At first I didn't know how I would feel with this book, going in I knew it was a super hyped-up book on booksta, booktwt, and booktok. It's fair to say it does live up to the hype on this one.

Evelyn Hugo is a famous actress known for her sexuality and gaining everything she wanted, but what did she lose to get it in the end is the question. Evelyn in the book never hides that she made mistakes and owns up to them. She's not perfect in any sense of the word and she doesn't want to be seen as perfect either. She just wants the truth of herself to be told, the truth she hid from the world all her life.

Evelyn's difficulties in life can be somewhat relatable outside of the stardom. The book focuses on the seven husbands and her one great love in life. With that she deals with biphobia in a time that wasn't safe for the lgbtq+ community to be seen, so she was never seen as her true self throughout her life until she contacted Monique. Although, I didn't care for Celia in some instances because of the biphobia she thrusts on Evelyn to hurt her, I can respect that Evelyn would be in love with her regardless. Many things are seen in as black or white, and rarely in the grey area. This book is a work of fiction and I know this but it was a great story regardless, especially to see that life and love is sometimes messy in a story like this. I also love how Evelyn helps Monique come into her own as well and the ending did put me through a mini loop.

I definitely recommend this for people who want an imperfect lgbtq+ representation, historical fiction set in Hollywood and the times of big studios in the 50s, a bisexual main character, and an editor style of writing with gossip clips in between.

CW: biphobia, domestic abuse, alcohol abuse, death, cancer, suicide, and divorce

I have such a love for retellings and mythology in general. Although, I haven't read Ramayana to compare it to, I can say for a story I did not know, this book has led me to want to read the classic in the future!

"I was born on the full moon under an auspicious constellation, the holiest of positions - much good it did me." This book was so beautifully written and has so many quotable parts to it. Kaikeyi is the only daughter of seven kids and raised in Kekeya. She was raised on stories of the gods, but her prayers go unanswered. She's determined to make the world a better place for women and future generations.

I really enjoyed the fact that there was court politics that Kaikeyi and the sister-wifes were involved in and seeing what came into fruition throughout the story and at the end. Kaikeyi definitely has her faults, but what she chooses to do with her powers she feels is better for all the people despite the major outcomes that occur. I loved the magic aspect and the different gods in this book. I loved the fact that Kaikeyi can be seen as asexual as well, where she loves Dasharath deeply even if she doesn't desire him like other women desire men. Also, their relationship was one for the books from the beginning, he absolutely revered Kaikeyi, often seeking her council in major decisions and including her in wars, and creating a spot on his council for the kingdom. Let alone the work she did with the Kauslaya and Sumitra.

Overall, I really loved this book from start to finish!! I would highly recommend this to others looking for mythology/classic retellings with a strong, independent woman, court intrigue, romance and relationships between characters, gods, godstouched, and god forsaken destinies.

Disclaimer: I received Kaikeyi as an ARC and I'm voluntarily leaving this review.

God I love Manga Classics!! Especially when I get to see some of my favorite classics in a manga art style and format <3

The Stories of Edgar Allan Poe includes The Tell-Tale Heart, The Cask of Amontillado, The Raven, The Masque of the Red Death, and The Fall of the House of Usher.

If you love Edgar Allan Poe's works to begin with, you should definitely try this one out if you like manga/anime! It stays true to the gothic format even in the artstyle!! It's been a while since I've read these stories but Poe is one of my favorite authors and I often read his over again every few years so this was a great arc to recieve!!

However, if you're new to Poe and his works; he's known for his gothic and macabre writing style with elements of gruesome horror, phantasma, and psychological horror.

Either way I highly recommend this if you're into gothic, macabre stories in manga format!

Disclaimer: I received Manga Classics: The Stories of Edgar Allan Poe as an ARC, and I'm voluntarily leaving this review.

This is such a well loved book by many and an intimidating read for those that haven't read it. With my edition, the book was 804 pages of story, not including the glossary and houses at the end.

In the Priory of the Orange Tree, you follow Ead, Loth, Roos, and Tane as the time for the Nameless One to reemerge is rapidly approaching. All the characters have different backgrounds, which makes learning the lore and politics of Priory interesting from each perspective. There are also different religions and beliefs in play that make the east, west, north, and south difficult to work together. There's ancient magic and many kinds of dragons, both good and bad.

I loved all the characters by the end and really tried to enjoy the story, but the beginning of the story sort of dragged on and the ending just wasn't satisfying for a 804+ page book. I understand fully that it can be interpreted as an open-ender to where you can possibly return with a new book or not. Personally, I would have enjoyed an epilogue in this situation but it is what it is.

