an incredible adventure. darcie little badger draws you into ellie's world with stunning writing, compelling characters and a mystery that will have you up way past bedtime (i speak from experience). i fell so easily into the magical america and felt like each step in the story was one i took in my own shoes. read for my young adult literature class, i had the pleasure of reading this from a more analytical standpoint, but it was also just so damn good that i got to enjoy it for the amazing story it is, too. 

i'm trying to pick a quote to start this review, but i'm scrolling through my kindle highlights and getting distracted by how good they all are. every time i think i've found the best one, another one catches my eye and i'm back to debating. okay, i'm just gonna pick one and get going.

"I wonder if Ghanian grocery stores, like diners, are liminal spaces, too, because they all feel the same no matter where you are in the world — a little too small, a little too crowded, and a whole lot like home."

i think i've just read my new favorite rick riordan presents novel. this is not something i take lightly, trust me. but how could i read this hilarious adventure full of heart and friendship and not love it? serwa crashed into my life, and i'll be reeling from the impact for a while now (or at least until i can get the next installment in her chaotic story — she's worth the wait). she's brave, bold, awkward, loyal, smart, maybe a little rash, and one of the most brilliant characters i've had the pleasure of reading this year. the colors of roseanne brown's writing don't jump off the page, they FLY. this story was so easy to dive into, i feel like i did some sort of flip on the way down that i'm definitely not capable of in real life. the mythology is rich and fascinating; serwa's friends (mateo, roxy, eunju and gavin) are one of the best rag-tag group of heroes in children's literature; the connection to family, culture and home will make you feel a bit heartsore. i could go on forever about this book, but in the interest of time and word count, let me finish with this: serwa boateng's guide to vampire hunting is an unforgettable start to a remarkable adventure. 

"Where's your sense of camaraderie? Swashbuckling adventure?"
"Yeah Eunju, come swash your buckles with us!"

An absolute beauty of a graphic novel. The art and colors had me hooked from the beginning, but the complexity and genuine feel of the emotions throughout kept me reading. Giving each character their own short and then bringing the stories to a close with all four women was a great way to develop them all and keep the novel moving forward smoothly. From concept to execution, this one is a new favorite. 

not as well-constructed as FD1, but still very entertaining! i like that it’s getting messier, but with so much to keep track of, it’s a bit much at times. the ending was a good set up for the next one! 

super cute! a perfect book for a fall day (or getting into the spirit). art was lovely, characters were very relatable for me as a young person. 

Absolutely enthralling storytelling. I've seen (read: sobbed over) the movie so I knew what to expect here, but nothing lost its impact. Thomas is an amazing writer and able to create such emotion through her characters. Following Starr through this journey was thought-provoking, reflective, angering, and sobering. It was so powerful to see these teenagers just trying to be teenagers while also fighting for their lives. It's a long one, but so worth it and I couldn't put it down. (read for 530 YA Lit)

i genuinely felt nothing for most of this. the characters felt very flimsy and unrealistic (in silly ways), and the romance was … boring? it was stuck in the same place for 150 pages, and the big climax really didn’t do anything. i think i’m realizing these kind of books are not for me anymore.