#nathan j northland

[queereads-bracket]

Queer Adult SFF Books Bracket: Round 1

Book summaries and submitted endorsements below:

The Murderbot Diaries series (All Systems Red, Artificial Condition, Rogue Protocol, Exit Strategy, Network Effect, Fugitive Telemetry, System Collapse, and other stories) by Martha Wells

Endorsement from submitter: "Asexual and agender main character. In later books side characters are revealed to be in poly relationship."

"As a heartless killing machine, I was a complete failure."

In a corporate-dominated space-faring future, planetary missions must be approved and supplied by the Company. For their own safety, exploratory teams are accompanied by Company-supplied security androids. But in a society where contracts are awarded to the lowest bidder, safety isn’t a primary concern.

On a distant planet, a team of scientists is conducting surface tests, shadowed by their Company-supplied ‘droid--a self-aware SecUnit that has hacked its own governor module and refers to itself (though never out loud) as “Murderbot.” Scornful of humans, Murderbot wants is to be left alone long enough to figure out who it is, but when a neighboring mission goes dark, it's up to the scientists and Murderbot to get to the truth.

Science fiction, novella, series, adult

Hunger Pangs series (True Love Bites) by Joy Demorra

In a world of dwindling hope, love has never mattered more...

Captain Nathan J. Northland had no idea what to expect when he returned home to Lorehaven injured from war, but it certainly wasn't to find himself posted on an island full of vampires. An island whose local vampire dandy lord causes Nathan to feel strange things he'd never felt before. Particularly about fangs.

When Vlad Blutstein agreed to hire Nathan as Captain of the Eyrie Guard, he hadn't been sure what to expect either, but it certainly hadn't been to fall in love with a disabled werewolf. However Vlad has fallen and fallen hard, and that's the problem.

Torn by their allegiances--to family, to duty, and the age-old enmity between vampires and werewolves--the pair find themselves in a difficult situation: to love where the heart wants or to follow where expectation demands.

The situation is complicated further when a mysterious and beguiling figure known only as Lady Ursula crashes into their lives, bringing with her dark omens of death, doom, and destruction in her wake.

And a desperate plea for help neither of them can ignore.

Thrown together in uncertain times and struggling to find their place amidst the rising human empire, the unlikely trio must decide how to face the coming darkness: united as one or divided and alone. One thing is for certain, none of them will ever be the same.

Fantasy, romance, paranormal, series, adult

[throuple-tournament]

Nathan/Vlad/Ursula created by @thebibliosphere.

Description provided by @powerpolyculeshowdown.

Nathan/Vlad/Ursula: For most of the book it's about two of the characters' romance (Vlad and Nathan) and Ursula meets them closer to the end. Their relationship, I think, is supposed to be continued in the next book. They all kiss each other and it's clear from the book that they like each other, and are all open to polyamory.

Description provided by @powerpolyculeshowdown.

Zagreus and Megaera are exes, while Zagreus and Thanatos have very obvious romantic feelings for each other. As part of the story, you can romance both of them at the same time, and it is made clear that neither of them minds it. There's also a scene implying Meg and Than had something in the past.

Description provided by @leverage-ot3.

leverage ot3 description: three good robinhood-esque criminals that fuck over corporations and give back to the people that were hurt by them. ultra competent. hardison is a geeky hacker, eliot is a grumpy hitter, and parker is the best thief in the world (also canon autistic). eliot ended the og series saying that he would protect the other two till his dying day (directly after their parent figures got engaged. marriage proposal who?)

[doyouknowthisdisabledcharacter]

Do You Know This Disabled Character?

Nathan J. Northland is Hard of Hearing and has a permanently injured arm.

Edit- from Hunger Pangs: True Love Bites

[malakai-why]

[The] vampire said, “… I can’t remember the last time I helped save the world.”

“Can’t you?” … “I still remember when you saved mine.”

