In this book, Jordan goes international (Paris, France!) and contemplates the person he’s becoming, especially with a school change on the horizon. With the Paris setting, the cultural differences between France and America are briefly mentioned as well.

I really think the audience for this book is for readers who do not experience or are unaware of racial microaggressions. In addition, there are classist and religious microaggressions in this book. These things are stated very obviously and blatantly, but, if this inspires empathy and understanding, that's great. 

The artwork can be stiff at times, but Jordan’s doodles have a lot of personality and charm. I looked forward to his segments. I also enjoyed the subplot with Ashley and Alexandra. I thought it was going to veer into showing that some kids prefer to be alone and it’s okay, but it went another direction. 

Overall, some of the jokes were corny or a bit too on the nose, but this still will be an engaging read for kids. It starts off a bit slow, but I liked the earnest way it tried to address issues.

 At first, I enjoyed the story. I thought the main character’s corpse-robbing job was unique. I liked the author’s take on elf lore (also, an elf boy with a sweet tooth? I love that), the focus on environmental racism, and Sevim’s narrative voice, but the ending felt like it jumped the shark. Yes, an unexpected plot twist, but at the expense of the story in my opinion. 

Also, Feyn couldn’t keep a consistent personality for anythinggggg. It felt like his character kept flip-flopping to me. Are you a brooding, ruthless killer? A grouchy prettyboy? Or a vulnerable, emotional prince? Pick one! 

If the ending had been different, this would’ve been a 4 star for me. 

I enjoyed the narrative voice here and the different struggles the siblings faced acclimating to the U.S. But dang, was this stressful. It seemed like something always went wrong. Everything doesn't get a fairytale ending, but that made it more realistic.

 Well, this one made me cry. Uplifting and bittersweet all at once.

I enjoyed the friendship between Sam and Iris, and the feeling of wanting to get out of your “too small”  hometown. But I didn’t understand the Lily stuff well. 

I think the clock tower started a time loop? But did lily die or did ben eventually save her? Because it seems he married her? Or was that just a phantom memory that the tower kept replaying because Sam triggered it?