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Cute Mutants #3
Cute Mutants Vol 3: The Demon Queer Saga
“I let the mask fall away from my face. I let them see me. Dylan Taylor. Chatterbox. Mutant and monster. Teen Magneto. This is one of those pivotal moments. There’s a metaphor for this. I learned about it in history. The name of some river in Rome.”Here we go again. The Cute Mutants are back, bigger and badder than ever. Even better, we’re in charge of ourselves now. We’ve got a headquarters, gear, and an actual budget.Except, we’ve also got EMID—the American Extrahuman Monitoring and Intelligence Division—breathing down our necks to track down mutants for them. Even worse, there’s rumours of a mysterious killer with superpowers and a grudge against the rainbow community. And then there’s the promise from our last boss. The threat of war. Humans vs. mutants. The dream was to thrive, but maybe all we can hope for is survival. Whatever that takes. I think I’m beginning to understand the saying, “the end justifies the means.” There used to be a line between heroes and villains, didn’t there?
424 pages, Paperback
Published December 8, 2020
8 people are currently reading
287 people want to read
About the author
S.J. Whitby
18 books138 followersSJ Whitby lives in New Zealand with their partner, as well as various children and animals. They are predictably obsessed with X-Men and spend too much of their free time writing.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
December 9, 2020
This review contains minor spoilers to Cute Mutants Vol 1: Mutant Pride and Cute Mutants Vol 2: Young, Gifted & Queer.
Content warnings: hate crime against LGBTQ+ people, homophobia/homomisia, trans/non-binary discrimination, misgendering, murder, death, gore, outing, religious extremism/cult, brainwash/mind control, gunshot wounds, bombing, fire, dismembering, mention of conversion therapy
If you haven’t heard me scream about how much joy the previous two books have brought me, please check out my reviews for Vol 1 (here) and Vol 2 (here).
This third installment of the series is way heavier than the first two. While the previous books were mostly happy and warm, Cute Mutants Vol 3: The Demon Queer Saga certainly took a darker turn and I am left worried, in shock, and wanting more upon finishing. I feel like a restless parent or older sibling concerned about these teens, and Cute Mutants Vol 4: The Sisterhood of Evil Mutants cannot come fast enough. As the powers of the Cute Mutants grow, their world becomes darker and more shady organizations are coming after them. Everything escalates quicker and turns more dangerous and deadly.
Even though there were always tough subjects in the series, The Demon Queer Saga is especially heavy because the focused theme is about fighting violent anti-LGBTQ+ groups and homophobia/homomisia in general. Centered around hate crimes, the Cute Mutants are dealing with more outside trouble than in-group dynamics. While a plot-driven story don’t usually go well with me, the first two books were already more focused on characters, so by the third one, I am so connected with the mutants that I truly cared for their adventures, missions, and callings.
I love that almost everything happened on-page. I felt myself tense as the mutants ward off attackers and breathed sighs of relief when they were safe again. The book was impossible to put down, and I finished it in two sittings, only paused because I needed a little breather from all the intensity.
The first-person character Dylan/Chatterbox has the biggest heart ever and I am so in awe. I love the whole no-judgement, everyone-is-redeemable belief. Apart from our gorgeous gang of Cute Mutants, most of the newly introduced characters are rather creepy mutants and I really like how their powers don’t make them automatically bad. If all characters were a bit morally gray in the past, this is the book where I can say they are definitely so, especially Dylan. I think throughout this book, Dylan has lost some playfulness and innocence. The narrative is still snarky and fun, but as serious events and confidence blows keep happening, not even Dylan, who is carrying so much emotionally, could joke around as much.
The dedication page for this book reads “For everyone who’s still becoming who they truly are.” It is so wonderful, both to the reader and for the reading experience of embarking on the journey with the Cute Mutants trying to find their place as a mostly queer, half people of color, non-human gang in a world where hate still exists. Their moralities are compromised, and I love them all so much I wish to trade all moral compasses for their safety and happiness. There is also a beautiful coming out scene that I am so happy to see. I especially love the response of the other character, and I wish everyone’s coming out were that wonderful.
There is a lot of pain for the mutants in The Demon Queer Saga. With hate crimes being driving forces of the plot, the weapons the Cute Mutants have to deal with are not only mutant powers and firearms, but also homophobic ideas and language. It hurts to see people being brainwashed into believing bigotry, and it still hurts to hear the hateful words no matter how out and proud a person is.
On a lighter note though, I love how Dylan and Dani/Marvellous randomly quote Sappho’s poems to each other. I also love that the Japanese treasure Oni the sword is still noble and fully sentient, taking his honor and loyalty very seriously. I absolutely adore Katie/Dragon, aka Kacchan, who is both a walking oven and blowtorch, and Maddy/Sourpatch, who spews acid, loving the most gory things is so on-brand of her I couldn’t feel grossed out. The size of the Cute Mutants has been growing throughout the series, and I love how they are all one big family now. Then there are also the parents. Please protect Pear (Dylan’s parent) and Mrs. Kim (Dani’s mother) at all costs. They are the most wonderful adult characters ever. When was the last time I had favorite adult characters in a young adult book? I am silently praying they would never become casualties in the future.
If you enjoy action-packed superpower YAs with a wonderful found family, the Cute Mutants series is for you; if you don’t, I’d still encourage you to give it a try. This is the kind of book queer kids could see themselves in and make a group of new fictional besties. It is fun, heavy, and everything in between, and I guarantee that the cast of mutants is so wonderful, you couldn’t not love them all.
I received an e-ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Content warnings: hate crime against LGBTQ+ people, homophobia/homomisia, trans/non-binary discrimination, misgendering, murder, death, gore, outing, religious extremism/cult, brainwash/mind control, gunshot wounds, bombing, fire, dismembering, mention of conversion therapy
If you haven’t heard me scream about how much joy the previous two books have brought me, please check out my reviews for Vol 1 (here) and Vol 2 (here).
This third installment of the series is way heavier than the first two. While the previous books were mostly happy and warm, Cute Mutants Vol 3: The Demon Queer Saga certainly took a darker turn and I am left worried, in shock, and wanting more upon finishing. I feel like a restless parent or older sibling concerned about these teens, and Cute Mutants Vol 4: The Sisterhood of Evil Mutants cannot come fast enough. As the powers of the Cute Mutants grow, their world becomes darker and more shady organizations are coming after them. Everything escalates quicker and turns more dangerous and deadly.
Even though there were always tough subjects in the series, The Demon Queer Saga is especially heavy because the focused theme is about fighting violent anti-LGBTQ+ groups and homophobia/homomisia in general. Centered around hate crimes, the Cute Mutants are dealing with more outside trouble than in-group dynamics. While a plot-driven story don’t usually go well with me, the first two books were already more focused on characters, so by the third one, I am so connected with the mutants that I truly cared for their adventures, missions, and callings.
I love that almost everything happened on-page. I felt myself tense as the mutants ward off attackers and breathed sighs of relief when they were safe again. The book was impossible to put down, and I finished it in two sittings, only paused because I needed a little breather from all the intensity.
