Scan barcode
aebrossbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
This definitely deviated from my current habit of reading soft, cozy romances. Nevertheless, I found myself instantly drawn into the world of Glorious Day, swept up into a setting that offered science fiction intrigue with a healthy helping of fantasy flair, and of course, a dose of romance so sweet that it was a constant comfort throughout.
We are introduced to the world and it's people through Elsenna, a royal guard suddenly finding herself reassigned to protect a princess. The complication? This is the very same princess she kissed, two years earlier. The very same princess she loves. The very same princess whose father Elsenna has been slowly but surely betraying by passing information to the rebelling people.
What follows is a fast-paced, vivid, and undeniably exciting series of events. We see that actions are not without their consequences and no deed, evil or otherwise, goes unpunished. But don't worry, there's happily ever after, and solace to be taken in the idea that, though change is inevitable, it's often leads to something better than before
We are introduced to the world and it's people through Elsenna, a royal guard suddenly finding herself reassigned to protect a princess. The complication? This is the very same princess she kissed, two years earlier. The very same princess she loves. The very same princess whose father Elsenna has been slowly but surely betraying by passing information to the rebelling people.
What follows is a fast-paced, vivid, and undeniably exciting series of events. We see that actions are not without their consequences and no deed, evil or otherwise, goes unpunished. But don't worry, there's happily ever after, and solace to be taken in the idea that, though change is inevitable, it's often leads to something better than before
maisierosereads's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
There was no way I could resist reading this story. The main characters are both sapphic; one of them is blind; there are several nonbinary side characters; a major part of the plot is about overthrowing a corrupt monarchy. Who doesn't love queer sci-fi about changing the world for the better?
Despite being only about 90 pages long, there is great worldbuilding, character development, and plot progression in Glorious Day. It felt well-structured and paced; I often worry that relationships will feel rushed or forced in short stories, but this didn't feel that way at all.
I'll definintely be reading more of this author's work!
Despite being only about 90 pages long, there is great worldbuilding, character development, and plot progression in Glorious Day. It felt well-structured and paced; I often worry that relationships will feel rushed or forced in short stories, but this didn't feel that way at all.
I'll definintely be reading more of this author's work!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Ableism and Medical content
Minor: Sexual content
annatheowl's review against another edition
3.0
Thank you to Netgalley for sending me this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
This novella is a love story, with main character trying to overthrow the government.
Can we just mention, we get a disabled (main) character?!!! And a same sex relationship?!!! Big. Fat. YES!
While it was short, this story dealt punches left and right and I couldn't stop reading. So no need to say, I finished this in one sitting.
And it also helped that the writing style was flowingly easy and the story in itself was straightforward and on the point.
The only reason this novella only got 4 stars is that I wished there was more world building to it.
I can recommend it to everyone who wants a quick and easy romantic story.
This novella is a love story, with main character trying to overthrow the government.
Can we just mention, we get a disabled (main) character?!!! And a same sex relationship?!!! Big. Fat. YES!
While it was short, this story dealt punches left and right and I couldn't stop reading. So no need to say, I finished this in one sitting.
And it also helped that the writing style was flowingly easy and the story in itself was straightforward and on the point.
The only reason this novella only got 4 stars is that I wished there was more world building to it.
I can recommend it to everyone who wants a quick and easy romantic story.
ahexcalledbrigid's review against another edition
2.0
Glorious Day starts with a captain getting a call from her gay Princess she once kissed in a garden. Did I mention this happens while she’s plotting against her tyrannical father, the king? So that happens.
Set in space, Glorious Day reads like a fantasy with a taste of Star Trek. The princess, Banyelle, calls Captain Elsenna Hazen to ask of the threats towards the kingdom. Hazen keeps her moonlighting a secret, as she is unsure of Banyelle’s stance towards her father. These two, despite having apparently shared a kiss, do not really know each other very well.
The Princess asks Hazen to once again be her bodyguard. A plot of rebellion and anti-monarchal plots ensues, as does a supposed developing romance between Hazen and Gloria.
Sounds fun right? Swoony. All the gay things. Rebellious gays kissing their way into rebellion.
It would have be great. If it hadn’t been completely and utterly lacking in chemistry or emotional development. I can not find it. It seems to have been lost. If you have seen chemistry, the sizzles or any sort of development call me. It is dry.
Also the fact that the heroine describes wanting to suck on Banyelle’s finger like a baby kinda weirded me out? It wasn’t even sexy. It was more like……some sorta child fetish in my mind. No. Did not interest me. Not fun.
Where is the sizzle.
Lost like my respect for J.J. Abrams.
Another point which I would like to discuss is the antagonist. I have thought a great deal about this and cannot see an actual purpose for her. There’s rebellious themes with a lot of action. A secret. There’s a bodyguard/Princess thing going on. Why do you need an ableist antagonist constantly going on about Elsenna wanting to get into the Princess’ pants and treating a blind woman like a child? Can we not have romances where there is a threat of hatred towards a disabled gay woman?
Call me the day when disabled and/or gay people get to be happy and that is completely normal in a fantasy world. I would love to see that. Sounds refreshing.
I also could not find much lead up to decisions or actions taken throughout the novella. Actions seem to just happen. Period. The pacing, plot, and emotional development do not work in conjunction to create a fluidity in decisions made by the characters. It took me out of the book. It was very jarring and sudden.
