obscurepages's reviews
374 reviews

Feed Them Silence by Lee Mandelo

Go to review page

challenging dark mysterious reflective tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

 Okay I need to read more of Lee Mandelo's works. (I know Summer Sons have been on my radar for so loooonngg.)

This was definitely an interesting read. Here we see Sean's research and interest on wolves affect her real-life relationships and her mental health. But in this story we also see science clashing with ethics and moral values, a messed-up version of a parasocial relationship and its impact, and maybe how big corporations can take advantage of anything and make profits out of it.

Lots of themes were explored, lots of questions were also brought up to make readers wonder and think. Overall, and entertaining and solid read.

Find me elsewhere: Instagram | Twitter | Blog

Marking this book as part of reading challenge: #ReadQueerly2023. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Some Desperate Glory by Emily Tesh

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

 This whole book was a surprise 😭 I mean I had an idea I would like it, yes. But somehow I didn't know just how much it would affect me and throw me in a roller coaster through space.

I love the world-building and all the details the author put in this story. Those passages from books/journals/accounts about human race, the wars, even the insertion of philosophy and humanity? They all helped build and set the tone of the story, as well as the history and foundation.

I love the both the familiarity and surprise of the storytelling and the plot. Like it got me feeling I know what's going to happen next and that I've seen it before (naive soldier realizes how fucked up the system is and realizes not everything is what is seems). But then the author throws you into some sort of deep end and suddenly you're caught unawares. Several times I wanted to rip my hair out because of the plot twists and details, but oh I loved it.

And perhaps one of the best parts of the book is the main character herself, Kyr. She's so annoying. Well, I guess, not anymore. Because in those 400+ pages, she has annoyed me, frustrated me, confused me, made me sympathize with her, made me understand her, touched my heart, made me root for her. She made me love her. Kyr is such a complex and compelling character, and I just loved being on this journey with her.

Overall, Some Desperate Glory was an incredible and expansive book. If you give it a try you might like it too. 

CW: death, genocide, murders, mentions of rape/sexual harassment, homophobia, transphobia/queerphobia 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Vampires Never Get Old: Tales with Fresh Bite by Natalie C. Parker, Zoraida Córdova

Go to review page

adventurous dark funny mysterious reflective medium-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

4.0

 Loooovee how this anthology reinvents and reimagines vampire myth and lore! I also love the short commentaries after each story–tackling different aspects of the lore, the fresh twist that we see in the stories, as well as the questions that we ask ourselves when we think about vampires.

My favorites would have to be Mirrors, Windows & Selfies by Mark Oshiro, The Boy and the Bell by Heidi Heilig, and The Guidebook for the Newly Sired Desi Vampire by Samira Ahmed.

Find me elsewhere: Instagram | Twitter | Blog

Marking this book as part of reading challenge: #ReadQueerly2023. 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Mysteries of Thorn Manor by Margaret Rogerson

Go to review page

adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious relaxing 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

4.0

 The perfect novella to follow Sorcery of Thorns 🥹 I loved that the romance I was looking for in the first book, I found here. There was also a bit of world-building still too, which was nice.

Oh and yes, I freaking love Silas 😭

Read and reviewed as part of the tour stop hosted by Turn The Pages Tours! 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Hell Followed with Us by Andrew Joseph White

Go to review page

dark emotional hopeful reflective tense medium-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

5.0

 Maybe the real monsters are those who are willing do the most terrible things just for the sake of religious bigotry, and privilege, and hate.

This was such an incredible journey 😭 One filled with rage, fear, hope, and love. And clearly, a love letter to queer kids. I'm so glad to have read this 🤧

Full review soon 🤞 
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Ravenfall by Kalyn Josephson

Go to review page

adventurous challenging emotional funny inspiring 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

4.0

 
Finished this book! 😭 Whimsical and so heartfelt! From the Celtic mythology, to the magic and the world-building, to the characters, and the overall atmosphere–this book aced them all.

Maybe some of the plot were a bit predictable at first? But the last battle near the end still had a few surprises and I love it!

Also, I appreciate how this book had several moral lessons for the reader. 🥹

This magical MG novel is out September 6th! 

Read my full review here: https://enthralledbookworm.wordpress.com/2022/08/14/arc-review-ravenfall/
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Home Field Advantage by Dahlia Adler

Go to review page

emotional funny inspiring lighthearted reflective 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? No

4.75

THIS BOOK IS EVERYTHING 😭 I'm crying and laughing and just basking in the magnificence of this book. The romance is exquisite, the characters are compelling, and the way this book tackled misogyny and homophobia is just incredible. Also, the queer rep is just too good here 😭

I just love this book a lot, definitely one of my top reads for this year!! 💜
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
A Strange and Stubborn Endurance by Foz Meadows

Go to review page

challenging funny mysterious reflective slow-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

OH THIS BOOK 😭 This was a journey!! This book gave me slow burn romance (the kind that made me ache tbh 😂), gave me intriguing characters and intriguing politics, showed that healing was a process, and best of all, showed how incredible it can be to just be yourself–queer identity, queer love, and all.

CW: rape, sexual assault, gaslighting, self-harm, attempted suicide, death, murder, blood, animal death, graphic violence, homophobia, transphobia, misogynistic ideas/culture
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Flip the Script by Lyla Lee

Go to review page

emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-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

I think absolutely love that this is my first read for Pride Month. This was just so cute and so fun, and most importantly, it shed some light on the queer community in South Korea and the entertainment industry in particular. It also gives us hope of what may come and what we can do to make a difference. This was just a delight to read. 🥺

Full review soon.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings
Fight + Flight by Jules Machias

Go to review page

emotional inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

4.5

Was so excited for this book! I loved Both Can Be True so I expected another great book from the author. And you know what? Jules Machias just knows how to bring stories to life. This book perfectly sums up how it's like to be kids experiencing a a bunch of things all at the same time, how to feel everything slip right out of your control, how fear controls us, especially when it comes to kids and young teens in today's world.
I also love how this book shed light in a couple of societal issues and representations. From the disease that affects Avery's joints, to the anxiety that grips Sarah, the queer and trans rep, and a whole lot more.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
This book is so good and so thoughtful, and a perfect combination of comforting and inspiring. This is out tomorrow! 🥺 Go add it to your TBRs, preorder/request on your library, or gift it to your own kids, siblings, or more. They need a story like this one 💜
Expand filter menu Content Warnings