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simonlorden's reviews
1263 reviews
The Sugared Game by KJ Charles
4.5
Kim is a shady lying bastard, but we love him like that. Will stands up for himself, and he kind of has a point. Will commiserates with Kim's fiancé Phoebe about Kim being a lying bastard. Phoebe and Will's best friend Maisie hang out and hopefully become a couple later on or something.
That ending was very much ouch. It's a whole mess, and Kim probably didn't do the right thing, but there wasn't a good way to do this. Phoebegiving back the ring broke me, though.
That ending was very much ouch. It's a whole mess, and Kim probably didn't do the right thing, but there wasn't a good way to do this. Phoebe
Solstice Surprise by Gabbi Grey
4.0
Didn't notice this was second in a series, so I was feeling like I missed something, but it sums up most of what happened so it's fine. I like that they helped a young teenage mother, and Peter tips his workers.
Hey, Mary by Andrew Wheeler
5.0
I received an ARC through NetGalley and this is my voluntary and honest review.
Okay, this graphic novel pulled me in. I'm not Catholic or religious myself, so your mileage may vary. This book is about a Catholic boy's self-discovery journey, who finds comfort and community in his church, but also realizes he's gay, and has trouble reconciling those two facts.
The graphic novel leads us through the discovery featuring Catholic saints and people from the Bible who defied gender norms or had devoted love with members of their own sex, while also being devoutly religious. It tells us that the Bible can have several interpretations, and if the interpretation you choose teaches you to hate, that tells you more about yourself than about God and Jesus. It also features present-time queer people, including a nonbinary drag performer who struggles with their own relationship to church and their late mother.
It is also very catchy and approachable to a modern audience, although it's been a while since I was a teenager. The colors are beautiful, the people really look like people - I'm in love with Mark's freckles on his arms in particular, such a lovely detail.
Okay, this graphic novel pulled me in. I'm not Catholic or religious myself, so your mileage may vary. This book is about a Catholic boy's self-discovery journey, who finds comfort and community in his church, but also realizes he's gay, and has trouble reconciling those two facts.
The graphic novel leads us through the discovery featuring Catholic saints and people from the Bible who defied gender norms or had devoted love with members of their own sex, while also being devoutly religious. It tells us that the Bible can have several interpretations, and if the interpretation you choose teaches you to hate, that tells you more about yourself than about God and Jesus. It also features present-time queer people, including a nonbinary drag performer who struggles with their own relationship to church and their late mother.
It is also very catchy and approachable to a modern audience, although it's been a while since I was a teenager. The colors are beautiful, the people really look like people - I'm in love with Mark's freckles on his arms in particular, such a lovely detail.
Eight Dates by E.M. Lindsey
5.0
Occasionally went a bit over the line into cringe, but still an amazing Chanuka romcom story. Ben's brother sets him up on 8 blind dates for Chanuka, and they all go spectacularly wrong, but he is rescued by the super cute bartender, Nova.
A Flame in the Night by Morgan Dante
4.5
Nearly screamed when it turned out the vampire character was Hungarian, lmao. We're everywhere.
I might reread this later because I wasn't really in the mood for the sex scenes I think, but the characters were A+. Established, bit codependent couple gets entangled with a very lonely vampire.
I might reread this later because I wasn't really in the mood for the sex scenes I think, but the characters were A+. Established, bit codependent couple gets entangled with a very lonely vampire.
Final Girls by Mira Grant
4.5
A quick and interesting read, with Seanan's tell-tale style. I feel like this could have been a longer, more developed novel, but also I've been itching to read something short, so if it had been longer I probably would have waited to read it. A dilemma.
Soha soha soha by Linn Strømsborg
4.5
This is a very personal book for me. I don't know yet if it made me feel better or worse.
Throne of Jade by Naomi Novik
4.0
this is nice and all but if anything happens to Emily Roland I'll riot
lots of conflict between Navy vs aviators in this one. Also, it's awesome to see how differently dragons are treated in China, but there would need to be very big changes to make that possible in England. Like, centuries of changes.
lots of conflict between Navy vs aviators in this one. Also, it's awesome to see how differently dragons are treated in China, but there would need to be very big changes to make that possible in England. Like, centuries of changes.
His Majesty's Dragon by Naomi Novik
4.0
Only 4 stars because I'm not vibing with the war and tactics that much, but A+ for dragon bonding.