Enjoyable fantasy spin-off version of Pride and Prejudice where characters including Darcy and Elizabeth have talents ofPride and Prejudice with Magic
Enjoyable fantasy spin-off version of Pride and Prejudice where characters including Darcy and Elizabeth have talents of magic. The story does not follow the traditional path but jumps in a short way into the original book and moves quickly to follow the magic, deepen their relationship and expand on the fantastical possibilities.
Some really nice twists. A clever page-turner. ...more
The sequel book - long awaited and it was totally worth it.
Trigger warnings: child abuse, death of parents, governmental abuse of citizens including cThe sequel book - long awaited and it was totally worth it.
Trigger warnings: child abuse, death of parents, governmental abuse of citizens including children.
Book 1 - the House in the Cerulean Sea - was amazing. It was a fabulous fantasy story exploring the true meaning of family, of love, of how a government can be misled and misleading about their actions, but mostly it was a great adventure about two men falling in love with each other and with their children, creating a family without any need for blood or biological connections.
Book 2 - goes beyond. It takes the story to the next step - a wonderful happy family living together, supporting each other, challenging each other, expanding to include more family members. It also takes the exploration of the government guidelines up a step. Question your government - always! Make them think and prove why rules exist. Make them remember the little people, those who are not as wealthy, or white, or heterosexual, or cis, or religious or in this case, as human as they themselves are.
We all have a history - good or bad, filled with love or hate. It is what makes us who we are but we can also choose to repeat history, learn from it and create ourselves and move forwards.
Arthur is delightful, a phoenix with a horrific childhood of trauma, now embracing the most terrifying of fantastical creatures as his own children to try to ensure their safety but also their rights to exist in this world. Linus is a human rule-follower - until he realizes just how oppressive his government is, how amazing the family he’s now met in book 1 is.
The children - describing them all would take too long - just read the book - and learn how these awesome children should be welcome in any home!
I really enjoyed book 1 on my first read and again on my recent reread. I REALLY enjoyed book 2.
For those reviewers who said this book wasn’t necessary for the story or was pontificating or political - you missed something. You missed that this book wasn’t necessarily for you.
Throughout history, the minorities, the marginalized communities, those who look or act or think outside of the mainstream have been abused, threatened, slandered and abandoned by individuals, communities, governments, the world.
They don’t speak with one voice, but with many. And many of them feel they’re screaming into the void for help, for peace, for support or just for the right to be themselves and be allowed to exist as part of society the same as everyone else. And by their side, behind or in front or wherever needed are the allies who are showing their love, their empathy, their support.
This book is for the trans community - it says it right there in the author dedication.
We see you. We hear you. We love you.
Hurrah for being the anti-JK and please please TJ Klune - keep writing!!! ...more
He’s a Christmas dragon, born on Christmas Day, and now his 25th birthday draws near and he still hasn’t found a mate.fun fantasy romance at Christmas
He’s a Christmas dragon, born on Christmas Day, and now his 25th birthday draws near and he still hasn’t found a mate. He returns home to his sister and her precious family, just in time to catch someone falling off a ladder - could she be the one? Dragons, magic, Christmas,, nice sweet fun read. Adult content....more
A great standalone book with a worldly basis in the Hearthsteas series begun with “A Problem with Pixies”. In this book, we follow 3 of the young HawthA great standalone book with a worldly basis in the Hearthsteas series begun with “A Problem with Pixies”. In this book, we follow 3 of the young Hawthorne witches, out on their own to fulfill a traditional season in the local village whilst the rest of their coven are busy in the main series. Boar, the brother, in charge, showing a confident and controlled face but inwardly terrified. Rose, the slightly mischievous sister, will make sure she does her part but is also looking for a Spring Fling. Lilac, the sister who was designated to be the beautiful one by their grandmother. Lilac is determined to use this trip away from the family to find her own path, become independent and step away from all of those blasted men who keep following her around. Allen Sharpe (aka Allen Chase) is not just any werewolf but a Nemean werewolf, a loner desperately hunting for company, pack mates, love.
Everyone knows the Hawthornes hate shifters, but when Allen faces imprisonment and cannot find company, he takes an offered job to guard them. It was supposed to be a long-distance assignment but then the house-elf is attacked and suddenly he’s their “human” caretaker, whose job it is to protect the hall and all of the Hawthornes. And they need protecting!
