thelesbianlibrary's Reviews (357)

4.5 stars :) 

This book was intense, complex, heartwarming, and full of fantasy. The story follows Celeste Foster’s last chance at saving herself from financial ruin after being laid off from her forestry job. However, she soon learns the simple mountain hike she signed up for is anything but when she arrives at the secretive mountain town of Milton. Celeste quickly finds herself lost in a world of magic, curses, and possibly her family's buried past. Can Celeste find it within herself to bind Bloom Mountain and save the town? Or will self-doubt and fear force her to back out of the challenge? All the dark forest fantasy and more in The Binding of Bloom Mountain. 

Celeste is one of my favorite MCs in a fantasy book ever. Not only is she a great representation of an autistic lesbian, but she didn’t take herself too seriously through everything. Including fending off an ancient rogue mountain god, which made her feel so real despite the fantasy setting. Paired with the high-stakes plot in a world of lore so deep I wanted to do a Google deep dive after reading to check if any of it was true makes for a great read. The characters were fleshed out and complex, the story was unique and the writing style was easy to read but not juvenile. Not to mention a sweet sapphic subplot with a hot, witchy, bisexual barista. This book would work even if you aren’t a fantasy fan as it blends so well with the contemporary world. My only critique is the pacing, which felt a smidge slow in places.
 
All in all this forest-loving fantasy is a fall must-read. From the harrowing journey to the freaky monsters, you will not want to put this down. Not to mention you will immediately want to book a ticket to Milton to visit Witch Peak Brews. If you like magical small-town mysteries and sapphic love stories, you are in the right place. Happy reading! 

CW: Alcoholism, animal abuse (discussed), animal death (discussed), anxiety, blood, death (discussed), cancer (SC), demons, depression, emesis, violence. 

Thanks so much to Vesper Doom for sending me a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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This book was fun, catty, and surprisingly heartwarming. The story follows Rani and Meghna, who are former best friends turned bitter rivals. However, when they find out they are both being cheated on by the same slimey boy, Zak, they relucatancly agree to work together to bring him down. However, as they plot to embarrass Zak and win the science competition they begin to realize what’s burning between them might not be a rivalry, and it might even be more than friendship. Will Rani and Meghna realize their strength together before time runs out, or will Zak’s lying and golden boy charm prove to be too much for this twosome to expose? All the scheming revenge and more in, Rani Choudry Must Die.

Adiba Jaigirdar is one of my favorite authors of all time and so when I saw this I knew I was going to love it. And although it didn’t turn out to be my favorite I am obviously still a big fan. The characters were the best part of this book, I absolutely adored Rani and empathized with Meghna. Meghna is a complex MC, which is even more impressive given this is a YA book. The plot was fun and whimsical but I had a hard time taking it seriously at parts, which took away from the overall experience. However, the revenge aspect was such a good time and I really wanted Zak to get what he deserved. Not to mention showcasing girls in STEM, which gave complexity to the stories as their Bangladeshi identities intersected with everything else. I think a lot of different people will be able to see parts of themselves represented in the characters because of that.

All in all this science-packed revenge story is a fun read. From the enemies to lovers subplot to the app coding frenzy you will not want to put it down, Not to mention wanting to download the app immediately to test it out. If you like revenge stories and light hearted rivalry then you are in the right place. Happy reading!

Thanks so much to Feiwel & Friends for sending me an eARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.