 4.5 stars
Excellent atmosphere, loved the fresh take on a very different—and minimally inspired—Jane Eyre retelling. Loved the magic component, the haunted house, the Ethiopian-meets-gothic vibes… ahhh so good. Concept: ★★★★ Writing: ★★★★★ Atmosphere: ★★★★★ Pacing: ★★★★ First disclaimer: I have not read Jane Eyre. Second disclaimer: I did not go into this book wanting, or requiring, a faithful interpretation of Jane Eyre. Andromeda, or "Andi," is a debtera—an exorcist hired to cleanse households of the Evil Eye. With a rough upbringing behind her, current poverty around her, and a very uncertain future ahead, Andi is out of options and in need of steady employment. So when an offer for a house cleansing comes her way riddled with warnings, she's too desperate to refuse. Andi arrives at Thorne Manor in the middle of the African desert with desperation and everything to gain. She needs to eradicate this manifestation at whatever the cost—she has nothing left to lose. But Thorn Manor, with its English colonialist design and history forced into the African landscape, is nothing like Andi's expectations. It's dark and freezing cold in the middle of the desert. It's filled with weird, misplaced furniture and false illusions. There's a sense of foreboding that Andi has never experienced despite all of her prior cleansings. And, to top it all off, the host of the manor is not at all like her expectations. Andi has a job to do. And as the servants keep disappearing (or worse) and the house creeps closer toward Andi with every breath, the stakes are too high to leave. Now add in a romance, a ghost story, and a claustrophobic atmosphere on par with Mexican Gothic, and you have a STORY. Don't let your guard down... Again, with my disclaimers at the beginning of this review aside, I thought this was a fantastic story. I read it over the course of one evening—and basically one sitting, if you don't count tea breaks! Within These Wicked Walls had truly fantastic writing. Most times for young adult fiction/fantasy, I am attached to the characters, plot, or world building more than I'm attached to the actual words and their structure themselves. But for this one, the writing itself stood out to me. I loved the sense of place conveyed through the sentence descriptions, Andi's presence on the page, and the great sense of dialogue and scene transitions. This sounds like I'm reviewing an academic paper or something (boring, I know) but I really wanted to call it out here. GREAT writing. I also thought that entire plot (romance, relationships, pacing, and all) was just.... chef's kiss. Really nice. I have no complaints besides a few spots that felt slowly paced. Why is it so hard to talk intelligently in reviews when you love something??? Sigh. Please take my badly-constructed word on this: this story is fantastic, it's atmospheric, and it's a fresh take on a very old concept with some much needed non-Western influences. I could see myself rereading this one every autumn. Pick this one up, gothic/ghost fans! Thank you to the publisher for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
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 5 stars
An empowering collection of stories centered on, created by, and honing in on women and nonbinary folks from all walks of life and backgrounds who have made a difference for women throughout the world. I loved this collection for its message, of course, but also for its diversity in artist renderings', stories, and sense of joyful empowerment. Concept: ★★★★★ Art styles: ★★★★★ Enjoyment: ★★★★★ Wonderful Women of the World is a new spin on an old form of female sharing and empowerment. When Wonder Woman came onto the comic book scene, there was a feature created by trailblazer Alice Marble from the years 1943 to 1954. It featured this very concept--short biographies and art highlighting real women and real stories, and how they were currently changing the world. Now it's 2021, our nonbinary friends have a seat at the table, and we're learning about the voices that changing the shape of our world today in meaningful ways. I absolutely loved this collection. There are some famous faces in here--Beyonce, Serena Williams, Malala Yousafzai, and Ruth Bader Ginsberg, to name a few—but the women and nonbinaries behind the curtain are also famous trailblazers in their own right. This collection is edited by the lovely Laurie Halse Anderson herself, and features art and stories from a large group of content creators. Some of my already-favorited authors included Melissa Marr (my Fae queen!), Marieke Nijkamp, and Kami Garcia. A powerful collection of diverse art, stories, and voices. Recommended for all! Many thanks to DC Comics for my copy in exchange for an honest review.  5 stars
