Short AF Book Review | Queen Of Faces | ARC received from Harper Fire

Hi friends! So today I'm going to be doing a review on "Queen Of Faces" by Petra Lord. This review is going to be short and sweet (like the title suggests) and spoiler free (however there will be the Goodreads synopsis in this and sometimes it can contain spoilers to please keep that in mind!)

"A desperate girl at a cutthroat magical academy faces a choice between life and becomes an assassin for the enchanted elite or watch her decaying body draw its last breath. For fans of Leigh Bardugo, Lev Grossman, and R.F. Kuang.

Annabelle Gage is trapped in a male body, and it's rotting from the inside out. In Caimor, where the magical elite buy and swap designer bodies like clothes, Ana can't afford to escape her tattered form. When she fails the entrance exam to the prestigious Paragon Academy, her last hope of earning a new body implodes. As the clock ticks down to her last breath, she's forced to use her illusion magic to steal a healthy chassis - before her own kills her.

But Ana is caught by none other than the headmaster of Paragon Academy, who poses a brutal face execution for her crime or become a mercenary at his command. Revolt brews in Caimor's smog - choked underworld, and the wealthy and powerful will stop at nothing to take down the rebels and the infamous dark witch at their helm, the Black Wraith.

With no choice but to accept, Ana will steal, fight, and kill her way to salvation. But her survival depends on a dangerous band of an impulsive assassin, a brooding bombmaker, and an alluring exile who might just spell her ruin. As Ana is drawn into a tangled web of secrets, the line between villain and hero shatters - and Ana must decide which side is worth dying for."

I received this book as an ARC from Harper Fire, however all opinions are my own.

So the reason I wanted to read this is because as you all know I love reading stories by queer and trans authors, so when I saw this I knew it was going to be right up my alley. I was so happy to be sent this from Harper Fire and the moment I got the chance to read this I jumped right in. Friends, this was everything I wanted in a fantasy book and more. This was such a good read. I genuinely struggled to put this book down and got it read in 3 days. I was on the edge of my seat throughout most of this story. The found family aspect was beautiful, and heart warming and truly showed us there was more to these characters than what first meets the eye. There were also so many twists and turns throughout this book that I absolutely was not expecting. I laughed through this book, I cried through this book, honestly I feel like I went through every single emotion with our characters. I loved that this was multiple POV because it got us to see so much more of the story than we ever would've if it was just Ana. I loved almost everyone in this book has some morally greyness around them and showed that not all "heros" and "villains" are created from notthingness. I loved how dimensional the characters were and how easy it was to empathise with most of them, including the villains. I just loved this book as a whole, and I cannot wait to read the next one in the series. I definitely would recommend this to anyone who just wants something new and exciting in the fantasy realm to read.

I gave this book a 5/5 star rating on Goodreads.

This book comes out on the 29th January 2026!

What did you think of this book? Who were your favourite or least favourite characters? Do you have any books you'd recommend for me to read and do a review on? Please let me know down in the comments below!

Have a wonderful day!

Love, Doe!

Short AF Book Review | Radio Silence

  Hi friends! So today I'm going to be doing a review on "Radio Silence" by Alice Oseman. This review is going to be short and sweet (like the title suggests) and spoiler free (however there will be the Goodreads synopsis in this and sometimes it can contain spoilers to please keep that in mind!)

"What if everything you set yourself up to be was wrong?

Frances has been a study machine with one goal. Nothing will stand in her way; not friends, not a guilty secret - not even the person she is on the inside. Then Frances meets Aled, and for the first time she's unafraid to be herself.

So when the fragile trust between them is broken, Frances is caught between who she was and who she longs to be. Now Frances knows that she has to confront her past. To confess why Carys disappeared...

Frances is going to need every bit of courage she has.

Engaging with themes of identity, diversity and the freedom to choose, Radio Silence is a tour de force by the most exciting writer of her generation."

So the reason I wanted to read "Radio Silence" is because I absolutely love the webtoon comic "Heartstopper" by the same author. Friends, I didn't know much going into this story other than me knowing I wanted to read more of Alice's works. This story was phenominal. This book gives the true definition of "hurt people, hurt people". It was so easy to fall in love with almost every character even when we get the complexities of their personalities that might make them unlikable. It was so easy to get emotionally attached to each and every one of these characters because they are all so relatable in one way or another. This book had one of my favourite themes in, found family, and shows how important that the family you build around you can be rather than the family that you actually have. I will also say, there are a lot of triggering topics within this book, so please, if you read this check them out fitst. Alice, however, explores these topics with the grace and importance that they deserve, and doesn't try to sugar coat them. I am so glad I picked up this book, and even though it is YA I feel like this can be enjoyed by everyone and anyone, even me at 31. I can't wait to read more of Alice writes, and will definitely be reading more of her stories!

