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betweentheshelves's reviews
2606 reviews
Heir, Apparently by Kara McDowell
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
For a minute towards the end of this one, I thought it was going to end on another cliff hanger and there was going to be another book. But thankfully, that is not the case! This wasn't a bad follow up to the first book, though the plot didn't exactly make sense most of the time. It is fiction, but I just wanted it to be a little more grounded in reality.
That being said, I was hooked towards the end, wanting to see what was going to happen with Wren and Theo. I do wish the book delved a little deeper in regards to the royal family, but we did get more insight with Theo's siblings. The characters were really what make this story great, even if the plot didn't always make the most sense.
All in all, an entertaining read, especially if you're a fan of the royal family!
That being said, I was hooked towards the end, wanting to see what was going to happen with Wren and Theo. I do wish the book delved a little deeper in regards to the royal family, but we did get more insight with Theo's siblings. The characters were really what make this story great, even if the plot didn't always make the most sense.
All in all, an entertaining read, especially if you're a fan of the royal family!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Infidelity and Death of parent
Furious by Rebecca Podos, Jamie Pacton
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
If you're a fan of Fast and Furious and YA novels, this is definitely the book for you! Pacton and Podos combine both of those vibes in a creative way in this story, with a cute romance at the center of the book.
At its core, this is also a coming of age story, where both Jojo and El learn how to adapt to becoming an adult. They are also both dealing with different kinds of grief; Jojo lost her mom and El is trying to find her sister. All of these emotions were dealt with with care, and they really filled out the overall story in the book.
All in all, if you like racing and teen sapphic romance, this is definitely the book for you!
At its core, this is also a coming of age story, where both Jojo and El learn how to adapt to becoming an adult. They are also both dealing with different kinds of grief; Jojo lost her mom and El is trying to find her sister. All of these emotions were dealt with with care, and they really filled out the overall story in the book.
All in all, if you like racing and teen sapphic romance, this is definitely the book for you!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Minor: Car accident and Death of parent
The New Girl by Cassandra Calin
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
A sweet middle grade graphic novel that has an absolutely adorable illustration style. Especially the way that she depicted different languages with different colored speech bubbles. I don't think I've seen that done before, but it works so well!
The story itself very much hit all of the notes of middle school, even when it was focused on moving to a new country. I especially appreciated all of the talk about periods, because talk normalizes it! This is something I've noticed more in middle grade graphic novels, and I am here for it.
All in all, this is definitely a lovely middle grade story I would recommend picking up!
The story itself very much hit all of the notes of middle school, even when it was focused on moving to a new country. I especially appreciated all of the talk about periods, because talk normalizes it! This is something I've noticed more in middle grade graphic novels, and I am here for it.
All in all, this is definitely a lovely middle grade story I would recommend picking up!
Content Warnings
Minor: Blood and Medical content
I Felt Myself Slipping by Ray Nadine
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Thanks to NetGalley and Oni Press for an advanced copy of I Felt Myself Slipping by Ray Nadine to review! After watching so much Olympics gymnasts in the last two weeks, this was a good time to read this one! One of my favorite things about this was the way that Nadine represented different gymnastics moves in their illustration style. We also get little hints of the ASL, but I think I would have liked a little more of that throughout the story.
Kota and Riley’s relationship was absolutely the best thing about this story. Some of the side characters could have been developed a little more, but their relationship worked so well. It’s sort of a first crush kind of relationship, and I like that the queer rep was subtle. Sometimes we need those stories that are a little more on the quiet side, and this book fits that well.
The color palette for this story reflected the subject matter, and I also appreciated the way that Nadine touches on grief and mental health. They are complex emotions and they don’t feel like they’re just brushed aside here. Both characters get the chance to feel what they feel.
All in all, if you like relationship driven sports stories, this book is definitely for you!
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Review to come!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders and Grief
Minor: Ableism, Car accident, and Death of parent
Taxi Ghost: (A Graphic Novel) by Sophie Escabasse
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Graphic for and advanced copy of Taxi Ghost by Sophie Escabasse! The Witches of Brooklyn is a favorite middle grade graphic novel of mine, so I was excited to pick this one up. And I am happy to say that I wasn’t disappointed!
At this point, I feel like Escabasse has a unique art style that immediately draws you into the story. Her lettering and writing also feels unique to her, and all around works so well for the tone of her books. This book sort of hints at Witches of Brooklyn, which I always find so fun! Authors hinting at their other works feels like a kind of easter egg.
