Republished and translated in English - Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy for review
Separate Rooms is a devastating look at love, deRepublished and translated in English - Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy for review
Separate Rooms is a devastating look at love, death, and identity. Our main character Leo grapples with the his love for and the death of Thomas, switching between past and present timelines. This is not a plot-heavy book. It's writing-heavy, emotionally driven, and focuses on the emotion, contemplations on love, life, self, the world, etc. I found it beautiful and heartbreaking.
Halfway through reading, I was thrilled to find out this is being turned into a movie and will be directed by Luca Guadagnino (Challengers, Call Me By Your Name, Bones & All, Queer). I have faith that it'll be a beautiful transition from book to film....more
This perfectly captured the original text, maintaining the story, tone, author's voice, etc. The graphics added more to the story, bringing to life thThis perfectly captured the original text, maintaining the story, tone, author's voice, etc. The graphics added more to the story, bringing to life the Octavia Butler's world. I particularly enjoyed the graphics dealing with the religion our main character was writing/creating. The graphic novel is quite long and expansive and doesn't try to condense the story (which I appreciate).
I would recommend reading Butler's duology first if you haven't already, then pick up the graphic novel adaptation of Parable of the Sower, then pick up this final adaptation. You could read just the graphic novel adaptions, but I personally think they're best looked at as an addition to and way of re-experiencing the duology and not as a replacement for it.
Recommended for fans of dystopian literature, climate change, apocalyptic-esque stories, sci-fi-ish stories. This is a heavy read that deals with some serious and uncomfortable topics, so check out trigger warnings if needed.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy for review...more
A thrilling horror read about a young woman trying to save a young boy, and herself, from the boy's father. The set-up of this novel was fantastic - bA thrilling horror read about a young woman trying to save a young boy, and herself, from the boy's father. The set-up of this novel was fantastic - bloody, gory, tense, and also funny - but the story didn't go where I thought it would. It turned into a road trip story about these two characters trying to find safety, dealing with their own issues / traumas / relationships, and facing their own anxieties and fears.
Recommended for fans of books about/with: road trips, special powers, monster horror, grief/loss, complicated parent-child relationships, fear/paranoia
This is my second Nat Cassidy book (first was Nestlings), and I thought this was equally as all over the place as Nestlings was but maybe with a bit more finesse.
3.75
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance audiobook copy for review. The audiobook narration is fantastic....more
One delusional woman's quest, at whatever cost, to be the lead in a theater play. This was darkly humorous, full of delusion and jealousy, with a streOne delusional woman's quest, at whatever cost, to be the lead in a theater play. This was darkly humorous, full of delusion and jealousy, with a stream of conscious-style writing and a flawed, unlikeable, but still root for-able main character.
This is very much in the style of All's Well by Mona Awad and Yellowface by R.F. Kuang. It's a relatively quick read with short chapters that build momentum, angst, delusion, jealousy, etc. to a satisfying conclusion. This was like watching a car crash in slow motion. Obsessed.
4.5, rounded up
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy....more
I requested this from NetGalley because Ventura's other book My Husband has been on my radar/TBR. My impression going into this, just based on what I'I requested this from NetGalley because Ventura's other book My Husband has been on my radar/TBR. My impression going into this, just based on what I've heard about My Husband, is that Ventura likes to write about delusional characters.
In this book, our main character Cléo is a headstrong, fame-obsessed, somewhat deluded person who is dead set on being a famous singer. This is very much a story about fame, power, celebrity culture, the music industry, and how far people are willing to go to make their dreams a reality. The main character is unlikeable and although it didn't get as strange or unhinged as I was hoping for, I did appreciate the larger commentary and seeing the main character's arc toward and through fame.
The blurb compares this to Daisy Jones & The Six, and I think they both touch on similar themes of fame, power, celebrity culture, etc., but tonally they feel quite different. I don't know if the audience for Daisy Jones is the audience for this book.
I would say if you liked Honey by Isabel Banta (or at least the tone and themes), then you might like this. If you do not like books about fame / famous people, I would not recommend this.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy. 3.5, rounded up...more
Castle Swimmer is an adorable series about two queer mermen. This volume picks up where Volume 1 left off. I loved Volume 1 and the blossoming relatioCastle Swimmer is an adorable series about two queer mermen. This volume picks up where Volume 1 left off. I loved Volume 1 and the blossoming relationship between Kappa and Siren. Here, we find out more about the prophecy and follow Siren as he tries to help Kappa escape. This volume is more action-packed, so it's a quick and propelling read.
