REVIEW: Timothy by Greg Herren

Timothy by Greg Herren My rating: 3 of 5 stars The author acknowledged Timonthy as a homage to his four favorite authors: Phyllis A. Whitney, Victoria Holt, Mary Stewart, and Daphne du Maurier. I didn’t think much of this till a few chapters later when Timonthy strongly reminded me of a book I once read for my school’s summer reading. Long story short: Timonthy is a gay fanfiction of Rebecca, paying...

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REVIEW: The Silver Scorpion by Liquid Comics

The Silver Scorpion by Liquid Comics My rating: 2 of 5 stars Narrative logic was clearly not a priority in this comic book. I tried ignoring the plot holes and contrivances and mindlessly enjoy the action but I couldn’t. The story was just too ridiculous to tolerate. The Characters + Bashir Starting with the worst offender, I didn’t understand why Bashir wore a flying, mini-fridge looking wheelchair...

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NEWS: big yaoi sale & books due date

Bargains Big Yaoi Sale (21 December 2012, via Mary @ GR) "Starting December 26th and ending December 30th we will be offering one digital title each day for only 99¢!" From Dreamspinner homepage (December 2012) "Everything in the store will be 25% off from Dec. 20-25. All series will be 20% Dec 26-31!" Freebies Glitches = YA sci-fi, short story The Goddess Hunt = YA paranormal, novella Measure...

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REVIEW: Vanity Fierce by Graeme Aitken

Vanity Fierce by Graeme Aitken My rating: 2 of 5 stars CAUTION: Long Review If you have read 3-5 romances, then you have read at least one where one of the obstacles, if not the obstacle, is a “friend” of the couple who has an unrequited love for one of the couple. That “friend” is often meddlesome, selfish, and rude, serving as a contrived proof that the couple belongs together. Stephen Spear...

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NEWS: widget, proper society x fight club, 12/21/2012

About my blog *phew* Other users are having the same problem adding widgets on Blogger. I'm relieved it's not a me-thing but a genuine Blogger issue, i.e. it's their fault not mine. Some funny shit What are the chances that the day I changed my blog name from Book Club Fight Club to Jane Austen-inspired Tolerably Smart the next day I discover a video called Jane Austen's Fight Club. Thank you,...

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NEWS: I changed my blog's name

source: cheezburger Hello, everyone. My book blog Book Club Fight Club is now known as Tolerably Smart. I changed my blog's name because I wasn't satisfied with it. For those who do not know, the name was taken from Jimmy Kimmel's skit with Oprah. It's funny, but it's Jimmy Kimmel's funny. Tolerably Smart is not that original, but at least it's a funny I came up with on my own. The name was inspired...

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NEWS: affection, church, taipei, nobeast, & disney

Historic news # Bosom Buddies: A Photo History of Male Affection (29 July 2012) "These photos showcase an evolution in the way men relate to one another — and the way in which certain forms and expressions of male intimacy have disappeared over the last century." How sweet. I wish this was acceptable and more common in today's society. # 13th Century Church Gets New Life as a Bookstore (17 August...

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REVIEW: In Stone: A Grotesque Faerie Tale by Jeremy Jordan King

In Stone: A Grotesque Faerie Tale by Jeremy Jordan King My rating: 2 of 5 stars The story started off slowly despite a hate crime scene which thankfully was quick to end and not graphic. It didn’t feel like a faerie tale (of the Grimm’s kind) till one-third of the book. The plot alternated between Jeremy’s perilous present (someone wants to kill him) and Garth’s tragic past (how he came to be cursed...

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REVIEW: A Tale of Two Daddies by Vanita Oelschlager

A Tale of Two Daddies by Vanita Oelschlager, illustrated by Kristin Blackwood and Mike Blanc My rating: 3 of 5 stars Curious about his playmate’s eponymous parents, a boy asks a girl many questions to which she cheerfully answers. The boy would ask two questions, and the girl would give two answers forming a cycle of questions and answers. I liked how the answers aren't always “daddy did this. poppa...

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REVIEW: Eye of the Storm by John Goode

Eye of the Storm by John Goode My rating: 2 of 5 stars CAUTION: Long Review Book 2 thrusted Kane out of Earth and into another world, turning the series from urban fantasy to pure fantasy. A couple scenes shined for me, but the rest of the story didn’t impress me. The Characters +++ the MC: Kane I continue to think Kane as an idiot. He is frequently in danger, but he rarely seems to grasp...

