and resilience and fighting back.  And there are worker’s strikes and the World’s Fair and Yiddish Newspapers.  A truly rich tapestry.  Highly recommend.
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Daniel Cabot Puts Down Roots by Cat Sebastian

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emotional hopeful lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I just finished “Daniel Cabot Puts Down Roots” by Cat Sebastian.  Sweet and gentle comfort read Gay Romance in 1970s NYC village.  No plot, all vibes.  Gay autistic doctor + disaster bisexual journalist.  (Very explicit, btw.) Cat Sebastian always delivers. 
I Wish You All the Best by Mason Deaver

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emotional hopeful 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? Yes

5.0

Just finished “I Wish You All the Best” by Mason Deaver.  It’s a YA coming of age #book about a non-binary teen and it’s heart wrenching and sweet and hopeful all at once.  There are some TWs for sure, but I’m so glad these kind of books exist now.  I think it’s something that a lot of enby teenagers need in their lives.
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Even Though I Knew the End by C.L. Polk

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adventurous emotional mysterious reflective medium-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? Yes

5.0

Anything that CL Polk writes, I will read.  Incisive, funny, revolutionary, romantic, and beautifully crafted.  Characters who hang out rent free in your head.  Creative stories that have never been told.  Thumbs way up.

“Even Though I Knew the End” is one of those novellas that packs an outsize punch.  It’s described as “A magical detective dives into the affairs of Chicago's divine monsters to secure a future with the love of her life.”  Marlowe is an exiled warlock who sold her soul to save her brother's life and is offered one last job before serving an eternity in hell.  She needs to capture a serial killer known as the White City Vampire. It’s hard boiled noir without the misogyny and misanthropy.  There is family trauma and mystery and angels and devils.  There is also hope and queer love and sweetness.  Just a masterpiece of a #book.
Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree

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emotional funny lighthearted fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Okay, if you want the ultimate cozy book, “Legends and Lattes” by Travis Baldree delivers.  It answers the question we all have at some point - what happens if an orc is tired of adventuring and wants to open a coffee shop?  This book is like a warm blanket for my brain. 
The Seventh Bride by T. Kingfisher

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adventurous lighthearted mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

Somehow I managed to not read Úrsula Vernon / T. Kingfisher’s “The Seventh Bride” until yesterday.  It turns out that a 15yo girl, her hedgehog bestie, and an obviously terrible and unavoidable marriage contract makes for a great story.  Excellent twist on “nobleman  marries the miller’s daughter.” 
Tess of the Road by Rachel Hartman

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adventurous dark hopeful medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Just finished “Tess of the Road” by Rachel Hartman (at 2am.  Oops)  Such a book.  Layered and complex.  It’s about leaving home and trauma and forgiveness and friendship and learning who you are and experiencing the sublime and changing your own narrative.  And there are dragons.

ETA:  not a cozy read, but a satisfying one.