Reviews by betweentheshelves

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betweentheshelves

Amelia, If Only

Becky Albertalli

4.5

funny 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

Thanks to HarperCollins and NetGalley for an advanced copy of Amelia, If Only by Becky Albertalli to review! Of course, I always jump at the chance to review a Becky Albertalli book because you know it's probably going to be a good time. I'm happy to report that's definitely the case with this! As well as a nuanced look at parasocial relationships and the people who might be behind the screen.

This is set in the same universe as Imogen, Obviously, so you'll get to see some cameos from some familiar faces. I always find it fun when authors' books are interconnected like that. In true Becky Ablertalli style, there are a lot of laugh out loud moments in this, but a lot of moments that will make you think as well. Though Amelia is out as bisexual at the beginning of the book, this is also a journey of awareness that maybe you have a crush on someone different than you expected. A crush that might be obvious to the readers, but not to Amelia.

While you'll fall in love with Amelia quirky charm right from the beginning, there's also a cast of side characters who are just as fun. After all, what fun is a road trip book without an eccentric cast to go along with it? The overall vibes of Amelia and her friends kind of reminded me of the trio from Never Have I Ever on Netflix, so this would be a great read-a-like for that!

All in all, if you're looking for something fun to read this June, definitely pick this one up!
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Review to come!

Content Warnings

Dream On, Ramona Riley

Ashley Herring Blake

3.5

emotional 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

Maybe not my favorite of Ashley Herring Blake's works, but still an enjoyable read overall! I feel like this one especially makes for a good summer read, and there are some lovely romance moments in here. I wasn't connected to the main characters as I have been in some of Blake's other novels, but they did have some good chemistry. A fun read if you're looking for a romance for Pride month next month!

Content Warnings

Hyo the Hellmaker

Mina Ikemoto Ghosh

4.0

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

Though it takes a bit to get used to this world, this is a really fascinating book. It reads sort of like anime, focused on Japanese mythology with illustrations throughout. There aren't a lot of YA books for older audiences that include both text and illustrations like this book does, so I'm always happy to see something new. I do feel like the illustrations enhanced the story here, bringing some of these different scenes to life.

The story itself is sort of a cross-genre story, a blend of mystery and fantasy. You think the story is going one way, but it takes different twists and turns along the way. It doesn't follow the usual YA fantasy script, so if you're interested in some that feels different than the popular YA fantasy that's published, this one might just be for you!

Content Warnings

Shampoo Unicorn

Sawyer Lovett

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: Complicated

Though the topics aren't really that similar, this gave me I Kissed Shara Wheeler vibes in that its focus is a small town with queer teens finding their community. The podcast angle was a great way to introduce the story, and I enjoyed the different voices we get throughout. Though I'm not necessarily a fan of second person, it did feel like it had a purpose in Greg's chapters.

The characters are definitely what draw you into this story, and what keep you reading until the end. There's also a plot twist that I didn't see coming, which just added complexity for some of the side characters as well. Definitely add this one to your summer reading list!

Content Warnings

Up in Smoke

Nick Brooks

4.0

mysterious tense 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

Nick Brooks has delivered another twisty mystery with a commentary racism and the way that people treat Black teen boys. The inclusion of poetry in Monique's chapters added to the overall emotion of the story, and the dual points of views added to the mystery. I'd definitely recommend the audiobook if you're thinking about checking it out!

Content Warnings

Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil

V.E. Schwab

4.5

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 Tor Books, NetGalley, and LibroFM for an advanced copy of Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by VE Schwab to review! I actually listened to an advanced copy of this through the LibroFM librarian program, and the three different narrators did an excellent job! It helped that Schwab crafted three distinct voices that instantly draw you into the story.

Vampires seem to be making a comeback in the year 2025, and I'm not mad about it. María, Charlotte, and Alice are all deeply flawed characters. They each make decisions based on their own desires rather than anyone else. The story isn't told linearly. Schwab switches between each point of view throughout the story. Thus, we gradually see how each of the three women are connected. Honestly, this made the story more suspenseful because I was curious how everything was going to come together at the end.

If you're someone who reads for action, this is definitely more of a character-driven story. You're more focused on these three women and their lives rather than a driving plot. However, this allows Schwab's lyrical prose to shine through, strongly depicting the emotions each narrator is going through.

Not sure if this tops The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue as my favorite VE Schwab book, but it is definitely up there! If you're looking for a fantasy featuring chaotic lesbian vampires this summer, definitely check this one out.
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Review to come!

Content Warnings

Knucklehead

Tony Keith Jr.

4.5

hopeful reflective fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: N/A

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: N/A

Totally recommend the audiobook for this because Tony Keith Jr. narrates it himself and I always thing it's better to hear poetry read out loud rather than read it. Plus, the audiobook adds sound effects and such throughout and it just makes it an excellent listening experience.

This is a short read, but that doesn't make it any less impactful. If you enjoy poetry, I definitely recommend checking it out!

Death in the Jungle: Murder, Betrayal, and the Lost Dream of Jonestown

Candace Fleming

4.0

dark informative medium-paced

As you can usually expect from a Candace Fleming nonfiction book, this is incredibly researched and really dives deep into the story of Jonestown. It's a truely harrowing story, and I can see a lot of teens who are interested in this particular topic getting a lot out of this book. Definitely an interesting read if you are interested in the topic of cults!

Content Warnings

Glitch Girl!

Rainie Oet

3.5

challenging emotional medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I feel like this is an important read, but the writing style really takes some getting used to. We are firmly in J's head, bouncing around much like they do. It is also written in verse, which makes it slightly difficult to get a feel for any of the characters outside of J's thoughts.

However, the content is important for middle grade readers. I'm just not sure how many of them will actually pick it up because of the form of the writing. I'd be curious to hear thoughts from a middle school reader about this book. All in all, if you like novels in verse about identity exploration, definitely check this one out!

Content Warnings

Salvación

Sandra Proudman

3.0

adventurous 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: Complicated

A fantasy with western vibes, there's quite a bit of action in this, with a strong female hero at the center. Proudman does jump right into the world at the beginning, so it took a bit to get used to the world building. A little more context would have helped in situating the reader to the world that Lola is living in. There is a bit of a romance, though the focus is more on Lola's drive to save her town. If you like western fantasies, I'd definitely recommend you check this one out!

Content Warnings

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