Hunger Pangs: True Love Bites, ch. 44

Pls consider this “read phangs”/“vamp x were” propaganda.

[vladblutsteinismywife]

silly

[mothman-etd]

LOVE them, they look so great here ❤️

The Hunger Pangs Gang :)

After my second read-through I just had to draw them.

Ursula's dress is inspired by a reform-dress I found while researching 1880's fashion. I figured she would choose something more simple than fashionable for traveling.

Nathan's dress uniform is a simplified British uniform. I think. It's just also something I found and took the elements I liked from. Probably could've done with a bit more gold trim but I just find that really silly^^;

[thebibliosphere]

quick question because i am a long time follower and know that you have a lot of shit happening at all times and want to support you: where's the best place/the place that will get you the most money for getting a physical copy of a silly vampire/werewolf book? It sound amazing for reading because rn all i have motivation for is fanfic and silly fantasy and not reading any of my textbooks.

Unlike digital copies, where you can buy directly from my storefront, there's little to no difference in my royalties when it comes to paperbacks. I get paid the same amount regardless of where you buy from, which the last time I checked was, eh, about $2.80

If a store is selling for above the recommended retail price, I still get paid the same flat rate percentage, the profit on the price raising goes to the store.

So, wherever works best for you!

If you're in the US, I will recommend bookshop.org, not just because they are fighting the good fight against the Zon and give a chunk of their profits to independent bookstores, but because their affiliate program pays authors the best rates whenever you buy a book using their links.

Hunger Pangs: True Love Bites, Flirting with Fangs Edition. (high heat version)

Hunger Pangs: True Love Bites, Fluff and Fangs Edition (medium heat version)

(What's the difference between the two? Glad you asked)

Also, if you use my links to buy anything from BookShop.org, even if you don't buy a copy of Hunger Pangs, BookShop.org still sends me a small commission out of their profit (it's like a dollar per book, roughly). So, if you're so inclined to give me free money, you can click on my affiliate links and throw a little change my way.

I am trying to get my books into BookShop.org UK and their other sites, but it's a slow process.

If you're not in the US, it doesn't really affect me. Again, buy wherever works best for you! It's all roughly the same.

[joydemorra]

Do you ever start something as a joke and lose complete control over your life?

In a world of dwindling hope, love has never mattered more... [read the full blurb here]

What is Hunger Pangs?

Hunger Pangs, often shortened to “Phangs” by the self-proclaimed phangdom, is my debut romance novel, published in Nov 2020, featuring a deaf, disabled werewolf, a neurodivergent, mad scientist vampire, and an all-powerful enchantress who is the last of her kind.

It is the first book in a slow-burn, polyamorous gaslamp fantasy romance series focusing on the relationship(s) and antics of the three main characters, Nathan Northland, Vlad Blutstein, and Lady Ursula, as they work to save the world they love from imminent magical and ecological disaster.

The first book primarily focuses on the relationship between Nathan and Vlad, with Ursula heavily alluded to in the next book (Pride and Folly) via some shameless flirting and stolen, impulsive kisses.

No love triangles here. Just three highly competent, world-saving bisexuals sharing the same brain cell the closer they get to each other.

There are two editions of the novel. The Flirting with Fangs edition depicts on-page sexual acts, and the Fluff and Fangs edition which uses alternative scenes/fade-to-black scenes for those who prefer not to read depictions of sex. You can read more about why I decided to do this here.

How Did Phangs come to be?

Like most things on my blog, the original concept began as a joke. My friend and enabler, @jeneelestrange, and I were talking about our least favorite tropes in romance/erotica, including but not limited to toxic “alpha” werewolves, brooding stalker vampire boyfriends, and the absolute profound bullshit that is the Conflicted Love Triangle and Bury Your Gays.

Eventually, it culminated in this post:

(source)

It was meant to be a joke. I really cannot emphasize this enough. It was meant to be a shitpost between friends.

A throwaway ADHD impulse.

