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2.51k reviews by:
popthebutterfly
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Disclaimer: I received this e-audiobook from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Mere Mortals
Author: Erin Jade Lange
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: Gay Characters
Recommended For...: young adult readers, paranormal, vampires, fantasy, urban fantasy, romance
Publication Date: September 27, 2022
Genre: YA Paranormal Fantasy
Age Relevance: 14+ (gore, violence, romance, death)
Explanation of Above: There is blood gore and physical/weapons violence in this book. There is some romance shown in the book. There is death mentioned and shown in the book.
Publisher: Harper Teen
Pages: 368
Synopsis: Charlie and her brother, Reg, have been vampires for…a very long time. For a century, they enjoyed the glitz and glamour of life as members of the wealthiest vampire clan. But now, after one careless mistake, they’ve been expelled from the vampire community and dumped in the middle of Nowhere, Iowa, to live as mortals.
Suddenly Charlie has to deal with zits, tears, and—worst of all—high school. But things start to change when she and Reg find a group of friends, including the deliciously good-looking Dexter. And though Charlie would give anything to be vampire again, she begins to appreciate some of the new experiences that humanity brings too.
But nothing could make them forget the life they’ve left behind. When they’re offered a second shot at immortality, Charlie is desperate to seize it. It’ll just mean a total betrayal of all her new friends, who will have their minds wiped of their memories of her. She can handle that if it means she can live forever…right?
Review: This book was super surprising to me! I loved how the book was written and I thought the comedic undertone was amazingly well achieved. The book was parts mysterious, but also with a sense of hilarity throughout. The book also surprised me with the ending and, no spoilers, but I think this has been the best vampire book I’ve read in awhile. I loved how the book featured two vampires who are turned to mortal teens and having to deal with a vampire hunter caretaker while they scheme to get back their vampire powers. The book had amazing character development and world building as well.
The only issue I had with the book, and that might have just been me reading it via audiobook, was that it felt a little slow in parts.
Verdict: It was great! Love it!
Book: Mere Mortals
Author: Erin Jade Lange
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: Gay Characters
Recommended For...: young adult readers, paranormal, vampires, fantasy, urban fantasy, romance
Publication Date: September 27, 2022
Genre: YA Paranormal Fantasy
Age Relevance: 14+ (gore, violence, romance, death)
Explanation of Above: There is blood gore and physical/weapons violence in this book. There is some romance shown in the book. There is death mentioned and shown in the book.
Publisher: Harper Teen
Pages: 368
Synopsis: Charlie and her brother, Reg, have been vampires for…a very long time. For a century, they enjoyed the glitz and glamour of life as members of the wealthiest vampire clan. But now, after one careless mistake, they’ve been expelled from the vampire community and dumped in the middle of Nowhere, Iowa, to live as mortals.
Suddenly Charlie has to deal with zits, tears, and—worst of all—high school. But things start to change when she and Reg find a group of friends, including the deliciously good-looking Dexter. And though Charlie would give anything to be vampire again, she begins to appreciate some of the new experiences that humanity brings too.
But nothing could make them forget the life they’ve left behind. When they’re offered a second shot at immortality, Charlie is desperate to seize it. It’ll just mean a total betrayal of all her new friends, who will have their minds wiped of their memories of her. She can handle that if it means she can live forever…right?
Review: This book was super surprising to me! I loved how the book was written and I thought the comedic undertone was amazingly well achieved. The book was parts mysterious, but also with a sense of hilarity throughout. The book also surprised me with the ending and, no spoilers, but I think this has been the best vampire book I’ve read in awhile. I loved how the book featured two vampires who are turned to mortal teens and having to deal with a vampire hunter caretaker while they scheme to get back their vampire powers. The book had amazing character development and world building as well.
The only issue I had with the book, and that might have just been me reading it via audiobook, was that it felt a little slow in parts.
Verdict: It was great! Love it!
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Disclaimer: I purchased the finished copy of this book. Support your authors! All opinions are my own.
Book: Thunderhead
Author: Neal Shusterman
Book Series: Arc of a Scythe Book 2
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: Black MC
Recommended For...: young adult readers, dystopian, sci-fi, morality
Publication Date: January 9, 2018
Genre: YA Dystopian Sci-Fi
Age Relevance: 16+ (violence, death, gore, cursing, suicide, racism, sexual content, animal violence)
Explanation of Above: There is some physical and weapons violence and a lot of gore. There are suicides shown in the book and mentioned. There is some slight sexual content mentioned. There is animal violence with shark attacks. There is death (of course). There is some slight cursing and racism shown and mentioned.
Publisher: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers
Pages: 504
Synopsis: Rowan has gone rogue, and has taken it upon himself to put the Scythedom through a trial by fire. Literally. In the year since Winter Conclave, he has gone off-grid, and has been striking out against corrupt scythes—not only in MidMerica, but across the entire continent. He is a dark folk hero now—“Scythe Lucifer”—a vigilante taking down corrupt scythes in flames.
