howlinglibraries's Reviews (1.85k)

All I knew, going into this, was that Hidden Heartbreak was originally a woman's comics about the end of a bad relationship, and that it had been turned into this collection. I'm no stranger to crappy breakups or relationships with toxic people, so I figured I'd give it a whirl, but I can't say I enjoyed it enough to recommend it much.

The toxic relationship featured is actually incredibly similar to one I was in some time back—like, jarringly similar—so it isn't that I didn't relate or "get" the point, it's just that I couldn't bring myself to care. Fussing about how someone told you they were emotionally unavailable, proceeded to give you mixed signs for a while, and then ditched you in the end because you got attached anyways? Of course that's an awful, painful, brutal place to be in, but... how does one get 200+ pages of comics out of it?

I truly don't mean to sound so callous. I'm sorry the author was hurt so badly, and I genuinely do feel for her. Like, I'm a broken record here, but the relationship I was in was literally almost identical to what she details in this collection! But honestly... had I written an entire book about it, it would have done exactly what I think it did to this author: gave her an opportunity to mire in misery for a long, long time instead of moving on and recognizing that, at the end of the day, when someone tells you they don't want what you're offering in a relationship, at some point, you have to protect yourself and accept that they're probably telling the truth.

On a less preachy note, I also just really, really did not care for the art style. It isn't lacking in creativity or talent, it's just one that I'm very much not a fan of.

Thank you so much to Andrews McMeel Publishing for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I am on my knees. I have been here before. I have been thrown to the ground and I have felt the tip of their guns on the back of my neck. I have been through this and I have survived. We will survive. All of us.

In The Test, we follow Idir Jalil, an Iranian immigrant who's looking to pass the British citizenship test so he and his family can stay in the UK. Despite the pressure he's under — because, as he quickly lets us know through his own memories and back story, there's so much at stake for the Jalil family — Idir's in a great mood. He's studied hard, he's confident without being arrogant, and those first few questions breeze by for him.

Suddenly, a massive wrench is thrown into the works and Idir finds himself being pulled into a warped terrorist scene, where he's forced to make decisions so much harder than any question the test could have asked him. There's so much going on in this little story, and I truly can't say more, because it's so short and quick-paced that any further details would be spoilers.

Instead, I'll just say that this is one of the greatest novellas I have ever read. It was a tremendously well-fleshed story despite its brevity, Idir is one of the most likable protagonists I've ever read in my life, and the social commentary here on racism, xenophobia, sexism, and more? I was blown away. There are moments in this novella that shook me to my core, and the ending? Wow, what a brilliant way to close it up.

This was my first time reading Sylvain Neuvel's work, but I can assure you that it won't be my last.

All quotes come from an advance copy and may not match the final release. Thank you so much to Tor.com for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Debbie Tung has done it again, with another adorable collection of comics about life as an introverted bookworm. The biggest reason I recommend this collection is not only because the art is cute and simply sweet and the stories themselves are fun, but because I think so many book lovers will be able to relate to it!



Whether it's taking a book to a party, staying up all night to finish your current read, or the undeniable pull of a bookstore no matter how many unread books you have at home, I think every bookworm will find something to love about Book Love!

Thank you so much to Andrews McMeel Publishing for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

The world has been a scary place for Brooke ever since her older brother—her hero—confessed to murdering his best friend a year ago. She’s tried so hard to stay under the radar and keep her family afloat, but how can she be strong when the murder victim’s younger brother suddenly appears in her life, and an unexpected bond forms despite the haunting past between their families?

I love a good, tragic romantic contemporary read, so when I saw the synopsis for Even if I Fall, I was like, yo, sign me up for some heartache and angst, and man, did I get what I asked for or what?

→ L I K E S :

Jason was gone. My family was shattered. And dreams no longer fit into the nightmare we lived in.

Brooke, first of all, is such an easy character to empathize with and feel totally sorry for. Even though her brother is the alleged murderer in the situation, I think writing from Brooke’s POV was bold and paid off well, because it helps put you into this mindset where you can begin to imagine just how painful life would be for a good, decent human being who’s just watched their beloved family member do something evil and unspeakable—and it also pays a helpful reminder that we can’t judge people for what their family members have done, because blood relation doesn’t make them the same person.

I’ll have to smile the whole time and convince us that we’re going to be okay, that the next thirty years of once-a-week visits will be over before we know it, that watching the guards take him away afterward isn’t like having a piece of heart ripped from my chest.

Besides how much I enjoyed Brooke, the plot itself is really fascinating to watch unfold. I can’t say much without going into spoiler territory, but I will say that I didn’t expect some of the places Abigail Johnson took the story to, and I mean that in a good way—I was taken off guard in the best way and left with my jaw dropping like, “Did that really just happen?!” at one point.

I want, for just a moment, to reach for his hand, if only to hold on to someone else’s hurt so I don’t have to feel my own.

The last major thing I want to mention here isn’t even super relevant to the review, but I have to say it: Brooke’s best friend Maggie is such a precious little ball of sunshine and I loved her SO MUCH. She’s a plus-size biracial Korean/white girl who’s obsessed with makeup and fast cars, and no lie, I would’ve loved to have Maggie as my bestie as a teen (or now, for that matter!).

