RULES & REGULATIONS is a smart, fast-paced, high-stakes adventure that draws you in and takes you for a delightful ride into the world of myth and magRULES & REGULATIONS is a smart, fast-paced, high-stakes adventure that draws you in and takes you for a delightful ride into the world of myth and magic. Alongside worrying about AP classes and his crush, Bridger falls headfirst into the chaotic world of being an Intermediary’s assistant. With an awkward mentor and pixies as his guide, he has to learn how to be that bridge between the magical and mundane world (and escape a rampaging unicorn!).
Bridger’s sharp wit, sarcasm and resourcefulness absolutely shine on every single page, and he makes for a hilarious narrator, especially during the many WTF moments (and there are many. He meets a SASQUATCH. It’s amazing.) His relationship with his best friend Astrid is wonderfully dynamic and complex as Bridger starts having to lie about his magical new job, and then things get even more complicated with a potential boyfriend, and also a potentially end of the world.
Lukens delivers at every level, from the overwhelming awkwardness of a first crush, the complex dynamics of friendship, family relationships, and handles coming out in an authentic, clever, and hilarious way. I’m going to be quoting “I’m going to go be bisexual in my room” for a long time. RULES creates a fantastic new universe that I absolutely need more of. ...more
90's kids aren't the only ones who'll appreciate this deftly crafted and fun, vivacious read. Tabitha is immediately likable and readers will identify90's kids aren't the only ones who'll appreciate this deftly crafted and fun, vivacious read. Tabitha is immediately likable and readers will identify with her struggles with her classmates and their insensitive comments and fat-shaming. Tabby's blossoming friendship with the Riot Grrrls and finding herself with new friends and cause is a delight to read, as is her learning about her own bisexuality and expressing it. The embedded zines are a lovely addition, as is the poetry and reading Tabby and her friend's riot of self-expression.
Pack also discusses Tabby's white privilege and looks at the complex layers of racism within the punk scene, and Tabby's relationship with Jackie, a fellow Riot Grrrl, is not only a sweet romance, but also a look into unlearning assumptions. Grrrls on the Side features a wonderful diverse cast of characters who are flawed and complex and call each other out on racist and misogynistic behaviors.
Tabby's relationships with male and female characters and her affirmation of her bisexuality is refreshing to see on the page, and absolutely important for readers to see. A lovely novel of coming-of-age in the 90's in the zine movement with fantastic characters. Readers looking for F/F with happy endings and punks at heart will appreciate Grrrls on the Side....more
A well crafted poly love story with heat and will tug at your heartstrings. When traditional adoption channels fail Gabe and Shahid and their friend KA well crafted poly love story with heat and will tug at your heartstrings. When traditional adoption channels fail Gabe and Shahid and their friend Kendra offers to carry a baby for them, a new relationship develops. The point of view switch between the three protagonists really worked for the story and bringing all three together. Excellent portrayal of open and honest communication with and dealt with the conflicts of external homophobia, the personal struggle with fertility and the three of them working it out together and all falling in love. ...more
Lukens deftly brings us back into the world of drifts and adventure with a fast-paced follow up to the amazing Star Host, where Ren discovered his tecLukens deftly brings us back into the world of drifts and adventure with a fast-paced follow up to the amazing Star Host, where Ren discovered his technopath powers. Like the first of the series, Ghost & Ashes is every bit as intricately detailed, packed with rich imagery of the vastness of space, the incredible vistas of planets, the beauty of found-families in crews just trying to get by and protect their own.
Reading Star Host was like opening a fantastic door into space, and the second book just takes us out for a ride without looking back. We start with Ren, adrift, literally and figuratively. While he's escaped his last prison, he's now under the scrutiny of the Phoenix Corps, and to make things worse, his relationship with Asher has drifted as well; especially as Asher is bound by his loyalties to the Corps. They travel back to Erden, Ren's home planet, in hopes of grounding him, and with Ren's fervent hope of finding his missing brother, as well, but they learn more about the corrupt truths of the Phoenix Corps and Ren finds a message from Baron Vos, who may have more to offer him.
