Why I bought it: Kassa recommended it in her guest post for the m/m graphic novel appreciation series. I used my Google Fu and discovered the author/artist was going to be at Yaoi Con too so I made it my mission to stalk her when I was there. Needless to say, I now own an autographed copy of Chapter One. Woo and hoo. *grin*
Dislike/like (ending on a high note):
Dislike~ This was me after I’d finished Chapter One: “What the hell. It’s over already?? And on a cliffhanger ending?! Dammit! Oh, but it’s a webcomic. Cool.”
Now I just have to wait impatiently for each page to be released… dammit… again…
Like~ Dark, dark, dark, dark, DARK. Everything about this is dark from the artwork, to the setting, to the characters, to the themes and, as the reader finds out on the very last page *dammit!*, to the motivations. I LOVED that about Starfighter. I’ve no doubt there will be some readers who will find this off putting, especially with regard to the artwork. However, I think its austereness made it even more compelling.
Dislike~ More of a warning~ A few people have mentioned Starfighter reminded them of Broken Boundaries by Evangeline Anderson, which is a story readers tend to love or hate. To be honest, any similarities between the two didn’t even occur to me until the comment was made. This could either be because I suffer from a disease known as obliviousitis or because I never got any sense of the sexual confusion or non-con central to Broken Boundaries from my reading of Starfighter. I will be interested to see what others who’ve read both think about this aspect.
Like~ This might seem a bit silly, but I was really, REALLY pleased Abel didn’t turn out to be a total wimp. Yes, he was uncertain and lacking self-assuredness, particularly when compared to the dominant and aggressive Cain. Yet, he wasn’t a pushover. I know I wouldn’t have enjoyed this graphic novel anywhere near as much if Abel hadn’t stood up to Cain when it mattered.
So, what I think: A must for all those who are fans of dark fantasy/ sci fi/ spec fic. Go read Starfighter now!
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‘Tasting’ is my version of a mini-review where I talk a (very) little about what I liked and disliked about a book as well as who I think the story will appeal to. Oh, and I’ve added a bit about why I picked up the book in the first place – sometimes this can be interesting to know.
Heaven Corp, Book 1
Catching two demon burglars is routine for Gabriel 1089, who’s one cog in an army of cybernetically modified humans protecting the sky city of Heaven. Until two turns into a twenty-demon ambush. When he wakes up, he’s missing his network-enabled halo—and one of his metal wings.
The down-level junk dealer tending Gabe’s wounds has hands that spark nerve endings he never knew he possessed. But for an angel cut off from Heaven, an attic in Old Trent feels more like a trap than a sanctuary.
Demons on his doorstep are nothing new for Jeff Werth. Ever since they saved his daughter’s legs, they’ve been calling in their marker. In exchange for his services—nursing Gabe back to health so they can use him as a pawn in their war with Heaven—they’ll consider the debt paid in full. Except having a powerless angel at his mercy feeds a rising desire that has him rethinking the deal.
Then the de-haloed Gabe begins having dreams that become visions…then memories. Until he’s not sure whose side he’s on. Heaven, or the simple family man who healed his broken wings…and made his heart whole.
Why I bought it: The blurb. I like futuristic, post-apocalyptic fic.
Dislike/like (ending on a high note):
Dislike~ A BigM. Me, I can take or leave the BigM depending on, like all themes, tropes, whatevers, whether the author has (a) convinced me it was relevant to the development of the plot and characters and (b) it was believable. In this book, the reader is aware of the reason for the BigM from the outset. I have to admit I got a wee, bit tired of some of the angsting associated with it as well as the wait for the reveal. All in all, though, it wasn’t a huge deal for me because I got more caught up in other parts of the story.
Like~ The author’s take on the angel versus demons mythology set in a futuristic world that has been ravaged by natural disasters and is now dominated by corporations *deep breath* was intriguing and well crafted. Indeed, I thought this was pretty, damned impressive considering how convoluted the world building could have been with all the tech, etc in it.
Dislike~ More of a warning~ Some readers will see the word ‘corporations’ above and roll their eyes because what’s spec fiction without some sort of evil *insert name of organisation here*? (cont. below)
Like~ I say poo to them cos I love my individuals-rebel-and-battle-the-big-baddies stories. Hello, Star Wars anyone?! They’re awesomesauce and I shalt not hear any naysayers! Oh, and I reckon the mythological overlay provides a unique enough interpretation of this theme to shut up any doubters. There are also a few twists and turns in the plot which should keep readers on their toes.
So, what I think: I will definitely be reading more of this series. I think that says it all really. 🙂
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‘Tasting’ is my version of a mini-review where I talk a (very) little about what I liked and disliked about a book as well as who I think the story will appeal to. Oh, and I’ve added a bit about why I picked up the book in the first place – sometimes this can be interesting to know.
Why I bought it: Erm, I was on a yaoi buying spree?? That sounds quite possible.
Dislike/like (ending on a high note):
Dislike~ More of a warning~ As you can probably tell from the cover of this yaoi, it is not in the ‘usual’ manga drawing style. This may be off putting to some, but I’ve been reading manga and watching anime for so long now that I really enjoy it when I come across a different style. It’s refreshing. 🙂
Like~ The artwork. LOL. What can I say, it really appealed. It had a funkiness and an edge to it sometimes missing from the characteristic manga style. I liked it a lot and it suited the story and characters.
Dislike~ Another warning~ This is GFY which I know is not everyone’s cuppa, especially when it comes to yaoi. The approach to the seme/uke tropes in Calling is quite different however, with no forced seduction but the gradual development of the relationship over time. This is assisted by the storyline and artwork giving insight into both characters’ POVs – another change from the usual – as well as it utilising the entire length of the novel to tell the tale. This is not a oneshot deal.
