So excited to use this video as a tbr (I have so much fun on this channel by the way) So after watching: I’m so happy to find someone with the same Scythe opinions as me, that never happens! Secondly, I would highly highly highly recommend to you the Six of Crows duology. If you liked the queer, trauma, found family aspects of aftg and the political discussions and fantasy world building of some of the other books you mentioned, I think you would really enjoy these. Technically they’re a spinoff to the Shadow and Bone trilogy, but I think Six of Crows is better and it’s not necessary to read Shadow and Bone as well.
so glad you help with your tbr and also to validate your scythe opinion 😭 i feel insane because of how loved it is. SoC is on my shelf !! i’ve head SaB isn’t worth the read, but i’m excited to read these ones !! i think i’ll get really into it.
@@itsqiwiI second this, but I think you might respect the messaging of Shadow and Bone with being careful of powerful men, women power, and accepting love and comfort through trauma
I would highly recommend the duology A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers, which is a cozy sci-fi. I would also recommend anything by Marie Lu.
Please make a whole video on scythe now. Idk anything about the books but from what you've told, ik i would be entertained by your rant so now I need it But also, i very much still enjoyed this video of you talking about the books you love
you should !! it’s been such a joy !! i find it really helps to go in with reading someone you love’s favourites. it means you get to talk (yell) as you go and it’s very motivating ! my sister has dyslexia too, just means you go a bit slower, maybe do some audio books, and that’s totally fine !
Ebooks and audiobooks are a life saver for me. I mainly use Libby through my library. I believe google play has a way to have ebooks read aloud to you.
I read somewhere - and don't quote me on this - that Brandon Sanderson did say in hindsight he regrets not putting more women in mistborn and that if the tv show is made he would swap some characters around
With the Raven Cycle I totally understand not being able to separate the books. There are moments where I am thinking wait which book did this thing happen in. A lot happens in most books. I think I mostly remember which things happened in books 1 and 2. But I get 3 and 4 events mixed up in my head. I think I have an easier time separating the dreamer trilogy. I think it’s bc I read them kinda as they were coming out so I had more separations between the books than I did with The Raven Cycle
you should read Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir. It's a queer sci fi space opera horor mystery thing. Unfortunatly no alternating perspectives but there is a fuck ton of trauma and a fair amount of found family. The author is also from New Zealand.
Your opinions on the Scythe series are SO validating because I enjoyed the first book, didn’t mind the second, and still haven’t finished the third (it’s been years of just sitting on my shelf)! I skipped your spoiler rant because I do want to get through that last tome eventually, but at this point I barely know what’s going on either and I just want to be done 😭
You should also read What Moves the Dead or just about anything else by T Kingfisher. She writes great horror/spooky fairytales with good lgbt rep in most of the ones I’ve read
I really loved the first few books of the Ravens Cycle series, but the author was sick when writing the last book and I didn't enjoy it as much. I feel really bad for not loving it as much because it's not the author's fault she was having chronic health problems, but I also wish I could know the book that could have been if she had been well? Especially Noah's ending. Anyway, thank you for giving me a whole new list of books to put on my tbr list!
I love the Raven Cycle. I can understand not liking the later ones as much bc of the situation. Objectively they aren’t written as well. When thinking back on it even a lot of the weird stuff was hinted at. Although it is very weird at times with some things with some characters.