→ D I S L I K E S :

We keep trying not to hurt each other. But I did and he did. We are.

The only issue I had with Even if I Fall, and the reason I’m giving it 4 stars instead of a solid, raving 5, is that the narrative style was a struggle for me sometimes. Overall it was well-done and showed a lot of potential, but there were definitely moments where the dialogue felt unnatural or was hard to follow due to the writing choices.

→ F I N A L THOUGHTS :

Overall, it’s not a perfect read, but it’s a delightfully captivating read that will make your heart ache and give you warm fuzzies over and over (usually in alternating order, because this book likes to ‘giveth and taketh away’ a lot). I enjoyed it tremendously and didn’t want to put it down, and I definitely would be interested in reading more from this author!

→ RECOMMENDING TO… :

Readers who like tragic YA contemporary with a touch of romance, and can handle the tough topics discussed within.

Content warnings for descriptions of murder and violence, bullying, depression, grief

All quotes come from an advance copy and may not match the final release. Thank you so much to Inkyard Press for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Having never read Jane Eyre before, I thought a Manga Classics edition would be a great introduction to the story, and I was not disappointed! The artwork is so lovely (I was especially fond of the chibi styles in certain silly or sweet moments), and the layout and pacing was very easy to follow.

As for the story itself, I actually knew surprisingly little about it, but I was surprised by how hard it was to like Mr. Rochester! I rarely enjoy the love interests in classics, so I shouldn't have been shocked, but he is truly awful through most of the story and I didn't care much for him until the very end (perhaps that's the point, though). There were also much heavier religious overtones than I'm accustomed to in my usual reading, but it's to be expected from classics. Between these two things, the story wasn't a perfect read for me, but I still enjoyed it a great deal and am so happy that I chose the Manga Classics rendition for my first introduction. I'm not sure if I have much interest in reading the full novel, but I'm pleased to know the story now and even plan on purchasing a finished copy of this manga to reread in the future. ♥

Thank you so much to Udon Entertainment for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This Manga Classics rendition was, believe it or not, my first ever introduction to this story! I've never read the book or seen any film adaptations of it, though I've been meaning to for ages. All I knew was that it would be a very sad story, but I was surprised by just how dark and tragic it was. Unfortunately, the sorrowful aspects weren't enough to keep me interested and I honestly found the whole thing pretty dull. That said, I'm still giving it 3 stars because, as always, the art is absolutely lovely!

Thank you so much to Udon Entertainment for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Ben is a famous horror film composer, but his divorce has left him in a rut he can’t seem to shake, so his partner Eddie decides what Ben needs is a month-long stay on a haunted island named The Sorrows. When the two men and the women staying with them arrive, they begin to realize that the island’s grisly, murderous past might not be over yet.

After reading The Siren and the Specter from Jonathan Janz earlier this year—and deeming it not only my favorite horror read of the year, but perhaps of my life thus far—I can easily say he won me over as the kind of reader who will happily pick up anything he writes without hesitation, so I was beyond delighted to pick up this re-release of his debut novel, The Sorrows.

Except this building did not look like it could fall. It looked like it would stand forever, far outliving its inhabitants.
Or claiming them.

First, let’s revisit that last statement: this is his first novel, from 2012, and yet what amazes me is that—having read work he’s written this year as well—his writing was just as incredible then as it is now. If that’s not proof that Jonathan has a natural talent for storytelling deep in his bones, I don’t know what is.

There was something corruptive here, a palpable sense of depravity.

The other thing that amazes me about Jonathan’s writing is how effortless he makes it seem when he scares the hell out of me! I’ve spent years complaining over my seeming inability to find books that genuinely terrified me, with very rare exceptions, but Jonathan’s imagination gets so twisted at times that I just can’t help being frightened. What’s fascinating about The Sorrows in particular is the way the island brings out the inner demons in each person, once again forcing us to ponder which is worse—actual monsters, or the ‘monsters’ humans can become?

No, the presence I felt was something totally unfamiliar, and even more disturbing, wholly unfriendly.

Finally, he has this way of writing some characters that I can’t help but root for despite their flaws—while other characters in his stories are so fun to hate that I’m left literally cheering when they meet their demise. Ben is an easy protagonist to like, and the feelings he has for his son are so authentic and familiar that it’s easy to see where Jonathan’s love for his own family shone through in the writing here.

Even now I wish to live, to experience any emotion, even sorrow.
Dear God. I hear something in the hallway.

The love interest, Claire, is also very near and dear to my heart. Not only did her entire personality resonate so much with me—her protective nature, the tremendous guilt she feels when facing very difficult decisions, and her struggles with her own appearance—but Jonathan handles the topic of body positivity so flawlessly in her character. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen an adult horror novel shut down fat-shaming so quickly and handle it with such care, and I’m adding it to the long list of reasons Jonathan has earned me as a lifelong supporter.

“It is you who have brought me death—but you shall know much of horror before the year is through.”

