#Venom and Vow

[noahhawthorneauthor]

I'm a day late for International Nonbinary People Day, but here are some nonbinary menaces.

[queer-book-character-tournament]

Characters, book, and author names under the cut

Val Palafox/Cade McKenna - Venom and Vow by Anna-Marie & Elliott McLemore

Alex Price/Eli Rodriguez - Like Real People Do by E.L. Massey

Kiem Tegnar/Jainan nav Adessari - Winter's Orbit by Everina Maxwell

Viola Carroll/Justin de Vere - A Lady for a Duke by Alexis Hall

[gay-disabled-characters-showdown]

LGBTQ+ Disabled Characters Showdown Round 1, Wave 6, Poll 14

A character being totally canon LGBTQ+ and disabled was not required to be in this competition. Please check qualifications and propaganda before asking why a character is included.

Check out the other polls in this wave and prior here.

Zhou Zishu-Word of Honor / Shan He Ling

Qualifications:

He might not count but I wanted to submit just in case. So in order to leave an assassination organization, he has to basically give himself a terminal condition that slowly destroys him over time, killing him after 3 years. So his ability/power is severely limited which is a big hindrance because he only has the strength to fight for a short while before his condition flares up. And over the course of the show he also looses some of his senses. He looses his sense of taste and smell and his ability to feel pain is significantly lost. The reason why it might not count is that they figure out how to cure him at the very end, but he spends the vast majority of the show suffering from this condition.

Propaganda:

He and his soulmate/husband are iconic. War criminal duo. They're both mass murderers who want to settle down with a nice domestic life with their adopted son. He's also got amazing gender. The show also has some interesting things to say about chronic/terminal illness

Val Palafox-Venom and Vow

Qualifications:

He is canonically bigender (uses he/she pronouns) and uses a cane due to congenital disability.

Propaganda:

Val is a bigender assassin/princess's handmaiden who's trying to defeat the guy she thinks laid a long sleeping enchantment over both their parents (among other people), so that she can reunite with her father and theoretically come out to him. So Val embarks on this harebrained scheme to outmaneuver this guy via two different identities (Val has a male persona and a female persona that he keeps separate). It's complicated but also very funny to me, given that the other guy thinks Val cast the curse, but doesn't want to hurt him out of trans solidarity. Bonus that she's perfectly good at fighting while using her cane, but has no idea how to dance with it.

Anything Else?:

This is an act of blatant defiance against your wishes for less obscure media, and I do apologize, but I have no regrets here.

Mod note: lol don’t even worry we submitted a few obscure characters ourselves.

[richincolor]

Trans YA Books for Your 2023 TBR Pile

The last time there was a big B&N sale, I knew I had to stock up on some YA books -- and as I was sifting through my frankly absurdly long to-be-read list, I realized that there were more than a few YA books centering trans and BIPOC characters. I was so excited by this, and hope there are even more books centering BIPOC trans characters in 2024. For now, here are 5 trans YA books -- available now! -- that you should bump up to the very top of your TBR:

Venom & Vow by Anna-Marie McLemore and Elliott McLemore Keep your enemy closer. Cade McKenna is a transgender prince who’s doubling for his brother. Valencia Palafox is a young dama attending the future queen of Eliana. Gael Palma is the infamous boy assassin Cade has vowed to protect. Patrick McKenna is the reluctant heir to a kingdom, and the prince Gael has vowed to destroy.

Cade doesn’t know that Gael and Valencia are the same person. Valencia doesn’t know that every time she thinks she’s fighting Patrick, she’s fighting Cade. And when Cade and Valencia blame each other for a devastating enchantment that takes both their families, neither of them realizes that they have far more dangerous enemies.

