nyx_knight's review
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
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? It's complicated
3.25
maximum83's review
5.0
Ahhhhhh! Such a good book! So heartbreaking when it is meant to be! Heart warming when it's meant to be! Plus again with all the glorious representation! I love this world!
emnantel's review
5.0
Shira Glassman's books always feel like home. Picking up her new book after months away from her universe felt like reuniting with old friends. Her characters feel like real people, and I want to give them all a hug.
I really like how the queen solves mysteries hands-on, instead of hiring people to do it in her place - it makes her more accessible.
I also loved seeing the contrast with another culture, a fantasy-Portugal. It was really interesting, and Shira has a knack for describing places - especially flora.
I fell in love with the new characters at once - five pages into Hadar & Halleli's storyline, I was already so attached they brought me to tears.
I really like how the queen solves mysteries hands-on, instead of hiring people to do it in her place - it makes her more accessible.
I also loved seeing the contrast with another culture, a fantasy-Portugal. It was really interesting, and Shira has a knack for describing places - especially flora.
I fell in love with the new characters at once - five pages into Hadar & Halleli's storyline, I was already so attached they brought me to tears.
undertheteacup's review
4.0
I'm so happy these books exist because sometimes you really, deeply need some feel-good f/f fantasy fluff, and being able to depend on these books to fulfill that need contributes considerably to my wellbeing.
It was interesting to see a different kingdom than Shulamit's (it's been a long time since the City of Red Clay) and know for sure that the informality of Perach's court is a conscious authorial choice rather than resulting from lack of skill. Carolina's court was very appropriately icy-feeling.
It was interesting to see a different kingdom than Shulamit's (it's been a long time since the City of Red Clay) and know for sure that the informality of Perach's court is a conscious authorial choice rather than resulting from lack of skill. Carolina's court was very appropriately icy-feeling.
mousegoddess's review
4.0
The Mangoverse is like eating chicken soup when you're sick, comforting, filling, and just what you need. Not the worse analogy since I'm starting to wonder if my friend's toddler got me sick. oh well.
There were some pacing issues here and there in the story (mostly flashback bits, and I feel like authors have problems with those in general) but overall it was just what I was in the mood for. As always I find myself caring more about the characters than any twisty bits in the plot. Recommend.
There were some pacing issues here and there in the story (mostly flashback bits, and I feel like authors have problems with those in general) but overall it was just what I was in the mood for. As always I find myself caring more about the characters than any twisty bits in the plot. Recommend.
elianamargalit's review
5.0
It's always such a breath of fresh air to visit Shira Glassman's Perach. I usually think of reading her books like watching a Disney movie, except it's a Disney movie about Jewish LGBT people. The Olive Conspiracy did not disappoint--it was full of characters that made me smile and lines that made me laugh, and I loved every minute of it!
miricastor's review
5.0
And here I thought I'd lock down Isaac as my favorite character from Mangoverse 3. But Queen Shulamit snatched the throne and beat the dragon wizard :)
This story was such a feel good book. I'm so not used to reading books filled with so much positivity, which is exactly what I needed in lieu of some family turmoil. Also platonic/familial love warms my heart. I'll read the tales next!
Oh and this line:
“She saved my life when I was younger”—Shulamit looked her deep in the eye—“when all you could do was beat the cook.”
NEED SOME ICE FOR THAT SICK BURN, BRUH?
This story was such a feel good book. I'm so not used to reading books filled with so much positivity, which is exactly what I needed in lieu of some family turmoil. Also platonic/familial love warms my heart. I'll read the tales next!
Oh and this line:
“She saved my life when I was younger”—Shulamit looked her deep in the eye—“when all you could do was beat the cook.”
NEED SOME ICE FOR THAT SICK BURN, BRUH?
theknightswhosaybook's review
3.0
(3.5 stars) I basically feel about this book as I do about the others in the series — it's a little unpolished in terms of its writing and simple plot, but it's a pretty fun and charming read anyway. It's a quick read full of queer and Jewish characters. (We have TWO beautiful, happy wlw relationships, the first trans woman in the series, and a little visit from our mlm couple thrown in at the end.)
Since I don't have so much to say about the book itself, I'd just like to add a cool thing I noticed about the characters' Jewish perspectives! This thing in particular I think speaks to the nuances of what #ownvoices Jewish writers can achieve, because they're aware of these things.
