Sally Bend's Blog, page 32

Book Review: Of Iron and Gold by Lexa Luthor (fantasy romance)

Title: Of Iron and Gold
Author: Lexa Luthor
Publication Date: July 23, 2020
Genres: Fantasy, Romance
Protagonist Gender: Female

Of Iron and Gold is the first book of The Kingdoms of Gyldren by Lexa Luthor, and if you’re new to her work, there’s a lot to unpack here. This is an F/F Omegaverse romance in a medieval fantasy setting, and that probably doesn’t explain much, so let me break it down.

Omegaverse stories feature Alphas, Omegas, and Betas. Betas are the common folk, average men and women; Alphas are bigger, stronger, and generally dominant; while Omegas are smaller, weaker, and generally submissive. There are pheromones and animalistic urges involved between Alphas and Omegas, with one rutting and the other in heat, driving a need to breed (complete with knotting) and mate for life. It’s a powerfully erotic dynamic, and one that crosses gender lines into both F/F and (more commonly) M/M relationships.

Whereas M/M stories introduce an MPreg (Male Pregnancy) aspect that allows the Omega male to become pregnant and carry children, F/F stories make use of a G!p (Girl Penis) element that allows Alpha women to impregnate their mate. If you’re familiar with the futa/futanari genre of transgender fiction, then you can probably already visualize this. Depending on the story, these relationships can be anything from the norm for society to something illicit and taboo.

Here, Luthor takes the taboo approach, with Aubrey’s crude dismissal as a degen (or degenerate) a key aspect of how she came to be a slave, presented to Princess Kinsey as one of four possible Alphas from whom she is to choose someone to impregnate her. Kinsey’s father (the King) is outraged by the implication that his daughter be sullied by a degen, but the Princess’ aversion to male Alphas makes the She-Alpha, Aubrey, a curious temptation.

There’s a lot going on behind the story, with personal and political motives clashing as much as responsibility and romance. Even though Kinsey is permitted a choice in Alphas, it’s an arranged breeding for political reasons that she cannot escape. As for Aubrey, she’s been forced to subdue her Alpha nature to survive years of slavery, a situation caused by Kinsey’s father’s conquest of her homeland, and she’s fighting herself almost as much as she is the attentions of Kinsey. There is a romance here, but it’s necessarily slow to develop, with both characters having to navigate a mess of conflicts to find their way to one another. That allows Luthor to explore her characters, endear them to us, and give their friendship the strength to generate passion.

If you’re into lesfic or WLW romance, then the dynamic between Kinsey and Aubrey will melt your heart, and if you’re more into Omegaverse or futa erotica, then the passion between them will have your heart racing. It’s a wonderful blending of genres, and Luthor does a fabulous job of writing as well to curious newbies as to diehard fans of the genre. I raced through this, needing to know that they’d be all right, and I loved how they overcame the obstacles to find their HEA.

Rating:

My sincere thanks to the author for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review: The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi by Shannon Chakraborty (fantasy)

Title: The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi
Author: Shannon Chakraborty
Publication Date: February 28, 2023
Genres: Epic Fantasy
Protagonist Gender: Female

Having never read Shannon Chakraborty before, I really had no idea what I was getting myself into with The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi, except I loved the idea of pirates, sorcerers, mystical artifacts, and a legendary woman out to end her career with one last score. I was kind of expecting a 1000 Arabian Nights sort of tale, and that’s precisely what I got – to my delight.

Amina is a fantastic character, a woman who stands tall alongside both heroes and scoundrels. Yes, she’s a pirate who has done some horrible things, but she’s also a mother who is haunted by that legacy. She’s a multifaceted character, and she only grows more complex as more friends and allies and woven into the tale. Speaking of friends, Dalila is a definite highlight of the story, and so long as we get more of her (and more of her backstory) in the next two books, things will be great.