One last thing: this book does tackle a lot of assault-related issues, as well as featuring some on-page assault, so it’s a tough read at times, but those moments are thankfully brief, far between, and handled with care. Though the story was written 6 years ago, there’s even a very Weinstein-esque character who felt tremendously relevant to issues that are being discussed heavily in Hollywood lately, and I thought that representation felt fitting and well-done. As with everything, it’s clear that Jonathan handles each of these sensitive issues with careful hands and good intentions.

I cannot get over how enjoyable Jonathan's work is, and how creepy and artful his stories are. I loved this just as much as I knew I would, and I cannot wait to read more from him. I love the settings he weaves, the characters he creates, and the careful way he treats sensitive topics within his creations.

Content warnings for fat-shaming, sexism, racism, assault, abuse, gratuitous violence and murder (all challenged in text)

All quotes come from an advance copy and may not match the final release. Thank you so much to Flame Tree Press for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

And what they think is rebellion is, in truth, survival. Because if you stay silent one second longer, the anger surging through your blood will engulf you in flames.

I was immediately intrigued when I heard of Ink Knows No Borders. It's a collection of own-voice poetry by immigrants and children of immigrants, tackling their experiences, their family's experiences, diaspora, and more.

I'll never stop stealing back what's mine.
I promise: I won't forget again.

There are so many absolute gems in this collection, and if you enjoy poetry as a whole, I definitely recommend picking up a copy—especially if you enjoy reading about immigration experiences, whether you're looking to see yourself reflected in what you read, or looking for a window into a life you'll never know firsthand but want to empathize with better. I feel like there are things in this collection that I never considered being such massive obstacles, and it was beyond heart-breaking at times.

I am watching the road unravel
behind us like a ribbon of dust.

If I were to pick favorites, I think they would be 'Frank's Nursery and Crafts' by Bao Phi, 'Mama' by Emtithal Mahmoud, and 'Ethnic Studies' by Terisa Siagatonu, but these are frankly just scratching the surface. That said, there are definitely a handful of poems included that I didn't enjoy (and didn't understand how they were relevant to the topic?), which is the only reason I'm giving this 4 stars rather than 5.

All quotes come from an advance copy and may not match the final release. Thank you so much to 7 Stories Press for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

3.5 stars

Sincerely, Harriet follows Harriet, a young Latinx girl who has found herself bored and lonely after moving to a new place. Not only does she not know anyone in her new town, but her parents both have to work overtime or multiple jobs, and her friends from summer camp aren't even taking the time to write her back.

We quickly learn that her loneliness has caused her to become this habitual liar with a poor attitude, so she isn't the most likable protagonist, but there's definitely some growth to be had as she explores her own feelings and fears regarding her recent MS diagnosis. She befriends the elderly woman downstairs who teaches her about her oldest son's experience with polio in the 50s, and begins to find an outlet for her imagination as well as her loneliness. She's also forced to come to terms with feelings she seems to have for a girl from her summer camp the year before, which is a little painful to watch, but I appreciated what felt to me like a subtle tell of some sort of queer representation.

The artwork is cute, and I liked the representation a lot, but the plot itself doesn't have much to offer, so I have a hard time deciding when I would or would not recommend Sincerely, Harriet.

Thank you so much to Graphic Universe for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

What Makes Girls Sick and Tired is a short, illustrated collection of reasons why feminism is so necessary, and why women are exhausted in this world we live in. It's a great collection that raises plenty of valid points, and I genuinely adored how diverse and intersectional it is; the author and illustrator are both cis white women, and they acknowledge their privileges in this sense, but the book itself focuses frequently on the specific experiences of women of color, indigenous women, queer women, trans women, fat women, and more.

While there is a lot of positive stuff to be said about this little book, I also have to point out the reasons this isn't getting a 5-star review from me:
1. I try never to say art in a graphic novel or illustrated book is bad, because it's all so subjective and I know the illustrator tried hard, but I very strongly dislike this illustration style.

2. There's hardly any mention of women who don't fit the "thin, able-bodied" appearance (regardless of skin color, sexuality, or gender identity)—just one quick panel about how fat women are less likely to be hired, which barely scratches the surface of what life is like for any woman above what society considers her "ideal weight". If the author wanted to be as intersectional as possible and make everyone feel included, as her author's note implies at the end, there should have been a lot more representation of women who don't fit the thin, able-bodied cliches.

3. I can't tell who this book is marketed for. While some of what is discussed feels a little over the heads of the average preteen, much of the phrasing feels very childish and gimmicky to me in the way that a children's book would, so I literally can't begin to guess what age range this book was intended for.

4. Finally, there are just so many missed opportunities here. There's no real talk about how women in politics are treated, or how hard it is for women to get proper healthcare, or how women's mental illness symptoms are so frequently overlooked or misdiagnosed, or how women of color get paid even less than white women, or how painfully high the statistics are for trans women being murdered... the list goes on, really. There are just tons of huge issues that could have been discussed if this book had been a little longer or hadn't taken up 95% of each page's space with generic illustrations.

I guess my final word is that I genuinely do appreciate what the author and illustrator tried to do here, but I think they fell very short from the mark and there are a lot of other, similar books that do a much better job than this.

Thank you so much to Second Story Press for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review!