Another adventure with Skunk and Badger?? We are blessed. This one took everything I loved about the first adventure and made it bigger and better. I love this adorable series. Characters: ★★★★★ Writing style: ★★★★★ Plot/Pacing: ★★★★★ This is the second adventure with Skunk and Badger. If you're new to the series, check out this one first! As a grown woman with no kids, I guess I'm an odd age demographic for this series, but let me tell you something: I absolutely loved this book. When people say "oh, this is perfect for ALL AGES!" sometimes what they mean is, it's perfect for kids but not dumb for adults to sit through. Well, Skunk and Badger's adventures in Egg Marks the Spot are truly for all ages. I loved this story and had no issues with it as an adult. The perfect, relaxing read to enjoy with a cozy cup of tea. In Egg Marks the Spot, Badger and Skunk are doing just fine as roommates in Aunt Lula's brownstone. Skunk's latest obsession is obtaining the book review portion of the "New Yak Times" (I love the references, guys, I LOVE them) and Badger is doing Important Rock Work in his rock room. But then, Skunk finds out that his previous neighbor, G. Hedgehog, is back in town and wants to steal his pages of the "New Yak Times Book Review" from him to "resume their previous arrangement." Skunk cannot stand for this - he must leave town for the week to get his mind off of this tragedy. So Skunk proposes a camping trip with Badger. Badger is all for this plan, as he loves exploring and looking for more rocks for Rock Science. In fact, it will give Badger the ability to look for a replacement agate for his collection. Several years ago, his precious agate was taken by his cousin, Fisher, never to be returned! So with Skunk avoiding G. Hedgehog and Badger avoiding thoughts of his stealing cousin, they set off into the woods. With some chickens, of course. (See the first book to get the low-down on the chickens.) But there's something special in the woods this time... and Badger and Skunk are not going to believe it! There, that's it. I'm not going to tell you anymore. Read it for yourself and love it! I know I did. Thank you to Algonquin Young Readers for my copy in exchange for an honest review.  3.5 stars
This really worked for me, mainly because I’ve already ready the books it’s based on, but still. If you're ALSO obsessed with this era of history, then check this out! Another book to add to the canon of fiction and nonfiction centered on Chicago, the World’s Fair, and H.H. Holmes. Plot: ★★★★ Pacing: ★★★★ Characters: ★★★ Enjoyment: ★★★ 1890s Chicago. The World's Fair. All the glitz and glamour in the world focused on the Windy City...and yet something darker lurks the in streets beneath. Women are disappearing. They're never seen again. And too many signs point to the Castle, a new hotel built near the grounds of the Fair. Zuretta's sister, Ruby, left their small Utah town to escape to the wilds of Chicago to find a better life. When Ruby's weekly letters stop arriving, Zuretta knows something has happened. She goes to Chicago to investigate. Once in the city, Zuretta realizes that Ruby is not the only girl lost in Chicago...not by a long shot. And the men of the police force and the famous Pinkerton detective agency have bigger fish to fry than helping one country bumpkin find her naïve sister. When all signs point to the Castle hotel, Zuretta decides that she needs to infiltrate it from within. She becomes the Castle's new maid, under the watchful eye of the young owner... Henry Holmes. The Castle's winding, nonsensical architecture entraps Zuretta while the screams in the walls haunt her nights. What's going on at the Castle, and just who, exactly, is behind it all? Zuretta's going to find out—and hopefully escape with her life. Ok so right off the bat, this is another one of those books that I think is either going to really, REALLY work for people... or be a huge miss. It's a huge YES from me, but I think a lot of my enjoyment came from knowing way more about this story's real-life historical roots. If you've already read Erik Larson's Devil in the White City, then you're extremely primed to like this one too as The Perfect Place to Die is a "perfect" (couldn't resist that pun) young adult fictional companion to that story. However, if you've NOT read any of the supporting works (Devil in the White City, fictional renditions like Kerri Maniscalco's Capturing the Devil, etc.) then you're left with the main plot itself, which does have some quirks/weaknesses as it attempts to follow the historical accuracies. It's not the most dramatic of stories, and it's also not the most complex—but again, it's because it's following the historical blueprint. An interesting one for sure. I enjoyed the read and will definitely recommend it to the right audience. Many thanks to the publisher for my copy in exchange for an honest review.  3.5 stars