Lark & Kasim Start a Revolution by Kacen Callender From National Book Award–winner Kacen Callender, a contemporary YA that follows Lark's journey to speak the truth and discover how their own self-love can be a revolution

Lark Winters wants to be a writer, and for now that means posting on their social media accounts––anything to build their platform. When former best friend Kasim accidentally posts a thread on Lark's Twitter declaring his love for a secret, unrequited crush, Lark's tweets are suddenly the talk of the school—and beyond. To protect Kasim, Lark decides to take the fall, pretending they accidentally posted the thread in reference to another classmate. It seems like a great idea: Lark gets closer to their crush, Kasim keeps his privacy, and Lark's social media stats explode. But living a lie takes a toll—as does the judgment of thousands of Internet strangers. Lark tries their best to be perfect at all costs, but nothing seems good enough for the anonymous hordes––or for Kasim, who is growing closer to Lark, just like it used to be between them . . . In the end, Lark must embrace their right to their messy emotions and learn how to be in love.

Self-Made Boys: A Great Gatsby Remix by Anna-Marie McLemore Stonewall Honor recipient and two-time National Book Award Longlist selectee Anna-Marie McLemore weaves an intoxicating tale of glamor and heartbreak in Self-Made Boys: A Great Gatsby Remix, part of the Remixed Classics series.

New York City, 1922. Nicolás Caraveo, a 17-year-old transgender boy from Minnesota, has no interest in the city’s glamor. Going to New York is all about establishing himself as a young professional, which could set up his future—and his life as a man—and benefit his family.

Nick rents a small house in West Egg from his 18-year-old cousin, Daisy Fabrega, who lives in fashionable East Egg near her wealthy fiancé, Tom—and Nick is shocked to find that his cousin now goes by Daisy Fay, has erased all signs of her Latina heritage, and now passes seamlessly as white. Nick’s neighbor in West Egg is a mysterious young man named Jay Gatsby, whose castle-like mansion is the stage for parties so extravagant that they both dazzle and terrify Nick. At one of these parties, Nick learns that the spectacle is all for the benefit of impressing a girl from Jay’s past—Daisy. And he learns something else: Jay is also transgender.

As Nick is pulled deeper into the glittery culture of decadence, he spends more time with Jay, aiming to help his new friend reconnect with his lost love. But Nick's feelings grow more complicated when he finds himself falling hard for Jay's openness, idealism, and unfounded faith in the American Dream.

The Wicked Bargain by Gabe Cole Novoa El Diablo is in the details in this Latinx pirate fantasy starring a transmasculine nonbinary teen with a mission of revenge, redemption, and revolution.

On Mar León-de la Rosa's 16th birthday, el Diablo comes calling. Mar is a transmasculine nonbinary teen pirate hiding a magical ability to manipulate fire and ice. But their magic isn't enough to reverse a wicked bargain made by their father and now el Diablo has come to collect his payment: the soul of Mar's father and the entire crew of their ship.

When Mar is miraculously rescued by the sole remaining pirate crew in the Caribbean, el Diablo returns to give them a choice: give up your soul to save your father by the Harvest Moon or never see him again. The task is impossible--Mar refuses to make a bargain and there's no way their magic is any match for el Diablo. Then, Mar finds the most unlikely allies: Bas, an infuriatingly arrogant and handsome pirate -- and the captain's son; and Dami, a genderfluid demonio whose motives are never quite clear. For the first time in their life, Mar may have the courage to use their magic. It could be their only redemption -- or it could mean certain death.

Transmogrify!: 14 Fantastical Tales of Trans Magic edited by g. haron davis Transness is as varied and colorful as magic can be. In Transmogrify!, you’ll embark on fourteen different adventures alongside unforgettable characters who embody many different genders and expressions and experiences—because magic is for everyone, and that is cause for celebration.

Featuring stories from: AR Capetta and Cory McCarthy g. haron davis Mason Deaver Jonathan Lenore Kastin Emery Lee Saundra Mitchell Cam Montgomery Ash Nouveau Sonora Reyes Renee Reynolds Dove Salvatierra Ayida Shonibar Francesca Tacchi Nik Traxler

[morggo]

Here's a better #ArtistWrapped2022 #ArtVsArtist2022 along with some few huge accomplishments from this year. I didn’t think I’d ever see my art in a book store, but here I am.