Citra, now a junior scythe under Scythe Curie, sees the corruption and wants to help change it from the inside out, but is thwarted at every turn, and threatened by the “new order” scythes. Realizing she cannot do this alone—or even with the help of Scythe Curie and Faraday, she does the unthinkable, and risks being “deadish” so she can communicate with the Thunderhead—the only being on earth wise enough to solve the dire problems of a perfect world. But will it help solve those problems, or simply watch as perfection goes into decline?
Review: I really liked this book! I think this is one of my favorite series and I love how Neal is able to pack so much into one book and have it all tie up neatly by the end, especially in how he is able to introduce new characters off the cuff and make a whole developed backstory/arc for them in the sum of a couple of chapters. The book is also fairly forgiving if you’ve space out this one and book 1 in your reading. The book is multi-POV and talks a lot about morality and ethics. I also loved the character development for all characters involved and the world building was well done.
However, I think the book could have reintroduced the reader to the series a bit better to make the transition easier.
Verdict: It was great! Highly recommend!
Book: Thunderhead
Author: Neal Shusterman
Book Series: Arc of a Scythe Book 2
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: Black MC
Recommended For...: young adult readers, dystopian, sci-fi, morality
Publication Date: January 9, 2018
Genre: YA Dystopian Sci-Fi
Age Relevance: 16+ (violence, death, gore, cursing, suicide, racism, sexual content, animal violence)
Explanation of Above: There is some physical and weapons violence and a lot of gore. There are suicides shown in the book and mentioned. There is some slight sexual content mentioned. There is animal violence with shark attacks. There is death (of course). There is some slight cursing and racism shown and mentioned.
Publisher: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers
Pages: 504
Synopsis: Rowan has gone rogue, and has taken it upon himself to put the Scythedom through a trial by fire. Literally. In the year since Winter Conclave, he has gone off-grid, and has been striking out against corrupt scythes—not only in MidMerica, but across the entire continent. He is a dark folk hero now—“Scythe Lucifer”—a vigilante taking down corrupt scythes in flames.
Citra, now a junior scythe under Scythe Curie, sees the corruption and wants to help change it from the inside out, but is thwarted at every turn, and threatened by the “new order” scythes. Realizing she cannot do this alone—or even with the help of Scythe Curie and Faraday, she does the unthinkable, and risks being “deadish” so she can communicate with the Thunderhead—the only being on earth wise enough to solve the dire problems of a perfect world. But will it help solve those problems, or simply watch as perfection goes into decline?
Review: I really liked this book! I think this is one of my favorite series and I love how Neal is able to pack so much into one book and have it all tie up neatly by the end, especially in how he is able to introduce new characters off the cuff and make a whole developed backstory/arc for them in the sum of a couple of chapters. The book is also fairly forgiving if you’ve space out this one and book 1 in your reading. The book is multi-POV and talks a lot about morality and ethics. I also loved the character development for all characters involved and the world building was well done.
However, I think the book could have reintroduced the reader to the series a bit better to make the transition easier.
Verdict: It was great! Highly recommend!
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc and finished copy from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Maybe An Artist
Author: Liz Montague
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 3/5
Diversity: Black MC with dyslexia, Black and other POC characters
Recommended For...: middle grade readers, graphic novel, memoir
Publication Date: October 18, 2022
Genre: MG Graphic Novel Memoir
Age Relevance: 12+ (war, islamaphobia, anxiety, HP reference)
Explanation of Above: War is mentioned and there are moments of Islamaphobia. There are also scenes that show anxiety. There is one HP reference that spans 2 pages/4 panels.
Publisher: Random House Studio
Pages: 176
Synopsis: When Liz Montague was a senior in college, she wrote to the New Yorker, asking them why they didn't publish more inclusive comics. The New Yorker wrote back asking if she could recommend any. She responded: yes, me.
Those initial cartoons in the New Yorker led to this memoir of Liz's youth, from the age of five through college--how she navigated life in her predominantly white New Jersey town, overcame severe dyslexia through art, and found the confidence to pursue her passion. Funny and poignant, Liz captures the age-old adolescent questions of "who am I?" and "what do I want to be?" with pitch-perfect clarity and insight.
This brilliant, laugh-out-loud graphic memoir offers a fresh perspective on life and social issues and proves that you don't need to be a dead white man to find success in art.
Review: For the most part I liked this book a lot. I loved seeing the author’s journey with her art and all of the throwbacks to 90s kids/early 00s kids things. I liked seeing the character struggle with identity and figuring out what she wants to do and be in life, which I think would hit well with middle graders who are pressured to start thinking about that at their early age. I loved the artwork and the story was beautifully told.
The only issues I had with the book are that the Islamaphobic moments in it weren’t addressed to be wrong and there was a very unnecessary HP reference that participated in the Islamaphobic comments.
Verdict: It was good.
Book: Maybe An Artist
Author: Liz Montague
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 3/5
Diversity: Black MC with dyslexia, Black and other POC characters
Recommended For...: middle grade readers, graphic novel, memoir
Publication Date: October 18, 2022
Genre: MG Graphic Novel Memoir
Age Relevance: 12+ (war, islamaphobia, anxiety, HP reference)
Explanation of Above: War is mentioned and there are moments of Islamaphobia. There are also scenes that show anxiety. There is one HP reference that spans 2 pages/4 panels.
