There are some great conversations about consent, making sure both parties feel safe and loved during sex, and no demonization of sexual desire. It also shows Neon is understandably nervous about his first time.

But I had to have some suspension of belief. In a good way! It felt so unrealistic to me, at times. Black parents have evolved because they’d never give no license to have sex or speak of the benefits of masturbation like this. That just wasn’t my testimony growing up 💀 And a side dude this well-adjusted? Unheard of. But I was pleasantly surprised that the men in Neon's life didn't give him the typical "sow your wild oats" advice.

That aside, I read through this pretty quickly. It had a lovely cover, but the story wasn’t my favorite. I think the simplicity and healthy conversations will definitely help teen readers not feel ashamed and gleam some understanding. So while, I wasn't engaged from a narrative point of view, I think the story has merit.

I liked the ear analogy too!

 Missed Pow Wow Connection – 3 stars 

Simple meet cute! 

Amplification Adaption – 2 stars 

It’s a community effort to get the band back together – literally. 

Uncured Horror – 2 stars 

Welei – 3 stars 

Airwave Pirates – 4 stars 

Roll Your Own Way - 2 stars 

BVLBANCHA Forever -3 stars 

Walk With the Earth Mother - 4 stars 

Saving Throws – 3.5 stars 

Digital Eden – 3 stars 

Dorovan V – 4 stars 

 Pretty fun! I liked the characters and enjoyed how the tritagonist had realistic motivations behind their darkness/iciness. The trials Ning and other competitors faced were unique like one that involved poisoning and healing a bird. 

The theme of the (magical) properties of tea was such a unique element. The tea brews could work like power-ups or a crystal ball showing the future, or past, very versatile. I was always interested in how tea would affect the story next.

Ning's soulmate-like connection with Kang was established well, and I enjoyed them quickly. 

I'm not sure if reading the sequel is high on my priority list, but my reading experience was good 

What happens when a prophecy goes wrong or is misunderstood? 

When Judith thinks she has found the man who will be her lover, her sister snatches him up first. But that doesn’t stop the forbidden love or

or her choosing the wrong lover. Also, the actual lover was supposed to be charming and disarming, but he just came off as a creep.

I never felt for the two's illicit affair. Most of the attraction stemmed from Judith's resentment against her sister and just wanting something/one to call her own. Nathaniel felt shady and loserish.

I liked the ending, and I wished it could have leaned more into it earlier, but I understand it's a short story.

10/10 no notes. This was a charming book with some fun twists and turns with so many jokes about fandom culture and magical shoujo girls. You never know what someone’s going through, so try not to paint everyone with a judgmental brush.