Reviews by betweentheshelves

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betweentheshelves

Silver Under Nightfall

Rin Chupeco

3.5

adventurous dark 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: Yes

I actually had no idea what I was getting into when I picked this one up, just needed a queer vampire book for one of my reading challenges for the year. And I've enjoyed some of Chupeco's YA fantasy, so I was interested in seeing her foray into the adult fantasy world. For the most part, I wasn't disappointed!

There is some excellent romantic chemistry between the three main characters, and I liked the detective/mystery energy that the rot investigation brought. I do think overall, the book is a little longer than it needs to be because it feels like it drags a bit at the end. There's a pretty good hook for the sequel, so I might actually pick that one up to see where the story goes next!

Content Warnings

Jasmine Is Haunted

Mark Oshiro

4.5

emotional mysterious tense 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

Thanks to Tor and NetGalley for an advanced copy of Jasmine is Haunted by Mark Oshiro to review! Mark Oshiro is definitely an auto-read author for me, and their middle grade is excellent. Some of my favorite middle grade books, honestly! If you're into the supernatural and ghost hunting, you'll love the story Oshrio has spun in this one.

From the beginning, Jasmine feels lost. Since there's been a ghost haunting her, it's been hard for her to make any friends. However, it's the supernatural that helps her to find new friends at her new school. Bea and Jorge, though cautious at first, welcome Jasmine into the fold. Through the three of them, they make a little community in tune with the supernatural. I loved the way both things went hand in hand throughout the story.

The way that Oshiro writes the ghosts felt like a fresh take on the idea, especially with Jasmine's family history. There's a bit of a mystery at the core of the plot, tyring to figure out why exactly Jasmine is seeing these dark ghosts. The idea of ghosts is also woven into Jasmine's culture, and it's very well written.

In addition to being about the supernatural, this book is also about healing from losing someone you love. All of the characters are connected by loss in some way, and they all need each other to help move forward. It also shows how building community can help with the grieving process.

All in all, if you're looking for a middle grade ghost story for spooky season, definitely pick this one up!

Content Warnings

The Great Cool Ranch Dorito in the Sky

Josh Galarza

4.0

emotional hopeful 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

After a couple of heavy books in a row, I think I'm definitely ready for something lighter. Peppered with humor, this book is ultimately about Brett's grief and struggles with an eating disorder, trying to figure out how to move forward. Though the plot is a little all over the place at the beginning, everything is tied together nicely in the final third of the book.

I especially appreicated how Brett's changing friendships reflected where he was in his grieving process. Plus, there is a positive representation of therapy, and we always love to see that in YA books. A great debut from Galarza; I am excited to see what else he comes up with!

Content Warnings

When Haru Was Here

Dustin Thao

4.0

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

The premise of this book is devastating enough, but by the end, you'll realize Dustin Thao doesn't shy away from creating twists that will make the book even more sad. Usually I can see when twists are coming, but I definitely didn't see this one coming. Talk about an emotional morning listening to an audiobook lol.

Anyway, I don't think this book is as strong as Thao's debut, but the exploration of grief is beautifully done. It shows how lonely it can be, as Eric tries to work his way back out into the world by making new connections.

If you do pick this one up, get ready to have your heart broken.

Content Warnings

Crush

Tegan Quin, Sara Quin

4.0

funny lighthearted 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

Thanks to Farrar, Straus, and Giroux and NetGalley for an advanced copy of Tegan and Sara: Crush by Tegan and Sara Quin to review! Tillie Walden is illustrating these, and she is one of my absolute favorite graphic novel creators. Her art style is so unique, and I love how it shines in these! Her art style meshes really well with Tegan and Sara’s writing.

There is a little more of a focus on the music career in this one, with both Tegan and Sara struggling to agree on what direction they want their band to take. One wants to really focus on becoming more professional and one just wants to focus on her friends and home life. It makes for a relatable story, even if not many eighth graders will find themselves in the same position.

