These Vicious Delights

Thanks to the popularity of the Bridgerton TV show adaptation, more readers are discovering the historical romance genre. Steamy love stories with dukes, waistcoats, and forbidden romance, plus a happily ever after guaranteed... What's not to love?

Well, as you dig through those HistRom recs, very soon you realize that they only feature one type of love. The white cis-heterosexual love. Traditional romance publishers lag behind in terms of diversity, but indie queer authors have picked up the slack.

So here's a list of queer historical romance recs... because everyone deserves a happily ever after.

NOTE: These novels are all ADULT. Most have explicit sexual content.

1. KJ CHARLES

KJ Charles is the queen of m/m historical romance. Her books are my go-to recommendation if you need historical accuracy. But her genres are actually pretty varied; while the setting stays the same, she's got everything from paranormal Victorian romances, to spy thrillers, to old-fashioned novels of manners.

In case you're intimidated by her vast backlist, here are my top recs:

IF YOU'RE IN THE MOOD FOR SERIES

The Will Darling Adventures trilogy is my favorite of her work. It's a 1920s m/m romance inspired by Golden Age pulp fiction but... you know... gay. It's a political thriller that features spies, war veterans, conspiracies, and a romance between two emotionally constipated men whose relationship blooms beautifully. Highly recommended if you prefer your romance novels to have a strong non-romance plot included. It's fast-paced, action-packed, and incredibly fun!

Bonus: central m/m romance, side f/f romance

IF YOU WANT A STANDALONE

I recommend you start with Think of England. This is an m/m romance set in a remote country estate in the Edwardian era. Our two MCs — a disabled ex-soldier and a flamboyantly gay poet — must work together to unravel a political plot... while pretending to be guests at a house party. I loved what this book said about queerness; Archie, our WASPy ex-soldier, has never acknowledged his sexuality, so he's a bit put off when he meets Daniel, our foreign and openly queer love interest. In a lot of ways, it's about breaking stereotypes and coming to terms with your sexuality in a homophobic society.

Proper English is an f/f romance also set in another country estate in the Edwardian era. Pat is England's top woman shooter and perfectly fine with being single, thank you. While she's more comfortable being treated as one of the boys, she encounters another houseguest who initially irritates her: the hyper-feminine Fen, who is beautiful and vapid and is notorious for breaking off every single engagement. But as the two women get to know each other, feelings grow between them... and when someone is murdered, it all goes to shit. 

2. SEBASTIAN NOTHWELL

Another queer historical romance writer who always does his research! Sebastian Nothwell has three main historical romance books: Mr. Warren's Profession and Hold Fast are both m/m rich-poor, opposites attract romances; and The Haunting of Heatherhurst Hall is an f/f gothic romance between a heartbroken heiress and the sister of her husband (don't worry; it's not really cheating since the married couple aren't actually romantically involved).

I love Nothwell's books because they're long, immersive, historically-sound, fun, and soap-opera dramatic. There are tons of loveable side characters, epic family feuds, hilarious dialogue, and a focus on working-class or middle-class heroes (when most books just feature nobility). 

My favorite so far is Hold Fast but all are good and highly recommended.

3. CAT SEBASTIAN

You've probably already heard of Cat Sebastian considering she's one of the few traditionally published authors on this list. 

Sebastian's books are a little too low-stakes for me but she's popular for a reason, and I hope you find something you like within her massive backlist.

4. ASTER GLENN GRAY

The Larks Still Bravely Singing sets itself apart by featuring two disabled war veteran leads. This short but sweet WWI-era novel features an m/m second chance romance, references more obscure classic literature, and has the most romantic gesture of all time... Gifting your significant other gay fanfiction for Christmas! The subject matter is angsty (I cried near the end), but the disabled characters have so much strength, sympathy, and love for each other... I liked the historical accuracy in regards to the MC's preference for traditional relationship dynamics and the fact that this book states that a queer relationship does NOT have to be "pure" and sexless to be morally correct. Very tender and lovely.