The first-person character Dylan/Chatterbox has the biggest heart ever and I am so in awe. I love the whole no-judgement, everyone-is-redeemable belief. Apart from our gorgeous gang of Cute Mutants, most of the newly introduced characters are rather creepy mutants and I really like how their powers don’t make them automatically bad. If all characters were a bit morally gray in the past, this is the book where I can say they are definitely so, especially Dylan. I think throughout this book, Dylan has lost some playfulness and innocence. The narrative is still snarky and fun, but as serious events and confidence blows keep happening, not even Dylan, who is carrying so much emotionally, could joke around as much.
The dedication page for this book reads “For everyone who’s still becoming who they truly are.” It is so wonderful, both to the reader and for the reading experience of embarking on the journey with the Cute Mutants trying to find their place as a mostly queer, half people of color, non-human gang in a world where hate still exists. Their moralities are compromised, and I love them all so much I wish to trade all moral compasses for their safety and happiness. There is also a beautiful coming out scene that I am so happy to see. I especially love the response of the other character, and I wish everyone’s coming out were that wonderful.
There is a lot of pain for the mutants in The Demon Queer Saga. With hate crimes being driving forces of the plot, the weapons the Cute Mutants have to deal with are not only mutant powers and firearms, but also homophobic ideas and language. It hurts to see people being brainwashed into believing bigotry, and it still hurts to hear the hateful words no matter how out and proud a person is.
On a lighter note though, I love how Dylan and Dani/Marvellous randomly quote Sappho’s poems to each other. I also love that the Japanese treasure Oni the sword is still noble and fully sentient, taking his honor and loyalty very seriously. I absolutely adore Katie/Dragon, aka Kacchan, who is both a walking oven and blowtorch, and Maddy/Sourpatch, who spews acid, loving the most gory things is so on-brand of her I couldn’t feel grossed out. The size of the Cute Mutants has been growing throughout the series, and I love how they are all one big family now. Then there are also the parents. Please protect Pear (Dylan’s parent) and Mrs. Kim (Dani’s mother) at all costs. They are the most wonderful adult characters ever. When was the last time I had favorite adult characters in a young adult book? I am silently praying they would never become casualties in the future.
“Better off with a dead partner than a racist asshole,” Katie says.
If you enjoy action-packed superpower YAs with a wonderful found family, the Cute Mutants series is for you; if you don’t, I’d still encourage you to give it a try. This is the kind of book queer kids could see themselves in and make a group of new fictional besties. It is fun, heavy, and everything in between, and I guarantee that the cast of mutants is so wonderful, you couldn’t not love them all.
I received an e-ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.
November 26, 2020
Okay, so I finished reading this book the day before I’m writing this review and once I was finished reading I just couldn’t function – I couldn’t read anything else for the rest of the day because I was just blown away by the sheer magnitude of this series and how much this book packs a punch! I’m only now able to form semi-coherent thoughts on this book, whereas yesterday it was just “I am gonna SCREAM!!!!!!!! Full review to come but oh my god I have no idea where this series is gonna go but I know it’s gonna kill me!!!!!!!” and “Petition for SJ to stop killing off all my faves 😭😭😭😭😭😭“! But before going into the review, I know we’ve all had time to appreciate just how gorgeous the cover of the book is, but can we take a moment to acknowledge how clever the title of this volume is (this article might help you if you’re not super familiar with X-Men) in showing the real shift the series takes from this point onwards! Maybe I’m just a big nerd, but it was a little detail I absolutely loved!
But back to the review at hand! If you thought book two was dark, honey, you’ve got a big storm comin’! The title alludes to the darker tone that this book has compared to the first two, but I truly was not ready for the character development we see in here! We see Dylan really begin to grapple with their abilities and deal with the power, responsibility and choices that they must take into consideration while using them, as well as the morality of the situation at hand. Whereas the first two books were still on the lighter side, this one felt like the Cute Mutants were almost being forced to grow up, due to what was going on around them and the situations into which they were placed. I also really enjoyed seeing the development of the other characters too, from Lou becoming so much more confident in himself and his abilities (which made me so happy to see!), to Alyse and Emma becoming more self-assured (and perhaps a bit more ruthless!), to even Katie becoming the true cinnamon roll I always knew she was!
And it wouldn’t be a new Cute Mutants book without….you guessed it, more mutants!! I really enjoyed the new mutants we were introduced to, including a mutant who has cat tattoos that turn into real life kittens (definitely a superpower I would want!) and a mutant who has the ability to clone herself but each subsequent clone gets more and more chaotic! As I mentioned, the absolute scope of this series is honestly incredible, but you never feel as though any character is underdeveloped in anyway, and if you love found family and loved that aspect of the previous books, you’re gonna love it even more in this volume!
The Cute Mutants books are always super fast paced and I found myself absolutely flying through this one! In this book, we are introduced to EMID, who are keeping an eye on the Cute Mutants to ensure that they are no risk to public safety, whilst also using them for their own agenda – aka, mutants hunting down mutants (I’ve always been a proponent of ‘Magneto Was Right’, but even more so after reading this book!). We are also introduced to a mutant who is hunting down and killing well known queer people and celebrities, with the view that queer love is a sin – buckle yourselves in for that storyline! – and we discover some new information about Emma’s abilities. The fight scenes in this also feel amped up a notch from the previous books, and there was one fight scene in particular I had to stop reading halfway through because I was getting so stressed and scared for my Cute Mutant babies that I just needed to take a deep breath and pause before continuing!
Overall, this book is a real turning point in the series and I’m both excited and terrified for where it’s gonna go, whilst simultaneously never wanting it to end! The books in this series just seem to be getting better and better and I cannot recommend enough that you pick up this book on its release on December 8th (also I’m in the acknowledgements aaah!)!
But back to the review at hand! If you thought book two was dark, honey, you’ve got a big storm comin’! The title alludes to the darker tone that this book has compared to the first two, but I truly was not ready for the character development we see in here! We see Dylan really begin to grapple with their abilities and deal with the power, responsibility and choices that they must take into consideration while using them, as well as the morality of the situation at hand. Whereas the first two books were still on the lighter side, this one felt like the Cute Mutants were almost being forced to grow up, due to what was going on around them and the situations into which they were placed. I also really enjoyed seeing the development of the other characters too, from Lou becoming so much more confident in himself and his abilities (which made me so happy to see!), to Alyse and Emma becoming more self-assured (and perhaps a bit more ruthless!), to even Katie becoming the true cinnamon roll I always knew she was!
And it wouldn’t be a new Cute Mutants book without….you guessed it, more mutants!! I really enjoyed the new mutants we were introduced to, including a mutant who has cat tattoos that turn into real life kittens (definitely a superpower I would want!) and a mutant who has the ability to clone herself but each subsequent clone gets more and more chaotic! As I mentioned, the absolute scope of this series is honestly incredible, but you never feel as though any character is underdeveloped in anyway, and if you love found family and loved that aspect of the previous books, you’re gonna love it even more in this volume!
The Cute Mutants books are always super fast paced and I found myself absolutely flying through this one! In this book, we are introduced to EMID, who are keeping an eye on the Cute Mutants to ensure that they are no risk to public safety, whilst also using them for their own agenda – aka, mutants hunting down mutants (I’ve always been a proponent of ‘Magneto Was Right’, but even more so after reading this book!). We are also introduced to a mutant who is hunting down and killing well known queer people and celebrities, with the view that queer love is a sin – buckle yourselves in for that storyline! – and we discover some new information about Emma’s abilities. The fight scenes in this also feel amped up a notch from the previous books, and there was one fight scene in particular I had to stop reading halfway through because I was getting so stressed and scared for my Cute Mutant babies that I just needed to take a deep breath and pause before continuing!
