Content Warning: As the author mentions in the forward, there is sexual assault in this book.

Disclaimer: I do not identify as Romani, so I cannot speak on the representation of the Romani culture. The author is Romani #ownvoices and has a wonderful note on the making and inspiration of THE HOLLOW GIRL.

In a clan of Welsh Romanies, Bethan loves being the apprentice to Drina, her Gran, though she wouldn’t mind if they could move on from the herbcraft and go to spells. The two make a small, happy family, but there is one upset in Bethan’s life: the continual harassment from Silas, son of the chieftain. One dark night, Bethan and her friend, Martyn, are viscously assaulted by Silas and his group. With Martyn left on the edge of death, Bethan and her Gran prepare for a spell that will bring him back…for a price.

Hillary Monahan’s THE HOLLOW GIRL is a powerhouse of emotion, darkness, family, and magic. Each line rings with a strong voice that first gently draws you in, then fiercely grabs your attention and doesn’t let go, commanding it long after the last page is (bittersweetly) turned. Bethan is an incredibly nuanced protagonist whose journey wrecks emotions in more ways than one. Here is the kind of story where you find yourself laughing and crying alongside the characters and begging, begging, begging they find as much peace and happiness as possible because they feel as dear as family within a handful of chapters.

The central themes of THE HOLLOW GIRL are crucial and moving. Bethan and Drina prove the size of a family is no equivalent to the amount of love in a family. The effects of trauma are different for everyone, and Bethan’s journey presents a much needed discussion about rape culture.

THE HOLLOW GIRL is a force that leaves words hard to find. Important on so many levels, brimming with stunning narration, and full of heart, this is not a novel to miss.

In the Kingdom of Xia, Skybright is a handmaid to Zhen Ni, the youngest daughter of a wealthy family. Skybright grew up alongside Zhen Ni, and the two are as close as sisters. When Skybright is 16, she changes in a way she can’t even tell her best friend about; at night, she becomes part serpent. Skybright never anticipated being half-demon, but when Zhen Ni runs away, Skybright must rely on her newfound skills to save her. To make matters worse, a war between demons and monks is going on, and if Skybright isn’t careful, she’ll be caught right in the middle.

Filled with Chinese mythology, a sisterly bond, first loves, and more, SEREPENTINE is a magnificent fantasy that demands to be read in one sitting. Author Cindy Pon creates a kind, loyal protagonist in Skybright, whose world is shaken as she discovers a new half of herself. What will leave readers spellbound is the seamless way Pon brings together layers upon layers of story, world-building, character, and a dazzling voice. From the first chapter, readers won’t be hooked by one aspect of the opening: they will be hooked by all of them.

The pacing is steady and strong, making it far too easy to tell yourself “Just one more chapter,” and instead find several chapters (and hours) have passed. While so much is happening in the plot, one key part that drives it is Skybright’s relationship with Zhen Ni. As close as the two are, Zhen Ni is part of Skybright, and though the two have differences and conflicts, they care deeply for each other. Kai Sen, Skybright’s love interest, is another great character, and their interactions offer a nice amount of swoons, even as star-crossed as their relationship becomes.

Cindy Pon’s SERPENTINE is a masterpiece with its rich world, lovable and dynamic characters, and a story that won’t let you go.

Review originally posted at YABC: http://www.yabookscentral.com/yafiction/18376-serpentine

Catherine has bipolar disease. While the manic side is no picnic, Cath knows the biggest danger is Zero, the deep, dark depression side that prompted a suicide attempt. While Cath is on medication and says she’s fine, she secretly keeps a stockpile of meds, ready to use when Zero comes back, as he is sure to do. While Cath nervously awaits his arrival, she finds he keeps getting delayed. Cath starts a new therapy group, connects more with her psychiatrist, makes a few new friends, and starts to find a different perception of her bipolar disease. Cath struggles to decide how much she can, and is willing, to survive in this story of grief, heartache, love, and hope.

Karen Fortunati’s stunning contemporary, THE WEIGHT OF ZERO, tackles heavy topics that will leave you in tears. Catherine is a remarkable protagonist, full of wit, anger, grief, and heart. Her journey is one that is crucial and realistic to anyone with a mental illness, especially those with bipolar disease. Catherine struggles to accept that her mental illness is a lifelong one; there is no one cure that will fix everything. She continues to feel grief over the loss of her beloved grandmother, while also feeling guilty for the strain she believes she puts on her single mother. Not to mention, she’s hurting over the friends who left her when they found out her disease, and the people at school who still taunt her for it.

Part of her treatment is group therapy, and this has one of the best depictions of group therapy I’ve ever seen. All of the group members are around the same age, many going to the same high school, and Fortunati balances the inherit awkwardness, teen social dynamics, and the need for those in pain to connect with others. This evolves into a specific private universe for Catherine where she learns she has more in common with her group members than she thought, that she can make new friends even though her old ones left her, and that sometimes hearing that someone else has experienced similar pain can truly help.

There are layers of different relationships in THE WEIGHT OF ZERO, all brilliant in their own right. Catherine begins the story believing her mother would be better off without her, but her journey shifts her thought process in a number of ways, showing how interdependence works. Catherine also experiences what a healthy friendship looks like, as she befriends one of her group therapy members. She learns what it means to be honest with friends and to brave them knowing the real you, while also knowing when to call them out if necessary. The romance is also a moving element of the novel, exploring how no relationship can work when someone is holding back and that part of trust is sincere communication.

A gem of a novel, THE WEIGHT OF ZERO dives headfirst into the reality of mental illness, and the hope, joy, and happiness that living can bring while healthily preparing and strategizing for positive coping mechanisms when life is hard.

Originally posted at YABC: http://www.yabookscentral.com/explore-ya-fiction/discussions/review?id=38520

Mix a girl who codes, a boy who is sensitive and smart, and four parents who want them to marry, and you have the adorableness of When Dimple Met Rishi. Sandhya Menon has written a stellar romantic comedy that defies gender norms and toxic masculinity, all while exploring family pressures, competitions that can shape your future, and more. Highly recommend.

Mini-review:
-Stunning magical realism
-Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous writing
-Beautiful queer characters
-Tight tension throughout
-Your soul will demand more McLemore books ASAP once you finish