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2.83k reviews by:
betweentheshelves
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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:
No
This is a great graphic novel to introduce kids to two spirit/nonbinary identities, as well as Native American culture. It reads pretty quickly and the plot is pretty straightforward, but that's great for some younger readers. There's also backmatter at the end explaining some of the traditions and words used throughout the book, which is always nice!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Transphobia
Moderate: Bullying
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
All around a fun time! A great mini series to pick up if you don't feel like navigating the vast web of Spider-Man comics that exist out there, plus it's accessible for a younger audience. I had a great time reading it, and the overall tone feels true to the tone of Spider-Man comics in general. Plus the art reflected the tone. Definitely recommend for the younger Spider-Man fans!
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-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 NetGalley and Wednesday Books for an advanced copy of We Can Never Leave by HE Edgmon to review! HE Edgmon is always good for a dark fantasy full of found family. Though, not always the most functional found family (especially in this case). This book is a twisty mystery that will keep you guessing at every turn.
I will say, this might be the oddest book Edgmon has written thus far. The timeline goes back and forth between the present and the future, and it's through this way that we get to know the main five characters. Though five characters is a lot of different POVs, I still think you get a good sense of each one as you move through the plot. They aren't always the most likeable, but they are very engaging.
However, some of the switching does get a bit confusing at times, taking down the story down a notch for me.
This is definitely a great read-a-like for the show Sweet Tooth on Netflix, with weird characters with powers. If you like the kind of story about misfits getting together to solve an unusual mystery, definitely pick this one up!
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Review to come!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child abuse, Child death
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Violence, Trafficking
Minor: Domestic abuse, Murder, Gaslighting
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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:
Complicated
Oh I loved this! Definitely a great read-a-like for those that liked Our Flag Means Death, but with magic, demons, and three teens at the helm. I was hooked in from the beginning, with a lot of action to keep you moving forward. Plus, there's a found family dynamic and that's one of my all-time favorite tropes. If you like pirates, magic, and found family, definitely check this one out!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Homophobia, Transphobia, Religious bigotry
Minor: Child abuse, Child death, Violence
adventurous
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
I listened to this on audiobook, and I definitely need to pick up a physical copy in order to see the illustrations throughout. Because I know they are probably phenomenal! The story itself is such a lovely story of found family and love. Listening to the author's note, I also appreciated the historical context and the emphasis on these marginalized communities.
The romance was probably my favorite part of this, plus how many merman books can you think of? Definitely here for gay mermaid stories.
The romance was probably my favorite part of this, plus how many merman books can you think of? Definitely here for gay mermaid stories.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Racism, Kidnapping
Moderate: Gun violence, Racial slurs, Violence
Minor: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Blood
adventurous
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:
Complicated
I loved the world building in this; the magic system felt unique and interesting, and it definitely fit the whole hero's journey storyline. There's a fun group of core characters who really bring the story to life, with a diverse representation as well. The pacing also works pretty well for the story, leaving it open at the end for the next book.
The only complaint I have is that I think the romance could have been developed a little more. It was a little insta-lovey, and that's not always my favorite trope. But overall, an entertaining read with a lot of great fantasy elements.
The only complaint I have is that I think the romance could have been developed a little more. It was a little insta-lovey, and that's not always my favorite trope. But overall, an entertaining read with a lot of great fantasy elements.
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
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
A delightful summer romance to start off Pride Month! I don't think this is my favorite of Dugan's books, but it does have all of those summer romance vibes. Dugan also always nails the big emotions of a teenage romance, and I think that was especially on display in this one. All around a fun summer read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Child abuse, Classism
Moderate: Cursing, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child death, Car accident
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emotional
lighthearted
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 felt like this book captured the teenage experience so well. In that I was telling Jessie to realize what was in front of her the whole time lol. This is such a lovely romance, featuring the younger end of YA that we don't necessarily get a lot of anymore. It's definitely more of a character driven story, with a strong cast of secondary characters in addition to Jessie.
If you're looking for Palestinian voices to read in the YA space, definitely pick this one up!
If you're looking for Palestinian voices to read in the YA space, definitely pick this one up!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Racism
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Drug use, Alcohol
adventurous
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
Thanks to NetGalley and Feiwel & Friends for an advanced copy of Coffeeshop in an Alternate Universe by CB Lee to review! Always on the lookout for new cozy fantasy; bonus for fantasy that is set in a coffeeshop. Who wouldn't want to accidentally find out there's another magical universe out there when they stumble into a coffeeshop?
The world building in this book was fantastic. Both Kat and Brenda's worlds parallel each other in ways that were just similar enough that it took a little bit to figure out the mystery at the beginning. And then the magic system was so fascinating! I am always here for an interesting magic system, especially when it means a non-magical character discovers magic. Brenda's friends also discovering it was so entertaining. One of my favorite scenes was with the dragon and the cat. You'll know when you get there.
In addition to such a wonderful world, the character development is on par with it. Brenda and Kat are wonderfully complex, in addition to their friends and family. All around, there are a lot of great characters to love in this book.
If you like D&D, I think this is a book you'll also love! Especially if you were to suddenly find out that some of the magic in D&D was real. If you like queer cozy fantasy, definitely check this out when it comes out in July!
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Review to come!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
dark
emotional
sad
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 don't know why, but I thought this was a sequel to the prequel rather than a sequel to the original book, which I realized about 3/4 of the way through the book. There was a mention of a character that made me go "wait a minute..." lol. Though this is a similar format to the other books, it does take a different spin on the Death-Cast concept, really diving deep into suicide and other mental health struggles.
I do think this book is a little longer than it needs to be, but it still has those driving forces that you look for in an Adam Silvera book: strong characters, effective world building, and fast pacing. I think Silvera has already announced there's going to be one more book, but the way this ends will leave you with questions he'll hopefully answer in that book!
I do think this book is a little longer than it needs to be, but it still has those driving forces that you look for in an Adam Silvera book: strong characters, effective world building, and fast pacing. I think Silvera has already announced there's going to be one more book, but the way this ends will leave you with questions he'll hopefully answer in that book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt
Moderate: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Gun violence
Minor: Addiction, Child abuse, Miscarriage