I was looking for something a little on the lighter side after reading a pretty dark book. This was the perfect balance for that! It's a very character-driven story, friends turned enemies turned lovers kind of story. It makes for a great summer read, honestly!

The characters and the romance drama was just what I was looking for. Brooke is trying to branch out, go out on her own, not expecting she's going to be placed in a house with her ex-friend. And of course, drama is going to ensue. I appreciated that Brooke felt like such a realistic character; she's anxious aobut the future, worried about family drama, and dealing with anxiety. There are a lot of teens who will definitely relate to everything Brooke is dealing with.

The writing is a little rough around the edges, but that doesn't take away from the overall enjoyment of the story. If you're looking for something light and fun, definitely pick this one up.

A beautifully crafted re-imagining of ancient China, fully of politics, war, and gender/identity exploration. Part of me does wish I read the physical book instead of listening to it, because at times, I forgot which point of view I was following. Sometimes its easier in those instances to actually see the names on the page (and if there is a map in the physical book, even more helpful!).

But, despite that, I was thoroughly engaged with this story, with the characters, and with the overall politics of the world. It is a richly built fantasy world, with well-rounded characters (even if they aren't always the most likeable). Definitely looking forward to reading the sequel.

 In London 1883, the Veil between the living and the dead has gotten thinner. This allows those with violet-eyes to commune with spirits, but only through the guidance of the Royal Speaker Society. Silas Bell would rather do anything than become a dutiful Speaker wife. But according to his mom, he’ll be married by the end of the year. No matter his autism or the fact that he’s a boy and not a girl.

After an incident at the Society, Silas is sent to Braxton’s Finishing School and Sanitorium diagnosed with Veil sickness. But at the school, he realizes girls are disappearing and no one cares. It’s up to Silas to expose the secrets of the school–if those in charge don’t get to him first. 

Thanks to Peachtree Teen and NetGalley for an advanced copy of The Spirit Bares Its Teeth by Andrew Joseph White to review! White jumped onto the YA scene last year with Hell Followed With Us, firmly planting himself in the YA horror field.

Let me start by saying this is not an easy book to read. It’s a little bit fantasy, a little bit history, with a heavy emphasis on the horror. It shows how dangerous the world was at that time for women who didn’t fit the mold. Women who were a little different. Women who were queer. There is some hard, dark stuff in this book, and if you’re not in the mindset for that, save it for a time that you are.

Despite the difficult nature of the text, it is beautifully written. There are lines in this story that feel like a gut punch, because you know that there are women who were treated like this at this time. And we’re not even going to get started on how trans people were treated, because it was much the same. White does the horror elements so well in this book. Teens looking for dark gothic horror will definitely be drawn to this book.

And the characters! The relationship between Silas and Daphne was just so wonderful. The book may be dark, but it is not without its moments of hope. Tender, sweet moments of hope that really keep them going despite the darkness. 

The fall is really the perfect time for this book to come out, so if you find yourself looking for something dark and queer, definitely pick this one up! 

This is Greek mythology done a bit differently than it usually is in YA, with lots of twists and turns and interesting family dynamics. It's a fantasy with a mystery twist, as Io tries to figure out what's going on with the mysterious deaths in her part of town. As a kind of private investigator, she digs deeper into what's going on, but is surprised by what she finds.

The world building in this is so intricate and fascinating to me, built on Greek myths with different families populating the city. You always run the risk when you have a really interesting world that the characters might get lost, but that definitely didn't happen here, either. Io has a complex background with her sisters, which all gets unraveled throughout the novel. Plus, she gets paired with the boy, Edei, who is supposed to be her soulmate. 

Of course, we end on a bit of a cliffhanger, so hopefully it isn't too long before the next book comes out!

Strong world building, well-developed characters, and a plotline about fighting back. It took me a while to pick this up, but I am glad that I finally did! It sets up the next two books in the trilogy, and I thought most of the characters were well-rounded. With the excpetion of a few of the group of girls Lei is in. There's this interesting dichotomy between people saying that being a Paper Girl is such an honor, but it's clear that it's not. 

