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olivialandryxo's reviews
812 reviews
The Fae Keeper by H.E. Edgmon
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The best sequel—and conclusion—that H.E. Edgmon possibly could’ve given us.
While the whole book was entertaining, the second half was especially thrilling, with many a revelation and plot twist keeping me on my toes. I love that the final showdown included a handful of chapters narrated by various side characters, thus giving us more insight into all that occurred. It really rounded things out, allowing for more detail without risk of the conflict being stretched on for too long. And the ending itself was lovely, so hopeful and honestly just perfect. ❤️
(My potential new ship—Briar/[A Newly Single Side Character]—might not have sailed, and I can see why, but I feel like it could still happen at some point in the future… Here’s to hoping.)
Also, I just want to say that I listened to this duology on audio, and I’m convinced I enjoyed the story more for it. Dani Martineck is a seriously talented narrator, and they did an incredible job with these books. While Wyatt’s chaotic gay inner monologue is hilarious in every format, this one absolutely takes the cake. I’ve never reached the end of an audiobook and wanted more, from it specifically, until now. If I reread, I’m coming back to the audiobooks; if you can get your hands on them, I highly recommend doing so; and if Dani has done any other books, I’m about to go look for them.
Representation:
While the whole book was entertaining, the second half was especially thrilling, with many a revelation and plot twist keeping me on my toes. I love that the final showdown included a handful of chapters narrated by various side characters, thus giving us more insight into all that occurred. It really rounded things out, allowing for more detail without risk of the conflict being stretched on for too long. And the ending itself was lovely, so hopeful and honestly just perfect. ❤️
(My potential new ship—Briar/[A Newly Single Side Character]—might not have sailed, and I can see why, but I feel like it could still happen at some point in the future… Here’s to hoping.)
Also, I just want to say that I listened to this duology on audio, and I’m convinced I enjoyed the story more for it. Dani Martineck is a seriously talented narrator, and they did an incredible job with these books. While Wyatt’s chaotic gay inner monologue is hilarious in every format, this one absolutely takes the cake. I’ve never reached the end of an audiobook and wanted more, from it specifically, until now. If I reread, I’m coming back to the audiobooks; if you can get your hands on them, I highly recommend doing so; and if Dani has done any other books, I’m about to go look for them.
Representation:
- gay trans (FTM) protagonist
- Black queer demisexual love interest
- fat indigenous biromantic asexual side character
- nonbinary lesbian side character (they/them)
- various queer side characters & side characters of color (includes a Black character that uses a wheelchair)
- achillean couple (m/m)
- MMF side throuple
- minor sapphic side couple (f/f)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Animal death, Racism, Transphobia, and Vomit
Minor: Sexual assault, Cannibalism, and Sexual harassment
All things tagged graphic are explicitly on-page, especially in the second half of the book. Most of the rest—excluding animal death and vomit—are only discussed, in varying capacities. Sexual harassment is in regards to a minor, sexual assault to an adult, though none is on-page. Some cannibalism is done by a side character, though again, none is on-page. Racism and transphobia are also discussed, as is gender dysphoria, but the first two are always challenged.
Washed Up (With A Kraken) by L.E. Eldridge
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Not gonna lie, I picked this up because the cover had me thinking it was sapphic, and I’m a little disappointed it isn’t. That’s not anything against the book, of course. That’s a me thing.
One thing I will hold against the book, though, is the way the nonbinary protagonist was written. In their very first conversation, Jorah tells Quinn their pronouns are they/them. Why, then, are there instances later on in the book where Quinn thinks of them using he/him pronouns? I’ve never read a book where the author misgenders their own character. It’s clumsy, it’s gross, and it makes the whole thing feel like an afterthought.
Also, I don’t love the fact that Quinn was so horny for tentacles, she just gave up on her lifelong dream. We hear over and over about how hard she worked to get where she is, and then. Tentacles. That’s it. That’s the tweet.
The smut was good, though. Even better than Snowed Inn (With a Demon). And, if I suspend my disbelief, Quinn and Jorah are quite cute. So there’s that.