Trigger warnings: familial rejection, brief mention of war and mass casualty events. Oh and an explicit scene just in case you need that warning too!...more
Trigger warning: limited but some terms of homophobia, transphobia, deals with issues of gender dysphoria, body dysmorphia. This is mentioned by the aTrigger warning: limited but some terms of homophobia, transphobia, deals with issues of gender dysphoria, body dysmorphia. This is mentioned by the author at the start of the book.
This is a short book that feels like both the perfect outing for a non-binary superhero and a personal recording of the author’s journey to discover themself.
The story on the most basic level is about a person born into a family of superheroes. Initially without obvious powers, the person discovers their powers and shortly after realizes they are not in anyway the person they thought they were. From a powerless younger “daughter” to a powerful gender-queer teenager, they must discover who they are, what they can do, and what their body can do for them, before the world overwhelms them with expectations.
On a deeper level, the author is channeling their experiences, their challenges, their hopes and dreams and sharing it with us.
It’s not a bestseller book. It’s not an Avengers or Batman superhero story. It is a great way to explore what a non-binary person can feel and be and how the world and family could react and support (or not) them finding their true self.
This is a book of this era of finding self-identity and facing up to the realities of the world whilst embedding it in a fantasy superhero story. And life is hard - so it’s not the happiest of books but it’s very meaningful....more
My first Brandon Sanderson book despite many suggestions to read over the years. I listened to this as an audiobook and was very impressed with the naMy first Brandon Sanderson book despite many suggestions to read over the years. I listened to this as an audiobook and was very impressed with the narrators. The story resembles Terry Pratchett books, complex and full of hidden hints and educating ways without pressure or condescension. A man wakes in a clearing with no memory of his life or name, but is aware he has some augments that help protect him and that he’s not in his home place. He’s in a different dimension, one very similar to Medieval England with Anglo-Saxon traditions and beliefs, even invading Vikings. As he explores the world, trying to stay safe, trying to remember what as well as why, he finds pages from the Wizarding handbook which help answer some questions whilst leaving others even more confusing.
A great story, exciting, thrilling, adventurous fantasy with romance and history thrown in for good measure! ...more
The fourth full book in the San Andreas Shifters series - been waiting for this for a while and it definitely didn’t disappoint.
Trick entered the sceThe fourth full book in the San Andreas Shifters series - been waiting for this for a while and it definitely didn’t disappoint.
Trick entered the scene in book 3, where we got to know him as a scared gay otter-shifter on the run from his family and others and now working in the coffee shop near the Werewolves home and serving up in the most inclusive way possible to all shifters and members of the LGBTQIA+ community as well as anyone else who turns up. Now Trick is the center of the story, even if he doesn’t yet realize it.
There’s a marine biology conference happening and whilst Alpha werewolf Alec is preparing to present, a whole pod of mermaids are preparing to invade to seek scientific advice! And one of the mermaids is a merman who’s also on the lookout for his long lost love - Trick!
Beautifully written! A lot less adult content and less sex scenes than previous books. Lots of twists as well jump from the past to the present.
I just wish this community were real or that more real world people were as welcoming and supportive and inclusive and awesome as they are. ...more
This is a great middle-grade fantasy adventure to shelf right next to Tamora Pierce! Well written, wonderful relatable characters, great descriptions This is a great middle-grade fantasy adventure to shelf right next to Tamora Pierce! Well written, wonderful relatable characters, great descriptions - I felt the mud splashing!! Ash is the princess who has lived away from her family for most of her life but has now returned to the capital. Greeted by her loving mother with open arms, Ash thinks things might be ok, even if her older brother seems to hate her presence and resent her return. She doesn’t easily fit into life at court but tries to find her way and support her family. Then she meets Splinter. Splinter looks up to big brother Anders with adoration and is desperate to be a squire although the world sees Splinter as just a “girl”. Splinter rejoices in the meeting with Ash and accepts the offer to be the Princess’s squire with great joy. Splinter doesn’t mind the mud or the endless sword exercises - much - and is trying not to hear the taunts and bullying from the other squires, led on by Ash’s brother. But when danger truly threatens the kingdom, it will be up to Ash and Splinter to work together to show the true meaning of loyalty, honor, and friendship.
I didn’t realize until the end blurb that I’d already read the short story the author first wrote about these characters - no wonder they seemed to immediately be old friends.