5. ALEXIS HALL

Alexis Hall has two historical romances out right now: Something Fabulous (m/m) and A Lady for a Duke.

A Lady for a Duke features an m/f romance between a trans woman MC and her broody, traumatized childhood friend. While Alexis Hall is most known for his romcoms, this one is a tender love story that explores identity and grief.

Viola can finally live as a free woman after she was presumed dead at the battle of Waterloo. Gracewood, her best friend, is utterly wrecked by her "death" and the war and loses himself in alcohol and drugs... Years later, they meet again, and while their connection is undeniable, Gracewood doesn't recognize her at all. Both protagonists must deal with their traumatic pasts, but luckily they're surrounded by a loving and supportive cast of friends and family.

6. OLIVIA WAITE

If you're into f/f romance then you must have heard of Olivia Waite. Her most famous series is Feminine Pursuits. Each book features a heroine with a unique occupation (scientist, beekeeper, publisher, thief, instrument merchant, etc.) and ensuing struggles due to her class and/or gender. Her books are more firmly historical: slow-paced, realistic, and mention of social issues of the time. If you're a woman reading histrom solely for escapism then you may not enjoy her books as much, but otherwise, she's a landmark of the subgenre and must be mentioned!

7. ASTRID AMARA

This one is a historical fantasy, but in my opinion, the historical aspect is much stronger (and takes up more page-space) than its fantasy, so I'm adding it here.

The Devil Lancer is an m/m romance between an English captain and a half-English, half-Russian soldier during the Crimean War. Given the setting, this one is a lot bleaker than the other titles on this list, though it does have a happily ever after. If you love reading about military warfare, daily life in the trenches, and the harrowing reality of the Crimean War, then you'll enjoy this. I liked how our two MCs, though vastly different, found some love and hope in each other while in the middle of such senseless violence.

8. ARDEN POWELL

The Bachelor's Valet is technically a fantasy but the magic is so negligible that I would still call it a pure historical romance. This m/m romance novella features a loveable rich himbo and his cool-headed valet. It's short, sappy, and laugh-out-loud hilarious... perfect for cheering you up. Dumb characters usually annoy me but the hero was just so endearing that I didn't mind. Plus, it's got a lavender marriage between a gay man and a lesbian, so both parties are free to live their lives happily. My only complaint is that it's too short, but hey, better than nothing. And yes, you'll be fondly reminded of Jeeves and Wooster with these two.

9. LIANYU TAN

Okay, this is more fantastical than the others in this list given that it heavily features vampires, but I love this book and it's also got the only Asian author in this list. The Wicked and the Willing is a dark f/f gothic romance set in 1920s Singapore. Gean Choo, desperate to pay off her deceased father's gambling debts, starts a new job as a lady's maid for the ill and nocturnal Mrs. Verity Edavane. But Verity is stronger and stranger than Gean Choo first realized, and the two women fall headfirst into dangerous, delicious obsession with each other...

First off, this really is a dark romance with toxic relationships, manipulation, blood, and gore so please keep that in mind. This  gorgeously edgy sapphic love story is more of a horror than a  category romance... though it does have all the landmarks of a  romance! What makes this interesting is that technically there's a love triangle between our heroine Gean Choo, her cruel and  possessive mistress Verity, and her gruff but kind-hearted right hand woman butch lesbian Po Lam... But the author wrote three separate endings so you can choose which one you prefer.

10. BONNIE DEE

But Frankie, you cry, I don't actually care about historical accuracy or long series or complicated action plots or violence! I just want to read an author who writes a lot of sappy gay romance so I can binge read their entire backlist!

Okay then. May I offer Bonnie Dee (who sometimes collaborates with fellow author Summer Devon). I like her reliability in terms of: a) short, straight-to-the-point plots; b) no frills, no last-minute break-up or plot twist that extends the book for an unnecessary 100 pages; c) light tone so it's never truly dark or depressing; d) focus on romance and smut.

My favorite of hers is The Tutor. This m/m standalone is a gothic ghost story between a (fake) tutor and his grieving single dad client.