You should check out the Radiant Emperor duology (She Who Became the Sun & He Who Drowned The World), it kind of rewrote my brain chemistry last year (read both twice). All of the main characters are some flavour of queer and are also the worst people you've ever read about (/affectionate) who make the most questionable choices and you still can't help but cheer them on (they do commit some crimes against humanity though). *if you need any trigger warnings you might want to check those first though because the books get brutal and pretty much anything bad that can happen happens
I also read the Book That Wouldn’t Burn. Based on the books up to that point and their rating I was going to maybe suggest that. I haven’t read the sequel yet bc I haven’t found it in stores. I’ll probably order it online. I really liked a lot of stuff that happened in the first one and how it was done but there were moments where it kinda dragged on for a bit. There were a couple things that felt not as built up as it could’ve been. Maybe they make more sense after reading the second one
no way my friend and i started a sort reading club in early november this year!! my personal faves so far are gone to see the river man (enjoyed it, but wouldn't read again) and flowers for algernon (close to the ending, i don't think I'd able to reread it because its so devastating) next up is gideon the ninth, which ive already read a part of :D
So, I'm a big Sanderson fan and Mistborn is my favorite thing about Sanderson, so obligatory Sanderson opinion here: Your opinion about the first Mistborn trilogy is correct. I actually agree. And it's perhaps why I enjoyed the second Mistborn series (Takes place hundreds of years later and they're cowboys now?) much more. The thing to know about Sanderson is that he comes from a very religious background and is still (to my knowledge) very religious. So, of course, a lot of his previously more conservative points of view show a lot in its earlier works. That being said, if there is something we have to give to Sanderson is that he has learned a lot in his writings and his points of view seem to have shifted incredibly. He got better at writing women and including a more diverse cast of characters and, honestly what I love is, despite him still being a religious person (or at least to my knowledge) he still is making a big effort to include queer characters in his books and do it properly. Of course, he hasn't gotten to write queer protagonist that much (although in his latest one, that I am reading right now, there are two POV characters that have a lot of screentime despite not being main characters previously that are revealed to be queer and interested in each other (they are both men)) but he is starting to have gay, trans and non-binary characters in his books. He is also on record saying that he would love to write more queer main characters, but wants to do more research/talk with queer people to do a proper representation of these characters. So I'm not saying read more Sanderson necessarily. But it DOES get better the more you read.
I definitely recommend the works of Andrew Joseph White. He writes Queer Horror. I haven’t read any Brandon Sanderson but your critique doesn’t surprise me. Mormons are weirdly over represented in authorship especially sci fi, and Brandon Sanderson is one of those Sci-fi mormons.
have you read Fourth Wing and Iron Flame? The third book comes out January 21st and it’s VERY found family. I’m on my 4th read right now. For reference I LOVED TOG and CC
I recently finished reading The Locked Tomb series, the three books that are out anyway, and I absolutely Loved it, probably my favourite series. I’m not sure how to describing it though so I’ll just say that it’s been incredibly well received the author is from New Zealand and it is very much gay, the advertising blurb is lesbian necromancer in space so yeah, there is trauma and then found family features very heavily in the third book, so I would definitely recommend at least looking into it.
You recomended All for the game in your video on asexuality and i was like 'i'll give it a go' and OMG. This was like.. I can't explain how good and life-changing they were for me. Thank you for your recomendation. I'm so so so happy i heard you recomend them and gave them a go. Like. I'm lost in them.
I also find I rate most things 4 stars. I feel like 3 stars is "it was fine" which is just sort of mid? It's not good it's not bad. Four stars is I really liked it and five stars is this was basically flawless. So if I enjoyed a book it almost always gets four stars? And I feel the same way that if I were to stop and actually examine every individual book I didn't like them all the same, but since GR doesn't give us a half star system idk it's the best I can do.
Can some kind soul put her tier list into text form and/or if her goodreads account is public share that? I want to share this with my mother who is a very avid reader *hundreds of books per year (granted many are kids books but she also reads like adult books in 3 days and teen books in half a day), but my mother is not a fan of video format, she doesn't have the time, and she can't do 2x speed either. I'd create the tier list myself but I can't see the words on the screen that small. Thank you in advance. Stay Strong.
I've turned it into a challenge on StoryGraph but it only has the top 4 tiers. You can find it when you browse the challenges by the title 'The Queer Kiwi's Best Reads of 2024' by bookishlucy
IMPOSSIBLE!!!! A youtuber who loves aftg??? ....Do you perhaps have a tumblr? Asking for a friend P.S. Don't know if you're aware, but Nora Sakavic dropped a new book a while ago called The Sunshine Court. It's the first book in her new trilogy about Jean's stay with the Trojans :3 Edit: oops now I see that you ARE aware haha
So excited to use this video as a tbr (I have so much fun on this channel by the way)
So after watching: I’m so happy to find someone with the same Scythe opinions as me, that never happens!
Secondly, I would highly highly highly recommend to you the Six of Crows duology. If you liked the queer, trauma, found family aspects of aftg and the political discussions and fantasy world building of some of the other books you mentioned, I think you would really enjoy these. Technically they’re a spinoff to the Shadow and Bone trilogy, but I think Six of Crows is better and it’s not necessary to read Shadow and Bone as well.
so glad you help with your tbr and also to validate your scythe opinion 😭 i feel insane because of how loved it is.
SoC is on my shelf !! i’ve head SaB isn’t worth the read, but i’m excited to read these ones !! i think i’ll get really into it.