Cannot wait to see what adventures Ash and Splinter get up to next!
excellent spin-off fantasy romance with added murder mystery
May’s previous books have introduced us to the fantasy world of pixies, vampires, werewolexcellent spin-off fantasy romance with added murder mystery
May’s previous books have introduced us to the fantasy world of pixies, vampires, werewolves and djinn. Now we focus on the necromancer who works for the local police department as a consultant and finds some extremely weird and worrying murder cases to solve. It’s a mystery, a romance (MM) and a fanatical adventure. Love all the character so much! Off to drink some sweet tea!!...more
Whilst my personal choice will always be books with lots of words that spark my imagination, I am so very glad to see this graphic novel adaptation ofWhilst my personal choice will always be books with lots of words that spark my imagination, I am so very glad to see this graphic novel adaptation of one of my favorite books by my favorite author. The adaptation contains the most essentials of the book with gorgeous drawings of the characters and scenes. I love love love love the drawings of Nealan, Peachblossom and Wildcat in particular! Perfect!!!! Love that the hardback book cover comes off to reveal the gorgeous detailed pictures without the words to add a touch! Great adaptation - bring on the rest to get these wonderful inspiring stories into yet more young readers hearts and minds!...more
Fabulous book - number 14 in the series! We are back with Captain Wentworth and Ann as they heal from their recent exposure to sea-dragon kind and preFabulous book - number 14 in the series! We are back with Captain Wentworth and Ann as they heal from their recent exposure to sea-dragon kind and prepare to face their biggest and most dangerous adversary yet - Cornwall himself. With Ann now expecting, she must balance her own health and care for their dragon - and then her family arrive to throw a whole new set of problems at her. Wentworth must go out and represent the humans and the face of the law, and carry the DragonSlayer to do his ultimate duty.
Wonderfully written, so many twists and gorgeous phrasing.
Trigger warnings: mentions miscarriage but off page, parental abuse, fire....more
So book 4 left us on a pretty major cliffhanger and book 5 - well some questions will be answered and others just made more complex! Yet again this advSo book 4 left us on a pretty major cliffhanger and book 5 - well some questions will be answered and others just made more complex! Yet again this adventure will keep you on the very edge of your seat.
The first half of this book is set in the past, revealing all that happened in the run up to Meadow leaving her family, her name and stealing away the family cursed grimoire and moving to small town farming land America.
We meet all of Meadow’s family and get to see who has been a good and bad influence on her and why she made some drastic decisions.
The second half - back to now (or the end of book 4) and all the favorite characters play their part as Meadow prepares for what is coming - or is already here!
Slight pg-13 romance! Love the crafting circle in their golden girls moments! The story is wonderfully explored, beautifully written and so fabulously moving and full of surprises! A page turner to be sure!
Wait we have to wait how long for book 6???...more
Mom in her 40s has worked all her life to meet her ex’s dreams. Now she’s moved away to the same town as her son who is just startSpicy fantasy novel.
Mom in her 40s has worked all her life to meet her ex’s dreams. Now she’s moved away to the same town as her son who is just starting college but she’s trying to reinvent herself at the same time. A jog in the park results in a need to really reinvent herself - was that a bird leading her down a path and wait where did those dogs come from?
It’s spicy and fantasy and it’s not a classic but the characters are explored as people with emotions and needs and worries and desires. Some really sweet scenes especially between mother and child, parents and wolf offspring! ...more
This is the third book in the series. When you’re hiding from big bad enemies, and from your family, and from the carpenter/woodsman shifter who lives This is the third book in the series. When you’re hiding from big bad enemies, and from your family, and from the carpenter/woodsman shifter who lives down the street, it gets lonely even if you’re surrounded by pixies and gnomes and have a not-yet-familiar cat. Things are about to take a turn, the circus is in town and led by none other than a warlock who’s made a deal with a demon and part of the deal involves the town and its natural life. Good story, nice twists. Enjoyable and bring on book 4!...more
Human cake decorator meets and falls in love with monster wolf gym owner. Lots of sex and explicit scenes, would have liked to see the characters make Human cake decorator meets and falls in love with monster wolf gym owner. Lots of sex and explicit scenes, would have liked to see the characters make more of themselves but it’s a spicy fantasy book. ...more
Trigger warnings - given by the author on page 1 - thank you!
This is a wonderful romantic fantasy book but is explicit and contains some extreme sex sTrigger warnings - given by the author on page 1 - thank you!
This is a wonderful romantic fantasy book but is explicit and contains some extreme sex scenes.
Brie is a cheese maker, a human who’s just trying to sell her cheese, enjoy her knitting and occasionally go to the next town for some fun - oh and escape her next door neighbor’s stupid attempts to court her. She also likes hanging out with her best friend even if she just returned from slaying a goddess and married to a dragon. Is there room for romance in Brie’s life? She’s about to find out! A love potion, a werewolf, a cult and a talking piece of weaponry will all change Brie’s life - maybe for good....more