Representation:
One thing I will hold against the book, though, is the way the nonbinary protagonist was written. In their very first conversation, Jorah tells Quinn their pronouns are they/them. Why, then, are there instances later on in the book where Quinn thinks of them using he/him pronouns? I’ve never read a book where the author misgenders their own character. It’s clumsy, it’s gross, and it makes the whole thing feel like an afterthought.
Also, I don’t love the fact that Quinn was so horny for tentacles, she just gave up on her lifelong dream. We hear over and over about how hard she worked to get where she is, and then. Tentacles. That’s it. That’s the tweet.
The smut was good, though. Even better than Snowed Inn (With a Demon). And, if I suspend my disbelief, Quinn and Jorah are quite cute. So there’s that.
Representation:
- fat protagonist
- nonbinary protagonist (they/them) (supposedly) (The Demon’s Bargain by Katee Robert did it exponentially better)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
All sex scenes are consensual.
Snowed Inn (With a Demon) by L.E. Eldridge
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
This was supposed to be cute—and it was, occasionally—but mostly, it was just boring. Though the smut was good, there was way too much lore for such a tiny book, and the cheesy writing probably could’ve used another round of edits. (I’m not generally one to comment on that sort of thing, but the fact that there were random first-person sentences in a third-person book… not great. And quite distracting.)
Representation:
Representation:
- bisexual protagonist
- lesbian side character
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Infidelity
All sex scenes are consensual. One mention of a protagonist’s past relationship gone wrong, in which the lover already had a spouse.
Unhinged by Vera Valentine
fast-paced
2.5
I’ve made a few questionable 3am decisions in my life so far, but this. This one takes the cake. It’s been over 12 hours since I finished reading and I still have absolutely no clue what the hell I read.
The wildest part is that it wasn’t inherently terrible. It wasn’t good, either, but it was just. There. And so unbelievably bizarre. I’ll never look at a doorknob the same way again.
The wildest part is that it wasn’t inherently terrible. It wasn’t good, either, but it was just. There. And so unbelievably bizarre. I’ll never look at a doorknob the same way again.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence and Sexual content
A few short, consensual sex scenes. One scene with a gun, which is used, but doesn’t kill anyone. Additionally, while none of the tags fit, the “plot” of this book involves a sleazy landlord that targets women living alone in his apartments now setting his sights on the protagonist. He lets himself into her apartment when she’s gone, goes through her laundry, takes her underwear, etc. General creep behavior. And on one such visit, he drugs her orange juice, though she never does drink any of it.
Cruel Seduction by Katee Robert
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Katee has done it again. I started this book not particularly attached to any of our four protagonists, and ended it loving and rooting for all of them. Each one felt distinct in their personality and motivations, and watching them initially clash and then eventually come together was a wild but intensely fun ride.
Honestly, the whole book was a wild ride. Olympus is falling apart at the seams, and I’m so very concerned for all of my favorite characters. I said in my Radiant Sin review that I have absolutely no idea what state things will be in by the end of the series, and that’s still true. It’s true and it’s terrifying, and I want more but the next book is SO. FAR. AWAY. :’)))
Representation:
Honestly, the whole book was a wild ride. Olympus is falling apart at the seams, and I’m so very concerned for all of my favorite characters. I said in my Radiant Sin review that I have absolutely no idea what state things will be in by the end of the series, and that’s still true. It’s true and it’s terrifying, and I want more but the next book is SO. FAR. AWAY. :’)))
Representation:
- three bi/pansexual polyamorous protagonists (includes one Black man & one Black disabled man, with a permanent limp in one leg)
- sapphic polyamorous fat protagonist
- various queer side characters, some of which are of color (includes bi/pansexual, asexual, polyamorous & nonbinary rep; also includes Black & Korean rep)
- sapphic relationship (f/f)
- achillean relationship (m/m)
- MMFF open polyam knot
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child abuse, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, and Murder
All things tagged as graphic or moderate occurred on-page; all things tagged as minor occurred prior to the story but are mentioned on-page. Sexual content is explicit but consensual. Gun violence results in minor injuries from broken glass, and the affected character having a panic attack. Violence is in regards to a knife fight, resulting in a major stab wound to one character’s stomach.
