“The sense of falling did not touch her, not as long as her body was between the hands of this boy who felt steadier in the air than on the ground.”

If The Night Circus, The Raven Boys, or Laini Taylor were your cup of tea, this book is for you. Magical realism and stunning prose were my favorite things about this novel. I found myself pausing to read lines aloud, because I just couldn’t believe how gorgeous the sentences were. Very evocative writing and I also loved how Spanish and French were used throughout. The story was incredibly lovely, stealing my heart and my breath in one swoop. This was my first Anna-Marie McLemore book, their prose absolutely destroyed me in the best of ways. I felt quickly invested in Lace and Cluck and their respective worlds. The world of the mermaids and fairies each holds an intricate hierarchy where occupants are bound by strict rules and their blood feud, sparking tension in the hot summer. As the plot thickens and secrets were revealed, I found this book impossible to put down. I already can’t wait to reread it!

“Books are letters in bottles, cast into the waves of time, from one person trying to save the world to another. Keep reading. Keep writing. Keep fighting. We’re all still here.”

The prose in this book was so beautiful, at times I had to stop and read it aloud just to hear how stunningly the words fit together. The lyricism and heart of this book pulled me out of a book slump. For me, this book reminded me a lot of Good Omens and the dynamic between Crowley & Aziraphale. The relationship between Red & Blue is far more nebulous and as I read this book, all I could think was that I wanted this book to be longer. It is chaotic, powerful, and profoundly moving. If you enjoyed The Starless Sea, Good Omens, or just want to try something unlike most of the other books floating around these days- I wholeheartedly recommend This Is How You Lose the Time War.

Mooncakes was a magical and entertaining read! I absolutely recommend this delightful graphic novel to anyone, particularly those looking for stories that deal with disability, contain positive LGBTQ rep, and are just magical! The warm colors of this book made me feel as if I were in autumn in New England. The story follows Nova and Tam, the actual most adorable cinnamon rolls, who discover that there is a demon lurking in the woods and do their best to help protect the town. The surrounding cast of characters are very memorable and I wish I could visit the Black Cat bookstore!! If you enjoyed The Tea Dragon Society or are looking to read a beautiful graphic novel, check out Mooncakes!