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mxsallybend's review
3.0
Transformed: Paris is the second quirky little thriller from Suzanne Falter & Jack Harvey, featuring a romance between a transgender man and his dominatrix girlfriend. It is an unusual sort of story, playing on tensions of both the political and fetish variety, but it is a lot of fun - even when it is trying to decide whether to rip out our hearts or leave them lodged firmly in our throats!
This time around, the action moves from San Francisco to Paris, with Charley and Electra a couple in turmoil. Although deeply in love with one another, Charley keeps pushing for a polyamorous relationship, which ultimately creates the divide that separates our heroes and drives their parallel stories to a shared climax.
Dickie, the lavender haired aristocrat with a debilitating case of shingles, is pure over-the-top, scene-chewing, villainy, while Odile, the elderly milliner who cares for her, is a sweet (and surprisingly noble) delight. Together, they add some much-needed levity to the story, which is entirely odd when you consider there is a Neo Nazi bomb plot afoot. Meanwhile, the heroes who should keep us upbeat and hopeful are so lost in their own relationship that Charley really becomes something of an opportunistic bystander, while Electra becomes a foolish (if well-meaning) victim.
There is a lot here to love, but also a lot to challenge readers. You need to be open to frank discussions about LGBT themes to become invested in the characters, and willing to see some humor in a terrible situation to appreciate the flow of the story. Transformed: Paris is unorthodox, but an entertaining read.
As reviewed by Sally at Bending the Bookshelf
This time around, the action moves from San Francisco to Paris, with Charley and Electra a couple in turmoil. Although deeply in love with one another, Charley keeps pushing for a polyamorous relationship, which ultimately creates the divide that separates our heroes and drives their parallel stories to a shared climax.
Dickie, the lavender haired aristocrat with a debilitating case of shingles, is pure over-the-top, scene-chewing, villainy, while Odile, the elderly milliner who cares for her, is a sweet (and surprisingly noble) delight. Together, they add some much-needed levity to the story, which is entirely odd when you consider there is a Neo Nazi bomb plot afoot. Meanwhile, the heroes who should keep us upbeat and hopeful are so lost in their own relationship that Charley really becomes something of an opportunistic bystander, while Electra becomes a foolish (if well-meaning) victim.
There is a lot here to love, but also a lot to challenge readers. You need to be open to frank discussions about LGBT themes to become invested in the characters, and willing to see some humor in a terrible situation to appreciate the flow of the story. Transformed: Paris is unorthodox, but an entertaining read.
As reviewed by Sally at Bending the Bookshelf
acampbell1230's review
3.0
Full Review at: Bright Copy Book Review
*this book was given to me by the author in exchange for an honest review*
Basically, if you liked the first one, you'll like this one too.
We're back with our transman Charley, and his dom girlfriend Electra fighting crime.... in Paris. The main thing I loved about the first book that transferred to this one as well was the atmosphere. You could tell that the authors really loved San Francisco and mentioned little things about the food/culture/area. If you haven't already fallen in love with Paris, this book will do the trick.
As with the first book, I also had some minor qualms with this one, mostly that everything was based on a 'bad feeling' that Electra got about someone. I get bad feelings about people as well, but that doesn't translate to the person wanting to blow shit up. Especially when the bad feeling happens after the woman freaks out about her hair appointment.... not really related to bombs. Also, the point of Electra going to Paris was to take French lessons, but there's no mention of those lessons taking place at all.
The 'villain' in this one is blissfully ignorant and has purple hair. She supposedly hates migrants, even though she's originally from England and moved to Paris years ago (so she's a migrant). She also doesn't show this hatred much in the book, so I didn't feel the passion as much as I did with Roscoe in San Fran.
Charley & Electra's relationship is strained in this one because they're fighting over polyamory. Charley wants to be able to sleep with other people, but Electra is not having that discussion. In the end, they find that they're both willing to sacrifice what they're comfortable with for the other person. Personally, I'm all about being with one person and I don't fully understand the need to be with multiple people, and for that reason only I don't want to touch too much on the subject. I know that there are people who are happy to do so, but I'm just not one of them so the importance of this to Charley was beyond me.
Overall, the book was a good extension of the characters in the first and will most likely have plenty more to come in different cities around the world.
