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alisonheide's reviews
58 reviews
Unmasked by the Marquess by Cat Sebastian
2.5
I went into this book nervous about the execution of the discussion of gender identity, and it sadly fell into a lot of the holes I was worried about and was not as fleshed out as it needed to be. I wanted to punch Alistair the entire book after he found out. The ending made me seethe.
I have enjoyed so many Cat Sebastian books, but this is not her best work.
I have enjoyed so many Cat Sebastian books, but this is not her best work.
Camp Damascus by Chuck Tingle
3.25
Having a hard time fully forming my thoughts on this one. On one hand I really enjoyed the satirical look at religious indoctrination and homophobia through the use of horror. Rose’s narrative word choice was absolutely spot on for the type of ironic humor this book caputured.
On the other hand, I must echo other reviews here that describe the books as “surface level.” I liked the take that instead of us exploring Rose being taken to the conversion camp, it was the journey of discovering she had already attended. However, the details surrounding the camp, how Rose ended up there, and her original sexual journey were extremely limited. The camp didnt really give me the big bad aura it was supposed to. The vagueness of everything other than just the demon tethering annoyed me. Honestly all the lack of detail about the original queer awakening of the characters and camp experience annoyed me. The character development with Rose was also extremely abrupt. I get she had an “awakening” where she didn't gain all her memories per say but regained her mindset and feelings, but since we were not privy to that previous Rose, it was hard to wrap my head around.
It feels weird to give this book a 3.5 cause that my go to for my mildly amusing romance books, but it the books sins compiled as I read. Before her “come to Jesus” moment in the hospital, it was looking like more of a 4.5. I feel like a book like this that covers these topic in such an exploratory way deserves higher but I cannot ignore the execution because the concept made me giggle. This is a big reminder to me that just because a book is “smart” or more literary (I do feel this leans more towards a literary edge) doesn’t mean it’s a better than a good old historical romance. You can tackle serious topics and discussions badly and concepts can be lacking.
I do plan on reading Bury Your Gays and hope Tingle fixes some of his plot and character issues because the themes and motifs are awesome.
On the other hand, I must echo other reviews here that describe the books as “surface level.” I liked the take that instead of us exploring Rose being taken to the conversion camp, it was the journey of discovering she had already attended. However, the details surrounding the camp, how Rose ended up there, and her original sexual journey were extremely limited. The camp didnt really give me the big bad aura it was supposed to. The vagueness of everything other than just the demon tethering annoyed me. Honestly all the lack of detail about the original queer awakening of the characters and camp experience annoyed me. The character development with Rose was also extremely abrupt. I get she had an “awakening” where she didn't gain all her memories per say but regained her mindset and feelings, but since we were not privy to that previous Rose, it was hard to wrap my head around.
It feels weird to give this book a 3.5 cause that my go to for my mildly amusing romance books, but it the books sins compiled as I read. Before her “come to Jesus” moment in the hospital, it was looking like more of a 4.5. I feel like a book like this that covers these topic in such an exploratory way deserves higher but I cannot ignore the execution because the concept made me giggle. This is a big reminder to me that just because a book is “smart” or more literary (I do feel this leans more towards a literary edge) doesn’t mean it’s a better than a good old historical romance. You can tackle serious topics and discussions badly and concepts can be lacking.
I do plan on reading Bury Your Gays and hope Tingle fixes some of his plot and character issues because the themes and motifs are awesome.
The Lady's Guide to Celestial Mechanics by Olivia Waite
3.0
This was such an aggravating book.
I wanted to love this. Historical queer women with a science plot line is my perfect MO.
I couldn’t however fully get into the book. I found the pacing to be very strange with large time jumps happening in the span of a sentence or so and the passage of time to not be clearly communicated to the reader.
This was especially true with anything science related. In the blink of an eye, Lucy went from having one chapter of the translation completed to literally publishing it. Their stay at Lucy’s family home was also quite confusing along with the time jump to the dinner at the end. I felt like because of these time jumps, we didn’t get to see a lot of Lucy and Catherine’s more romantic and domestic relationship develop, and we just zoomed back in when it was time for a major conflict or event. When the book was published 50% of the way through I was extremely confused.
The novel attempted to cover a lot of plot and character development but in doing so, very much stayed surface level and almost read like a plot summary at points. I wish the author would have honed in in maybe 2/3 of the plot to really have time to dig deep and develop everything more in depth.
I wanted to love this. Historical queer women with a science plot line is my perfect MO.
I couldn’t however fully get into the book. I found the pacing to be very strange with large time jumps happening in the span of a sentence or so and the passage of time to not be clearly communicated to the reader.
This was especially true with anything science related. In the blink of an eye, Lucy went from having one chapter of the translation completed to literally publishing it. Their stay at Lucy’s family home was also quite confusing along with the time jump to the dinner at the end. I felt like because of these time jumps, we didn’t get to see a lot of Lucy and Catherine’s more romantic and domestic relationship develop, and we just zoomed back in when it was time for a major conflict or event. When the book was published 50% of the way through I was extremely confused.
The novel attempted to cover a lot of plot and character development but in doing so, very much stayed surface level and almost read like a plot summary at points. I wish the author would have honed in in maybe 2/3 of the plot to really have time to dig deep and develop everything more in depth.
An Unsuitable Heir by KJ Charles
3.5
I truly could not give less of a shit about the mystery. And don’t even get me started on how easily Pen forgave Mark for literally torpedoing his entire life.
However, I could read an infinite amount of books about Pen. He saved this book for me. His experiences with gender and gender expression were very real, especially regarding society’s expectations and assumptions about him. I don’t think I’ve ever related to a gender experience of a book character more.
