There are three genres I like most — trans stories, lesbian stories, and isekais. This story mixes all of them, which I may have seen before, but never have I seen it like this.

With the same incredible worldbuilding we're used to with QuietValerie's work, and the engaging and realistic cast of characters and their dynamics... With the sheer... uniqueness of the magic system... this is not just another trans story, lesbian story, or isekai. This is a culmination of them.

I can't recommend it enough.

(Also goddamn it just kiss already)

36 Likes · Like

jdesormeaux

Status: 21: happy little fir tree

Mar 12, 2021

This novel was a fun read, but has the problem that it's not just a gender bender/girl's love story, it's a trans story. And what that means is that many of the conventions and tropes used to tell the story are going to seem weird if you're not part of that subculture.

The casual way in which the main character's friends decide to "become a family" is one of them, when several members of the group don't even know each other very well. Another is the depressive mindset of the main character, who seems emotionally fragile, conflict-averse and perpetually depressed about being a man (until that's fixed). Another is the fact that almost everyone who's effective, well-meaning and not a jerk is female or trans, and the only couples you're presented with to this point are gay.

Readers who are looking for stories about being trans won't find any of this to be a problem. Indeed, the worldview is one that will probably appeal to them, and you can see that reflected in the high ratings for the story. For a more general audience these elements feel strange and draw you away from the story, which is why I stopped reading it and am assigning it a medium rating.

28 Likes · Like

Kittensbeard

Status: c0

Nov 7, 2020

It's pretty good, and it's one of the better isekai/romance novels I've read, but it feels a little overrated though. There isn't as much, "Complex storytelling and beautifully developed characters" as the reviews might suggest.

21 Likes · Like

Comfycat

Status: c0

Jul 23, 2021

Not a bad story, but it has some rather typical pitfalls.

The good:

The characters are likable, the worldbuilding is interesting, and the mechanics behind magics are pretty original.

The bad:

There are wide swaths of chapters with little to no plot progression - simply teenagers cuddling and trying to form a relationship. Cute, but nothing happens.

The main character is fairly overpowered, is rarely questioned, and has the luck of a dozen lottery winners. Easily able to accomplish feats far beyond the norm and overshadow everyone else. Not quite wish fulfillment, but be prepared for your suspense of disbelief to be strained. Nice if you turn your brain off.

19 Likes · Like

Trashlyn

Status: Beyond current

Oct 19, 2020

If someone was to rate this story less than 5 stars I would have to question their reading comprehension and their ability to read between the lines.

QuietValerie is a talented author who creates entire universes populated by a vast about of lore, mechanics, geopolitics, cultures and characters, many of which you will not see at first glance or until the characters learn of how stuff works.

Her magic systems and mythologies are often well thought out, complex and insightful. The details and complexities are revealed over time as previous assumptions by the characters are slowly peeled away as they learn and experiment.

The characters and their interpersonal relationships are delightful and if you know the author and the people around the author you can start to recognize the real world inspiration for different facets of the characters.

Honestly watching this story in particular grow from its initial inspiration to its current chapters has been an amazing story and I feel honored to have had a small few ideas incorporated and used to torture/tease the readers.

18 Likes · Like

Graestra

Status: 24: a single bullet

Sep 24, 2021

Overall not bad, however I believe it would be significantly better with less, or even no, romance. The romance and drama seem to take up at least half the story, with flirting and s*xual tension occasionally interjected into the middle of otherwise suspenseful moments. The problem with this is that the magic, world building, and plot are all much more interesting than the romance, yet are forced to vie for the remaining screen time.

17 Likes · Like

DerbyGhost

Status: current

Feb 14, 2020

Let it be known. I have stated this multiple times, I don't like isekai stories. However, I will always read whatever Vale writes. Her stories, even in fantastic circumstances, always have such a beautiful human touch to them. This story blends science fiction and fantasy into a flurry of adorable dorks, lovely world building, and of course, some gay as hell writing.

Every time I wonder if she'll run out of ideas. And every time I'm swept away into a new and lovely land full of blushing lovely queer women.

17 Likes · Like

yd12k

Status: 8: fateful fruit

Feb 3, 2020

Another great blend of science fiction/fantasy from Vale, this time with a larger core cast and bigger mysteries. I am very excited to see where this goes.

13 Likes · Like

Yurei74

Status: 8: fateful fruit

Feb 3, 2020

QuietValerie has made another amazing story with this one! The character development so far has really given life and emotions to the MC and all the group of friends that goes along with them. And the world building is really great at making the places and "not quite" animals/plants come alive. I can't wait to read more of this story and see where it takes me!

13 Likes · Like

Azura

Status: ch. 66

May 11, 2020

Valerie creates an incredible world in Ryn of Avonside. The blending of fantasy, and mysterious sci fi elements hooked me immediately. As can be expected from her work the characters feel complex and extremely relatable. Ryn's journey from gaining her new body, to eventually reuniting with her friends is sweet, funny, and sometimes heartaching.

I absolutely love Ryn of Avonside. I think it's by far the funniest work I've read by Valerie, and possibly in Scrubblehub. It is entirely excellent.

10 Likes · Like