Overall, this book is a real turning point in the series and I’m both excited and terrified for where it’s gonna go, whilst simultaneously never wanting it to end! The books in this series just seem to be getting better and better and I cannot recommend enough that you pick up this book on its release on December 8th (also I’m in the acknowledgements aaah!)!
June 27, 2021
I received an eARC from the author in exchange for an honest review. I also bought the paperback myself. All opinions are my own.
I fucking love this series. Happy Pride Month I finally finished and I was destroyed. I never want this series to end. I need Dylan in my life always. I've never found a character who is almost basically me in a book like Dylan is. They speak to me on a soul level and I am soft because of it.
Things get wild in this book. After Cute Mutants Vol 2: Young, Gifted & Queer, I knew things were getting real, but damn I didn't think my heart could be smashed like it was! Actual footage of me the last 50 pages of this book:
The Demon Queer Saga has our mutants being dragged down by government intervention. EMID--the American Extrahuman Monitoring and Intelligence Division--is here to supervise and they want things down their way or the highway. Freaking Americans, am i right? Dylan and Dani know things are suspicious, but turns out EMID isn't all they have to worry about. Nope, some preacher and his mutant daughter are murdering queer people in cold blood because of their religion. And, if that's not enough, an institute called Quietus is coming for the mutants and they want to exterminate them all. War is coming for the Cute Mutants, regardless if they're ready for it.
This series gets progressively darker and I'm living for every moment of it. Dylan's character progression has been amazing to watch. I have so much love for Dylan. We also find out that Dylan is genderfluid. So far Dylan hasn't settled on a set/sets of pronouns so I'm trying to use Dylan more than anything.
I think my favorite thing about this series is that it's the biggest fucking found family I've ever seen. And it just keeps getting bigger. I love all of the mutants, but the OG cute mutants are my precious babies, especially Emma and her mysterious Goddess powers. I hope we'll get some solid answers in the final book.
I don't really know what else there is to say. I love this book so much, please read it.
I fucking love this series. Happy Pride Month I finally finished and I was destroyed. I never want this series to end. I need Dylan in my life always. I've never found a character who is almost basically me in a book like Dylan is. They speak to me on a soul level and I am soft because of it.
Things get wild in this book. After Cute Mutants Vol 2: Young, Gifted & Queer, I knew things were getting real, but damn I didn't think my heart could be smashed like it was! Actual footage of me the last 50 pages of this book:
The Demon Queer Saga has our mutants being dragged down by government intervention. EMID--the American Extrahuman Monitoring and Intelligence Division--is here to supervise and they want things down their way or the highway. Freaking Americans, am i right? Dylan and Dani know things are suspicious, but turns out EMID isn't all they have to worry about. Nope, some preacher and his mutant daughter are murdering queer people in cold blood because of their religion. And, if that's not enough, an institute called Quietus is coming for the mutants and they want to exterminate them all. War is coming for the Cute Mutants, regardless if they're ready for it.
This series gets progressively darker and I'm living for every moment of it. Dylan's character progression has been amazing to watch. I have so much love for Dylan. We also find out that Dylan is genderfluid. So far Dylan hasn't settled on a set/sets of pronouns so I'm trying to use Dylan more than anything.
I think my favorite thing about this series is that it's the biggest fucking found family I've ever seen. And it just keeps getting bigger. I love all of the mutants, but the OG cute mutants are my precious babies, especially Emma and her mysterious Goddess powers. I hope we'll get some solid answers in the final book.
I don't really know what else there is to say. I love this book so much, please read it.
December 14, 2020
I freaking love the Cute Mutants series!!!
I am at a loss for words with all that's happened in this book. I laughed, I got angry, I cried and I felt hope. I'm scared for the Cute Mutants but they got such big hearts for one another and their families, I refuse to believe that that isn't enough to get them through whatever comes next.
I am at a loss for words with all that's happened in this book. I laughed, I got angry, I cried and I felt hope. I'm scared for the Cute Mutants but they got such big hearts for one another and their families, I refuse to believe that that isn't enough to get them through whatever comes next.
January 6, 2021
Ummmmmmm what????
April 1, 2021
This was such an intense, wild ride! Cute Mutants is just getting better and better, please, if you want more queer superheroes in your life give this series a go! I love how dark this edition is, it tackled a lot of really horrible, difficult topics but still managed to be a fun, even uplifting read. I honestly tore through this book in one sitting, it's so addictive and brilliant.
CW: homophobia/transphobia, hate crimes, extreme violence against LGBT+ people, death, violence, conversion therapy, religious extremism, misgendering.
If you enjoy diverse sci-fi and fantasy you should check out my Blog! You could also follow me on Twitter or Instagram.
CW: homophobia/transphobia, hate crimes, extreme violence against LGBT+ people, death, violence, conversion therapy, religious extremism, misgendering.
If you enjoy diverse sci-fi and fantasy you should check out my Blog! You could also follow me on Twitter or Instagram.
December 3, 2023
Okay, but seriously? Three books in and this series is yet to let me down!
Whitby is the only indie author I read—no, I do not care if that makes me sound like a snob—and I do so religiously. I am continually blown away by how good each book is, especially when considering how quickly they publish. They are well-paced, strongly written, and both lough-out-loud funny and punched-in-the gut sad. And don't get me started on the absolutely insane creativity behind the series itself. The powers these mutants have are so unique compared to what is out there. Half the fun of the book is seeing how powers like the ability to talk to inanimate objects or having a hungry mouth across your stomach will manifest and fight back.
For this book, we rejoin our favourite queer gang of mutants, who are taking charge after their last run-in with an oversight agency. It didn't end so well for that agency, and the Cute Mutants couldn't be happier about that. The last book saw some hard losses, but as I hoped, several new mutants with fabulous powers are added to the team. They may seem ridiculous, like a woman whose cat tattoo manifests into multiple literal cats, but each and every single character/mutant has a purpose for the story. Dani and Dylan are together, as are Emma and Alyse, and these couples are about to be tested with the new, godawful villain.
Someone is targeting people in the LGBTQ+ community, and it does not bode well for our mutants. A religious group is against mutants and lesbians, which freakin' sucks. I'm very much a Christian who loves people just the way they are, so it always saddens me to see that religious nuts like Quietus are really just ripped right from the headlines. *whispers* Love is love, assholes! Quietus gives the Cute Mutants a real run for their survival, and while it's devastating to see how they are affected, I love how it made their character development evolve. For instance, Dylan holds nothing back. People they love get hurt, and they are there with Oni the sword and whatever other object has a penchant for blood. It was somewhat of a turn away from being a hero to villainism, and I loved it.
I have nothing to complain about with this book and I cannot wait to dive into CM4 soon! Especially after that crazy ending!
