Short AF Book Review | The Out Side: Trans & Nonbinary Comics

 Hi friends! So today I'm going to be doing a review on "The Out Side: Trans & Nonbinary Comics" by The Kao, Min Christensen & David Daneman. 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!)

"In this vibrant and affirming comics anthology, 29 trans & nonbinary comic artist share their personal journeys of self - discovery and acceptance.

Featuring the work of Sage Coffey, Kyla Aiko and Coco Ouwerkerk, The Out Trans & Nonbinary comics include 29 creators' tales of self - love and affirmation detailing their experiences with gender and identity. Originally published as a successful Kickstarter campaign, this expanded edition includes comics by Dana Simpson (bestselling author of Pheobe and Her Unicorn), Aidyn Huynh (Snailords), Wren Chavers, and more.

Equal parts encouraging, comforting, and life - affirming. The Out Side is a love letter to the trans and nonbinary community, designed to inspire anyone who may be struggling with their own identity and to help educate those who seek greater understanding. As artist Julia Kaye writes in the book's 'I'm so glad this book exists. It's a loud proclamation of our existence in the face of a culture that has far too long ignored our experiences.'"

So the reason I wanted to read this comic is genuinely because I saw it featured in the queer liberation library's graphic novel section, and as y'all know I love graphic novels especially when they include trans & queer voices. Friends, there was such a diverse group of comic artists who poured their whole hearts into the stories they included in this graphic novel. Each and every one of these stories were beautiful and heartfelt and had such breathtaking artwork. I genuinely loved that we not only got trans voiced stories but also stories from trans POC who are also of different backgrounds and cultures. This had so many personal stories as well as people just putting out the message that it's okay wherever you are at in your trans journey. I found myself reading this in one sitting and just could not put it down as each story tugged at my heartstrings. I'm definitely also going to be following some of these artists on their social media because I'd love to see where a lot of them are at now. I would recommend this graphic novel to everyone and anyone, not only because these stories are important to be read about, but because it might let some people know that they themselves are not alone.

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 | How (Not) To Conjure A Boyfriend | ARC Received By Netgalley

Hi friends! So today I'm going to be doing a review on "How (Not) To Conjure A Boyfriend" by Jordan Greene. 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!)

"Standing at the foot of my comatose crush's hospital bed is not how I envisioned becoming Hayden's partner. First I needed to find out if he's even into the theys, then hopefully some flirting, a cute date up in the valley or at Taco Bell, a kiss. The normal cutesy stuff, but this? No! Hayden wasn't supposed to get hurt, especially not a trauma - induced extended nap from slipping on a wet floor at my job. On top of that, one of the nurses told his family we're dating. Sure, it might have been because that's what I told her when I was trying to get to his room to see him... but it's not true.

The wild part is his family believes it! They really think I'm the Hayden Marcus's short little curly - haired enbyfriend. His partner! With one little lie, now they think he isn't straight, and I'm terrified he actually is.

So now I'm having thanksgiving with a family I barely know because, as far as they're concerned, I'm 'dating' their son. I can't tell if this is a sign my love spell worked, or if I royally messed up and I'm being punished. I mean this family is amazing. It's everything I wish I had, and honestly more. But it's all based on a lie.

Oh, and as if all of that wasn't bad enough, my comatose crush has an even cuter brother who I think I might be falling for..."

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 y'all know I love a good queer YA and the synopsis behind this sounded like a fun read, so I decided to apply for it. Friends, I'm not gonna lie, I liked this one, but I wouldn't say this was as good as I'd hoped it be. First of all, I really loved the idea behind this story, it sounded like it'd be a lot of fun to read and would give me all the drama I wanted. I was right, this was a fun read, however most of this story was either too predictable or really unrealistic. First of all, I really loved the found family that there was between Mack & Kaitlynn, it reminds me a lot of the way me and my friends joke around and treat each other and was really sweet and funny to see. I really loved how Mack was treated with the love and respect by most of the characters that they deserved to be treated with. Once again, as I said the premise behind the story was really fun, and cute, and even a little dramatic at times. However, what ruined it all for me was the ending. I feel like the whole story was building up to the moment and then it was just rushed into a singular chapter. I feel like there wasn't enough time for Mack to make ammends with the people that they needed to, nor time for people to forgive them. I just feel like in reality, it wouldn't of happened the way it did. For me, it honestly just fell flat. Did I still enjoy the rest of the story? Yes. Would I recommend this to people? Honestly, probably not.

I gave this book a 3/5 star rating on Goodreads.

This book comes out on the 10th March 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 | Sensory: Life On The Spectrum

 Hi friends! So today I'm going to be doing a review on "Sensory: Life On The Spectrum" by Bex Ollerton. 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 colourful and eclectic comics anthology exploring a wide range of autistic experiences - from diagnosis journeys to finding community - from autistic contributors.

From artist and curator, Bex Ollerton c omes an anthology featuring comics from thirty autistic creators about their experiences of living in a world that doesn't always understand or accept them. Sensory: Life on the Spectrum contains illustrated explorations of everything from life pre - diagnosis to tips on how to explain autism to someone who isn't autistic, to suggestions for how to soothe yourself when you're feeling overstrimulated. With unique, vibrant comic - style illustrations and the emotional depth and vulnerability of memoir, this book depicts these varied experiences with the kind of insight that only those who lived them can have."

So the reason I wanted to read this comic is because I saw it featured in the queer liberation library's graphic novel section, and as y'all know I love graphic novels especially when they include queer voices. Friends, honestly not only did this graphic novel feature queer voices, there was such a diverse range of people who wrote their own mini comic for this graphic novel that it'd truly have something for almost everyone. As an adult who is currently going through the process of getting a late stage autism diagnosis it was beautiful to read these stories and see that some of the things that I have experienced throughout my life are not just something I am alone in experiencing. The fact that this many people got together to write this anthology just shows how important it was to make sure that people get their stories out there as well as the information provided to help people who have autism themselves. I found myself not putting this graphic novel down as not only was it amazing to hear everyone's stories but also the advice and resources they were providing too. I definitely would recommend this story to everyone and anyone, not only because I think it's important for these stories to be told but also if you've been questioning the thoughts of whether you might be autistic or not this does have so many recourses to help you get on the right track.

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 | 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!