*this book was given to me by the author in exchange for an honest review*
Basically, if you liked the first one, you'll like this one too.
We're back with our transman Charley, and his dom girlfriend Electra fighting crime.... in Paris. The main thing I loved about the first book that transferred to this one as well was the atmosphere. You could tell that the authors really loved San Francisco and mentioned little things about the food/culture/area. If you haven't already fallen in love with Paris, this book will do the trick.
As with the first book, I also had some minor qualms with this one, mostly that everything was based on a 'bad feeling' that Electra got about someone. I get bad feelings about people as well, but that doesn't translate to the person wanting to blow shit up. Especially when the bad feeling happens after the woman freaks out about her hair appointment.... not really related to bombs. Also, the point of Electra going to Paris was to take French lessons, but there's no mention of those lessons taking place at all.
The 'villain' in this one is blissfully ignorant and has purple hair. She supposedly hates migrants, even though she's originally from England and moved to Paris years ago (so she's a migrant). She also doesn't show this hatred much in the book, so I didn't feel the passion as much as I did with Roscoe in San Fran.
Charley & Electra's relationship is strained in this one because they're fighting over polyamory. Charley wants to be able to sleep with other people, but Electra is not having that discussion. In the end, they find that they're both willing to sacrifice what they're comfortable with for the other person. Personally, I'm all about being with one person and I don't fully understand the need to be with multiple people, and for that reason only I don't want to touch too much on the subject. I know that there are people who are happy to do so, but I'm just not one of them so the importance of this to Charley was beyond me.
Overall, the book was a good extension of the characters in the first and will most likely have plenty more to come in different cities around the world.
literally_laura's review
4.0
I read a lot of the reviews for the previous book that claimed this author was not LGBTQ+ friendly and disagreed. This time, however... I enjoyed the story but I feel like being pansexual is portrayed as bring unable to be monogamous. That is a dangerous and FLASE stereotype even within the LGBTQ+ community.
Aside from that, this is a story that finds most of it's home by poking fun at serious subjects- terrorism, racism,sexism, rape, kidnapping, etc. It is not for the easily offended. Thankfully, I was able to take things in the nature that they were intended and both enjoyed the novel and look forward to reading #3 (which I already have in my possession, so it won't be long!).
Aside from that, this is a story that finds most of it's home by poking fun at serious subjects- terrorism, racism,sexism, rape, kidnapping, etc. It is not for the easily offended. Thankfully, I was able to take things in the nature that they were intended and both enjoyed the novel and look forward to reading #3 (which I already have in my possession, so it won't be long!).
thequeerbookish's review
4.0
(actual rating: 3.5)
Nice continuation of an interesting series.
First I have to say that there have been some changes going on in this series: The covers have been redone (great decision) and the title has been changed. Although it seems to not be set in stone? Because the title varies on NetGalley and Goodreads. May cause confusion. But on to the book itself.
It reminded me a little of Transformed: San Francisco to be honest. You probably shouldn't read those two without some time in between.
But the characters are way better, the main ones as well as the side characters. I especially like Odile and I wouldn't say no to reading more about her.
But I gotta say, there was something which I didn't like. At all. There is a scene in this book in which it is said, that Charley needs different lovers because of being pan. Being pansexual doesn't mean you need more than one lover. It's because he is poly. Just a small thing, but yeah.
Anyway, if you like light lecture and/or want to read more about LGBT characters without their queerness being the centre of the book, this is a series you should check out.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you.
Nice continuation of an interesting series.
First I have to say that there have been some changes going on in this series: The covers have been redone (great decision) and the title has been changed. Although it seems to not be set in stone? Because the title varies on NetGalley and Goodreads. May cause confusion. But on to the book itself.
It reminded me a little of Transformed: San Francisco to be honest. You probably shouldn't read those two without some time in between.
But the characters are way better, the main ones as well as the side characters. I especially like Odile and I wouldn't say no to reading more about her.
But I gotta say, there was something which I didn't like. At all. There is a scene in this book in which it is said, that Charley needs different lovers because of being pan. Being pansexual doesn't mean you need more than one lover. It's because he is poly. Just a small thing, but yeah.
Anyway, if you like light lecture and/or want to read more about LGBT characters without their queerness being the centre of the book, this is a series you should check out.
Disclaimer: I received a free copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you.
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