King of Pride by Ana Huang
Representation:
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
[second read, November-December 2023]
I’ve now read the whole Twisted series and all of the Kings books thus far, and so I can confirm: Isa and Kai are Ana’s best couple. They’re my favorites, they’re my babies, they’re the couple to beat.But honestly, good luck with that.
I’m manifesting their wedding in King of Sloth SO HARD. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE.
[first read, July-August 2023]
I’ve been shipping these two since their very first interaction in King of Wrath—my ship senses were tingling, the gears in my brain spinning—so this was absolutely delightful, from start to finish. If not for my reading slump, I would’ve easily devoured it in a matter of hours. It might be only my second Ana Huang book, but as far as I’m concerned, Isa and Kai are her best couple, no contest. 💜
Updated theories for the rest of the series include Sloth being Sloane’s book (she’s totally gonna fall in love with Xavier) and Envy being Christian’s. Not sure about either Gluttony or Lust.
Current ranking of the series:
I’ve now read the whole Twisted series and all of the Kings books thus far, and so I can confirm: Isa and Kai are Ana’s best couple. They’re my favorites, they’re my babies, they’re the couple to beat.
I’m manifesting their wedding in King of Sloth SO HARD. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE.
[first read, July-August 2023]
I’ve been shipping these two since their very first interaction in King of Wrath—my ship senses were tingling, the gears in my brain spinning—so this was absolutely delightful, from start to finish. If not for my reading slump, I would’ve easily devoured it in a matter of hours. It might be only my second Ana Huang book, but as far as I’m concerned, Isa and Kai are her best couple, no contest. 💜
Updated theories for the rest of the series include Sloth being Sloane’s book (she’s totally gonna fall in love with Xavier) and Envy being Christian’s. Not sure about either Gluttony or Lust.
Current ranking of the series:
- King of Pride (by a LOT)
- King of Wrath (go to hell Dante)
Representation:
- Filipina-Chinese protagonist
- Chinese protagonist & side characters
- Brazilian side character
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Cancer, Gun violence, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Car accident, and Death of parent
Contains multiple scenes of explicit, consensual sexual content. Everything else is mentioned in passing, to some degree or another—the loss of a parent in a car accident, a toxic relationship ended by infidelity, a non-fatal scene involving gun violence, and a (false alarm) cancer scare. All except the last occurred prior to the story. Present day also contains a blackmail scheme.
A Clash of Steel: A Treasure Island Remix by C.B. Lee
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
A thrilling tale of pirates, found family and first love that I can't recommend enough. I tend to enjoy most historical fantasy novels purely because I love the genre, but my favorites are always the ones that tell history's lesser-known stories. With this book, C.B. Lee did exactly that, and it was fantastic.
And oh my god, these two baby lesbians are absolutely adorable. They are now my daughters, I have taken them under my lesbian wing and will protect them at all costs.
Representation:
Representation:
- sapphic Chinese protagonist
- sapphic Vietnamese love interest
- full Asian cast (includes Chinese, Vietnamese, Nepalese, Korean, Thai & Arabic rep)
- sapphic main couple
- achillean side couple
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Death of parent
Moderate: Homophobia
Contains three instances of parent death—one prior to the story but mentioned throughout, two on-page. Also contains discussions of homophobia in a historical context.
I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuiston
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I might not have the same deep love and intense attachment to this book as I do Casey’s adult novels, but I did still really enjoy it. This book is a collage of elements from other YA books I’ve enjoyed—the bittersweet feeling of high school ending from The Summer of Everything, the academic rivals to lovers slow-burn that may or may not have been simmering all along from Today Tonight Tomorrow, the self-discovery and acceptance of so many other queer stories—while still being its own unique thing.
It’s a story of ferocious girls and cinnamon roll boys and yet another iconic group of disaster queer friends, the sort of group Casey excels at writing. It’s a story of teens being messy, teens being teens, in the final moments they have before becoming adults; of all the stages of queerness and trauma and healing and love, of love in so many different forms and expressions. And it’s beautiful. It’s fun, it’s important, and it’s so very beautifully done.