Publisher: Random House Studio
Pages: 176
Synopsis: When Liz Montague was a senior in college, she wrote to the New Yorker, asking them why they didn't publish more inclusive comics. The New Yorker wrote back asking if she could recommend any. She responded: yes, me.
Those initial cartoons in the New Yorker led to this memoir of Liz's youth, from the age of five through college--how she navigated life in her predominantly white New Jersey town, overcame severe dyslexia through art, and found the confidence to pursue her passion. Funny and poignant, Liz captures the age-old adolescent questions of "who am I?" and "what do I want to be?" with pitch-perfect clarity and insight.
This brilliant, laugh-out-loud graphic memoir offers a fresh perspective on life and social issues and proves that you don't need to be a dead white man to find success in art.
Review: For the most part I liked this book a lot. I loved seeing the author’s journey with her art and all of the throwbacks to 90s kids/early 00s kids things. I liked seeing the character struggle with identity and figuring out what she wants to do and be in life, which I think would hit well with middle graders who are pressured to start thinking about that at their early age. I loved the artwork and the story was beautifully told.
The only issues I had with the book are that the Islamaphobic moments in it weren’t addressed to be wrong and there was a very unnecessary HP reference that participated in the Islamaphobic comments.
Verdict: It was good.
emotional
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Love From Mecca to Medina
Author: S.K. Ali
Book Series: Love From A to Z Book 2
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: American Muslim MC (Pakistani/West Indian descent), Canadian Muslim convert MC with Multiple Sclerosis (Chinese/Finish descent), other Muslim and Muslim convert characters, Jewish character
Recommended For...: young adult readers, new adult readers, contemporary, romance, Muslim
Publication Date: October 18, 2022
Genre: YA Contemporary/NA Contemporary Romance
Age Relevance: 16+ (romance, war, Islamaphobia, homelessness, alcohol consumption, illness, white supremacy, religion, sexual content, vomit gore)
Explanation of Above: There is a lot of romance in this book between our two MCs and some very vague sexual content mentioned. The romance is mostly hand holding, love affirmations, and stolen kisses. There is one fade to black scene and the characters have had their Nikah ceremony. There is some Islamaphobia and white supremacy mentioned and shown in the book. There are scenes and mentions of homelessness. There is alcohol consumption mentioned (not by the main characters). The Muslim religion and a Muslim pilgrimage is mentioned and shown throughout the book. There is also some vomiting shown and mentioned in the book.
Publisher: Salaam Reads/Simon Schuster Books for Young Readers
Pages: 352
Synopsis: Adam and Zayneb. Perfectly matched. Painfully apart.
Adam is in Doha, Qatar, making a map of the Hijra, a historic migration from Mecca to Medina, and worried about where his next paycheck will come from. Zayneb is in Chicago, where school and extracurricular stresses are piling on top of a terrible frenemy situation, making her miserable.
Then a marvel occurs: Adam and Zayneb get the chance to spend Thanksgiving week on the Umrah, a pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina, in Saudi Arabia. Adam is thrilled; it’s the reboot he needs and an opportunity to pray for a hijra in real life: to migrate to Zayneb in Chicago. Zayneb balks at the trip at first, having envisioned another kind of vacation, but then decides a spiritual reset is calling her name too. And they can’t wait to see each other—surely, this is just what they both need.
But the trip is nothing like what they expect, from the appearance of Adam’s former love interest in their traveling group to the anxiety gripping Zayneb when she’s supposed to be “spiritual.” As one wedge after another drives them apart while they make their way through rites in the holy city, Adam and Zayneb start to wonder: was their meeting just an oddity after all? Or can their love transcend everything else like the greatest marvels of the world?
Review: I really loved this sequel! I thought it was better than the original and I loved seeing how in love Adam and Zayneb were. I loved seeing what happens after the first book and how Zayneb is navigating law school and homelessness while they both deal with a long distance marriage also while Adam struggles with unemployment. The book focuses on their unexpected decision to do the pilgrimage from Mecca to Medina and how their love ebbs and flows along the way. The book did much better with the character development and the world building remained immaculate. I also thought the pacing was much better written in this one, I thought this read was super informative and I learned so much from it, and overall I loved it so much. I was also very impressed with how the author cut out all of the HP references that were plaguing the other book and I thought the book was better for it.
The only complaint I have with the book is that I did think that the ending was a bit too scrunched up, like it didn’t have time to fully work out naturally.
Verdict: It was great! Highly recommend!