Whitby is the only indie author I read—no, I do not care if that makes me sound like a snob—and I do so religiously. I am continually blown away by how good each book is, especially when considering how quickly they publish. They are well-paced, strongly written, and both lough-out-loud funny and punched-in-the gut sad. And don't get me started on the absolutely insane creativity behind the series itself. The powers these mutants have are so unique compared to what is out there. Half the fun of the book is seeing how powers like the ability to talk to inanimate objects or having a hungry mouth across your stomach will manifest and fight back.
For this book, we rejoin our favourite queer gang of mutants, who are taking charge after their last run-in with an oversight agency. It didn't end so well for that agency, and the Cute Mutants couldn't be happier about that. The last book saw some hard losses, but as I hoped, several new mutants with fabulous powers are added to the team. They may seem ridiculous, like a woman whose cat tattoo manifests into multiple literal cats, but each and every single character/mutant has a purpose for the story. Dani and Dylan are together, as are Emma and Alyse, and these couples are about to be tested with the new, godawful villain.
Someone is targeting people in the LGBTQ+ community, and it does not bode well for our mutants. A religious group is against mutants and lesbians, which freakin' sucks. I'm very much a Christian who loves people just the way they are, so it always saddens me to see that religious nuts like Quietus are really just ripped right from the headlines. *whispers* Love is love, assholes! Quietus gives the Cute Mutants a real run for their survival, and while it's devastating to see how they are affected, I love how it made their character development evolve. For instance, Dylan holds nothing back. People they love get hurt, and they are there with Oni the sword and whatever other object has a penchant for blood. It was somewhat of a turn away from being a hero to villainism, and I loved it.
I have nothing to complain about with this book and I cannot wait to dive into CM4 soon! Especially after that crazy ending!
March 30, 2023
Still having an amazing time with this series. This volume has big triggers for religious trauma, but the exploration of it was very powerful to me.
It's hard to find new things to say that I haven't already but in the reviews for Volume 1 and 2. Enjoying this is effortless for me. My writer/editor brain turns off and I just get to enjoy myself. It feels built for me, the nerdy little queer fan of Buffy and the Xmen and a 90s trash fire.
The characters go through things dark enough to feel relatable but are soft enough to inspire joy and hope in me. Dylan's journey with their own inner self isn't the same as mine, but figuring it out feels like... permission and acceptance. Like it's okay to be unsure and to have the journey itself.
It's hard to explain it better than that. I just really love this series, and I'm grateful to have it in my life.
It's hard to find new things to say that I haven't already but in the reviews for Volume 1 and 2. Enjoying this is effortless for me. My writer/editor brain turns off and I just get to enjoy myself. It feels built for me, the nerdy little queer fan of Buffy and the Xmen and a 90s trash fire.
The characters go through things dark enough to feel relatable but are soft enough to inspire joy and hope in me. Dylan's journey with their own inner self isn't the same as mine, but figuring it out feels like... permission and acceptance. Like it's okay to be unsure and to have the journey itself.
It's hard to explain it better than that. I just really love this series, and I'm grateful to have it in my life.
November 12, 2020
actual review to come but this is the most intense thing I've ever read SJ YOU'RE KILLING ME HERE
January 19, 2022
Yeah, that hurt. This book made me laugh, want to cry, want to throw things, and kind of sad. I loved it.
July 22, 2021
I had planned to read something else after this book, but now I’m compelled to read the fourth book. Wow.
March 13, 2021
SJ Whitby just keeps continuously saving 2020 by giving us new cute mutants volumes. Book 3 is back with bang and we start off back with our original mutants who we all love and adore.
Something so incredible about this author is their ability to introduce us to a new character and make us fall in love with them so quickly as if they've been there all along. We meet many new mutants in this book and all of them just feel like they fit in the family so easily. I adore the dynamic of everyone in this book and all of the books in the series, it truly is such a safe space and full of so much queer acceptance and joy. These books are so easy to pick up and feel instantly like you're at home, and they're so comforting!
When picking up this book I didn't think it could be much more of a rollercoaster than the 2nd but boy was I wrong! This installment in the series is full of battles and enemies and unforeseen twists and turns. It's SO action packed and literally had me screaming and crying at my phone (more than once lol) I always recommend this series as a super cute and funny, easy read but in reality it will actually rip your heart out and multiple times, while also making you cry with joy.
As always, SJ Whitby's writing style is so much fun, and hilarious throughout. I love all the little references that are scattered in the books and it feels like I'm connecting with a part of the authors personality 🥺 (bly manor reference!! TASTE)
Without spoiling anything I will say that the ending of this book was WILD. As someone who does not usually cry at books I was shocked at how regularly this book made me cry. The ending of this book is insane and I cried so much yet it's setup such a good place for book four to go from, I'm so intrigued to see where the author goes with it!!
This book and these characters feel like coming home from a long day and finally getting to rest. It's so comforting to me to be back in this world that is filled with so much joy, casual representation and love. This book was somehow better than I'd imagined and I'm beyond anticipating book 4!!
If you've yet to pick up this series, PLEASE DO!! It's so much fun, and such a unique world to experience!
A huge thank you to the author for sending me a copy to review, as always, this has not affected my thoughts or opinions :)
Something so incredible about this author is their ability to introduce us to a new character and make us fall in love with them so quickly as if they've been there all along. We meet many new mutants in this book and all of them just feel like they fit in the family so easily. I adore the dynamic of everyone in this book and all of the books in the series, it truly is such a safe space and full of so much queer acceptance and joy. These books are so easy to pick up and feel instantly like you're at home, and they're so comforting!
When picking up this book I didn't think it could be much more of a rollercoaster than the 2nd but boy was I wrong! This installment in the series is full of battles and enemies and unforeseen twists and turns. It's SO action packed and literally had me screaming and crying at my phone (more than once lol) I always recommend this series as a super cute and funny, easy read but in reality it will actually rip your heart out and multiple times, while also making you cry with joy.
As always, SJ Whitby's writing style is so much fun, and hilarious throughout. I love all the little references that are scattered in the books and it feels like I'm connecting with a part of the authors personality 🥺 (bly manor reference!! TASTE)
Without spoiling anything I will say that the ending of this book was WILD. As someone who does not usually cry at books I was shocked at how regularly this book made me cry. The ending of this book is insane and I cried so much yet it's setup such a good place for book four to go from, I'm so intrigued to see where the author goes with it!!
This book and these characters feel like coming home from a long day and finally getting to rest. It's so comforting to me to be back in this world that is filled with so much joy, casual representation and love. This book was somehow better than I'd imagined and I'm beyond anticipating book 4!!
If you've yet to pick up this series, PLEASE DO!! It's so much fun, and such a unique world to experience!
A huge thank you to the author for sending me a copy to review, as always, this has not affected my thoughts or opinions :)
February 1, 2021
I keep trying to organize my thoughts on this series into something coherent but I really should just accept the fact that that is not going to happen. I love this series so much! As a kid, I was OBSESSED with the X-Men movies and as I got older I realized it was because it was all a thinly veiled metaphor for being queer. So the fact that this series is basically X-Men but 1000% more queer gives me life and is why I refuse to shut up about how much I love this series.
I am extremely excited to see how this series keeps evolving and growing. Serious shit happens with serious consequences and it feels like the characters are realistically dealing with that trauma. But interspersed throughout this pretty series story arc are these beautiful fluffy moments.
So yes, it will surprise no one that I HIGHLY recommend this series and I just really need more people to read about these wonderful queer mutants!