@@itsqiwiI second this, but I think you might respect the messaging of Shadow and Bone with being careful of powerful men, women power, and accepting love and comfort through trauma
I would highly recommend the duology A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers, which is a cozy sci-fi. I would also recommend anything by Marie Lu.
Please make a whole video on scythe now. Idk anything about the books but from what you've told, ik i would be entertained by your rant so now I need it
But also, i very much still enjoyed this video of you talking about the books you love
This video genuinely makes me want to get into reading again. I’ll have to grab a screen shot of your tier list! Dyslexia be damned lol
you should !! it’s been such a joy !! i find it really helps to go in with reading someone you love’s favourites. it means you get to talk (yell) as you go and it’s very motivating ! my sister has dyslexia too, just means you go a bit slower, maybe do some audio books, and that’s totally fine !
Ebooks and audiobooks are a life saver for me. I mainly use Libby through my library. I believe google play has a way to have ebooks read aloud to you.
I think you'd like magnus chase! Fits all 3 criteria.
I read somewhere - and don't quote me on this - that Brandon Sanderson did say in hindsight he regrets not putting more women in mistborn and that if the tv show is made he would swap some characters around
With the Raven Cycle I totally understand not being able to separate the books. There are moments where I am thinking wait which book did this thing happen in. A lot happens in most books. I think I mostly remember which things happened in books 1 and 2. But I get 3 and 4 events mixed up in my head.
I think I have an easier time separating the dreamer trilogy. I think it’s bc I read them kinda as they were coming out so I had more separations between the books than I did with The Raven Cycle
you should read Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir. It's a queer sci fi space opera horor mystery thing. Unfortunatly no alternating perspectives but there is a fuck ton of trauma and a fair amount of found family. The author is also from New Zealand.
Your opinions on the Scythe series are SO validating because I enjoyed the first book, didn’t mind the second, and still haven’t finished the third (it’s been years of just sitting on my shelf)! I skipped your spoiler rant because I do want to get through that last tome eventually, but at this point I barely know what’s going on either and I just want to be done 😭
You should also read What Moves the Dead or just about anything else by T Kingfisher. She writes great horror/spooky fairytales with good lgbt rep in most of the ones I’ve read
I really loved the first few books of the Ravens Cycle series, but the author was sick when writing the last book and I didn't enjoy it as much. I feel really bad for not loving it as much because it's not the author's fault she was having chronic health problems, but I also wish I could know the book that could have been if she had been well? Especially Noah's ending. Anyway, thank you for giving me a whole new list of books to put on my tbr list!
I love the Raven Cycle. I can understand not liking the later ones as much bc of the situation. Objectively they aren’t written as well. When thinking back on it even a lot of the weird stuff was hinted at. Although it is very weird at times with some things with some characters.
You should check out the Radiant Emperor duology (She Who Became the Sun & He Who Drowned The World), it kind of rewrote my brain chemistry last year (read both twice). All of the main characters are some flavour of queer and are also the worst people you've ever read about (/affectionate) who make the most questionable choices and you still can't help but cheer them on (they do commit some crimes against humanity though).
*if you need any trigger warnings you might want to check those first though because the books get brutal and pretty much anything bad that can happen happens
felt that aftg rant to my SOUL those books take host in your head like a parasite fr
truly , one of the most all consuming things i’ve ever consumed
All the love, Sav ❤
I also read the Book That Wouldn’t Burn. Based on the books up to that point and their rating I was going to maybe suggest that. I haven’t read the sequel yet bc I haven’t found it in stores. I’ll probably order it online. I really liked a lot of stuff that happened in the first one and how it was done but there were moments where it kinda dragged on for a bit. There were a couple things that felt not as built up as it could’ve been. Maybe they make more sense after reading the second one
no way my friend and i started a sort reading club in early november this year!! my personal faves so far are gone to see the river man (enjoyed it, but wouldn't read again) and flowers for algernon (close to the ending, i don't think I'd able to reread it because its so devastating)
next up is gideon the ninth, which ive already read a part of :D
Gideon the ninth is amazing
Yay book content!
So, I'm a big Sanderson fan and Mistborn is my favorite thing about Sanderson, so obligatory Sanderson opinion here:
Your opinion about the first Mistborn trilogy is correct. I actually agree. And it's perhaps why I enjoyed the second Mistborn series (Takes place hundreds of years later and they're cowboys now?) much more.
