August Reviews

Another three book month and I have no excuses (well, I traveled for a week with no time for reading, and burnt out at work, but it is what it is). I'd love to think fewer books to write about means more time to make sure the reviews are coherent, but we all know by this point that's not the case. So, let's get to it.

A Lady for a Duke by Alexis Hall

A friend of mine mailed me her physical copy of this book she liked it so much, so I knew I had to read it.

Viola Carroll has finally freed herself; after being declared dead at Waterloo, she returned home to live as her true self. But her past is not as abandoned as she thinks, and when an encounter with her previous best friend reveals a grief deeper than expected, Viola has to decide if revealing herself with do more harm than good, especially when feelings start to arise between her and Gracewood.

While I maintain that regency romance novels aren't super my thing, I will make the biggest exception for this one. The main character, Viola, is trans, and her situation is handled with respect and care. There are instances of referring to her by her former surname and using he/him pronouns, but only until the folks doing so are aware of the situation, which is then quickly rectified. And for a regency set novel with all it's social stigmas and status, I was pleased with how quickly the folks in the know were to accept Viola.

The romance was very dramatic and sweeping, a sort of combination of friends to lovers and an unbelievable amount of yearning. Gracewood and Viola fall in love as theiir new selves, both despite and because of their history and the changes they both went through. Their conversations were both witty and heartfelt, and I appreciated the honesty and regard they held for one another, even when yearning to be together and holsing themselves back.

The other plot lines were alright, well done enough to be interesting without distracting from the main romantic plot. And the characters were a fun time (I especially liked Louise, with her stubborn natural and unending belief that she is always right, and Miranda's shameless curiosity and quirks), so overall I had a grand time with everything.

I would honestly read more regency romances if they were queer, so more of that please.

Aetherbound by EK Johnston

I sort of picked this book up on a whim because the cover was pretty and I like books set in space, then I realized it was by the same author who wrote the Ahsoka book and got to have a fun little bonus for it.

Pendt has been considered a waste of food ever since she was born, developing a magic that her space traveling family considered useless to their ship life. But when an opportunity for escape arises, Pendt's differences prove to be the thing that keep her alive, and something that provides more opportunities than she could have ever dreamed. And when she meets two powerful teenage heirs, her world opens up beyond the scope of possibility.

This was an interesting book to read, both in general and with how the world is right now. The magic the characters use is fed by caloric intake, so food and how much a person is or isn't eating is one big aspect other. The other is procreation and genetics-- babies with certain chromosomes are needed to power the space docks, and mages of all kinds are made and needed for space travel. There's a definite clinical aspect to it, and the use of women's bodies as a commodity feels a little raw in the wake of Roe v Wade being overturned. Pendt is lucky enough to decide things for herself, but not everyone in the book is so lucky.

There's also several complicated family dynamics in this book, and I think everything was handled really well, especially since all three of the Big Things present in the book (calorie counting, bodily autonomy, and abusive families) can be difficult or triggering to read. Everything is handled as Pendt grows and learns and finds better ways to live, and I appreciated the way Johnston allowed to reader to witness Pendt's trials and triumphs, her growth and eventual better treatment, both from other people and herself.

It's a pretty quick read, only about 240 pages, but it still manages to pack in a lot of world building and rebellion and magic. Some of it was a little bit confusing, but by the end I had a pretty good grasp on how the world worked. The characters helped, having frank conversations and learning from one another in between bits of history lessons included between parts. The other two main characters, Fischer and Ned, were delightful. I do so love sibling characters, especially ones that understand and love and respect one another as much as those two did. They were stuck in a difficult situation, but never seemed to begrudge the other for wanting something the other possessed. Instead they worked together, and then even more so with Pendt, to build a future that benefitted everyone.

Overall this was a book that felt like a victory is small and wonderful ways. It was strange and very brave new world, and I had a good time with it.

Padawan by Kiersten White

Yes, another Star Wars book, I know, but this one is about Obi Wan Kenobi as a padawan, and it includes considerations on a bi and/or ace Obi Wan, so you know I HAD to read it.

Obi Wan is ready for something more. He's been paired with a Jedi master that doesn't seem to want him and stuck at the temple while all his friends go out on adventures with their own masters. So when the chance to leave the temple on an exploratory adventure comes along, Obi Wan jumps in headfirst (even if it means heading deep into unknown space on his own). But when a quest for an unmarked planet turns into something much more dangerous, Obi Wan will have to learn what it means to trust the force (and himself) to get out alive.

This was a very fun, very different look at Obi Wan Kenobi. I adore him as a character, but this is the first opportunity we've had to see him as a much younger person, a student just starting to learn, not yet the confident negotiator we see in other Star Wars media. And that was fun, to sort of glimpse the pieces of him that would form and grow over time. I liked nervous and unsure Obi Wan, just as much as I like charming and capable Obi Wan.

The setting for this book was really interesting. I love when new planets are explored, and the bulk of this story took place on a planet called Lenahra, with a cast of different species and personalities to compete with Obi Wan's somewhat sheltered upbringing. I liked the way they challenged Obi Wan in ways his fellow padawans didn't, but also emphasized the importance of having a community.

It's a minor inclusion, but Obi Wan does have a conversation with another teenage boy about romance, and while nothing happens it can absolutely be understood that Obi Wan is perhaps bi and/or ace, which was so in line with his character, at least to me. Obi Wan has always felt very queer coded to me, so to see that realized in a more canonical form was fantastic. There was also a nonbinart character with the ability to change their appearance at will, which was pretty stellar as well.

Overall this was a really fun look at a pretty familiar character in a new light!

And that's all I had time for this month. Hoping that life will provide a bit more time for reading soon, but until then, keep writing, friends!

Sam

Literary recommendation: a dear friend of mine went to Guernsey this summer, which made me want to reread The Guernsey Literary and Potato-Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

Media recommendation: Netflix's The Sandman kept me captivated for about a week, very gay and very visually stunning