The plot seems simple at first, but it too grows more layers as the story goes on. This is neither a simple heist nor a simple rescue story, it’s also a tale of second chances, found family, gender roles, dangerous plots, and deep mythology. It takes a bit to get going, but it’s thoroughly entertaining, which just the right amount of humor to contrast the anger, the sorrow, and the danger. With that said, I felt like the book took a sharp turn into magical fantasy in the final third, which I wasn’t at all prepared for (despite the magic and monsters to that point), but it grounds itself in time to nail the climax and give us a reason to keep reading.

My only regret with The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi is that I waited so long to give it a read, but that also means the wait for the second book will be a little bit shorter. Fun stuff!

Rating:

My sincere thanks to the publisher for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Fetish & Fantasy Freebie Friday – Putting the TG in TGIF!

Well, if it’s Friday, then it must be time to bend our way into the weekend with Fetish & Fantasy Freebie Friday!

Every Friday I search through the free titles on Amazon, looking for those that might be of interest to similarly bent readers, fans, and lovers. Even if you don’t have a Kindle, you can still download the titles through one of Amazon’s free reading applications.

Please do be sure to check the price before downloading anything, as most freebies are limited time offers, and some are specific to certain regions.

While you’re on Amazon, if you’d like to support my stories, could I kindly ask that you give these a read/review? 

Enjoy!

Top 10 Books I Wish I Could Read

As we approach the new year, I want to wrap up this year, look forward to the next, and then look beyond even that – because, yes, I’m a greedy bookslut when it comes to stuffing my shelves!

This year I read 124 books, the shortest being 24 pages and the longest 1,232 pages. During the year I read some stinkers (Tell Me I’m Worthless comes to mind) and some disappointments (The Dragons of Deepwood Fen tops that list), but I also had my hand in proofreading or editing some absolutely amazing titles (but I won’t play favorites there).

To wrap things up, here are the Top 10 Books I Wish I Could Read next year – books teased, abandoned, postponed, and unwritten:

Stealing Thunder 3 by Alina Boyden – I have no idea if there are plans, but I absolutely adored the first 2 books of this series and I desperately want more. More epic fantasy with transgender heroines positively portrayed.Feminine Pursuits 4 by Olivia Waite – I know her contract was only for 3 books in this series, but I’d dearly love another massmarket paperback book of sapphic regency romance with a backdrop of art, science, and biology.Tempests and Temptation by Kara Jorgensen – tentatively scheduled for 2025, this f/f entry in the Paranormal Society Romance series (which I’ve loved) is a book I’ve been waiting for since 2020.Domains 5 by Miss Irene Clearmont – I absolutely adored the Domains saga (Miss Irene even wrote me into an exclusive short story!), so when she blogged about writing a series of tales that would serve as the 5th book she originally envisioned, it immediately went on my wishlist.Initiates of the Blood by Cecilia Tan – a long-delayed book I’ve been waiting for since 2017, this promises sex, blood magic, and romance in a stimulating, sensual, satisfying tale by an author who has defined queer/erotic SFF.Poor Relations by Jo Walton – announced in 2017 and placed into limbo due to online concerns and Walton wanting to be a good trans ally, I still desperately want to read this ‘Mansfield Park as a space opera’ alien invasion tale because I love Walton and trust her to manage the core gender aspect with sensitivity, creativity, and thoughtfulness.Walk in Shadow by Steven Erikson – this 3rd book in the Kharkanas Trilogy was paused back in 2022, but I love the idea of delving deeper into the history of the Malazan Book of the Fallen, and honestly I’d rather read this than the Witness trilogy.Talisman 3 by Stephen King – I don’t know that this will ever happen now that Peter Straub has passed away, but King first talked about writing a 3rd book way back in 2006, and I still desperately want to see the duology become a trilogy, so here’s hoping. Captal’s Tower by Melanie Rawn – long-awaited since 1997, this 3rd book of the Exiles series is my holy grail of epic fantasies (sorry, Winds of Winter fans), and while I wholly sympathize with the life challenges she has faced, she’s talked about getting back to this, so I continue to hold out hope that we’ll see it one day.Book of The Art 3 or Galilee 2 by Clive Barker – Barker has been talking about a sequel to The Great and Secret Show & Everville since 1990 and a sequel to Galilee since 1997, and if there was only one book I could look forward to, it would be just one more epic adult doorstopper from the greatest author of our generation.

