obscurepages's reviews
374 reviews

adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.5

I FINALLY FINISHED A BOOK AFTER OVER A MONTH? 😭

Okay this was *chef's kiss*. Like, I'm not going to lie, I was giggling and kicking my feet 😂

This story capitalizes on its world-building. It's clear that the this fictional world is rich with history and lore. And I think the author succeeded in showing that—every other chapter alternates between the present storyline, a flashback, and an entry in an archive about dragon lives and deaths. I think this storytelling paints a picture for the readers of how dangerous and magical their world is—and it worked for me.

The plot is easy to follow, although you really have to notice the small details, because trust me they have a part in the story lol. For the most part, it's entertaining. But it wasn't until the last quarter of the book that you get hit on the face with plot twists after plot twists! The level of plot twists reminded me a bit of Harrow the Ninth??? (If you've read Harrow the Ninth, you'll know what I mean 😂) It was so damn good.

I also loved the underlying themes of feminism and misogyny. In this world ruled by men, both Maddileh and Saralene face struggles as a knight and a mage adept. They're both in fields where they're not exactly welcome and definitely not respected enough. I guess you could say this book also falls into the "Good For Her" genre? I love Maddileh and Saralene, and I would k!ll for them probably.

My only complain would be the lack of romance maybe??? The chemistry between Maddileh and Saralene was so palpable on the pages. It's a true shame we never really got something more of full romance? I wanted to see more of them and maybe see where their relationship developed. Still, I'm happy with their individual endings, it was just desserts 👏

((Also I want to mention, I believe this has been marketed as "lesbians and dragons"?? So I originally thought the MC was lesbian. But I think there was no explicit lesbian rep 🥲 Maddileh could be bi or pan imo. So I think it was sapphic rep instead. Unless of course Saralene was lesbian, but then again it wasn't specifically pointed out in the story and we didn't see much of her relationship with Maddileh.))

Exact rating: 4.5 ⭐️

CW: blood, gore, violence, misogyny, murder, death, a bit of body horror, fatal wounds

Find me elsewhere: <a href="http://www.instagram.com/obscure.pages/">Instagram</a> | <a href="http://www.twitter.com/lxndrnae">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://enthralledbookworm.wordpress.com/">Blog</a>

Marking this book as part of my reading challenge: <a href="https://app.thestorygraph.com/reading_challenges/fcf9e7dc-39a5-49e2-9f7d-a243f5073985">#ReadQueerly2024</a>.

Content Warnings

Boys Weekend by Mattie Lubchansky

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challenging dark emotional funny mysterious reflective medium-paced

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

4.25

I JUST KNOW THIS WOULD MAKE A GREAT MOVIE.

This was just fantastic. I didn't have much expectations now did I know a lot about this book. I just knew it was horror and it features a transfemme MC. But wow, this gave me a lot to think about.

Imagine a mystery/horror story in a vibrant, yet eerie setting, and there's a cult, and there are monsters. You're trying to talk to guys, but all you get is misogyny and transphobia and judgment. And then you're trying to understand and save the people who don't even try to understand you. And at the end, it's just hilarious and creepy and touching.

Sammie as an MC is compelling. You see the story unfold through their eyes, but also, you see how the world functions and treats them unfairly. This book shows a fraction of what it's like to exist as a transfemme, queer person in a capitalist, misogynistic, and patriarchal society. It's hard and it's heartbreaking. And yet, this book also shows that Sammie has a lot of things to be proud of and to look forward to. That we don't have to look at ourselves or our past selves and hate them.

Loved the colors and the art of course! My only complaint? Maybe I would have loved more world-building and action. Apart from that, this was so good. And I would really like to see this as a movie.

Exact rating: 4.25 ⭐️

CW: blood, gore, violence, body horror, dismemberment, misogyny, trans misogyny, transphobia

Content Warnings

The Accursed Vampire by Madeline McGrane

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challenging dark funny lighthearted reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

This was a cute, fun read! But I also loved the fact that it has some dark, serious moments as well.

Dragoslava is a vampire kid, and for the most part, they're innocent. But they're also a lot lonely and hurt from the things they went through.

I think to me this book showed that it takes a lot to recognize and appreciate the people that you have around you. Your friends and chosen family, these are what matters.

Love the colors and the art here too! Some panels might just be a little confusing since it jumps from present to past. But I also just love the storytelling in here, and how the illustrations show time passing or the characters bonding.