🏳️🌈🏳️🌈🏳️🌈🏳️🌈🏳️🌈/5
Rep: gender fluid MC, pan, lesbian, ace, bi, trans
CW: death, gore, homophobia, transphobia, misgendering, violence
I am extremely excited to see how this series keeps evolving and growing. Serious shit happens with serious consequences and it feels like the characters are realistically dealing with that trauma. But interspersed throughout this pretty series story arc are these beautiful fluffy moments.
So yes, it will surprise no one that I HIGHLY recommend this series and I just really need more people to read about these wonderful queer mutants!
🏳️🌈🏳️🌈🏳️🌈🏳️🌈🏳️🌈/5
Rep: gender fluid MC, pan, lesbian, ace, bi, trans
CW: death, gore, homophobia, transphobia, misgendering, violence
November 11, 2020
Wow. Amazing. 5 stars. Might be my favorite so far, but Book 2 has been really good as well! This book has been an absolute blast! I didn't want to put it down for one second! Everything I liked about the first two volumes is present in this one (with one sporting equipment sized exception). There was so much action in this book, it felt like 4 different climaxes. A lot of new characters got introduced, each with their own individual power. Many good quotes and funny banter from Dylan and the other Cute Mutants. The world building got expanded a lot, with some threads still being left in the open which makes me even more excited to find out what happens in the sequels. This book is an emotional rollercoaster, so many different feels. I especially liked the exploration of moral ambiguity and our crew of lovable queer mutants realising that they might not be the comic book heroes they initially thought/hoped they'd be. AND OHHH THAT ENDING!! MY POOR HEART AHH
Read
February 10, 2022
Trigger & Content Warnings
Homomisia
Transmisia
Misgendering
Hate crimes
Outing
Conversion therapy mentioned
Dismemberment
Murder
Gun violence
Fire
Bombing
Loss of autonomy (mind control)
Homomisia
Transmisia
Misgendering
Hate crimes
Outing
Conversion therapy mentioned
Dismemberment
Murder
Gun violence
Fire
Bombing
Loss of autonomy (mind control)
February 1, 2021
AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH
(Actual review to come when my brain can handle it. For now, I’m just exploding.)
Edit a month later:
Okay I have stopped reeling from the vast wave of questions and squeals that overtook me as I finished this book. I am not one for series usually, but Cute Mutants has me absolutely hooked.
SJ Whitby is such a brilliant writer and they have weaved such a tangled but poignant web here with the Cute Mutants universe. Yes, these books are adorable and heartwarming and action-packed, but they also touch on super important contemporary issues. This series is about much more than how a bunch of teenage girls get superpowers and seemingly run amok in a cloud of hormones. It’s about power and social inequities and bigotry and insecurities and the grey area between right and wrong. Most importantly it is about deep, real love and all its variants and how that is absolutely worth fighting for. SJ balances all these things in Cute Mutants in a way that feels natural, easy, and relatable, which makes the series just impossibly beautiful and meaningful.
👏READ👏THESE👏BOOKS👏
(Actual review to come when my brain can handle it. For now, I’m just exploding.)
Edit a month later:
Okay I have stopped reeling from the vast wave of questions and squeals that overtook me as I finished this book. I am not one for series usually, but Cute Mutants has me absolutely hooked.
SJ Whitby is such a brilliant writer and they have weaved such a tangled but poignant web here with the Cute Mutants universe. Yes, these books are adorable and heartwarming and action-packed, but they also touch on super important contemporary issues. This series is about much more than how a bunch of teenage girls get superpowers and seemingly run amok in a cloud of hormones. It’s about power and social inequities and bigotry and insecurities and the grey area between right and wrong. Most importantly it is about deep, real love and all its variants and how that is absolutely worth fighting for. SJ balances all these things in Cute Mutants in a way that feels natural, easy, and relatable, which makes the series just impossibly beautiful and meaningful.
👏READ👏THESE👏BOOKS👏
September 26, 2021
Holy shit, it really keeps getting better and better huh????
In the third book of the Cute Mutants series the story gets a darker turn. This time they have to deal with stronger mutants, including a homophobic preacher who has the power to make you believe whatever he wants to.
The Cute Mutants have their own HQ now and they need to track other mutants. The preacher is extremely homophobic and uses his powers to spread his hatespeech. He even uses his own daughter to kill members of the LGBTQ+ community. It's up to the Cute Mutants to stop them.
This book is way darker than the last two books but in a good way. It's just as good, maybe even better. It was so unpredictable and I couldn't stop reading. I needed to know what was gonna happen!!!
We meet multiple new mutants, my favorites of these new Cute Mutants are Skye aka Clone Club who has the power to create duplicates of herself and
Something I really loved is how the first two books was more about the characters, there was plot but it wasn't really the main focus. It was more about the bond between the Cute Mutants and us getting to know them. (and ofcourse it was also about the cute romance between Dylan and Dani who are probably my favorite fictional couple by now, especially after the third book). By focusing more on characters in the first two books, I was actually scared for them the whole time in this book. I care so much about all of them. Whenever they were fighting soldiers or almost getting shot I got so scared!
The stakes were so high in this one and I'm sure the stakes will even be higher in book 4. (which I'm so excited to start reading right after I finished this review :p)
LGBTQ+ rep:
Dylan/Chattbox: Pansexual, genderfluid.
Pear: Non binary, Biromantic Asexual
Lou/Glowstick: Trans boy
Dani/Marvellous: Korean Lesbian
Alyse/Moodring: Pacific Islander Bisexual/Pansexual
Emma/Godess: Kiw-Chinese, Demiromantic Asexual
Maddy/Sourpatch: Sapphic
Gladiola/Fetch: Sapphic
Skye/Clone Club: Bisexual
Violet/Penance: Lesbian
In the third book of the Cute Mutants series the story gets a darker turn. This time they have to deal with stronger mutants, including a homophobic preacher who has the power to make you believe whatever he wants to.
The Cute Mutants have their own HQ now and they need to track other mutants. The preacher is extremely homophobic and uses his powers to spread his hatespeech. He even uses his own daughter to kill members of the LGBTQ+ community. It's up to the Cute Mutants to stop them.
This book is way darker than the last two books but in a good way. It's just as good, maybe even better. It was so unpredictable and I couldn't stop reading. I needed to know what was gonna happen!!!
We meet multiple new mutants, my favorites of these new Cute Mutants are Skye aka Clone Club who has the power to create duplicates of herself and
Something I really loved is how the first two books was more about the characters, there was plot but it wasn't really the main focus. It was more about the bond between the Cute Mutants and us getting to know them. (and ofcourse it was also about the cute romance between Dylan and Dani who are probably my favorite fictional couple by now, especially after the third book). By focusing more on characters in the first two books, I was actually scared for them the whole time in this book. I care so much about all of them. Whenever they were fighting soldiers or almost getting shot I got so scared!
The stakes were so high in this one and I'm sure the stakes will even be higher in book 4. (which I'm so excited to start reading right after I finished this review :p)
LGBTQ+ rep:
Dylan/Chattbox: Pansexual, genderfluid.
