A darkly rich stand alone fantasy with a murder mystery at its core. 
 
A Dark and Drowning Tide left me feeling indifferent. I really wanted to like this because 1) the cover is gorgeous and 2) the synopsis caught my attention instantly. Unfortunately, I think the story is bogged down due to the nature of gathering folktales. I struggled with the relation between the folktales being collected and their meaning to the story with Lorelei. Traditionally, when this writing device is used in storytelling, there's got to be a clear connection that readers can identify. And I just ... couldn't. 
 
I also struggled with the pacing. The beginning was incredibly slow, while the middle stilled, and the ending was ALL a rush at once. By the time, I did start to fully enjoy it, we were 70% in. 
 
If you are more patient than me, you may enjoy this one! 

A hauntingly beautiful collection from a contemporary voice in poetry.
 
In Spectral Evidence, Gregory Pardlo examines with unflinching honesty the view and harm against Black bodies, challenging us to seek the root of why. Why are Black boys described as Black men? Why are they othered to be "monstrous?" Why. Why. Why. Pardlo's words task us to reflect and to take action against bias, patriarchy, police brutality, and so much more that Black bodies have unjustly endured. It's part historical, part auto-biographical, which beautifully captures the intersectionality of living and the weight we carry in our veins.
 
I really really enjoyed this and I need to take a breath to examine it even more! 

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

When I saw the cover for this manga, I KNEW that I had to have this in my grubby little hands IMMEDIATELY. I mean, look at that vampire *insert heart eye emoji* and the rubber duckies add a nice touch. 

A Vampire in the Bathhouse explores themes of queer love, belonging, and found family. I really like how the vampires see the value of humanity, how it is about connection that truly builds strong relationships and community. Every single character is so fun! I especially liked to see Pequeño -  to see Spanish integrated into the story so seamlessly was wonderful! And I wonder how that translation was chosen from it's original language. 

Overall, this was such a fun read! I can't wait to see what other fun adventures Luka, Sakura, Umeno-suke, and Pequeño get into! 

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

What happens when your 12 year-old daughter calls in late to your town's romance hotline? A fun, utterly romantic story that will have you laughing out loud at the sharp and witty dialogue and swooning in the next breathe. When I think of chemistry, I will forever think of Lucie x Aiden who seamlessly roll into one another's life upon a chance encounter and it's absolutely magic from the moment they connect. 
 
I loved the representation in this. Lucie is a single mom, who has a fantastic co-parenting relationship with him and his husband (I KNOW!), is a mechanic that is handled expertly with no cliches, and has some real perceptions about love and why she hasn't dated in a long time. I loved how Grayson and Mateo were championing her along the way, showing us how supportive your ex and their partner can be healthy - that's it's doable! Their friendship and parenting with Maya was one of my favorite parts. 
 
And then, I cannot forget about Aiden who is just a cynic about love, but he also isn't entirely shut off from the magic he feels when he connects with Lucie. Aiden has his own feelings of love and a lot of it stems from his relationship with his parents, particularly his mom. It's heavy and all you want to do is give Aiden a hug and push him towards the love he deserves to welcome and feel. 
 
The ending will have you grinning with tears in your eyes as you watch some intense magic happen. 
 
This was my FIRST B.K. Borison book and it will definitely not be my last! 

"If you live in Gaza, you die several times" 
 
Reading this was a gut punch. It's heavy, heartbreaking, resilient. 
 
Mosab Abu Toha intimately leads us through moments of his life in Gaza. From his grandparent's experience during the Nakba to time spent in refugee camps to the grief of losing family, friends, and home. I was on the verge of tears as I listened to Toha recount the immense grief Palestinians continuously experience. It is incredibly sad, but it also fueled my passion in activism for a Palestine that is free. 

I fear someone lost the plot. 

There was so much information about the middle east, US politics, and historical context that there was not much given to the ACT of saving the precious manuscripts. I wanted ACTION. And instead I almost keeled over from the information overload and passed out at my desk. 

Thank you Netgalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

A fun and simple comic about monstrous creatures doing ordinary things. 
 
The art style is very cute! I cracked a smile or two at some of the comic strips stories. I struggled with it not being one cohesive story? Instead we get very short glimpses of an event on 2-3 pages max. Most single story strips are in 3 page panels which makes it easy to read. 
 
 I really liked seeing all the different kind of monsters/magical creatures like mermaids, fairies, and witches. 

I love Huda F so much! She is quickly becoming one of my favorite comfort characters. 

In this next installment, Huda and her sisters find out that their parents are getting a divorce. It rocks their worlds in different ways, and we see our titular character struggle with their mental health in a respectfully authentic way. The back matter of the book contains resources for mental health, highlighting a Muslim network. 

I can't wait to see what senior year brings for Huda F.  

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an e-arc for an honest review.

Suitor Armor is becoming one of my favorite cozy graphic novel series.

In this next installment, we learn the history of war between the fairies and humans. Lucia is distraught, feeling the heavy weight of guilt for not knowing that her people were suffering through a centuries betrayal. Anxieties rise as King Reimund's uncle, Lord Ricon, pays a visit to his nephew, bringing with him two enslaved elves (former fairies with their wings cut off), unsteadying Lucia. At a ball, tensions boil up to the surface and spills over when Kirsi forbids Lucia from having Modeus as her guard. We are left with one of the BIGGEST cliffhangers as of yet, wondering the fate of Lucia: will her secret finally be revealed or will she make a timely escape?

Purpah's captivating storytelling and art make this such a fun and engaging read! Emotions are perfectly captured in the illustrations, making me feel what Lucia is feeling. This volume was ridden with the weight of guilt, anxiety, and lonliness. But there were also glimpses of tenderness shown through Modeus and his love (I'm calling it that since it has not been revealed just yet) for Lucia.

I need the next volume IMMEDIATELY please!