book review | This Rough Magic by Josh Lanyon | mystery

Author: Josh Lanyon
Title: This Rough Magic
Series: A Shot in the Dark 1
Genre: Detective mystery; LGBT Literature
Pages: 173
Rate: 4/5 | Goodreads

When I’m too lazy to make myself a TBR, I allow algorithms pick me a book. This time it was “This Rough Magic” by Josh Lanyon. And since I’ve never heard of it, and knew nothing about it, it came as a surprise.

About the Book: During a party in Sheridan house, someone stole a priceless Shakespeare folio. Their father puts up an ultimatum of three days: return it or police will get involved. But Brett, worried, and rightly so, that his sister might be involved in the theft, hires a private detective. Who turns out to be so good, he finds not just the folio, but all of the hidden and buried secrets too…

My Opinion: It’s one of those nice classic noir detectives filled with cigar smoke, and scent of martini, with sunny sounds of tennis being played outside permeating a scene or two. I like these, but rarely do I find good ones. And this one’s an LGBT one too, adding a great bonus which makes me curious about the next one in the series.

A good, easy to read book. I can give it a firm 4 out of 5.

book review | Naturally Tan by Tan France

Author: Tan France
Title: Naturally Tan
Series: –
Genre: Biography; LGBT+ Literature
Pages: 304
Rate: 4/5 | Goodreads

I was pretty much a kid when the first, old Queer Eye came out, teaching me about choosing right clothing sizes, and hair care. When new Queer Eye came out on Netflix, I got through all I could as fast I could, for it was even better than the old one. So now I’m reading host bio’s, starting with Naturally Tan by Tan France.

About the Book: Tan tells us of his life and what it was like growing up a gay brown boy from a Muslim family in Britain. It’s not easy now, so it wasn’t easy then. But he persevered, and managed to find happiness, joy, and even a wild streak, as say the one that got him on a plane to New York with his friends, his parents none the wiser. He got through many jobs until he finally landed the one in Queer Eye. How that happened, and some very fun behind the scenes of the show are all in the book too.

My Opinion: Tan is a very dear and wonderful person. The book worth the time, for at the very least you’ll learn more about style and the show that you love.

A firm 4 out of 5 from me, with hopes that there’ll be another book someday.

book review | The Marked Prince by M.A. Grant | Fantasy lit.

Author: M.A. Grant
Title: The Marked Prince
Series: The Darkest Court 2
Genre: LGBT+ Literature; Fantasy
Pages: 305
Rate: 3-5 | Goodreads

Ah well, I couldn’t wait any longer, so I’ve read the second book in The Darkest Court series by M.A. Grant, “The Marked Prince“. It wasn’t as good as the first, but it wasn’t too bad either.

About the Book: Sebastian, on the eve of War between the Courts has to return to the Summer, one he was born into, but long as not considered home. He expected hostility, possibly even imprisonment, but still risked it all, for that was the only way to help his friends, Phineas and Roark, with whose Court lies his heart. Sebastian has to find Roark’s brother and return him home, by kidnapping or even murder if that’s what it takes. But standing before the King of Summer Court he is greeted as a long lost family member, a prince… And while that gives him hope to come closer to the target, it also puts one on his back, for there already is an heir to the throne, and she is not so happy to see him.

My Opinion: The theme of the book was a lot alike Captive Prince with the, well, captive prince falling in love with the opposing kingdom’s prince. And while it wasn’t as well written as Pacat’s work, it was still not bad, so I will continue with the series.

Yeah, so this one gets a 3 out of 5 from me.

book review | Prince of Air and Darkness by M.A. Grant | LGBT+ Fantasy YA lit.

Author: M.A. Grant
Title: Prince of Air and Darkness
Series: The Darkest Court 1
Genre: LGBT+; YA Fantasy
Pages: 310
Rate: 4/5 | Goodreads

Sometimes by sheer accident I find these lovely books as “Prince of Air and Darkness” by M.A. Grant and get to wonder so how does book marketing work then? Is it all based on money? Because this book could be promoted hard as Maas’s ACOTAR series with Captive Prince characters to it. It’s not yet that level of good, but it was pretty darn nice, and is worth picking up if you like the fairy tale like stories as acotar were (I harbor no love for the author, mind you), but would like it to also be m/m romance.

About the Book: Phineas Smith is one of those rare humans with such grand magical powers that he gets to study in a School of Magick. And while that sounds great and all, it really isn’t. He’s bearing through it, hoping it’ll help his parents in the long run. But magical people, fae and alike, don’t like him all that much. Not to mention that his powers are seriously impossible to tame, so he’ll likely fail his exams. And then there’s the odd creatures who crave raw power like that and end up hunting him… But not all is bad, of course. He does have a friend of two. And his roommate, arrogant prince of Air and Darkness, Roark Lyne, happens to be there for him at the right time in the right place, whenever he really needs some ass saving. Phineas can hate him all he wants, but he has to admit… Roark doesn’t seem as bad as he plays to be.

