#oceans echo

[cipherixx]

doing my yearly re-read of Ocean's Echo so its time to redraw them again :P

[jenyifer]

Best of 2024

So I read 82 books this year the grand majority lgbtqia books. I know this is coming out a little bit after the first but I like these kinds of lists. So I like Scifi fantasy!! I’m hoping to have even more lgbtqia books in the future

okay into my go to rereads first. I think an often over looked category is what series actually feels good to listen to or read repeatedly? For me it’s got to be these books

1. Green Creek Series by TJ Klune

2. Ocean’s Echo by Everina Maxwell

3. A Strange and Stubborn Endurance by Foz Meadows

4. A Taste of Gold and Iron by Alexandra Rowland

5. Scum Villian’s Self-Saving System by MXTX

Books that SHOCKED me.

1. Dark Rise by C.S. Pacat

2. The Darkness Outside of Us by Elliot Schrefer

3. Some Desperate Glory by Emily Tesh

4. The Spirit Bares It’s Teeth by Andrew Joseph White

It’s getting Witchy Warlocky in here

1. The Warden by Daniel M. Ford

2. A Power Unbound by Freya Markse

3. White Trash Warlock by David R. Slayton

Fave Ships Within

1. Most Ardently by Gabe Cole Nova

2. The House in the Cerulean Sea and or Heartsong by TJ Klune

3. Thousand Autumns by Meng Xi Shi

4. Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao

Anyways if you want a review of these I’ve likely made one haha but I love these one not a bad book in the bunch besides book 3 chapter whatever of SVSSS

[beartrice-inn-unnir]

10. What is your favorite genre book to recommend to someone who doesn’t usually like that genre?

Usually when people ask me for a rec for a genre they don’t usually like, they are asking for sci-fi, and I start by trying to figure out different access points based on what they already like. I’m not much of a hard sci-fi person, tending more to the space opera and political thrillers, so here’s a few “if you like x, maybe try y”:

If you like romance, give Everina Maxwell’s Winter’s Orbit a try. It’s definitely sci-fi in setting and plot, but it also hits nicely in the formulaic patterns of a arranged-marriage, strangers-to-lovers story that will help you through it even if the sci-fi elements are throwing you off. The author has another similar book that increases the sci-fi elements and is enemies-to-lovers as well, so if you like Winter’s Orbit, Ocean’s Echo is a good next step.

If you like non-fiction, The Martian by Andy Weir is a great pick. I have multiple friends who got into reading again as adults via The Martian. It’s well-written, well-grounded, funny, and very sci-fi. If you’ve already read it, then maybe give To Be Taught if Fortunate by Becky Chambers a try. It can be described with all the same adjectives, plus it’s a short novella, so if you’re hesitant, it’s less intimidating.

If you like mysteries or political thrillers, boy is there a lot of great sci-fi out there for you. The crux of a lot of sci-fi is space or high-tech settings with a plot that asks questions about personhood, and that mixes really well with detectives and spies wandering around trying to solve problems and find truths. Try Fugitive Telemetry by Martha Wells (it’s partway through a series of great books and novellas, but that one’s the most traditional mystery plot) or A Desolation Called Peace by Arkady Martine (ambassador solving her predecessor’s mysterious death while trying to do his job)(I’d also recommend this one if you read a lot of classics) EDIT: just realized I mistyped - book 1 by Arkady Martine is A Memory Called Empire.

If YA/ Bildungsromanen/ New Adult figuring the world out through trial and error is often your jam, try Provenance by Ann Leckie (for the kid who really wants to do things right) or The Warrior’s Apprentice by Lois McMaster Bujold (for another kid who wants to do things right, but is also a high-energy chaos gremlin).

If you like fantasy, you probably already have read some sci-fi; it’s all under the speculative fiction umbrella and genres are vague anyway. All the same, I know this is the Locked Tomb Website, but give Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir a shot (it’s got magic and mayhem and an epic locked-room whodunnit mystery). The Best of All Possible Worlds by Karen Lord is also good - it has a team of people traveling together and thinking about morals and discovering new abilities, plus some romance.

I’m sure there’s lots of genres I’m forgetting right now, but feel free to send me another ask for any specific one!

[oblivionsdream]

Just wanted to share the cover redesigns + edges that I did for Dazzling Bookish Shop! I got my copies and I just love how they turned out 😭

[mitzoco]

Surit and Tennal from Ocean's Echo. @avoliot

[mickisketch]

The most charming bringer of chaos, Tennalhin Halkana from Ocean’s Echo by Everina Maxwell.

[glitradora]

The way that gender in Everina Maxwells universe works is such a lovely little add on to the already brilliant story telling and characters

Like I too want to just used some trinkets to visually tell others about my personal connection to gender that sounds LOVELY

[iceyvovo]

After two years of unbroken domesticity, Surit finally gives in and writes an enduring order on Tennal to make sure he rinses his cereal bowl if it's likely to sit in the dishwasher for more than ten hours.

He still feels guilty every time he hears Tennal put the tap on and open the dishwasher.