Julia
What a cap to the trilogy! I felt a bit irritated by the dynamic of the two mains in #2, all redeemed by the steamy hot tension between the mains in #3! Both emotional and sexual, and a truly phenomenally well-written negotiation of kink/fantasy scene. Plus a nail-biting non-romantic plot re: the fate of all magicians in Britain, and Marske's sharp, sharp prose, like this gem: "Alan's annoyance gave an enjoyable lash of its tail." The trilogy as a whole is a delightful and wondrous accomplishment.
What a cap to the trilogy! I felt a bit irritated by the dynamic of the two mains in #2, all redeemed by the steamy hot tension between the mains in #3! Both emotional and sexual, and a truly phenomenally well-written negotiation of kink/fantasy scene. Plus a nail-biting non-romantic plot re: the fate of all magicians in Britain, and Marske's sharp, sharp prose, like this gem: "Alan's annoyance gave an enjoyable lash of its tail." The trilogy as a whole is a delightful and wondrous accomplishment.
Added to listIndigeneitywith 26 books.
Added to listWhole Earthwith 37 books.
Added to listNon Fictionwith 54 books.
Added to listQueer Queer Friendlywith 38 books.
This is my book club's 4th Simpson book (we've done Rehearsals for Living, As We Have Always Done, and Noompiming) and I just LOVE IT ALL. I also heard her at book tour stop at Tidelands in Seattle a few weeks ago, and was starstruck. There is so much wisdom in this book, and I think that all of Simpson's writing is love letters. This one is a love letter to water, her mentor & Elder Doug, and to the children of the future. Two quotes I especially love: "Perhaps racial capitalism has destroyed the humility necessary to see that humans are not the conductor of the euphony of life, but instead play the third chair of a bassline instrument? Perhaps world making isn't up to us, at least not on a planetary scale. Perhaps world making is a communal struggle," (p. 34) and "World making requires love, kindness, and care. It requires collectivity and relationality, and it is these practices that generate the knowledge needed to move on to the next step" (p. 41).
This is my book club's 4th Simpson book (we've done Rehearsals for Living, As We Have Always Done, and Noompiming) and I just LOVE IT ALL. I also heard her at book tour stop at Tidelands in Seattle a few weeks ago, and was starstruck. There is so much wisdom in this book, and I think that all of Simpson's writing is love letters. This one is a love letter to water, her mentor & Elder Doug, and to the children of the future. Two quotes I especially love: "Perhaps racial capitalism has destroyed the humility necessary to see that humans are not the conductor of the euphony of life, but instead play the third chair of a bassline instrument? Perhaps world making isn't up to us, at least not on a planetary scale. Perhaps world making is a communal struggle," (p. 34) and "World making requires love, kindness, and care. It requires collectivity and relationality, and it is these practices that generate the knowledge needed to move on to the next step" (p. 41).
Added to listPure Unadulterated Trashwith 87 books.
Read this with a friend for an impromptu two-person book club, and I agree with her - this is smut crack! Short on plot, long (hah pun intendd) on spice. The novella length really did mean that the plot was wrapped up too quickly/neatly, so the tension felt rushed/artificial compared to her novel length stuff, but I'm not mad about any of it!
Read this with a friend for an impromptu two-person book club, and I agree with her - this is smut crack! Short on plot, long (hah pun intendd) on spice. The novella length really did mean that the plot was wrapped up too quickly/neatly, so the tension felt rushed/artificial compared to her novel length stuff, but I'm not mad about any of it!
I...don't know if I'll return to this. It was fine, but my two main issues are that the world feels fairly derivative of Maas' Prythian, which definitely pre-existed it, and there's only one sex scene! But it's really just a glorified makeout! I want my spice spicier than that, what can I say.
I...don't know if I'll return to this. It was fine, but my two main issues are that the world feels fairly derivative of Maas' Prythian, which definitely pre-existed it, and there's only one sex scene! But it's really just a glorified makeout! I want my spice spicier than that, what can I say.