My Opinion: While not per say anything special, the book was absolutely good enough for me to not wish to put it down. I wanted to read it cover to cover, and didn’t only because time didn’t allow for it. There’s some weak spots, like Phineas’s want to help his parents, but then, at the start of the book he doesn’t want to talk to them, and at the end of the book he doesn’t even think about letting them know he solved his own problem too. But there were some real strong points too that made all the difference. Like finding true silver lining in what seemed to be the worst possible outcome.

I give this book a strong 4 out of 5, and am looking forwards to reading the next one.

book review | Queen Takes Checkmate by Joely Sue Burkhart | Their Vampire Queen 5

Author: Joely Sue Burkhart
Title: Queen Takes Checkmate
Series: Their Vampire Queen 5
Genre: Polyamorous Romance; Vampires
Pages: 350
Rate: 3-5 | Goodreads

Hmm. It seems to me that often first three books in the series are the best ones. “Queen Takes Checkmate” by Joely Sue Burkhart not being an exception, what with the great culmination towards the battle with the god of light, Ra, and the flop that it felt to be.

About the Book: Shara absolutely cannot live in fear of Ra, the God of Light. Not fear for herself, not fear for others. And so he must die, for a Queen of Darkness cannot pray and receive peace from a God of Light. But how does one kill an immortal god whose very presence causes you physical pain?

My Opinion: The plot relied too much on sex, thus greatly weakening the actual action, sequence of events, battles, fights. Ra was not a misunderstood hero, a villain in someone’s story, no he was a mere old fashioned pig who underestimated women, because they’re that: women. And personalities of characters are falling short too, very rapidly to that. Maybe there’s finally too many of all those Bloods (“knights“).

I still hope it picks up with the next book. This one sadly only gets a 3 out of 5 from me.

book review | Queen Takes Rook by Joely Sue Burkhart | Their Vampire Queen 4

Author: Joely Sue Burkhart
Title: Queen Takes Rook
Series: Their Vampire Queen 4
Genre: Paranormal Romance; Vampire
Pages: 244
Rate: 4/5 | Goodreads

Finally I got to put my paws on fourth book in Their Vampire Queen series by Joely Sue Burkhart, called “Queen Takes Rook“. Sadly this one’s much slower than the other ones, but the lore is getting better and better.

About the Book: House Skye is infamous with the power and cruelty. And their Queen expects to take Shara Isador, the last of her House, to swear to House Skye and be her sib (sibling, sister). Shara, not caring one bit for the cruelty towards herself or anyone else, especially not her Bloods (knights) sees no other option but to fight, and if push comes to shove – destroy House Skye. But to do so she needs a strategy wrought from iron, for some of her Bloods have Skye blood in them, and thus can be used against Shara and themselves too. And yet, that’s by far not all House Skye has in store for her…

My Opinion: The lore here is truly great. I’d happily read a whole book on how god of light, Ra, is the bad guy here. Be it because he is a bad guy, or because he’s the bad guy for vampires. As the saying goes, we’re all villains in someone’s story. Then there’s whole shifting vampires thing. Some turn to beasts, animals. But others turn to mythological creatures, from unicorns to leviathan dragons. The only true but big complaint I have is the slowness of the plot. There were too many unrelated steps before we finally got to see some vampiric scheming and ass kicking in leviathan proportion.

A good, short, steamy vampire read. 4 out of 5 from me.

book review | I Wish You All The Best by Mason Deaver | lgbt+ lit.

Author: Mason Deaver
Title: I Wish You All The Best
Series: –
Genre: LGBT+ literature; Contemporary
Pages: 329
Rate: 5/5 | Goodreads

I feel like LGBT books are the best thing in Contemporary genre. Or at least, the only ones I like in that genre (still wouldn’t pass a good lgbt+ fantasy series, like Captive Prince). E.g. “I Wish You All The Best” by Mason Deaver, a wonderful and simple in a good way book of LGBT youth on the other side of kind and understanding parents.

About the Book: Ben’s life ended the same evening they found enough courage to come out to their parents: Ben’s nonbinary. Meaning they don’t fall under male or female gender categories in a world where ever colors seem to invoke associations with genders. So, as ignorant people do, Ben’s parents kicked their child out onto the street in the night. Having no place to go, they contacted their long lost sister, who ran from home with no goodbyes the first chance she found. Ben is thus forced to start a new life, full of anxiety, panic, a constant need to come out and again, and again, therapy, and too many apologies. But hey, new life is new hope too, right?