Top 10 Books I Can’t Wait to Read

As we approach the new year, I want to wrap up this year, look forward to the next, and then look beyond even that – because, yes, I’m a greedy bookslut when it comes to stuffing my shelves!

This year I read 124 books, the shortest being 24 pages and the longest 1,232 pages. During the year I read some stinkers (Tell Me I’m Worthless comes to mind) and some disappointments (The Dragons of Deepwood Fen tops that list), but I also had my hand in proofreading or editing some absolutely amazing titles (but I won’t play favorites there).

Anyway, to keep things going, here are the Top 10 Books I Can’t Wait to Read next year, in order of (expected) publication:

Faebound by Saara El-Arifi – the first in a new trilogy that turns convention on its head and explores a queer high fantasy world where elves thrive and humans are legend.A History of the World in 12 Shipwrecks by David Gibbins – the king of underwater adventure stories steps out of fiction to explore the archaeological discoveries of twelve shipwrecks across time.Empire of the Damned by Jay Kristoff – picks up where the first left off, thrusts us into increasingly deadly battles with the undead, and twists the silver blade just a bit deeper into Gabriel’s heart.Annie Bot by Sierra Greer – a provocative, thoughtful story about the relationship between a female robot and her human owner, exploring questions of intimacy, power, autonomy, and control.You Like it Darker by Stephen King – a gift to we Faithful Readers who prefer the King of Horror at his darkest, with 12 short stories, many of which have never been published.The Z Word by Lindsay King-Miller – the “the queer Zombieland you didn’t know you needed,” packed with action, humor, sex, drag queens, lesbians, and zombies!The Fireborne Blade by Charlotte Bond – Dragons, ill-fated knights, scheming squires, and sapphic love, with deceptions and double-crosses. Fabulous!.A Change of Place by Julie E. Czerneda – a long-awaited return to the cozy romantic fantasy of Marrowdell that takes us to the Verge, the magical realm of dragons and sei, for spring equinox.The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst – a cosy fantasy following a woman’s unexpected journey through the low-stakes market of illegal spell-selling and the high-risk business of starting over.Wind and Truth by Brandon Sanderson – is the long-awaited climax to the first arc of the Stormlight Archive, with Dalinar Kholin challenging Odium to a contest of champions while the fate of the Cosmere hangs in the balance.

Top 10 Books I Loved Reading

As we approach the new year, I want to wrap up this year, look forward to the next, and then look beyond even that – because, yes, I’m a greedy bookslut when it comes to stuffing my shelves!

This year I read 124 books, the shortest being 24 pages and the longest 1,232 pages. During the year I read some stinkers (Tell Me I’m Worthless comes to mind) and some disappointments (The Dragons of Deepwood Fen tops that list), but I also had my hand in proofreading or editing some absolutely amazing titles (but I won’t play favorites there).

Anyway, to start things off, here are the Top 10 Books I Loved Reading this year, in reverse order of when I read them:

Dragonfall by L.R. Lam – a queer dragon enemies-to-lovers fantasy in a genderfluid world with a surprise twist that hits hard and nails the ending.Phoenix Rising by Ryk E. Spoor – a throwback to late 80s/early 90s that made my heart swell and my imagination squeal like a teenager once again.Eli Series by B.J. Frazier – a fun and fabulous read, often inspiring and sometimes amusing, that gets deep into the rules and ethics of the BDSM power-exchange.Nights of Silk and Sapphire by Amber Jacobs – featuring desert fantasy, erotic romance, a sapphic harem, and a gloriously sensual awakening, this was an absolute gem of a novel.Camp Damascus by Chuck Tingle – this was exactly what I wanted, and even more what I needed, a feel-good horror novel that delighted me with every twist and turn.Spirit of the Wood by Kristen Britain –  a familiar visit to a favorite place as we await the Karigan’s next adventure.The Night Mother by John Everson – a finale that outdoes the S&M-themed depravities of the first 2 books while delving deeper into the mythology of angels, demons, creation myths, and immortality.Rise of the Battlebitch by Drace Domino – Adorably queer. Beautifully diverse. Uproariously cheeky. Wonderfully heartfelt. Sweetly romantic. Heroic sword-and-sorcery with friendship and romance.The Doors We Open by Donna Jay – a beautiful book about the contrasts of characters, themes, and relationships, with an erotic flair beneath the sweet romance, surrounded by heartfelt family drama.Southern Chastity by L. D. Cub – a character-driven story of camaraderie, friendships, romance, submission, and (yes) chastity kink.

