bookgabz's reviews
541 reviews

The Undermining of Twyla and Frank by Megan Bannen

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? No

4.25

Lucy Undying by Kiersten White

dark emotional hopeful reflective tense 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

THIS BOOK! Lucy Undying is everything I’ve been searching for in the Vampire Renaissance that is happening. My second book for Sapphic September was poignant, entertaining, and enthralling! I love how Kiersten White takes the character of Lucy Westenra from the original Dracula story and gives her autonomy, purpose, and revenge. Lucy also gets to find acceptance and love in a way many young women from her time never did. 

 

White perfectly toes the line between a book with heart and meaning that had me highlighting passages that spoke to me on a deep level, and a book that was fun to read and binge-ably engaging. (This matters to me so maybe in matters to you….this books has a TON of short chapters! Short chapters are SUPERIOR and I find myself turning the page to “read just one more chapter” so much quicker than when the chapters are very long…) 

 

This book effortlessly hops between chapters on Iris in today’s times, Lucy’s journal entries from the 1800s, and a couple of other *spoiler* type POVs. It may seem like a lot, but it is so easy to follow and it just makes sense in this style that White has chosen to write this book in. 

 

I cannot recommend this book enough! Go buy it now if you want a beautiful, ethereal, and fun sapphic story to fill your September with! Thank you to Del Rey and NetGalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review! 

The Bone Ships by RJ Barker

adventurous tense 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

4.0

On Vicious Worlds by Bethany Jacobs

adventurous dark emotional tense 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? No

5.0

On Vicious Worlds by Bethany Jacobs is everything I want a sequel to be! This book easily earned a 5 star read on every page of this action packed follow up to These Burning Stars.

Many people are like me in that they found These Burning Stars as a book that saved them from a reading slump. On Vicious Worlds continues that status as a book unlike any others. Wholly unique in it’s setting and premise, this book (and this series) will grip you and never let go until you’re finishing up at 2am with red streaked eyes and a racing heart. 

***Beware, below this line contains spoilers for These Burning Stars and On Vicious Worlds!!!***

In On Vicious Worlds, we pick up right were These Burning Stars leaves off. Six, Chono, Jun, and company have jumped with the Jeveni to the distant planet Capamame. The Treble system they leave behind is in disarray without the Jeveni to do the work they don’t want to do. 

I truly loved this second installment in The Kindom Trilogy. As you follow Six and Chono when they return to the Treble, you’re intrenched in political machinations. Can Six continue to stay 3 steps ahead of everyone else? Or will her wits find their match and result in an end for her and Chono? Meanwhile, Jun is not just fighting for her life, but also her reputation among the Jeveni back on Capamame. The mystery of the hacker who is besting Sunstep kept me riveted to the page! I loved that Jacobs went back and forth between Six and Chono and then Jun and Capamame every other chapter because it kept me interested and craving more! 

The absolutely devastating yearning between Six and Chono was palpable and visceral as you read through the pages. Masar and his polyamorous love story with Bene and Effegen was also so riveting. 

I cannot recommend this book and this series enough! Please preorder this book if you want a story that you cannot put down! 

Thanks to NetGalley and Orbit for an ARC in exchange for an honest review! 

The Children of Gods and Fighting Men by Shauna Lawless

adventurous emotional slow-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

3.5

Mistress of Lies by K.M. Enright

dark mysterious tense 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

3.75

Would you like to read a romantasy with a queer polyamorous story at its core? Then Mistress of Lies by K. M. Enright is for you! This book, while a solid political dark fantasy with a serial killer running amok in the background, really shines in the romance aspects. The FMC is Shan LeClaire, a noble woman who is better suited to whispers and secrets as the shadow master, is torn between her ex-lover and a new suitor. But who says you have to choose? 

 

What follows is a story of questionable loyalties, treason, love, and acceptance. I would encourage you to read this book if you’re looking for a poly love story with queer and trans main characters in a dark romantasy. The plot of the book outside of the central love story is what you would expect from a debut author. That being said, I’m excited to see where this series goes! This is a very strong entry into a dark fantasy series! 

 

Thank you to #Orbit and #NetGalley for a free ARC of #MistressofLies by #KMEnright in exchange for an honest review. 

Scorched Grace by Margot Douaihy

dark funny mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

The Sky on Fire by Jenn Lyons

adventurous funny slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

The Phoenix Keeper by S.A. MacLean

adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted 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? No

4.0

Do you love cozy fantasy with just a hint of romance? Then this is the book for you! 

 

In The Phoenix Keeper, we follow Aila, the head phoenix-keeper, as she does everything in her power to re-establish San Tamculo Zoo as the lead phoenix breeding program in the world. This book follows along as the socially awkward Aila navigates and overcomes her anxieties to see her dreams achieved. 

 

Let’s not forget about the stunning griffin-keeper Luciana who is Aila’s arch-rival in all things zoo-related! As time passes, and Aila finally asks for much needed help, we see the rivals slowly transition to lovers meant to be together! Aila, a self-proclaimed chaotic bisexual, finds a way to win the girl. 

 

This book was wholesome and cozy and everything I needed as a palate cleanser. I don’t typically love cozy fantasy stories, but the animals of this world and the found family aspect in best friends Aila and Tanya really hooked me! I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a cozy, enemies-to-lovers story with fantastical beasts that take the true spotlight! 

Thanks to Orbit Books and NetGalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review! 

Lady Macbeth by Ava Reid

dark emotional mysterious tense slow-paced

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

5.0

I am not one to notate books or highlight passages. I typically just read and continue on. But this book? I found myself highlighting so many sections because the writing hit me in the gut and took my breath away! 

 

First, let me say that I am not a Shakespeare aficionado in any capacity. I am not familiar with Macbeth, and thus my view on this topic may differ drastically from one who is an avid fan of the original story. That being said, I loved this book. Any retelling of a famous story from the woman’s point of view as opposed to the typical male dominated stories is automatically working at an advantage. 

 

I loved the mind of Lady Macbeth in this story as she manipulates and maneuvers the men to execute her plans as she envisions them. All while ensuring the men think their path is determined by fates beyond their comprehension. In reality, they’re all following a path created by a young woman. Not to mention, the visceral and ethereal writing in this book was so poignant and intentional that I truly felt as if I was shivering in the damp and claustrophobic Scottish castle next to Lady Macbeth. 

 

Make sure to pick up this book when it comes out on August 6! Thanks to #DelRey and #NetGalley for a free ARC of #LadyMacbeth in exchange for an honest review!