My only minor criticism is that this takes place almost completely in the castle, and I would've liked to have different scenery / adventure / side characters doing something else. Perhaps that'll be in the next volume.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy for review. ...more
"I'll Look So Hot in a Coffin" is such a fun and cheeky title, and I think the writing in this reflects that sense of humor.
The author was born with "I'll Look So Hot in a Coffin" is such a fun and cheeky title, and I think the writing in this reflects that sense of humor.
The author was born with Klippel-Trenaunay Syndrome, which caused "a mass of flesh on her back, legs of different sizes, [and] a hunched posture." I was unfamiliar with the author or the syndrome before reading this.
She talks about her childhood, having surgeries, her relationship with her parents, her career, dates/partners, etc. There were great personal anecdotes about her interactions with others, told as sort of lessons on how not to interact with someone with physical differences.
Tonally, it was a bit unserious and had a self-help guide type feel towards the end.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy. ...more
A horrifying and disturbing tale of trauma, revenge, autonomy, power and control - this was such a compelling readMy favorite read of the year so far?
A horrifying and disturbing tale of trauma, revenge, autonomy, power and control - this was such a compelling read.
Our main character is depressed, uninterested in her life, and resigns herself to the idea of eventual and inevitable suicide. When she comes across a man on a dating/arrangement site who offers her a job as a dog, she feels she has nothing to lose and agrees.
The horror in this is so real, visceral, and insular, but also has larger commentary on women's bodies, bodily agency, the silencing of women, etc. The descriptions of depression and suicidal thoughts were so raw and brutally honest. I loved this so much.
Feral, bloody, angry and delicious. Highly recommend.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy for review....more
Yoon-Sook Namgung can see strings between people - blue strings for sexual partners and black strings for murderer/murdered. With the help of a detectYoon-Sook Namgung can see strings between people - blue strings for sexual partners and black strings for murderer/murdered. With the help of a detective, Yoon helps solve a few cases, including one that threatens her own life.
This was fast-paced with a fun premise. I think this would make a great show actually. It feels like a police procedural show/book where there is a civilian who helps solve cases but add in a fantastical element.
I enjoyed the characters, writing, and pace. I particularly liked some of the character drawings. This feels like a series where you would get to know the characters more as the series progresses.
3.5, rounded up
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy...more
A queer/lgbt literary fiction (and light romance?) about a trans poet who falls for a corporate lawyer, both carrying their own baggage into their relA queer/lgbt literary fiction (and light romance?) about a trans poet who falls for a corporate lawyer, both carrying their own baggage into their relationship. We alternate POVs, current day poet Max and past lawyer Vincent. Vincent is attracted to trans women but struggles with his sexuality and how others will perceive him.
This had such great conversations about being trans, being trans in a relationship, and on the opposite end being in a relationship with a trans person. I really appreciated that we got Vincent's POV, getting into his head and his insecurities about his attraction to trans women, societal expectations, being perceived as gay, having his straight friends judge him, etc.
I loved the writing and the nuanced characters. Highly recommend for fans of literary fiction / lgbt stories.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy for review. ...more
Part non-fiction recount of the history of gay marriage and part memoir, "Deep House" examines queer love (legally, culturally, personally). Starting Part non-fiction recount of the history of gay marriage and part memoir, "Deep House" examines queer love (legally, culturally, personally). Starting in 1996 with the Defense of Marriage Act, the author takes us through key moments in the fight for gay marriage, reminding us how relatively recently gay marriage has been legalized and how quickly those rights could be taken away. This felt especially poignant in today's political climate.
This was a bit front-loaded on the history of gay marriage in the U..S (facts, figures, dates, politics, etc.). Personally, I prefer my dual non-fiction/memoirs to be heavier on the memoir and lighter on the non-fiction topic. I would've liked to hear more about the author's love/relationship/queerness in general and specifically during the events mentioned.
Personal preferences aside though, this was well-written with much heart and humor. I look forward to going back and reading this author's previous release Gay Bar.
Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown and Company for the ARC....more
A queer M/M graphic novel following our main character who, after having a public breakdown, develops powers to conjure things out of his imagination.A queer M/M graphic novel following our main character who, after having a public breakdown, develops powers to conjure things out of his imagination. He works through some tough anxiety and self-hatred while trying to get a grasp of his powers.
While I love that this is a queer M/M graphic novel and I love the subject matter (anxiety), I never connected with the characters. I found the world building a little difficult to follow and felt like I was trying to orient myself into the world too much versus enjoying the characters and their relationships.
The artwork is beautiful though.
I’d recommend this for fans of sci-fi leaning graphic novels, or those who like their reads with queer characters.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy for review. ...more
Cuteness overload! This was the most adorable collection of illustrations / loose stories about traveling cats. There’s cat illustrations with a senteCuteness overload! This was the most adorable collection of illustrations / loose stories about traveling cats. There’s cat illustrations with a sentence or two on each page as they travel around Japan, going to an aquarium, a penguin cafe, the beach, eating lots of food and even going to the sauna. There are adorable “mofustagram” posts at the end of each chapter.
On top of being a cute little book, it’s also quite educational - there are cats eating several Japanese dishes, a few pages of regional cats (dressed up in different costumes, sort of Sonny Angel style) - all highlighting different aspects of Japan and Japanese culture.
This is more of an art book than a graphic novel or manga. If you like the cover and style of illustration, I highly recommend picking it up. I would frame so many of these adorable illustrations.
Thank you to the publisher for a copy for review. ...more
We alternate POVs between Shell, a new employee at a floral shop, and Baby, a carnivorous plant. Through bLittle Shop of Horrors but make it sapphic!
We alternate POVs between Shell, a new employee at a floral shop, and Baby, a carnivorous plant. Through both perspectives, we see the shop owner Neve as she tries to keep her business afloat in a dying mall.
This was a fun and creepy tale. It's a bit light on the on-page horror and definitely not as gruesome or bloody as I hoped. It's still a fun time, just a bit cozier than I was expecting.
Personally, I think this would've worked better as a novella, as it did feel a bit dragged out until the finale. Still, I appreciated the overall story and characters and would recommend to the larger horror audience or those looking to dip their toes into the horror genre.
3.5, rounded up
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy....more
I was a fan of Bartz's last book The Writing Retreat. It was zany, wild, and a little fantastical. This book is similarly zany and fantastical, but, uI was a fan of Bartz's last book The Writing Retreat. It was zany, wild, and a little fantastical. This book is similarly zany and fantastical, but, unfortunately, it lacked the quick pace and fun of The Writing Retreat.
While working at a psych ward, our main character Thea comes across a patient who she realizes is an actress from a film she watched as a child. When the patient disappears, Thea becomes obsessed with finding her, which leads her to a wellness retreat.
It's a bit of The Silent Patient mixed with Nine Perfect Strangers and Yellowjackets Season 2. It had an interesting start but I found myself less and less interested as the book progressed. When we finally did get to some more zany moments it was too late.
I would recommend this to readers who are fans of the wellness retreat / cult-ish leader trope. I'm personally a bit burnt out by it as I've seen and read so many things similar to this in the past few years. If you enjoyed the wilder aspects of her last book, though, you may enjoy parts of this one.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
A ghosty, bloody, serial-killer horror with biting social commentary
Cora Zeng is a crime scene cleaner. Cora starts noticing a trend of Chinese women A ghosty, bloody, serial-killer horror with biting social commentary
Cora Zeng is a crime scene cleaner. Cora starts noticing a trend of Chinese women being the ones dead at the crime scenes, and after finding bats at a few scenes, Cora suspects something more sinister is afoot. Together with her two other crime scene cleaner coworkers, Cora tries to uncover the truth.
Because of the crew, it felt a bit like R-rated Scooby-Doo at times, which I thoroughly enjoyed. One of my favorite types of horror is real-world horror, where everyday people are the villains and are capable of cruel, horrific acts. This book had such sharp commentary on racism against Chinese people - especially after Covid - while also incorporating a ghost story.
This was a wild, action-packed, non-stop ride. I listened to the audiobook in one day.
