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This was cute, I think some of the dialogue felt a bit stilted at times but I think this came from the fact it was only a short novella. I definitely would love to read a full length FF romance from Alyssa Cole.
The Queen of Ieflaria is a young-adult sapphic fantasy with dragons. It follows Esofi who is coming to the kingdom of Ieflaria to become queen in an arranged marriage only for her betrothed to suddenly die. Her next available option is her betrothed sister Adale, the crown Princess who is known for her drinking and wild ways.
In Calvin's realm homophobia doesn't exist and the marriage of two women is entirely normal. The presence of magic also means that individuals can hold a "change" for short periods in order to help produce heirs. It's an interesting and refreshing premise.
The storyline is split in POVs between Adale and Esofi who were likeable characters. Adale was a little bit more spirited and has some character growth. However, I just found their relationship a little lackluster which disappointed me. I just didn't feel a chemistry between them (although as noted it was an arranged marriage).
The overall world-building is okay and I feel like there's real promise for the future development, however this one felt like a lot of set-up for major plot lines in the future.
Overall this was enjoyable and fairly short read which is nice for fantasy. I'll definitely continue with the series but I wasn't especially blown away by the whole book.
In Calvin's realm homophobia doesn't exist and the marriage of two women is entirely normal. The presence of magic also means that individuals can hold a "change" for short periods in order to help produce heirs. It's an interesting and refreshing premise.
The storyline is split in POVs between Adale and Esofi who were likeable characters. Adale was a little bit more spirited and has some character growth. However, I just found their relationship a little lackluster which disappointed me. I just didn't feel a chemistry between them (although as noted it was an arranged marriage).
The overall world-building is okay and I feel like there's real promise for the future development, however this one felt like a lot of set-up for major plot lines in the future.
Overall this was enjoyable and fairly short read which is nice for fantasy. I'll definitely continue with the series but I wasn't especially blown away by the whole book.
Barbarian Alien was a fun read, but I'm not sure if I'll go much further with the series.
It almost certainly falls into the entirely fluff, no real plot kind of romance except for the fact there are aliens to give you something a little different which is absolutely fine. The book continues from where Ice Planet Barbarian left off just following a different one of the women who had been abducted initially.
My major gripe was this "you are my world" vibe by the end. I get that Liz is stranded on an alien planet but I hate the idea that the only person that matters and she's only able to go on with life because of Rahoosh, it just feels a little bit unhealthy. Even for Rahoosh who is a hunter and part of the tribe to suddenly be reduced to only Liz's protector and caretaker, it just feels really reductive for what could be a decent romance.
Not to mention Rahoosh's initial kidnapping of Liz, and I didn't really like the way consent in the book was depicted which resulted in Rahoosh's confusion initially because of language barriers. So I had a few more problems with how this one worked out in the end.
Overall I liked Liz and Rahoosh who had a rather sad back-story and I felt very sorry for him. I liked the snark from Liz and the fact she was a little feisty. I especially liked her troublemaking in the den, but I'm not sure this is something I want to commit to for like 18 books or however long the series is!
It almost certainly falls into the entirely fluff, no real plot kind of romance except for the fact there are aliens to give you something a little different which is absolutely fine. The book continues from where Ice Planet Barbarian left off just following a different one of the women who had been abducted initially.
My major gripe was this "you are my world" vibe by the end. I get that Liz is stranded on an alien planet but I hate the idea that the only person that matters and she's only able to go on with life because of Rahoosh, it just feels a little bit unhealthy. Even for Rahoosh who is a hunter and part of the tribe to suddenly be reduced to only Liz's protector and caretaker, it just feels really reductive for what could be a decent romance.
Not to mention Rahoosh's initial kidnapping of Liz, and I didn't really like the way consent in the book was depicted which resulted in Rahoosh's confusion initially because of language barriers. So I had a few more problems with how this one worked out in the end.
Overall I liked Liz and Rahoosh who had a rather sad back-story and I felt very sorry for him. I liked the snark from Liz and the fact she was a little feisty. I especially liked her troublemaking in the den, but I'm not sure this is something I want to commit to for like 18 books or however long the series is!
