▸ books read in 2022 ◂

• book log: ⿻ ┋ year masterlist: ⿻

the order of the pure moon reflected in water — zen cho ┋ ★★☆☆☆ 2/5

【novella, historical fiction, fantasy, queer】

• intriguing, but more info dump than actual world building
• fantasy lacking any fantastical elements
• some characters likability hindered by personality inconsistencies

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only mostly devastated — sophie gonzales ┋ ★★★☆☆ 3.25/5

【ya, contemporary, mm romance】

• overuse of 'eugh'
• fairly predictable & very tropey w/ heavy stereotyping
• will was really doing his best out there

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icebreaker — a.l. graziadei ┋ ★★★★☆ 4/5

【ya, contemporary, sports, mm romance】

tw// depression, anxiety, panic attacks

• mickey's personal growth was wonderful
• enjoyed the fact that both mcs had queer experiences prior to getting together
• nicely paced plot that neither kept me bored, nor felt too rushed

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shallow waters — anita kopacz ┋ ★★☆☆☆ 1.75/5

【adult, historical fiction, mythology, fantasy】

tw// slavery, brutality, torture, injury, attempted rape

• rudimentary writing
• frustratingly single-minded amidst what should be a captivating meld of African myth & historical fiction
• naivety of the narrative voice allows for a sad, genuine look at feminine strength, but overall the impact falls flat

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in deeper waters — f.t. lukens ┋ ★★★☆☆ 3/5

【ya, historical fiction, fantasy, mm romance】

• simple plot, likable characters
• compelling close knit siblings
• heavy use of 'insta-love' as a plot device

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a strange and stubborn endurance — foz meadows ┋ ★★★★☆ 4.5/5

【adult, fantasy, mm romance】

tw// sexual assault, self harm, suicidal ideation, homophobia, violence, injury, sexism, murder, panic attacks, animal death

• a captivating blend of trauma, politics, mystery & romance
• smartly orchestrated, this novel is a small treasure of pain & comfort in a fortified balance

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silk & steel (silk and steel #1) — ariana nash ┋ ★★★☆☆ 3.5/5

【adult, dark fantasy, shapeshifters, mm romance】

tw// sexual assault, rape, non-con, abuse, torture, imprisonment, violence, incest, injury

• uncomfortably graphic as it straddles the line of acceptability before ultimately erasing them altogether
• supremely tense & compelling as it forces you to digest the indigestible as a matter of urgency
• heartbreaking & utterly enraging

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iron & fire (silk and steel #2) — ariana nash ┋ ★★★★☆ 4.5/5

【adult, dark fantasy, shapeshifters, mm romance】

tw// sexual assault, rape, non-con, abuse, torture, imprisonment, violence, injury, speciesism

• an absolutely wild, well paced, emotional minefield of a second novel

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blood & ice (silk and steel #3) — ariana nash ┋ ★★★★☆ 4.75/5

【adult, dark fantasy, shapeshifters, mm romance】

tw// abuse, violence, injury

• the indescribable amounts of loss & pain were truly awful
• maddeningly riveting & submersive
• a worthwhile conclusion

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not my problem — ciara smyth ┋ ★★★★☆ 4/5

【ya, contemporary, ww romance】

tw// parental alcoholism, panic attacks, bullying, injury

• sweet, gentle depiction of breaking from cycles of toxicity w/ a dash of slow burn romance
• a great look at friendship expiration dates & how sometimes unexpected changes really are for the better

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savage rivals — becca steele ┋ ★★☆☆☆ 2.5/5

【new adult, ya, sports, mm romance】

tw// bullying, violence

• over-the-top, dramatic high school football(uk) rivalry sees two obsessively invested team captains fall in love over the course of a series of fumbled retaliation plans
• features trigger happy morons fighting with their mouths as much as their fists until they're oozing gooey affection & finding themselves head-over-heels in love