It might not be a book I love with enough fervor to call a favorite, but nonetheless, I know I’ll be thinking about it for some time. Casey’s books tend to have that effect.
Representation:
It’s a story of ferocious girls and cinnamon roll boys and yet another iconic group of disaster queer friends, the sort of group Casey excels at writing. It’s a story of teens being messy, teens being teens, in the final moments they have before becoming adults; of all the stages of queerness and trauma and healing and love, of love in so many different forms and expressions. And it’s beautiful. It’s fun, it’s important, and it’s so very beautifully done.
It might not be a book I love with enough fervor to call a favorite, but nonetheless, I know I’ll be thinking about it for some time. Casey’s books tend to have that effect.
Representation:
- bisexual protagonist
- sapphic love interest
- Black gay dyslexic side character
- Black queer nonbinary side character
- Black bisexual side character
- other queer side characters (includes lesbian & nonbinary rep)
- sapphic main couple
- lesbian side couple
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Misogyny and Racism
Minor: Outing and Alcohol
Contains in-depth discussions of religious bigotry in small towns—relating to homophobia, racism and misogyny—and the religious trauma that stems from it. Also mentions the outing of an adult side character, which occurred prior to the story, and contains one unrelated scene with underage drinking.
King of Wrath by Ana Huang
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This was a great introduction to Ana Huang’s writing. I liked the story, I really liked Viv, and I had fun roasting Dante in my Kindle annotations whenever he did something to annoy me. Which was often. (But, by the end, he was tolerable. Mostly.)
Would’ve been 4 stars if not for the weird feel of the pacing. The first 20% felt rather fast, and then the middle section was a bit of a slog to get through.
Current theories for the rest of the series include Sloth being Luca’s book, Envy being Christian’s and Gluttony being Sloane’s. I’m not sure about Lust yet.
Representation:
Would’ve been 4 stars if not for the weird feel of the pacing. The first 20% felt rather fast, and then the middle section was a bit of a slog to get through.
Current theories for the rest of the series include Sloth being Luca’s book, Envy being Christian’s and Gluttony being Sloane’s. I’m not sure about Lust yet.
Representation:
- Chinese protagonist & side characters
- Filipina-Chinese side character
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Sexual content
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, and Death of parent
There are a few consensual, variably explicit sex scenes in the second half of the book. Dante’s grandfather died just prior to the story’s start, I believe via cancer. It’s mentioned multiple times, but never in detail. Other content warnings from the author’s website include blackmail, parental neglect, family disownment, and robbery at gunpoint. The last is only one scene about half through; no one is shot.
Crash Into You by Roni Loren
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Jace was the best part of this book and he was barely in it. Everything else, despite seeming interesting at first, just got more and more bland as I kept reading. I grew more and more disconnected until eventually I stopped caring. Extra half star for Jace, and also because the antagonist was someone extremely unexpected.
I’m kinda curious about a few of the other books in this series, especially Jace’s and Kelsey’s, but I don’t think I’m all that interested in reading more from Roni Loren.
Also, to all the readers who tagged this book as lighthearted, enough so to get it officially labeled that way… what the actual hell. I don’t even wanna know what y’all consider dark.
That being said, definitely check the content warnings on this one. It can be a lot.
I’m kinda curious about a few of the other books in this series, especially Jace’s and Kelsey’s, but I don’t think I’m all that interested in reading more from Roni Loren.
Also, to all the readers who tagged this book as lighthearted, enough so to get it officially labeled that way… what the actual hell. I don’t even wanna know what y’all consider dark.
That being said, definitely check the content warnings on this one. It can be a lot.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Gun violence, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Addiction, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Death of parent, and Murder
Minor: Infidelity
Multiple scenes of explicit, consensual sexual content. Multiple mentions of and one flashback to the night Brynn was sexually assaulted. PTSD and panic attacks as a result. A few mentions of her mother’s murder and one flashback to the discovery of the crime scene. Most everything else is mentioned or on-page in some form, with kidnapping, confinement and violence with and without guns occurring in the final third. The only exception is infidelity, as there are mentions of it occurring previously but only in regards to a side character.