#75-100k

[isthequeerbookgood]

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Short answer: No.

Slightly longer answer: It was... fine? I guess?

The story follows Raff and Penn, the scions of two noble houses, as they meet one night in the eponymous Hartswood. There's an immediate connection, so when Penn decides to flee his abusive father and unwanted betrothal, Raff offers to journey with him. The twist is that both men are hiding their identities - and Penn's betrothed is Raff's sister.

This book feels like it has all the ingredients for a fantastically fun, trope-filled read. Cuddling for warmth? Check! Mutual pining? Check! One character teaching the other to fight? Check! An angsty scar reveal (and subsequent comfort)? Check! The problem is… it did just feel like a checklist.

This gets to the heart of my problem with the book. It felt incredibly generic, from the characters to the setting to the plot. It didn't feel like the author cared that much about her story so, well, neither did I. For me, this was particularly noticeable with the setting. I love the mediaeval era and find it fascinating, but for a book nominally set in 1360 it didn't feel mediaeval at all. I can forgive the unusually progressive families as staple of historical romance, but I cannot forgive the lack of nuns.

Final verdict: One Night in Hartswood is readable but probably not worth your time.

[merlinficlibrary]

The Five Kingdoms by winterhill

Title: The Five Kingdoms

Author: winterhill

Pairing/Character Focus: Merlin/Gwaine, focus on Gwaine’s character

Rating: Explicit

Word Count: 81,416

Author’s Summary: It was meant to be a solo quest — Merlin struggling to find ingredients for a spell to save King Arthur’s life — until Gwaine was sent to check on him and decided to stay. Now he’ll follow Merlin to the four kingdoms of the elements and back to the mortal realm, meet his own destiny at the Green Chapel, and become the willing champion of the most powerful sorcerer to ever live.

My thoughts behind the cut...

My Comments: I came across this fic a handful of times and for whatever reason, I never read it; I’d leave the tab open for ages and finally realize I had no intention of reading it and close the tab, only to come across it in someone’s bookmarks a while later and do the same thing all over again, until finally, I read it the other day - and I realized how ridiculous it was that I hadn’t read it sooner!

I think that because the fic starts out by jumping right in with unfamiliar places and plotlines, it has a kind of AU feel that kept making me think I’d missed something when I first tried to read this fic - but really, that’s not the case; it just doesn’t start out in Camelot, and it has so many unfamiliar and unique plot points happening that not everything is familiar in the beginning.  Once I started reading and got past the fact that I had a lot of questions, it was a great fic, and eventually, all of those questions are answered.

What makes this fic stand out to me is the characterization of Gwaine.  I find Gwaine’s character really interesting, and there are a lot of similarities between him and Merlin in the series, imo.  Both of them have a cheerful exterior and come off as borderline foolish at times, but both of them have something much more substantial underneath, even if that “something substantial” is different for each of them.  This fic really highlights that, and it also really explores Gwaine’s background, and how his tendency to jump from place to place both comes from and creates a sense of insecurity/instability that prevents him from believing that he can connect to others.  

Aside from the amazing characterization, this fic has tons of really cool magical details.  Merlin and Gwaine, who is his champion in this fic (which I LOVE!!), go to various magical kingdoms that represent the elements as part of a quest Merlin is undertaking to save Arthur.  Each kingdom has amazing characters and provides opportunity for Merlin and Gwaine to grow, and I love how the characters (particularly Gwaine) learn and grow throughout the story.

Also, I love that this is a proper Merlin/Gwaine fic where their relationship isn’t just a vehicle for Merlin/Arthur.  (But don’t get me wrong - I love merthur and read a lot of it, but if I read Merlin/Gwaine, I want it to be Merlin/Gwaine without Gwaine being stuck as Merlin’s second choice until something happens and Arthur is ready for Merlin, because Gwaine deserves better than that.)  Their relationship is really beautiful and tender but also hot and complex, and I couldn’t get enough of it.  

All in all, this story has solid and realistic characterization, an amazing plotline (oh - and it also features details from the legend of Gawain and the Green Knight on top of everything else, if you’re into that), fantastic magical ideas and concepts, and a realistic romance full of growth and doubts and reassurances and love.  Go read it!

Read The Five Kingdoms by winterhill on AO3

[queenslasharchive]

Hi, I’m so desperate for a long fic ( >20k words) and I don’t know where to start, preferably w. maylor but not necessary, other than that idc :) I wonder do you have any suggestions. Thank you!

These should last you awhile! =)

01. Too Much by acacia59 [76,779]

For Brian, picking up the pieces of his life after Freddie’s death isn’t easy. For Roger, who has successfully hid his feelings for years, it may be even harder.

02. Another Damn (Vam)pire Story by @waywardrunawaycherryblossom​ [30,181​]

"Meddows Roger Taylor (He would rearrange those names in later years), was born en caul on October 31st, in the wee hours of the morning when the veil between their world and the other was at its thinnest.

A liminal time. Samhain. Halloween."

The only son of a naive young girl, who nearly died bringing him into the world, and a bloodthirsty corpse.

Born a half-vampire, because being a bloody bastard wasn't hard enough. An innocent born damned.

And how that pedigree changed everything...

03. Separation Anxiety by @chaoskirin​​ [57,625]

There's a house fire, and no one remembers how it started, or how they managed to get outside. But Roger, Freddie, Brian, and John aren't themselves, and they have no idea why. So not only do they have to worry about having no house, but they have to worry about solving a problem that should be impossible.​

04. Sleeping on the Sidewalk by emma_and_orlando [30,236]

Brian should never have agreed to being Rogers roommate. Especially not while he’s trying to get over his crush on the drummer.

