B+ Reviews / Book Reviews / Recommended Reads1940s / angels / Chicago / Dark Fantasy / demons / family relationships / Historical / lesbian / LGBTQIA characters / LGBTQIA rights / LGBTQIA romance / noir / Private-investigator / religion3 Comments
C. L. Polk turns their considerable powers to a fantastical noir. A magical detective dives into the affairs of Chicago’s divine monsters to secure a future with the love of her life. This sapphic period piece will dazzle anyone looking for mystery, intrigue, romance, magic, or all of the above. ... more >
B- Reviews / Book Reviews1950s / bisexual / cop / found family / Gay / lesbian / LGBTQIA characters / LGBTQIA community / LGBTQIA+ / murder mysteryNo Comments
A delicious story from a new voice in suspense, Lavender House is Knives Out with a queer historical twist Lavender House, 1952: the family seat of recently deceased matriarch Irene Lamontaine, head of the famous Lamontaine soap empire. Irene’s recipes for her signature scents are a well guarded secret – ... more >
B Reviews / Book ReviewsAsian characters / diversity / dysfunctional family / family relationships / gender-based violence / Ghost / god / homophobia / immigrant / lesbian / LGBTQIA+ / Malaysia / Paranormal / POC / POC author / prejudice / revenge / ViolenceComments Off on REVIEW: Black Water Sister by Zen Cho
A reluctant medium discovers the ties that bind can unleash a dangerous power in this compelling Malaysian-set contemporary fantasy. When Jessamyn Teoh starts hearing a voice in her head, she chalks it up to stress. Closeted, broke and jobless, she’s moving back to Malaysia with her parents – a country ... more >
Book Reviews / C- Reviews#ownvoices / arranged-marriage / cats / elves / f/f romance / Fantasy / lesbian / LGBTQIA+ / POC / trans man / trans woman / trans-species / transgender / witchComments Off on REVIEW: Witch, Cat, and Cobb by J.K. Pendragon
Destined for an arranged marriage she wants nothing to do with, Princess Breanwynne decides her only option for escape is to run away. After announcing this plan to her trusted cat, Fen, she’s shocked when he asks that she take him along. Following his suggestion to venture into the lair ... more >
B- Reviews / Book ReviewsAsian characters / Chinese literature / dysfunctional family / fairy tale retelling / family relationships / Latina / lesbian / LGBTQIA+ / mythology / older MCs / POC / POC author / self discovery / transgender characterComments Off on REVIEW: Burning Roses by S. L. Huang
Rosa, also known as Red Riding Hood, is done with wolves and woods. Hou Yi the Archer is tired, and knows she’s past her prime. They would both rather just be retired, but that’s not what the world has ready for them. When deadly sunbirds begin to ravage the countryside, ... more >
B Reviews / Book Reviews#ownvoices / aromantic / asexual character / children's literature / Dragon / fairy tale / Fantasy / lesbian / LGBTQIA+ / novella / spiders / transgender character / transsexualComments Off on REVIEW: The Dragon of Ynys by Minerva Cerridwen
Every time something goes missing from the village, Sir Violet makes his way to the dragon’s cave and negotiates the item’s return. It’s annoying, but at least the dragon is polite. But when the dragon hoards a person, that’s a step too far. Sir Violet storms off to the mountainside ... more >