Zoe Lynne

Never have I seen a book cover so perfectly capture what's inside it as That Witch! does, yet for all the sincere sweetness and goofy likability of almost every character involved, there's something I can't exactly put my finger on that takes away a bit of the magic.

Maybe it's that things go just a little too well for both girls soon after That Witch! opens? Not in respect to what happens when they both come out (though that does go a bit more without a hitch than would probably happen in real life) but more so in how quickly and easily Cassidy and Brynn bypass the cliques and social protocols involved in two wildly different people coming together in high school.

In the very beginning, there's promising (and very realistic) conflict in Cassidy's cold statement to Brynn: "I don't want to be the object of your affection." But in less time than it takes to sneeze, suddenly both girls realize they really (really, really) like each other and believability takes a back seat to romance. What could have been an honest and sometimes heart breaking look at what it's like to be uncool and gay in high school suddenly becomes just a little too lovey dovey.

Of course, if all you're looking for is an afternoon's great escape and a cute little (and very loving) romance that parental disproval, a nasty and judgmental best friend and high school cattiness can't shake for even a second, then That Witch! does its job.

I don't mean to be snarky, especially when romance and true love are usually my undoing, but there's just so much wonderful potential here that misses its mark ever so slightly..… (mais)

Dreamspinner Press publishes mid-range gay-themed fiction. I have read a handful of their offerings and I am not overly impressed with the quality of their editorial staff. As I have said before, an editor's job is one of tough love, pushing authors hard to improve their work. Dreamspinner seems more interested in getting books on the street as fast as possible than in requiring the additional polishing that would raise manuscript quality.

This is a messy book about four young gay kids with supernatural powers who travel with a carnival. Interesting setting but the carny life is not well developed.

I do understand that teenage boys cannot hold much in their minds except the burning need for sex but that does not really make good reading for an adult. Maybe this would appeal to a gay teen.

I received an advance review copy of "Carnival - Chattanooga" by Zoe Lynne (Dreamspinner) through NetGalley.com.… (mais)