I gave this book a 4/5 star rating on Goodreads.

What did you think of this book? Who were your favourite or least favourite characters? Do you have any books you'd recommend for me to read and do a review on? Please let me know down in the comments below!

Have a wonderful day!

Love, Doe!

Short AF Book Review | A Thing Called Truth | ARC Received By Netgalley

 Hi friends! So today I'm going to be doing a review on "A Thing Called Truth" by Iolanda Zanfardino & Elisa Romboli. This review is going to be short and sweet (like the title suggests) and spoiler free (however there will be the Goodreads synopsis in this and sometimes it can contain spoilers to please keep that in mind!)

"Embark on a chaotic LGBTQ+ road trip adventure with a workaholic scientist and a fearless thrillseeker on a mission to honor the past and live in the present in Iolanda Zanfardino (Midnight Radio) and Elisa Romboli's (Alice In Leatherland) creator - owned romantic comedy collaboration, A Thing Called Truth. Dr. Magdalene Traumer, a brilliant scientist with the noble dream of saving the world, meets Dorian Wildfang, a free - spirited wanderer who fears nothing... except her own destiny. Together, they embark on a wild adventure across Europe, chasing a mission that proves that life is about the journey and not the destination. Along the way, these seemingly polar opposite companions find common ground on a journey that sparks an unexpected romance as they navigate the complexities of self - discovery and the challenges of a world on the brink of chaos. This beautiful volume collects all 10 chapters of the groundbreaking comic series A Thing Called truth, including part 6-10, previously only available through Kickstarter!"

I received this book as an ARC on Netgalley, however all opinions are my own.

So the reason I wanted to read this is because as you all know I love queer graphic novels and Oni Press is my favourite graphic novel publisher. So when I saw this one I knew I had to jump at the chance. I went into this not knowing much about the graphic novel and honestly I believe that is the best way to enter this one. This story had me going through such an emotional rollercoaster. The story is so bittersweet and is really heartbreaking at times, so I would definitely recommend reading this with a pack of tissues. However, for as many heartbreaking moments it has, it has much more hilariously cute ones. I found myself rooting for both the main characters from the very start and I loved how all of their differences brought them together to be and do something magical. I read this in one sitting because the story genuinely had me at the edge of my seat throughout most of it and wondering what they were going to do next on their adventure. The side characters truly added to this story also and were so easy to fall in love with, even when they weren't always at their best. I genuinely would recommend this to everyone who just wants a nice cute romantic comedy graphic novel, who's not affraid to feel the emotions this one will put you through. I loved this and definitely will be getting a physical copy of it once it's out!

I gave this a 4/5 star rating on Goodreads!

This book comes out on the 6th January 2026!

What did you think of this book? Who were your favourite or least favourite characters? Do you have any books you'd recommend for me to read and do a review on? Please let me know down in the comments below!

Have a wonderful day!

Love, Doe!

Short AF Book Review | All The Wicked | ARC Received By Netgalley

 Hi friends! So today I'm going to be doing a review on "All The Wicked" by Catelyn Wilson. This review is going to be short and sweet (like the title suggests) and spoiler free (however there will be the Goodreads synopsis in this and sometimes it can contain spoilers, especially with this being the second book in the series, so please keep that in mind!)

"LURKING IN DARK CORRIDORS,

HIDDEN IN TOMES OF OLD,

SPIRITS ARE GROWING RESTLESS,

AND HELL IS ONCE AGAIN, OPENED...

A year after the events at Ravenswood Academy, Andy Emmerson's life is in turmoil.

Demons, the underworld, and secret societies all exist, and they still haunt her days and nights.

Eager to find the answers she can't locate in the shelves of the library, Andy visits Jae in the underworld.

Only, it is empty to the Gods that once ruled it and inexplicable clues - sent by the mysterious order - start to appear warning them of dark days ahead.

Together they must travel to the eery streets of Edinburgh and enrol in Eidolon University where they will investigate the order and unlock its secrets,

Soon they are catapulted into a world of old magic, dangerous rituals, and demonic activity. A world they thought they'd left behind at Ravenswood.

If they fail to discover the order, and the school's secrets, humanity will fall to the fires of hell.