Fetish & Fantasy Freebie Friday – Putting the TG in TGIF!

Well, if it’s Friday, then it must be time to bend our way into the weekend with Fetish & Fantasy Freebie Friday!

Every Friday I search through the free titles on Amazon, looking for those that might be of interest to similarly bent readers, fans, and lovers. Even if you don’t have a Kindle, you can still download the titles through one of Amazon’s free reading applications.

Please do be sure to check the price before downloading anything, as most freebies are limited time offers, and some are specific to certain regions.

While you’re on Amazon, if you’d like to support my stories, could I kindly ask that you give these a read/review? 

Enjoy!

Can’t-Wait Wednesday: Cuckoo by Gretchen Felker-Martin

Can’t-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted here to spotlight and discuss the books we’re excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they’re books that have yet to be released. Find out more here.

My choice for this week is a new horror tale from the author of Manhunt (which was amazing!), that sounds reminiscent of Camp Damascus (which was also amazing).

Cuckoo

by Gretchen Felker-Martin
Adult, Horror
Paperback and eBook, 320 pages
June 11, 2024 by Tor Nightfire

Cuckoo is a searing new novel from Manhunt author Gretchen Felker-Martin, where a motley crew of kidnapped kids try to stay true to themselves while serving time in a conversion camp from hell.

In the late 90s, five queer kids, whose parents want them “fixed,” find themselves thrown together at a secretive “tough love” camp deep in the scorching Utah desert.

Tormented and worked to the point of collapse by hardline religious zealots intent on straightening them out, they slowly become aware that something in the mountains north of the camp is speaking to them in their dreams, and that the children who return home to their families have…changed.

Goodreads

Fetish & Fantasy Freebie Friday – Putting the TG in TGIF!

Well, if it’s Friday, then it must be time to bend our way into the weekend with Fetish & Fantasy Freebie Friday!

Every Friday I search through the free titles on Amazon, looking for those that might be of interest to similarly bent readers, fans, and lovers. Even if you don’t have a Kindle, you can still download the titles through one of Amazon’s free reading applications.

Please do be sure to check the price before downloading anything, as most freebies are limited time offers, and some are specific to certain regions.

While you’re on Amazon, if you’d like to support my stories, could I kindly ask that you give these a read/review? 

Enjoy!

Can’t-Wait Wednesday: The Fireborne Blade by Charlotte Bond

Can’t-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted here to spotlight and discuss the books we’re excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they’re books that have yet to be released. Find out more here.

Dragons, ill-fated knights, scheming squires, and sapphic love, with deceptions and double-crosses. Fabulous!.

The Fireborne Blade

by Charlotte Bond
Adult, Fantasy
eBook, 192pages
May 28, 2024 by Tordotcom

Kill the dragon. Find the blade. Reclaim your honor.
It’s that, or end up like countless knights before her, as a puddle of gore and molten armor.

Maddileh is a knight. There aren’t many women in her line of work, and it often feels like the sneering and contempt from her peers is harder to stomach than the actual dragon slaying. But she’s a knight, and made of sterner stuff.

A minor infraction forces her to redeem her honor in the most dramatic way possible, she must retrieve the fabled Fireborne Blade from its keeper, legendary dragon the White Lady, or die trying. If history tells us anything, it’s that “die trying” is where to wager your coin.

Maddileh’s tale contains a rich history of dragons, ill-fated knights, scheming squires, and sapphic love, with deceptions and double-crosses that will keep you guessing right up to its dramatic conclusion. Ultimately, The Fireborne Blade is about the roles we refuse to accept, and of the place we make for ourselves in the world.

Goodreads