I'm speechless. Everything about this book is just perfection. The cover alone is enough reason to read it, but it's full of lyrical prose, stunning magic, and a plot that's unlike anything I've ever read. While it may be geared more towards a YA audience, I didn't lose anything by reading it as an adult. The premise of tea-making being arcane really wowed me and the processes of its brewing were described in such a delicate way. Adding in the contest to become the new shennong-shi and allllll of the political intrigue? I'm sold. The way that Judy I. Lin writes about everything from tea to swordplay is truly magical and I can't wait to read the finale to this duology. I can't wait to read it over and over again.

*Thank you to B2W Tours, Feiwel & Friends, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review*

I'd describe this book as Paper Towns meets National Treasure, with all of the dark academia feels and adventurous thrills. Nell is thrust into a dangerous game of cat and mouse and responds as most of us would - naively. (Like seriously... if you think your dad was killed because of a map, why in the world would you tell people about it??) But outside of that naivety, we get a gorgeous tale of magical realism that allows us to glimpse the true magic of cartography. It's emotional, messy, and nonlinear, with a few twists thrown in that I didn't see coming. I'd recommend this for fans of historical fiction, adventure, and magical realism (or even just fans of Indiana Jones).

*Thank you to B2W Tours, William Morrow, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review*

I'm a sucker for Karen McManus books, especially ones that drop gratuitous easter eggs to previous books. This one is the first to hit a little different for me. At times it felt rushed, even to the point of seeming unplanned. There were twists that I didn't see coming, but it was more as though they weren't foreshadowed rather than just missing a clue. I didn't find myself empathizing with the characters, possibly due to having fewer PoVs than usual. I'm still a fan of her writing, just maybe not of this book.

*Thank you to Delacorte Press and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review*

I wanted to love this book so badly - it's a demisexual dream after all! I enjoyed the setting of a small town's drive-in movie theatre and the focus on films, but it all felt a bit rushed. It even features my favorite trope, ONE BED! I think I just wanted *more*. I wanted to learn about Wren and his friend group, see what made them tick, etc. It's possible that I wasn't in the right headspace when I was reading it initially, so I'm down for a reread when I'm in the romcom mood. Overall it's a cute queer rom-com that I'd recommend for anyone who loves films or wants to learn a bit more about demisexuality/asexuality.

*Thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review*

It's just pure joy, honestly. I read this book when I was in a bit of a reading slump and it gave me all the warm and fuzzy feels. But more than that, it has phenomenal worldbuilding and a complex magic system all while being a middle grade fantasy. The finesse required to do that is just... chef's kiss. Barclay is so stubborn, yet secretly enthused with this magical world he stumbles into, and we're blessed with so many interesting side characters. While I predicted most of the plot for this book, there were still some surprises thrown in! I'm so happy that this is a series and can't wait to read more in this universe.

I'd never read Sense & Sensibility, but I really loved this retelling! Is everything more fun with murder? Probably. Here we have the Dashwood sisters - fierce Marianne, the intelligent Elinor, and the intrepid Margaret - coping with the death of their father and sudden loss of fortune. I loved how resourceful the sisters were as they worked to solve the mysteries unfolding before them. Elinor was my personal favorite, just because I love a STEM angle in a book, but all of the ladies in these books are wonderful. I cannot WAIT to read Manslaughter Park!

*Thank you to TBR & Beyond Tours, HarperTeen, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review*

I really need to stop listening to romance audiobooks at work, because JEEZ. This was so spicy, I thought steam was going to come out of my ears. But that being said, it was goooooood. I say take all of the sexual tension you're used to in romance and lock it in an elevator! It just INTENSIFIES so beautifully. I loved Sadie and droooooled over Erik. Do I need a corporate Thor action figure? Probably. The plot here was jumbled in the best way possible as Sadie tries to reconcile with all of the clues laid out before her. Overall you get a fun plot with enough steam to make me blush at my desk job, serving as a great follow up in the STEMinist Novellas series.

*Thank you to PHR Audio for the ALC in exchange for my honest review*

This book is The Night Circus meets Caraval, set in a hotel. It's full of magic and mystery with a bit of darkness layered underneath. Jani and Zosa's bond is so strong, with Jani being quite headstrong herself, you can't help but root for their reunion. Not to mention the STEAM rising off of Bel, my word! This is a hotel that I'll certainly be dreaming about. I loved the epic descriptions of magic throughout and I'm personally craving some of those magic oranges right now.

*Thank you to Penguin Teen and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review*

I absolutely LOVED this book! It's like a sassy queer version Percy Jackson with a Chinese mythology twist. There's so much happening throughout with Zack discovering his imperial heritage and his fellow emperors, the general chaos of an adventure with 3 pre-teens, and allllll of the Yugi-oh parallels in the AR game. The plot is top-notch, with twists and turns that had me reeling. This transcends the middle-grade audience and is definitely enjoyable for all ages! If there aren't more in this series, I'll be riding a water dragon out to battle.

*Thank you to Margaret K. McElderry Books and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review*

This book is adorable and I loved every minute of it. Give me a K-pop love story any day! Plus this is definitely K-drama inspired with a focus on the interpersonal high school relationships. Jenny has to learn so much as she accustoms to her new school in South Korea, not to mention the fact that the hottie she met in LA happens to be an idol. AND on top of all of this, she's practicing cello in the hopes of getting into her dream music conservatory. Needless to say, there's a lot going on. But with all of this, I never felt bogged down by the plot or subplots. I loved watching Jenny grow throughout and seeing her with Jaewoo made me squee. Basically it's just really cute and fluffy and a great palate cleanser from my dark fantasies.