Becket's back with her "Beautiful Alerts" and charming life in the country with this latest installment focused on pets...as well as a poignant message on expectations. Characters: ★★★★ Plot/Pacing: ★★★ Enjoyment: ★★★ 1/2 All Pets Allowed is the second book in the Blackberry Farm series, but in good middle grade fashion it's a easy entry point for new readers looking for an adventure. Having just read the first book, The Becket List, in preparation for this read I found this second book to be a charming upgrade from the first novel—with lots of continued goodness as well as fresh looks at some of the characters and plot. Becket is a treat to follow. Her enthusiasm and near-eternal positivity are honestly surprising to me as a jaded, pessimistic adult—but that's not Becket's problem, that's on me! I loved being reminded of the optimism and resilience of children. It's an amazing thing. Overall, I really enjoyed Becket's second journey with her twin brother, Nicolas, and their adventures and unexpected speed bumps on the road toward pet ownership and facing expectations. As Becket would say, a "Beautiful Alert" for this beautiful story! Thank you so much to the publisher for my copy in exchange for an honest review.  4 stars
Starts off simple and slow, but once you fall into this story it is one word—mesmerizing. Writing: ★★★★ Plot/Pacing: ★★★ and ★★★★, depending on how far you are in the book Enjoyment: ★★★★ 1/2 So first off, for those who miss clear clues like me, this is the first book in a duology! It is not a standalone novel. Six Crimson Cranes is a beautiful, mesmerizing, and classic YA retelling tale that involves all the best elements of the genre and a few unique twists. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Shiori, the only princess of Kiata, has a secret. Forbidden magic runs through her veins. When her stepmother, also possessing magic, discovers Shiori's secret, she curses Shiori and her six brothers. Shiori's brothers turn into cranes, and Shiori herself is cursed with silence and her identity is hidden by a covering on her head. They are then magically flung from the palace and separated. Once a princess, now a mute and unidentifiable girl in the rural countryside, Shiori is stuck and in need of a plan. She has to defeat her evil stepmother, break the curses on herself and her brothers, and save her kingdom from the outside forces who want to overthrow the land. It's a tall to-do list, that's for sure. But Shiori's endurance and sense of self are strong, and she knows she can do this. Armed with her sentient paper crane, Kiki, and a will to live, Shiori sets off on the adventure of a lifetime. (Shhh, I won't talk about it anymore. Go read it!) My thoughts: What? Amy loved a retelling? No way. Yes, way. I did. I thought this was a beautiful novel with quite a lot going for it. Six Crimson Cranes starts off extremely simple. In fact, for the first section of the plot I thought to myself, "oh boy, I don't think this will be a favorite. It's too classic." But I was wrong. Once you get into the plot itself, Lim's talent for detail, emotion, and simplistic—yet elegant—plot shines through. I was entranced by Shiori's struggle and coming of age moments. This reminded me of the best kinds of retellings, the old-school classic movies, the works. I also loved several things that are serious spoilers. Not going to touch on those in this review, but I'll say that this isn't as basic as you might assume, and just because the template is reminiscent of other fairytales does NOT mean that Lim takes us through the motions. There are some very cool and unique flips here. Blog | Instagram Thank you to the publisher for my copy in exchange for an honest review.  4.5 stars
This was a fantastic collection with very few duds for me. All taking place from sunset to sunrise... what a fun concept that left the authors with a LOT of wiggle room. (Also, isn't that deranged smile of mine the look of someone who has been "up all night" reading this?? Because that's what happened. For anthologies, I love to do a short breakdown for each story with individual star ratings. They're listed below! My top favorites were the stories by Kayla Whaley, Marieke Nijkamp, Tiffany D. Jackson, Julian Winters, and Kathleen Glasgow. Also, as a note, I am in love with the diversity in topics, sexuality, gender, race, physical abilities, wealth, and more in this collection. This truly felt like a representation for teens anywhere in the country. (All stories were USA based.) Never Have I Ever - Karen M McManus (4 stars) A classic game, an overnight party with band nerds...when one dare ends up with the group discovering their neighbor has been murdered, what's next? Like Before - Maureen Goo (3.5 stars) Three high school girls have fallen apart, and one third of their triangle is desperate to bring then back together. If she can just make them relive their memories, then everything will