This is such a powerful book in verse. Allison needs Marla just like Marla needs Allison--together, they're able to work toward a place of happiness. When Allison runs away from her abusive father, she finds Marla's house. There, she's able to become Toffee and forget about her past for a while.

The overall structure works really well for this book. There are a few times where it felt like it lost its voice, but it found it again. A really compelling story overall.

This was a light, fun rom-com read and honestly, the audiobook was fantastic. I think it really brings Sunny's voice to life. I didn't think like this as much as I liked Yoon's first book, which was such a surprise for me. But Yoon's wheelhouse is definitely in this rom-com genre, and I hope he keeps writing!

For me, the romance wasn't the star of the story. It was Sunny's relationship with his brother and his friends, the way he realizes that he has confidence and is able to take lead in things. Try new things. This absolutely was the best part of the story. If you're looking for something entertaining and light-hearted, definitely pick this one up!

I absolutely loved this! Baking and hockey and fun characters. I liked the format this was told in as well; it felt unique for a graphic novel format. While I don't know much about hockey, I learned a lot in this story. I can't wait to read the second book!

I'm giving this 4.5 stars because I really do think it's beautifully crafted. The beginning is fairly slow though, so I'm docking it half a star because of that.

I am glad I finally read this after people constantly asking for it when I was working at Barnes and Noble. It really looks at people's perceptions of others and the fact that maybe not everything is as it seems on the surface. The mystery at the core of the story really helped to drive the story overall, and I was invested in Kya's story until the very end.

Fans of Wein's novels will recognize nods to other characters from other novels--which I love! I haven't read all her books, but I remember enough to recognize how they cross over. That always makes an author's books fun.

I love how Wein makes women front and center in her historical fiction novels, especially where that isn't always the case, like on military bases. I really liked the narrators in this book, and Wein does an excellent job in differentiating between the three of them. The way she writes dialect is fantastic and almost makes me wish I would have listened to this on audio.

While at times, some of the plane terminology and other aspects went over my head, I appreciated the amount of research Wein put into writing this book. 

Another great addition to Wein's historical fiction works!

 

Thank you to Macmillan and NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book to review! It sounded intriguing, so I decided to pick it up. And I wasn't disappointed! This is a slow-burn mystery centered around forestry and power struggles that will keep you interested until the end.

The way this book is structured is its strongest feature. Dalton switches back and forth between past and present, much like Where the Crawdads Sing. This helps to build the suspense of what happened that summer and why its so dangerous that information is coming to light. Dalton does a great job building this tension throughout the book, not just in the plot but also between the main characters. You can feel it in almost every aspect of the book.

However at times, there are a lot of descriptions about forests and forest research that can take away from the main plot. These were sections I tended to skim. I also wish there was a bit more development in the characters. Outside of Cadie, many of the characters felt flat to me. Adding more character development would have made the story even stronger.

Despite that, if you're looking for a slow-burn mystery set in a lush forest setting, Waiting for the Night Song is for you! I'd definitely recommend it if you like reading books like Where the Crawdads Sing. 

First of all, the cover for this book doesn't at all represent the story. At least, in my opinion. I actually put off reading this book for so long because I didn't like the cover. It deserves a better cover!

This is a loose retelling of Macbeth, as Elle and her coven target the golden boys from Saint Andrews after Elle is raped. I'm all for a revenge story, and I would relate this to something like Sadie by Courtney Summers or Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn. However, I wanted more from the character development side. Elle doesn't change a whole lot throughout the book, and her coven doesn't change a whole lot either. Adding more of this would have made the story even stronger.

There is good representation in this book, though. One of Elle's best friends is trans, and her coven is pretty diverse, racially. The plot is fast-paced, and if you read for plot, this will definitely be one for you!

The art in this book is gorgeous! Which is complemented by the story and the character arcs. Going into hiding allows Grayce to become who she truly is--someone her brother didn't even realize. Plus, the weaving magic was unique and something I hadn't really seen in a book before. It worked really well with the storyline, and I would love to see more from this world.

There is such a strong cast of characters in this book, from the main characters to the side characters. They are really what build up this unique world that I would love to revisit time and time again. I would definitely recommend this for someone who loved The Witch Boy by Molly Ostertag or The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang! 

Seriously, these new DC graphic novels for middle grade readers are fantastic! I loved the theme of this one--a girl gets powers from paint. What's cooler than that?? 

Ashley is such a fun character. She grows in the short story, gaining confidence, a found family, and even a new friend. I really loved that her powers were art based. Such a unique spin, and set in the DC universe, this makes this such a great introduction for younger kids and tweens looking to get into the comics game. 

 

Thank you to Farrar, Straus, and Giroux for an advanced copy of this book to review! I saw a few advertisements for it, and I was super excited to read it. It's an in-depth look at Malcolm X's young adult years, told in a way that makes his life more relatable to teenagers.

While this book is a sequel, it can definitely be read on its own. We piece together Malcolm X's past with flashbacks and dreams that Malcolm has when he was in prison. His story is a familiar one; he finds books and Islam in prison. We get to see how he transforms into the Malcolm X we're most familiar with. Overall, we get to see how rigged the system is against Black people and the way that Malcolm wants to fight against the system.

In addition, it's easy to see research was done on the topic. However, this doesn't take away from the story. There is a good mix of history, personal details from Malcolm X, and just enough fiction woven in. The topic is also timely, relating to the Black Lives Matter movement that's still happening in the United States.

This book would be a great addition to any classroom or library.