queer-reading-journal

[queer-reading-journal]

The Terraformers by Annalee Newitz

A very weird and absurdist take on a future where humanity - and other species from Earth - have spread across the galaxy. I liked the geology and anthropology and politics that played into this, but I'm really not sure how I felt about the book as a whole.

It felt like a less horrific version of Jeff VanderMeer's Ambergris, which isn't necessarily bad, but it just felt less impactful and I wasn't able to take some of it seriously. It reminded me of A Half-Built Garden by Ruthanna Emrys, another book that I had strong non-feelings about.

Queer-norm world with all kinds of gender expression and relationships.

[queer-reading-journal]

Phantom and Rook by Aelina Isaacs

This book did, in fact, make me cry. It was a good cry though. Immortals and love and found family and belonging!!!! Loved the world building here. Rich and detailed but I never felt lost!

Also, I got the special addition from Rainbow Crate After Dark and it's GORGEOUS! 5/5

[queer-reading-journal]

Tales of Lilleforth by Sarah Honey

A very cute duology involving two different couples! Cozy vibes and very sweet romances. The first one is very explicitly kinky and I would say the second one is a bit more fluffy. Overall fast reads! 3.5/5

[queer-reading-journal]

The Radiance Series by Tavia Lark

Such a fun fantasy romance series!!! Three books in the same universe, each with a different MM pairing. There's plot lines and characters who are present in all three books.

I love the magic system in this series and the pantheon of gods. The first book wasn't super my jam, but I think that might have been all the necromancy, but I still loved it. The second and third books made me absolutely FERAL!! I absolutely LOVED them.

[queer-reading-journal]

Blue Ice Ranch Series by V.L. Locey

A trilogy of gay cowboy romances taking place on the same ranch, revolving around the same plot line. Overall very enjoyable characters, some well done rep for Indigenous people, and witty writing!

Content warnings under the cut!

Dawn's Desire

On Goodreads

Grumpy ranch foreman, Nate, meets sunny paleontologist, Bishop, who he is immediately drawn to despite their very different personalities. Lots of wonderful hurt/comfort between these two as Nate has a sad past. There's quite the age difference here (Nate is in his 40s and Bishop in his 20s), but it didn't bother me much.

3.5/5

Twilight's Touch

On Goodreads

Young ranch hand, Perry, has to navigate his feelings for newcomer and trouble maker, Will, who needs the job on the ranch to stay out of jail. There's some forced proximity in this one which is fun! These two are much younger, 20 and 22. I found this one a little less compelling than the other two, but still fun!

3/5

Dusk's Devotion

On Goodreads

Will's older brother, Kyle, is snowed in with Shepard, one of Blue Ice Ranch's neighbors, who Kyle hates. He finds Shepard beaten and bloody on the front porch of his cabin and can do nothing but help him. A very fun enemies-to-rivals you suck but you're hot while you do it type deal. Very much enjoyed them together!

3.5/5

Content Warnings!

Overall series: instances of homophobia, mentions of rape, racism (specifically against indigenous people), use of slurs

Dawn's Desire: past child death

Dusk's Devotion: severe homophobia (character gets beat half to death due to sexuality), gun violence (including a death, a character gets shot in the head)

[queer-reading-journal]

The Royal Curse by Eliot Grayson

On Goodreads

MM Fantasy Romance with a lot of smut! Nikola is a mage that is cursed with a kind of magic that he has to suppress through a potion or experience agony every two days. Or he could keep his magic and suppress the pain through other, sexier means... Basically Fuck or Die but it's romantic!

I thought it was pretty cute and that the characters were likable. The smut was pretty good as well. The main thing that grated on me was how often Nikola misunderstood the actions of the love interest, Andreas. I'm a sucker for a good, angsty miscommunication trope, but at some point it just reads as though the characters are willfully misinterpreting each other and just assuming the worst.

Otherwise an enjoyable read! 3.5/5

Spoilery Content Warning under the cut

Could be read as dubious consent due to the whole Fuck or Die thing, but both characters are willing and want it.

There's an attempted sexual assault later in the book, but it's not between the main characters.

The book also includes: kidnapping, depictions of violence, and a semi-graphic description of an infected wound

[queer-reading-journal]

my goodreads

shelf for queer books

shelf for books with trans rep

shelf for gay romances