I'd recommend this to horror fans, especially fans of socially conscious horror. It is a bit gruesome, so I wouldn't recommend it to those who are more squeamish/sensitive.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy....more
Comic book artist Maya is stressing about her job when an alien blob crashes into her room. Together Maya and the alien have to try to stop the incomiComic book artist Maya is stressing about her job when an alien blob crashes into her room. Together Maya and the alien have to try to stop the incoming alien invasion.
This was a fun story with endearing characters (especially Maya's friend Juu) and a zany, action-packed plot. I loved the art style and the meta-ness of seeing Maya's current project / drawings for her job.
While this was fun and action-packed with a ton of fight scenes, it didn't have a real emotional arc to keep me invested. The art/drawings were excellent, but the story lacked a little in heart and detail.
I'd recommend this to a younger audience - maybe young adult or middle grade. It was action-heavy in a way that I think a younger reader would appreciate.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy. ...more
How far would you go to hold onto your sister? In this creepy slow-burn gothic horror, Lucy is forced to ask herself this question. Lucy's sister SarahHow far would you go to hold onto your sister? In this creepy slow-burn gothic horror, Lucy is forced to ask herself this question. Lucy's sister Sarah uncovers a corpse in the bogs and, together with her husband and sister, try to uncover the identity of the deceased. When Sarah starts acting strange and sickly, Lucy is left to wonder if the bog corpse has anything to do with it.
This was a moody, eerie, and bloody horror with an interesting spin on the classic vampire trope. Without spoiling anything, it was a unique look at societal roles for men and women, the bonds between siblings/sisters, what constitutes a person, and how far would someone would be willing to go for their loved one.
I'd recommend this for fans of gothic horror. Also if you enjoyed Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno Garcia (for the atmosphere) or A Dowry of Blood by S.T. Gibson (for the feminist slant), you might enjoy this.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy....more
Based on the synopsis, and specifically this sentence - "As Mikkel indoctrinates Reuben with ever more depraved stunts, Reuben senses something is serBased on the synopsis, and specifically this sentence - "As Mikkel indoctrinates Reuben with ever more depraved stunts, Reuben senses something is seriously amiss" - I was expecting a strange, twisted, or even depraved read. This was not that.
This is a literary fiction with unlikeable characters discussing their jobs, relationships, desires and motivations, and going back and forth about a character's inoperable medical diagnosis - whether the diagnosis is correct, why the friend isn't taking it seriously, if they should get a second opinion, etc.
We alternate between married couple Reuben and Cecielie's points of view. They've recently had a baby and are on vacation in Denmark. (The newborn and parenting take up a surprisingly small amount of this book). I was intrigued by Reuben's intoxication with Mikkel and their strange dynamic/relationship, but it never went in the direction I was hoping, and I was ultimately left a little bored. The cover and synopsis are a bit deceptive in my opinion.
I would recommend this to someone who likes literary fiction that is just following characters as they discuss their lives, relationships, desires, etc., where there isn't a strong plot moving the story along. This reminded me style/vibe wise of Evenings & Weekends by Oisin McKenna, and Sally Rooney.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy for review....more
This a slice of life book about a sex worker who is trying to find her missing ex-boyfriend. There are some mystery elements along the way - someone iThis a slice of life book about a sex worker who is trying to find her missing ex-boyfriend. There are some mystery elements along the way - someone is leaving her random notes at work, and a unknown person is emailing her. These "mysteries" help propel the book along while we follow our main character's sex work, romances, and friendships with coworkers.
I found this to be heavy on the vibes and light on the plot. We are following the main character as she tries to figure out her motivations, desires, fantasies, romances, and life. The main character is unreliable and semi-unlikeable, so if you do not like those qualities in a book, I would not recommend this.
I personally found this to be an intriguing and disheartening look into someone's psyche. The descriptions of sex work were interesting -client's kinks, sexual preferences, fantasies, etc. There's one quote about lasagna that made me laugh out loud. It's not a feel-good type of book though.
I'd recommend this if you are a fan of The Guest by Emma Cline, Down the Drain by Julia Fox, and/or All Hookers Go To Heaven by Angel B.H.
Trigger warnings for sexual content (obviously) and discussions about suicide.
Thank you to NetGalley and the Macmillan Audio for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review....more
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