Brilliant. I love Enchanted’s narrative (and her name!). She’s just a 17-year-old girl who is naïve, so it’s almost painful when we readers notice the red flags and grooming tactics. As serious as the subject matter is, Jackson writes masterfully, fully engaging us in Enchanted’s story. It’s like watching a train wreck. You just cannot look away.

I have noticed Jackson likes to use alternating timelines, such as, in her other story, Monday's Not Coming. Here, it adds a level of mystique, and readers are as foggy and disoriented as Enchanted. This story prides itself in beautiful foreshadowing and gut-wrenching emotional punches.

Enchanted is just so personable. I feel my heart squeeze at certain points like I’m watching this happen to my friend, cousin, or any other girl. I just felt for her. I loved her family as well.

her dad trying to save her messed me up, y’all! ;__;

Grown gets it so perfectly with Korey, with how some people who have been broken and abused continue the cycle and become manipulative and monstrous, well-meaning parents who are ignorant about the industry, and (I like to speak life, but let’s be realistic) the lack of sympathy and understanding for black girls and women.

This book is heavy, at times, but definitely worth reading. It turns into a bit of a thriller at the end, which may be off-putting to some due to tonal shift but, still, 5 stars from me.

Random Ending spoilers:

I hated that Creighton never got his comeuppance, but that’s realistic. Man, Derrick… he still chose his father over justice. Okay, that last page had me spinning. We know Chant didn’t really kill Korey, so I think she just killed him off symbolically??? And… that Gabriela stuff had me stuck. I didn’t know what was the truth. I thought it was going to be another Monday's Not Coming twist lol

Read more of my reviews, here

So cute and heartwarming. I always enjoy the friendship between Akari and Yuna, and how they are slowly developing and trying new things. Akari and Inui are making progress! But Rio needs to give up. I know it adds to the shoujo, forbidden-love pangs and that he had feelings for her before their parents married, but no one wants step-sibling shenanigans (this isn’t Life with Derek, boo).

Anyway, onto volume 4.

4.5

No. GOODBYE DUMPSTER FIRE!

So, girl reunites with her childhood friend, but wait, guys, he's EDGY now. He sleeps with every girl he sees and fights dudes everywhere and he's got a bad attitude because he's a BAD BOY.

Yuzuru or whatever his name is too rude and surly to the forgettable female lead. Also, she tries to help dress his wounds, and he immediately starts trying to have sex with her until she pushes him off. Like, bruh nooooooooo. I don't mind tsundere, bad boys "with a heart of gold", but this guy is too annoying and unlikeable. DROPPED like a hot potato.

If there's any merit, the artwork is very pretty.

The Water Dragon's Bride started out with an interesting premise before it started torturing the main lead for fun. Now, it fizzled out and lost its way.

I was just never sold on Asahi's love for the Water God. Yes, she came to understand he was like an emotionless child in the beginning, but why does she love him now? why does he love her? why can't Subaru be happy? Subaru has always been the MVP here and done dirty.

Still, I first starting reading this series when I was like 16, so I'm happy to have finished it.

You don’t know how much fun it is to read a light-hearted book about two black teens. I like the humor here and the New York setting. The main character Evie is an aspiring actress and the granddaughter of a Diana-Ross-type legend, Evelyn Conaway, who makes a huge mistake in a moment of drunken bliss. Evie’s meant to be annoying, so her attitude and actions in the story might really turn some readers off. I didn’t mind her, so I rate this book highly. I loved the message of forgiveness and that you have a choice of whether or not to allow someone back into your life. Milo was a sweet male lead, and I was super interested in Gigi’s life.

Also, I enjoyed Milo’s friends! Those fools!

4.5

Very cute middle-grade graphic novel about being true to yourself and magical shenanigans. I enjoyed the illustrations.