My Opinion: The book is very light and simple, which makes this topic more approachable to people who don’t yet fully grasp of how can you NOT be a set standard. And due to Mason Deaver being nonbinary too, you can be sure you’re getting information straight from the horse’s mouth, so to speak (who coined this saying and why the hell?). To add to that, it shows a different world a, sadly, more realistic world than that of “Love, Simon” whose parents accepted him instantly. But it’s not as dark as it sounds anyway, and I promise, the ending is wonderful.

5 out of 5 from me, and I wish Ben all the best too. And all of you, out there. Stay safe until you can shine, and once you can shine: blind all the haters with your light.

book review | The Enchanter’s Soul by Michele Notaro | The Ellwood Chronicles 2

Author: Michele Notaro
Title: The Enchanter’s Soul
Series: The Ellwood Chronicles
Genre: LGBT Literature; Paranormal Romance
Pages: 304
Rate: 3/5 | Goodreads

Eh, okay. I’ve read “The Enchanter’s Soul” by Michele Notaro, and I don’t think I’ll read the third one. It’s a bit too shallow for my liking, with those annoying “I won’t listen to you” tropes that ruin any good romance.

About the Book: Supernaturals are fleeing into human territory, away from horrors and slaughter being committed on their lands that leave entire clans in shambles. One or two such instances would be understandable. But Sebastian and Ailin barely have time to catch their breaths between these events. That paired with Sebastian’s newly found Enchanter’s powers is worrying Ailin to no end. What if the wrong people find out? What if wrong people already know?

My Opinion: It’s a short and shallow story, safely and predictably written. Romance got ruined by lovers quarrel that could be resolved if one of them would stop acting like a baby, refusing to listen. If your trust can be crushed that easily, you’ve not had any trust to begin with.

It’s not a bad book per say, and could serve someone as a comfort read during the cold autumn evenings. Not my cup of tea though, 3 out of 5.

book review | The Enchanter’s Flame by Michele Notaro | The Ellwood Chronicles 1

Author: Michele Notaro
Title: The Enchanter’s Flame
Series: The Ellwood Chronicles 1
Genre: Paranormal Romance; LGBT Literature
Pages: 245
Rate: 3/5 | Goodreads

Alright, so maybe I’m cheating a little bit, since The Enchanter’s Flame by Michele Notaro is a paranormal romance, and not really horror. But after Laura Palmer I was more than a little afraid to get another assault-y book in diversity horror. Yet if you got anything to recommend, where horror wouldn’t come from human monsters, please do.

About the Book: Brinnswick is shaken by horrifying ritualistic murders. Victims are left bloodless, mutilated, with strange markings on their bodies. Just the way Sebastian’s partner and lover has died. So when his chief pairs him with strange and a little annoying Ailin Ellwood, Sebastian is determined to suffer through what comes to get to the bottom of this. Luckily, Ailin, as strange as he is, turns out to be plenty useful. Soon they find that there were way more murders like this than they were led to believe. Someone’s covering up that psychopath.

My Opinion: The book is well written, but not very interesting in itself. I mean, from the top of your head, how many books you can name me that have: an orphan hero, abandoned as a baby, with strange marking on their body, who then turn out to be the last/powerful something, fairy, alien, princess, sorcerer? Yeah. This is one of those.

I won’t complain, it wasn’t bad, and I’ll read the next book too, since I have it. This one gets a 3 out of 5 though.

book review | The Vampire’s Club by X. Aratare | The Vampire’s Club 3

Author: X. Aratare
Title: The Vampire’s Club
Series: The Vampire’s Club 3
Genre: LGBT Literature; Paranormal Romance
Pages: 16
Rate: 3/5 | Goodread

Alright. I’ve read the third book, or third chapter, or third installment in The Vampire’s Club by X. Aratare. They’re neither good, nor bad. Someone recommend me vampire books? Extra points for diverse stuff.

About the Book: Vampires want witch magic. Witches want vampire immortality. Neither can have it, but both try their damnedest, which hadn’t improved the relationship between the two groups at all. And yet, it seems, they’ve finally found something. A chance in a form of blood. Konstantin’s sire’s blood. The most gruesome legendary vampire that still walks this earth.

My Opinion: From the description given of Konstantin’s Sire, I thought it’ll be Dracula. But it seems author leaned more towards the Devil, not the Dragon. It was still an interesting development of events, so there’s that plus. I don’t know, I think maybe if you’ve read it as one book it would be easier.

For the time being, I don’t mind it as a light read, so a 3 out of 5 from me.