But if they succeed, Andy might have to make the biggest sacrifice yet.

As something wicked this way comes..."

I received this book as an ARC from Netgalley, however all opinions are my own.

So the reason I wanted to read this is because I read the first book (also as an ARC) and loved it. Friends, I am so happy that we got to have more of Andy's, Violet's and Jae's story. I have been so excited for this book to be released so the moment I saw this on Netgalley I jumped at the chance to apply for it. This book was everything I wanted in a sequel and more. Did this book go any way I thought it would? Absolutely not. Did I still love devouring every moment of it. 100%. There were so many twists and turns in this book that I was absolutely not expecting, and this book genuinely kept me on the edge of my seat the whole way through. It was so fun to catch up with the main characters I knew and loved and see their stories play out, but also to meet new characters that added just a little something extra. I absolutely think this was the perfect way to end the series. However if we were to get more story within this universe I absolutely would pick the next one up. I can see myself picking up a physical copy of this for my book trophies in the future and I will definitely be recommending this series to everyone and anyone who wants a magical, dark academia themed fantasy to read. I'm so excited to see what Catelyn does next.

I gave this book a 5/5 star rating on Goodreads.

This book is already out!

What did you think of this book? Who were your favourite or least favourite characters? Do you have any books you'd recommend for me to read and do a review on? Please let me know down in the comments below!

Have a wonderful day!

Love, Doe!

Short AF Book Review | Before We Collide | ARC Received By Netgalley

Hi friends! So today I'm going to be doing a review on "Before We Collide" by Kate Dylan. This review is going to be short and sweet (like the title suggests) and spoiler free (however there will be the Goodreads synopsis in this and sometimes it can contain spoilers, especially with this being the second book in the series, so please keep that in mind!)

"The thrilling sequel to Until We Shatter, the romantic heist fantasy, perfect for fans of Six of Crows, Master of One and Bone Crier's Dawn.

Raya Wryvern was supposed to be a prodigy. As the daughter of two powerful Shades - world - renowned for seeing the future - she was expected to follow in her parents' footsteps and graduate the Academy at the top of her class. Instead, she's failing. And the cost of failure is having her magic bound.

Desperate, Raya asks the future a forbidden question. But instead of an answer, it shows her the end of all magic and the death of her kind. And at the heart of the vision, Ezzo, the boy it claims she's destined to love.

Except Ezzo's not just a boy, he's an illegal half Shade who's spent the last year drinking away his past, and he's not interested in a future - his or hers.

With time running out on a prophecy only she can see, Raya must convince Ezzo to help her decipher the vision - before it's too late to steer (their) fate onto a different path."

I received this book as an ARC from Netgalley, however all opinions are my own.

So the reason I wanted to read this was because I read the first book (also as an ARC). Friends, I didn't know how Kate was going to continue this series because to me, even if there was enough space for their to be more story it seemed like the story had finished. I am so glad however that we got more, and I am super hoping that we do get a third too. As I said, because I didn't know what I was expecting to come from this second book it made it every bit as exciting and fun to read. It was so good to catch up with some old characters from the first book, but also to meet some new badass characters too. The found family that I fell in love with in the first book really shone through in this one, and truly taught us that no matter what happens the people you love will always be there for you (even if you don't want them to be). There was so many truly heartbreaking moments throughout this book so I do recommend a pack of tissues if you read it. I will definitely be picking up a physical copy of this book and I cannot wait to see what Kate does next with this universe.

I gave this book a 4/5 star rating on Goodreads.

This book is already out!

What did you think of this book? Who were your favourite or least favourite characters? Do you have any books you'd recommend for me to read and do a review on? Please let me know down in the comments below!

Have a wonderful day!

Love, Doe!

Short AF Book Review | High - Class Homos Volume 1| ARC Received By Netgalley

Hi friends! So today I'm going to be doing a review on "High - Class Homos Volume 1" by Momozerii This review is going to be short and sweet (like the title suggests) and spoiler free (however there will be the Goodreads synopsis in this and sometimes it can contain spoilers to please keep that in mind!)

"Princess Sapphia is decidedly not into princes, or any boys for that matter. So when her parents begin to push her to marriage, she quickly enlists her equally gay best friend to organize a sham marriage, navigate life and love, and hopefully get the girl, in High - Class Homos.

Princess Sapphia of Mytilene and Prince August of Phthia have been friends for years. They're both royalty in their own right, they both love getting to know the castle staff and knights, and they're both completely and utterly gay. When Princess Saphia's parents begin hinting that she needs to get married, she and August begin to put together a plan: Marry each other, continue pursuing their own romances. Simple!