The Stranger Interview

Venom & Vow

Your Body Is Not Your Body

Thank you everyone for a great year! Here’s to 2023.

[contracat25]

May Booooks! Another absurd month in which there are way too many good books coming out! I'm really excited for a lot of these though Dragonfall and The Scandalous Letters of V and J might be the ones I'm most excited about. I've read a bit of V and J and it is such a good use of the formate and I'm always here for a well done queer historical fiction. I've heard amazing things about Yellowface soooo I'm stoked to read it (also the only book on the list that I don't think has queer rep, but I could be wrong). Oh also in the UK Bitterthorn is coming out, but I can't find a US release date so I'll just. wait for it (if anyone knows a way to get it in the US let me know). Oh and assaians, vampires, multiple dragons, magic and romance. Yeah it looks like a good month.

Any books that you are really excited about that I might have missed?

Dragonfall by L.R. Lam (2nd)

To Shape Dragon's Breath by Moniquill Blackgoose (9th)

Girls Like Girls by Hayley Kiyoko (May 30th)

Yellowface by R. F. Kuang (16th)

Transmogrify!: 14 Fantastical Tales of Trans Magic Edited by Haron Davis (16th)

The Scandalous Letters of V and J by Felicia Davin (16th)

Lesbian Love Story: A Memoir in Archives by Amelia Possanza (May 30th)

Witch King by Martha Wells (30th)

Venom & Vow by Anna-marie Mclemore and Elliott McLemore (16th)

A Long Time Dead by Samara Breger (May 16th)

[thereadingchallengechallenge]

Quick Review: Venom and Vow by Anna-Marie & Elliott McLemore Rating: 4/5

Mistaken identities, a trans4trans romance where both characters had physical disabilities and a hint of fae magic made this book an enchanting and unique little novel. I love a standalone fantasy though the worldbuilding is always the tricky point but the McLemores pulled it off here. They develop the world just enough to make it all make sense while letting the characters shine. If you're in the mood for a fantasy with a sense of individuality, please give Venom and Vow a go.

(And I loved Vico Ortiz's narration in the audiobook. They were just lovely.)

[doyouknowthisdisabledcharacter]

Do You Know This Disabled Character?

Val Palafox uses a mobility aid.

[feywildfancypants]

Venom and Vow by Elliott McLemore, Anna-Marie McLemore

Generally I am not a YA person, but something about reading queer/trans YA heals the little queer kid I never really got to be. This book has mobility aids, transmasc prince, a monastery for transgender people, a bigender dama, foxes large enough to ride (if you offer them your shoes), and I loved it a whole awful lot.

One thing it highlights really well is is acceptance despite transness v acceptance regardless of transness.

Cade is the first born child of his mother, but he gave up the right to the thrown when he went away to honor his heart and live fully as himself. He went away the daughter everyone thought his mother had, and came back to live as a man disguised as his younger brother's half-sibling. Cade doesn't believe he could because people don't really accept transgender people. The kingdom "accepts" trans people in the sense that they are allowed to transition, but it is assumed they will walk completely away from their old life and start over completely, not acknowledging their former gender at all. Which is a despite sort of acceptance.

The regardless sort of acceptance comes later. There is this really beautiful exchange where Cade is discussing pronouns with Val. Val is comfortable as both a woman and a man and wants to use both she and he pronouns. He thinks that is too much to ask, so he couches it in a joke. But Cade just adjusts his internal monologue to match. He has seen and been pulled towards Val in all her presentations, and the more he learns the harder he falls in love. These two really help each other grow into a full acceptance of themselves, regardless of, and often because of, transness.

[fortunatefires]

Wtf am I supposed to do when the book im reading has a genderfluid character with the same chosen name as my genderfluid friend/kind of ex who fucking ghosted me for no reason? Like? How am I supposed to finish the book when im sad?