Book: Love From Mecca to Medina
Author: S.K. Ali
Book Series: Love From A to Z Book 2
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: American Muslim MC (Pakistani/West Indian descent), Canadian Muslim convert MC with Multiple Sclerosis (Chinese/Finish descent), other Muslim and Muslim convert characters, Jewish character
Recommended For...: young adult readers, new adult readers, contemporary, romance, Muslim
Publication Date: October 18, 2022
Genre: YA Contemporary/NA Contemporary Romance
Age Relevance: 16+ (romance, war, Islamaphobia, homelessness, alcohol consumption, illness, white supremacy, religion, sexual content, vomit gore)
Explanation of Above: There is a lot of romance in this book between our two MCs and some very vague sexual content mentioned. The romance is mostly hand holding, love affirmations, and stolen kisses. There is one fade to black scene and the characters have had their Nikah ceremony. There is some Islamaphobia and white supremacy mentioned and shown in the book. There are scenes and mentions of homelessness. There is alcohol consumption mentioned (not by the main characters). The Muslim religion and a Muslim pilgrimage is mentioned and shown throughout the book. There is also some vomiting shown and mentioned in the book.
Publisher: Salaam Reads/Simon Schuster Books for Young Readers
Pages: 352
Synopsis: Adam and Zayneb. Perfectly matched. Painfully apart.
Adam is in Doha, Qatar, making a map of the Hijra, a historic migration from Mecca to Medina, and worried about where his next paycheck will come from. Zayneb is in Chicago, where school and extracurricular stresses are piling on top of a terrible frenemy situation, making her miserable.
Then a marvel occurs: Adam and Zayneb get the chance to spend Thanksgiving week on the Umrah, a pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina, in Saudi Arabia. Adam is thrilled; it’s the reboot he needs and an opportunity to pray for a hijra in real life: to migrate to Zayneb in Chicago. Zayneb balks at the trip at first, having envisioned another kind of vacation, but then decides a spiritual reset is calling her name too. And they can’t wait to see each other—surely, this is just what they both need.
But the trip is nothing like what they expect, from the appearance of Adam’s former love interest in their traveling group to the anxiety gripping Zayneb when she’s supposed to be “spiritual.” As one wedge after another drives them apart while they make their way through rites in the holy city, Adam and Zayneb start to wonder: was their meeting just an oddity after all? Or can their love transcend everything else like the greatest marvels of the world?
Review: I really loved this sequel! I thought it was better than the original and I loved seeing how in love Adam and Zayneb were. I loved seeing what happens after the first book and how Zayneb is navigating law school and homelessness while they both deal with a long distance marriage also while Adam struggles with unemployment. The book focuses on their unexpected decision to do the pilgrimage from Mecca to Medina and how their love ebbs and flows along the way. The book did much better with the character development and the world building remained immaculate. I also thought the pacing was much better written in this one, I thought this read was super informative and I learned so much from it, and overall I loved it so much. I was also very impressed with how the author cut out all of the HP references that were plaguing the other book and I thought the book was better for it.
The only complaint I have with the book is that I did think that the ending was a bit too scrunched up, like it didn’t have time to fully work out naturally.
Verdict: It was great! Highly recommend!
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Disclaimer: I bought a copy of this book on my Kindle. Support your authors! All opinions are my own.
Book: Love from A to Z
Author: S.K. Ali
Book Series: Love From A to Z Book 1
Rating: 4/5
Diversity: American Muslim MC (Pakistani/West Indian descent), Canadian Muslim convert MC with Multiple Sclerosis (Chinese/Finish descent), other Muslim and Muslim convert characters, Scoliosis character
Recommended For...: young adult readers, contemporary, romance, Muslim
Publication Date: April 30, 2019
Genre: YA Contemporay
Age Relevance: 14+ (cursing, death, religion, Islamaphobia, HP references, grief, anti-indigenous actions, parental death, illness, animal violence, animal abuse, slight sexual content, romance)
Explanation of Above: There is very very slight cursing in this book. There is some parental death and other death mentioned and grief is shown. The Muslim religion is shown and mentioned several times. There are acts and words of Islamaphobia and there is a non-MC character who participates in anti-indigenous actions by wearing an indigenous Halloween costume that mocks the culture. There are a TON of HP references, but because this was wrote before 2020 I did not take off points for them (but I do wish this book was rereleased without them). There is illness mentioned and shown. There is one mention of a dog bite and animal abuse is off-handedly mentioned. There is one scene where horny jokes are made. There is some romance in this book, but nothing beyond talking and declarations of affection.
Publisher: Salaam Reads
Pages: 384
Synopsis: A marvel: something you find amazing. Even ordinary-amazing. Like potatoes—because they make French fries happen. Like the perfect fries Adam and his mom used to make together.
An oddity: whatever gives you pause. Like the fact that there are hateful people in the world. Like Zayneb’s teacher, who won’t stop reminding the class how “bad” Muslims are.
But Zayneb, the only Muslim in class, isn’t bad. She’s angry.
When she gets suspended for confronting her teacher, and he begins investigating her activist friends, Zayneb heads to her aunt’s house in Doha, Qatar, for an early start to spring break.
Fueled by the guilt of getting her friends in trouble, she resolves to try out a newer, “nicer” version of herself in a place where no one knows her.
Then her path crosses with Adam’s.
Since he got diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in November, Adam’s stopped going to classes, intent, instead, on perfecting the making of things. Intent on keeping the memory of his mom alive for his little sister.
