Don't Feed the Trolls by Erica Kudisch

Don't Feed the Trolls by Erica Kudisch

Review by Lauren

source: copy from publisher; all opinions are my own

Official Summary: Gaming while female is enough to incur the wrath of the dude-bros, and they’ve come for me. Instead of fighting back, I’ve created an alternate account. Male name, male pronouns. And I’ve met this girl. I’ve always liked girls, and Laura’s adorable and smart and never gives up, and she likes me back. Or rather, she likes the man I’m pretending to be. But I can’t tell her I’m a woman without the mob coming after her too.

And besides: I might not be a woman, not really.

The truth is, I don’t know what I am anymore. I’ve spent my whole life being told how I’m supposed to act and what I’m supposed to be, but none of it feels right. And my lie is starting to feel truer than anything I’ve ever been.

There’s a convention coming up, but the closer it gets, the more I have to choose: lie or fight. But if I don’t stand my ground as a girl, am I letting the haters win?

Then again, those aren’t the only two ways to live.

Review: I was invited to take part in the blog tour for Don't Feed the Trolls and I was very much excited. First off, how fun/awesome is that cover? Right? Right! Now, to the story! To be honest, I've never been a gamer. Despite this, I definitely heard a lot about #gamergate and how people were basically harassing female players...for being female. It was crazy and seriously messed up and I like the author's take on something similar happening to her MC. What adds a bit of a twist is that Daphne - or as she eventually goes by Daphnis - isn't even sure if she completely identifies as a woman. There is some mention of other people being transgender, but Daphnis isn't given a label for how she feels and eventually expresses herself. I liked this though! Not everyone wants or even feels comfortable with labels.

As for the gaming aspect of the book, there were definitely some parts that I wasn't 100% sure on - usually when characters are discussing games/gaming- but besides that, it really wasn't that confusing. Maybe that doesn't make a lot of sense, but basically, even with the things I didn't really know, the author kept me from getting lost, and that's obviously something I appreciated a lot.

This book is great for people that are gamers, but it's also nice for anyone that feels "different" or loves geeky culture. After all, a big part of the book takes place at a convention! There are characters of all sorts of backgrounds in this book, so it's full of diversity! Whether it's gender, sexuality, or race - a lot of people will find themselves represented in this book.

A lot of people reading this review probably engage in some sort of online culture, whether that's gaming or not, so I think this book is important for all of you. Trolls exist everywhere online and when it comes down to it...don't feed them. They aren't worth it. This book is worth it though!

The Otto Digmore Difference: Want to Read/Review?

Happy Friday, everyone!

I'm currently working on a blog tour of sorts for Brent Hartinger. There aren't set dates you have to post, but we are looking for people to read/review Brent's next LGBT+ novel, The Otto Digmore Difference. If you've read his Russel Middlebrook series, then you will recognize Otto's name. Don't worry, you don't have to have read the other books to read this one. It's the start of a new series. We do have previous books available if you feel the need to check any of them out.

Brent has various e-copies of the book available, so if you are interested, please let me know and what format you would need the book in! While there aren't set dates for posting, we'd love to have things go up in March since the book comes out next week.

I have a list of emails already of bloggers who would like to know about future blog tours for LGBT+ novels. If you want to be added, please let me know! You are never obligated to help with any book. I just want a list of people who I know are interested in at least LGBT+ novels.

For more on the book, the official summary is below:

“Road trip!” 

Otto Digmore is a 26-year-old gay guy with dreams of being a successful actor, and he’s finally getting some attention as a result of his supporting role on a struggling sitcom. But he’s also a burn survivor with scars on half his face, and all indications are that he’s just too different to ever find real Hollywood success. 

Now he’s up for an amazing new role that could change everything. Problem is, he and his best friend Russel Middlebrook have to drive all the way across the country in order to get to the audition on time. 

It’s hard to say which is worse: the fact that so many things go wrong, or that Russel, an aspiring screenwriter, keeps comparing their experiences to some kind of road trip movie. 

There’s also the fact that Otto and Russel were once boyfriends, and Otto is starting to realize that he still might have romantic feelings for his best friend. 

Just how far will Otto go to get the role, and maybe the guy, of his dreams? 

Saving Montgomery Sole by Mariko Tamaki

Thank you so much to Fierce Reads for allowing me to take part in the blog tour for Saving Montgomery Sole in honor of Pride Month!! You can visit this link to find the full blog schedule! I'm on this tour for my blog, ShootingStarsMag, but since this is an LGBT+ read, I wanted to share here too!

Saving Montgomery Sole by Mariko Tamaki

Review by Lauren 

Source: copy for review; all opinions are my own

Official Summary:

In sight not see
black light not be

This is the curious instruction that comes with the Eye of Know, the possibly powerful crystal amulet that Montgomery Sole buys online for $5.99. It’s also the next topic of discussion at Mystery Club (members: Monty and her two best friends, Thomas and Naoki), dedicated to the exploration of the strange and unexplained.

