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I Kissed Alice is a f/f enemies-to-lovers story about Rhodes and Iliana, two high school seniors who share a best friend, and who are competing against each other in an art competition for a coveted scholarship prize. Unbeknownst to both of them, they are falling in love with each other online as they anonymously work on an Alice in Wonderland fanfic comic together. This book is way heavy on the “enemy” part of this story trope, and the stakes are realistic, and high.
This is not the light, fluffy read I was expecting, but it was a good story. I enjoyed the pacing. I always wanted to keep reading more after the end of each chapter. Birch did a good job creating tension and believable conflict between our two main characters, although it could get REALLY negative and antagonistic at times. Even though every character has flaws I was still rooting for their success, ultimately. I also appreciated the depiction of Rhodes’ depression in the book. I identified with Rhodes’ mental and emotional struggles and feelings, and thought Birch did a great job with that aspect.
I did find the relationship with Sarah to be toxic, unhealthy, and manipulative, mostly due to the way Iliana treated her. The whole tone of the book sways more towards negative. I enjoy reading stories with unlikable characters, but to me, Iliana was just straight up not a good person and she didn’t seem to change much. Which is fine and may have been Birch’s intent. However, the parts where Iliana realizes “oh, this is happening because of me, it’s basically all my fault. Oh well, I’m still mad at [insert name]” just didn’t sit right with me. I ended up being more worried about how Rhodes would fare in a relationship with Iliana rather than being happy they ended up together.
*I received a free digital ARC from Imprint and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
This is not the light, fluffy read I was expecting, but it was a good story. I enjoyed the pacing. I always wanted to keep reading more after the end of each chapter. Birch did a good job creating tension and believable conflict between our two main characters, although it could get REALLY negative and antagonistic at times. Even though every character has flaws I was still rooting for their success, ultimately. I also appreciated the depiction of Rhodes’ depression in the book. I identified with Rhodes’ mental and emotional struggles and feelings, and thought Birch did a great job with that aspect.
I did find the relationship with Sarah to be toxic, unhealthy, and manipulative, mostly due to the way Iliana treated her. The whole tone of the book sways more towards negative. I enjoy reading stories with unlikable characters, but to me, Iliana was just straight up not a good person and she didn’t seem to change much. Which is fine and may have been Birch’s intent. However, the parts where Iliana realizes “oh, this is happening because of me, it’s basically all my fault. Oh well, I’m still mad at [insert name]” just didn’t sit right with me. I ended up being more worried about how Rhodes would fare in a relationship with Iliana rather than being happy they ended up together.
*I received a free digital ARC from Imprint and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
I thoroughly enjoyed this fast-paced first installment of The Locked Tomb trilogy, and I can't wait to read Harrow the Ninth!
Gideon has lived in the Ninth House since her mother mysteriously arrived (and died) with newborn Gideon in her arms. She’s been trying to abandon the Ninth House for a more free, exciting life, but her arch nemesis, Harrowhawk Nonagesimus, has other plans. Harrow and Gideon have been summoned to Canaan House, along with representatives from eight other Houses, in order to earn a prestigious position. Things get wild, and mystery, duels, and animated skeletons ensue.
This book is turned up all the way to 11. It's fast-paced, full of action, and the one-liners and Muir's tone are hilarious. I legitimately laughed out loud multiple times while reading. The last battle scene was 10/10 amazing. So good! I also love a good locked-room strangers-in-the-same-mysterious-house trope (Westing Game, anyone?) so once that started up, this book was a shoo-in for me. The only criticisms I have are that a) all of the characters seemed to be white and b) sometimes the action was a little *too* fast-paced for my mind. There were times, particularly at the beginning, where I was like "huh?!" and had to read a paragraph over a few times. That could be because I was also trying to get a full picture of the world in the book at the same time.
Gideon has lived in the Ninth House since her mother mysteriously arrived (and died) with newborn Gideon in her arms. She’s been trying to abandon the Ninth House for a more free, exciting life, but her arch nemesis, Harrowhawk Nonagesimus, has other plans. Harrow and Gideon have been summoned to Canaan House, along with representatives from eight other Houses, in order to earn a prestigious position. Things get wild, and mystery, duels, and animated skeletons ensue.
