A cute story book that would be great for teaching animals and emotions. The artwork is interesting and its a quick and short read for kids!

*Thanks Netgalley ad Shambhala Publications, Inc. for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

A fun book about a goldfish’s journey of trying to find a home that fits for him because he just doesn’t like his current one. A fun adventure and a great picture book for kids! The artwork is great.

*Thanks Netgalley and SOURCEBOOKS Kids for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

Read it. Just read it. This an amazing piercing strong poetry collection that just left me speechless.

*Thank you Netgalley and University of Iowa Press for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

Picking up where we left off in the first book, the story continues with Aina trying to control the Dom, find Kohl, and protect her friends. This book focuses heavily on the theme of relationships, be it friendships, enemies, or lovers. Aina is still so entangled with Kohl, and between wanting to kill him and examining her feelings, things are complicated. The shining thing in this book for me was the complexity of the relationship (be it toxic) between Kohl and Aina. Their relationship is a power struggle between the two, and one in which Kohl constantly hurts her and she comes back to him. They have this pull where they just can’t seem to stay away from the other, yet they both hate the other and care at the same time. It’s twisted, it’s layered, and it’s enjoyable as hell to read. With the city under attack from Bautix who wants to take over, Aina is forced to team up with Kohl in order to stop him. The issue is that Aina and Kohl both have separate plans and will not only be playing against Bautix, but each other to see who comes out standing at the end of this all. It’s a great read and a nice ending to the duology.

Favorite Quotes (this is taken from the arc) :
- Kohl’s Note to Aina: I hate to see you go, Aina. But I had to make a choice between the empire I’ve built for myself, the protection it affords, the way it empowers this community—and the one girl who makes me weak in a city where you can only afford to be strong.

-If Teo were here, she wouldn’t feel so cold. They would help each other stay warm, and if one of them succumbed to the cold, the other would find a way to go on.But if Kohl were here, they’d freeze to death together. Even if they never brought a knife to each other’s throats, they’d still end up killing each other slowly.The words in his notes came back to her: Sometimes I wonder if I let you live because I wanted to or because I’m too weak to end you. I hope we won’t have to find out.

-The only thing to decide was what to do with Kohl. She wouldn’t let him rattle her like the last time they’d spoken to each other and he’d said he feared living without her . . . or the way his eyes had softened in relief when he saw she’d survived Bautix’s attacks, or the notes he’d left her proving he’d always cared.Teo’s words echoed in her mind then: Every time you go back to Kohl, you fall down that same self-destructive path.

-Just like when they’d worked together, she never knew what direction he would take; if he’d try to hold her hand or break her arm.But when she looked up and met his normally sharp blue eyes, they’d softened somewhat. She remembered the letters in the horse. Had they really come from this man in front of her, who’d threatened her more times than she could count? His feelings for her had always been muddled, always confusing, always a mess, like hers had always been for him.

*Thanks Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

A fun read thats heartwarming and a great way to learn about the process of catepillars changing. The artwork is really nice and I think it would make a great read for kids!

*Thanks Neltgalley and Kids Can Press for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

A gorgeous collection of poems that are perfect for reading at night while looking at the moon. I absolutely had a great time reading these gorgeous poems. All of them are just haunting and mystical. If you love poetry then I would highly recommend this collection of never before translated poems from the great Rainer Maria Rilke.

*Thanks Netgalley and Pushkin Press for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

A sweet and lovely story about a kitten and her determination. Its an adorable story about growing up the smallest but trying your best. The artwork was gorgeous and I think this would make a lovely read for anyone who likes cats.

A gothic fairytale mixed in with monsters, family secrets, and one girl left to unravel not only her family secrets, but what she really is. The story follows Eleanor who has been sent to a boarding school and cast out by her family, only to return to them after an extremely horrific incident at school. Once home, she is once again re-emmersed in the monstrous beings that are her family, not only their odd ways and manners, but in the monsters that they are. Eleanor is left in charge of her entire family after her grandmother dies, and now she is struggling to control them but to maintain the finances, and the all too tempting family friend that everyone in her family just can’t seem to get enough of. This is a story about family, about twisted and complicated love, about the different types of love there are, and about learning to accept the monster within and embracing yourself. This story was really interesting and definitely had me hooked from the get go. I was so intrigued by Eleanor and why she was outcast and why in a family of misfits she was still the most left out. The dynamic in her family, and all their dark secrets was so interesting to uncover and don’t even get me started on the entire weird and complicated relationship that is Arthur to the family. Overall, if you like weird monstrous families, Addams family-esque stories, or just overall gothic mysteries, then this book would be right up your alley. I had a fun time learning more about each family member and their histories, and learning about Eleanor and seeing her be more confidence and reassured in herself and her place in the family. It’s a great read and I would definitely recommend it!

Banned Magic, a heists, and survival, all come together in this story about a girl named Romy who was a courtesan until her brother steals something that not only puts both their lives in danger and threatens to expose their magic but also puts Romy out of a job and out of protection. She was the courtesan to the Shadow Lord, however now she must find a way to make a living and evade the law all while taking care of her brother and dealing with their magical abilities. The story is unique and really interesting. It definitely was dark and Romy was a great protagonists. She was quick on her feet and resourceful. The story flowed well and the character the plot moved in an easy to follow manner. Overall, a great start to the series.