When Monty wears the Eye of Know, strange things happen, all targeted at people she despises. Maybe it will help Monty take down her newest enemy, a preacher who has come to save her town from so-called sinners—sinners like Monty’s moms. Or will its mysterious powers mean the end of the friendships Monty cherishes most?

Review: This book is suitable for pride month because Monty has two moms and a gay best friend named Thomas. Not only do these characters appear full-fledged in the book, but Monty has to deal with the idea that other people don't think being gay is alright. There is a new Reverend in town who is putting up posters about the true way to be a family and every time Monty sees one, she gets so angry and starts tearing them down. I appreciated Monty's loyalty to those she loves, but she also has to learn a lot herself about not judging others, as well as talking out her problems instead of trying to rely on things like the Eye of Know.

The Eye of Know was interesting! Monty wears it and bad things happen to people that she doesn't like, but is it coincidence or the actual Eye? Regardless, if Monty believes it's real, she shouldn't be wearing it at all unless she truly wants to hurt people. Along with the Eye of Known, Monty and her two best friends have a Mystery Club they created at school where they look into things like hypnotism and other "mysteries." I thought this was cool, and I liked that she had a couple people in her life that were interested in the same things she was!

I think Monty is a good person, but the book is definitely a growth for her. She does things you wouldn't necessarily agree with, but she's coming into her own and learning what is right and wrong. Sure, she understands that being gay doesn't mean something is wrong with you, but she has her own ideas and prejudices about people that she needs to overcome. I appreciated that though!

Starting Blog Tours for LGBT+ Books: Sign Up Here

do not own this image - just sharing it to express my point! photo source

I'm planning on doing blog tours for LGBT+ books. I think there are so many titles out there that deserve more love and I would be really excited if you would be willing to help me out. How do you do that?

Well, let me know if you are willing to host these authors by leaving a comment and giving me your email. Of course, you are never obligated to host a book, but once I start working with authors, you'll get emails about them and their novel and what they are offering - reviews, guest posts, etc. If you are interested, you would then email me back. Easy! I'm making up a 'master list' of sorts right now with bloggers that are interested in helping out!

If you are willing to be added to the list or not, please spread the word if you can. Tweet it out, facebook it, mention it next Sunday on your wrap-up post, whatever! The more bloggers, the better, especially because not every blog will want to help with every novel.

Thanks!!

-Lauren

Huge Prize Pack Giveaway + Book Tour

David Inside Out Blog Tour!

The blog tour starts today and it will go for two weeks.

Monday, January 17th to Friday, January 28th

At each stop, the blogger will have a letter posted to a favorite author. This relates to DIO because David and his best friend Eddie write letters to their favorite romance authors. The authors on this tour don't have to be romance though...

You definitely want to follow along with this tour though because there is a fun PRIZE PACK to win.

So here are the details. To enter this giveaway, you have to come back on comment on this post with your entry numbers so we don't miss anything.

You get ONE POINT for each letter you leave a comment for

You get TWO POINTS for each blog on the tour you follow (and Let's Get Beyond Tolerance counts...so follow!)

You get THREE POINTS if you post a letter to a favorite author on your own blog and link back to this post. Please try and post the summary to David Inside Out as well, or link to where people can buy the book.

Please leave different comments for each point. So two comments if you follow a blog, etc.

Now, here are the blog stops and the day they will be posting their letters:

http://www.roofbeamreader.net/ - January 17th

http://epicrat.blogspot.com/- January 20th

http://www.thepageflipper.blogspot.com/ - January 22nd

http://readingthroughlife.ca/ - January 27th

http://shannonkodonnell.blogspot.com/ - January 28th

I really wanted every day filled, but I'm afraid some blogs we asked were unable to help...which is why you all get three points for posting your own letters. We want to spread the word more about DIO and also celebrate the author love, so please think about doing everything you can to enter this giveaway!

PRIZE PACK (Open to U.S./Canada)- ENDS February 4th!

 

Signed copy of David Inside Out by Lee Bantle (donated by the author)

I'll Get There...It Better Be Worth the Trip by John Donovan (donated by Adam from Roof Beam Reader)

Pre-Order of I Am J by Cris Beam (donated by Lizzy from http://cornucopiaofreviews.blogspot.com/)

Fun stationary/card set and postage stamps (donated by Cecilia from The Epic Rat)

Hardback copy of Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins (donated by Shannon)

~~~

Thank you to all the blogs on the tour, as well as the ones that donated a prize...and Lizzy because she donated without even being on the tour so feel free to follow her as well!

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