Pear: Non binary, Biromantic Asexual
Lou/Glowstick: Trans boy
Dani/Marvellous: Korean Lesbian
Alyse/Moodring: Pacific Islander Bisexual/Pansexual
Emma/Godess: Kiw-Chinese, Demiromantic Asexual
Maddy/Sourpatch: Sapphic
Gladiola/Fetch: Sapphic
Skye/Clone Club: Bisexual
Violet/Penance: Lesbian
January 23, 2022
“You’re the two from the news. I think you’re very brave.”
—
“I don’t know about brave. We’re ourselves, and we don’t know how to be anything else.”
—
“Sometimes that’s brave enough.”
This is becoming one of my favorite series. It’s a fun series that does dive into deeper and more serious topics. For me, this one wasn’t quite as good as the other two, but it was still a great read.
CW/TW: Homophobia, LGBTQIA+ discrimination, hate crime against the LGBTQIA+ community, misgendering, murder, gore, violence, thought control
Still following Dylan and the rest of the Cute Mutants as they navigate a new world of mutants and people who want to destroy them. This time, there enemy also has a grudge against the LGBTQIA+ community. As the CM fights those who hate who they are, the line between doing what’s right and what’s wrong is blurred.
This third volume was definitely heavier and gorier than the previous two. There were hard parts to read. I wanted to throw my tablet at times. Honestly, people can be… not great. But I think that SJ Whitby did a good job with these scenes and bringing real problems to the story.
I had a harder time getting into this one. I felt like the beginning was slower than the first two. Don’t worry though, even if you have the same opinion in the beginning, the story really picks up and is a whirlwind of action. It was good, but also a bit chaotic for me.
A lot was going on and a lot of new characters have been introduced. This is on top of those from the second book. I think I should have made some type of list for myself. I don’t always have issues with a lot of characters, but mutants mean mutant names, civilian names, and powers.
That being said, the characters are amazing! Even the villains I don’t like have dimension and are written well. Also, the development that Dylan goes through in this one is fantastic. You see their development slowly throughout these books, and it’s wonderful to read.
If you haven’t read this series yet and love Marvel, or other hero type things, I would recommend reading these.
—
“I don’t know about brave. We’re ourselves, and we don’t know how to be anything else.”
—
“Sometimes that’s brave enough.”
This is becoming one of my favorite series. It’s a fun series that does dive into deeper and more serious topics. For me, this one wasn’t quite as good as the other two, but it was still a great read.
CW/TW: Homophobia, LGBTQIA+ discrimination, hate crime against the LGBTQIA+ community, misgendering, murder, gore, violence, thought control
Still following Dylan and the rest of the Cute Mutants as they navigate a new world of mutants and people who want to destroy them. This time, there enemy also has a grudge against the LGBTQIA+ community. As the CM fights those who hate who they are, the line between doing what’s right and what’s wrong is blurred.
This third volume was definitely heavier and gorier than the previous two. There were hard parts to read. I wanted to throw my tablet at times. Honestly, people can be… not great. But I think that SJ Whitby did a good job with these scenes and bringing real problems to the story.
I had a harder time getting into this one. I felt like the beginning was slower than the first two. Don’t worry though, even if you have the same opinion in the beginning, the story really picks up and is a whirlwind of action. It was good, but also a bit chaotic for me.
A lot was going on and a lot of new characters have been introduced. This is on top of those from the second book. I think I should have made some type of list for myself. I don’t always have issues with a lot of characters, but mutants mean mutant names, civilian names, and powers.
That being said, the characters are amazing! Even the villains I don’t like have dimension and are written well. Also, the development that Dylan goes through in this one is fantastic. You see their development slowly throughout these books, and it’s wonderful to read.
If you haven’t read this series yet and love Marvel, or other hero type things, I would recommend reading these.
November 3, 2023
Oh man, this book just went from strength to freaking strength!!
I will admit I was a bit worried, when I read the previous book, that I wouldn't keep enjoying this series, but that theory was thoroughly debunked from the utterly enjoyment at the characters and twists and just everything this book has to its name.
Of course I can see from here on out it's just going to be an escalating situation of each book dealing with the fall out from the previous. This one, we've dealt with international governments coming in and trying to control and/or neutralise the threat of mutants.
America is coming in since New Zealand couldn't manage to come out on top last time around. We don't really see many individuals, however, behind the organisation. That is apart from Tanner, who kinda works as the mouthpiece character for what's going on in the background.
Dylan/Chatterbox is about as obedient when given direct orders as they ever has been. There's a part of me that gets discognisance every time I remember they're a teenager. Whenever they go back to interacting with their parent, who also lives on the compound with all the mutants for safety, I just stare for a while.
Probably that's not so different from Buffy, which is regularly referenced. But Buffy had an adult at least commanding her actions for the first several seasons.
Dylan and co are self led.
And it shows.
I can't argue that they could have done anything better or differently with the multitude of threats they face in this book. A priest with telepathic abilities to turn them against each other on the couple of times they try to go up against him is our main co-mutant threat in this one. He's working with Quietus, who I'm pretty sure we haven't seen the last of; a shadowy organisation big on eugenics against mutants basically.
Next one we're sure to be dealing with the fall out of Chatterbox declaring mutants their own nation on live television.
I will admit I was a bit worried, when I read the previous book, that I wouldn't keep enjoying this series, but that theory was thoroughly debunked from the utterly enjoyment at the characters and twists and just everything this book has to its name.
Of course I can see from here on out it's just going to be an escalating situation of each book dealing with the fall out from the previous. This one, we've dealt with international governments coming in and trying to control and/or neutralise the threat of mutants.
America is coming in since New Zealand couldn't manage to come out on top last time around. We don't really see many individuals, however, behind the organisation. That is apart from Tanner, who kinda works as the mouthpiece character for what's going on in the background.
Dylan/Chatterbox is about as obedient when given direct orders as they ever has been. There's a part of me that gets discognisance every time I remember they're a teenager. Whenever they go back to interacting with their parent, who also lives on the compound with all the mutants for safety, I just stare for a while.
Probably that's not so different from Buffy, which is regularly referenced. But Buffy had an adult at least commanding her actions for the first several seasons.
Dylan and co are self led.
And it shows.
I can't argue that they could have done anything better or differently with the multitude of threats they face in this book. A priest with telepathic abilities to turn them against each other on the couple of times they try to go up against him is our main co-mutant threat in this one. He's working with Quietus, who I'm pretty sure we haven't seen the last of; a shadowy organisation big on eugenics against mutants basically.
Next one we're sure to be dealing with the fall out of Chatterbox declaring mutants their own nation on live television.
August 24, 2022
The Demon Queer Saga by SJ Whitby is the third entry in the Cute Mutants series and picks up where book two left off.
Now running Jinteki Industries, Dylan and company have turned the evil corporation into a force for good, creating a haven for mutants and their families. However, they must contend with Abigail Tanner, a member of America’s Extrahuman Millitary Intelligence Department (EMID), that seeks to take control of the Cute Mutants and their operations.
Dylan also has to deal with the pressures of being a mutant leader and role model; and Violet, who’s obsessed with Dylan, can teleport and turn her fingers into blades, and whose stated goal is to kill Dylan.
If that weren’t enough, the Cute Mutants also must fight off Quietus, a group of religious fanatics whose goal is the extermination of all mutants.
