This is a dark and heavy book as to be expected with war, genocide, indoctrination/propaganda, and child soldiers. The subjects were handled seriously and didn’t feel like shock value was the only goal. I would argue this could be Adult due to the level of violence. This isn't the usual, cookie-cutter "YA assassin." There's actual graphic killing here, and each one has an emotional weight.

The narrative voice was very strong! Sloane is warring within herself with the truth of her heritage, her fire powers, and the violence she must commit just to survive. I felt every heart-wrenching disappointment and frustration this girl experienced.

There’s some fantasy, Orishas, and mystery along the way with glimpses of romance, but none of it detracts from being Sloane’s story. It's controversial 'do the means justify the ends,' but an excellent portrayal of a (forced) anti-hero. The plot twists are out for blood and will knock you silly once you realize everything.

Despite the heavy themes, I had a stellar reading experience. I was engulfed.

Of course, I’m reading book 2. 

Each of the stories was lovely. I also liked the author's note of why the female leads were given agency in her modern take on the folktales.

I remember reading the Webtoon version of this and loving the humor. 

I was pleasantly surprised that everything is new and repurposed here. Some actual good advice in between the laughs. 

I was floored by the beautiful artwork and body language. The love story I wasn't so taken by. Can you say placeholder? Emotional cheating? *Dora Explorer voice*

basically, Ana married the safe choice, but her heart always pined after Zeno, who was a one-night stand back in her college days.

I'm all for second chances at love, but Giuseppe seemed like a placeholder. I still think it was a good choice for Ana. She wanted marriage and family (and a good reputation for politics), and Zeno wasn't going to give her any of those things. If they had an actual relationship before I'd understand, but she probably knew him a day tops.

Also, I felt a way about the portrayal of Bogdan - the only black character featured here. At worst, it feels like a racist caricature. At best, a portrayal of a mentally disabled character who misses the mark miserably.

Goddess Crown works best as a lower YA/Middlegrade book with its writing style. Too much telling and not enough showing.

The book starts with a bang with Kalothia’s guardians being targeted and death and kidnappings around every corner, but it felt emotionally flat. If we had more time with certain characters, maybe I’d be more invested. 

Kalothia did well for her circumstances, but I didn’t connect to her. Or the beginnings of a first love, and I absolutely love the

royalty falls for the bodyguard and vice versa

trope.

It's technically not instalove because these two have history, but it their connection is hollow because they've had so few conversations with each others

The court politics were boiled down to the world is sexist/hates women. It worked for me, but I can understand others looking for more intrigue. 

 Overall, the cover is lovely and drew me to it. I think this was a slow start that might improve if there's a sequel. But this story left me indifferent. The writing style just wasn't for me, but thank you for shorter YA books. 

Two sisters at odds and one fight to the death! Well, not really but close to it!

I was pleasantly surprised while reading this. At first, I thought Gigi was kind of horrid, but I came to understanding why she was acting out as the story progressed. We've friendship drama and grief at the center of the story with fencing around the sides.

The conversation Gigi (the girls) had at the end with their mother was one of the absolute best parts. 

3.5

I enjoyed this thoroughly. It had mystique, heart, and charm!

At the heart of the story is a big brother and a good son wanting to fulfill his mother's request and the chaos that follows. Hatke masterfully wields sequential art/comics as a storytelling medium.

This volume we get the long awaited Twilight origin story, and some of the beginnings of the infamous east-west war. I honestly enjoyed Twilight's characterization and the acknowledgment that war sucks. We also meet a new character. Anya is as silly as ever too.

A good message about true friends, feeling left out, and how it's not wrong to add to your friend group in charming Babymous style.

Also... Is this character development?

. I read the OG Babymouse series, and, baby, was this a plot twist. LOCKER becomes friends with Babymouse here! No more harassing her, sending her on goose chases, or stealing her stuff??? Either this is an end to the graphic series, or it all gets reconned next story.

I hate rating memoirs. How can you say whether someone's life deserves 5 stars or less? So I try to focus on the execution instead. 

This memoir isn't linear, so Penelope's life is shown through episodic comics. I liked the cartoony art style, and there's a mixture of lighthearted to darker moments. Like, most people's lives. Some of the moments of sexual assault and harassment aren't shown in a visually triggering manner, but it's all the same heartwrenching. Her Deja Vu comics and the one about her love of heat were the highlights.

I think I would've rated this higher if there was a more cohesive thread. This felt like blog posts packaged into a book, which isn't necessarily a bad thing.