Review: ‘The Many Half-Lived Lives of Sam Sylvester’ by Maya MacGregor

“‘What is it you want, Sam Sylvester? …More than anything, what do you want?'
…‘I want to live,’ I say.” Rating: 3.8/5 paper planes A purple journal, hardback book and phone playing music leaning on a guitar. Around are mini mason jar lights and dried lavender, and the background fabric is dark with small metallic space-themed …

Review: ‘Under the Whispering Door’ by TJ Klune

"It's life, Wallace. Even when you're dead, it's still life. You exist. You're real. You're strong and brave, and I'm so happy to know you."[All quotes are from the ARC, which may differ to the final version.] Rating: 4.75/5 paper planes Genre: Speculative fiction; contemporary fantasy; paranormal; LGBTQ+Publication: 28 Oct 2021 (United Kingdom)Pages: 373 (hardcover) …

ARC Review: ‘Afterlove’ by Tanya Byrne

All that time she wasted being too careful or too polite or too scared, when, in the end, nothing is as scary as watching your whole life narrow to a single moment that's about to pass, whether you're ready for it to or not.[Quotes from ARC, subject to change in final edition] Rating: 3.8/5 paper …

Book Tour Stop: Review of ‘Malice’ by Heather Walter

Today's my stop on the 'MALICE' book tour and I'm super excited to finally post my review! [A] single tear tracks down her cheek. It might as well be an ocean. I will drown in it. Rating: 4.25/5 paper planes Genre: Fantasy (fairytale retelling, villain origin story, LGBTQ+)Publication: 13 April 2021Pages: 400 (hardcover) Synopsis: Once …

Review: ‘An Unkindness of Ghosts’ by Rivers Solomon

[Aster] was standing on the edge of a new world and so ready to jump. How Lucifer felt upon leaving the Heavens. He didn't fall. He dove. Rating: 5/5 paper planes Genre: Science-fiction; Afrofuturism; dystopian fictionPublication: 3 Oct 2017Pages: 351 (paperback) Synopsis: Odd-mannered, obsessive, withdrawn - botanist and healer Aster Gray has little to offer …

Mini-Review: ‘Fence, Vol. 1’ by C.S. Pacat and Johanna the Mad (illus.)

This volume collects Issues #1-4 of 'Fence'. Rating: 5/5 paper planes Genre: YA contemporary (sports); graphic novel/comicPublication: 2018Pages: 112 (paperback) Synopsis: Nicholas, the illegitimate son of a retired fencing champion, is a scrappy fencing wunderkind, and dreams of getting the chance and the training to actually compete.  After getting accepted to the prodigious Kings Row …

Review: ‘Cemetery Boys’ by Aiden Thomas

Below, the waves crashed. The moonlight painted [Julian] in shades of blue. His edges blurred like watercolors spilling outside of their lines. Rating: 4.25/5 paper planes Genre: YA LGBTQ+ paranormal/urban fantasyPublication: 1 Sep 2020Pages: 352 (hardcover) Synopsis: Yadriel has summoned a ghost, and now he can't get rid of him. When his traditional Latinx family …

The LGBTQ+ Rep Book Tag!

Thank you so much to Virginia @ The Sassy Library Fox (the tag creator) and Elli @ AceReader for tagging me in this!! It looks so fun and I'm super excited to do it (sorry about the delay!). Rules: Thank whoever tagged you and link to their blog post.Link to the original creator: The Sassy Library …

Review: ‘The Winter Duke’ by Claire Eliza Bartlett

I picked up the tiara and slid it onto my head. Strength. Pride. Rage. This was the legacy of my family, and if I had to use it to win, I would. Rating: 5/5 paper planes Genre: YA High Fantasy (court intrigue)Publication: March/October 2020 (US/UK)Pages: 400 (hardcover)Synopsis: Once Ekata’s brother is finally named heir to …

Review: ‘How It All Blew Up’ by Arvin Ahmadi

A mother's job is simple: it is to love her children, unconditionally. I am beginning to realize that from the moment my children were born, I have looked at them and loved them with certain conditions in mind. Rating: 4/5 paper planes Genre: YA contemporary (LGBTQ+; coming-of-age)Publication: 22 Sep 2020Pages: 304 (hardcover)Synopsis: Eighteen-year-old Amir Azadi …