4.75 if I'm being picky This was so fun! I didn't realize I needed a low-stakes, cozy fantasy, but it made my heart so happy and was the perfect fit. C4.75 if I'm being picky This was so fun! I didn't realize I needed a low-stakes, cozy fantasy, but it made my heart so happy and was the perfect fit. Caz is, by far, my favorite character, and the audiobook narrator did a fantastic job of bringing him to life! I could read a whole book with him as the main character and be perfectly happy. The other cast of characters were equally as good, although Keila undoubtedly goes through the biggest arc of growth. I liked Larran and Keila's relationship and how tenderly it grew. I also liked that they knew each other as kids, which is what prompted him to come over in the first place.
I will say that towards the latter 3/4 of the book, the story did feel like it dragged a bit. But overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this and already have the sequel on hold (although it will be quite a while before I get my hands on it). I also got tired of how many times Keila and Larran dealt with Keila's wet clothes and how often Keila was surprised that Larran was tall. (minor eye roll)
There were some TWs mixed into characters' backstories that were briefly mentioned but are worth noting, including parental abuse of a minor and child abandonment, domestic abuse turning into homocide, traumatic death of a father figure, and a backstory where two lesbians fall in love and their families hate that enough to beat one girl to death and send an assassin after the other as she flees. Keila and Cas also suffer from PTSD and flashbacks from their experience fleeing from the library and Keila has flashback/panic attacks several times throughout the book. But it was the abuse and the one wife getting beaten to death that made me go "oophf" in an otherwise lighthearted story. Although brief, I feel like readers deserve a heads-up about those.
In the end, I am glad I was recommended this and will highly recommend it to others going forward (especially those who want some low-stakes magic and romance that isn't super spicy)....more
I picked this book up 100% on a whim. I honestly wasn't expecting it to be so good. I thought it would just be some fluff to read between books. I couI picked this book up 100% on a whim. I honestly wasn't expecting it to be so good. I thought it would just be some fluff to read between books. I couldn't have been more wrong. The book deals with a lot of fun and is filled with incredibly creative whimsy - found family, some twists on the chosen one trope, fangirls and fanfiction, and a wonderful magical world depicted with a heavily manga inspire art style. However, the core of this book is deeper than that. It focuses in the impact that anxiety and isolation can have on someone to make them feel totally alone and disconnected from others and the world, sometimes so deeply that even when they want to make a change they don't see a way how. Not just hermiting but proper panic, stress, overwhelm, agoraphobia and the desire to be swallowed up by a different world. But opposite of that, it shows the impact that even one person, one genuine connection, can have on those same people who are struggling. How connection can change people's views of themselves and the world and bring healing back to them - not all at once, but with consistency and care. It also emphasizes that you can't look at someone's life from the outside and assume that they aren't struggling, even and especially if they look like they have it all and are holding it all together. I think it struck a perfect balance between these heavier themes and its lighter overall world and story. I also think that the authors handled the themes and story, especially that of the author, with the perfect amount of tact. I honestly think that this could really positively impact middle graders but also I was very moved and impacted by its messages as an adult. I really hope it gets into the hands of more people. Between its genuinely unique story and world and the messaging it presents, it is definitely a surprise favorite of mine that I look forward to recommending if given the chance....more
Pretty standard fair read about a girl coming into her power and herself. Didn't love the art style - it was unique but not my flavor I guess. I thinkPretty standard fair read about a girl coming into her power and herself. Didn't love the art style - it was unique but not my flavor I guess. I think this would have more weight for people with a connection to the Italian culture. ...more
Feel like I have checked off a Middle Grade reading badge of some kind by trying my hand at this series. It was worth a go I think. This has some coolFeel like I have checked off a Middle Grade reading badge of some kind by trying my hand at this series. It was worth a go I think. This has some cool ideas and world building, but I think the vibes just aren't for me. I imagine if you liked the Spiderwick Chronicles or Mistmantle or even Attack on Titians as an adult, you would like these. Just don't find the art amazing and didn't love the story. ...more
If you've read the description, you've read this book. Also, Gar is * so * incredibly self centered and unlikable in this! IDK why they made his charaIf you've read the description, you've read this book. Also, Gar is * so * incredibly self centered and unlikable in this! IDK why they made his character like that. He puts all this stake in accomplishing his senior year list, which includes a kiss from the popular girl. Yet, he admits to his friends that he doesn't actually like her (she's not his type) and knows it won't last, but just likes the attention to prove a very vague point. You would think after being picked on and treated poorly that he wouldn't go on to pick on someone and treat them poorly. However, the story isn't that deep and really doesn't try to be either. I wish it was though. l...more
This duology is an absolute beauty and the second one was particularly special. The found friendship, the political dynamics, the odd one out/ugly ducThis duology is an absolute beauty and the second one was particularly special. The found friendship, the political dynamics, the odd one out/ugly duckling trope coming into her own, the super unique world unlike anything else I've read, the lore and magic, and the graphics - it's all chefs kiss. I genuinely got emotional at the end of this one, that above and beyond five star feel good wave of emotion. Highly recommend!...more