However, I could read an infinite amount of books about Pen. He saved this book for me. His experiences with gender and gender expression were very real, especially regarding society’s expectations and assumptions about him. I don’t think I’ve ever related to a gender experience of a book character more.
Most Ardently: A Pride & Prejudice Remix by Gabe Cole Novoa
3.5
Very cute and hopeful book. I honestly could have cared less about Darcy. Oliver’s experience with gender, gender expression, and familial/societal obligations were much more interesting. I loved getting to see his euphoria and acceptance from those he loves.
Pacing was questionable and the book flip flopped on what exact level of historical inaccuracy it was going to go for. I read a lot of queer historical romance and there seem to be three main levels authors shoot for: complete accuracy , accurate but the most optimistic circumstances, and disregard for all actual societal conditions. Books work when they fall on one of these solely or between two adjacent categories, but I feel as this one touched all three depending on what was most convenient for the plot. It made it very hard to get a complete grasp of the world and stakes of the book. I love queer historical books all over the range of accuracy and absolutely love to see queer joy where it is not usually discussed but the story still needs to be a cohesive unit.
Pacing was questionable and the book flip flopped on what exact level of historical inaccuracy it was going to go for. I read a lot of queer historical romance and there seem to be three main levels authors shoot for: complete accuracy , accurate but the most optimistic circumstances, and disregard for all actual societal conditions. Books work when they fall on one of these solely or between two adjacent categories, but I feel as this one touched all three depending on what was most convenient for the plot. It made it very hard to get a complete grasp of the world and stakes of the book. I love queer historical books all over the range of accuracy and absolutely love to see queer joy where it is not usually discussed but the story still needs to be a cohesive unit.
An Unnatural Vice by KJ Charles
3.5
Perfectly suitable historical romance with an air of danger and evil. Lazarus had me convinced for a hot sec that he really was talking to those ghosts lol
I mistakenly picked this up first before the first book, so I was a little confused at how important Clem’s plot was but I caught on quick enough.
Very much excited to read about Pen and Greta next.
I mistakenly picked this up first before the first book, so I was a little confused at how important Clem’s plot was but I caught on quick enough.
Very much excited to read about Pen and Greta next.
A Lady for a Duke by Alexis Hall
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
Keeping my detailed thoughts to myself until my friend finishes our buddy read ;) (and yes these aren’t even my detailed thoughts)
Extremely enjoyable. I laughed, cried, and did honestly bang my head against the wall a bit. I’ve been on a YA streak recently, so this was a much needed change of pace.
The supporting characters were a definite standout and quite fleshed out.
I was appreciative that not only did Viola and Gracewood need to deal with their feelings towards one another but also had other internal conflicts to address which enhanced their character development and relationship. It was easy to see them both as a full complete person outside of their relationship. I feel as though romance books can really churn out flat characters where their partner really is their only defining trait.
I enjoyed Viola’s narration more, but that’s mostly because every time we heard Gracewood’s thoughts, I wanted to slap him over the head and say “You idiot, stop overthinking this.”
Related, this is my official proposal to Lady Miranda 💒
Extremely enjoyable. I laughed, cried, and did honestly bang my head against the wall a bit. I’ve been on a YA streak recently, so this was a much needed change of pace.
The supporting characters were a definite standout and quite fleshed out.
I was appreciative that not only did Viola and Gracewood need to deal with their feelings towards one another but also had other internal conflicts to address which enhanced their character development and relationship. It was easy to see them both as a full complete person outside of their relationship. I feel as though romance books can really churn out flat characters where their partner really is their only defining trait.
I enjoyed Viola’s narration more, but that’s mostly because every time we heard Gracewood’s thoughts, I wanted to slap him over the head and say “You idiot, stop overthinking this.”
Related, this is my official proposal to Lady Miranda 💒
I Wish You All the Best by Mason Deaver
3.75
A very sweet YA with good conversations about gender identity and sexuality. It was definitely a young adult novel and a lot of the characters did feel a little bit one note, but it accomplished what it was supposed to. I thought the romance was paced quite weird and would have been better if it was introduced a bit earlier but it was nice to see their platonic intimacy grow. Wrapped things in a neat little bow which I expected of this type of book. This is not a ground breaking gritty novel; it’s not supposed to be. It was enjoyable and hopeful and sometimes that’s enough.
The Secret History by Donna Tartt
3.25
I think I like debating and theorizing over the book more than the actual novel. It is like the boring and dense work you need to do in order to learn a subject before you can debate and expand the field of it. I find myself not caring much about what actually happened but on the different interpretations of queerness, mental illness, and morality this book can represent. At this point I’ve read so much I do not remember what is real and what is theory. It has become a myth of sorts.
It’s not awful but it is indeed long and pretentious. For every 10 pages of actual interesting content be ready to forcefully plow through 50 of Henry and Bunny just saying weird shit to each other and talk about god damn fucking Plano, CA.
Force yourself through the book. Get lost in the Reddit theories. Reread needed scenes for context cause Richard observes so much I can garuntee you are missing something. Craft your own story as you see fit.
Most importantly, there is no way in goddamn hell Richard is straight.
It’s not awful but it is indeed long and pretentious. For every 10 pages of actual interesting content be ready to forcefully plow through 50 of Henry and Bunny just saying weird shit to each other and talk about god damn fucking Plano, CA.
Force yourself through the book. Get lost in the Reddit theories. Reread needed scenes for context cause Richard observes so much I can garuntee you are missing something. Craft your own story as you see fit.
Most importantly, there is no way in goddamn hell Richard is straight.