This is practically perfect Hazelwood. Not in Love definitely one of my top two faves of hers, and now the end of this duology makes for a very closely beloved top #3 (my other is Love, Theoretically). Classic Hazelwood banter, spice, the works. For me personally, making a finance bro sexy (even if he's technically a biotech finance bro) is a real tall order, and she delivered. Also, the title! Chef's kiss.
This is practically perfect Hazelwood. Not in Love definitely one of my top two faves of hers, and now the end of this duology makes for a very closely beloved top #3 (my other is Love, Theoretically). Classic Hazelwood banter, spice, the works. For me personally, making a finance bro sexy (even if he's technically a biotech finance bro) is a real tall order, and she delivered. Also, the title! Chef's kiss.
Added to listFeministywith 53 books.
Look, I love a shipboard caper! So much about this is so good, and Marske's prose is razor sharp and very, very funny. My main beef with this book is I really resented one of the female main character's commitment phobia, which impacted by feelings about the (excellent, queer) spice. But honestly, that's a personal problem.
Look, I love a shipboard caper! So much about this is so good, and Marske's prose is razor sharp and very, very funny. My main beef with this book is I really resented one of the female main character's commitment phobia, which impacted by feelings about the (excellent, queer) spice. But honestly, that's a personal problem.
I think this is a tremendously valuable book and my trainees have given me feedback that's definitely true for their experiences, as well. My read dates are wrong, though - it actually took me over a year to get through! I'm not sure why. I do think that Mullan's repetition, which I think works for me in some contexts and not others, led me to drag my heels a little bit when I was wanting the power of her ideas and practice to be more condensed/concentrated. I'll definitely be returning to parts of it again and again, especially the practical elements.
I think this is a tremendously valuable book and my trainees have given me feedback that's definitely true for their experiences, as well. My read dates are wrong, though - it actually took me over a year to get through! I'm not sure why. I do think that Mullan's repetition, which I think works for me in some contexts and not others, led me to drag my heels a little bit when I was wanting the power of her ideas and practice to be more condensed/concentrated. I'll definitely be returning to parts of it again and again, especially the practical elements.
Really enjoyed this trilogy. My star ratings would be higher if the murder-y parts weren't riiiiiiiight at the edge of my tolerance for violence in romance. I especially love how Weaver attends to the non-romance relationships, both between the female main characters (pre-existing and developing friendships), and the male main characters (brothers). Also, her spice is GREAT.
Really enjoyed this trilogy. My star ratings would be higher if the murder-y parts weren't riiiiiiiight at the edge of my tolerance for violence in romance. I especially love how Weaver attends to the non-romance relationships, both between the female main characters (pre-existing and developing friendships), and the male main characters (brothers). Also, her spice is GREAT.
I'm not mad I read this, and think I would eventually read the other half of the duology, but am not in a rush to do so. I liked the world and the parts of the plot related to politics and persecution. Still, could have used more spicy scenes (a chronic lament for me), and I'm not sure what it is, but was just missing the compelling plot elements that propel me into going to the sequel right away in oher series.
I'm not mad I read this, and think I would eventually read the other half of the duology, but am not in a rush to do so. I liked the world and the parts of the plot related to politics and persecution. Still, could have used more spicy scenes (a chronic lament for me), and I'm not sure what it is, but was just missing the compelling plot elements that propel me into going to the sequel right away in oher series.
Added to listQueer Queer Friendlywith 36 books.
Added to listPure Unadulterated Trashwith 85 books.
Added to listPart Of A Setwith 72 books.
Added to listNovelswith 187 books.
Added to listSci Fi & Fantasywith 29 books.
A delightful romp! Save for the scary mystery bits (which were also great, just legitimately nerve-wracking). Love these characters, love the slow build, love the world. Marske had me at "queer magical Edwardian romance." Excited to read the rest of the trilogy.
A delightful romp! Save for the scary mystery bits (which were also great, just legitimately nerve-wracking). Love these characters, love the slow build, love the world. Marske had me at "queer magical Edwardian romance." Excited to read the rest of the trilogy.