Tumblr, however, wanted more of these posts, and like a swarming mass of drift-compatible rats in a trench coat, grabbed hold of my lack of impulse control and Ratatouille'd me into becoming an international bestselling author, and, well, here we are.

I also started writing the series while dying, which I highly do not recommend as a functional creative process.

Absolutely do not start a 500k five-part novel series about love and hope while dying from an undiagnosed genetic disorder. Or if you do, make sure you actually die so you don't have to edit the damn thing. (I am mostly kidding.)

What are the themes/tropes/character dynamics of the book?

In the simplest of terms, Phangs is a queer-polyamorous-paranormal-satirical-romance series featuring vampires, werewolves, and all other manner of creatures that go bump in the night.

It is set in a pseudo-regency meets fake-Victorian Gaslamp Fantasy world, complete with gothic castles, enchanted forests, and just a smidge of industrial coal dust.

Style-wise, Phangs has been described by readers as "like reading the queer, goth love child of Terry Pratchett meets Jane Austen," and I've never been more proud of anything in my life.

If Game of Thrones ascribes to the idea that the night is dark and full of terrors, Phangs is the monster-fucker politely sidling up to them at the bar and asking if they can buy them a drink.

It is also primarily a love letter to fandom, which has led some people to believe it’s fanfiction with the serial labels filed off. But as the person who spent five years agonizing over the world-building, I can assure you this is all very much the product of my weird little ADHD brain picking up tropes, shaking them upside down, and running off with whatever fun and interesting things shake loose.

As already stated, the first book, True Love Bites, focuses primarily on the relationship between Captain Nathaniel J. Northland and Viscount Vlad Blutstein.

The first part of the book primarily focuses on Nathan coming home injured from war and trying to find his place in the world as newly deaf and disabled -- something which alienates him from his werewolf family, who don't know what to do with an injury that can't be mended by a full moon.

While working on the island of Eyrie, he encounters Viscount Blutstein -- Vlad-- a neurodivergent, mad scientist dandy vampire with an enthusiasm for demonic botany and a streak of unfailing kindness as broad and expansive as the sky.

It's not so much love at first sight for the pair as instantaneous lust hampered by the restrictions of polite 1880 society and old ingrained prejudices that make them think the other couldn't possibly be interested in them that way. They're just misreading all those heartfelt stares and sexually charged chess games.

(The love is requited, your honor, they're just idiots.)

Both characters are explicitly queer/mspec, as is Ursula, who drops into their world like a magical atom bomb going off, but not before she spends her own parts of the book desperately trying to figure out what manner of dark entity is killing the magical shrines around the world that keep the world alive.

Thematically, the series touches on many things, but the book’s overriding theme is love. Romantically, of course, and love between families, both found or otherwise. But also love as an act of courage. As a choice. An act of defiance in dark and troubling times, and what it means to be loved and belong even though you’re different.

Especially when you’re different.

And I really fucking hope you enjoy it.

To read the full synopsis and check out the heat ratings, buy links and content tags, go to www.joydemorra.com

[a-ramblinrose]

Mid-Year Book Freak Out

@morhath tagged me in this delightful game!!!!

Number of books you’ve read so far: ???? I'm purposely not keeping track this year and finding it a big relief not having a number to think about. I really didn't realize how much pressure it was until the weight was gone.

Best book you’ve read so far in 2024: Not counting rereads or comics probably Hunger Pangs: True Love Bites by Joy Demorra or Jackalope Wives and Other Stories by T. Kingfisher. For poetry its Winter Hours by Mary Oliver

Best sequel you’ve read so far in 2024: Not a lot of progress in series so far for anything but comics so I'll repeat morhath's answer of What Feasts at Night by T. Kingfisher. If I count comics it would be a One Piece volume.

New release you haven’t read yet but want to: I'm Afraid You Have Dragons by Peter S. Beagle!!!

