A great ending to the series, which offers an incisive look at the desires that animated the vote for Brexit in England, and that animate similar phenA great ending to the series, which offers an incisive look at the desires that animated the vote for Brexit in England, and that animate similar phenomena in other parts of the world.
If there are any downsides, I'd say it's that the main plot overshadows the personal plotlines of the characters. Zoya is delightful in her bluntness, and her relationship with Jas is plainly informed by the author's own experiences and it shows. But Lizzie's plot, as much as it's a very welcome addition to the character, feels a bit... perfunctory in how it's developed throughout the book. (I also don't understand why Lizzie doesn't just tell Autumn at the end.)
Overall, though, I loved the magical England this series presented....more
Funny and sharp. Alderman nicely introduces new complications to the plot and invents clever resolutions – but I enjoyed the parts about banking and cFunny and sharp. Alderman nicely introduces new complications to the plot and invents clever resolutions – but I enjoyed the parts about banking and corporate culture much more than running from the monsters which dominated the second half....more
I've been thinking a lot recently about portal fantasies. And for not entirely related reasons I've been thinking a lot about "Sandman: A Game of You"I've been thinking a lot recently about portal fantasies. And for not entirely related reasons I've been thinking a lot about "Sandman: A Game of You" – a portal fantasy in which a group of women travel to a magical realm one of them dreams about. Except for Wanda, a trans woman who cannot enter the magical path because the Moon is a TERF.
The thing about portal fantasies is that more often than not the journey is shaped by a larger power, a Will that the protagonists have to decipher and follow, a certain order to the world that needs to be restored. Wanda is ultimately validated (view spoiler)[though only in/by Death (hide spoiler)] and I think the reader is meant to rage at the injustices that befall her, both magical and mundane. But that moment when she was told she cannot go on a magic adventure because of a quirk of her biology... that still had weight, and not a pleasant one.
"Girl Haven" presents a very interesting reversal. The main character, Ash, along with three friends gets transported into a magical realm accessible only to girls. Ash uses masculine pronouns, wears masculine clothes and seemingly never gave any thought to being a girl. And so the journey to find out what happened to Ash's Mom (who described and depicted the world of Koretris) and find a way back home also becomes a journey of self-discovery for Ash. Perhaps we could have used seeing some signs that gender identity is something Ash is struggling with or has doubts about, but the metaphysical validation of that identity was a very welcome development.
At first Koretris feels a little clichéd, starting with talking animals who are the first to meet the adventurers and give them information on what's going on (I find this a problem with some modern portal fantasies in general – perhaps it's a matter of having to establish a "typical" portal fantasy world before introducing their own spin on it). But as the story unfolds, there's more to the comic and the world of Koretris than that. In typical portal-quest fantasy fashion, there is a prophecy and an Enemy that has to be defeated... But perhaps things aren't always so simple and authority figures, even well-meaning ones, don't always have the clearest picture... Trans people know that all too well and I really liked how Ash ultimately couldn't simply follow others and had to make active choices.
Girl Haven is a joyous, affirming book that offers some clever spins on the portal fantasy genre.
I received this graphic novel via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review....more
A fantastic expansion of the mythology sketched out in the first book. And a wonderful continuation of the two protagonists' story. The complications A fantastic expansion of the mythology sketched out in the first book. And a wonderful continuation of the two protagonists' story. The complications felt very organic and logically following from the status quo established at the end of "Silver in the Wood".
Full of charm and humour, some nice twists, a little spookiness, and delicious l o n g i n g....more
A lovely gay fantasy novella rooted in English landscape and folklore, all of which makes it extremely my jam.
(view spoiler)[I have some quibbles abouA lovely gay fantasy novella rooted in English landscape and folklore, all of which makes it extremely my jam.
(view spoiler)[I have some quibbles about the ethics of the resolution and generally the Wild Man's role, but I also recognise the author put effort to make those elements work, so let's chalk that up to my monster-loving heart and leave it at that. (hide spoiler)]...more
I have some broad knowledge of the Dominion of the Fallen setting, but the books still wait for me on my kindle. I thought “Of Dragons, Feasts and MurI have some broad knowledge of the Dominion of the Fallen setting, but the books still wait for me on my kindle. I thought “Of Dragons, Feasts and Murders” might be a good taster of the series. I don’t yet know whether it is, but I know I’m intrigued and want to read the whole series even more.