Adam’s also intent on keeping his diagnosis a secret from his grieving father.
Alone, Adam and Zayneb are playing roles for others, keeping their real thoughts locked away in their journals.
Until a marvel and an oddity occurs…
Marvel: Adam and Zayneb meeting.
Oddity: Adam and Zayneb meeting.
Review: I thought this was a great book! I loved the use of journaling to see inner monologue and I thought the story was compelling. The book was a great story about two teens who meet and fall in love as the subplot. The main plot for one was struggling with a diagnosis after losing their mom to the same disease and the other is struggling with an Islamaphobic teacher who is threatening her chances at a good school. The world building was well done and overall I loved reading this book.
The only issue I had with the book is that there were SO MANY HP references. I didn’t mark off because of when this book was published, but the amount of them used to describe characters based on houses really dated the book and it made character development confusing when you’re not in the HP sphere anymore. The book was also super slow in a lot of parts of it.
Verdict: It was good! I liked it!
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Road of the Lost
Author: Nafiza Azad
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 3.5/5
Recommended For...: young adult readers, fantasy, fae, low fantasy
Publication Date: October 18, 2022
Genre: YA Fantasy
Age Relevance: 13+ (gore, violence, death, kidnapping, illness)
Explanation of Above: There is some blood gore and violence in the book, along with death. There are some kidnappings as well and illness is mentioned here and there in the book.
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Pages: 336
Synopsis: Even the most powerful magic can’t hide a secret forever.
Croi is a brownie, glamoured to be invisible to humans. Her life in the Wilde Forest is ordinary and her magic is weak—until the day that her guardian gives Croi a book about magick from the Otherworld, the world of the Higher Fae. Croi wakes the next morning with something pulling at her core, summoning her to the Otherworld. It’s a spell she cannot control or break.
Forced to leave her home, Croi begins a journey full of surprises…and dangers. For Croi is not a brownie at all but another creature entirely, enchanted to forget her true heritage. As Croi ventures beyond the forest, her brownie glamour begins to shift and change. Who is she really, who is summoning her, and what do they want? Croi will need every ounce of her newfound magic and her courage as she travels a treacherous path to find her true self and the place in the Otherworld where she belongs.
Review: For the most part I thought this book was ok. The book had some good world building and great character development. I think the book has a lot of potential to be a wonderful fae book for those who love fae books. I also liked how, as our MC developed in the story, the storytelling got better and better and more in-depth.
However, I think the story in this e-arc form is really choppy and it’s super hard to get into. Like I said though I have hope it’ll get better in the finalized version.
Verdict: It was good!
Book: Road of the Lost
Author: Nafiza Azad
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 3.5/5
Recommended For...: young adult readers, fantasy, fae, low fantasy
Publication Date: October 18, 2022
Genre: YA Fantasy
Age Relevance: 13+ (gore, violence, death, kidnapping, illness)
Explanation of Above: There is some blood gore and violence in the book, along with death. There are some kidnappings as well and illness is mentioned here and there in the book.
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Pages: 336
Synopsis: Even the most powerful magic can’t hide a secret forever.
Croi is a brownie, glamoured to be invisible to humans. Her life in the Wilde Forest is ordinary and her magic is weak—until the day that her guardian gives Croi a book about magick from the Otherworld, the world of the Higher Fae. Croi wakes the next morning with something pulling at her core, summoning her to the Otherworld. It’s a spell she cannot control or break.
Forced to leave her home, Croi begins a journey full of surprises…and dangers. For Croi is not a brownie at all but another creature entirely, enchanted to forget her true heritage. As Croi ventures beyond the forest, her brownie glamour begins to shift and change. Who is she really, who is summoning her, and what do they want? Croi will need every ounce of her newfound magic and her courage as she travels a treacherous path to find her true self and the place in the Otherworld where she belongs.
Review: For the most part I thought this book was ok. The book had some good world building and great character development. I think the book has a lot of potential to be a wonderful fae book for those who love fae books. I also liked how, as our MC developed in the story, the storytelling got better and better and more in-depth.
However, I think the story in this e-arc form is really choppy and it’s super hard to get into. Like I said though I have hope it’ll get better in the finalized version.
Verdict: It was good!
lighthearted
fast-paced
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Something Great
Author: Jeanette Bradley
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: Nonbinary MC, Black character
Recommended For...: children’s, picture book, STEM, non-binary rep
Publication Date: October 11, 2022
Genre: Children’s Picture Book
Age Relevance: 0+
Explanation of Above: It’s a picture book about imagination and enjoying the simple things in life.
Publisher: Levine Querido
Pages: 40
Synopsis: Voila! Quinn spent the morning in their workshop, and they emerged with Something Great! But. What is it?
No one seemed to understand that Something Great isn't supposed to be anything. It was just. itself. Something Great.
Then, the new kid asks to play with Quinn and Something Great. They discover that Something Great can be an elevator, a bug catcher, or a stick lifter. It could even be. a friend finder.