Romance is a genre that's comforting given its predictability. And I like that I can go into a Bonnie Dee book and know what I'll get out of it.

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Are there any other queer historical romance authors that I missed? Comment below to let me know!

YA fantasy has romanticized the fae so much that they're now associated with humanoid sexy beings rather than the nasty, inhuman tricksters of yore. While the fae characters in this list may also be complex beings that are sometimes smoochable, they are definitely not tender or selfless, and you can tell. Beware, as these stories have a darker tone. The YA category doesn't necessarily mean it's appropriate for young children.

As much as possible, I only included books wherein the fae are actually monstrous.

1. Never-Contented Things by Sarah Porter [YA fantasy]

Josh and Ksenia are two codependent foster siblings who have nobody else in the world to rely on but each other. This is hard enough, but then they unwittingly stumble into the world of fae. Ksenia will do anything to save her brother, so she follows him into this nightmarish parallel world that's almost like a mirror of their own if not for the house that tries to eat them and the doppelgangers who try to kill them.

The only person left to save them is their mutual friend Lexi (a girl who, I might add, has forever held a torch for Ksenia). But they've got to deal with their own inner demons and each other, on top of escaping this world.

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Look, this book is BRILLIANT BUT IT IS NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART. Let me establish that outright. This book was marketed incorrectly. It's not a court fantasy like The Cruel Prince. It is dark, vicious, and handles some very, very heavy topics. It is a difficult but refreshing read, one that will outright horrify you. And I don't just mean the fae monsters (which are, by the way, really nightmare-inducing). I also mean Josh and Ksenia, their incestuous relationship, and how much trauma they've been through. It is not for everyone. But if you can handle that, I think you will be amazed at how this book still finds the light at the end of the tunnel of darkness.

2. Under the Pendulum Sun by Jeannette Ng [Adult fantasy]

Catherine's brother is a missionary on an evangelical trip to the fae world when he vanishes. Desperate for answers, Catherine travels there to find him. This land is sinister and vicious, full of creatures that will kill her. She waits in an isolated castle, the last place her brother was located, and investigates while she's stuck inside. There, she discovers that the previous missionary had also gone missing. There are secrets about the fae, her brother, and herself that are horrific beyond imagining...

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This is a gorgeous gothic novel. Slow-paced, atmospheric, and utterly lush. It really harkens back to the gothic classics with the spooky isolated castle, the heroine solving a mystery, the dark and forbidden romance, and the themes of family, religion, and madness. Ng's worldbuilding is also incredibly unique and alien. I'm amazed at her ideas!

My only complaint is that the middle half is bogged down by a sluggish pace and endless theological discussions. If you're already a classics fan, though, then this may not bother you. But if you prefer fast-paced fantasies, you should be ready.

3. House of Hollow by Krystal Sutherland [YA horror]

Sisters Iris, Vivi, and Grey vanished as children, only to be found a month later in the exact same spot. Their hair turned white, their eyes turned black, and they remembered nothing. They grew up into beautiful women: Grey, a world-renowned supermodel; Vivi, a punk rock musician; Iris, a seventeen-year-old with a codependent mother who wants to be the normal kid for once, who wants to go to college and become a doctor.

But they're weird. Mysterious. Other people are drawn to them in ways they don't understand.

When Iris's oldest sister Grey goes missing and Iris starts getting hunted down by a man in a deer mask, she bands with Vivi to find Grey. As they investigate, they come to realize that Grey holds too many secrets... about herself, about them, about what happened that month they disappeared.

And maybe to find her, they have to go back.

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I have to admit that this was originally a cover buy, but it didn't disappoint. Sutherland's prose was utterly mesmerizing. This novel is dark, beautiful, and horrifying. It went so much farther than I expected... and I was delighted! But don't think it's all grim. It has its humor, and Grey's boyfriend Tyler always made me laugh. This one is light on the romance. It's really a story about the bonds of sisterhood, and how far we go for family.

