Calum, a poor boy from the Outer Isles who dreams of knightly glory, arrives in Camelot only to learn King ArthurA phenomenal modern Arthurian legend.
Calum, a poor boy from the Outer Isles who dreams of knightly glory, arrives in Camelot only to learn King Arthur is dead and only the dregs of the round table are left. He is quickly swept up in a last, desperate quest to preserve, rediscover, or remake Arthur's Britain. I absolutely loved this story, from the characters to the setting to the various reveals. Colum and the knights all feel intensely human while also somehow mythic. The world feels vibrant and deep, the heavy presence of recent Christianity vying against the deep roots of several older Britains. The entire story felt both like a fresh take and timeless fantasy. There was also nice queer representation.
Highly highly recommended if you want a modern Arthurian legend. If you struggle with nonlinear narratives (there are several side chapters exploring the origins of each of the knights) you may struggle with this, but I really loved every moment spent in Grossman's Camelot....more
The best entry so far! I love how supportive and competent the main cast is, especially as they are finally real movers and shakers that impact regionThe best entry so far! I love how supportive and competent the main cast is, especially as they are finally real movers and shakers that impact regional politics just by their presence. Also, the background plot is finally picking up, leading to real progress on what is actually happening in the Nine...more
A really fun gay romance in a medieval setting (but no magic).
Matti Jay is the heir to a prestigious family that sells wool, but the family’s secret mA really fun gay romance in a medieval setting (but no magic).
Matti Jay is the heir to a prestigious family that sells wool, but the family’s secret money troubles push him into a lucrative betrothment. Lucas Pierre is a duelist and con artist on the run from his past until Matti hires him to defeat any challengers at the wedding (as is expected to happen). Overall, I had a ton of fun with this. The characters are great, I really liked the attention paid to the wool/clothing business, and the mystery/politics that are in the background are very satisfactorily resolved, instead of lost like so many romances. The big reveal at the end was appropriately grand and over top a-la rom com style, which I enjoyed even if it was a little silly.
Recommended if you want a gay romance in a medieval setting with a lot of merchant politics. If you wanted A Taste of Iron and Gold to pay more and better attention to the coin plot, they you’ll probably like this!...more
This is ultimately a difficult series to rate, as I did read all 16,000 pages of this web serial and I do think it has moments that I found really comThis is ultimately a difficult series to rate, as I did read all 16,000 pages of this web serial and I do think it has moments that I found really compelling, but a lot of the plotting, character interactions, and discussion of themes wasn't to my taste.
A repeating plot structure is that the MC, Erick Flatt, encounters a problem that he could solve with his unique ability of inventing new spells by creating an unprecedentedly violent (or uncounterable) spell. Erick will initially recoil from the choice, drawing a very firm line in the sand that he doesn't want to make a Warcrime (TM) spell, but events force his hand and thus he powers up through escalating violence. For a story that seems to be arguing that people deserve second chances and that violence is abhorrent, the plot almost always argues that this is a deep mistake and the only way benevolent governance can occur is from a position of overwhelming power and restrained, yet present violence. I think the goal of this was that the author was trying to have flawed characters experience cycles of growth and failure, but it really didn't work for me and I think most of the deeper exploration of themes failed. I did find a lot of the last book compelling, the grappling with the purpose/necessity of opposing forces of evil/malevolence to good/benevolence and the difference between magical Good and ordinary, everyday good. The ultimate conclusion that while malevolence should always be opposed, it is an inescapable expression of an unjust world was a nice thematic capstone, but it felt very late when so much of the story was repeating cycles of the main character trying to avoid wars and then switching to extreme violence.
Where this story works is as a fun popcorn read that is a long running litopg that consistently delivers level ups, spell creation, and fantastical settings. If you know you like this genre, then you'll probably enjoy it, but if you find the main character unbearable, I would recommend dropping the story as it does not get better. The story does have a male bi MC, which was fun.
Recommended if you like litrpg's with overpowered MC's and want a long running yet finished series. ...more
While I appreciate the intent, the story tends to wander, not fully committing to slice of life or rapid power up isekai.
Erick and his 22 year old dauWhile I appreciate the intent, the story tends to wander, not fully committing to slice of life or rapid power up isekai.
Erick and his 22 year old daughter Jane are randomly teleported into a fantasy world with a leveling up system. Jane immediately takes to the adventure and magical violence of the new world, but Erick is deeply uncomfortable with conflict and just wants safety and comfort for him and Jane. I initially was really excited, as this seemed liked Delve, but more committed to slice of life and integrating with an existing community, but the writing and characters doesn’t always feel consistent. Also, while Erick kind of plods along with trying to be a pacifist, he keeps accidentally inventing world changing spells that center him in godly politics (so demure slice of life quickly evaporates). Overall, I really appreciate the intent and general vibe of the book, but it really feels like the author needs to commit (or have his characters more realistically commit) to a cohesive vibe. I am hopeful future volumes will pull everything together....more
A really interesting book about a women’s prison in Greenwich Village in the 20th century. Narratively, it does a good job of showing a variety of outA really interesting book about a women’s prison in Greenwich Village in the 20th century. Narratively, it does a good job of showing a variety of outcomes and situations, so it is not a stream of unrelenting horrors (which it very much could have been). It really shows that individual results are specific and circumstantial while population level results are the consequence of systems. It also did a great job of showing how women and people perceived as women are never taken seriously, from the condition of the cells, the necessary medication, the sexuality, the gender expression, to the professional acumen of the people imprisoned in the House of D. Overall, I thought it was a very interesting and well put together book about a specific prison while encompassing a much broader narrative about how queer history, queer politics, and prisons are all intertwined.
