MPPreads t1_j9mhaz6 wrote on February 23, 2023 at 12:57 AM

Reply to comment by JingleHelen11 in What do you generally expect of published books? by JingleHelen11

I have read both of those books and agree with your take. I also read a lot of queer fiction in general.

I have noticed a trend that newer books with cover blurbs that invoke catchphrases like "gender-swapped" or "queer retelling" or "sapphic __ meets __" may lean strongly on their LGBTQIA+ representation to "carry" the story. Then, we end up with a mediocre or poor-quality story that's neither well plotted nor well written, but it satisfies the criteria of the cover blurb. Bummer.

JingleHelen11 OP t1_j9milpy wrote on February 23, 2023 at 1:07 AM

Oh you know what that makes a lot of sense, like we are so starved for stories that publishing houses are rushing things out bc they know it'll sell. And I feel like I've read some older stuff that's better (Song of Achilles, They Both Die at the End, The Fifth Season) but a lot of the more recent stuff is falling flat.