Do I think people should read this? Absolutely! Just because I didn't enjoy some parts, this is a well written epic/high fantasy with lgbtq rep and powerful women, queendoms, dragons, magic, political intrigue, lore, and religion.

*3.5 Star*

I listened to the audiobook version of this memoir. Carmen Maria Machado details the beginning, during, and ending of her abusive relationship with her ex-girlfriend. She details the trauma she experienced and how she felt before and after the relationship. The memoir describes the once great relationship and how it devolved to multiple forms of abuse. Domestic abuse in the lgbtq+ community is often not talked about and I appreciate this work for what it is.

covers chapters 170-175

Finally, Hak, Yona, and the dragons are reunited somewhat omggggg such a good volume!!

I'm sitting here trying to come up with words for how I feel about Jade Legacy and the Greenbone Saga as a whole in one swoop.

So, I guess let's start off with the basics. Jade Legacy spans about 25+ years of the characters' lives you've come to know over the first two books. Introducing the new generation and showing them come into their own. This book relies heavily on politics and not as much as action as the first book, but if you're into politics while following the actions and consequences of the characters then this book is for you. I'd definitely say this book is 90% politics and characters and 10% action, a lot different than the first book.

I commend Lee for spanning a multi-generational family, weaving in lore and history of Kekon during interludes, the characters' development, and the fact that every character in this series is truly morally-grey through out the whole thing. Lee discusses so many topics, that its hard to put into words everything she wrote about relating to foreign relations, proxy wars, militaries, politics, let alone the personal matters of the characters' like living up to the old generation, doing things for the betterment of others, creating families, losing loved ones, finding yourself, staying with tradition or breaking from it. Just so much can be spoken about this series and I think that's why the Greenbone Saga will be a hard one to forget for anyone that has read it.

With out a shadow of doubt, I would recommend this series. If you have not experienced it yet, please do.

This is my first time reading anything by Tara Sim and let me tell you, it did not disappoint!!

The City of Dusk follows four main houses, each having their own respective powers. There are conjurations occurring and nobody seems to know why when conjuring has been outlawed for many years. The houses vie over who is to become heir for King Ferdinand - who's without an heir to the throne. Those same houses try to deal with conjurations, being heirs, and their own power in this fantasy.

~I thought the beginning build up of information took a long time, especially with it taking up 20% of the book, but it paid off well for the ending. I thought I knew what was going to happen and sometimes it rang true, but then something else would pop up and flip it on its head. There is heavy amounts of detail according to each house and power, so if you're not one to like that sort of writing or fantasy then - be warned.

~My god I was on the edge of my seat the last half of the book. Things kept coming and never stopped coming. Once I thought I had something figured out, it turned into something completely else. The fight scenes oh my god. I wish I could see it animated or on television cause oh my god. It gets pretty gruesome in this book and I loved it!!

I'd definitely recommend this if you like:
~ political intrigue
~ plot twists
~ heavy detail oriented writing
~ wrathful women and cinnamon roll men
~ lgbtq+ representation and south asian representation
~ multi pov
~ powers of the gods granted to mortals
~ grim/gruesome scenes with elements of body horror
~ defying roles

I'll be waiting for the next one, it will be most anticipated cause I need to know what's going to happen after that ending man.

Disclaimer: I received The City of Dusk as an ARC through NetGalley and I'm voluntarily leaving this review.

~I’m sorry to anybody who follows me on any of my social media because this will be my latest obsession. I’ve been putting off Jade City for far to long now, even though I thought I would enjoy it. Now that I’ve finished, I can say my gut feeling was right. Jade City ripped me apart from start to finish and I can’t wait to continue the series lol
~First off, the setting and Godfather-esque atmosphere reeled me in to begin with. I’ve always been fascinated with era of organized crime and Jade City delivered that with magic involved. I love the hierarchy and roles that each of the characters play in this story. The characters themselves are loveable and relatable. You have a younger generation trying to live up to their predecessors and it’s not as easy as it seems – dealing with the politics, wealth, and power that Jade can offer.
~Second off, the absolute hurt I went through in this book alone – Jade City deserves five stars. I’m not even going to spoil it, please go read this and you will understand.

I’d recommend this to somebody who enjoys:
-The Godfather
-action scenes in books
-political intrigue
-organized crime with magic involved
-pain
-loveable characters
-strong women
-books that are Asian influenced
-urban fantasies