obscurepages's reviews
408 reviews

If you saw me shedding a tear by the end of this book, NO YOU DID NOT 😂

I looooveeee the simplicity and profoundness of this book. Yes, it's cute and it's written in a diary/journal format and the MC is a silly, naive little girl. But so much of the story speaks of childhood, girlhood, gender stereotypes, and navigating one's sexuality. Tuva is a young girl who is almost a teenager, and here comes all the "teenage" things and "maturity", and now she (and the reader) starts seeing how young girls are expected to do all of this grownup stuff and fall into harmful and confusing gender stereotypes. Apart from that, there's also the matter of her "falling in love". Young love is so sweet and innocent, but young queer love is also a little bit different and scary, and we see it when Tuva starts to contemplate what it means to be in love and what will happen if she is in fact a lesbian.

Above all, I just also love the friendship and the supportive dad elements in this story. Friends are so special, even when you fight and make up. And seeing a supportive dad in Tuva's dad? I love that 😭

Also yes I really like the diary format illustrations and storytelling! Though sometimes it can be confusing where to read first.

Exact rating: 4.75 ⭐️ (Might post a detailed review on the blog!)

Can you believe I've been reading this for 7 months?! 😭😂 This started out as a Libby loan for me, and now I have a physical copy! And I've finally finished it!!

This book was so good 😭 I love watching horror, reading horror stories. I think as a genre, horror is so flexible and versatile and transcendent. 

This anthology does an amazing job of showing just how versatile and profound horror movies can be, especially when viewed in a queer lens. Reading this, I think I gained a better understanding of how horror functions and what it can serve to the viewers. I learned about gender and sexuality from personal accounts and stories from the authors. I also learned how gender, sexuality, race, religion, and geographic locations can intersect and how that unique experience can be shown in a genre like horror. And as a queer person, reading this book also gave me more insights about the relationship that the queer community has with horror—why we relate to it, why it gives a safe place, how we can shape it to tell our stories. I loved it and it just reinforced to me how horror is such an excellent genre.

There were a few of essays that seemed dull/drawling, but there were also some that were so well-written and poignant. Some essays that stood out for me are:

I also just wish every essay came with specific content warnings. Some of these can be really triggering. It's also why I had to stop every now and then because some essays are harder to digest and process compared to others.

Still, this was an excellent read overall. I can see myself going back to specific essays and reading them all over again.

Exact rating: 4.5 ⭐️ (Might post a detailed review on the blog!)

Find me elsewhere: <a href="http://www.instagram.com/obscure.pages/">Instagram</a> | <a href="http://www.twitter.com/lxndrnae">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://enthralledbookworm.wordpress.com/">Blog</a>

Marking this book as part of my reading challenge: <a href="https://app.thestorygraph.com/reading_challenges/fcf9e7dc-39a5-49e2-9f7d-a243f5073985">#ReadQueerly2024</a>.

 "Oh wow, this was so good," I say as I wipe some wetness out of my eyes. 😂 THIS WAS SO GOOD!!!

One thing I always I appreciate about Adib Khorram's works is the blend of teenage experience and poignant themes. It was there in his three other books I read before, and this one, The Breakup Lists, is no different.

This was easy to read and follow, the writing is light and funny. And yet, through Jackson, we are offered a perspective of a gay Iranian-American teen who loves theater, who also happens to be hard of hearing, who's falling in love for the first time, who feels underappreciated, and still has some issues he needs to work on. I loved reading this story and in Jackson's POV. He's a compelling and relatable character, and you just want the best for him even if you know, as a reader, that he's not making the best decisions 😅

Jackson was hard of hearing, and it was nice to read about the experiences of the Deaf/hard of hearing community in his POV. Ableism was also touched upon, as well as mental health. Aroace identity was also featured (confirmed aroace minor character!), as well as other queer rep.

