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2.83k reviews by:
betweentheshelves
emotional
lighthearted
slow-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
Friends, I stayed up until 1am last night to finish this book. I just couldn't put it down! I'm supposed to be reading sections for a buddy read, but obviously I read way ahead. The characters and the emotions in this just hit hard. I loved them so much. Honestly, I can't wait to read the rest of this series!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Confinement, Kidnapping
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Let me first say the art in this is absolutely gorgeous. It's such a different art style for a graphic novel, and it was so colorful and immersive. I loved it. At times, the story was a bit difficult to follow, just because there was so much going on. But since this is the start of a series, I'd be happy to read more!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Death, Gore
Moderate: Cursing
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
As a fan of the series, I wanted to like this. I absolutely loved the comics. But something about this just felt...off to me. Brennan's writing wasn't my favorite, and the characters didn't really feel like they did in the comics. At least to me! I secretly hope that they continue the comics because they're some of my favorite. Bring them back please!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for providing me with an advanced copy of this to review! First of all, can we appreciate the gorgeous cover for this book? Nicola Yoon’s books are always pretty in some way, but I think this one takes the cake.
Right from the beginning, it’s easy to fall in love with Evie and her cynical ways. She’s transformed from a hopeless romantic to someone who doesn’t believe in true love. Evie’s voice carries you throughout the novel, fully enveloping you into her world. I think Yoon has a knack for writing strong characters, and this shines in this book.
The premise also felt fresh and unique to me. While the basic plotline isn’t one that’s necessarily anything new, I think Yoon put a spin on it that made it feel that way. The way that dancing contributes to Evie and X’s relationship also drives the story forward, and watching their relationship evolve as Evie opens herself back up again is a truly magical thing.
Don’t be fooled, though! Even though this book looks like an upbeat, happy book, it’s also about heartbreak. And the fact that just because there may be heartbreak in the future doesn’t mean that you don’t deserve to be happy in the moment. Trying to prevent tragedy just takes away from your happiness.
Seriously, I read this entire book in one sitting because I couldn’t put it down. I think this might be Yoon’s best book yet. It had everything you could want in a summer romance, and I highly recommend it!
This is definitely Yoon's best book to date. Mostly romance with discussions of some deeper topics. Honestly, I couldn't put it down. Stay tuned for a full review to come soon!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity
Moderate: Death, Grief
emotional
hopeful
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
Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins for an advanced copy of this to review! This is a middle grade novel that caught my eye one day while browsing NetGalley, and I'm so happy I read it! It definitely fills a much needed hole in middle grade literature.
Machias absolutely nails the voices in this book. The narration switches between Daniel and Ash, which means we get to see inside both of their heads. They both really struggle with how the world views them because they don't fit into expectations. I think a lot of middle grade readers will relate to both Ashe and Daniel. Middle school can be so brutal, and they're lucky that they find each other.
We get a wide variety of parental figures in this book, too. First, we have Ash's mom, who is supportive of them being whoever they want to be. Then we have Ash's dad, who thinks he's helping Ash, but isn't really. Daniel's mom tries tough love, where Daniel just needs to be told it's okay he feels so hard. And Daniel's dad is a little absent, but can be supportive when he needs to be. It's important for readers to see all of these sides of adults, because like kids, no adults are the same.
There are a lot of great discussions in this book about gender roles and toxic masculinity and how it can harm teens. I love that this forces you to challenge how you think about gender, and it's absolutely something that all middle grade readers need on their shelves.
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I loved this! The voice was on point, and just felt right for a middle grade novel. More to come in a full review next week!
I loved this! The voice was on point, and just felt right for a middle grade novel. More to come in a full review next week!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Hate crime, Panic attacks/disorders, Transphobia
Moderate: Deadnaming, Infidelity
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
John Green is probably one of my favorite human beings, and I love this collection of essays. Written during the pandemic, there are so many moments in this book that just struck a cord. Honestly, this is something that I'd definitely read again. And I highly recommend the audiobook!
emotional
hopeful
fast-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
Zara and her family are about to get their green cards. At least, until a racist incident threatens the process. This was such an authentic look at the immigration process in the US and how it can change at the flip of a switch, even if you did everything right. I think it can be really eye opening for people who don't know much about the immigration process (like me). I also appreciated that Zara's queerness wasn't the main plot driving point. A quick read, but packed with so much great stuff!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Hate crime, Racism, Xenophobia, Islamophobia
Moderate: Biphobia, Homophobia
lighthearted
reflective
slow-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
What I loved most about this book is the message. While at first glance, it just seems like a romance, most of the book is about Nala finding herself and figuring out how to love herself. I loved Nala's character journey throughout the book, as it felt realistic and true. The pacing throughout the book was on point and Watson's writing, as always, feels effortless.
hopeful
lighthearted
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
First of all, if the boy baking extravagant lovely desserts isn't your first choice, why?? Anyway, I have mixed feelings about this book. Fair warning, there are a lot of references to Harry Potter, and while there are vague references to JK Rowling being a TERF, it's never really addressed.
For the most part, I liked Tessa and her friends. The characterization was pretty good, and the rom-com aspect of the story worked well for the setting. There were just some references throughout that didn't really sit well with me, particularly with the HP stuff.
Overall, it was a cute rom-com, though! Perfect for the summer!
For the most part, I liked Tessa and her friends. The characterization was pretty good, and the rom-com aspect of the story worked well for the setting. There were just some references throughout that didn't really sit well with me, particularly with the HP stuff.
Overall, it was a cute rom-com, though! Perfect for the summer!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Bullying, Infidelity, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I'm torn about this one because I still think the books in this particular series could use some serious editing (like most of Cassie's later books), but I think she has a knack for writing relationships. Particularly relationships that never go the way you want them to. So much pining!
There's a lot to be straightened out in the last book in this trilogy, and you know I will definitely be reading it. Even though it just feels like these books just keep getting longer and longer.
There's a lot to be straightened out in the last book in this trilogy, and you know I will definitely be reading it. Even though it just feels like these books just keep getting longer and longer.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy
Moderate: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Miscarriage