The novel is fraught with complexity and wonderful layers; both at once an adventure and a heartwrenching chapter in Ren and Asher's romance as they navigate trust and betrayal and how to best protect one another. Lukens handles communication and miscommunication so well; and the prose is done so skillfully, whether in the middle of an epic battle, or a dash of wry humor, or sibling banter. And with Ren and Asher's relationship, with all their insecurities and the way they fall apart and come back together and still can tease one another and care for each other, and I need the last book in the series right now.
Lukens has built up the stakes; both in romance and the fate of the universe, and I cannot wait to read how it all comes together in the last novel. ...more
Absolutely delicious. Wonderful rom-com feel from the very start with incredible leading ladies, falling in love, dealing with vengeful exes, meddlingAbsolutely delicious. Wonderful rom-com feel from the very start with incredible leading ladies, falling in love, dealing with vengeful exes, meddling family members and well-intended friends, Sarita and Maritza fall in love and find happily ever after despite it all.
Reed does it so well with incredible, relatable leads in Maritza and Sarita; wonderful, amazing people whose ambitions and personal lives are difficult to navigate, but they meet in the most adorable meet-cute morning-after scenario and then start dating from there. Sarita is the head cake decorator at a fine bakery establishment and also struggling with her PHD program; academic woes ring very realistic and relatable. Martiza works in a Italian restaurant and also is a very talented ballroom dancer, with dreams of making the big time, her hopes pinging on a huge dance audition coming up. Girl meets girl, girls run into complications, and there's a mad rush for love confessions and making it all worth it. No spoilers, but if you love rom-coms and that desperate, final moment to prove yourself-- this novel is definitely for you.
I loved all the characters, the incredible support and each character is a story unto themselves, warm and inviting, the Sucre Coeur universe is incredibly welcoming and wonderful. Delightful, delightful, delightful....more
Absolutely wonderful prose, Henson completely draws us in to the lives of Ollie and Tai, two very different suffers. Best friends who navigate their fAbsolutely wonderful prose, Henson completely draws us in to the lives of Ollie and Tai, two very different suffers. Best friends who navigate their feelings for one another, they start hooking up during a surf tour with the conditions that it would only be temporary; yet it changes everything as Tai has been in love with Ollie for quite some time. Ollie's own discovery of his feelings as he gets pulled into a pro-surfer world is a heartwrenching journey.
I particularly loved the setting of the novel, especially how both Ollie and Tai were Hawaiian and wanted to be true to themselves, the island, what it meant to them. Found families is a favorite trope of mine and their wonderful close-knit family and the Blue House had me rooting for them at every step.
**spoiler alert** Inheritance is one of those rare sequels that is even better than the first. Lo picks up the story right where Adaptation leaves off**spoiler alert** Inheritance is one of those rare sequels that is even better than the first. Lo picks up the story right where Adaptation leaves off, with Reese and David attempting to bring the truth about the aliens to the world. While still reeling from Amber's lies, Reese still has feelings for her yet is starting a new and exciting relationship with David. While wavering between two love interests is a typical trope in YA, Lo does subverts this trope remarkably well, with emotional depth, great supportive parents and friends for Reese, and healthy discussion and communication between Reese, David and Amber. (view spoiler)[When Amber first brings up the idea of polyamory as a solution, I was mildly surprised and pleased about the positive way it was approached, and I did not even dare to hope that it could possibly come to fruition, but the relationship progression from couple and couple to triad was well handled and lovely to read. (hide spoiler)]
Wonderful science fiction and an incredible followup to Adaptation....more
A fast-paced thrilling scifi novel with a smart and compelling bisexual protagonist, Adaptation exceeds all expectations. When Reese and her longtime A fast-paced thrilling scifi novel with a smart and compelling bisexual protagonist, Adaptation exceeds all expectations. When Reese and her longtime crush David are involved in a deadly car accident, their lives are saved with a mysterious new technology and they get caught up in a government conspiracy. Reese then meets the mysterious Amber and sparks fly, but their budding relationship is complicated when Reese discovers the truth about her role in the aliens that have been visiting Earth for decades.