[ash-and-books]

Rating: 1/5

Book Blurb: Two enemy kingdoms are forced to work together to break a curse in this lush YA fantasy, featuring a transgender prince and a bigender dama/assassin in the lead roles. Keep your enemy closer. Cade McKenna is a transgender prince who’s doubling for his brother. Valencia Palafox is a young dama attending the future queen of Eliana. Gael Palma is the infamous boy assassin Cade has vowed to protect. Patrick McKenna is the reluctant heir to a kingdom, and the prince Gael has vowed to destroy. Cade doesn’t know that Gael and Valencia are the same person. Valencia doesn’t know that every time she thinks she’s fighting Patrick, she’s fighting Cade. And when Cade and Valencia blame each other for a devastating enchantment that takes both their families, neither of them realizes that they have far more dangerous enemies. Cowritten by married writing team Anna-Marie and Elliott McLemore, Venom & Vow is a lush and powerful YA novel about owning your power and becoming who you really are - no matter the cost.

Review:

When a curse falls upon two enemy kingdoms they will be forced to work together if they want to save their kingdoms. A transgender prince and a bigender dama/assassin must find a way to work together and not kill one another if they are to break the curse and possibly fall in love. Cade McKenna is a transgender prince who’s been doubling for his brother, Cade wants nothing to do with the throne and he just wants to stop killing people. Valencia Palafox is a young dama attending the future Queen of Eliana who is also Gael palma , an infamous boy assassin that Cade has vowed to protect. Cade doesn’t realize that Valencia and Gael are the same person and Val thinks that she’s fighting Patrick when in fact she’s fighting Cade. Cade and Val both think the other is to blame for starting the curse that befell their perspective kingdoms after running to each other on the night it occurred but something much more complex is going on and someone else is to blame. Now they’ll have to figure out who did it and what other dangerous enemies surround them. The story definitely had an interesting premise however it definitely fell short, the story was confusing, honestly the structure didn’t help either. The writing is okay but honestly the structure and way the story goes just made it so hard to follow along with a lot of the events and the flow of the story felt uneven. I honestly didn’t really see the romance between the two characters and just didn’t find myself caring all that much about the overall story. Unfortunately this was a miss for me, but i do always appreciate representation and that was a welcome treat in this book.

*Thanks Netgalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, Feiwel & Friends for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

[oracleofmadness]

I absolutely loved this. The representation is so beautifully done. These authors wove together a fascinating tale that, above all else, speaks on love.

I thought the storyline started slow, but as the two main characters became more familiar with each other, I began to fall in love with this book.

A transgender prince finds himself up against a bigender assassin. Their land has been cursed, including stealing away many adults in charge of their respective kingdoms. However, as these two enemies begin to fall for each other, it becomes clear that action must be taken now to break this curse.

I didn't start out loving everything in this story bc it started slow, and I had a difficult time grasping the full picture of the plot, but this turned out to be really remarkable, in my opinion!

Out May 16, 2023!

Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!

[jamneuromain]

Ari's Payback

Mob!Ari Levinson x Reader

Warning: Mob!Ari, Wife!Reader, Ari being petty, a lot of cursing

Summary: As your husband, Ari did what he does best: annoy you.

A/N: Happens right after this event. Part of Venomous Vows series in collaboration with @biteofcherry

Ari cursed silently in his mind.

There was an intense debate going on about whether or not he should do this.

The brain cell of stupidity argued: Do it. Let’s give her hell.

The sane part of his brain said: Let’s just kill her instead.

Okay. Maybe he shouldn’t leave both his brain cells wandering in his mind after a few too many glasses of scotch.

Plus, killing her meant that he could only enjoy the look on your face once. While initiating the plan, on the other hand …

He reached for the box, and snatched the object inside with ease.

A part of him grew curious as to why his wife did not wire her stuff.

Then, at the back of his head, a slurred, drunken voice of his own reminded him that it was his home. It was your home. It was your shared home.