4. The Faerie Hounds of York by Arden Powell [Adult fantasy]

England, 1810. Loxley wakes up in the middle of a faerie ring on a remote York moor, with no recollection of the past week. He's saved by Thorncress, a lonesome Traveller with an affinity for breaking fae curses. But as Loxley heads back home to London, he's spirited away again, and both men realize whatever fae had cursed him wants him desperately, and has set its claws in deep. Soon, they realize the only way to break his curse is to return to its roots... Loxley's childhood home, and the pale monster that's been haunting his dreams...

The two men grow close, and Loxley is increasingly drawn to Thorncress' stability and soft heart. But Thorncress is a tortured man hiding his own fae curses, and Loxley might have to risk his life to save him too.

This is the only novella on this list, so it's good for when you need a quick read for a spooky autumn evening. With a soft mm romance and Powell's beautiful writing, you'll be transported into Northern England: the endless moors, the skeletal trees, the wind whispering your name... This book is heavy on the romance, rather than fantasy, but its portrayal of the ancient fae is horrific and otherworldly. Definitely more accurate to the classic folklore, compared to what you usually see in the romantic fantasy sphere nowadays.

5. The Cruel Prince by Holly Black [YA fantasy]

Jude and her siblings were spirited away into the fae world as children and were raised as the adoptive children of Madoc, a renowned fae general who was once married to Jude's mother. Being a human girl around young fae is difficult; they hate her, torture her, and bully her relentlessly. And thus, an angry seed is planted in young Jude's heart. She no longer wants to be powerless. She wants to be powerful. To be feared.

The opportunity presents itself when Jude is offered to be the king's spy. But the line to the throne is all tangled, and the fae will gladly hack off branches to reach the top. And there Jude discovers she is a shrewd woman, a warrior, an underdog. She will become a kingmaker and control the throne at all costs, even if that means switching allegiances and betraying those she loves.

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Okay, some of you may think this is a cop-out. But we must give Black credit where it's due. As much as her fae are beautiful, they are also petty, vicious, and violent creatures. They gleefully torment Jude and her sister. They'd kill her if they could. They murder their own kind Game of Thrones style just to wield the crown. The delicious enemies to lovers romance aside, this trilogy has morally gray characters everywhere, brilliant political intrigue, and incredibly detailed worldbuilding. As many treasures as there are, I wouldn't want to live in Holly Black's fae world. They'd rip me apart as a joke and laugh. And that's why it deserves a place on this list.

Are there any other books with dark, vicious fae that you'd love to recommend? Drop a comment below!

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Most military fantasy, like most Adult fantasy in general, is written by cishet white men. And as a consequence, they bore me to death. Whether that's because there are zero female characters with depth, or because they just care more about tanks than emotions, the reasons vary. I'm super picky with my grimdark fantasy for similar reasons. While I LOVE the genre on paper, I'm often disappointed by the execution.

...Until I found these (diverse) incarnations!

Maybe it's because the protagonists and their storylines are more understandable to me. Maybe they're just super unique and fresh. Maybe the authors just know how to make you empathize and keep rooting for someone for 500 pages. Regardless, here are my favorite military fantasy novels.

Some rules for this list:

1. The protagonist must be in the military, whether as a commander or a soldier
2. There is focus on war tactics/strategy and not just random hack n' slashing
3. There must be action and fighting.

THE POPPY WAR by RF Kuang

The Poppy War is what made me realize I actually love military fantasy. I didn't think I'd be losing my mind over 400+ pages of war strategies, naval battles, and guerilla tactics but there I was... Absolutely losing my mind.

If you still haven't heard of it, The Poppy War is a Chinese-inspired Adult fantasy that stars Rin, a poor girl from the south who makes her way into an elite military academy. There she fights tooth and nail amongst the young elite and learns to summon the gods, all as she deals with colorism, classism, and even misogyny. But when war breaks out in her final year, Rin and her classmates are plunged headfirst into destruction. Can she win this war? Or will she become something much, much worse?