Exact rating: 4.5

CW: blood, gore, injuries, emotional abuse

Content Warnings

The Salt Grows Heavy by Cassandra Khaw

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challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

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

4.75

Read for Trans Rights Readathon! 🏳️‍⚧️ (Buddy read with Sap/citrus_seasalt 💜)

I'm not going to forget about this book anytime soon 😭 What I thought was a "monstrous duo taking down a cult" story slash "a very twisted Little Mermaid retelling", turned out to be one of the most magnetic love stories I've read. How the author accomplished that in a few pages, I'll never know. But I think I'll always be in awe of it.

The writing style is dark, gritty, and poetic (even when describing gore and body horror). I absolutely loved that. I admit some of the vocabulary can be a little off-putting at times (I had to search the definition of certain words 😂). But I think the fact that the story was both unnerving and intriguing is enough for me to overlook the vocabulary.

That third part was my favorite most of all. I was holding back tears and crying, something I did not expect when I started this book! 😭 It made me see a different kind of love. A love that transcends time and evils in the world. And I was definitely moved.

Exact rating: 4.75 ⭐️

CW: blood, gore, violence, body horror, dismemberment, burning to death

Content Warnings

The Hills of Estrella Roja by Ashley Robin Franklin

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adventurous emotional funny mysterious tense fast-paced

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

3.75

Read for Trans Rights Readathon! 🏳️‍⚧️

Queer horror is just delightful and this one is no exception!

The Hills of Estrella Roja is atmospheric and fun. Love the art style and the colors of this book. It's a quick read, but it's interesting and mysterious enough.

The two MCs were fun. I think I even saw a bit of myself in Kat—someone who's interested in paranormal stuff, conspiracies, and the unexplained. And Mari's character, on the other hand, felt a little lost to me. But considering her arc in the story, I would say that's fitting. And yeah, the romance was cute too, not going to lie. 😆

Maybe I just wish there was a little more suspense build up? And there were a few plot twists that I managed to see right away. Still, at the end of the book, I thought it was nicely done. It wasn't that scary, but was really entertaining. Definitely recommended!

Exact rating: 3.75 ⭐️

CW: blood, gore, violence, mentions about murder

Content Warnings

The Prospects by KT Hoffman

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emotional funny inspiring reflective tense slow-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

4.0

Okay I was not prepared for how tender and hopeful this book was going to be 😭 I think this book surprised me, most of all, with the way it showed trans experience, queer love, and optimism among marginalized communities to its readers.

It might just feel dense and slow at times, but I loved the pining and romance. And I cried in one emotional scene, because one line reminded me of Ed and Stede from OFMD, well... there's nothing I can do about that 😂

This is all I will say for now! Will be posting a full review on my tour stop (Bookstagram + Blog) with Colored Pages Book Tours!

Exact rating: 4 ⭐️

CW: panic attacks, anxiety, transphobia, homophobia, misogyny, sexual content

Content Warnings

Cross My Heart and Never Lie by Nora Dåsnes

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emotional funny inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

If you saw me shedding a tear by the end of this book, NO YOU DID NOT 😂

I looooveeee the simplicity and profoundness of this book. Yes, it's cute and it's written in a diary/journal format and the MC is a silly, naive little girl. But so much of the story speaks of childhood, girlhood, gender stereotypes, and navigating one's sexuality. Tuva is a young girl who is almost a teenager, and here comes all the "teenage" things and "maturity", and now she (and the reader) starts seeing how young girls are expected to do all of this grownup stuff and fall into harmful and confusing gender stereotypes. Apart from that, there's also the matter of her "falling in love". Young love is so sweet and innocent, but young queer love is also a little bit different and scary, and we see it when Tuva starts to contemplate what it means to be in love and what will happen if she is in fact a lesbian.

Above all, I just also love the friendship and the supportive dad elements in this story. Friends are so special, even when you fight and make up. And seeing a supportive dad in Tuva's dad? I love that 😭

Also yes I really like the diary format illustrations and storytelling! Though sometimes it can be confusing where to read first.

"I wonder... Can you be in love with a girl and still like BTS?"

Exact rating: 4.75 ⭐️ (Might post a detailed review on the blog!)

Content Warnings

It Came from the Closet: Queer Reflections on Horror by Joe Vallese

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challenging dark emotional funny informative reflective tense medium-paced

4.5

Can you believe I've been reading this for 7 months?! 😭😂 This started out as a Libby loan for me, and now I have a physical copy! And I've finally finished it!!

