Short AF Book Review | Orla! | ARC Received By Netgalley

 Hi friends! So today I'm going to be doing a review on "Orla!" by John Lees. 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 so please keep that in mind!)

"ORLA! is a romcom/creature feature mash - up about a lonely woman struggling to navigate the Seattle singles scene while sometimes turning into a man - eating monster.

Love is a monster, Orl Bard is an antique restorer, romance novel enjoyer and keen birder. She also believes in true love, continuing to navigate Seattle's singles scene despite repeated disappointment. But Orla has a secret. She is afflicted with The Ick, a man - eating monstrous entity dwelling inside her, who violently emerges whenever she gets to angry or afraid. Unable to rid herself of this curse, Orla uses The Ick to save other women by removing the scummiest men frot he dating pool... permanently. Hearts (and bodies) will be broken in this offbeat romcom/creature - feature mashup!"

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

So the reason I wanted to read Orla! is because I saw this in Netgalley's graphic novel section and it looked like the perfect read for me. Friends, this graphic novel was such a fun, colourful and sometimes disturbing read. I love when horror mashes with comedy and this truly was the perfect blend of both the genres. I found it really easy to see myself and relate to parts of Orla, as I suspect most women will. I would 100% recommend reading up on the trigger warnings, as there are a few moments that could absolutely be triggering for some people. Most of the comic however, is lighthearted, and funny, and maybe just a little bit gory to top it all off. I would 100% recommend this to anyone who just wants a quick fun graphic novel to read. I definitely will be getting myself a physical copy when it's out!

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

This book comes out on the 21st April 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 | Grief Eater | ARC Received By Netgalley

 

Hi friends!  So today I'm going to be doing a review on "Grief Eater" by Emma Osborne. 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 so please keep that in mind!)

"Visceral, gritty, and unforgiving. GRIEF EATER is a zombie story like you've never read before.

When Kristina rises from her violent death, she's not the same fragile woman wher family once abandoned. She's rageful, powerful, and hungry - for the blood of the ones who were supposed to love her. With a newfound craving to see vengeance and grief served, she launches into a once - in - an - undead - lifetime journey across blood - slicked highways to the scorched Australian bush and her hometown. As her body fails and her mind fractures, she's left with one final question: Is she here to forgive, or to feed?

A transgressive, gory examination of queer identity and found family, GRIEF EATER sinks its teeth into trauma and what it means to be devoured by grief."

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

So the reason I wanted to read "Grief Eater" is honestly because I saw this on Netgalley and the cover and description caught my eye. Friends, this was such an incredible read. I was shocked at how much story, and emotion, and world building this book managed to fit in just 89 pages. This book was frightening, heartbreaking, and was so, so bittersweet. I have never felt more emotionally attached to a zombie in my life than I have towards Kristina. I have also never felt such an emotional turmoil of whether or not I should be rooting for what the main character is doing, and I honestly think that is the whole point of the book. I could not put this book down, and actually ended up reading it in one sitting. If you want a devistatingly heartbreaking book that is centered around queer identity, grief, trauma and found family, I would 100% recommend picking up this book.

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

This book comes out on the 1st June 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 | The Sunbearer Trials

Hi friends!  So today I'm going to be doing a review on "The Sunbearer Trials" by Aiden Thomar. 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 so please keep that in mind!)

"Welcome to The Sunbearer Trials, where teen semidioses compete in a series of challenges with the highest of stakes, in this electric new Mexican - inspired fantasy from Aiden Thomas, The New York Times bestselling author of Cemetery Boys.

'Only the most powerful and honorable semidoses get chosen. I'm just a Jade. I'm not a real hero.'

As each new decade begins, the Sun's power must be replenished so that Sol can keep travelling along the sky and keep the evil Obsidian gods at bay. Ten semidoses between the ages of thirteen and eighteen are selected by Sol himself as the most worthy to compete in The Sunbearer Trials. The winner carries light and life to all the temples of Reino del Sol, but the loser has the greatest honor of all - they will be sacrificed to Sol, their body used to fuel the Sun Stones that will protect the people of Reino del Sol for the next ten years.

Teo, a 17 - year - old Jade semidios and the trans son of Quetzzal, goddess of birds, has never worried about the Trials... or rather, he's only worried for others. His best friend Niya - daughter of Tierra, the god of earth - is one of the strongest heroes of their generation and is much too likely to be chosen this year. He also can't help but worry (reluctantly, and under protest) for Aurello, a powerful Gold semidios and Teo's friend - turned - rival who is a shoo - in for the Trials. Teo wouldn't mind taking Aurelio down a notch or two, but a one - in - ten chance of death is a bit too close for Teo's taste.

But then, for the first time in over a century, Sol chooses a semidios who isn't a Gold. In fact, he chooses two: Xio, the 13 - year - old child of Mala Suerte, god of bad luck, and... Teo. Now they must compete in five mysterious trials, against opponents who are both more powerful and better trained, for fame, glory, and their own survival."

So the reason I wanted to read this is because this has been recommended to me by so many people through queer booktok, and as y'all know I love queer storytelling. Friends, this story was mostly so much fun. I honestly loved every minute of it. First of all, I loved getting to meet all the Semidioses and learning about their powers and their friendships/relationships with each other. It made it so easy to fall in love with all the characters, even the ones that weren't that likeable, and feel every bit of emotion that they were going through. The author had such a way of describing what everything look/felt/sounds/smelled like, that I actually was able to picture the scenes so clearly in my head. There were so many references, and lighthearted jokes in this book that had me truly cackling. However, with that being said, THIS BOOK BROKE MY HEART. I was not expecting how hurt and confused I was going to be by the end of the book, and honestly, it made me SO excited for the second one. That excited in fact, that I instantly bought the second book, and will be reading it ASAP. If you want a fun, heartwrenching, beautiful queer YA fantasy to read, I would 1000% recommend this one.

I gave this book a 5/5 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!