The Red Scholar’s Wake Author: Aliette de Bodard Reviewer: B. Rating: B- What I’m Talking About: While I’ve always enjoyed science fiction as an element in many of the stories I’ve read, I don’t have a large collection of titles within the genre as a whole. However, the chatter surrounding The Red Scholar’s Wake (“Sapphic […]
Paris Daillencourt Is About to Crumble Author: Alexis Hall Reviewer: B. Rating: B What I’m Talking About: As a necessary preface to this review, I strongly suggest readers look at the entirety of the author’s Content Warnings (which can be found HERE) before reading this story. “He was really here. He was really doing this. […]
Harlem Sunset Author: Nekesa Afia Reviewer: B. Rating: B- What I’m Talking About: Louise Lloyd killed a man. Though that man murdered several young black women, including her own younger sister, she still feels guilty. Now, almost a year later, she and her loved ones are being terrorized buy a threat that seems far too […]
A Lady for a Duke Author: Alexis Hall Reviewer: B. Rating: A- What I’m Talking About: Though it was the war that tore them apart, Viola Caroll and Justin de Vere, the Duke of Gracewood, have been fighting for their lives since long before Waterloo. Born into a body and societal expectations that were destroying […]
Unbroken Author: Alli Temple Reviewer: B. Rating: B+ What I’m Talking About: For years, the infamous Captain Cinder has known exactly who she is. Rejected daughter Mercenary for hire. Terror of the Seas. Respected by her crew. Nothing on the horizon save her next destination. She even got to defeat the bad guy and win […]
Crowbones Author: Anne Bishop Reviewer: B. Rating: A- What I’m Talking About: I couldn’t help being somewhat uncertain about Crowbones after having some minor issues with Lake Silence, the first of the series dealing with the residents of Sproing. However, this story ended up dispelling every one of those doubts and I enjoyed reading it […]
Delilah Green Doesn’t Care Author: Ashley Herring Blake Reviewer: B. Rating: A What I’m Talking About: Guilted into returning to her hometown of Bright Falls to photograph her step-sister’s wedding, Delilah Green’s only hope of surviving the ordeal is to focus on the desperately-needed paycheck she’s going to receive for her efforts. And maybe wreak […]
I’m So (Not) Over You Author: Kosoko Jackson Reviewer: B. Rating: B- What I’m Talking About: Having recently earned his degree in journalism and sociology, Kian Andrews is ready to conquer the world. Except for the lack of job prospects. And the massive amount of college loan debt. And the broken heart he’s still trying […]
True Dead Author: Faith Hunter Reviewer: B. Rating: B+ What I’m Talking About: Jane Yellowrock has held a number of titles over the last few years: Skinwalker, “fanghead” killer, enemy, Enforcer, friend, sister, lover, and…Dark Queen of the Mithrans? And doesn’t that just suck. Too bad she hasn’t got a choice in the matter. Now […]
Dead Dead Girls Author: Nekesa Afia Reviewer: B. Rating: B+ What I’m Talking About: “She had been a showgirl, a waitress, a lover, a dancer…And now she was a detective too.” And this is the clearest introduction I can offer for the excellent Louise Lloyd, main character of Dead Dead Girls, the debut novel by […]
Audiobook review: Unwritten by J.R. Gray I began my familiarity with the Unscripted series with Unwritten as a standalone ebook last year, so getting back around to it as an audiobook was an odd, but gratifying experience. Once the audiobooks were released, I was fortunate enough to start from the beginning with Unscripted and Rewritten (Unscripted #1 […]
Rosaline Palmer Takes The Cake Author: Alexis Hall Reviewer: B. Rating: A What I’m Talking About: Rosaline Palmer Takes the Cake has been among my most anticipated reads of the entire year, and I won’t pretend I’m not thrilled that it is as delightful as I’d hoped it would be. I laughed and cringed (in […]
Uncharted Author: Alli Temple Reviewer: B. Rating: B What I’m Talking About: Having been fascinated by tales of women pirates for years (after reading an article about Cheng I Sao), I was very excited to read Uncharted by new-to-me author Alli Temple. Told through the experiences of Lady Georgina (aka “George”), the story begins with a […]
Audiobook review: Boyfriend Project by Alexis Hall I first read Boyfriend Material earlier in the year, amid widespread anger and only moderately successful lockdowns in all the fear and uncertainty of summer. With its irresistible mix of cynicism, humor, awkwardness, and romance, it was a delightfully welcome reprieve when it was most needed—a bright spot in […]
Unwritten Author: J.R. Gray insert author’s website Reviewer: B. Rating: B What I’m Talking About: Gorgeous, young, talented, and always in demand, Tobias West has it all. Or, so it seems to the outside world. Though he found his way into acting through largely serendipitous events, and despite the resolve and dedication he has to […]