What strikes me most after a few days mulling over the book, is the mixture of tones. On one hand, there is a fair share of playfulness and humour in the setup of “a couple goes to visit the family of one of the spouses... except they’re an imperial dynasty”, as well as the dynamic between Thuan – a bookish dragon prince who abhors political games and left his family’s domain behind – and Asmodeus – a charming and murderous fallen angel (it's a bit like if “Hannibal” featured a non-abusive relationship and was a rom-com).
On the other hand, we have the backdrop of a struggling kingdom and topics of inequality, justice, political unease, oppression. While on their visit, Thuan and Asmodeus are thrown into a murder investigation that’s quickly revealed to have wider implications. In the course of the investigation, Thuan struggles with loyalty to his family and his desire to be left in piece, as well as some blind spots resulting from his privileged upbringing.
Those two aspects mesh together pretty well, although I was occasionally confused about how seriously I should take stuff like Asmodeus’ propensity for murder (in the end I think he’s far more discriminate and restrained than Thuan gives him credit for) or one character advocating executions as a way of restoring order (but the ethos of the book ultimately leans towards kindness, not despotic rule).
The style of the book is detailed but very clear and the plot strikes a great balance between the intrigue and personal scenes between Thuan and Asmodeus. I greatly enjoyed how much of the book was dialogue driven, with a lot of space devoted to the way things are phrased, what is said and unsaid, the characters trying to parse what the other party is communicating and untangle the complex webs of meaning. Because of that the book felt tense even though there wasn't a lot of action as such.
This is a short and entertaining read, a hybrid of crime story and romance (in typical romance fashion Thuan and Asmodeus experience some conflict and while their marriage is never really threatened, both of them seem to grow a little by the end and learn to appreciate the other’s perspective on the situation) with some pleasantly weighty socio-political considerations. I am eager to dive into the main series.
Note: I received an electronic copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review....more
Magic! Friendship! Faeries! Dorky lesbians being hopelessly in love! Drama!!!
Another wonderful return to magical Angland, this time focusing on Miss FMagic! Friendship! Faeries! Dorky lesbians being hopelessly in love! Drama!!!
Another wonderful return to magical Angland, this time focusing on Miss Fennell and Miss Banks – two characters whom I wanted to read more about ever since their first appearance in Snowspelled. Now finally we get their story and it’s everything I could have asked for.
The tumultous events of Thornbound affected their relationship, and now, meeting for the first time in months, sparks fly in more ways then one. While their feelings for each other are never in doubt (at least for the reader, since we follow the plot from both of their perspectives), there are still conflicts between them. Their desire to protect each other also causes quite a bit of crisis that they both have to overcome!
I really like how the author writes loving relationships that still allow for some conflict and strife. The series is full of well-meaning characters who argue and lash out due to their personal hangups and the heroines of Moontangled are no exception. I know a fair few people who hate drama based on miscommunication (or an outright lack thereof), so let me hasten to add that Stephanie Burgis has a very clear-eyed view of the characters’ problems and their need to open up and move beyond their issues is absolutely part of the point. As we find out, both Miss Fennell and Miss Banks grew up in emotionally... neglectful households, and honestly for me their complexes and insecurities felt extremely relatable.
At the same time, the happy ending is never really in doubt, which I appreciated very much. I love characters who are allowed to work through and resolve their issues, and if you add to that the images of friendship among women that this series offers, mutually supportive partnerships, and now a same-gender couple of protagonists who love and desire each other so openly and joyously... squeeing is very much guaranteed. This series is full of tension, but it’s also very warm and sweet, which is a winning combination for me.
The books is not even out yet, but I’m already finding myself dreaming of another installment. The world is certainly open enough and there are enough gaps and loose threads to support other stories in the series. I certainly hope the author will return to it one day, and in the meantime, I might have to start planning a re-read....more
This was great fun, if a bit thin on the plot. But the Doctor's voice was nailed perfectly and there were lots of brilliant little moments.This was great fun, if a bit thin on the plot. But the Doctor's voice was nailed perfectly and there were lots of brilliant little moments....more
This series is such a blast, I would never have said when it was starting that “Santa Klaus as a superhero” would bring me so much joy, but every DeceThis series is such a blast, I would never have said when it was starting that “Santa Klaus as a superhero” would bring me so much joy, but every December I look forward to the new one. Amazing....more
A very pleasant mini-series with some good twists and enjoyable timey-wimey. As usual, I really enjoyed Cornell’s focus on the inner struggle of the cA very pleasant mini-series with some good twists and enjoyable timey-wimey. As usual, I really enjoyed Cornell’s focus on the inner struggle of the characters....more
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