The plot is interesting, and though it may seem formulaic at times, it works and it's good. Adib Khorram still has some surprises for the reader and I love that. Much of the plot and Jackson's storyline revolved around being in theater and I just thought that was fun! I've never been a "theater gay", but I definitely had some flashbacks to certain Glee episodes while reading this 😂 I love it all the more!

I love the romance, too. This got me giggling and kicking my feet and I LOVE THAT. (I'm not going to say anymore in case I spoil something 😂)

Also, I have to say, Bowie is definitely my favorite character, I love them 😂

Overall, this was so so good. I was excited for this one, and Adid Khorram definitely did not disappoint.

Exact rating: 4.5 ⭐️ (Might post a detailed review on the blog!)

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this e-arc! This is out April 2nd! 

Okay, this was really fun! I wouldn't say it's not as good as the previous ones, because it is good. It still has the same humor and less action maybe? But compared to the previous installments, this one didn't feel like a really wild emotional roller coaster. Which is still a good thing for me, to be honest. 😂

I mean, reading Murderbot always has some sort of high-stakes plot, with the prospect of imminent death (or shutdown) for Murderbot always on the horizon. But this felt more like a regular murder mystery story, with Murderbot trying to be helpful and keep everyone safe (even though some people are still wary of its presence). Also, I love the fact that Murderbot got to interact with a lot more bots here. And that again, we see humanity in these robot constructs.

Overall, this was a fun, good murder mystery installment to the Murderbot series. I really enjoyed it

This was an impulse read since I saw how short it was and I was in a bit of a horror mood. And wow, I am so glad I picked it up 😆

This is Shane Hawk's debut Indigenous horror story collection. Some were really short, some were longer than the others. But one thing is for sure, this is a good collection of horror stories imbued with the experiences of Indigenous people. There's something unique in every story, but the Indigenous main characters are always the main focus. I love that this collection didn't really focus on the " scary"factor, but it will haunt you and disturb you as you read the stories. It also focused on the various experiences and horrors these characters see in their lives. I could also argue that some of these stories touch on psychological horror as well.

Some stories were more fleshed out than the others for me. My favorites would definitely be the last two, <i>Dead America</i> and <i>Transfigured</i>. It also helped that the author included Story Notes which helped give a background or perspective on why he chose to write these stories.

Also, another delightful surprise is the queer rep, which I didn't expect! I love that the author confirmed that the character was in fact queer (genderfluid to be exact), as the character only thought about their struggles with their gender.

Overall, this was really good! I can't wait to read more of the author's works, especially <i>Never Whistle at Night</i>! (in which he's the co-editor this time!)

CW: stillbirth, graphic violence, blood, kidnapping, murder, drug use, drug abuse, sexual content (implied), alcoholism, depression, mentions of genocide and violence on Indigenous Americans, body horror (a little bit), animal death, multiple deaths/massacre, murder, car accidents, gender dysphoria (a little bit)

Gabe Cole Novoa, you've done it again!!!

This was so, so beautiful from start to finish. And don't come for me please, but I might like this better than The Wicked Bargain? And I already loved and adored that book, so that's a clear sign of how amazing The Diablo's Curse is for me I guess 😂 Or maybe this is just me (a genderqueer person) relating to Dami (a genderfluid character) a lot... Either way, I loved this okay? 🥹😂

Full review soon, and will be posted as part of the book tour hosted by Turn the Pages Tours.

CW: miscarriage, childbirth, violence, blood, death, injuries, gore

Find me elsewhere: <a href="http://www.instagram.com/obscure.pages/">Instagram</a> | <a href="http://www.twitter.com/lxndrnae">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://enthralledbookworm.wordpress.com/">Blog</a>

Marking this book as part of my reading challenge: <a href="https://app.thestorygraph.com/reading_challenges/fcf9e7dc-39a5-49e2-9f7d-a243f5073985">#ReadQueerly2024</a>.