work out, right? RIGHT? Old Rifts and Snowdrifts - Kayla Whaley (5 stars) A wheelchair-bound teen and her ex-best friend are caught in his mom's florist shop during a dangerous snowstorm—it's time to unpack what led to their issues, and if there's something they can do about it. Con Nights, Parallel Hearts - Marieke Nijkamp (5 stars) The first, but not the last, story that made me tear up. One night, three friends are camping out before a convention. One of them wants to share their childhood trauma... and we see three parallel versions of that situation. Kiss the Boy - Amanda Joy (2.5 stars) A personal dud for me, but then I'm not a teen and my days of fretting over kissing boys and high school drama are behind me. A cute story amongst some harder-hitting ones. Creature Capture - Laura Silverman (3 stars) An overnight adventure featuring a Pokemon Go lookalike game, one girl who's convinced she's too weird to be a friend, and a very on-the-nose message about realizing that sometimes it's up to you to play the first move. Shark Bait - Tiffany D. Jackson (5 stars) Jackson's readers will know this story was always going to be a deep cut—and of course it was. A Black teen escaping reality at Martha's Vineyard with her boyfriend who can pass for white. A late-night accident. What now? A Place to Start - Nina LaCour (4 stars) Two new stepsiblings are left alone in their new, combined household while their moms go off to their honeymoon. Will they break down the walls, metaphorically or physically, before the morning? When You Bring a Dog to Prom - Anna Meriano (4.5 stars) Very cute post-prom situation that shows the blended and ever-complicated dramas of teens today. With some angst with a happy ending thrown in for some fun. This one made me tear up in a happy way. Missing - Kathleen Glasgow (4.5 stars) Even though this collection's concept was about stories taking place at night, for some reason I was surprised to see a horror story in here. I shouldn't have been! This creepy asylum adventure was chilling, seriously sad, and completely absorbing. What About Your Friends - Brandy Colbert (4 stars) An all-night dance marathon at a college takes a turn when our main character discovers one of her old best friends—who she ghosted the year before—is on the opposing team. Will emotions dance themselves out too? Under Our Masks - Julian Winters (5 stars) A cute and adorable geek story about a teen boy superhero and his crush, who is determined to stake out said superhero one night. Is it time for romance, or the truth about his identity? (Fans of TJ Klune's The Extraordinaries will LOVE this one.) The Ghost of Goon Creek - Francesca Zappia (3.5 stars) A loner "ghost hunter" girl ends up taking a group of teens out to a haunted spot one night. She thinks they're humoring her for weird reasons, when really they just want to get to know her. Cute, but a bit of let down after the earlier spooky story if I'm honest. Thank you to Algonquin for Young Readers for my copy in exchange for an honest review.  5 stars
Poignant, important, and all about discovering your own space--your space within yourself, your space amongst other people, and your space in the world. (Puns, yes, but serious meanings? Also yes.) Characters: ★★★★★ Emotional resonance: ★★★★★ Handling of topics: ★★★★★ Pluto is going through a difficult time. Recently diagnosed with depression and anxiety, it's not exactly what she had planned for the end of her seventh grade experience. 13-year-olds don't have to deal with this, do they? And if they do, why can't Pluto seem to handle it better? (Those are Pluto's harsh questions for herself.) Not only is Pluto navigating her own struggle and trying to figure out how to get through it--her dad, located in New York City, thinks he knows what's best and wants Pluto to come to the city in order to get better. Pluto doesn't want to leave her mom, and she doesn't want to go to the city. So it's time to make a list of what she needs to do in order to be "Pluto" again. If she can find herself and act like she used to, then she can stay...right? Pluto is about to discover just what it means to be herself. And how, at the end of the day, she can chart her own path through the stars. , My thoughts: Wow, is this book filled with heart. I cried, I ached, I laughed, I smiled. Pluto's journey through love, self acceptance, and personal growth was something special to witness. One of the poignant elements to me was Pluto's support system. Unlike other novels I've read, where the main character(s) might occasionally be unmoored without a robust group of loved ones around them, How to Become a Planet showcased a loving group of folks around Pluto wishing her the best, trying to help her, and helping her each step of the way in the best way they could. I found that added to the story immensely and left me with a feeling of warmth and safeness. I can only imagine how this would resonate with younger readers going through similar circumstances. This is an important novel for young LGBT+ teens, and especially those at the younger end. I look forward to having this in my arsenal for book recommendations for children and parents alike.  4.5 stars