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REVIEW: Scent of Magic by Maria V. Snyder

Scent of Magic by Maria V. Snyder My rating: 3 of 5 stars With book 2, the YA fantasy series continues to keep my undivided attention with its accessible writing and compelling plot. But just like what happened with book 1, as I read book 2, the story slowly diminished in credulity. The Plot The beginning was great. I didn’t recall much of book 1, but book 2 refreshed my memory in the first chapter....

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REVIEW: 40 Souls to Keep by Libby Drew

40 Souls to Keep by Libby Drew My rating: 2 of 5 stars CAUTION: Long Review & Spoilers The mm-romance was well written, but the characters were plain, the plot had holes, and the ending was scant. The Characters + Jase, the nomad protector While much of the story was told in Lucas’s PoV, most of the character development occurred with Jase. However, it raised more questions than answers...

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REVIEW: Days of Blood & Starlight by Laini Taylor

Days of Blood & Starlight by Laini Taylor My rating: 1 of 5 stars CAUTION: Long Review, Spoilers, Rant "Once upon a time, an angel and a devil fell in love. It did not end well." And the story sucked. The story was like a trash can full of children’s thrown-away arts and crafts topped with their snotty tissues and moldy, forgotten lunches. The Writing The writing was lyrical but it had the...

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REVIEW: Trapped by Kevin Hearne

Trapped by Kevin Hearne My rating: 3 of 5 stars Trapped surprised me before I even set my eyes on the first page. The book was going to take place 12 years after the events of book 4 of the Iron Druid Chronicles. Book 4 didn't wow me as I hoped so I had a spoon of skepticism for book 5, Trapped. It became two spoonfuls of skepticism when I realized the big time leap. Trapped proved me wrong and...

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REVIEW: Katya's World by Jonathan L. Howard

Katya's World by Jonathan L. Howard My rating: 3 of 5 stars CAUTION: Long Review Katya’s World is a candy of hard science-fiction. It has themes, ironies, and allegories. I could easily imagine reading this in high school and discussing the book’s literary value in English class. I would have definitely preferred reading this over Ender's Game, which I liked but not as much as KW. Yes, KW was better...

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REVIEW: The Last Concubine by Catt Ford

The Last Concubine by Catt Ford My rating: 3 of 5 stars CAUTION: Long Review, Spoilers The story has a couple of flaws, and depending on readers' pet peeves the flaws can be overlooked or maddening. I managed to overlook all of them but one. And that one flaw cost this book a star. Cultural Accuracy, the lack thereof The book was written in an apparent Western PoV because of the egocentric way...

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REVIEW: Three Parts Dead by Max Gladstone

Three Parts Dead by Max Gladstone My rating: 3 of 5 stars CAUTION: Long Review Three Dead Parts defied my expectation. I took a risk on this seemingly boring book and it paid off! I thought it was Urban Fantasy because of the blurb and cover.... Okay, mostly because of the cover. And technically it wouldn't be inaccurate to say it is because there were vampires and Craftsman (mages), a kick-ass...

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REVIEW: Pressure Head by J.L. Merrow

Pressure Head by J.L. Merrow My rating: 2 of 5 stars The Characters +++ The Protagonist I liked Tom but I found it hard to keep liking him, because his people-pleasing personality tired me. Despite considering his personality, I was still flabbergasted at how quickly Tom agreed to help Phil, Tom’s teen crush turned bully. Phil nicknamed Tom Poofski (Tom’s last name is Patreski) and was one of...

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REVIEW: Heads or Tails by Jenna Byrnes

Heads or Tails by Jenna Byrnes My rating: 2 of 5 stars CAUTION: Spoilers I tolerated the closet case protagonist, the protagonist’s bitchy fiancé, and the M/F graphic sex scenes between the two, but when the book piled cheating on top? Hell no. I hate cheating in my Romance. But! It wasn’t completely horrible as I expected. The Sexual Content The M/M sex scenes were hot; they, thankfully, overwhelmed...

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REVIEW: Hell's Pawn by Jay Bell

Hell's Pawn by Jay Bell My rating: 2 of 5 stars CAUTION: Small Spoilers This Is Not MM-Romance First things first, this book isn't a paranormal romance; it's urban fantasy. There's a love interest and a few sex scenes but ultimately the dude is in unavailable because Rimmon is still in love with his ex-boyfriend. Or current boyfriend depending on your interpretation; since that interpretation...

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REVIEW: Geisha for Hire by Shawn Bailey

Geisha for Hire by Shawn Bailey My rating: 4 of 5 stars CAUTION: Long Review Reasons To Hate This Book 1. The female characters, Jayce’s best friend and mother, were pushy and hugely insensitive to his feelings. They forced Jayce to crossdress and pimped him out as the party entertainment for drunk dudes. 2. Jayce, the main character, was basically a dumb bottom. It took him late in the story...

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