Though this book is darker than the previous one, I loved how Whitby depicted Dylan’s reactions to the pressures of leadership and their moral struggles with how to handle the threats of Violet, EMID, and Quietus. I also loved the evolving mystery behind Emma and her powers, and those of the other Cute Mutants.
As with the previous book, Whitby introduced more mutants. However I did feel Lou was once again pushed to the sidelines in favor of showcasing the new mutants and Dylan and her friend group.
It was nice to see Dylan and the others maturing a bit, but I still thought some of their actions stretched my suspension of disbelief, given how dangerous they know the people after them were.
If I had any other criticism it’s that while several characters died in the ensuing fights with EMID and Quietus, I felt like Dylan and the other main characters were never in any danger due to plot armor.
I was also high-key angry the book ended on such a massive cliffhanger. Thankfully the next book is available, otherwise I’d be hella pissed.
I give Cute Mutants Vol. 3 5.0 out of 5.0 stars, and highly recommend it. If you liked the first book, I strongly suggest buying the rest in the series as they only get better.
Now running Jinteki Industries, Dylan and company have turned the evil corporation into a force for good, creating a haven for mutants and their families. However, they must contend with Abigail Tanner, a member of America’s Extrahuman Millitary Intelligence Department (EMID), that seeks to take control of the Cute Mutants and their operations.
Dylan also has to deal with the pressures of being a mutant leader and role model; and Violet, who’s obsessed with Dylan, can teleport and turn her fingers into blades, and whose stated goal is to kill Dylan.
If that weren’t enough, the Cute Mutants also must fight off Quietus, a group of religious fanatics whose goal is the extermination of all mutants.
Though this book is darker than the previous one, I loved how Whitby depicted Dylan’s reactions to the pressures of leadership and their moral struggles with how to handle the threats of Violet, EMID, and Quietus. I also loved the evolving mystery behind Emma and her powers, and those of the other Cute Mutants.
As with the previous book, Whitby introduced more mutants. However I did feel Lou was once again pushed to the sidelines in favor of showcasing the new mutants and Dylan and her friend group.
It was nice to see Dylan and the others maturing a bit, but I still thought some of their actions stretched my suspension of disbelief, given how dangerous they know the people after them were.
If I had any other criticism it’s that while several characters died in the ensuing fights with EMID and Quietus, I felt like Dylan and the other main characters were never in any danger due to plot armor.
I was also high-key angry the book ended on such a massive cliffhanger. Thankfully the next book is available, otherwise I’d be hella pissed.
I give Cute Mutants Vol. 3 5.0 out of 5.0 stars, and highly recommend it. If you liked the first book, I strongly suggest buying the rest in the series as they only get better.
January 18, 2022
Intense Queer Superhero Fun!!
This May Contain Spoilers For Vol. 1-3!
.
.
.
.
.
.
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This series basically owns my heart. I am so in love with all the beautiful rep, and the way the choices are never so black and white. This series is intense, and I highly recommend checking trigger/content warnings. Some of them (but definitely not all) include: Self harm, religious homophobia, death, gore, anxiety, abuse (mental and physical off page between father and daughter), and more that my brain is currently still processing.
This book picked up with the action, even though I didn't think it was possible. The stakes have been upped. Between Quiteus, EMID, and a mutant preacher with a grudge against queer people, the Cute Mutants have a lot on their hands.
This book gets bloody. BLOODY.
And I'm here for every second of it.
But there's also the most amazing found family, and more mutants are added to it in this book. I'm so eager to see what happens with Violet after all she's been through.
We find out that Dylan is genderfluid, and my heart is so happy about that it could burst. Dylan is a character I already relate to on so many levels, and knowing that they are genderfluid just ups that feeling a level. I love watching their character growth and development. It absolutely shone in this book with the decisions Dylan makes.
I encourage everyone to read this series, and I absolutely cannot wait to move on to Vol. 4.
This May Contain Spoilers For Vol. 1-3!
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
This series basically owns my heart. I am so in love with all the beautiful rep, and the way the choices are never so black and white. This series is intense, and I highly recommend checking trigger/content warnings. Some of them (but definitely not all) include: Self harm, religious homophobia, death, gore, anxiety, abuse (mental and physical off page between father and daughter), and more that my brain is currently still processing.
This book picked up with the action, even though I didn't think it was possible. The stakes have been upped. Between Quiteus, EMID, and a mutant preacher with a grudge against queer people, the Cute Mutants have a lot on their hands.
This book gets bloody. BLOODY.
And I'm here for every second of it.
But there's also the most amazing found family, and more mutants are added to it in this book. I'm so eager to see what happens with Violet after all she's been through.
We find out that Dylan is genderfluid, and my heart is so happy about that it could burst. Dylan is a character I already relate to on so many levels, and knowing that they are genderfluid just ups that feeling a level. I love watching their character growth and development. It absolutely shone in this book with the decisions Dylan makes.
I encourage everyone to read this series, and I absolutely cannot wait to move on to Vol. 4.
March 24, 2022
5 / 5 Stars
I love this series. And I'm pretty sure that nothing will change that.
This book was playing with my heart. But more on that in a second.
I've reread my own reviews of the previous books and it's funny to see how I decribed Dylan as someone who's slowly turning into a bellicist, because, yeah, there is nothing left of that old Cute Mutants 1 Dylan anymore. Not like the world has left them - because Spoiler, Dylan came out as nonbinary - much of a choice. It's either, kill or get killed. And considering the way the book ended and the road ahead of us, I'd say that it's only going to get much much darker from here on out.
The learn more about the world and about mutants, as in, there are many more of them - who also join the team - and not everyone in the world is happy about the rise of mutants.
Tanner - an agent from a new government agency we were introduced to in this book - brings up some valid points. Ooooh how I wish I could tell you all about Tanner and what this book did, but aksjföasjfköl I can't. She was truly an amazingly intersting character and Whitby did an incredible job with her.
Politics become even more important in this one, while we never abonden our OG team and family - because yeah, that's what the Cute Mutants have become. The cast is as amazing as allways, the relatioships as sweet and the character development top tier.
There is nothing much more left for me to say, besides: I can't wait to read the next installment.
I love this series. And I'm pretty sure that nothing will change that.
This book was playing with my heart. But more on that in a second.
I've reread my own reviews of the previous books and it's funny to see how I decribed Dylan as someone who's slowly turning into a bellicist, because, yeah, there is nothing left of that old Cute Mutants 1 Dylan anymore. Not like the world has left them - because Spoiler, Dylan came out as nonbinary - much of a choice. It's either, kill or get killed. And considering the way the book ended and the road ahead of us, I'd say that it's only going to get much much darker from here on out.
The learn more about the world and about mutants, as in, there are many more of them - who also join the team - and not everyone in the world is happy about the rise of mutants.
Tanner - an agent from a new government agency we were introduced to in this book - brings up some valid points. Ooooh how I wish I could tell you all about Tanner and what this book did, but aksjföasjfköl I can't. She was truly an amazingly intersting character and Whitby did an incredible job with her.
Politics become even more important in this one, while we never abonden our OG team and family - because yeah, that's what the Cute Mutants have become. The cast is as amazing as allways, the relatioships as sweet and the character development top tier.
There is nothing much more left for me to say, besides: I can't wait to read the next installment.