Nobody warns him about Roger being a persistent sleepwalking either.

05. Somewhere They Can’t Find Us by @she-was-a-gay-stripper​ [84,064]

Brian and Roger try to find a way to be together while the entire nation condemns their love

06. Blinded by the Light by @she-was-a-gay-stripper​ [87,945 | ongoing]

Brian had never thought that one innocent night out could have such impact on his and Roger’s life

07. Reversed by @chaoskirin​ [81,360 | ongoing]

The Queen Boys go to Hogwarts. All different houses, but somehow all still friends! Which is good, because they're going to need to stick together to solve a mystery; if they don't, it'll affect the rest of their lives, and some are more okay with that than others.

08. Keep Yourself Alive by @ronniesshoes​ [51,263 | ongoing]

Trying to make it as a glam band is a full-time job, but sometimes, life gets in the way

[isthequeerbookgood]

StoryGraph Goodreads Kobo Smashwords

Short answer: Yes

Slightly longer answer: Slow, but enjoyable

When his intended bride dies suddenly, Emperor Kenosi finds himself marrying her omega brother instead to secure their countries' alliance. What follows is a slow, meandering walk through the start of a marriage and the adjustments that come from a royal marriage between cultures.

This is a very gentle, sweet book, and not much happens. The story is mostly about Kenosi and Suriya getting to know and love each other and navigating the ways their cultures clash. The main tension in the story comes from questions about bonding and fertility - mostly a background thread.

The novel definitely dragged towards the middle and I would up putting it down for a couple of weeks. But then, when I did pick it up again I enjoyed finishing it. I personally didn't super vibe with the infertility plotline just because pregnancy is a bit of a squick. It also felt bizarrely heteronormative at times? Suriya spends a lot of time floating around worrying about getting pregnant while his husband works on important empire business.

Again, that's probably more about how I relate to queerness and literature than an overall value judgement on the book, and on the whole I enjoyed the worldbuilding and the characters and the gentle little break from reality.

Final verdict: The Emperor's Omega is good.

[swansbookstore]

"Rhapsody in B" by Lillybellis

Spending New Years Eve at The Forks Diner is a tradition Bella and her friends have celebrated since forever. But at the age of 14, Bella would rather be at a school party instead. Surrounded by friends and neighbors she’s known her whole life, Bella looks from face to face and notices the differences as each year passes one-by-one, bringing new faces and also losing some. But Edward is always consistent, he’s such a great friend and he’s so freaking talented with a voice like silk and fingers like magic and a mind filled with beautiful lyrics.

Within a span ten years—every chapter the same day but a new year—things change drastically. What once were friendly looks passed from Bella to Edward are now longing, what once was a tradition of him singing her a special sentimental song, is tainted with fame and misunderstandings. It's a tale of a small town girl in love with a boy meant for much more than Forks. But love always remains. 

Written in Bella's POV, Rhapsody in B reads almost like a bunch of oneshots or outtakes all based around how Bella spends each new year. The story is well written, consistent and flows perfectly throughout the fic. I love this fic for it's "coming of age" theme mixed with young love and the difficulties of long distance between two people. Edward as a musician? HOT. Plus the friendships are strong and everyone has an unbreakable bond that makes the reader feel like part of the group. Oh, and Charlie is the best!! I love when fics do that, when you care about characters other than the main ones. Lillybellis does not disappoint in expressing the ups and downs whiles Edward and Bella's relationship evolves from beginning to end. I've read this one about four times, I love it!

Rhapsody in B consists of 87,888 words and 12 chapters. It is rated M for language and adult themes. The lemon situations are tasteful, not graphic. This fic is more about the plotline. ♥♥♥♥♥

[swansbookstore]

"Deviant" by planetblue

*moving gif/banner here: click.

"Who wants another motherfucking shot!" Bella shouts zealously, followed by a bar full of patrons cheering in excitement. Her boots stomp atop the counter and a bottle of whiskey then pours into a crowd of open mouths. Filled with sexy confidence, Bella wow's the inside of The Steel Horse  'Coyote Ugly Style' every night. But come morning, she's a passionate professor at Bellmont U--lecturing young minds in the subject of social deviance. A topic that most consider erotic and uncommon, but to Bella its an untapped desire within. Life is awesome for Bella, she has her dream job, she riles the crowds up at night in her brother Emmett's bar, and she has a great group of friends. However, life's also become a bit predictable--until one Friday at her local cafe changes everything. 

It starts with witty banter every Friday morning, then upgrades to hot parking lot rendezvouses. He drives her crazy with his sexual deviance and that damn manchu mustache! Only Edward Cullen could pull that off and also get away with toying with her the way he does. Working her up and leaving her dry, teasing her and taunting her with a touch here, a whispered word there. Suddenly Bella finds herself in a purely sexual relationship with a man she tries her hardest to keep at arms length. But there are things about 'Manchu' that can't be ignored, and when emotions become involved, the game changes and Bella has a serious choice to make...

Filled with hotter than hot lemons and exciting twists and turns, Deviant does not disappoint. Dirty talking Edward will make you need a change of undies and sexy Bella will have you cheering and fist pumping. But don't think this just another lemon fic with no plot--nope! There is definitely more to these characters than meets the eye. You think you know, but you have no idea. Save this in your bookmarks, because trust me when I say this is worth more than one read. Especially when you feel like reading something steamy with a touch of sweet. 

Deviant by planetblue consists of 83,093 words and 23 chapters. This story is rated MA for graphic lemons and language.

COMPLETE