Phoebe S. > Recent Status Updates

Was not expecting this to be Bayard Rustin fanfic, but hey, it does it well!

The Dreadnought and the Stars- 4.5, Genuinely sweet way to finish off the stories and the power of love over fear
Apocalypse- 4. Beautiful imagery.
Dream Askew-3.5, could've gone with more explanation.

Started this bc vampires but IDK, this feels veerrry iffy in a way I imagine Lolita must be. Granted, literature can explore problematic concepts & we have examples like Carmilla, but I might DNF this, even if the writing style is still picture-perfect Octavia Butler.

This may be a worthwhile read, but I'm not sure if it'll be an enjoyable one per se. Giving it a chance for now.

The Last Dawn of Targadrides- 5. It's realness, it's slayage, it's a hymn to ball culture and stitched-together worlds, executed to not perfection, but blindingly bright authenticity. Blends fairy tale, sci-fi, and drag magnificently.

The Valley of Mothers- 3.5. Really liked the ideas, but the central concept kind of fell a bit flat for me for some reason
For the Taking, for the Making- 5. The creepiness, but also wholesomeness of finding myself felt like a unique enough spin that it really hit.
When She Nothing Shines Upon- 4.5. Reminded me so much of some of the gentler convos in Evangelion. Quietly beautiful.

Safe Haven- 3, but a strong one. Cute characters but feels fairly by-the-numbers.
Notes Left On A Coffetable- 5. Who knew an itemized list could be so heartrending?

A Party Planner's Guide to The Apocalypse- 5/5 Straight poetry, urgently needed right now.
Imago-4.5/5 Think the mysticism/magic here wasn't quite as much my jam as the Current Dumas (little less slice-of-lifey) but fantastic nonetheless

The Currant Dumas- 5/5 Just wild and strange, beautiful worldbuilding but mysterious enough that it intrigued me. Magic without magic systems, because hey, if you explain it too much it starts being science.
The Limitations of Her Code- 4/5Left less of an impact on me than others but still beautiful.
You Fool, You Wanderer- 5/5 Disturbing but also a love story to the queer community. Didn't end how I expected.

A Sound Like Staying Together- Trippy, but full of heart, 5/5
Be Strong, Kick Many Asses- Not super full of context, but it doesn't have to be. Does exactly what it sets out to, 5/5.
Venom & Bite- Cute story, would love to see more in the universe, 4/5.

A Future In Color- 3. IDK, I feel like more could be done
Champions of Water War- 5 Elly Bangs has done it again!

The Bone Gifts- 4, lot of stuff going for it but it just didn't hit
When the Last of the Birds and the Bees Have Gone On- 3, appreciate the inspo, but I'm just not sure if it works

Didn't My Lord Deliver Daniel- 5/5, just beautiful, love the quiet little allusions & all

The Descent of Their Last End- 5/5, just a wonderful little vignette about art at the end of things

Soft- 5/5, more t4t heist stories

The Black Hearts of La Playa- 3.5/5, feels like it tries to do too much but still p good at what it does accomplish. I'm a sucker for vamps.

First poem: 4/5. Lots to like, just doesn't have the sauce I think.

Okay, Bolaño and "Merrily We Roll Along" added to the mix. This might just be a "me" sorta book. Taking note of the other novels mentioned too.

Is that a Philip K Dick reference?

Kind of like a focus on the evils of man. Leaning toward *both* being the monster, tbh.

Huh. I was not expecting Victor to pursue chemistry.

Rime of the Ancient Mariner: Exists

Walton: "Is this an instruction manual?"

At least he has a friend!

"I got that covered, Tender Sasquatch."

What a riot!

"I'm not strictly rational. How could I be? I sell books."

"In November 2019, death took one of my most annoying customers. But she did not disappear."

"Books contain everything worth knowing except what ultimately matters."

"Say you'll marry me."
"You'll marry me?"
"Yes."

Goodness, Tookie is frigging amazing.

Texas and Indiana chapters are a great balance of getting real about things and also celebrating queer folks in red states, but I feel like Tennessee is a return to form for the false dichotomy Allen makes between the coasts and Middle America.