Read this for the:

• Brilliant historical-inspired world
• Sexy, sexy military tactics
• Morally gray characters who will rip your heart right out of your chest and stomp on it (and you'll thank them)

THE WINNER'S CURSE by Marie Rutkoski

This is one of those OG YA fantasies that is leagues above the rest of the genre. Our heroine Kestrel is the general's daughter and uses her brains more than her brawn, which means playing mind games with both high society and the prince of an enemy nation. Like other YA fantasies, this is quite romance heavy, but it doesn't dumb itself down for its audience. Kestrel is a master chessmaster, and I'd shudder to imagine what would happen if she was evil rather than a good girl...

Read this for the:

• Ancient Rome-inspired world
• Enemies to lovers done right!
• So much polite snarking that would make Jane Austen herself proud

THE UNBROKEN by CL Clark

The Unbroken is my favorite Adult fantasy release of 2021 so far. Just like The Poppy War, it's heavily inspired by history... North African-history, that is. It dissects colonialism, imperialism, religion, and identity. What makes it unique is the fact that our heroine Touraine was abducted as a child and then raised as a soldier for the empire that colonized her people. As she's sucked into a political plot between her native country and the empire, she's also forced to re-examine her identity and her loyalties.

Read this for the:

• Brilliant insight into colonization and imperialism
• North African history and brilliant worldbuilding
• Queer-norm world and queer romance!
• Touraine who is all hard muscles on the outside but a huge softie on the inside
• Rebellions!

THE DEVIL LANCER by Astrid Amara

This is an underrated indie gem that needs way more love. While some might mistake it for a historical romance, it is first and foremost a military fantasy with an m/m romance subplot. It chronicles the brutality, uselessness, and tragedy of the Crimean War through the eyes of two men... Elliott who is a noble captain, and Ilyas who is a mysterious Russian-English soldier with a secret mission. As Elliott is tasked to watch over Ilyas, the two men grow closer, fall in love... and try to stop a supernatural evil on top of surviving a gruesome war.

Read this for the:

• Brutally honest depiction of the Crimean War with historical accuracy. No romanticizing events here!
• Heartwrenching m/m romance, which is really about two men finding a spot of hope in an otherwise bleary world

THE GILDED ONES by Namina Forna

The Gilded Ones is my favorite YA fantasy of 2021 so far! It takes old tropes and spins them in such a cool, new refreshing way. Don't take the YA category for granted. This novel is super dark, edgy, and gory... enough to warrant a place next to other Adult fantasy titles. On her sixteenth birthday, our heroine Deka discovers she's a demon. She's punished and brutally tortured by her puritan village, but she just cannot die. Eventually, an old woman saves her by bringing her to an academy for other demon girls. Here they can earn their survival by fighting for the empire. But as Deka and the girls fight these monsters called deathshrieks, they learn shocking truths that have been buried... about the deathshrieks, about themselves, about the throne they serve...

Who is the real hero, and who is the villain?

Read this for the:

• edgy grimdark goodness
• female friendships
• feminism and fighting the patriarchy
• military school scenes

THE BRIGHT AND BREAKING SEA by Chloe Neill

Okay, here's something a lot lighter on the list. The Bright and Breaking Sea is a super charming and  straightforward naval fantasy set in an alternate Napoleonic era. Our heroine, Captain Kit Brightling, is noble, snarky, and badass enough to make anyone swoon. Her ship and crew are disguised as couriers, but in reality they undergo top secret missions for the queen. In this first installment, Kit is tasked to rescue a spy and team up with a prissy noble that she just cannot stand... 

Read this for the:

• Fun sea adventures! the atmosphere!
• Interesting and diverse alt-historical world
• Kit, who is basically a more mature, more intelligent, and more badass Lila Bard WITHOUT the constant misogyny

SHE WHO BECAME THE SUN by Shelley Parker-Chan [Releases 20 July 2021]

The Dragon of Jin-Sayeng is the third and final book in the Chronicles of the Bitch Queen trilogy by K.S. Villoso. This is an Adult grimdark fantasy novel series with a Filipino-inspired world.

Book 1 is titled The Wolf of Oren-Yaro. In case you haven't read it yet, you can check out my review here, add it on Goodreads, or purchase it on Amazon.

