RULES & REGULATIONS is a smart, fast-paced, high-stakes adventure that draws you in and takes you for a delightful ride into the world of myth and magRULES & REGULATIONS is a smart, fast-paced, high-stakes adventure that draws you in and takes you for a delightful ride into the world of myth and magic. Alongside worrying about AP classes and his crush, Bridger falls headfirst into the chaotic world of being an Intermediary’s assistant. With an awkward mentor and pixies as his guide, he has to learn how to be that bridge between the magical and mundane world (and escape a rampaging unicorn!).
Bridger’s sharp wit, sarcasm and resourcefulness absolutely shine on every single page, and he makes for a hilarious narrator, especially during the many WTF moments (and there are many. He meets a SASQUATCH. It’s amazing.) His relationship with his best friend Astrid is wonderfully dynamic and complex as Bridger starts having to lie about his magical new job, and then things get even more complicated with a potential boyfriend, and also a potentially end of the world.
Lukens delivers at every level, from the overwhelming awkwardness of a first crush, the complex dynamics of friendship, family relationships, and handles coming out in an authentic, clever, and hilarious way. I’m going to be quoting “I’m going to go be bisexual in my room” for a long time. RULES creates a fantastic new universe that I absolutely need more of. ...more
A compelling, intense, and heartwrenching novel told in a series of flashbacks from Sam, and her childhood growing up in Christian suburbia in the PhiA compelling, intense, and heartwrenching novel told in a series of flashbacks from Sam, and her childhood growing up in Christian suburbia in the Philippines, her teenage years at school and struggles with attraction to girls and her relationships, and the present: her current and developing friendship and romance with an outcast neighbor widow named Clara.
Bautista very deftly weaves together the complex family dynamics and the presence Sam's faith plays in her life. Sam has been raised to be, in her mother's eye, the best Christian woman she can be, and her love for her parents and the way she tries to meet their expectations and still be true to herself is done very thoughtfully. Sam's faith and her sexuality are not mutually exclusive; one of the most powerful moments in the novel is when (view spoiler)[ her community pastor, using Bible verses to shame Clara for her sexuality, stands up to him and cites 1 John 4:18-19: "'There is no fear in love. But, perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. We love because he first loved us.'....It is you, not her. It is you who lives in fear of people different from you. It is you who is swift in punishment of things you do not understand. You are the unelightened. You claim to live in Christ, but you are quick to self-righteous anger and slow to compassion. Tell me, Pastor Paul. Who is the disgrace?" (hide spoiler)]
The sweet romance and the powerful coming-of-age of a young woman struggling with her family expectations is a strong, emotional read. I especially loved Sam's relationship with both her parents, and (view spoiler)[ cried when her father told her he stayed (after having the opportunity to leave with the man he loved, back when Sam was a kid) because he loved his daughter and wanted to be there for her as she grew up. Sam's relationship with her father and also in the epilogue was so touching, and the entire resolution of Sam's decision to move forward for herself was so wonderful. And of course the possibility and hopeful ending of seeing Clara again was just lovely. (hide spoiler)]
Content warning: mention of suicide of a classmate during Sam's flashbacks, no explicit details, focus on the emotional aftermath and Sam's feelings about it. ...more
90's kids aren't the only ones who'll appreciate this deftly crafted and fun, vivacious read. Tabitha is immediately likable and readers will identify90's kids aren't the only ones who'll appreciate this deftly crafted and fun, vivacious read. Tabitha is immediately likable and readers will identify with her struggles with her classmates and their insensitive comments and fat-shaming. Tabby's blossoming friendship with the Riot Grrrls and finding herself with new friends and cause is a delight to read, as is her learning about her own bisexuality and expressing it. The embedded zines are a lovely addition, as is the poetry and reading Tabby and her friend's riot of self-expression.
Pack also discusses Tabby's white privilege and looks at the complex layers of racism within the punk scene, and Tabby's relationship with Jackie, a fellow Riot Grrrl, is not only a sweet romance, but also a look into unlearning assumptions. Grrrls on the Side features a wonderful diverse cast of characters who are flawed and complex and call each other out on racist and misogynistic behaviors.
Tabby's relationships with male and female characters and her affirmation of her bisexuality is refreshing to see on the page, and absolutely important for readers to see. A lovely novel of coming-of-age in the 90's in the zine movement with fantastic characters. Readers looking for F/F with happy endings and punks at heart will appreciate Grrrls on the Side....more
Forest of a Thousand Lanterns shines with rich characters, a fantastic and detailed worldbuilding thoughtfully written by an Asian American author, anForest of a Thousand Lanterns shines with rich characters, a fantastic and detailed worldbuilding thoughtfully written by an Asian American author, and a cunning protagonist who is the anti-hero you've been waiting for.
Xifeng wants more than anything to be more than her little village and get away from her overbearing aunt Guma, and takes a chance to travel to the heart of the city and meet the Emperor. As she enters court, she has to navigate the pit of vipers there; make friends and enemies and every step is filled with danger. Xifeng's embrace of her powers and the court intrigue makes for an enthralling read.
It is imperatively important that we can see all types of protagonists from different backgrounds in our media; the more characters of color there are, the less pressure there is for each character to have to represent every character in the community. We can see people as rich and complex when there are multiple characters; Forest of A Thousand Lanterns is important because Xifeng is fascinating as a person; she'll do anything she can to get ahead. Dao makes a bold move here and the book doesn't shy away from a descent-to-darkness arc that works incredibly well for Xifeng's character.