Most anticipated release for the second half of the year: Hmm I had to check dates for this but The Forbidden Book by by Sacha Lamb (October) or The Masquerades of Spring by Ben Aaronovitch (September)

Biggest surprise favorite new author (debut or new to you): At least for her comics Alice Oseman was a hell of a surprise. I have no clue if I'll like her novels but look forward to finding out.

Newest fictional crush: Captain Nathan J. Northland from Hunger Pangs maybe. I don't really crush on characters.

Book that made you cry: None that I remember. I get emotional occasionally but crying is rare.

Most beautiful book you’ve bought so far this year (or received): I've bought a lot of books and thus have many options but the first few that come to mind are: the anniversary edition of The Left Hand of Darkness, The Tempest of Tea with the B&N exclusive cover variant, The Tea Dragon Society and the clothbound The Count of Monte Cristo

Book that made you happy: The Tea Dragon Society, Heartstopper, A Psalm for the Wild-Built, Proper English and many more!

What books do you need to read by the end of the year?: Want is a better word than need since all my reading is for fun but: Babel, The Priory of the Orange Tree, The Duino Elegies, multiple sequels and a few rereads!!!!

I'll tag @godzilla-reads, @bookworm-of-camelot, @thequeerlibrarian, and anyone else who wants to play along!!

Happy Reading!!!!

[usedgingertwinkhole]

Hunger Pangs Summary:

Captain Nathan J. Northland had no idea what to expect when he returned home to Lorehaven injured from war, but it certainly wasn’t to find himself posted on an island full of vampires. An island whose local vampire dandy lord causes Nathan to feel strange things he’d never felt before. Particularly about fangs.

Heartstopper Summary:

Boy meets boy. Boys become friends. Boys fall in love. A bestselling LGBTQ+ graphic novel about life, love, and everything that happens in between.

[queereads-bracket]

Queer Adult SFF Books Bracket: Preliminary Round

Book summaries below:

Shadow Life by Hiromi Goto (illustrated by Ann Xu)

Poet and novelist Hiromi Goto effortlessly blends wry, observational slice-of-life literary fiction with poetic magical realism in the tender and surprising graphic novel Shadow Life , with haunting art from debut artist Ann Xu.

When Kumiko’s well-meaning adult daughters place her in an assisted living home, the seventy-six-year-old widow gives it a try, but it’s not where she wants to be. She goes on the lam and finds a cozy bachelor apartment, keeping the location secret even while communicating online with her eldest daughter. Kumiko revels in the small, daily decorating as she pleases, eating what she wants, and swimming in the community pool. But something has followed her from her former residence―Death’s shadow.

Kumiko’s sweet life is shattered when Death’s shadow swoops in to collect her. With her quick mind and sense of humor, Kumiko, with the help of friends new and old, is prepared for the fight of her life. But how long can an old woman thwart fate?

Graphic novel, fantasy, magical realism, literary fiction, slice-of-life, adult

Hunger Pangs series (True Love Bites) by Joy Demorra

In a world of dwindling hope, love has never mattered more...

Captain Nathan J. Northland had no idea what to expect when he returned home to Lorehaven injured from war, but it certainly wasn't to find himself posted on an island full of vampires. An island whose local vampire dandy lord causes Nathan to feel strange things he'd never felt before. Particularly about fangs.

When Vlad Blutstein agreed to hire Nathan as Captain of the Eyrie Guard, he hadn't been sure what to expect either, but it certainly hadn't been to fall in love with a disabled werewolf. However Vlad has fallen and fallen hard, and that's the problem.

Torn by their allegiances--to family, to duty, and the age-old enmity between vampires and werewolves--the pair find themselves in a difficult situation: to love where the heart wants or to follow where expectation demands.

The situation is complicated further when a mysterious and beguiling figure known only as Lady Ursula crashes into their lives, bringing with her dark omens of death, doom, and destruction in her wake.

And a desperate plea for help neither of them can ignore.

