I enjoyed the heck out of this romance between a black female professor and a dude librarian with a man-bun (not the man-bun part tho.) They both had I enjoyed the heck out of this romance between a black female professor and a dude librarian with a man-bun (not the man-bun part tho.) They both had fully developed lives and families, and I ended up liking them both, even as I impatiently waited for them to figure out their not-insurmountable problems and talk, instead of only having hot sex. Definitely recommend this for fun and fluff and definitely heading out to read more by this author.
Merged review:
I enjoyed the heck out of this romance between a black female professor and a dude librarian with a man-bun (not the man-bun part tho.) They both had fully developed lives and families, and I ended up liking them both, even as I impatiently waited for them to figure out their not-insurmountable problems and talk, instead of only having hot sex. Definitely recommend this for fun and fluff and definitely heading out to read more by this author....more
Simply the cutest. Loved how this was a very sweet magical story that moved along at a brisk pace, with a sassy talking cat, and *~*dragons*~* Need I Simply the cutest. Loved how this was a very sweet magical story that moved along at a brisk pace, with a sassy talking cat, and *~*dragons*~* Need I say more? I really appreciated the way the different magics were represented and the journey that Jupiter went on to appreciate her own gifts....more
Loved this one! And just because we met Vera Brogsol a few weeks ago and she was totally funny and charming and now I want to be best friends.
I loved Loved this one! And just because we met Vera Brogsol a few weeks ago and she was totally funny and charming and now I want to be best friends.
I loved how this felt like it could be a retelling of a fairy tale or mythology, but it also felt fresh and relevant for kids reading it today. Jane herself is fantastic with her determination to solve her problems and not listen to the people around her and their terrible opinions. Her choices to be kind along the way are deeply important and lead to fun friendships and alliances. (Mr Whiskers! No, not that one!) And the mermaid mythology here was used so very well, with a satisfying end for almost everyone.
This was cute as hell and I cackled several times while reading it. So many excellent elements: some very mixed up cryptids (Baby Bessie!), complicateThis was cute as hell and I cackled several times while reading it. So many excellent elements: some very mixed up cryptids (Baby Bessie!), complicated friendship dynamics, legitimate parenting anxieties and some good talking through of such, adventure and resourcefulness, and just some hilarious hijinks which get me every time. The cover says it's book #1 in a series so I am anxiously awaiting further installments....more
An excellent historical fantasy graphic novel that stares directly at the kind of structural racism that would be present in the early 20th century SoAn excellent historical fantasy graphic novel that stares directly at the kind of structural racism that would be present in the early 20th century South when magic ability means children get sent away to schools. Sound familiar? The friendships and family relationships in this one really ring true and I was definitely a little anxious about all the characters at different times. Not exactly a fun read despite the broom racing, but a good read nonetheless....more
White boy travels to another country and learns a valuable lesson about life. Meh. I read this hoping to get more of a travelogue about Taiwan in the White boy travels to another country and learns a valuable lesson about life. Meh. I read this hoping to get more of a travelogue about Taiwan in the form of a YA graphic novel, not watch a American teenager realize he's an idiot while everyone around him tries really hard to fix his fuckups....more
With the word "jolly" in the title, I was expecting a Christmas story, so as an ignorant American, that's on me. But this was in fact loosely based arWith the word "jolly" in the title, I was expecting a Christmas story, so as an ignorant American, that's on me. But this was in fact loosely based around a different holiday, Guy Fawkes Day, or Bonfire Day, of which only the bonfire itself seemed to have any impact on the plot. And jolly it was not, with another murder of a kid, this time a truly horrible one, Head Girl and head tormentor of Deepdean. I really appreciate how Robin Stevens doesn't shy away from the hateful things that girl do to each other and the ways that school culture fosters some really screwed up power dynamics. It was interesting to see how powerless Daisy and Hazel were to protect other girls especially after we've come to see them as figures of justice and reason during the previous books. Another stellar outing, but I'm left disquieted by the impact of the murder on the community and even on the murderer themselves. Daisy and Hazel's friendship is definitely tested in one of those deeply life-or-death kind of ways that outsiders wouldn't understand as important, but that mean everything to the people involved....more
I have read Murder on the Orient Express (and seen the first, superior, movie) so I see what you're doing here, Robin Stevens. Still, it's a solid insI have read Murder on the Orient Express (and seen the first, superior, movie) so I see what you're doing here, Robin Stevens. Still, it's a solid installment that doesn't ignore the consequences of the previous murders and complicates things with the arrival of Hazel's father who definitely doesn't think his daughter should be solving murders. Too bad, dad! The murder itself wasn't very personally affecting, but Daisy and Hazel definitely new that they could handle anything after what they had been through, despite the skepticism of the adults. It was so fun to watch them work the case and outsmart everyone around them....more
Did I just unknowingly read Reylo fanfic with the serial numbers filed off????? Goddamnit.