This book is the real start of Viv’s kingdom building and it is a lot of fun (but also a lot of brutal guerrilla warfare). I think this series does a This book is the real start of Viv’s kingdom building and it is a lot of fun (but also a lot of brutal guerrilla warfare). I think this series does a good job of balancing discovery of new fantasy world mechanics with importing “new” Earth techniques/strategies/technology....more
An intense journey for Viv as she fights for the displaced Citizens of Kazar while deeply grieving her lost partner. You really start to see Viv’s extAn intense journey for Viv as she fights for the displaced Citizens of Kazar while deeply grieving her lost partner. You really start to see Viv’s extreme commitment to vengeance, which, as a reader, is very fun to follow....more
Viv is finally out of the wastelands and back in civilization-which leads to much bigger problems. I loved the queer romance, Viv’s growing found famiViv is finally out of the wastelands and back in civilization-which leads to much bigger problems. I loved the queer romance, Viv’s growing found family, and the inevitable progression of Viv’s empire. ...more
A very fun litrpg/reincarnated in a new world fantasy.
French special forces medic Viv is abruptly teleported into a fantasy world from godly shenanigaA very fun litrpg/reincarnated in a new world fantasy.
French special forces medic Viv is abruptly teleported into a fantasy world from godly shenanigans and must quickly leave her entry point, the magical radioactive wasteland of a fallen empire. I thought this was so fun! Viv is a great viewpoint to follow: competent, wisecracking, rolls with the punches, and deeply vengeful. The lit-rpg elements are simple and there is not an over focus on it, making it easier for new readers to the sub-genre. I will say that I initially thought this was a kind of cozy-litrpg due to the first book Viv’s upbeat attitude and collection of unlikely allies, but later books are quite willing to kill beloved characters to fuel Viv’s ambitions, so be aware. The later books don’t lose the fun tone, but there are periods of fairly brutal kingdom building/fending off invasions.
Highly recommended if you want a fun portal fantasy and/or are interested in litrpg’s....more
Folly is a fake fortune teller in a circus, but his one golden eye can see magic. Yarrow is a wild fae trying toA comfy and quick mm romance with fae.
Folly is a fake fortune teller in a circus, but his one golden eye can see magic. Yarrow is a wild fae trying to earn a place in the summer court sent on a quest to kill a dangerous shaper changer. Overall, the story was fun and wasted no time drawing the two love interests together. The world did feel a bit under developed for Lark, but since this is part of a multi-author universe, it makes sense she couldn’t make large changes. Nothing blew me away, but I had fun the whole time. This isn’t this story’s fault, but I will say that I am a bit tired of fae stories where the fae is superman romancing a weak, useless human. I know it comes from ACOTAR and before that Twilight (and many other influences I’m sure), but vampires are super human at the cost of needing the kill humans. Fae are super strong and sexy and magic at the cost of… sometimes silly rules? It setting just seems like a great opportunity to have magically powerful fae be bound by actually constraining rules and physically weaker than humans. Again, not this books fault as it is common to the genre, but it did feel lopsided with Yarrow providing all the muscle, magic, and knowledge.
Recommended if you want a light mm fae romance. ...more
A very satisfying conclusion to the series that also leaves me desperately wanting another one. It does a great job of wrapping up most of the plot liA very satisfying conclusion to the series that also leaves me desperately wanting another one. It does a great job of wrapping up most of the plot lines and cleanly explains the deeper mysteries of the world. I highly recommend this series if you want classic high octane fantasy....more
This book is a lot of fun, but after the heights of book three it felt a bit flat. It really was trauma therapy for the whole gang, which was satisfyiThis book is a lot of fun, but after the heights of book three it felt a bit flat. It really was trauma therapy for the whole gang, which was satisfying, but was maybe also a bit much at times. It was very “we can defeat the eldritch god of annihilation with the power of friendship”. I did appreciate how the premise of the book is that Kihrin’s leap of faith at the ending of book three flops extremely hard. Orbital impact hard. Maybe pretty boy fantasy protagonists can have some consequences for their actions as a treat. ...more
A fantastic third book that I really enjoyed. It does a great job of bringing everything together. An extremely cinematic ending firmly cements this aA fantastic third book that I really enjoyed. It does a great job of bringing everything together. An extremely cinematic ending firmly cements this as my favorite book in the series. It is nice to have the full cast of characters together with the deeper mysteries of the world starting to be revealed. ...more
A really great premise/set-up ultimately falls flat with character and tone problems.