Back in 2019, I joined Caffeine Tours for their The Wolf of Oren-Yaro blog tour, and I was so, so excited to join them a second time for the series finale! Thank you so much to Shealea of Caffeine Tours and Orbit Books for providing me with a free copy of this ARC as part of my participation for this tour. All thoughts here are my own.

Click here for an intro to the blog tour and for a list of trigger warnings.

What is The Dragon of Jin-Sayeng about?

The stunning finale to the Chronicles of the Bitch Queen trilogy where the queen of a divided land must unite her people against the enemies who threaten to tear her country apart. K. S. Villoso is a “powerful new voice in fantasy.” (Kameron Hurley)

Queen Talyien is finally home, but dangers she never imagined await her in the shadowed halls of her father’s castle.

War is on the horizon. Her son has been stolen from her, her warlords despise her, and across the sea, a cursed prince threatens her nation with invasion in order to win her hand.

Worse yet, her father’s ancient secrets are dangerous enough to bring Jin Sayeng to ruin. Dark magic tears rifts in the sky, preparing to rain down madness, chaos, and the possibility of setting her nation aflame.

Bearing the brunt of the past and uncertain about her future, Talyien will need to decide between fleeing her shadows or embracing them before the whole world becomes an inferno

[Add it on Goodreads | Purchase on Amazon | Book Depository]

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What did I think?

A full 5 stars.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

The Dragon of Jin-Sayeng has cemented The Chronicles of the Bitch Queen as one of my favorite Adult fantasy series of all time.

I don’t even know where to begin. If you want to see my live (spoiler-free) reactions, you can click here to check out the highlights on my Instagram profile. But an actual review?

We need a moment.

More than anything, I am astounded by the complexity that Villoso has weaved into this book. I came in wanting answers to my plot questions (will my fave characters be okay? Will they survive? How will they defeat the villain?) but I came away with so much more. This finale was an endless parade of heartbreak, philosophy, and gut-punching revelations.

Everything reaches a tipping point in this novel. The Dragon of Jin-Sayeng is about facing the mistakes of history and forcing change, no matter how it makes you bleed, so you can march onto a brighter future. It says that we have had enough of complicity, enough of greed and mediocrity, enough of running away from our problems. Am I being strangely philosophical? Well, that’s the point. Villoso no longer hides how her story is both entertainment and an apt metaphor for our world, or perhaps more accurately, the Philippines.

But even without all of that, it’s still an amazing fantasy finale.

First, the plot. This one combines the usual action-packed war and dragons with court fantasy politics and endless scheming. If you want to be shocked by plot twists, then you won’t be disappointed. I legitimately did not know what would happen next… and I loved it. All I knew was that my heart hurt for Tali, and I wanted her to finally succeed. Or more aptly, find some happiness.

The character development is also off the charts. I don’t understand how I came from hating Rayyel with the intensity of thinking “I will cut his d*ck off” in Book 1 and now… being fond of him. Tali is further humanized in this one, because you finally understand how helpless she is despite her position as queen. You see how much she cares. She loves her country, her people, her father, her family. She loves Rayyel and Khine and every other ally with her. But what does a woman with so much love in her heart do when the world does not love her back?

Queen Tali is definitely one of the most iconic female protagonists to come out of Adult fantasy.

If you came in looking for more romance, you won’t be disappointed either. Villoso knows how to FEED HER FANS!! And while Tali has bigger problems than who she falls for, she manages to find brief respite and hope in the midst of everything. I really appreciate the romance in this one; it adds to the weight of the situation, and makes you hurt for both of them. Everyone needs love, even the Bitch Queen.

Especially the Bitch Queen.

Because I swear, reading this book will make you want to reach into the pages and give Tali a warm hug. And a break. She goes through a lot in this book, but it never seems to be sadism for the sake of it. Rather, it’s because she’s one player in a much larger game, and there are never any easy answers.

If you prefer your characters’ morality on the dark gray or gray side, then this is the series for you. But as usual, Villoso subverts it all by making you understand why people act the way they do. Nobody is ever truly black or white, and you can love or hate someone in equal measure.

