Isaiah Roby's Blog: MI Book Reviews, page 83

Review: Alpha Trine by Lexi Ander

Its a well known fact that Im a total sucker for books with tons of aliens. And when the various alien species are abundant, with clearly differing cultures and varying physiologies, plus humans dont even appear on-page and are background antagonists?
Thats my JAM right there!

The sole survivor on a science vessel adrift in deep space, Zeus was adopted by the Emperor and Empress of the MarSani, though he is both human and blind, and seen by most as unfit to join the royal family. Though they...

Queerleaders

Mack snuck a look at the cheerleaders just as Veronica took her place at the top of the pyramid. Time seemed to slow down as the cheerleader swung her long blond ponytail over her shoulder, pompoms high in the air
Mackenzie is used to being different from other kidsand to being bullied for not fitting into the rigid social expectations of her Catholic High School. Luckily, Macks best friend Lila has her back so school isnt the total hell it could be. But its pretty damn close.
Until something...

ARC Review: Unexpected Stories by Octavia E. Butler

Two stunning, speculative short stories by Octavia E. Butler.

Unexpected Stories is, by any measure, an unexpected gift. This slender but resonant volume contains two storiesrecently unearthed and never before in printby one of the most significant figures in modern science fiction: Octavia E. Butler.
A Necessary Being takes us into the heart of an alien culture with a rigid hierarchical system based on caste and skin coloration. With the arrival of visitors from a distant mountain tribe, the...

ARC Review: Dancing with a Star by Grace Kilian Delaney

I got this for the genderfluid protagonist and queerplatonic relationship, and got so much more than I imagined! Totally loved it.

Androgynous fashion model Quinn Bouchard knew this day was coming. Hours before one of the most important photo shoots of his career, his wife asks for a divorcea divorce they had agreed upon before exchanging vowscausing upheaval in his otherwise happy queerplatonic relationship. As if the day wasnt hard enough, Quinn learns Xander Engstrom, his childhood best...

Review: Mask of Shadows by Linsey Miller

I loved Mask of Shadows to pieces.
I was super excited to read it ever since I heard about the plot: genderfluid assassin? Sign me the f*** up!!! And boyyyy this book did NOT disappoint!!! It had all the good things: REVENGE and INTRIGUE, DRAMATIC REVELATIONS and EVIL PLOTTING, SNARK and ROMANCE and FOUND FAMILY. All in a wonderful mixture that made me swoon and stay up wayyyy too late to finish it.

I Needed to Win.
They Needed to Die.
Sallot Leon is a thief, and a good one at that. But gender...

Review: Ruin of Stars by Linsey Miller

I dont think Ill be able to properly describe how much I loved this book. It meant so much to me.

The thrilling conclusion to the Mask of Shadows duology that weaves a tale of magic, shadows, and most importantly, revenge.
As one of the Queens elite assassins, Sal finally has the power, prestige, and permission to hunt down the lords who killed their family. But Sal still has to figure out who the culprits are. They must enlist the help of some old friends and enemies while ignoring a growing...

I Wish You All the Best

Perfect for fans of Adam Silvera and Becky Albertalli, Mason Deavers groundbreaking debut will rip your heart out before showing you how to heal from tragedy and celebrate life in the process.

When Ben De Backer comes out to their parents as nonbinary, theyre thrown out of their house and forced to move in with their estranged older sister, Hannah, and her husband, Thomas, whom Ben has never even met. Struggling with an anxiety disorder compounded by their parents rejection, they come out...

The House in the Cerulean Sea

“A magical island. A dangerous task. A burning secret.

Linus Baker leads a quiet, solitary life. At forty, he lives in a tiny house with a devious cat and his old records. As a Case Worker at the Department in Charge Of Magical Youth, he spends his days overseeing the well-being of children in government-sanctioned orphanages.

When Linus is unexpectedly summoned by Extremely Upper Management he’s given a curious and highly classified assignment: travel to Marsyas Island Orphanage, where six...

Review: How to Marry a Werewolf by Gail Carriger

This was absolutely incredible, I’m still dazed from all the emotions.

Guilty of an indiscretion? Time to marry a werewolf.
WEREWOLVES
The monsters left Faith ruined in the eyes of society, so now they’re her only option. Rejected by her family, Faith crosses the Atlantic, looking for a marriage of convenience and revenge.
But things are done differently in London. Werewolves are civilized. At least they pretend to be.
AMERICANS
Backward heathens with no culture, Major Channing has never had time...

Review: Earth Fathers Are Weird by Lyn Gala

I absolutelyadoredthis!
PLEASE @ writing world give me more books that don’t shy away from non-humanoid characters!!!

Captain Maxwell Davis and his entire unit scrambled to engage alien ships over Iowa. The aliens snatched him out of his destroyed jet before they continued on their interplanetary hot pursuit. Then they informed Max that Earth was too far outside regular shipping lanes to return him to his planet.
So Max ends up in an alien spaceport looking for work. To afford a ticket home he...