The Christmas Princess by Patricia McLinn

Title: The Christmas Princess (The Wedding Series #5)

Author: Patricia McLinn

Publisher: Craig Place Books 2014

Genre: Romance

Pages: 274

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Monthly Theme - December

The Christmas season isn’t looking great for April Gareaux. Her job is uninspiring, her engagement is off, and she has nowhere to live. Certainly her family would take her in, especially Leslie and Grady Roberts and their circle of friends who have become her extended family. But it’s time she stops relying on them.
Then comes an extraordinary offer – spend the holidays in Washington, D.C., with King Jozef of Bariavak as his possible long-lost granddaughter. Even more extraordinary is the man behind the offer and the one who will be beside her through the coming weeks, diplomatic security agent Hunter Pierce.
This is the last assignment Hunter would pick. Determination and grit have moved him beyond his past in Bariavak. Yet, here it is standing in front of him again, refusing to be ignored. … Just like his reactions to April. How can he fight what he’s feeling when they’re together all the time.
King Jozef has known tragedy in his life. Now, comes this lovely young woman bringing joy to his holidays. How can he resist dabbling in some royal matchmaking. Wouldn’t it be delightful if he could give April a Christmas gift she will never forget… Her Prince for a Lifetime

I surprised myself by really loving this one and giving it 5 stars! This one just had the right amount of heart and the right amount of romance to keep me intrigued. I loved the story of April and Hunter, but I especially loved learning more about Hunter’s past. I had an inkling that he was somehow involved with the King and was proved correct when all was revealed. I don’t think I will be reading the rest of this series, but this one was great as an almost read-alone (they are some references back to previous books, but it’s not necessary to read all). Perfect for our snowy weekend’s read.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Monstress Volume 5

Title: Monstress Volume 5

Author: Marjorie Liu, Sana Takeda

Publisher: Image 2020

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 144

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges:

The long-dreaded war between the Federation and Arcanics is about to explode. Maika must choose her next steps: will she help her friends, or strike out on her own?

Collects MONSTRESS issues #25-30

Another interesting volume in this series. At this point in the story, there are a ton of characters and plot threads. To be a fantastic read, some of those characters and plot threads need to be streamlined. There is just too much at certain points in the series. I did enjoy this volume and can’t wait to see what happens next.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Flight Vol. 2

Title: Flight Vol. 2

Author: Kazu Kibuishi

Publisher: Villard 2007

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 432

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: 

The graphic novel anthology that solidified the stature of the FLIGHT series as one of the most thoughtful, beautifully rendered works in the field.

Authors contributing to Flight, Volume Two include: Michel Gagne, Doug TenNapel, Catia Chen, Jake Parker, Sonny Liew, Khang Le, Neil Babra, Don Hertzfeldt, Jen Wang, Kazu Kibuishi, Hope Larsen, Becky Cloonan, Matthew Woodson, Kean Soo, Phil Craven, Rodolphe Guenoden, Doug Holgate, Rad Sechrist, Justin Ridge, Herval, Bannister, Clio Chang, Ryan Sias, Johane Matte, Jeff Smith, Giuseppe Ferrario, Ben Hatke, Amy Kim Ganter, Joana Carneiro, Kness, Richard Pose, and Vera Brosgol.

Another interesting collection of stories. Like all collections, I find some stories much more interesting than others.

The Christmas Contest by Scarlet Wilson

Title: The Christmas Contest

Author: Scarlet Wilson

Publisher: Tule 2019

Genre: Romance

Pages: 230

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: 

When Ben Winters and Lara Cottridge hear that a Vermont radio station is hosting a Christmas contest with a $10,000 prize for a charitable project of the winner’s choice, they seize the challenge. Although strangers, they both are obsessed with all things Christmas and each has their own worthy pet project in mind.

News of the contest creates a lot of buzz, but most participants fall at the first hurdle – a timed online quirky Christmas quiz. The second, a stressful on-air quiz whittles the field down to two – Briarhill Falls residents Lara and Ben who are surprised that they have never met.

As the contest heats up with five further Christmas-themed challenges, the town and state become enthralled by the battle of wits and skill. Soon Lara and Ben realize they have far more in common than a love of Christmas. And far more at stake. Will their competition stand in the way of falling in love?

Such a cute little sweet romance story. The entire meet-cute was adorable and I loved seeing how Ben and Lara’s relationship progressed throughout the contest. The ending was incredibly predictably, but it was still entertaining. Lovely and cute. A great little story to read this holiday season.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Once & Future Vol. 2

Title: Once & Future Vol. 2

Author: Kieron Gillen, Dan Mora

Publisher: Boom Studios 2020

Genre: Comics

Pages: 160

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges:

When an ancient helmet at the British Museum is taken, Bridgette and Duncan are confronted by another hero of yore, one who will lead them to facing off against their most formidable challenge yet...a beast and his mother.