Why is there so much of it out there???? Why???
The fact thaDid I just unknowingly read Reylo fanfic with the serial numbers filed off????? Goddamnit.
Why is there so much of it out there???? Why???
The fact that I was duped again aside, I enjoyed that the two people in question definitely spent a lot of time together, leading the reader (me) to believe that they truly had a connection, instead of them just both being pretty and standing side-by-side. Also entertainingly (for again, me) they are separately and together, just messy as hell. ...more
Actually a delight. Just chock a block full of all those crunchy details that make a book just so satisfying. Friends and family shenanigans, dancing Actually a delight. Just chock a block full of all those crunchy details that make a book just so satisfying. Friends and family shenanigans, dancing lions, food, creepy visitations from spirits, and real, true connection between people. Would make even a cynic acknowledge love, if only for the length of this lovely, long story....more
This book went to some unexpected places but ended up holding together very well as a fantastical tale of friendship and promises kept. I can really sThis book went to some unexpected places but ended up holding together very well as a fantastical tale of friendship and promises kept. I can really see why kids love it....more
Oof, just so good. A ghost story that isn't actually all that spooky, but mostly about a kid and his life in a Japanese city, traditions, and doing thOof, just so good. A ghost story that isn't actually all that spooky, but mostly about a kid and his life in a Japanese city, traditions, and doing the right thing. Kazu maybe saw a ghost come out his house one night, a ghost who's now attending his school and who everyone insists has always been there. Kazu's house may once have been a temple that was devoted to bringing the dead back to life - but not everyone, only those whose lives had been cut short. But of course not everyone feels like this is a power than should be wielded and Kazu must do some deep diving into his heart to decide what he will do....more
School-wide read for my kid's school. Pretty okay. Trying to do some interesting things with Jessie, but I guess it wasn't really meant for me, and thSchool-wide read for my kid's school. Pretty okay. Trying to do some interesting things with Jessie, but I guess it wasn't really meant for me, and that's fine....more
Lots of good stuff in this one. Despite the premise of a ghost of an unjust and untimely death, the characters in this one are all as wholesome and kiLots of good stuff in this one. Despite the premise of a ghost of an unjust and untimely death, the characters in this one are all as wholesome and kind as heck. Hughie has a sweet and trusting relationship with his parents and older sister, tries hard to be a good friend, and volunteers his time to help fund raise to pay the medical bills of someone he doesn't even know, hence the connection to the haunted house. Cynthia Leitich Smith layers in elements of native culture and how Hughie feels about being one of the only kids in his school with tribal connections. The actual ghost's story ends up feeling like Leitich Smith pulled her punches, which she obviously anticipates because she justifies it in the author's note. Obviously, she can write whatever she wants, but she blunted the impact of the haunting and she knows it. The writing and story ending up being a little clunky and very much like the reader is being lectured on how to be a good person, but the other elements mostly made up for it. I loved all the details in this one and how all the teenagers were genre-savvy, but also constantly texting their parents and being smart about their adventures. Satisfying, even if at times I felt like I was being spoken to very slowly and carefully....more
Edited to add 3/2/24 : reread before finally reading the second book and it still made me happy.
Probably one of my favorite books that I read this yeaEdited to add 3/2/24 : reread before finally reading the second book and it still made me happy.
Probably one of my favorite books that I read this year (and I didn't even realize it was a Goose Girl retelling until after I'd finished.) Funny with so many great characters who had some legitimate conflicts with each other, plus a really interesting fantasy world that wasn't based on some version of England. Instead we get this twisty, politically complicated version of Prussia/Eastern Europe that's maybe a little queer-friendly and just full of gods (small g) and curses and magic. I'm saving the sequel to read as a little treat for myself and looking forward to reading everything Margaret Owen has written....more
I loved this. Give me all an angel and a demon who have spent centuries together studying the Talmud together without noticing any goings-on in their I loved this. Give me all an angel and a demon who have spent centuries together studying the Talmud together without noticing any goings-on in their tiny shtetl until suddenly their people are leaving and getting in danger as they travel far away to the new world. Give me Rose Cohen and all the immigrants in NYC who are fighting for workers’ rights. Give me hundreds of years of friendship. Give me a story just stuffed with Jewish folklore. Give me a New World that is just as fraught as the Old, but in very different ways. Give me this lovely queer book, and I will be very happy....more
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