The nitty-gritty: I loved Joan He’s writing and her thought-provoking ideas, but a confusing story and unexplained world building elements ultimately left me disappointed. I wish I had enjoyed this book more, especially after seeing many glowing reviews in the blogging community. There’s no denying that Joan He has a way with words, and her […]
The nitty-gritty: I loved the 90s/New Orleans/vampire mythology vibe, but the pacing was inconsistent and the final reveals were too over-the-top for me. Mina and the Undead has a lot going for it: the New Orleans setting (with plenty of references to Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire), a creepy horror mansion with lots of […]
The nitty-gritty: A unique blend of YA and adult, sci-fi and spy thriller, I can honestly say I’ve never read anything quite like Dragonfly Girl. I had a lot of fun with Dragonfly Girl, Marti Leimbach’s well-written YA debut (she has written a bunch of adult titles as well). For readers who are dying to […]
The nitty-gritty: Full of fun 90s nostalgia, This is Not the Jess Show has twists and surprises, plenty of action, and even some sweet emotional moments. This is a hard book to talk about without spoiling some major plot points, but I’m going to do my best. I’m taking a cue from the blurb on […]
The nitty-gritty: A perfect mix of history and mystery, Opium and Absinthe was both engaging and informative. I don’t read a lot of historical fiction, so I was delighted to discover that I loved reading about New York City in 1899. Kang builds her fascinating, multilayered story around several historical events: first, the publication of […]
The nitty-gritty: A sweet and funny story filled with friendship, family and a little romance. And plenty of sci-fi pop culture name dropping! Bookish and the Beast is another fun entry into Ashley Poston’s lively Once Upon a Con series, where each book takes on a traditional fairy tale and spins it into a modern […]
The nitty-gritty: Shipwrecks, sea monsters, and an engaging bunch of characters come together in this fantastic YA debut, full of thrills and plenty of mystery. Hi Dad, I’m going to write you until this pencil wears out. Until all of me wears out. I’m not sure what’s real and what’s not anymore, but these words, […]
The nitty-gritty: Six high school friends with magical abilities get into a heap of trouble in Gailey’s first foray into young adult fiction. Sarah Gailey is a rockstar in publishing these days, with no less than four new books published within a span of less than two years. In their latest, they dip their toes […]
The nitty-gritty: A dark and dangerous tale filled with monsters, magic and hard choices. A mystium is a crossbreed between a mysting and a mortal. Incredibly rare, as most mystings and mortals are not a reproductive match. One can only assume violence to be involved in their creation. The Will and the Wilds is a […]
The nitty-gritty: Kiersten White’s Buffyverse series wraps up nicely with Chosen, despite a few uneven plot points, and our favorite characters are back with plenty of snarky humor and Buffy Easter eggs. “Anyway, you should have said you were a Slayer. Slayers and I go way back. Here.” He pulls out one of his cards, […]