The thing to know about Sanderson is that he comes from a very religious background and is still (to my knowledge) very religious. So, of course, a lot of his previously more conservative points of view show a lot in its earlier works. That being said, if there is something we have to give to Sanderson is that he has learned a lot in his writings and his points of view seem to have shifted incredibly. He got better at writing women and including a more diverse cast of characters and, honestly what I love is, despite him still being a religious person (or at least to my knowledge) he still is making a big effort to include queer characters in his books and do it properly. Of course, he hasn't gotten to write queer protagonist that much (although in his latest one, that I am reading right now, there are two POV characters that have a lot of screentime despite not being main characters previously that are revealed to be queer and interested in each other (they are both men)) but he is starting to have gay, trans and non-binary characters in his books. He is also on record saying that he would love to write more queer main characters, but wants to do more research/talk with queer people to do a proper representation of these characters.
So I'm not saying read more Sanderson necessarily. But it DOES get better the more you read.
WHATS YOUR GOODREADS
I don’t remember how I found it, but I think you would enjoy the Captive Prince series! Definitely re-read multiple times
hahaha , this is actually near the 75% mark through the video. i know it’s long so you may not have got there, but i’ve read it and did quite enjoy !
WELCOME TO THE AFTG INSANITY BESTIE HELL YEAH
I definitely recommend the works of Andrew Joseph White. He writes Queer Horror.
I haven’t read any Brandon Sanderson but your critique doesn’t surprise me. Mormons are weirdly over represented in authorship especially sci fi, and Brandon Sanderson is one of those Sci-fi mormons.
I liked the Scythe trilogy when i first read it. I'm not sure how i would feel about it now.
all for the game really does just put the ones who get it in a hysteria
I love that you got into reading last year! Its just kinda surprisingly that you are actively promoting sjm with her being so problematic
Same, was kind of surprised to see Sav recommending them...
i’m literally watching this video while writing andreil fanfiction haha
👀👀👀👀👀
have you read Fourth Wing and Iron Flame?
The third book comes out January 21st and it’s VERY found family. I’m on my 4th read right now.
For reference I LOVED TOG and CC
I have also found reading again! Love that you have, but please research SJM and her actions😅
And TJ Klune😅
I recently finished reading The Locked Tomb series, the three books that are out anyway, and I absolutely Loved it, probably my favourite series. I’m not sure how to describing it though so I’ll just say that it’s been incredibly well received the author is from New Zealand and it is very much gay, the advertising blurb is lesbian necromancer in space so yeah, there is trauma and then found family features very heavily in the third book, so I would definitely recommend at least looking into it.
You recomended All for the game in your video on asexuality and i was like 'i'll give it a go' and OMG. This was like.. I can't explain how good and life-changing they were for me. Thank you for your recomendation. I'm so so so happy i heard you recomend them and gave them a go. Like. I'm lost in them.
Her hair looks like the chrome wheel
i had a bad reading slump this year, i only read like 18 books :(
I READ 19 I LOCKED IN AND READ ONE BEFORE MIDNIGHT
I also find I rate most things 4 stars. I feel like 3 stars is "it was fine" which is just sort of mid? It's not good it's not bad. Four stars is I really liked it and five stars is this was basically flawless. So if I enjoyed a book it almost always gets four stars? And I feel the same way that if I were to stop and actually examine every individual book I didn't like them all the same, but since GR doesn't give us a half star system idk it's the best I can do.
do you have like a reading app where u track ur reading ?
Can some kind soul put her tier list into text form and/or if her goodreads account is public share that?
I want to share this with my mother who is a very avid reader *hundreds of books per year (granted many are kids books but she also reads like adult books in 3 days and teen books in half a day), but my mother is not a fan of video format, she doesn't have the time, and she can't do 2x speed either.
I'd create the tier list myself but I can't see the words on the screen that small.
Thank you in advance. Stay Strong.
I've turned it into a challenge on StoryGraph but it only has the top 4 tiers. You can find it when you browse the challenges by the title 'The Queer Kiwi's Best Reads of 2024' by bookishlucy
IMPOSSIBLE!!!! A youtuber who loves aftg??? ....Do you perhaps have a tumblr? Asking for a friend
P.S. Don't know if you're aware, but Nora Sakavic dropped a new book a while ago called The Sunshine Court. It's the first book in her new trilogy about Jean's stay with the Trojans :3
Edit: oops now I see that you ARE aware haha