The characters in this one were so well rounded, even some of the ghosts that Adèle interacts with. We get a contrast in her grandmother and her sister; her grandmother wants her to have nothing to do with ghosts, and her sister is fascinated by it (even though she can’t see them). Their family dynamic is one of the best things about the book, especially how supportive they are of each other.
This is a book about ghosts and about family, but it’s also about defending your neighborhood and community. They all learn to work together to save what they love, and it’s such a lovely thing. If you love magical middle grade graphic novels, definitely pick this one up!
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Review to come!
At this point, I feel like Escabasse has a unique art style that immediately draws you into the story. Her lettering and writing also feels unique to her, and all around works so well for the tone of her books. This book sort of hints at Witches of Brooklyn, which I always find so fun! Authors hinting at their other works feels like a kind of easter egg.
The characters in this one were so well rounded, even some of the ghosts that Adèle interacts with. We get a contrast in her grandmother and her sister; her grandmother wants her to have nothing to do with ghosts, and her sister is fascinated by it (even though she can’t see them). Their family dynamic is one of the best things about the book, especially how supportive they are of each other.
This is a book about ghosts and about family, but it’s also about defending your neighborhood and community. They all learn to work together to save what they love, and it’s such a lovely thing. If you love magical middle grade graphic novels, definitely pick this one up!
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Review to come!
Waverider by Kazu Kibuishi
adventurous
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A pretty good conclusion to the series! It does feel like there's still an opening for Kibuishi to possibly do some sort of spin off series, which would be cool! I'd be interested in seeing how these powers transfer to other worlds. Most of the storylines are tied up nicely, and all of our favorites end in good places. I hope most fans feel like this conclusion was worth the wait!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and War
Moderate: Death
Minor: Mental illness, Toxic relationship, and Death of parent
Shift Happens: The History of Labor in the United States by J. Albert Mann
informative
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
Honestly, the main takeaway from this is that the rich will do anything to stay rich, even if it means putting other people in the worst working conditions humanly possible. There are patterns that repeat themselves throughout history, and the way that Mann breaks this down is fascinating.
The overall tone is accessible to teens, I think, written in a way that's easy to follow. The labor movement in the US isn't one often covered extensively in US history classes (with the exception of a few major events), and this is a nice supplement to that. Overall, really well done, even if it might not be the most popular subject for teens.
The overall tone is accessible to teens, I think, written in a way that's easy to follow. The labor movement in the US isn't one often covered extensively in US history classes (with the exception of a few major events), and this is a nice supplement to that. Overall, really well done, even if it might not be the most popular subject for teens.
Supernova by Kazu Kibuishi
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I am glad that I waited until volume 9 was out to read this series because now I don't have to wait to see how it finishes. I appreciated the direction that this one took, allowing Emily to come into her own, but also showing the extent of the war they have found themselves in. I can't wait to see how it all ends!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Genocide, Death of parent, and War
Minor: Body horror, Xenophobia, and Colonisation
Firelight by Kazu Kibuishi
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
What a cliffhanger kind of ending in this one! Things seem dire for Emily and her friends, so hopefully it will turn around in the next volume! Once again, Kibuishi expands this world in a way that makes you just want to keep learning more. I'm a little sad there are only two volumes left!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Xenophobia, and Blood
Moderate: Grief, Car accident, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Death, Death of parent, and War
With Love, Miss Americanah by Jane Igharo
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This is such a lovely book! The narrator did a fantastic job as well. After moving to America from Nigeria, Enore has a set of rules that she thinks will help her to survive high school. Those rules are thrown out the window when she meets Davi and accidentally goes viral auditioning for the school musical. But these things set on her a path to realize what her true passion is.
In addition to finding herself, Enore is also struggling with grief over the fact her father passed away before they moved to America. There are so many emotions portrayed in this book that feel realistic and complex, especially as it relates to immigration and grief.
It does follow the general plot of a teen movie, but the characters are truly what makes this one. If you like teen romance that deals with heavier issues, definitely pick this one up!
In addition to finding herself, Enore is also struggling with grief over the fact her father passed away before they moved to America. There are so many emotions portrayed in this book that feel realistic and complex, especially as it relates to immigration and grief.
It does follow the general plot of a teen movie, but the characters are truly what makes this one. If you like teen romance that deals with heavier issues, definitely pick this one up!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Death of parent
Moderate: Mental illness and Racism