This book is turned up all the way to 11. It's fast-paced, full of action, and the one-liners and Muir's tone are hilarious. I legitimately laughed out loud multiple times while reading. The last battle scene was 10/10 amazing. So good! I also love a good locked-room strangers-in-the-same-mysterious-house trope (Westing Game, anyone?) so once that started up, this book was a shoo-in for me. The only criticisms I have are that a) all of the characters seemed to be white and b) sometimes the action was a little *too* fast-paced for my mind. There were times, particularly at the beginning, where I was like "huh?!" and had to read a paragraph over a few times. That could be because I was also trying to get a full picture of the world in the book at the same time.
I enjoyed this book so much! You Should See Me In A Crown centers Black queer joy, queer teen relationships, living with anxiety, and living fully as you are, and I’m so glad all of these things are seen, recognized, celebrated in this story. It’s a light, fun, and wonderfully told f/f romance where our main character Liz Lighty is surrounded by supportive friends, a loving family, and a super cute new girl named Mack who starts attending her school during senior year. (Can anyone say butterfliesss?)
I loved this story. It’s funny and sweet and all around a feel-good YA romance. I really enjoyed seeing Liz rebuild her friendship with Jordan, while navigating her friendship with Gabby. I am glad Leah Johnson’s story and point of view are out in the world!
I loved this story. It’s funny and sweet and all around a feel-good YA romance. I really enjoyed seeing Liz rebuild her friendship with Jordan, while navigating her friendship with Gabby. I am glad Leah Johnson’s story and point of view are out in the world!
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3.75 stars. The Turner House is Angela Flournoy's debut novel, and it is a solid one. Her writing is strong, and as you read this book you can definitely see the strength of her prose in certain choice passages and sentences. She has the ability to make you stop as you're reading and ponder the structure of a sentence, explore the layers of meaning in a paragraph. I am looking forward to reading any other future works.
This book tells the story of the Turner family, whose matriarch, Viola, is declining in health, and whose family home on Yarrow Street has to be dealt with amidst the 2008 housing crisis. There are thirteen Turner children, all grown and with families of their own. I felt that Flournoy's ability to tell a great story really shone through in the fact that each Turner child has their own fully developed personality and storyline. The reader is able to imagine each sibling individually instead of getting confused about who is who, which I think is no easy feat.
We mainly focus on Cha-Cha, the eldest son and self-imposed patriarch, and Lelah, the baby of the family who has been evicted and is dealing with a gambling addiction. I loved the device of telling and intertwining the story of the eldest and the youngest sibling, who are about 20 years apart in age. By telling their stories and their relationships to the family home, Flournoy tells the story of the Turner family as a whole. Cha-Cha is haunted by a spirit that forces him to come to terms with other personal issues, including his role within his family. This book may seem to be about whether the spirit is "real" or not, but I interpreted it more as a vehicle to tell this family's story, its past, present, and future. Ghosts are real, in the fact that they reveal our personal fears, longings, memories, and hopes. This is a story about family and home, and I enjoyed it.
This book tells the story of the Turner family, whose matriarch, Viola, is declining in health, and whose family home on Yarrow Street has to be dealt with amidst the 2008 housing crisis. There are thirteen Turner children, all grown and with families of their own. I felt that Flournoy's ability to tell a great story really shone through in the fact that each Turner child has their own fully developed personality and storyline. The reader is able to imagine each sibling individually instead of getting confused about who is who, which I think is no easy feat.
We mainly focus on Cha-Cha, the eldest son and self-imposed patriarch, and Lelah, the baby of the family who has been evicted and is dealing with a gambling addiction. I loved the device of telling and intertwining the story of the eldest and the youngest sibling, who are about 20 years apart in age. By telling their stories and their relationships to the family home, Flournoy tells the story of the Turner family as a whole. Cha-Cha is haunted by a spirit that forces him to come to terms with other personal issues, including his role within his family. This book may seem to be about whether the spirit is "real" or not, but I interpreted it more as a vehicle to tell this family's story, its past, present, and future. Ghosts are real, in the fact that they reveal our personal fears, longings, memories, and hopes. This is a story about family and home, and I enjoyed it.
3.75 stars. V cute, VERY steamy. All the characters are likable and I liked how it was centered around novela stars! I had never heard of an intimacy coach, so I thought that was an interesting element to add to the story.
Never Look Back by Lilliam Rivera is a modern Afro-Latinx retelling of the Eurydice and Orpheus tale. I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of this book! I loved our main characters, Eury and Pheus. Pheus is a musically gifted young man who is living his best life wooing the ladies and hanging out with his friends in the Bronx. Eury is visiting her cousin, Penelope, for the summer in the hopes that a change of scenery can help her heal from the trauma and anxiety of surviving Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico and moving to Florida as a result. She is also followed by a menacing spirit, Ato, whom she desperately wants to be rid of.