Ari watches as you rummage through the house, ask the maid (he forgets her name once again, Charlotte or Shari or Shar-something) to help you rummage through the house. A while later, the valet is commandeered. Then your chauffeur.

Together, the four of you search every inch of your bedroom, your bathroom, your walk-in wardrobe, and your second walk-in wardrobe with handbags.

He pulls out his phone to take a look at the time.

Ten minutes to eight pm.

He could imagine the guests murmuring, glass clicking, heels clattering, air thickening with his men huffing out cigarette smoke.

He could imagine the guests glancing at their wristwatches – having received a pat-down at the entrance and removed all electronic devices such as their phones like taking some friggin’ SATs – and getting all disturbed, wondering if they should bolt or would FBI come surrounding this goddamn place as this could very well be the largest mob family gathering along the east coast.

Yet, he muses, they should grow accustomed to your tardiness, as there hardly were times when you weren’t late for this annual gathering since your marriage.

He finds a box of cigars in one of the drawers of the coffee table and a box of matches to go with it. He lights the cigar and enjoys the rich spicy odor of it, feeling particularly like a club owner from the 1920s, watching in the dark as the mime continues in front of him.

Well, not a mime-mime, but a –

“It can’t be just gone.” You snap at no one in particular, though it is clear as day that you are not in a good mood, while the helps you’ve summoned keep their lips shut.

Ari allows a small whiff of cigar smoke drift from the corner of his lips.

Poor them. But it’s not like you are going to bite their heads off.

“Charlene, please check my jewelry box again. Marco, my coats. George, my handbags.” You grit your teeth tightly, “It’s a necklace with a ring of pearls and a fuckin’ big-ass pink diamond in the middle. It can’t be gone.”

And it is lying in the deepest darkest corner of his safe in the study. The pleasant bitter taste of the cigar filled his lungs, ghosting Ari’s face with a faint smirk. He takes time to pour himself a glass of scotch, knowing that this fiasco will last forever since he was the thief who wants payback for your last not-so-peaceful encounter when you decided to sabotage his online meeting with the loudest porn.

“I’m sorry, Ma’am. It’s not in the jewelry box.” Charlene exits your bedroom a couple of minutes later, apologizing even if it was not remotely her fault.

“Sorry, Ma’am.” Ari’s valet, Marco shakes his head and refuses to meet his eyes with yours after coming back to the living room.

“Sorry, Ma’am.” Your driver George echoes.

You stand in the middle of your living room, hands resting above your hips, full make-up and properly dressed, with a beautiful strapless on you, and on your neck – nothing, nada.

Ari savors his scotch with his eyes closed.

First of all, in his defense, you look beautiful in anything, even a rag. Despite his hatred towards you, he is not blind. And you certainly do not need one specific necklace to bring it out in you.

Second of all, that necklace was a gift from a man before your marriage. A man who is not Ari Levinson (nor your father, for that matter). A childhood friend, to be exact. Ari has always suspected you felt a thing towards that man. Luckily, that man was off to some adventure in a godforsaken jungle in the middle of nowhere.

Ari prays that the friend of yours dies there. He could send a team of armed mercs to annihilate his opponent, but he chose not to. Ari Levinson is not a complete monster, just fyi.

Last of all, it was so worth it, making you mad.

“Fucking stupid goddamn pearls I swear-” You ignore Ari being all suited up on the couch, heading to your bedroom to check under the bed again, cursing under your breath.

The soles of your heels click on the floor hard enough to poke a hole in it.

“Fuck fuck fuckity fuck FUCK!”

He hears you lash out your fury into the soft beddings. He hears your anger pent up with no one and nowhere to aim at. He hears you curse louder.

Ari puffs the silvery smoke into the air.

See? The brain cell of stupidity tells him. Totally worth it.

[actionfiguresunite]

Eddie!! I'm here to help! It's that thing that's getting to your head!

[comicsgallery-marvel]

The Amazing Spider-Man: Renew Your Vows (2016) #8

[pen-to-paper15]

GOD