Excuse me but who gave Martha Wells the right to create this masterpiece?? 😭

Like the first four installments in this series, Network Effect is a delight. But unlike the first four, this one is a full-length novel instead of just a novella. Of course, I was so excited when I learned this was a full novel! More Murderbot, yay! But then, oh. I remember that Martha Wells is a genius when it comes to plots, world-building, and human relationships. I was in for a ride.

This was just so good. I don't think I can fully explain how humorous, tense, exciting, and wonderful this was. And I just love how this book (and the whole series in general) was plot-driven, and yet it did not neglect the characters, no not at all. In fact, you fall in love with the characters as you read! I love Murderbot, I love ART, and I especially love their chemistry together. Like how did these two AI/bot constructs give me a lot of feels? Made me cry and laugh and gasp all throughout the book? (view spoiler) I love their banter and their semi-emotional conversations. Of course, I love their humans, too lol.

And the plot! Somehow the author managed to expound on the corporate greed and corruption in this universe, and we see it more as the characters interact with a new planet and colonies. I also love how the plot delved into alien intelligence and life, especially with the antagonists they were facing here. Wells was able to make this more engaging and unique, and I really enjoyed that.

This, of course, was also action-packed. There might have been a few chapters that seemed idle in terms of pacing. But then I turn into a new chapter, and we're back on the rollercoaster. I thought the storytelling here was just exquisite. The way the author left clues for the readers, which also happened to be crucial for the characters in the book? That was just brilliant. Also, the perspectives?! I did not see that coming, but it was just incredible.

AND ONE LAST POINT: the way this book features robots as the main characters but still highlights the complexity and beauty of humanity and free will? Precious.

Overall, this book is a sensational installment and a great first full novel for the Murderbot series. I am so excited to dive into the next book. 🥹

Find me elsewhere: Instagram | Twitter | Blog

Marking this book as part of my reading challenge: #ReadQueerly2024. 

DNF @ 49%

It's 2024 so I'm officially dropping this 😭

Listen while this really intrigued me (especially as someone who's familiar with different kinds of fandoms and is also a kpop fan) I was just not feeling it 🥲 The unreliable MC in the real world would be branded as a "sasaeng" in kpop fandom spaces—someone who is obsessive and stalkerish, takes things too far, has no respect for the idol they claim to love, and has deeply serious issues.

I get that this book is trying to show the ugly sides of kpop fandoms and unhealthy parasocial relationships between fan and artist, and I appreciate that. And I would have loved reading something like that. But with this book's writing style/storytelling, I feel like I personally do not want to read this kind of perspective. I mean, I can barely handle interacting with this kind of fan in actual fandom spaces. I avoid them at all cost to be honest 😭😂

Anyway, I tried hard to get back to this in 2023, but I don't think I can see myself finishing this.

I truly appreciate Astra House for sending over an ARC my way.

DNF @52%

It's 2024 so I'm officially dropping this 😭

I really just wasn't feeling the MC at all, and not much has happened yet. Also I wasn't feeling the love triangle, some of the MC's feelings and thoughts towards the love interests just don't make sense to me. I've kept this book for a long time in "current reads" for a long time since last year, but I think it's time to let go.

I truly appreciate Page Street YA for sending over an ARC my way.

My first read of 2024! 🎉

Was this cheesy, chaotic, and a bit predictable? Yes. But was it also cute, relatable, and enjoyable? HELL YES 😭😂

This was so good!! I loved the various queer rep in here. Panromantic ace MC? Pansexual LI? Plus sapphics and gays as minor characters? I loved it 😭 I also loved reading Joy's experience and perspective as a disabled, fat, and queer person. I also loved how this showed having a good queer community and support system is important, especially for queer youth.

As for the story, this was light and funny, but also touched upon serious topics. I do feel like some parts were rushed, especially the end. And I kinda wish the story dove more into these serious aspects? But hey, I still had a good time and I enjoyed reading this a lot. 🥺