Well, with the exception of one character, but Villoso explained them so well I can’t even fault her:

Monsters [...] aren’t born. They’re made.

Made. Enabled. Encouraged.

Everyone’s actions have consequences. I was shocked at how deep the chain reaction went… as some of the plans that come to a head in this finale actually took years to plan and execute. You can’t trust anyone, as loyalties shift back and forth to reveal double or even triple agents. I was so stressed while reading this book, I swear.

But you know what? It was all worth it. This is one of the best books I have read so far this 2021.

I can’t wait for you to pick it up too.

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The Dragon of Jin-Sayeng characters as drinks!

There's nothing better than a good book paired with a warm drink. I thought this was a good way to inject some humor into what is sometimes such a bleak series. Plus, you might discover an Asian beverage you've never heard of before.

TALI - KAPENG BARAKO

[Photo source]

Kapeng Barako is aromatic, dark, and a local favorite brewed coffee that is traditionally served black. It’s a patriotic Filipino drink that is very symbolic of an older age when a lot of imported beans weren’t available. Even the word barako, meaning a male bull, is very masculine, to match its taste. Tali is a strong, stab-first-ask-questions-later type of heroine, but she’s also desperate for her elder and very traditional father’s approval. I thought that was appropriate.

Furthermore, just like Tali, Barako offers a really strong caffeine kick. It’ll wake you up like a punch to the face. The bitterness can be eased by brown sugar or honey, but you can’t put too much or else you’ll destroy its flavor. Tali would also love it, as the beans are grown locally in Batangas and purchasing them would mean supporting native farmers.

KHINE - MATCHA LATTE

[Photo source]

Khine, our fan favorite, comes with another popular drink: the matcha latte. Khine isn’t a native Oren-Yaro, and matcha isn’t native to the Philippines, but both are well-loved and have served local drinkers well. The original matcha powder comes from green tea leaves and thus has a subtly bitter flavor, but it isn’t overwhelming.

Green tea is usually served hot, but the matcha latte is served cold and more suitable for our warm climate. Just like our favorite con artist, matcha is ever-flexible and able to adapt to all tastes and situations.

RAYYEL - SALABAT

[Photo source]

Salabat, or ginger tea, is a common Filipino herbal tea to fight off sore throats, flu, or the common cold. Don’t let the pretty yellow color or drops of honey fool you though. Salabat can be intensely bitter and hard to swallow, like all medicines are. Very fitting for our scholar with a *cough cough* abrasive personality. But Rayyel means well, even if he’s bad at showing it. In the finale, Rayyel tries to soothe old wounds and past mistakes, just as a strong mug of salabat does.

YUEBEK - DETOX TEA

[Photo source]

And finally, Yuebek. Arguably the least popular character in the fandom, I think he's the perfect fit for detox tea because he's full of shi—

Oops. Teehee.

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About the Author

K.S. Villoso was born in a dank hospital on an afternoon in Albay, Philippines, and things have generally been okay since then. After spending most of her childhood in a slum area in Taguig (where she dodged death-defying traffic, ate questionable food, and fell into open-pit sewers more often than one ought to), she and her family immigrated to Vancouver, Canada, where they spent the better part of two decades trying to chase the North American Dream. She is now living amidst the forest and mountains with her family, children, and dogs in Anmore, BC.

[Follow her on Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Website]

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Tour Schedule

Check out other bloggers' reviews and features about the novel here!

May 3
Beneath A Thousand Skies
Phrases & Pages
Utopia State of Mind

May 4
Anxious Nachos
Bookathon

May 5
Camillea Reads
thisbellereadstoo

May 6
mac n’ books
Papertea & Bookflowers

May 7
morena monologues
The Last Reader

May 9
Trihoes Live Show

May 10
In Between Book Pages
These Vicious Delights
Your Tita Kate

May 11
a cup of mouie
Gerald the Bookworm
Inkhaven

May 12
Accio! Blog
jonna and her wails
Pages in Waves

May 13
bookdragonism
Musings of a Cynical Potato
The Paper Reels
Rarevenclaw

May 14
Afire Pages
herbookishside
Trishupaper
Yna the Mood Reader

Humans have passed down the same myths and folk tales for millennia. But it would be boring if the stories stayed exactly the same, so we've been adding flair with retellings forever. Same themes, similar beats, a whole new book. Sometimes you can identify the original, but sometimes the retelling is so unique that it's unbelievable.