Quietly profound, this sweet tale and its mixed-media illustrations are a delightful combination of elements blending STEM activities (for those inclined to catch them!) with casual nonconformity in a picture book that is, well, Something Great!
Review: I absolutely loved this book so much! I loved that the MC was non-binary and that wasn’t what the book was about. While I love books that talk about being non-binary or other identities, it’s refreshing to have books where the MC has those identities but they’re just allowed to exist and not justify their existence like cis white children in other picture books are. I love that the message of the book was that not everything had to be something, it can just exist and be, which I think is a great message for everyone. This book also blends STEM activities into the pages, which would be a great building block if you want to incorporate that into your children’s lives.
Verdict: It was great! Highly recommend!
Book: Something Great
Author: Jeanette Bradley
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: Nonbinary MC, Black character
Recommended For...: children’s, picture book, STEM, non-binary rep
Publication Date: October 11, 2022
Genre: Children’s Picture Book
Age Relevance: 0+
Explanation of Above: It’s a picture book about imagination and enjoying the simple things in life.
Publisher: Levine Querido
Pages: 40
Synopsis: Voila! Quinn spent the morning in their workshop, and they emerged with Something Great! But. What is it?
No one seemed to understand that Something Great isn't supposed to be anything. It was just. itself. Something Great.
Then, the new kid asks to play with Quinn and Something Great. They discover that Something Great can be an elevator, a bug catcher, or a stick lifter. It could even be. a friend finder.
Quietly profound, this sweet tale and its mixed-media illustrations are a delightful combination of elements blending STEM activities (for those inclined to catch them!) with casual nonconformity in a picture book that is, well, Something Great!
Review: I absolutely loved this book so much! I loved that the MC was non-binary and that wasn’t what the book was about. While I love books that talk about being non-binary or other identities, it’s refreshing to have books where the MC has those identities but they’re just allowed to exist and not justify their existence like cis white children in other picture books are. I love that the message of the book was that not everything had to be something, it can just exist and be, which I think is a great message for everyone. This book also blends STEM activities into the pages, which would be a great building block if you want to incorporate that into your children’s lives.
Verdict: It was great! Highly recommend!
emotional
informative
inspiring
relaxing
medium-paced
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: Dad’s Girlfriend and Other Anxities
Author: Kellye Crocker
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 4/5
Diversity: Anxiety Disorder MC, ADHD character, Hispanic characters
Recommended For...: middle grade readers, contemporary, blended families, children of divorce, anxiety disorder
Publication Date: November 22, 2022
Genre: MG Contemporary
Age Relevance: 10+ (pregnancy, gore, anxiety attacks, period talk, HP reference, parental death, sexist remark, grief, racism)
Explanation of Above: There is pregnancy mentioned and some period talk. There is a slight mention of blood. There are showings of anxiety attacks. There is one slight HP reference. There are mentions of a parental death and grief. There is one sexist remark and mentions of racism.
Publisher: Albert Whitman and Company
Pages: 288
Synopsis: Dad hasn't even been dating his new girlfriend that long, so Ava is sure that nothing has to change in her life. That is, until the day after sixth grade ends, when Dad whisks her away on vacation to meet The Girlfriend and her daughter in terrifying Colorado, where even the squirrels can kill you! Managing her anxiety, avoiding altitude sickness, and surviving the mountains might take all of Ava's strength, but at least this trip will only last two weeks. Right?
Review: I loved this book so much! As someone with anxiety I deeply related to this character and her struggles. I don’t like surprises and I am always thinking of the worst case scenario. The book did well to present an anxious character and then give really good advice on calming your anxiety down, with 2 techniques and some advice to remember. The book also did well to be relatable to kids who are about to be apart of blended families and those going through their parents divorcing. The book had really well done character development and world building and this will definitely be a book I remember for a long time.
The only issue I had with the book was the HP reference. It really could have been any other book mentioned in the context it was mentioned in (“that was as thick as the ____ books”).
Verdict: It was great! Highly recommend.
Book: Dad’s Girlfriend and Other Anxities
Author: Kellye Crocker
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 4/5
Diversity: Anxiety Disorder MC, ADHD character, Hispanic characters
Recommended For...: middle grade readers, contemporary, blended families, children of divorce, anxiety disorder
Publication Date: November 22, 2022
Genre: MG Contemporary
Age Relevance: 10+ (pregnancy, gore, anxiety attacks, period talk, HP reference, parental death, sexist remark, grief, racism)
Explanation of Above: There is pregnancy mentioned and some period talk. There is a slight mention of blood. There are showings of anxiety attacks. There is one slight HP reference. There are mentions of a parental death and grief. There is one sexist remark and mentions of racism.
Publisher: Albert Whitman and Company
Pages: 288
Synopsis: Dad hasn't even been dating his new girlfriend that long, so Ava is sure that nothing has to change in her life. That is, until the day after sixth grade ends, when Dad whisks her away on vacation to meet The Girlfriend and her daughter in terrifying Colorado, where even the squirrels can kill you! Managing her anxiety, avoiding altitude sickness, and surviving the mountains might take all of Ava's strength, but at least this trip will only last two weeks. Right?