Will Sapphia and August be able to pull of a successful engagement and eventual marriage? More importantly, will Sapphia ever land a date with the castle maids? Will August get the nerve to confess to the knight he's been pining after? Follow these high class homos as they navigate life, love, and (occasionally) their actual jobs."

I received this book as an ARC from Netgalley, however all opinions are my own.

So the reason I wanted to read this is because as you all know I love queer graphic novels. What you might not know, however, is I spend a lot of time on webtoons. I am actuallysomewhat surprised that I never picked this one up. Friends, I am not joking when I say I was truly missing out and I'm so appreciative that Netgalley has introduced this to me . This graphic novel was so funny and was packed full of diverse characters. If the beautiful art and colours of this graphic novel didn't get my attention the characters and all of their personalities certainly did. This 1000% gave me slice of life but make it queer. I genuinely got through this in one sitting and I'm so excited for the next one to come out. Now whether I'll wait for it to come our or read it straight on webtoons, then buy the books as trophies is another matter. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who just wants a cute, fun, queer graphic novel to read. 

I gave this book a 4/5 star rating on Goodreads.

This book comes out on the 11th November 2025!

What did you think of this book? Who were your favourite or least favourite characters? Do you have any books you'd recommend for me to read and do a review on? Please let me know down in the comments below!

Have a wonderful day!

Love, Doe!

Short AF Book Review | The Devil She Knows | ARC Received By Netgalley

 Hi friends! So today I'm going to be doing a review on "The Devil She Knows" by Alexandria Bellefleur. This review is going to be short and sweet (like the title suggests) and spoiler free (however there will be the Goodreads synopsis in this and sometimes it can contain spoilers to please keep that in mind!)

"A down - on - her - luck woman makes a deal with a crafty demon to win back her ex - girlfriend after a proposal gone awry, only to discover the girl of her dreams might be the devil she knows, from nationally bestselling author Alexandria Bellefleur.

Samantha Cooper is having a day from hell.

In less than 24 hours, her life has unraveled, leaving her single and with nowhere to live. Adding insult to injury, she's trapped in an elevator with a gorgeous woman claiming to be a demon.

Daphne is not at all what Samantha expeccted from someone claiming to be an evil supernatural entity. She's pretty, witty, dressed in pink, and smells nice. And she's here to offer Samantha a deal she can't refuse. Six wishes in exchange for one tiny trade - Samantha's soul. There's a glaring loophole in their contract, one Samantha fully intends to exploit so she doesn't fork over her soul. After all, she only needs one wish to win her ex back.

Hell - bent to gather the last of the one thousand souls she needs to that she can be free of her own devilish deal, Daphne grants each of Samantha's wishes... with a twist, so that Samantha is forced to make another.

As Samantha's wishes dwindle and Daphne offers her glimpses into the life she thought she wanted, the unlikely pair grows close. Perhaps the girl of Samantha's dreams is actually the stuff of nightmares, but Samantha and Daphne will have to outsmart the Devil himself if they want a chance at happily ever after."

I received this book as an ARC on Netgalley, however all opinions are my own.

Friends, have you ever watched Brendan Frasier's "Bedazzled" and thought, this would be so much better if it was more campy and had lesbians"... That is exactly what this book was for me. So the reason I wanted to read this as bad as it sounds is because the cover caught my eye and I noticed it was queer, so I applied for it. I could not be more happy to have applied for and read this story knowing absolutely nothing about it. This was such a fun and easy read. This book was campy, and funny, and heartwarming and I just so easily fell in love with it. The character development between Daphe and Samantha was incredible and definitely kept me on my toes at times (fuck Hannah though). I loved the message that this book was trying to portray of self empowerment and female badassery, of putting yourself first whilst still proving that it is absolutely a-okay to rely on those closest to you whilst you are going through hard times. I loved that this book almost had me in tears both from laughing and hurting with the characters. I absolutely will be recommending this book to everyone and anyone and I will be picking up a physical copy of this when I get the chance too. I'll also definitely be reading more of Alexandria's works and I can't wait to see what she writes next!

I gave this book a 5/5 star rating on Goodreads.

This book is already out!

What did you think of this book? Who were your favourite or least favourite characters? Do you have any books you'd recommend for me to read and do a review on? Please let me know down in the comments below!

Have a wonderful day!

Love, Doe!