Haunting, magical, and dark, Forest of a Thousand Lanterns is the first in a series of a retelling of Snow White set in an Asian fantasy world. Avidly awaiting the next in the series....more
A delightful romance with an Asian American protagonist that does well on the friends-to-lovers trope. Yang's voice is fresh and invigorating, and hisA delightful romance with an Asian American protagonist that does well on the friends-to-lovers trope. Yang's voice is fresh and invigorating, and his use of both Mandarin and Cantonese within the novel speaks well to Clint's multicultural upbringing. Loved the portrayal of Clint's family, especially his relationship with his mother. Yang gets the nuances of first generation immigrant families right, and the romance is sweet and loving.
Absolutely wonderful prose, Henson completely draws us in to the lives of Ollie and Tai, two very different suffers. Best friends who navigate their fAbsolutely wonderful prose, Henson completely draws us in to the lives of Ollie and Tai, two very different suffers. Best friends who navigate their feelings for one another, they start hooking up during a surf tour with the conditions that it would only be temporary; yet it changes everything as Tai has been in love with Ollie for quite some time. Ollie's own discovery of his feelings as he gets pulled into a pro-surfer world is a heartwrenching journey.
I particularly loved the setting of the novel, especially how both Ollie and Tai were Hawaiian and wanted to be true to themselves, the island, what it meant to them. Found families is a favorite trope of mine and their wonderful close-knit family and the Blue House had me rooting for them at every step.
Stunning and delightful combination of stories that draw from Chinese folklore and blend magical realism with amazing characters. Definitely a favoritStunning and delightful combination of stories that draw from Chinese folklore and blend magical realism with amazing characters. Definitely a favorite. ...more
An absolute delight and a marvelous journey. I fell in love with Trip Morgan on the first page; his story is filled with charm and hopes and dreams, aAn absolute delight and a marvelous journey. I fell in love with Trip Morgan on the first page; his story is filled with charm and hopes and dreams, a story that isn't without its edges and sharp places. Having left his small town and never looked back since, Trip is trying hard to make it in New York with his friends and roommates; all of which survive doing odd jobs and Trip himself as a street musician and also pickpocket. Trip's habit of pocketing trinkets that tell stories of moments in strangers lives, and when he spots a man who he knows for certain from a childhood photograph, he begins a relationship with Nate Mackey, a former Wall Street drone who lacks inspiration in his life.
Trip's complexity as both hopeful "would-be miracle" and bitter, jaded from his harsh dealings in life makes for an incredible page-turner. Lux masterfully crafts a rich narrative filled with wonderful people to cheer and root for and cry over. Small Wonders is heartfelt and endearing. ...more
A rich and intricate love story alight with political machinations, magical worldbuilding, and immerse details of lush scenery, The Sidhe is that deliA rich and intricate love story alight with political machinations, magical worldbuilding, and immerse details of lush scenery, The Sidhe is that delicious summer read you've been dying to sink into.
Brieden is determined to set the elf Sehrys free from slavery in the king's palace, but their escape sets off a whirlwind reaction of events and political upheaval as they try to make their way back to the Sehry's home. The romance is a gradual and aching delight, and how they learn to trust one another and start falling for each other on this journey is handled well, with open communication and respect for one another.
An exciting page-turner packed with love and passion bundled with smart commentary on gender politics and class systems, The Sidhe is a bold beginning. Magical and romantic, and I am on the edge of my seat for the next installment in the series. ...more
None of the Above is absolutely riveting and was impossible to put down from start to finish. Krissy Lattimer is a senior that has everything she everNone of the Above is absolutely riveting and was impossible to put down from start to finish. Krissy Lattimer is a senior that has everything she ever wanted; she's a top athlete, has a great boyfriend and wonderful friends, and is voted homecoming queen. Yet after mysterious pains and seeing a doctor, Krissy learns that she is intersex.
The novel pulls no punches in the bullying and harassment that follows after she is outed to her high school-- I found Krissy's depression highly relatable and realistic, and enjoyed reading about her courage to move forward, build new friendships, reconnect with old friends, and form stronger relationships with those she cares about....more
Cinderella may be the most oft re-imagined fairy tale, and Mechanica takes the An advance reading copy was won through GoodRead's First Reads program.
Cinderella may be the most oft re-imagined fairy tale, and Mechanica takes the familiar tropes and runs away with it on a steam-powered horse. Wildly delightful and imaginative, this novel is a fast-paced and fun romp through a vividly described world.
Nicolette on her sixteenth birthday discovers her mother's legacy where she can practice her inventing prowess, a secret workshop that not only contains blueprints and memories of her beloved mother, but also Jules, a magical clockwork horse, her mother's invention, powered by the mysterious Ashes from Faerie, whose lands and magic are now under quarantine and shunned by the common populace. Determined to make enough money to live free from her stepmother and stepsisters, Nicolette works away at her inventions, selling helpful machines at the Market. She meets Caro and Fin and makes quick friends of them as they help her with her wares and her dream to present her inventions at the Exposition, held the night of a certain ball where the prince is looking for a bride.
A huge fan of steampunk and magic realism, I was enchanted at every turn with how cleverly Cornwell blends magic and machines in the world; the kingdom's strive with the land of Faerie, the outlawing of magic and the consequences for the the kingdom is endlessly fascinating. Romance takes a backseat in this novel, and it's beautifully done, with the focus on Nicolette's own journey, and her developing friendships.