I should start this with the fact that I've never read Emma, so maybe the connections and storyline would be clearer if I did. But there were so many I should start this with the fact that I've never read Emma, so maybe the connections and storyline would be clearer if I did. But there were so many characters, and everything happened incredibly quickly, to the point where I feel like there might have been pages I missed. It is very clear that Davi and Evan are going to end up together, but their romance is just a hectic mess in 2x speed and not in a good way. I don't think I enjoyed anything except the diversity and Natalia, who is a little cinammon roll. I also liked the art style. Everything else was under explained or felt too subtext heavy or was rushed with all the characters involved....more
I liked this! I liked the main relationship and the writing was good. I found the narration style interesting but can also see how it would separate tI liked this! I liked the main relationship and the writing was good. I found the narration style interesting but can also see how it would separate the readers from the characters. I will likely read more of this author's work. Worth a listen if you want a bite of fantasy without extensive commitment....more
I'm so bummed that this edition of the Wingbearer saga didn't hold the same magic that the first one did. I was so excited for this when I saw the libI'm so bummed that this edition of the Wingbearer saga didn't hold the same magic that the first one did. I was so excited for this when I saw the library had it. However, it was a bit of a mess. 1) There were way too many characters to keep track of. 2) Each character that was introduced represented a different set of ideals which were explored mostly through political conflict of factions and groups. This became very dull very quickly and was also so dense that it made my glaze over those parts of the story. Political infighting is not my jam. 3) The art was beautiful, as always. Yet, the speech bubbles were a lot of keep up with and were dense, covering most of the art on the page. It was often hard to figure out the order to read them and which panel needed to be read first. Ultimately, I didn't leave the story feeling as blown away as I did when I read the first one and this edition didn't have the same spark the first one did. Still, I enjoyed returning to our main trio. I am looking forward to future editions and hope to see some of the magic return. ...more
4.5 TW for death of a brother mentioned throughout, parental neglect, fear of water and character drowning. Rep: It is impliePhysical TBR backlist book!
4.5 TW for death of a brother mentioned throughout, parental neglect, fear of water and character drowning. Rep: It is implied the MFC has dyslexia
I had zero expectations going into this. I was just expecting it to be a fun romp at best. However, this book is actually really good. The writing is witty and fun, but with some heart tugging bits and good truths mixed it that add depth. The pacing was great and moved briskly enough to both seem like a grand adventure and not drag on too long. The themes of love and loss and friendship and power were all explored with depth and there were even some parts that I imagine would be scary for a younger audience. So, although the cover makes this seem fit for a very young middle grader, I'd probably say someone on the older side would be better suited for it. I enjoy the twists and turns, some of which caught me by surprise. I really loved Moppe and Antonia's friendship development and their arc by the end. I wish more people would read this and glad I finally got it off my shelf and into my hands.
edit: IDK how this doesn't have more reviews. That is one of the lowest numbers I've ever seen. Did this not get *any* publicity?...more
3.5/4 stars - I will take points off for the clear grammatical error on page 17. TW: Death of a mother mentioned throughout, parental abandonment, int3.5/4 stars - I will take points off for the clear grammatical error on page 17. TW: Death of a mother mentioned throughout, parental abandonment, interfamily dissonance, mention of a character having a history of food scarcity at home, grief, a pretty brutal best friend betrayal.
I absolutely plowed through this book. I enjoyed the characters and the writing. I liked seeing how Meg grew from her trauma and opened herself up to new a new little found family of misfits. I liked the puzzles, and I don't think I would have figured them out like Meg if I was in her shoes. However, I wish there was more resolution with who was the "big bad" over it all. Just a little more before the cliff-hanger. This book has fantastic atmosphere though. I could picture the old boarding school in my head, using Warnings at Waverly Academy the Nancy Drew PC game for reference. I will be highly anticipating the next books in this series. I will say, I think it could have done without some hints of romance or flirting, but that is what you get for putting a bunch of middle schoolers together in an isolated boarding school. If you are looking for a more middle grade and more mild version of The Thieves Gambit, this is your ticket. ...more
CW: mentions of starving oneself to be thinner, body comparison, body shaming from adults and encouragement of unhealthy body behaviors like anorexia,CW: mentions of starving oneself to be thinner, body comparison, body shaming from adults and encouragement of unhealthy body behaviors like anorexia, counting calories and general body size commentary.
I really enjoyed this. It was a messy coming of age story that felt very true of the real feelings the characters would struggle with, especially discovering their sexuality and navigating that world and their relationships as a part of that....more
4.5. This was really good. The pacing was on point and I liked the character dynamics more in this one than the first. Still find the Devro relationsh4.5. This was really good. The pacing was on point and I liked the character dynamics more in this one than the first. Still find the Devro relationship annoying but that's the only thing....more