Review: I loved this book so much! As someone with anxiety I deeply related to this character and her struggles. I don’t like surprises and I am always thinking of the worst case scenario. The book did well to present an anxious character and then give really good advice on calming your anxiety down, with 2 techniques and some advice to remember. The book also did well to be relatable to kids who are about to be apart of blended families and those going through their parents divorcing. The book had really well done character development and world building and this will definitely be a book I remember for a long time.
The only issue I had with the book was the HP reference. It really could have been any other book mentioned in the context it was mentioned in (“that was as thick as the ____ books”).
Verdict: It was great! Highly recommend.
dark
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: The Door of No Return
Author: Kwame Alexander
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 4.5/5
Diversity: Black MC and characters
Recommended For...: middle grade readers, prose, poetry, historical fiction, 1860s Africa, slavery
Publication Date: September 27, 2022
Genre: MG Historical Fiction Poetry
Age Relevance: 12+ (violence, gore, death, vague reference to sexual assault, religion, suicide shown, slight romance, slavery)
Explanation of Above: There is some violence and blood gore in this book. There is death shown and mentioned in this book briefly. There is one very vague reference to sexual assault and a character decides to take their life by throwing themselves over the ship. There are some mentions of religion throughout the book. There is a slight romance where the MC has a crush on a character. There are mentions and showings of slavery.
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Pages: 432
Synopsis: 11-year-old Kofi Offin dreams of water. Its mysterious, immersive quality. The rich, earthy scent of the current. The clearness, its urgent whisper that beckons with promises and secrets…
Kofi has heard the call on the banks of Upper Kwanta, in the village where he lives. He loves these things above all else: his family, the fireside tales of his father’s father, a girl named Ama, and, of course, swimming. Some say he moves like a minnow, not just an ordinary boy so he’s hoping to finally prove himself in front of Ama and his friends in a swimming contest against his older, stronger cousin.
But before this can take place, a festival comes to the villages of Upper and Lower Kwanta and Kofi’s brother is chosen to represent Upper Kwanta in the wrestling contest. Encircled by cheering spectators and sounding drums, the two wrestlers from different villages kneel, ready to fight.
You are only fine, until you are not.
The match is over before it has barely begun, when the unthinkable–a sudden death–occurs…
The river does not care how grown you are.
As his world turns upside down, Kofi soon ends up in a fight for his life. What happens next will send him on a harrowing journey across land and sea, and away from everything he loves.
Review: I am not one for prose for the most part but this book was so compelling that I couldn’t put it down! I loved reading this book and I thought the book had a Roots feeling to it. The book is sad, but hopeful in the end and the book is very historical. It does great to keep the events that happened factual, but written in the ways that a middle grade reader would be able to understand and comprehend. The world building was great and the character development was as well.
The only issue I had with the book is that sometimes it did a back and forth narrative that was a bit confusing, but overall I loved it so much.
Verdict: It was good! Highly recommend!
Book: The Door of No Return
Author: Kwame Alexander
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 4.5/5
Diversity: Black MC and characters
Recommended For...: middle grade readers, prose, poetry, historical fiction, 1860s Africa, slavery
Publication Date: September 27, 2022
Genre: MG Historical Fiction Poetry
Age Relevance: 12+ (violence, gore, death, vague reference to sexual assault, religion, suicide shown, slight romance, slavery)
Explanation of Above: There is some violence and blood gore in this book. There is death shown and mentioned in this book briefly. There is one very vague reference to sexual assault and a character decides to take their life by throwing themselves over the ship. There are some mentions of religion throughout the book. There is a slight romance where the MC has a crush on a character. There are mentions and showings of slavery.
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Pages: 432
Synopsis: 11-year-old Kofi Offin dreams of water. Its mysterious, immersive quality. The rich, earthy scent of the current. The clearness, its urgent whisper that beckons with promises and secrets…
Kofi has heard the call on the banks of Upper Kwanta, in the village where he lives. He loves these things above all else: his family, the fireside tales of his father’s father, a girl named Ama, and, of course, swimming. Some say he moves like a minnow, not just an ordinary boy so he’s hoping to finally prove himself in front of Ama and his friends in a swimming contest against his older, stronger cousin.
But before this can take place, a festival comes to the villages of Upper and Lower Kwanta and Kofi’s brother is chosen to represent Upper Kwanta in the wrestling contest. Encircled by cheering spectators and sounding drums, the two wrestlers from different villages kneel, ready to fight.
You are only fine, until you are not.
The match is over before it has barely begun, when the unthinkable–a sudden death–occurs…
The river does not care how grown you are.
As his world turns upside down, Kofi soon ends up in a fight for his life. What happens next will send him on a harrowing journey across land and sea, and away from everything he loves.
Review: I am not one for prose for the most part but this book was so compelling that I couldn’t put it down! I loved reading this book and I thought the book had a Roots feeling to it. The book is sad, but hopeful in the end and the book is very historical. It does great to keep the events that happened factual, but written in the ways that a middle grade reader would be able to understand and comprehend. The world building was great and the character development was as well.
