Definitely a story to be set aside for a peaceful day. It's giving a simpler Legends and Lattes vibe that's perfect for upper middle school/high school. Personally I struggle with the cozy fantasy genre, as I like my fantasy to be more action-packed, but I think the characters and queer vibes made it more inviting. 

Fern the snake absolutely stole the show in every panel that he's in, love him, love his little snoot.

I think I would have enjoyed the story more if it had went a little bit deeper into some personal conflict or if there were more stakes. The resolution felt a little too easy and not really earned. 

Still, a great read for those who enjoyed The Tea Dragon series.

Not sure if I enjoyed this volume as much as the first, but I trip to the Sandman's domain is never a boring one. The horror is solid, the visuals thematically unsettling, and the mysteries just keep piling up. 

As someone who gets a tiny bit of anxiety over apocalyptic situations, you can bet a good portion of these books was giving me the willies. However the sweet, slow budding relationship that grows between Andrew and Jamie was enough to set me at ease through the more harrowing parts. I loved Andrew sense of humor and Jamie's practicality. They naturally play off together so well and carry an engaging dynamic. 

The world felt so rightfully empty, yet still full of hope in small places. There was a good complexity to our main characters, who have done what they can to survive and find themselves tested at almost every moment. It really gives you a look into how desperate people become when faced with truly hard situations, showing how they either grow stronger or take advantage of the misfortune and fear of others. 

I'm so glad I read this just as the sequel is coming out. I want more!

Got to the halfway mark thinking I wasn't very interested in the plot or characters. It wasn't a bad adventure story, I just thought it didn't really stand out enough for me to continue.

 Thank you to HarperCollins and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
 
 Homebody is an inspiring, comforting, and moving debut graphic novel detailing the author's gender journey and how they were able to find validation and assurance in their identity. Graphic novel memoirs always seem to hit so hard, as the author's illustrations and style bring an additional aspect of vulnerability and beauty to their experiences, as well as using art as a way to connect with the reader. 
 
 I enjoyed Parish's wholesome and heartwarming style, especially as shown in the full page illustrations that provides positive affirmations. They did a wonderful job in presenting their journey in an accessible and relatable way, even when all explorations of genders are unique in their own ways. In this book, Parish achieves the honor of making self love feel achievable, which is needed for each and every queer youth.
 
 I would definitely recommend this book to queer youth looking to find memoirs that may help guide them on their own gender journeys or provide validating perspectives. It is definitely one of those books that make you feel less alone. 

Such an inspiring and heartfelt queer coming of age story. It perfectly captures that messy teenage time of discovering your identity while also examining your relationships with the people around you. Felix may not always be in the right, the book/Felix acknowledges his mistakes and that not everything can be easily forgiven or resolved, but he does try to do right by people and himself.

There were scenes that felt a little bit too soapbox, where characters seemed to say just the right informed stance on an issue you almost wonder if they rehearsed it in front of a mirror. It took me out of the moment quite a bit, but I didn't mind too much since it is meant to inform the reader of a certain experience/injustice. 

I abhor love triangles, especially when it's clear that it really isn't going to work with one of the two love interests, so I wish the focus had been a bit more on who Felix ultimately chooses.

Just saying, friends to lovers always hits a bit sweeter than enemies to lovers.

There's a good sense of vulnerability to this book that gives it a real authenticity. It's easily to relate to Felix's questioning of her gender, which he had thought had it all figured out at this point. It's a great lesson to show queer youth that our identities can change and aren't always as fixed as we think. We learn more about ourselves, we grow and transform all throughout our lives and it's okay to realize you're something more than what you thought you were. I liked Felix's journey didn't stop at him solely realizing that he's trans, which he starts the book identifying as and has been for a few years before the story's beginning. It was nice to see representation of an identity that I don't think I've seen anywhere else at this point. 

I think this is going to be a pivotal book for a lot of queer youth and I hope it brings them a sense of peace, assurance, and validation of who they are.

Sets up a great mystery that, while you may see the ending coming, it still builds up a good amount of intrigue and suspense for teen readers. 

I was really feeling for Poppy the whole dang book. The fact that her parents had TWO children that were forced to lives as fugitives because THEY messed up big time really kept me from sympathizing with them. Sure, they tried to protect their kids, but ultimately it is so dang selfish to keep your kids in squalor half the time, deny them chances to make any attachments or relationships, or give them ways to grow emotionally or socially outside their family because of your mistakes. That legit messes kids up! I know we're talking about a work of fiction here, but it just heats me up. Good on Poppy for finally doing things for herself by the end.

The romance was sweet, but I think the mystery element was stronger and interested me more. It would have been nice to see Poppy make more friendly relationships with people other than the boy she's crushing on.

The ending was a little too open for me. It makes for some great drama, but I would have liked for things to wrap up more neatly. 

A rollicking adventure for middle grade readers in the same vein as Artemis Fowl or Amari and the Night Brothers. Who doesn't love a secret society trying to keep a paranormal world for merging with the "real" world? I'm a little disappointed that we don't learn more about this society or see much of their workings outside of the manor, but I'm sure it may be touched on in later books.

I did like the concept of Mirror Kingsport being this twisted, horror version of the real world, though it felt a little empty at times and didn't feel like its own populated realm. 

While it starts off fairly spooky, this is more of an action/adventure tale with some creepiness rather than a full on horror. Would have been neat if it was allowed to go a bit darker, especially knowing the author's other middle grade works, but I think it works fine for what it is.

As resonating as the film, but probably works a bit better as a movie due to its imagery and body swapping plot that is a bit more comprehensible through a visual medium. The message is impactful, and the translation keeps the inspiring and emotional tone, but I think I'd rather rewatch the movie than read this again.

Going into this book, I was afraid it was going to be one of those very technical science fiction stories that goes deep into how the technology works and uses and endless amount of jargon that I hardly know how to keep up with. Thankfully, it takes a more  philosophical tone as to what makes us us and going beyond our physical self to see what is at our core. 

Jessica may not be the protagonist for everyone. She starts the story as your typical teen with an attitude but gradually you get the context and you can start to see more of her perspective.  

I'm thankful that the story didn't slide into the easy trap of having a romance solely because there's a boy that's the only person her age on the ship. Their relationship is more grounded as a platonic one and really just grounds the story as a whole.

There are a couple of plot threads that seem to dangle and go nowhere.

?What exactly was causing the corruption of the data? Was it the "alien ghost?" Why did only affect her father and not her mother? How exactly was that data corrupted?

. The story just sort of ends without giving much closure to anything. It could have used maybe a chapter or two to give some clarification or tying of loose ends. 

Still, I didn't find it an uninteresting as I thought it would, even though some of the mysteries stay mysteries.