I demand to know where books like these were when I was a kid! This was so much fun—humor, dark lords and unicorns, a young protagonist with Goals and Things to Do, and a whole lot of quirky adventures. Humor: ★★★★★ Characters: ★★★★★ Setting: ★★★★★ Plot/Pacing: ★★★ As the sole heir of the infamous Dark Lord Elithor, 12-year-old Clementine Morcerous has been groomed since birth to be the best (worst?) Evil Overlord she can be. This includes Dastardly Deeds, general rules about Evildoing from the Council of Dark Lords, and more. Who knew the life of a Dark Lord could be so...whimsical? Clementine, our young protagonist, is upset to discover that one day her father seems to be...chipping away. As if his body parts are being whittled down by some exterior force. At first, she's not concerned. Her father is often cursed by the other Dark Lords, that's par for the course in the Council. But usually those events are...flashier. More direct. And not a months on end process that her father actually seems to be losing. What's a girl to do, besides get to the bottom of it? With Clementine, her grimoire-turned-rogue-chicken "Gricken," a knight-in-training village boy, and a unicorn hunter in hiding, things are about to get INTERESTING. My thoughts: I loved this story. For a middle grade novel, this was packed with humor, sophisticated language, and a lot of relevant moral messaging for kids and adults alike. Clementine was a fantastic main character. I enjoyed the side characters, even as they were more trope-y and filled their humor niches. You always need some predictable comedic relief! Honestly, I'm running out of things to say besides... I loved it all. If you like humor, fantasies that don't take themselves too seriously, and books that are more character-driven as opposed to plot-driven, check this one out! Thank you to Algonquin for Young Readers for my copy in exchange for an honest review.  4 stars
Wow! I love reading something so new it's unlike anything I've read before. Three siblings vie for their godhoods in the lingering aftermath of their mother's murder in a mythological tale like the classics... Bring it on!! Concept: ★★★★★ Characters: ★★★★ Plot/Pacing: ★★★ 1/2 Enjoyment: ★★★★ First off, a moment of silence for future YA fantasies that I'll have to read following this book. They have big shoes to fill, as my expectations have been raised. Dream Country brings something new to the realm of YA literature—and I am here for it. The siblings of Dream, Nightmares, and Sleep have existed in separate realms for 6 years, ever since the murder of their mother, Night. The triplets were never charged with Night's murder, but the blood on their bodies and the lack of truth following the incident tarnished the legacies of all three children and they've been battling it ever since. Now it's six years later, and the triplets are about to experience another upset: their realms are in trouble. For years, the three realms of Dreams, Nightmares, and Sleep have been separated by an ornate Gate/Wall composed of Ivory and Horn. Dream can touch Ivory but not Horn, Nightmares can touch Horn but not Ivory, and Sleep can touch neither. So they remain separate, with their Minor gods living in the three realms alongside them. Then the Gates come down. And things will never be the same for these long-estranged siblings. My thoughts: Like I mentioned right off the bat, this debut sparkles with newness. From its focus on godhood and realms to its mythology-inspired storytelling and writing, Dream Country is unlike the rest of the genre. On some level, it made it harder to get into as it was so different, so "off" from the rest that I struggled to engage with its method of storytelling for the first third. However, once you get into the story and get on board with the writing style, the tale sings. I loved spending times with these archetypal siblings. Its a story that doesn't bring too many surprises or twists, but it does deliver on worthwhile emotions and beautiful, lyrical imagery. Looking forward to more from this author. She has a talent for a new perspective. Thank you to Onwe Press for my copy in exchange for an honest review. |
Amy Imogene ReadsJust someone looking for her own door into Wonderland. Archives
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All reviews posted are my own and do not reflect the opinions of any other individual or entity. When applicable, reviewed titles sent to me by the publisher are noted at the bottom of each review.
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