This book was so good 😭 I love watching horror, reading horror stories. I think as a genre, horror is so flexible and versatile and transcendent.

This anthology does an amazing job of showing just how versatile and profound horror movies can be, especially when viewed in a queer lens. Reading this, I think I gained a better understanding of how horror functions and what it can serve to the viewers. I learned about gender and sexuality from personal accounts and stories from the authors. I also learned how gender, sexuality, race, religion, and geographic locations can intersect and how that unique experience can be shown in a genre like horror. And as a queer person, reading this book also gave me more insights about the relationship that the queer community has with horror—why we relate to it, why it gives a safe place, how we can shape it to tell our stories. I loved it and it just reinforced to me how horror is such an excellent genre.

There were a few of essays that seemed dull/drawling, but there were also some that were so well-written and poignant. Some essays that stood out for me are:

Three Men on a Boat by JEN CORRIGAN (Jaws)
The Me in the Screen by STEFFAN TRIPLETT (Us)
Black Body Snatchers by SAMUEL AUTMAN (Get Out)
The Healed Body by JUDE ELLISON S. DOYLE (In My Skin)

I also just wish every essay came with specific content warnings. Some of these can be really triggering. It's also why I had to stop every now and then because some essays are harder to digest and process compared to others.

Still, this was an excellent read overall. I can see myself going back to specific essays and reading them all over again.

Exact rating: 4.5 ⭐️ (Might post a detailed review on the blog!)

Marking this book as part of my reading challenge: <a href="https://app.thestorygraph.com/reading_challenges/fcf9e7dc-39a5-49e2-9f7d-a243f5073985">#ReadQueerly2024</a>.

Content Warnings

The Breakup Lists by Adib Khorram

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emotional funny inspiring lighthearted reflective 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? It's complicated

4.5

"Oh wow, this was so good," I say as I wipe some wetness out of my eyes. 😂 THIS WAS SO GOOD!!!

One thing I always I appreciate about Adib Khorram's works is the blend of teenage experience and poignant themes. It was there in his three other books I read before, and this one, The Breakup Lists, is no different.

This was easy to read and follow, the writing is light and funny. And yet, through Jackson, we are offered a perspective of a gay Iranian-American teen who loves theater, who also happens to be hard of hearing, who's falling in love for the first time, who feels underappreciated, and still has some issues he needs to work on. I loved reading this story and in Jackson's POV. He's a compelling and relatable character, and you just want the best for him even if you know, as a reader, that he's not making the best decisions 😅

Jackson was hard of hearing, and it was nice to read about the experiences of the Deaf/hard of hearing community in his POV. Ableism was also touched upon, as well as mental health. Aroace identity was also featured (confirmed aroace minor character!), as well as other queer rep.

The plot is interesting, and though it may seem formulaic at times, it works and it's good. Adib Khorram still has some surprises for the reader and I love that. Much of the plot and Jackson's storyline revolved around being in theater and I just thought that was fun! I've never been a "theater gay", but I definitely had some flashbacks to certain Glee episodes while reading this 😂 I love it all the more!

I love the romance, too. This got me giggling and kicking my feet and I LOVE THAT. (I'm not going to say anymore in case I spoil something 😂)

Also, I have to say, Bowie is definitely my favorite character, I love them 😂

Overall, this was so so good. I was excited for this one, and Adid Khorram definitely did not disappoint.

Exact rating: 4.5 ⭐️ (Might post a detailed review on the blog!)

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this e-arc! This is out April 2nd!

Content Warnings

Fugitive Telemetry by Martha Wells

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adventurous challenging funny mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

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

4.0

Okay, this was really fun! I wouldn't say it's not as good as the previous ones, because it is good. It still has the same humor and less action maybe? But compared to the previous installments, this one didn't feel like a really wild emotional roller coaster. Which is still a good thing for me, to be honest. 😂

I mean, reading Murderbot always has some sort of high-stakes plot, with the prospect of imminent death (or shutdown) for Murderbot always on the horizon. But this felt more like a regular murder mystery story, with Murderbot trying to be helpful and keep everyone safe (even though some people are still wary of its presence). Also, I love the fact that Murderbot got to interact with a lot more bots here. And that again, we see humanity in these robot constructs.

Overall, this was a fun, good murder mystery installment to the Murderbot series. I really enjoyed it

Content Warnings

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obscurepages's reviews 374 reviews

obscurepages's reviews
374 reviews