Lizard
Book 1 of 2
Problematic BL Stereotypes Checklist
Are all love interests clearly adults (18+)?
Yes
Are they gay purely for plot (‘typically straight’, ‘different from the rest’, ‘only gay for the lead(s)’)?
No
Are all love interests enthusiastically consenting?
Yes
Are all love interests able to effectively communicate?
No
Are there any NSFW scenes?
Yes
Are they as realistic as possible?
No, lube and condom is mentioned..that's it (there's no prep)
Does someone get SA'd?
No
Is it romanticized/brushed off/for comedy?
N/A
Is the anatomy unrealistic (barring style)?
No
Is there homophobia? Transphobia?
No, No
Is there a seme/uke dynamic?
Yes
Is there misogyny?
Yes, there's women in the book. That's it. They are there for the men.
Is there racism?
I would argue yes, one of MMC is ambiguously Mexican in the way he discusses his culture but skin tone was never mentioned (from memory) yet one of the like five women mentioned is described as Black but it's used as a describer, with not any link to actual culture. It feels very performative but I can't fully speak on that.
Is there substance use?
Alcohol
Is there a love triangle/unethical polyamory?
No, but there is an arranged marriage attempt (no feelings between them).
Do one or more love interests have a tragic backstory?
Yes, both
Do one or more love interests have bad parents/guardians?
Yes
Do one or more love interests break-up?
No? They are separated and on rocky terms, but it's not a full on intended break-up.
Do one or more love interests die in the end?
No
Do one or more love interests abuse the other(s) in any way?
I'm going to say no, but Coal (MMC) can be seen as at least immature if not borderline toxic.
Does one or more love interests cheat on the other(s)?
No, unless you count an arranged marriage attempt.
Is there a good, established plot?
No
Notes:
I'd rather legally change my name to a homophobic slur than rate this book higher than a half star. I'm not going to say this is a millennial fetish attempt at gay twink fanfiction, but if it reads like it...I mean it speaks for itself.
Book 1 of 2
Problematic BL Stereotypes Checklist
Are all love interests clearly adults (18+)?
Yes
Are they gay purely for plot (‘typically straight’, ‘different from the rest’, ‘only gay for the lead(s)’)?
No
Are all love interests enthusiastically consenting?
Yes
Are all love interests able to effectively communicate?
No
Are there any NSFW scenes?
Yes
Are they as realistic as possible?
No, lube and condom is mentioned..that's it (there's no prep)
Does someone get SA'd?
No
Is it romanticized/brushed off/for comedy?
N/A
Is the anatomy unrealistic (barring style)?
No
Is there homophobia? Transphobia?
No, No
Is there a seme/uke dynamic?
Yes
Is there misogyny?
Yes, there's women in the book. That's it. They are there for the men.
Is there racism?
I would argue yes, one of MMC is ambiguously Mexican in the way he discusses his culture but skin tone was never mentioned (from memory) yet one of the like five women mentioned is described as Black but it's used as a describer, with not any link to actual culture. It feels very performative but I can't fully speak on that.
Is there substance use?
Alcohol
Is there a love triangle/unethical polyamory?
No, but there is an arranged marriage attempt (no feelings between them).
Do one or more love interests have a tragic backstory?
Yes, both
Do one or more love interests have bad parents/guardians?
Yes
Do one or more love interests break-up?
No? They are separated and on rocky terms, but it's not a full on intended break-up.
Do one or more love interests die in the end?
No
Do one or more love interests abuse the other(s) in any way?
I'm going to say no, but Coal (MMC) can be seen as at least immature if not borderline toxic.
Does one or more love interests cheat on the other(s)?
No, unless you count an arranged marriage attempt.
Is there a good, established plot?
No
Notes:
I'd rather legally change my name to a homophobic slur than rate this book higher than a half star. I'm not going to say this is a millennial fetish attempt at gay twink fanfiction, but if it reads like it...I mean it speaks for itself.