Although Bridgette and Duncan stopped Arthur from retrieving the Grail and separated him from the legendary scabbard of Excalibur, the undead King of the Britons still has his sights on returning to our world and returning to power. By inadvertently changing the story of the famous King, Duncan and Gran have thrown the Otherworld into shambles, allowing for new legends and characters to make their appearance - and bring a world of trouble along with them.

But when an ancient helmet at the British Museum is taken, Bridgette and Duncan are confronted by another hero of yore, one who will lead them to facing off against their most formidable challenge yet...a beast and his mother.

New York Times bestselling writer Kieron Gillen (The Wicked + The Divine, Star Wars) and Russ Manning Award-winning artist Dan Mora (Buffy The Vampire Slayer, Klaus) deliver the next chapter of the critically-acclaimed series that took the world of comics by storm!

Collects Once & Future #7-12.

Oh I am so incredibly into this comic series. We get appearances from three more story characters and learn more about Merlin and Nimue and Arthur. Lots of action in this volume and lots of gore. Love it! Can’t wait for the next one.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Let It Snow by Erica Ridley

Title: Let it Snow (Magic and Mayhem #1)

Author: Erica Ridley

Publisher: 2013

Genre: Romance

Pages: 172

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: 

Adventurer Lance Desmond needs to produce a fortune before his arch-rival collects the bounty on his head. He risks an ancient curse to retrieve treasure hidden within icebound Castle Cavanaugh, only to become trapped inside. Not with the gold he so desperately needs, but with medieval Princess Marigold who's been cooling her heels since... well, medieval times.

The lonely princess refuses to acknowledge the blossoming attraction between them. Not just because she deserves a better future than a penniless rogue. But because at midnight, he'll vanish like all her other would-be heroes. And the evergreen in the parlor will have one more figurine hanging from its boughs..

Apparently this story was re-released under the name Kissed by Magic, but when I got it on Kindle, it was called Let It Snow. The story is less a Christmas story then a Frozen-esque fantasy romance. I was okay with the romance portion. I wasn’t a fan of the weird mix of magic and pirates and curses and our modern conveniences like cell phones and GPS. Too much! The author should have removed a few aspect especially considering that the story was not that long.

Next up on the TBR pile:

North American Lake Monsters by Nathan Ballingrud

Title: North American Lake Monsters

Author: Nathan Ballingrud

Publisher: Small Beer Press 2013

Genre: Short Stories Horror

Pages: 300

Rating: 2/5 stars

Reading Challenges: 

Nathan Ballingrud's Shirley Jackson Award winning debut collection is a shattering and luminous experience not to be missed by those who love to explore the darker parts of the human psyche. Monsters, real and imagined, external and internal, are the subject. They are us and we are them and Ballingrud's intense focus makes these stories incredibly intense and irresistible.

These are love stories. And also monster stories. Sometimes these are monsters in their traditional guises, sometimes they wear the faces of parents, lovers, or ourselves. The often working-class people in these stories are driven to extremes by love. Sometimes, they are ruined; sometimes redeemed. All are faced with the loneliest corners of themselves and strive to find an escape.

This was a bit more psychological than I was hoping for. I wanted some super scary horror stories; not necessarily people-behaving-badly stories. Once I got over my initial setback, I tried to settle in and really read these stories. Unfortunately I couldn’t connect with any of them and most were very problematic. I don’t want to read about racists and sexists. I wanted to see people encountering horrific things. Most of the time, those horrific things were themselves. I’d be hard-pressed to find a single character that I liked. Add on the fact that most of these stories end seemingly mid-thought and I did not enjoy this collection at all. Oh well. One to the next book.

Next up on the TBR pile:

A Christmas to Remember by Jenny Hale

Title: A Christmas to Remember

Author: Jenny Hale

Publisher: Bookouture 2014

Genre: Romance

Pages: 260

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Monthly Theme - December

Carrie Blake loves her job as a nanny but, while her friends are settling down, all of Carrie’s spare time is spent with other people’s families. Though it breaks her heart, her New Year’s resolution is to embark on a new career and fix her love life.

As Carrie starts her last job, she’s sure she’ll be going out on a high – the house is amazing, the kids are adorable, and she’s in charge of decorating the tree!

The only problem could be her boss… Single dad Adam Fletcher might be both handsome and successful, but he’s always working. Doesn’t he realize he’s missing out on precious moments with his son and daughter?

As Adam’s family arrive for Christmas, including his sensitive sister, Sharon, and his fun-loving, elderly Grandpa, Walter, Carrie realizes that she might just have found the perfect allies in her quest to persuade Adam to loosen up. There’s still time for Carrie to make this the best Christmas ever… After all, Christmas is the time for miracles, isn’t it? Let the festivities begin!

