Well, this book packs a punch. It is a fairly quick read, but Ogle knows how to pack a lot of emotion into a small amount of story. And a lot of character development. You really care about Lawson and Benny by the end of this book, rooting for both of them to make it in the world. A great read-a-like for Long Way Down, for a lot of similar reasons.

All the reviews I've read for this, everyone seems to be loving it, but I had a hard time getting into it. I think part of the problem for me was that it seemed like there was too much going on for one book. The overall world building and the magic system was confusing, especially with the switching between so many different characters. Perhaps it's not the best story for audiobook format, either.

There is quite a bit of action, especially towards the end, so I was interested in seeing where the story went. Not sure if I'll continue with the series, though.

Thanks to Abrams and NetGalley for an advanced copy of Alanna: The Graphic Novel Adaptation by Tamora Pierce. The story itself is adapted by Vita Ayala. I think they do an excellent job of tweaking the story where it needed it but keeping true to the original story. We get the same amount of character and world development, and I sincerely hope that they continue with the series.

Out of all Pierce’s works, I think this series might be one of the best to adapt to graphic novel form. There’s a lot of action/fighting in this one, and that adapts really well to graphic novel format. The art wasn’t totally finished in the ARC, but I am excited to see it once it’s totally done!

I loved these books when I was a teen, so it is fun getting to revisit the stories as an adult. Though it’s been awhile since I read the original book, a lot came back to me while I was reading this graphic novel. It definitely made me want to go back and read this series, because it probably would come with some serious nostalgia.

All in all, if you like Pierce’s work, and fantasy graphic novels in general, definitely check this out when it comes out in May! 
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Review to come!

What a delight, honestly. Always love to read silly cat adventures, and this was definitely that. The art was also really whimsical, and added to the overall atmosphere of the book. I can't wait to read more adventures about Buster and his friends!

I think I liked this book best of the three, which is unusual for me. Usually I get hooked by the first book and then the following books don't always follow suit. However, the magic system was what most intrigued me about these books, and it really was on fully display here. The intricacies of the plague were fascinating, and we really got to learn more about the overall structure of the world. Glad I finished through to the end!

I can't think of a lot of YA historical fiction that is set during the Irish potato famine, so I was excited to pick this one up! In true Sarah Crossan style, this is an emotional story with a cast of well-rounded characters you'll immediately come to care for. It's a fairly quick read, since it is told in verse, but that doesn't take away from the emotional depth. If you like historical fiction and novels in verse, definitely check this one out.

This was shorter than I was expecting it to be, and it is clouded by what is happening with the current adminstration in the US. But there is still that element of hope that you often find in John Green books, despite that. Green does a good job laying out the history and the context of tuberculosis, and through that, we get the story of Henry, someone living with tuberculosis. Green is doing what he can to bring awareness to his issue, and I hope he continues down this path.

Not my favorite book from Winans (Biance Torre still takes that crown), but they are quickly becoming one of my favorite YA mystery/thriller writers! As always, I enjoyed the characters and the relationships they form throughout the book. If you like traditional slasher stories (like Scream), this is definitely for you. It hits a lot of the traditional plot points of a slasher, but also takes it in different directions from time to time. It's a good time overall, and I'll definitely recommend it to teens looking for a new thriller!

Thanks to NetGalley and Top Shelf for an advanced copy of Love Languages by James Albon to review! While I don’t read a lot of adult books, I usually make an exception for graphic novels. And I’m glad I did for this one! It’s a quieter, more slow moving story, but the romance at the center of it is so sweet.

I appreciated the way that Albon showed the various languages in this book, with different styles of speech bubbles and different colors. Graphic novels are unique in that they can show these differences visually, and it’s always interesting to see how authors do that.

This is definitely a slow burn kind of romance, which I appreciated. I always prefer a slow burn over an instant-connection or insta-love. It gives more depth to the relationship (in my opinion), and really invests the readers in the characters. Sarah and Ping were the best part of this, and getting to see Paris from their perspectives made for a fascinating story.

My only complaint is that sometimes, some of the pages or layouts felt a little busy or confusing due to the amount of speech bubbles included. It did pull me out of the story a few times, but was necessary for showing the different perspectives throughout the story.

All in all, if you like graphic novels with sweet romances at their core, definitely check this one out! 
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Review to come!

I enjoyed this, for the most part! Focusing on rock climbing is definitely unique for a YA book, and the teens will be able to relate to the storyline for the characters. Trying to balance your beliefs and your identity, finding acceptance with your family. Figuring out what track your life is going to take as a teenager. I also like Kirby's group of friends and how supportive they were of each other.

While I liked the art style and there are some gorgeous panels in this, there were times where it it was confusing. Specifically when flashbacks were included within the story. It also felt bit word-heavy at times, making it feel more like a graphic memoir than a fictional graphic novel. Not to say that those can't be word-heavy, but at times, it felt like it bogged down the story.

However, this is still an enjoyable story and one that I'll definitely recommend to teens!