Decided to see what all the hype was about, this was pretty fun.
A Court of Thorn and Roses is an incredibly hyped series, so I thought I'd dive into seeing what all the trouble is about. For those that don't know, the novel centres around Feyre who in order to keep her family alive as they're on the edge of starvation, she kills a wolf. Only this is no ordinary wolf and she ends up dragged into the land of the fae and her life is in the hands of a High Fae Lord.
ACTOAR is loosely a retelling of Beauty and the Beast so the storyline is not entirely original or unexpected. The various fae elements such as fairy courts and high lords again are also pretty standard. Although there are a few differences in certain elements surrounding fae rules.
The overall pacing of the novel is pretty slow for about the first 70% before the main elements of the plot begin to unravel and any real action happens. I don't think this was necesssarily a bad thing and I enjoyed the development of character relationships and story background. However, I think if you're reading this hoping for exciting, action-packed fantasy from the beginning you'll be disappointed.
When it comes to the characters Maas has created some prettu memorable characters. The stand-outs for me were: Feyre, Tamlin, Lucien, Nesta, and Rhysland. All of these characters are prickly and complicated and they're not necessarily good characters which I think is where a lot of people have problems with this book. I'll be intrigued to see how Maas fleshes out these characters in future instalments and where she takes the plot before I have more thoughts.
Overall, I enjoyed reading the book but I'm not blown away by the book so far but I'll definitely be continuing with the series.
ACTOAR is loosely a retelling of Beauty and the Beast so the storyline is not entirely original or unexpected. The various fae elements such as fairy courts and high lords again are also pretty standard. Although there are a few differences in certain elements surrounding fae rules.
The overall pacing of the novel is pretty slow for about the first 70% before the main elements of the plot begin to unravel and any real action happens. I don't think this was necesssarily a bad thing and I enjoyed the development of character relationships and story background. However, I think if you're reading this hoping for exciting, action-packed fantasy from the beginning you'll be disappointed.
When it comes to the characters Maas has created some prettu memorable characters. The stand-outs for me were: Feyre, Tamlin, Lucien, Nesta, and Rhysland. All of these characters are prickly and complicated and they're not necessarily good characters which I think is where a lot of people have problems with this book. I'll be intrigued to see how Maas fleshes out these characters in future instalments and where she takes the plot before I have more thoughts.
Overall, I enjoyed reading the book but I'm not blown away by the book so far but I'll definitely be continuing with the series.
Antiemetic for Homesickness is collection of poems that draws on Romalyn Ante's Filipino roots with her experience as a nurse. Understanding that Romalyn was born and raised in the Philippines before her mother brought her to the UK who was also a nurse provides an important context and background to this poetry collection.
Through her poetry Ante explores the complexities of identity, assimilation, colonialism, heritage and family. She draws on Filipino folklore and medical terms to speak about leaving behind home, to talk about mothers leaving their children behind. She looks at Brexit and the Filipino work force in the NHS.
The collection is clever and heartwarming and whilst I had to look up a few of the medical terms, Ante provides many notes to her poems for context and a glossary for some of the words and terminologies used to help provide further understanding to the poetry.
I borrowed an ecopy from the library, but I wish I'd had a physical copy of this book to sit with. There's something about reading poetry on paper that provides a different experience.
Overall though an enjoyable and poignant debut collection.
Through her poetry Ante explores the complexities of identity, assimilation, colonialism, heritage and family. She draws on Filipino folklore and medical terms to speak about leaving behind home, to talk about mothers leaving their children behind. She looks at Brexit and the Filipino work force in the NHS.
The collection is clever and heartwarming and whilst I had to look up a few of the medical terms, Ante provides many notes to her poems for context and a glossary for some of the words and terminologies used to help provide further understanding to the poetry.
I borrowed an ecopy from the library, but I wish I'd had a physical copy of this book to sit with. There's something about reading poetry on paper that provides a different experience.
Overall though an enjoyable and poignant debut collection.