After reading (and being delighted by) ARABIAN LOVE POEMS, I was very excited to read REPUBLIC OF LOVE and I was not disappointed. Kabbani's poems are an honest delight, at once addressed to a specific reader and a universal audience. I'm so, so happy to have discovered this poet. It's a high honor just to read his work in English, knowing how divided he was about having his works translated.

Unlike with ARABIAN LOVE POEMS, this book featured longer poetic works, and the selections themselves seem more fiery and bombast. There were several that had a more political tone about Arab society, and Kabbani took on the female voice to stinging , sure effect. The translators did a very earnest job, even going so far as printing Kabbani's own thoughts on translating at the end of the book. The original poems in Arabic are present too, and it was obvious all parties did their best to convey the author's original poetic meaning. Overall, I loved it and definitely recommend it to any and all!

This is the second book I read for my MFA's essay on writing craft with the aim to see how horses fare in literature and I must say I am...filled with mild regret.

Now, Lawrence is obviously a master storyteller. I can't imagine a better capturing of the feelings post WWI, the contrast of loss and too much-ness; the overweighing depression amongst splendor; the turning to nature to fill the void of industrialism. His prose is jaw-dropping. I wouldn't be surprised if Lawrence walked around with the cosmos in his eyes. So, I'm saying, for the record, that D.H. Lawrence deserves his place amongst classic writers, and his level of natural wordcraft was last seen around Thoreau and Blake.

THAT BEING SAID, I swear to God, St. Mawr is one breathy voice actor away from being furry erotica, and it made me distinctly uncomfortable. What also would have been awesome is put Louise on anti-depressants, geez, guuuuurrrrrllll, you messed uP.

I've followed Kat Veldt on Twitter for awhile now, so when they announced that their story "It Works" was appearing in Nope: Horror Quarterly I snatched a copy up. After a thrilling forward by Joe Butler, I skipped to their story. And a good thing I did because it turns out I'm a total baby about body horror!

"It Works" is a short story, so I can't say much without spoiling. College student Jimena has entered herself in a mysterious ritual that has her flesh peeling off her bones. Everyone is nonchalant or supportive about this, including her friend Parvin. What.

Vedt's story is vivid and spine-tingling. I read it while exercising, and believe me, I was running faster by the end, in a useless bid to escape the goosebumps. On the same token, "It Works" is a tale of friendship. The care Parvin shows and the twist at the end are heartwarming. Which may seem bizarre for a story that had me mentally screaming, "NOPE NOPE NOPE NOPE," but it's true. The effortless balance in Vedt's work is amazing and earns all 5 stars.

I did read other stories, but I quickly squicked out. I am baby. The quality of the other stories are equally hair-raising, hitting all those delightful fear centers and nerve-endings that tell you murder is imminent. Nope: Horror Quarterly is a treat for body horror fans everywhere.

DNF at page 70. I was expecting some racism, but WOW the author really went the extra mile.

The author gave me an Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for a review. Thank you, Amara Lynn, for your generosity and letting me get a sneak peek of this very creepy story!

Kaiden has dated men, women, and those who identify as neither, and none of have stuck around. He's "too intense" and "like sticking your head into a fire." And that's why the fiery, death glare of his classmate Avari catches his attention, and the fire-balling flinging supervillain Raven is his idol. Without really intending to or thinking about what's drawing him in, Kaiden takes to following Avari and Raven, only to find out a huge secret that will change his world forever. Worse, Avari seems to be losing his edge after meeting a certain smiling lab partner.

Lynn put trigger warnings before the story, and I was very glad because woof, what a ride. As someone who read Masks, I'm already familiar with Avari's grumpy anarch tendencies. He is a villain, after all. Kaiden is a villain too, but in a very different, more sinister way. He's the guy no one expects. It was startling how easy it was to relate to him--who hasn't gazed longingly at a romantic crush--and yet he keeps going, quietly crossing boundaries and discovering secrets that Avari wants no one to know. It made the hair on the back of my neck raise up. Lynn did a top-notch job building the character and having him dance on the line of sympathetic and unsympathetic.

All and all, a very nice short story for fans of the Masks universe. Pick up your copy of Burn and Brandish today!