Amberlough by Lara Elena Donnelly

 Greetings Stack Worms! 

I finally did it! I finished Amberlough. It took me over two weeks. Now, that is not a reflection on the quality of the book at all. I have severe depression and it just happened to hit me harder this month. This is the reason why I say that my TBR for the month is subject to change. Mostly because reading is much slower at times. 

Now I do still intend to read Gideon the Ninth by the time June ends. I'm hoping to have that review up at least by June 30th. Alright, let's get the triggers listed. 

TRIGGER WARNINGS:

- Homophobia (this comes from the Ospies who are the bad guys in the book)

- Torture (again from the bad guys) 

- Death

- Drugs

- Drinking

- Sexual situations

REPRESENTATION: 

- M/M relationships

- Polyamorous relationship (it's a tiny sub-plot but there in a good light) 

SPOILER WARNING!!

We follow three characters: Cyril, Aristide, and Cordelia, in the city of Amberlough during a time of political tension. They have to deal with the conservative Hearthers and Ospies, who are trying to take over the government so they can have things their way. Which for a gay spy, his smuggler lover, and the stripper/drug runner Cordelia is a very bad thing. Amberlough is a decadent city that allows them to be themselves, not having to hide anything, but when Acherby takes charge, things change drastically. Aristide has to leave the city. Cordelia is tortured into revealing information. And Cyril is forced to work for the Ospies to protect Aristide and keep his life. After losing her lovers Malcolm and Tory (and two fingers), to the new Ospie regime, she swears to take every Ospie fucker she can down. Aristide loses hope of ever seeing Cyril again, or his precious Amberlough city the way it had been. Cyril is nearly executed before escaping into a river. And that's just book one.  

I'm a bit nervous to continue the series. The end was kind of a downer, but I do hope Delia blows a whole lot of shit up. 

What I liked: 

- Cordelia is a major boss. I love her. Mainly because she seems to love herself. Flaws and all. 

- Tory. He had a small part but left a lasting impression on me. I envisioned him as Herve Villechaize since I'm watching Fantasy Island and instantly loved him. 

- The style of the times. Detailing on clothing is amazing. I say this like I'm a fashionista or something lol (I'm not). These details make the place feel real.

- I'm very happy that we gray characters. 

- The slang was great

What I disliked:

- It took me way too long to figure out the politics in this story

- Cyril is said to have been this great spy, but one injury, and he pusses out? 007 he is not (I don't even like James Bond movies). He's an asshole and a coward. The Ospies taking over is his fault. 

- FUCK the Ospies, the Cops, and the Hearthers!! I want Cordelia to kill 'em all! 

- I didn't really believe anyone's "romantic" relationships (except Cordelia and Tory's)

- Aristide's stutter is fake. As a person that has a stutter, I felt sad when it was revealed that it was put on. 

All in all, though, I enjoyed the read. I'd give it 3.5 stars, though I rounded up on Goodreads. Have you read Amberlough? Did you like it? Dislike it? Let me know in the comments! I hope I was able to interest you in the story if you haven't. 

Toodles! 

-Bug