Books

Book 944: The Kingdom of Sand – Andrew Holleran

Book cover of "The Kingdom of Sand" with Amazon Affiliate linkI wanted to like this book so much like really wanted to, because Holleran is one of those early LGBT authors whose work has stood the test of time for decades. And that’s why I requested a copy from NetGalley.*

What I didn’t expect was how similar to Mrs. Dalloway and A Single Man this would be. I think that bodes well for the longevity of the novel, but unfortunately, for me, it wasn’t the time or place to read it to truly appreciate or enjoy it. While there were some incredibly beautiful passages throughout, I struggled to get into the book and (for the most part) identify with the nameless narrator.

Continue reading “Book 944: The Kingdom of Sand – Andrew Holleran”

Books

Book 921: Remembrance Lost (Tasier #3) – Arian Williams

Book cover of "Remembrance Lost" with Amazon Affiliate linkWhen this one came in from Gay Romance Reviews I signed up for it since I’d read the first two books in the series (Dream Bound and Souls Aligned).* I wasn’t sure how this one would be after my mediocre response to Souls Aligned, but I grabbed it anyway.

This series is full of secret societies, aliens (I think?!), individuals with supernatural abilities, lots of gay relationships and sex, and really diverse locations/settings. Remembrance Lost definitely picked up on the action front, but in the end, I’m still sort of meh about where the series is.

Continue reading “Book 921: Remembrance Lost (Tasier #3) – Arian Williams”

Books

Book 905: Heartstopper, Vol. 4 (Heartstopper #4) – Alice Oseman

Book cover of "Heartstopper, Vol 4" with Amazon Affiliate linkI’m not sure I was ready for this one. I’d guessed it would overlap with what happened in Solitaire, but wasn’t 100% sure it would. I wasn’t sure how Oseman would handle it graphically, I think there were a couple of images in Solitaire, and she sort of glossed the particular scene probably because of this.

I really appreciated having Nick’s outside perspective on the situation as we know he’s been worried about Charlie for two books now and when it came to the point right when Charlie was going to tell Nick he loved him, Nick asks about the eating disorder and it throws both of them into confusion which was just so real.

Continue reading “Book 905: Heartstopper, Vol. 4 (Heartstopper #4) – Alice Oseman”

Books

Book 904: Heartstopper, Vol. 3 (Heartstopper #3) – Alice Oseman

Book cover of "Heartstopper, Volume 3" with Amazon Affiliate linkWow, just wow. I honestly don’t know how I haven’t re-read this one before now.

Re-reading this a second time showed me how much Oseman packs into these books. Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 both had their powerful moments, but Vol. 3 takes it to a new level between Charlie and Nick, but also with their friends and even their teachers! And the fact Oseman does it with so little dialogue and just a shift in perspective shading in her artwork is fantastic.

Continue reading “Book 904: Heartstopper, Vol. 3 (Heartstopper #3) – Alice Oseman”

Books

Book 903: Heartstopper, Vol. 2 (Heartstopper #2) – Alice Oseman

Book cover of "Hearstopper, Vol. 2" with Amazon Affiliate linkAs soon as I finished Vol. 1, I immediately dove into Vol. 2! How could I not with a cliffhanger like that!? And I even knew what happened, but I couldn’t just leave it at that.

Seriously though, when Nick shows up in the pouring rain and Charlie just starts apologizing profusely because he thinks it’s his fault and it’s not and then . . . O . . . M . . . G . . . ALL THE FEELS.

I like that this book gives us a lot more of Nick’s thoughts and perspective. Vol. 1, really is Charlie’s book and his getting to know Nick and finding a friend who likes him for who he is and is willing to sacrifice things to be his friends. And Vol. 2 we see something similar where Charlie and Nick both have to start navigating the minefield that is their friendship and budding relationship.

Continue reading “Book 903: Heartstopper, Vol. 2 (Heartstopper #2) – Alice Oseman”