Thrown together in uncertain times and struggling to find their place amidst the rising human empire, the unlikely trio must decide how to face the coming darkness: united as one or divided and alone. One thing is for certain, none of them will ever be the same.

Fantasy, romance, paranormal, series, adult

[throuple-tournament]

Li Shimin/Wu Zetian/Gao Yizhi created by @xiranjayzhao.

Nathan/Vlad/Ursula created by @thebibliosphere.

Description provided by @mochithewondercat.

Description provided by @powerpolyculeshowdown 's submissions.

[doyouknowthisdisabledcharacter]

Trick or treat 👻

You get Nathan J. Northland from Hunger Pangs: True Love Bites! He was 44.8% known (but the data was massively skewed lol).

[lucifer-kane]

Now I'm on the horrible thing of trying to figure out what book I want to read next

-Another book by the person who wrote the short story about the trans witch, his husband, and the selkie they found. (With a Vengeance by Freydís Moon)

-A collection of stories; Tales from the Blackthorn Briar (Oak King Holly King book 2 by Sebastian Nothwell)

-The Reanimator's Heart (The Reanimator Mysteries Book 1) by Kara Jorgensen (Paranormal investigator dies, a person who's been in love with him for ages is a necromancer and accidentally brings him back to life)

-Reforged by Seth Haddon (Fantasy that seems set around a king/bodyguard love story with various things going on)

-City of Strife: (An Isandor Novel) (City of Spires Book 1) by Claudie Arseneault ('a multi-layered political fantasy led by an all-queer cast. Fans of complex storylines criss-crossing one another, elves and magic, and strong friendships and found families will find everything they need within these pages.')(The writer is also on the aroace spectrum so I'm inclined to read something written by someone like that)

-Hunger Pangs: True Love Bites by Joy Demorra (Captain Nathan J. Northland had no idea what to expect when he returned home to Lorehaven injured from war, but it certainly wasn’t to find himself posted on an island full of vampires. An island whose local vampire dandy lord causes Nathan to feel strange things he’d never felt before. + The situation is complicated further when a mysterious and beguiling figure known only as Lady Ursula crashes into their lives, bringing with her dark omens of death, doom, and destruction in her wake.) High on the list, paired with Reforged

[lovedthestars-toofondly]

both Nathan and Vlad: I have [personality trait] and it's embarassing and awful and makes me basically unworthy of being loved

also both Nathan and Vlad, at each other: What are you talking about I LIKE this thing about you WHO TOLD YOU THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH IT I JUST WANNA TALK

[jambonsama]

In case I hadn’t spammed enough today, a book I’ve been waiting for for A LONG TIME has just been made available, and I’m JOY. I’ve already read the first three chapters as a backer, and I can already rec it, because it’s that good *chef kiss*

Hunger Pangs is a fantasy romance adventure, and because I’m a little shite at summaries myself, let me just give you the official one :

Captain Nathan J. Northland had no idea what to expect when he returned home to Lorehaven injured from war, but it certainly wasn't to find himself posted on an island full of vampires. An island whose local vampire dandy lord causes Nathan to feel strange things he'd never felt before.

Particularly about fangs.

When Vlad Blutstein agreed to hire Nathan as Captain of the Eyrie Guard, he hadn't been sure what to expect either, but it certainly hadn't been to fall in love with a disabled werewolf. However Vlad has fallen and fallen hard, and that's the problem.

Torn by their allegiances—to family, to duty, and the age-old enmity between vampires and werewolves—the pair find themselves in a difficult situation: to love where the heart wants or to follow where expectation demands.

The situation is complicated further when a mysterious and beguiling figure known only as Lady Ursula crashes into their lives, bringing with her dark omens of death, doom, and destruction in her wake.

One thing is for certain, nothing will ever be the same.

I know I’ve been spamming a little about it, but it’s because I’ve not been that excited by a book in a long time. Feel free to blacklist the tag hunger pangs if you don’t want to see more of it ^^