Like~ The exploration of Kazuaki’s and Kira’s burgeoning romance provided the opportunity for the mangaka to deal with issues associated with Kira’s job as a pron star. Yeah, this type of storyline can be romantic, blah, blah. Let’s face it, though, it’s friggin’ annoying when an author doesn’t do this subject justice because you know that, sooner or later, the shit is going to hit the fan. Thankfully this wasn’t an issue with Calling and, more importantly, Kira’s work was handled in a meaningful way.
So, what I think: At the time I completed this my comment at goodreads was “Screw the Great Yaoi Swap. I think I’ll keep it.” That still applies. 😛
I would also recommend this to readers who, whilst not being completely sold on the idea of this genre, wish to give yaoi a try so as to allay their curiousity. It is one of the better ones out there.
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‘Tasting’ is my version of a mini-review where I talk a (very) little about what I liked and disliked about a book as well as who I think the story will appeal to.Oh, and I’ve added a bit about why I picked up the book in the first place – sometimes this can be interesting to know.
What happens to a young man’s self-image, and his sex life, when he wakes up one morning to see his good looks significantly altered for the worse? In this modern fable, three gay friends find out the answer when they hit on the wrong guy in a club one night.
Todd, Fallon, and Jake think they’re pretty damned hot. As a result, their standards for worthwhile hook-ups are appallingly superficial. The men aren’t total jerks; they just need an adjustment in perspective. And they get it, in spades, from a mysterious stranger who’s sick of seeing his beautiful partner pawed by dawgs.
As the trio of friends try to understand and cope with their new appearances, the pretty boys they normally pursue continue to shun them. But in the eyes of three ordinary, overlooked men on the sidelines of their lives, it’s the heart that matters far more than the hot.
Why I bought it: Author + cover + blurb = Sold!
Dislike/like (ending on a high note):
Dislike~ I’ve said a number of times I’m not the greatest fan of first person POV so when I started reading Fugly my initial response was ‘bugger’. Happily, for me at least, this POV was limited to the prologue and epilogue. Even better, despite my gut reaction I was glad for David’s (the first personee’s) insight into friends’ behaviour as well as the opportunity to revisit, albeit briefly, two of my favourite K Z Snow characters – Jackson Spey and Adin Swift – through his eyes.
Like~ Call me superficial, but if that’s not the best m/m romance cover of 2010 than I don’t know what is. I adore it. Original, evocative artwork by Christine Griffin which is a perfect match for K Z’s story. The cover gods have been very kind to K Z this year.
Dislike~ More of a warning~ For those of you who may have dismissed Fugly as ‘just’ a retelling of The Ugly Duckling fairy tale you couldn’t be more wrong. To me, this was a story about redemption with the author taking the dark theme of superficiality and exploring what could happen to a young gay man if he suddenly lost the very thing he believed defined him as a person.
Like~ With this kind of theme, the story could have easily come undone by being overly preachy. Instead, the reader is treated to K Z’s trademark deft touch and by the telling of the three completely different stories within the short format of a novella. Terrific stuff!
So, what I think: If you’re a fan of this author or looking for a recommendation for a book by her, you can’t go past Fugly. I highly recommend it. 🙂
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‘Tasting’ is my version of a mini-review where I talk a (very) little about what I liked and disliked about a book as well as who I think the story will appeal to.Oh, and I’ve added a bit about why I picked up the book in the first place – sometimes this can be interesting to know.
Then the Kingdom is attacked, and the nature and location of the attacks make it painfully clear there is a traitor in their midst. The attacks are further compounded by the sudden arrival of a man who claims to have a legitimate claim on the throne, a bastard prince who knows things from the King’s past that no one else could know.
As the problems increase, both within the palace and across the Kingdom, Reyes can only watch as Kinnaird is sent out to unravel the mystery and the King begins to fall apart.
Why I bought it: I’m pretty sure that I was in the mood for m/m fantasy at the time.
Dislike/like (ending on a high note):
Dislike~ Not really a dislike, but I guessed early on in the story what the ‘big reveal’ was. Still, I did like the way it happened. *zipping lips* And that’s all I’m gonna say about that…
Like~ For someone who is a huge fantasy fan such as myself, it is always a bit like taking a step into a minefield when it comes to trying a new-to-me author in this genre. I’ve found one of the most off putting things with unfamiliar fantasy stories is the world building so I was particularly delighted this author avoided the info dump. I definitely appreciated the subtlety with which she painted a picture of the world through character and plot development. Nice. 🙂
Dislike~ Won’t lie to you. Some of the editting in this and the other Less Than Three books leaves something to be desired. Silly stuff mostly like misspellings. No doubt this will be jarring for some readers, but I was soon able to dismiss it whilst reading The Bastard Prince because of my interest in the story.
Like~ This plot might not be as complex nor as romance-y as some readers may ordinarily like; however, I found the main mystery storyline engaging – especially as I was intrigued to see how it would enable the ‘big reveal’ – and the characters appealing. A good, solid, all-round read.
So, what I think: After finishing this I was very pleased to have discovered a new m/m fantasy author. I’ve reread The Bastard Prince a number of times now and think it is one of the best of Megan Derr’s work.
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‘Tasting’ is my version of a mini-review where I talk a (very) little about what I liked and disliked about a book as well as who I think the story will appeal to. Oh, and I’ve added a bit about why I picked up the book in the first place – sometimes this can be interesting to know.
 | Kayla on tasting ‘a note in the… |
 | Marcus Roche on maybe it’s me, but… |
 | ouaqquwcgk on my confession |
 | dkmhwgijnw on random awesomeness |
 | Kris on maybe it’s me, but… |
Kris + Books = Good. *Sometimes*. 