The only issue I had with the book is that sometimes it did a back and forth narrative that was a bit confusing, but overall I loved it so much.
Verdict: It was good! Highly recommend!
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc and finished copy from the publisher. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: The Killing Code
Author: Ellie Marney
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: Disabled character, Lesbian MC, Lesbian character, Black character, Sapphic couple
Recommended For...: young adult readers, historical fiction, mystery, thriller, Nancy Drew, American Girls History’s Mysteries, World War II, Codebreakers, LGBT
Publication Date: September 20, 2022
Genre: Historical Fiction Mystery
Age Relevance: 14+ (war, holocaust, death, misogyny, racism, Nazism, sexual assault/rape, drugging, gore, violence, romance, cursing)
Explanation of Above: War and the holocaust are mentioned and the book is set during World War II. There are some instances of racism and misogyny, but also some showings of Nazism. There are dead bodies and death shown and mentioned. There is some gun and knife violence and a lot of blood gore mentioned and one scene of stabbing. Sexual assault/rape is mentioned. Drugging is mentioned. There is some slight cursing. There is some romance.
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Pages: 384
Synopsis: Virginia, 1943: World War II is raging in Europe and on the Pacific front when Kit Sutherland is recruited to help the war effort as a codebreaker at Arlington Hall, a former girls’ college now serving as the site of a secret US Signals Intelligence facility in Virginia. But Kit is soon involved in another kind of fight: Government girls are being brutally murdered in Washington DC, and when Kit stumbles onto a bloody homicide scene, she is drawn into the hunt for the killer.
To find the man responsible for the gruesome murders and bring him to justice, Kit joins forces with other female codebreakers at Arlington Hall—gossip queen Dottie Crockford, sharp-tongued intelligence maven Moya Kershaw, and cleverly resourceful Violet DuLac from the segregated codebreaking unit. But as the girls begin to work together and develop friendships—and romance—that they never expected, two things begin to come clear: the murderer they’re hunting is closing in on them…and Kit is hiding a dangerous secret.
Review: I really loved this book! This book is about our MC who, after taking on a new identity, enlists to become a codebreaker for the US forces during WWII. It is during that time that other women/girls start showing up dead around the town and it’s up to our MC and her friends to figure out what’s going on. The book had the same feel as the old time American Girl historical mystery books and Nancy Drew books. I loved every minute of it and it’s probably going to be a favorite of mine for the year. The writing and plot felt natural to the story and the character development and world building was well done.
The only issue I had with the book is that it was a bit confusing at the beginning, but once I got past that I fell into the tone and grove of the book.
Verdict: It was well done! Highly recommend!
Book: The Killing Code
Author: Ellie Marney
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: Disabled character, Lesbian MC, Lesbian character, Black character, Sapphic couple
Recommended For...: young adult readers, historical fiction, mystery, thriller, Nancy Drew, American Girls History’s Mysteries, World War II, Codebreakers, LGBT
Publication Date: September 20, 2022
Genre: Historical Fiction Mystery
Age Relevance: 14+ (war, holocaust, death, misogyny, racism, Nazism, sexual assault/rape, drugging, gore, violence, romance, cursing)
Explanation of Above: War and the holocaust are mentioned and the book is set during World War II. There are some instances of racism and misogyny, but also some showings of Nazism. There are dead bodies and death shown and mentioned. There is some gun and knife violence and a lot of blood gore mentioned and one scene of stabbing. Sexual assault/rape is mentioned. Drugging is mentioned. There is some slight cursing. There is some romance.
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Pages: 384
Synopsis: Virginia, 1943: World War II is raging in Europe and on the Pacific front when Kit Sutherland is recruited to help the war effort as a codebreaker at Arlington Hall, a former girls’ college now serving as the site of a secret US Signals Intelligence facility in Virginia. But Kit is soon involved in another kind of fight: Government girls are being brutally murdered in Washington DC, and when Kit stumbles onto a bloody homicide scene, she is drawn into the hunt for the killer.
To find the man responsible for the gruesome murders and bring him to justice, Kit joins forces with other female codebreakers at Arlington Hall—gossip queen Dottie Crockford, sharp-tongued intelligence maven Moya Kershaw, and cleverly resourceful Violet DuLac from the segregated codebreaking unit. But as the girls begin to work together and develop friendships—and romance—that they never expected, two things begin to come clear: the murderer they’re hunting is closing in on them…and Kit is hiding a dangerous secret.
Review: I really loved this book! This book is about our MC who, after taking on a new identity, enlists to become a codebreaker for the US forces during WWII. It is during that time that other women/girls start showing up dead around the town and it’s up to our MC and her friends to figure out what’s going on. The book had the same feel as the old time American Girl historical mystery books and Nancy Drew books. I loved every minute of it and it’s probably going to be a favorite of mine for the year. The writing and plot felt natural to the story and the character development and world building was well done.
The only issue I had with the book is that it was a bit confusing at the beginning, but once I got past that I fell into the tone and grove of the book.
Verdict: It was well done! Highly recommend!