The book starts off rooted in reality, so I was a bit up in the air about whether this was a loose retelling or not. But, about halfway through the book, the tone changes and we are immersed in the mythical. I loved the latter part of the book because of that! Rivera has done an excellent job of updating this classic story. The way elements of our modern world are literally and metaphorically intertwined with the themes and elements of this Greek myth is fantastic. Mental health, religion, spirituality are intertwined and balanced in a way that I appreciated. People can be haunted by demons, real or imagined, and I thought that the way that was addressed was very well done.
Rivera’s writing style is very straight-forward and doesn’t often lean towards the lyrical. Since this book is full of metaphor and mythical, I would have loved to see a bit more “show-not-tell” writing. However, that is just my personal preference of writing style, so I don’t really see that as a negative, just something that didn’t align with my preferences. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys myth reinterpretations.
*I received a free digital ARC from Bloomsbury YA and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.*
The book starts off rooted in reality, so I was a bit up in the air about whether this was a loose retelling or not. But, about halfway through the book, the tone changes and we are immersed in the mythical. I loved the latter part of the book because of that! Rivera has done an excellent job of updating this classic story. The way elements of our modern world are literally and metaphorically intertwined with the themes and elements of this Greek myth is fantastic. Mental health, religion, spirituality are intertwined and balanced in a way that I appreciated. People can be haunted by demons, real or imagined, and I thought that the way that was addressed was very well done.
Rivera’s writing style is very straight-forward and doesn’t often lean towards the lyrical. Since this book is full of metaphor and mythical, I would have loved to see a bit more “show-not-tell” writing. However, that is just my personal preference of writing style, so I don’t really see that as a negative, just something that didn’t align with my preferences. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys myth reinterpretations.
*I received a free digital ARC from Bloomsbury YA and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.*
UPDATE: It has been brought to my attention that Billman is accused of misrepresenting Jacob, family members, and events of Jacob's life and the search-and-rescue efforts in this book. Family members and friends have stated that some events and quotes have been completely made up, and that some people depicted in the book had not given permission to share personal situations, much less had any contact with Billman at all. I personally believe these statements, and my original feeling that Billman veered into wild speculation in this book is further solidified. This book is billed as true crime/non-fiction, so this is concerning to me. (Again, this is my personal opinion.) You can read further comments from Jacob's family and friends on the Finding Jacob Gray Facebook page.
This book is good, not great. It started off strong, and I was interested in learning about the different tactics that are used in search and rescue. But then little sprinklings of....Bigfoot...started popping up here and there. Excuse me? I understand that Billman interacted with a group of Bigfoot hunters, and it's a part of Randy's search for his son, Jacob, but I felt that there was way too much talk of Sasquatch, alien abductions, and psychics that the book just veered off into wild speculation. Billman addressed the veracity of psychics involving themselves in missing persons cases, but only in the last, like, fourth of the book. The writing was also not stellar. It was alright, but I was expecting a little more reflection on Randy's search for Jacob, and his own personal journey, and that just never came to fruition.
It was interesting to read about the different missing persons cases that Billman has researched and reported on, and if you're at all interested in learning more about missing persons in the wild, this could be an interesting read. Just get ready for some not-so-factual sprinklings of the paranormal.
*I received a free digital ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
This book is good, not great. It started off strong, and I was interested in learning about the different tactics that are used in search and rescue. But then little sprinklings of....Bigfoot...started popping up here and there. Excuse me? I understand that Billman interacted with a group of Bigfoot hunters, and it's a part of Randy's search for his son, Jacob, but I felt that there was way too much talk of Sasquatch, alien abductions, and psychics that the book just veered off into wild speculation. Billman addressed the veracity of psychics involving themselves in missing persons cases, but only in the last, like, fourth of the book. The writing was also not stellar. It was alright, but I was expecting a little more reflection on Randy's search for Jacob, and his own personal journey, and that just never came to fruition.
It was interesting to read about the different missing persons cases that Billman has researched and reported on, and if you're at all interested in learning more about missing persons in the wild, this could be an interesting read. Just get ready for some not-so-factual sprinklings of the paranormal.
*I received a free digital ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.*