I felt like Tegan and Sara’s writing got better in this one, with more of a balance between the text and the images. This one is overall stronger than the first book, as it really feels like they came into their stride with this one. I’m not sure if there are going to be more books in this series, but there is definitely an opening to do so!

All in all, if you like queer middle grade graphic novels and Tegan and Sara, definitely check this one out!

Age 16

Rosena Fung

4.5

emotional hopeful reflective 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

This coming of age graphic novel is so well done. Each of the women's stories are told in a different color palette (which I love!), with memories in those times in black and white. It works so well, especially when you see how all of the different story lines come together in the end. The colors seep into each other, and that's just such a cool concept for me.

I've been seeing a lot more of these inter-generational stories in YA, showing different time periods and how they affect future generations. Not only do you get a bit of history in there, but you often get a lot of cultural context as well. It works really well from a storytelling aspect, too.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this one!

Content Warnings

Flamboyants: The Queer Harlem Renaissance I Wish I'd Known

George M. Johnson

5.0

informative inspiring fast-paced

Thanks to Farrar, Straus, and Giroux and NetGalley for an advanced copy of Flamboyants by George M. Johnson to review! Nonfiction isn’t always my jam, but I’ll make an exception for George M. Johnson. Especially paired with these gorgeous illustrations!

This book is such an excellent introduction to the Harlem Renaissance, through the eyes of Black queer creators. The series of narrative essays are punctuated with verse throughout, making the entire book an immersive experience. You can tell that Johnson did their research, with more context included at the end of the book.

This would be a great jumping off point for teens or kids looking to do research in this era, with the inclusion of some people I had never heard of before. As always, Johnson’s prose will keep you hooked throughout, and the tone works perfect for the targeted age group.

If you’re looking for an interesting nonfiction to add to your TBR this fall, definitely check this one out!

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Review to come!

The Blonde Dies First

Joelle Wellington

3.5

dark mysterious 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

If you're a fan of horror movies and enjoy disecting their tropes, then this is definitely the book for you. Wellington takes a lot of the classic horror movie tropes and plays with them throughout the book, with the main characters even acknowledging their importance. It's a fun way to frame the story, and helps keep it moving forward.

Unfortunately, this didn't quite live to up Wellington's debut for me (Their Vicious Games). I think some of the supernatural world building didn't quite work; I couldn't quite suspend disbelief enough for it to work for me. Still a fun horror read to pick up as we head into Halloween season!

Content Warnings

Navigating With You

Jeremy Whitley

4.5

emotional hopeful 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

This was really sweet! I really enjoyed how the manga Neesha and Gabby were reading was intertwined with their own story. It was fun to get to read it as they were reading it! It also reflected what was going on in their own story, as they both learned to move forward and trust each other.

The art style works well with the overall story, even if it a bit more text heavy than other graphic novels I've read before. The emotions throughout feel realistic, and Whitley deals with difficult topics in a way that's definitely accessible to teens. Definitely recommend this one!

Content Warnings

The Flicker

H.E. Edgmon

3.5

adventurous dark 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

Thanks to Feiwel & Friends and NetGalley for an advanced copy of The Flicker by HE Edgmon to review! I've loved Edgmon's YA books, so I was excited to jump into their middle grade debut. Especially when it comes to a post-apocalyptic story. I feel like we don't see a lot of those in middle grade, so I'm glade that it's crossed over.

The strongest aspect of this book is definitely its characters. We get to flip between Millie and Rose's point of view, seeing how they both view the world they've found themselves in. We also get to see how they both grow closer to each other, realizing that they really need each other. But their journey also shows them that they can welcome others into the fold, too. Others that also help them to realize parts of their identity that they didn't know before.

While I enjoyed the characters and the overall plot, the general pacing felt a little off to me. The ending felt like it wrapped up a little too quickly, even for a middle grade book. Expanding the ending a little would have helped in making the story itself feel more complete.

All in all, not a bad middle grade debut for Edgmon! I think their writing style might be better suited to YA, though.
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Review to come!

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