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2.83k reviews by:
betweentheshelves
challenging
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Wow this is such a powerful, difficult read. Char's story is absolutely devastating, especially since you know that there are teenagers that go through this almost every day. The audiobook narrator did an astounding job, and I could jump into without reading The Skin I'm In without being too confusing. If you're looking for a powerful book sure to hit you right in the feels, definitely check this one out!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Trafficking, Alcohol
Minor: Cancer, Death of parent
emotional
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thanks to Quill Tree Books and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book to review! I am actually completely in love with this cover. The color pallette is amazing and I think it really fits the story. I also read Stay Gold last year and was interested to see what this author did next!
Unfortunately, this book missed the mark for me. I just don’t think McSmith’s writing style is for me. Stay Gold was a book that didn’t really seem to know what it wanted to do, and I felt much the same about this one. August acts so much in this story that it’s difficult to pick out what his actual identity is. He loses himself in his love for acting, and this isn’t quite resolved by the end of the book.
Additionally, the romance in the book felt forced to me. Honestly, I don’t even think this story needed the side romance; there’s so much here with August dealing with his parents that I think this plot line could have been completely removed. Instead, I wanted more from August and his Aunt. This was the best aspect of the book as the two of them gain the courage to breakaway from August’s parents. That’s the redeeming quality of book, in my opinion.
While I understand the acting was a huge part of August’s journey, I wanted to see more resolution in terms of breaking away from transphobic parents. Also, I thought we had finally gotten away from inculding deadnames in books with trans main characters, but I guess not. It’s been done in other books, so let’s keep that trend!
Anyway, there were good aspects to this book, but overall, it wasn’t really for me. I can see some teens relating to it, though!
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I just don't think McSmith's writing style is for me. This book was very much a mixed bag for me. Full review to come next week!
I just don't think McSmith's writing style is for me. This book was very much a mixed bag for me. Full review to come next week!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deadnaming, Suicidal thoughts, Transphobia, Religious bigotry
Moderate: Homophobia, Mental illness, Lesbophobia
Minor: Drug use, Alcohol
There are also a lot of mentions of conversion therapy
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I absolutely loved this! Throughout, we see Ana struggling with identity and unsure what to do about it. Not only is this an authentic story about learning your gender identity, the way ice skating is represented is done really well. Overall, this is a strong middle grade novel and one that I would definitely recommend to people of all ages!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia
Moderate: Deadnaming
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thanks to NetGalley and Delacorte for an advanced copy of this to review! House of Salt and Sorrows was such a creepy, atmospheric retelling, and I couldn't wait to read it. Unfortunately, it didn't quite live up to my expectations. Which makes me sad, because look at that cover! It is gorgeous!
The strongest aspect of this book is the way Craig creates this creepy atmosphere in the book. You can feel that something sinister is happening, but you don't really know what it is. You're drawn into this town that's extremely isolated, with these people that aren't quite what they seem. It feels a horror movie atmosphere and this was my favorite thing about the book.
As far as character goes, they're well fleshed out and interact well with the setting. I just didn't necessarily like any of them. Ellerie is probably the most likeable, but even then, there was just something that made it difficult to connect with her. Maybe it was the setting, maybe it was something else. I can't really put my finger on it, but it made the book hard to get into for me.
Also the plot. I'm not necessarily a plot reader, but I had a really difficult time seeing where this was going. Or seeing the point, really. By the end, I didn't really see the motivation behind the monstrous creatures. I wanted this to be expanded more, because this aspect of the plot fell flat for me.
Overall, I don't think this book was necessarily for me. If you like novels that really focus on creating a creepy, spooky atmosphere, this one might be for you! Keep an eye out for it when it comes out on July 27th.
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Oh I wanted to like this more than I did. Review to come on Thursday!
Oh I wanted to like this more than I did. Review to come on Thursday!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Violence, Blood
Moderate: Alcoholism, Misogyny, Pregnancy
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
2021 appears to be the year of YA contemporaries talking about powerful men getting exposed for abusing their power. I've read probably 3 or 4 books specifically on this topic that came out this year. I'm not complaining, though! I think these are important discussions to have, and the more we talk about it, the more we can hold these people accountable.
Outside of the plot/subject matter, there is a lot of great representation in this book. Josie struggles with being fat in the book, accepting herself and feeling confident. She's also bisexual (or possibly pansexual), though this is a much quieter part of the book. Garrett has crafted an extremely relevant book that I think will resonate with a lot of teens.
Outside of the plot/subject matter, there is a lot of great representation in this book. Josie struggles with being fat in the book, accepting herself and feeling confident. She's also bisexual (or possibly pansexual), though this is a much quieter part of the book. Garrett has crafted an extremely relevant book that I think will resonate with a lot of teens.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Fatphobia, Sexual assault
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Rape
Minor: Homophobia, Self harm
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This book had some great characters, even if the beginning was a bit slow. Overall, the pacing was a bit weird. I think I just wanted it to be more consistent. But there were definitely some great twists and turns and I'm interested enough to want to read the next book when it comes out!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Torture
Moderate: Self harm, Blood, Death of parent
Minor: Addiction, Rape, Sexual assault
informative
reflective
medium-paced
The art in this really lends itself to depicting how someone with Asperger's feels. The use of color especially helps with that overwhelming sensory nature, and I learned a lot reading this. I think it should be a must-read for everyone!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Sexual harassment
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
What a great follow up to the first book! This installment explores popularity and changing yourself to fit in. As in the previous volume, the art is fantastic, fitting the wonderful characters. Keep going with this series because it fits the middle grade market so well!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I definitely enjoyed the way that this focuses on discussions about gender and identity, but also finding friends who let you be who you are. Plus, the art was easy to read and easy to follow!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Homophobia, Transphobia
Moderate: Sexism
Minor: Blood
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
For some reason, I thought this was a duology and with that ending, it most definitely is not. Which is a good thing! Munda has created this really intricate world, and there are a lot of great discussions in here about power, power structures, and what happens when societies rebuild after a revolution. Adding the third point of view in this book helped to round out the overall story, and I need to know what happens next!
Also, I was worried I wouldn't remember enough of the first book, meaning I would be lost in this one. But I most definitely wasn't! I was pleased with how the beginning helped to remind the reader what happened at the end of the first book. If you're looking for great YA about dragons, I definitely recommend this one!
Also, I was worried I wouldn't remember enough of the first book, meaning I would be lost in this one. But I most definitely wasn't! I was pleased with how the beginning helped to remind the reader what happened at the end of the first book. If you're looking for great YA about dragons, I definitely recommend this one!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Torture
Minor: Death, Violence