I’m Bi, a fantasy nerd, and I have a thing for the bodyguard trope. I wanted a f/f SFF romance just like what was in the description. I’ve been desperate for more romances like this but with better writing. The writing did not work for me the way it seems to with other people. It seems that I am more interested in the idea than the actual book.
Thank You To NineStar Press for an advanced readers copy via Netgalley
Set in space, Glorious Day reads like a fantasy with a taste of Star Trek. The princess, Banyelle, calls Captain Elsenna Hazen to ask of the threats towards the kingdom. Hazen keeps her moonlighting a secret, as she is unsure of Banyelle’s stance towards her father. These two, despite having apparently shared a kiss, do not really know each other very well.
The Princess asks Hazen to once again be her bodyguard. A plot of rebellion and anti-monarchal plots ensues, as does a supposed developing romance between Hazen and Gloria.
Sounds fun right? Swoony. All the gay things. Rebellious gays kissing their way into rebellion.
It would have be great. If it hadn’t been completely and utterly lacking in chemistry or emotional development. I can not find it. It seems to have been lost. If you have seen chemistry, the sizzles or any sort of development call me. It is dry.
Also the fact that the heroine describes wanting to suck on Banyelle’s finger like a baby kinda weirded me out? It wasn’t even sexy. It was more like……some sorta child fetish in my mind. No. Did not interest me. Not fun.
Where is the sizzle.
Lost like my respect for J.J. Abrams.
Another point which I would like to discuss is the antagonist. I have thought a great deal about this and cannot see an actual purpose for her. There’s rebellious themes with a lot of action. A secret. There’s a bodyguard/Princess thing going on. Why do you need an ableist antagonist constantly going on about Elsenna wanting to get into the Princess’ pants and treating a blind woman like a child? Can we not have romances where there is a threat of hatred towards a disabled gay woman?
Call me the day when disabled and/or gay people get to be happy and that is completely normal in a fantasy world. I would love to see that. Sounds refreshing.
I also could not find much lead up to decisions or actions taken throughout the novella. Actions seem to just happen. Period. The pacing, plot, and emotional development do not work in conjunction to create a fluidity in decisions made by the characters. It took me out of the book. It was very jarring and sudden.
I’m Bi, a fantasy nerd, and I have a thing for the bodyguard trope. I wanted a f/f SFF romance just like what was in the description. I’ve been desperate for more romances like this but with better writing. The writing did not work for me the way it seems to with other people. It seems that I am more interested in the idea than the actual book.
Thank You To NineStar Press for an advanced readers copy via Netgalley
unicornsbookshelf's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Disclaimer: I have voluntarily reviewed this book after receiving a free copy from the publisher via NetGalley, thank you!
I don’t usually love reading novellas, mostly because it seems to be impossible for me to fit good worldbuilding, solid plot, and appealing characters into such a small amount of pages. Novellas often leave me unsatisfied and wanting more from the world I was introduced to. However, there are exceptions.
Glorious Day has its world and plot presented in a clear way. We follow the vice-captain of the guard under the rule of a cruel king who took over the throne by killing his wife. Elsenna, our main character is secretly aiding the rebellion by leaking information. However, there’s a problem - she’s deeply in love with said king’s daughter whose bodyguard she used to be until the memorable kiss in the gardens two years ago tore them apart. When the princess takes her back as her bodyguard after two years, Elsenna will have to decide if her loyalties are with the rebellion or with the woman she loves.
We get a very straightforward story with no unnecessary subplots, no info-dumps of worldbuilding that a story this short wouldn’t be able to take advantage of anyway. Everything sticks to the kingdom where the plot happens so we don’t know much about the state of the universe outside but it’s not necessary to the plot at all. The action is rather fast and a lot of things happen, leading to a satisfying conclusion. What I enjoyed in the world was the fact that despite the setting being SF, the customs of the kingdom were reminiscent of the typical fantasy novel. It’s a thing that I always like seeing in books.
The fast-paced action doesn’t overshadow the romance - thanks to the fact that Elsenna and the princess were close before the plot started, the relationship doesn’t seem rushed and unbelievable. There is some over the top drama to make things spicier but it comes from circumstances, not the characters themselves, and doesn’t feel forced. I especially loved the ending that felt wholesome and warmed my heart.
As for the characters - well, I have to say Elsenna is kind of hot. She’s the stoic type, who treats her job very seriously and doesn’t let her emotions get the better of her but inside she has a lot of feelings. She also has a strong moral compass and hates to see the injustice of the king’s reign. She’s also one of few people who see past the princess’ disability and sheltered upbringing. The princess is also an interesting character - she’s detached from the way normal people live but she’s still trying to make them happy and wants to put their good above her own. She was also aware of her own shortcomings and didn’t try to do things she had no idea about.
All in all, Glorious Day is a fun novella with a cute f/f romance and I recommend it to all the sapphics out there who are looking for something quick to read. It didn’t exactly make it to my list of favorites but it’s still a solid 4 stars read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Gun violence, and Torture
Minor: Sexual content
terriaminute's review against another edition
4.0
I was given an ARC of this ...novella? and this is my honest review.
What a great story. The setting is a kingdom with a spaceport. Yisss. :D
It took me some patience to get into (not the story's fault), but once in, I read it in a few well-spend hours. Great disability rep, great characters, great ending. Don't miss this one!
What a great story. The setting is a kingdom with a spaceport. Yisss. :D
It took me some patience to get into (not the story's fault), but once in, I read it in a few well-spend hours. Great disability rep, great characters, great ending. Don't miss this one!
malini's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
fast-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5