This review was originally published in AUREALIS MAGAZINE.
Young Adult
NIL Queer Content
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‘Birth. Delivery. Dedication. Harvest. Pairing. Transfer. The six milestones in life…’



Most societies impress expectations upon their young adults, pre-requisites for the ultimate rite of passage. In Eridu, however, those expectations include the need to suppress all intense emotions, to maintain only tenuous connections with others, and to actively maintain a repressive hierarchy.

Alanah Andrews’s dystopian tale follows a few defining months in the life of Eve, an adolescent on the cusp of adulthood. For years Eve has seemed the ideal student: obedient, productive and, most importantly, unfeeling. Unfeeling, that is, until her ‘brother’, Luc, fails the harvest and as happens to all of the unworthy, is culled--his consciousness permanently separated from his body. As Eve experiences grief for the first time, she begins to question the indoctrination she has faithfully adhered to her whole life. Told in first person and present tense, readers are softly drawn, just as Eve, into a brave new world of emotion and societal intrigue.

With narrative devices reminiscent of Orwell, Huxley, and Collins, Eve of Eridu explores complex themes whilst distilling some of sci-fi’s best tropes to make them palatable for a younger audience. Transhumanism, distorted socialism, and stoicism are at the forefront of the story, but the book also explores hints of a futuristic style of totalitarianism. Eve of Eridu engages readers on an intellectual level, asking them to face questions about the nature, consequences, and, limitations, of our own humanity, whilst also keeping readers thoroughly entertained.
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This book will appeal mostly to young adult readers, but there’s more than enough stimulation here to keep readers of any age interested in the fate of Eve, Luc, and the underground city of Eridu.

​Buy it HERE.

TARGET AUDIENCE: Young Adult (but, really, everyone should read it)

QUEER CONTENT/IDENTITY? Non-Binary (agender) & Aromantic main character

GENRE: Contemporary Fiction. Based on true events.

​BLURB: 

One teenager in a skirt.
One teenager with a lighter.
One moment that changes both of their lives forever.

If it weren't for the 57 bus, Sasha and Richard never would have met. Both were high school students from Oakland, California, one of the most diverse cities in the country, but they inhabited different worlds. Sasha, a white teen, lived in the middle-class foothills and attended a small private school. Richard, a black teen, lived in the crime-plagued flatlands and attended a large public one. Each day, their paths overlapped for a mere eight minutes. But one afternoon on the bus ride home from school, a single reckless act left Sasha severely burned, and Richard charged with two hate crimes and facing life imprisonment. The case garnered international attention, thrusting both teenagers into the spotlight.

REVIEW:

Dashka Slater's "The 57 Bus" is a riveting and essential read that explores themes of race, class, gender identity, and justice through the lens of a real-life incident. The narrative revolves around two high school students from Oakland, California—Sasha and Richard—whose lives intersect for a mere eight minutes each day on the 57 bus. Sasha, a white teen from a middle-class neighbourhood, and Richard, a black teen from a crime-ridden area, exist in vastly different worlds. A single reckless act on the bus one afternoon results in Sasha being severely burned and Richard facing charges of two hate crimes, thrusting both teenagers into the spotlight.
Slater's journalistic approach to the story provides a masterful examination of the complex issues at play. She deftly debunks stereotypes, challenging the notion of the hate-crime monster and the African-American thug. Through meticulous detail and compassionate storytelling, Slater probes the fine line between adolescent stupidity and irredeemable depravity, making readers question their assumptions about justice and morality.

The book excels in its exploration of gender identity, adolescent crime, and penal racism. Slater's nuanced portrayal of both Sasha and Richard offers no easy answers but instead encourages readers to engage in deep contemplation. Her ability to present the perspectives of both teenagers with empathy and complexity ensures that the narrative remains balanced and thought-provoking. The detailed recounting of their lives and the circumstances that led to the tragic event on the bus highlights the systemic issues that contribute to such incidents.
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One of the most compelling aspects of "The 57 Bus" is its impact on readers. The book is likely to spark conversations and debates about justice, forgiveness, and the societal factors that influence behavior. Slater's compassionate writing underscores that there is often more to the story than what appears on the surface. The exploration of class, race, and gender identity is handled with sensitivity, making it a powerful and enlightening read.

​ "The 57 Bus" by Dashka Slater is an outstanding work that delves into the complexities of contemporary issues with grace and insight. The book's thoughtful examination of the diversity of creed and the consequences of impulsive actions leaves a lasting impression. It challenges readers to redefine justice for themselves and fosters a greater understanding of tolerance and forgiveness. For anyone seeking a profound and thought-provoking read, "The 57 Bus" is an invaluable addition to their bookshelf.

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Genre: fantasy (sword and sorcery) (YA) (novella)

Pairings: f/f

Queer Representation: cis lesbian

Warnings: none

Rating: 3.5 stars

REVIEWED BY ANON.​


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Review

Shaun Grayson has always wanted to be a knight, and protecting Princess Sara, whom she definitely does not have a crush on, is her mission. But when the Kingdom of Riverend is sacked and Sara’s life is truly in danger, Shaun finds there’s much more to being a knight than cute girls, petty squabbles, and court intrigue.

General

Okay, I’m a sucker for knight/princess trope when it’s f/f. Give me damsels in distress being saved by other damsels any day. A number of these types of books have come out (heh) in the YA market recently, and CORRUPTION OF HONOR (hereafter CoH) fits well within them. There aren’t any real surprises in this book, and I think readers will find it comfortably familiar: the squabbling with the love interest princess, the courageous, pure of heart knight, and a set of (predictable) circumstances that throws them together.
Not every book has to be a great modern work of fiction. Sometimes its nice to have slice of life books and trope books, and CoF scratched my ‘knights and princess’ itch perfectly. The pacing was reasonable, the action scenes well done, and there was suitable chemistry between Shaun and Sara. The ending as well–a cliffhanger–left me both pleased with the book’s progress but also wanting to read more. Not bad for a 138 page novella.

In late, out early

I don’t believe I have ever said this about a book before, but I think CoH came in way too late in the story. Yes, the conventional wisdom is ‘in late, out early,’ but CoH begins in what I would consider a chapter three or four–thrusting us into Shaun’s and Sara’s conflict without any real worldbuilding or character dynamics. It’s effective as the reader is immediately part of the story, but I felt like some comfort tropes were missed. Since this is a trope book at heart, that some of the formula was skipped made me grumpy.
Where was my ‘Shaun has always wanted to be a knight but XX stands in her way?’ Where was my ‘Sara is feisty and once beat Shaun in a wooden sword duel so is both girly and able to take care of herself?” Most importantly, where is the tension of how Shaun and Sara met and how Shaun became her guard? I think there was a lot of potential in this narrative for a delicious romance, but instead the book was a very short introduction and then one hundred pages of battle. And I like battle, don’t get me wrong, but I needed more character grounding, and an info dump in the back of the book in some backmatter doesn’t help much.

Despite my grumbles however, this was a fun, short read. It lacked any serious problematic elements and could be a teen’s easy introduction into sword and sorcery fantasy. Shaun and Sara are believable protagonists, their sexuality is on-page but never an issue, and the book follows well-known and well-loved trajectories. Readers looking for a fun adventure-fluff read, as well as those who enjoyed OF FIRE AND STARS by Audrey Coulthurst, LUNAV by Jenn Polish (although this is more dark fantasy), and PORTRAITS OF A FAERIE QUEEN by Tay LaRoi, will also likely enjoy CoH.

You can buy CORRUPTION OF HONOR in paperback here and ebook here.