The relationship happened a little fast for me, but I do think it has the opportunity to be developed in future novels. There was a bit of instalove here that isn't my favorite trope. But I am interested in seeing where it goes next!

Kat Fields, a paranomal podcaster, decides to ditch her original spring break plans when she receives an email about a Texas small town with "devil lights" and a history of witchcraft. She takes a solo road trip to Estrella Roja, where she finds the locals not very friendly.

Meanwhile, Mari is also going to Estralla Roja, a place she hasn't been since she was little, to attend her grandmother's funeral. Feeling like an outcast from her family and a little bored, she decides to help Kat with her investigation. As the two get closer to the center of the mystery (and each other), they discover there's a danger lurking in Estrella Roja. And they accidentally release it.

Thanks to NetGalley and Clarion Books for an advanced copy of The Hills of Estrella Roja to review! Apparently August is going to be a great month for graphic novels, becuase I've read quite a few that are coming out. So definitely keep your eyes out!

The beginning of this was a little rocky for me, at least to follow what was specifically going on. But once we actually got into Estrella Roja, I feel like the story really took off. The art style works for this particular story, bringing to life this sort of creepy atmosphere in this small town. You definitely get a vibe from the locals, and you know there's something lurking beneath the surface. 

The two main characters, Kat and Mari, are well developed, and their relationship developed natrually throughout the story. I do wish some of the secondary characters were a bit more rounded, as some of them felt a little flat to me. But there was a lot of story to tell, so I get it!

A series of Kat and Mari investigating other paranormal things for the podcast I think would be really fun, so maybe more stories will stem from this! Either way, if you're looking for a spooky graphic novel to pick up this fall, definitely check this one out.

Okay this is absolutely adorable. It's a quick read, one of those books that would be perfect for an afternoon with a cup of coffee or tea and a cozy reading session. I just loved how this city was introduced to coffee and pastries, and how they were all discovering how delicious they were. 

There's also a little found family in this book, as Viv learns to let them in. They are all so cute together, and I would read a bunch of stories with their little coffee shop adventures, expanding into other things. I know there's a prequel coming out, and I'm super excited for that!

There really isn't a lot of YA with Persian representation, especially with characters who go to Iran. I can think of a few, but there isn't a lot. This book is really steeped in Persian culture, especially focusing on current and past events in Iran. The format of following this family through three generations really helps the reader to gain perspective, and each story was just as interesting as the others. 

Each character grows in their own way, and I appreciated the way this book also discussed the reality of queer people in Iran, even today. It truly is a powerful book, and I can see why it is getting so much praise!

Objectively, this is a well-written book. There are some really strong lines, and it makes you think. Vanessa is not the most likeable, the most reliable main character and she's written that way on purpose. Because Russell is making you think about how we think about victims of sexual abuse, how they are portrayed in the media, and really, the fact that we think everyone should come foward about their trauma, even if that it and of itself is traumatizing. 

This is not an easy book to read, and it's not something I would have picked up if it wasn't for book club. I am torn about whether or not I'm glad that I've read this book, because it is a story worth telling. Definitely recommend reading the author's note to understand why Russell wrote this particular stoy, because personally, I had wondered that while reading, too. 

Despite this book being dark and kind of haunting, the writing style makes it difficult to put down, in a way. The time jumps, the pacing, it all lends itself to that. I would just say, make sure you're in the right headspace before picking it up.

Somehow, I hadn't read this yet, but the movie is coming out soon, so I figured it was about time! It's right up my alley, so I don't know why it never made it into my pile. Not surprisingly, I loved it! Great characters, a fun art style, magic, sci-fi, there's a little something for everyone in this story.

What I appreciated most were the disucssions about heroism, about monsters, and about who we think of as villains. Seriously, the characters are probably what will make you come back to this story because they are just so well done. And now, I hope the movie does them justice!