Simon and Gregor are gay victorian gentlemen living in a fabulousA really great premise/set-up ultimately falls flat with character and tone problems.
Simon and Gregor are gay victorian gentlemen living in a fabulous greenhouse. Gregor is a botanist who obtains a rare fungus that infects plants and uses their senses, and thus Gregor breeds the fungus for greater intelligence while Simon, who is a taxidermist, labors over a corpse to create the perfect vessel for his botanical daughter. At points, this book really feels like it has something, but it never quite pulls it off, especially because Gregor and Simon ping-pong between emotions/opinions. The ending also fell super flat for me as it felt like it supported a lot of awful characters who didn’t deserve a happy ever after. I really wanted this love this queer, botanical Frankenstein re-telling, but it ultimately fell flat. I don’t really recommend this book....more
Pretty rough prose and a wandering plot really hamstring this story.
Wei Wuxian was an extremely powerful cultivator that specialized in raising ghost Pretty rough prose and a wandering plot really hamstring this story.
Wei Wuxian was an extremely powerful cultivator that specialized in raising ghost armies, but he was defeated by the most powerful clans. Years later he awakens in the body of a man who sold his body and life for Wuxian to take revenge on his abusive family, leading Wuxian to become embroiled in clan politics and a very slow burn romance with a powerful cultivator from his past. There’s some potential here as a cultivation slice-of-life quest and rommance story, but the beginning is really rough, the prose is quite poor, and the plot meanders without convincing reasons for why Wuxian is doing anything. I don’t recommend this book....more
An extremely entertaining regency romance that has a lot of the two main characters developing their relationship rather than the book just leading toAn extremely entertaining regency romance that has a lot of the two main characters developing their relationship rather than the book just leading to them getting together.
Gareth has recently inherited a title and manor from his estranged father and must navigate complicated relationships with his family and finances. Joss is the heir to a prominent smuggling family who comes into conflict with Gareth and a past romance complicated things. I had so much fun reading this, especially as the book was about them figuring out how to develop and fit their relationship into their complicated lives, rather than the climax of the book being them getting together. There’s a lot of page time with them working together to solve problems (or working against each other) and it was just phenomenal overall.
Highly recommended if you want a queer regency romance!...more
Sherlock Holmes with Kaiju and alchemy. It was super fun!
Din has been magical altered to have a perfect memory and he has recently been employed by thSherlock Holmes with Kaiju and alchemy. It was super fun!
Din has been magical altered to have a perfect memory and he has recently been employed by the eccentric investigator Ana Dolabra. A bizarre murder spirals into a much bigger plot, all the while the wet season means giant monsters from the sea attack the kingdom’s walls. Overall, super fun, loved the leviathans, Ana, Din, and the background queer romance. I did miss Bennett’s exploration of the relationship between societies and divinities which is very present in both the Divine Cities and the Foundryside series, but still a great read. I liked the balance of the Sherlock/Watson relationship, as Din’s perfect memory and general resourcefulness makes him a much better pairing to Ana’s intuitive leaps and generally craziness than a lot of Sherlock/Watson pairings where the Watson is just kind of there.
Highly recommended if you want a fantasy murder mystery with politics....more
A great sequel, although the pacing and expansion of POV’s made it fall a bit short of the first book (for me).
After the events of the first book, MahA great sequel, although the pacing and expansion of POV’s made it fall a bit short of the first book (for me).
After the events of the first book, Mahit has returned to her home station, though politics make her safety uncertain, Three Seagrass is bored out of her mind as undersecretary, a newly appointed commander is struggling with encroaching aliens, and Eight Antidote wrestles with his role in the empire. Once this got going, this was a successful sequel, especially in terms of a two book emotional arc for Mahit and Three Seagrass. What didn’t work for me was the expansion from one to four POV’s with rapid switching. It bogged down the beginning and diluted Mahit’s voice. The writing is very flowery and full of in-world literary references, which worked for me when it is solely from Mahit’s perspective as it shows how twisted up in Teixcalaanli culture she is, but when its just narrative style across four people, it sometimes came off as too flowery. However, once it got to the good stuff (Mahit and Three Seagrass interacting or Mahit and Three Seagrass interacting with aliens), it was really good. Do note that a lot of my gripes seem to be received as improvements to the first book by other people, so take them with a grain of salt. I just really loved how intensely the first book looked through Mahit’s eyes and I missed that here.
Tremendously fun, as always, but the romance perhaps moved a bit fast.
Prince Kazia is the youngest and least of the the three Dire princes, but he’s hTremendously fun, as always, but the romance perhaps moved a bit fast.
Prince Kazia is the youngest and least of the the three Dire princes, but he’s hiding a secret and scheming in the background. Lucien is the opposing kingdom’s dragon corps general and when he’s captured he’s put in Kazia’s custody. I thought they had a fun dynamic, though Kazia had much more of an arc than Lucien. It did move a bit fast, I wouldn’t have minded more buildup.
Recommended if you enjoyed the last several books. You probably should read the previous books before to this one....more
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