December 13, 2020
HOLY PLOT TWIST. I am shocked and terrified and so excited for the next book. These stories just get better and better and the character development in this book??? *chef’s kiss* perfection.
Dylan’s transformation is INCREDIBLE (and hello beautiful genderfluid rep, how exciting!!!) I’m loving the vibe of the series right now, how it started out relatively warm and fluffy and is starting to get... pretty dark. Yeah, there’s a lot of blood and fighting and tragedy in this one, and it works because istg I felt for every single character. Every. Single. One. The stakes in every action scene were 19283828282 because I cared so much about everyone!
I can’t wait to see where this series goes. This book leaves the Cute Mutants in a really difficult position, and I can’t wait to see the choices they’re forced to make going forwards. I think there are going to be a lot of ~consequences~ and they’re all going to have to dig deep—I can’t wait to see it.
Dylan’s transformation is INCREDIBLE (and hello beautiful genderfluid rep, how exciting!!!) I’m loving the vibe of the series right now, how it started out relatively warm and fluffy and is starting to get... pretty dark. Yeah, there’s a lot of blood and fighting and tragedy in this one, and it works because istg I felt for every single character. Every. Single. One. The stakes in every action scene were 19283828282 because I cared so much about everyone!
I can’t wait to see where this series goes. This book leaves the Cute Mutants in a really difficult position, and I can’t wait to see the choices they’re forced to make going forwards. I think there are going to be a lot of ~consequences~ and they’re all going to have to dig deep—I can’t wait to see it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 22, 2021
Just when I thought the previous book put me through the emotional wringer, book three had to come along and nearly tear my heart out a second time.
Things have gotten even crazier for our lovable mutants, and as is to be expected in an X-Men-type story, the fanatics have arrived. Crazy religious zealots, even more new mutants good and bad, and enough near-death fakeouts to give anyone a heart attack, Whitby has put together another amazing chapter in the Cute Mutant saga.
Of the three I've read so far, this one took me the longest only because of the emotional toll it took on me. I wanted to keep reading but has to force myself to stop every once in a while just to recover from what I'd read.
The world of the Cute Mutants is only getting darker, and I look forward to how much further down the rabbit hole Chatterbox and the team go in the next one.
Highly recommend!
Things have gotten even crazier for our lovable mutants, and as is to be expected in an X-Men-type story, the fanatics have arrived. Crazy religious zealots, even more new mutants good and bad, and enough near-death fakeouts to give anyone a heart attack, Whitby has put together another amazing chapter in the Cute Mutant saga.
Of the three I've read so far, this one took me the longest only because of the emotional toll it took on me. I wanted to keep reading but has to force myself to stop every once in a while just to recover from what I'd read.
The world of the Cute Mutants is only getting darker, and I look forward to how much further down the rabbit hole Chatterbox and the team go in the next one.
Highly recommend!
June 7, 2023
Things just keeping getting more complicated for the Cute Mutants, but still, they are making their mark, and doing the best that they can.
Like the previous two books, I really really enjoyed this one. It's darker, heavier in places, but that doesn't detract from how good it is. There is more development of the characters, their actions affecting them more than they realize, shaping them. The plot is engaging and well written, the new characters interesting, and the glimpses at the bigger picture hint at things to come.
Dylan and Dani, and Alyse and Emma are adorable, and it's nice to see their relationships develop as well. Even if things aren't always easy. And the antognists - plain nasty ><.
A great continuation of the series, and I am excited to see where the next two books it.
Like the previous two books, I really really enjoyed this one. It's darker, heavier in places, but that doesn't detract from how good it is. There is more development of the characters, their actions affecting them more than they realize, shaping them. The plot is engaging and well written, the new characters interesting, and the glimpses at the bigger picture hint at things to come.
Dylan and Dani, and Alyse and Emma are adorable, and it's nice to see their relationships develop as well. Even if things aren't always easy. And the antognists - plain nasty ><.
A great continuation of the series, and I am excited to see where the next two books it.
February 3, 2025
4.5 stars
Not my favourite in the series, that's still Cute Mutants Vol 2: Young, Gifted & Queer, but it was still awesome and funny and angry and filled to the brim with found family. One thing I felt was missing was Dylan's power, which was used less than in the first two books and I thought that it was a shame because it's my favourite superpower in the Cute Mutants universe (so far). The romance was just as cute, though, and the plot was gripping (and there were a couple scenes that were simply crazy!). All the characters continued being their chaotic, passionate, funny, loving selves and a few welcome additions were made to the team.
In one word: fantastic!
Not my favourite in the series, that's still Cute Mutants Vol 2: Young, Gifted & Queer, but it was still awesome and funny and angry and filled to the brim with found family. One thing I felt was missing was Dylan's power, which was used less than in the first two books and I thought that it was a shame because it's my favourite superpower in the Cute Mutants universe (so far). The romance was just as cute, though, and the plot was gripping (and there were a couple scenes that were simply crazy!). All the characters continued being their chaotic, passionate, funny, loving selves and a few welcome additions were made to the team.
In one word: fantastic!
November 1, 2022
I bought this series for my 13 year old daughter. She LOVED it and demanded that I read it. The last series of books she did this to me with was the damn Warrior cat books, so I was understandably reticent to read these books at first.
However, having said that, and having burned through the first two and a half books in a little over two weeks, I have to say…
I love this series.
The characters are well-written, well-developed, charming, likable, relatable and witty.
I even felt like I wanted my own Wraith tat.
Bianca warmed my cold, dead, GenX heart, and reminded me of my first girlfriend in high school.
I cried. I admit it.
Spoilers below:
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Here is my complaint in THIS book:
Towards the end of the Quietus battle, SJ suddenly stops using Italics for Dilly and Emma’s psychic dialogue, which becomes super feckin’ confusing, super fast. I got so frustrated and irritated, I stopped to take a break and write this so I could ask WHY?!
Why, SJ?
Why?!
However, having said that, and having burned through the first two and a half books in a little over two weeks, I have to say…
I love this series.
The characters are well-written, well-developed, charming, likable, relatable and witty.
I even felt like I wanted my own Wraith tat.
Bianca warmed my cold, dead, GenX heart, and reminded me of my first girlfriend in high school.
I cried. I admit it.
Spoilers below:
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
Here is my complaint in THIS book:
Towards the end of the Quietus battle, SJ suddenly stops using Italics for Dilly and Emma’s psychic dialogue, which becomes super feckin’ confusing, super fast. I got so frustrated and irritated, I stopped to take a break and write this so I could ask WHY?!
Why, SJ?
Why?!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 18, 2022
Another emotiona and intense read. Let me first say: THE WAY IT ENDED OMG.
I really love the concept on how Magneto was right and how this story goes deeper into it. The character development plays a massive role in this story and I'm liking where it's headed.
The push and pull of doing right vs wrong is written well and we see the struggle of trying to stay good when everything is against our main characters.
I did think the final fight scene dragged on a little though and there are some repetition but overall a good story.
I really love the concept on how Magneto was right and how this story goes deeper into it. The character development plays a massive role in this story and I'm liking where it's headed.
The push and pull of doing right vs wrong is written well and we see the struggle of trying to stay good when everything is against our main characters.
I did think the final fight scene dragged on a little though and there are some repetition but overall a good story.
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