While traditionally Jewish prayers use he/him pronouns for G-d, it's not uncommon for feminist or social justice oriented prayer books/other materials to use different pronouns for G-d. I'm telling anyone who might not know that because in this book, while Shula's father uses he/him pronouns for G-d in the flashback, Shula herself uses she/her pronouns for G-d in her prayers (I can't remember if we see her do that in this book, but we definitely see it in [b:A Harvest of Ripe Figs|32320630|A Harvest of Ripe Figs (Mangoverse, #3)|Shira Glassman|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1475259910s/32320630.jpg|42743543]). Which totally makes sense, because Shula is a feminist, lesbian woman who focuses her life around women, and she would see G-d that way. Meanwhile Yael refers to G-d as both king and queen, which shows her different perspective of G-d and possibly that she's more aware of nonbinary genders than Shula is. And it's just a cool, thoughtful touch to the way these characters practice Judaism.
Since I don't have so much to say about the book itself, I'd just like to add a cool thing I noticed about the characters' Jewish perspectives! This thing in particular I think speaks to the nuances of what #ownvoices Jewish writers can achieve, because they're aware of these things.
While traditionally Jewish prayers use he/him pronouns for G-d, it's not uncommon for feminist or social justice oriented prayer books/other materials to use different pronouns for G-d. I'm telling anyone who might not know that because in this book, while Shula's father uses he/him pronouns for G-d in the flashback, Shula herself uses she/her pronouns for G-d in her prayers (I can't remember if we see her do that in this book, but we definitely see it in [b:A Harvest of Ripe Figs|32320630|A Harvest of Ripe Figs (Mangoverse, #3)|Shira Glassman|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1475259910s/32320630.jpg|42743543]). Which totally makes sense, because Shula is a feminist, lesbian woman who focuses her life around women, and she would see G-d that way. Meanwhile Yael refers to G-d as both king and queen, which shows her different perspective of G-d and possibly that she's more aware of nonbinary genders than Shula is. And it's just a cool, thoughtful touch to the way these characters practice Judaism.
aunt_zelda's review
4.0
I received an ARC for an honest review.
The Olive Conspiracy is a fantastic continuation of the Mangoverse series. Glassman’s writing grows stronger with each book, and her characters grow and develop believably.
Where the series shines brightest is in its characters. Queen Shulamit has developed from a naive young girl into a strong Queen, wife, mother, and tactician. Without giving too much away, The Olive Conspiracy gives her the opportunity to act as a mentor both to young queer women, and a fellow young Queen. This is a fascinating and heartwarming development for her character, especially considering how isolated and alone she felt in the first book. She has become the sort of person she wanted in her life as a teenager, an ideal we all hope to achieve in our own lives.
While before Queen Shulamit defended innocent women (Book 1), a pair of starcrossed queer lovers (Book 2), and a young musician victimized by an unknown foe (Book 3), this book puts the very fate of her kingdom at stake. Shulamit must utilize every ally at her disposal and take great risks in order to protect her people and country.
Special mention to Yael, the second trans character introduced in the series. Older trans characters are very rare in the media, and to have one at all is to be celebrated, especially one who is complex, an established character, and an integral part of the plot.
If you are thinking of getting into this series, I would not suggest this as a good entry point. Callbacks to previous books are made frequently, characters introduced in earlier books appear or are mentioned, and the emotional impact of certain moments would be lessened if you don’t know the backstory.
I eagerly look forward to the next installment of the Mangoverse series. I can’t wait to see where these characters go next!
The Olive Conspiracy is a fantastic continuation of the Mangoverse series. Glassman’s writing grows stronger with each book, and her characters grow and develop believably.
Where the series shines brightest is in its characters. Queen Shulamit has developed from a naive young girl into a strong Queen, wife, mother, and tactician. Without giving too much away, The Olive Conspiracy gives her the opportunity to act as a mentor both to young queer women, and a fellow young Queen. This is a fascinating and heartwarming development for her character, especially considering how isolated and alone she felt in the first book. She has become the sort of person she wanted in her life as a teenager, an ideal we all hope to achieve in our own lives.
While before Queen Shulamit defended innocent women (Book 1), a pair of starcrossed queer lovers (Book 2), and a young musician victimized by an unknown foe (Book 3), this book puts the very fate of her kingdom at stake. Shulamit must utilize every ally at her disposal and take great risks in order to protect her people and country.
Special mention to Yael, the second trans character introduced in the series. Older trans characters are very rare in the media, and to have one at all is to be celebrated, especially one who is complex, an established character, and an integral part of the plot.
If you are thinking of getting into this series, I would not suggest this as a good entry point. Callbacks to previous books are made frequently, characters introduced in earlier books appear or are mentioned, and the emotional impact of certain moments would be lessened if you don’t know the backstory.
I eagerly look forward to the next installment of the Mangoverse series. I can’t wait to see where these characters go next!