Despite that, with the Western-centricism and whiteness in publishing, you see the same retellings all the time: white authors, European myths, heteronormative romances. If you want more fairy tale retellings written by BIPOC and/or LGBT authors, this is the rec list for you!

17 Diverse Retellings

1. These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong [YA fantasy]

2. Forest of a Thousand Lanterns by Julie C. Dao [YA fantasy]

3. A Spark of White Fire by Sangu Mandanna [YA sci-fi]

4. Silver in the Wood by Emily Tesh [Adult fantasy]

Silver in the Wood is lush, dreamy, and utterly romantic. Featuring a cute m/m romance and a historical feel, this re-imagining of The Green Man folk tale explores the divide between monster and man, human and nature, past and present. When our narrator Tobias, Green Man and protector of the woods, encounters a chirpy young man named Henry Silver, it isn't just his heart that awakens; it's a rotten darkness beneath the ground too. And it's hungry for humans.

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5. Wintersong by S. Jae-Jones [YA fantasy]

6. Anna K by Jenny Lee [YA contemporary] 

7. Pride by Ibi Zoboi [YA contemporary]

8. Legendborn by Tracy Deonn [YA fantasy]

9. The Wrath and the Dawn by Renee Ahdieh [YA fantasy]

10. Burning Roses by S.L. Huang [Adult fantasy]

Most fairy tale retellings focus on one myth, but Burning Roses combines them all into one action-packed novella. Rosa and Hou Yi are middle-aged women, new friends and old warriors, who have banded together to stop sunbirds from destroying the country. But along their quest, you learn about their pasts, who and what they're fleeing... and why these sunbirds have been unleashed in the first place. Two sapphic older women leads, one trans woman lead, and a mix of both Western and Eastern mythology, Burning Roses tackles them all.

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11. Upon a Burning Throne by Ashok K. Banker [Adult fantasy]

12. A Thousand Beginnings and Endings [Short story collection]

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Upcoming releases:

13. Malice by Heather Walter [Adult fantasy] - To be released 13 April 2021

A sapphic and villainous retelling of Sleeping Beauty? Say no more. Check this out if you loved the movie Maleficent. Our protagonist is an evil sorceress... but what happens when she falls for the princess whose entire family was cursed by magic?

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14. The Chosen and the Beautiful by Nghi Vo [Adult historical] - To be released 1 June 2021

Now that the copyright for The Great Gatsby has expired, I sense we'll see more retellings. This one re-imagines Jordan Baker as a queer Asian adoptee in Jazz Age America. But she's got money, power, and ambition... and she'll do whatever it takes to succeed despite all odds.

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15. Darling by K. Ancrum [YA contemporary] - To be released 22 June 2021

K. Ancrum brings her dark Peter Pan retelling to modern day Chicago. But this city has a seedy underbelly, and Wendy might be in over her head. These lost boys are not all good.

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16. She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan [Adult historical] - To be released 20 July 2021

This queer Mulan retelling has had incredible hype, and I've got an eye on it. We're seeing 14th century China under Mongol rule. When orphan Zhu takes over her dead brother's identity to protect herself, she goes from monk to warrior destined for greatness.

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17. Within These Wicked Walls by Lauren Blackwood [YA fantasy] - To be released 9 Nov 2021

I'm also super excited for this one! It's an Ethiopian-inspired fantasy retelling of Jane Eyre. Andromeda is an exorcist hired to clean Magnus Rochester's family home. But the evil in this house is deeper and darker than she expected, and while she falls for magnetic Rochester, he seems to be hiding something equally deadly...

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