TW for this book include: transphobia, homophobia, mentions of child abuse, racism, implied animal death, blood, homelessness, abuse parents

Longer review to come but this book is trope-y and fun and I love the characters and the world. It is not very surprising as far as plot goes but it is just such a fun and delightful read! 

TW for this book include: gentrification, racism, sexism, implied animal abuse, police violence against black people, home invasion

WOW! Remember how I keep talking about how I'm so fucking bored about thrillers that feature beautiful dead women? BOY OH BOY IS THIS NOT THAT BOOK! This was a thriller that kept me on edge because it really does feel like something that could be happening in so many city blocks around this country. It has the feel of watching very socially aware horror movies (Midsommar, Us, etc.)  and some of the best thriller novels (The Better Liar, Gone Girl, etc.).  I was able to sort of piece together what was happening but knowing what might be going on only adds to the tension as the characters struggle to make sense of the horror that is befalling them. It just feels so intimidate and terrifying which makes it one of the best thrillers I've read in years.

TWs for this book include: animal death, forced polygamy, implied rape, implied pedophilia, Kill Your Gays, sexism, racism

There sure is a lot happening in this book. It was billed to me as a sort of dark fantasy version of purity novels and it certainly has some Thoughts on puritanical patriarchies (like we all do). It had decent but not amazing world building, a decent plot and some cool magic stuff in it. The problems with it are that it never actually does that good of a job of subverting the culture, or at least not strong enough for the impact to hit. The ending comes as a bit of a shock because we don't actually see the town changing enough to justify it. I think the characters aren't that deep and the love interest in particular seems very bland. I don't understand the attraction, I don't understand his motivations, but this is true for 99% of the background characters as well. I also didn't enjoy the "women with magic are bad" trope and I kept expecting that to be subverted but it didn't really get there. I'm not sure how this ultimately made me feel. I didn't hate it, I didn't love it. I just am disappointed in it. 

TW for this book include: ICE arrests, deportation threat, heavy discussions and depictions of menstruation (like enough that I feel it needs its own trigger warning), racism

I really wanted to love this book. I've had it on my watch list for awhile and it has, in theory, everything I should want in a story. But the pacing is frustrating and the world building, while steeped in a rice lore, isn't as flushed out as I prefer my stories be. I found the characters to be typical of a lot of YA spec fic where there just isn't a lot "there" to them. I don't know, it's possible this just wasn't the right book for me, and that's ok. It wasn't terrible it just didn't live up to the hype that I had seen for it. 

TW for this book include: depression, homophobia, mentions of past transphobia, racism, Islamophobia, death (not by suicide)

I didn't MEAN to read this book in a day, it just kind of happened? This book is perfect. This series is perfect. The book focuses on the importance of things like: open and honest communications about when you are ready to have sex, open and honest conversations about bullying, open and honest conversations about racism, Islamophobia and homophobia. It also includes conversations around depression and the loss of a close family member. It's about hope and the importance of allowing young men to be open and vulnerable and soft. I do plan on writing up a full review of this book soon but for now please, please, PLEASE go support this book. Ask for it from your library (most libraries have digital loans now, too!) or buy it from your favorite local bookstore (SoCal folks, I recommend Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore).

TW for this book include: bullying, child death, implied corpse mutilation (it's less dramatic then I make it sound but it is in there), bug related horror (again, less dramatic than I make it sound)

This book is precious. It is like a dark Studio Ghibli film. I love the story telling and the mix of real world with supernatural. I love the focus on flawed friendships and how to grow out of them and also learn how to set boundaries for yourself. I love the whole thing except the ending. I don't want to spoil it but I just wish it had gone a slightly different way. I always refer to the movie Labyrinth by Jim Henson as my ideal way for a book about young folks with childhood monsters to end and this didn't have that ending. I know it's unrealistic to expect it and the ending was lovely it just... I had hoped for a different ending all together. 

TW for this book include: sexual harassment both physical and verbal

This book is very important. I am sure there will be parents who think middle graders are too young to be reading about this stuff but the book does a very good job of handling the situation in a way that isn't over the top but also makes it clear that unwanted sexual behavior is not alright. I'm not sure how I feel about the ending, which is why this is only a 4.5. I understand why the author did it and I think that it's important to show changed behavior but I personally would have liked a slightly altered ending. Still, I think this is a vital book for young people of every gender. It's not a perfect book but it's a really good start.

TW for this book include: child abuse, murdered women, car accidents, loss of limbs/eyes

This book surprised me. I admit that I was unsure about it based off the description in the back of the book but I'm delighted by how wrong I was to assume it would be another cookie cutter beautiful dead woman thriller. This has all the traits of a Flynn novel while still being completely original. It has a lot of depth to it and the characters have very real traits and flaws. There are several times the book threw me for a loop and I did not expect the ended but it was extremely satisfying. I'm so glad to have read it, I'm going to look into more of this author's work. I'm super impressed. 

TW for this book include: Racism, rioting, police violence against black people, black people being held at gun point, wildfires, drug abuse, child abuse

I was around four or five when the events of this book take place but I have known about it for most of my life. It's something I recall my family talking about as I grew up.  This is the second YA book that I know of to come out this year about LA after the King verdict. It is raw and honest and so sadly relevant today. This is one of those books that, despite being historical, could have happened yesterday. It is happening, playing out in every major city in this country. It's a book that is hard to read but so honest and lovely in the pain it brings that you cannot stop reading. I am so excited to see what this author is going to produce next because I can tell I'm going to become a massive fan.

TW's for the book include: period typical misogyny, racism, classism

This book is so soft and good. I love the conversations about art being its own philosophical pursuit and the power of traditionally feminine arts. I loved watching these two fall in love. All of the conflict feels real and the characters seem like they could be your best friends or your worst enemies. I cannot wait to read the rest of this series. Its so great to find well written period wlw romances.