A sweet, Christmas family story. Calling it a romance is a bit of a stretch, but I did enjoy watching Adam find Christmas spirit with help from his new nanny. There are some cliches in this story, but I came away with a warm feeling in my heart. It’s just so darn earnest. And the kids are super adorable and fun. Plus we get some great side characters, especially Walter. Definitely a Hallmark Channel Christmas movie.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Her Christmas Bonus by Rain Danvers

Title: Her Christmas Bonus

Author: Rain Danvers

Publisher:

Genre: Romance

Pages: 29

Rating: 2/5 stars

Reading Challenges: 

Sage has been working at a high-tech firm in Newport Beach, CA for over two years as the only female director among three men. She is highly valued by her boss and she loves her job, but there's a problem - she's totally attracted to him and the stress is killing her. She's taking three days off for the Christmas holiday and has posted her availability online, hoping to find a job when she returns. Before she can leave, she has to find her cell phone and she doesn't know where she left it.

Terrance is the founder and owner of Templeton Designs and considers Sage so valuable to the company, he can't afford to acknowledge the feelings he has for her. He's stuck at the company this year when normally he would be enjoying the holiday in a warm, tropical location. It may be the year he finds a way to acknowledge the woman who holds his heart captive.

A teeny tiny short story that had some promise, but ultimately fell flat. I liked the run-up to Sage and Terrance’s encounter at her apartment. From there, we get too much, too fast, but not enough (if you know what I mean). And the ending is laughable. Not very good at all. At least it only took me like 15 minutes to read this.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Gotham Academy Second Semester Vol. 1-2

Title: Gotham Academy

Author: Becky Cloonan, Brenden Fletcher, Karl Kerschl

Publisher: DC 2017

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 158

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: 

It’s the second semester at Gotham Academy, and everything is back to normal. Of course, “normal” for Gotham’s top prep school would be considered uncontrollable weirdness anywhere else!

First, a bunch of students start walking out of their extracurricular activities with no explanation and signing up for a strange new society—Witch Club! Then, a stolen map of the Academy puts the students on the trail of ancient symbols and hidden chambers.

There’s plenty for the Detective Club to investigate—but Olive Silverlock is distracted by her new rebel roommate, Amy. Is Maps Mizoguchi right to be suspicious of a bad influence, or just jealous that she’s losing her best friend?

Plus, Detective Club is joined by the World’s Greatest Detective—Batman!

Collects GOTHAM ACADEMY: SECOND SEMESTER #1-3, #5-8.

And we’re back to the actual storyline thankfully. We get an interesting new character and more answers. I loved getting more about Colton and Pom. We get some movement on various relationships. I loved to see where the stories were going.

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Title: Gotham Academy

Author: Becky Cloonan, Brenden Fletcher, Karl Kerschl, Adam Archer

Publisher: DC 2017

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 128

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: 

The second semester at Gotham Academy is wrapping up, but more than just the school year may be coming to an end. Olive Silverlock is possessed by the spirit of her ancestor, Amity Arkham, a ghoulish entity who wants to burn Gotham City to the ground.

As Amity leads Olive on a mission of fire and vengeance, the rest of Detective Club scrambles to find a way to free their friend. When their rescue attempt leads them to an ancient relic hidden inside Wayne Manor, will Damian Wayne be able to help the students without revealing his secret identity as Robin?

And when Amity’s control pits Olive against villains Two-Face and the Penguin, Olive’s friends’ good intentions might just get them killed…

Collects GOTHAM ACADEMY: SECOND SEMESTER issues #9-12 and #4, from the creative team of Brenden Fletcher, Becky Cloonan, and Karl Kerschl, Adam Archer and MSASSYK.

The first issue of this volume was definitely my favorite. We get an interesting carnival themed story featuring Hammerhead and the past of Gotham Academy. Beyond that story, we get a sort of conclusion to the series. I was slightly disappointed that we don’t get more involvement with Batman and Robin, but the glimpses were nice. Overall, I really enjoyed this series.

Lumberjanes/Gotham Academy

Title: Lumberjanes/Gotham Academy

Author: Chynna Clugston-Flores, Maddi Gonzalez, Whitney Cogar Rosemary Valero-O'Connell

Publisher: BOOM! 2017

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 160

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: 

The Lumberjanes and Gotham Academy kids team up!

DREAM TEAM UP!

When a teacher at Gotham Academy goes missing, it’s up to Olive, Maps, Colton, Pom, and Kyle to figure out what is happening and how to get her back. With only an outdated birthday invitation as the clue, they find themselves in the middle of the woods with no idea of where to start. With the sudden appearance of the Lumberjanes—April, Jo, Mal, Molly, Ripley and Jen—who are on the hunt for their missing Camp Director, all clues point to an abandoned cabin with more secrets than cobwebs.

BOOM! Studios and DC Comics team up to bring together Lumberjanes and Gotham Academy for the ultimate friendship-fueled crossover event. Written by Chynna Clugston Flores (Blue Monday), and illustrated by Rosemary Valero-O’Connell (Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up With Me) and Maddi Gonzalez, this is a running-for-your-life-from-skeletal-monsters mystery that leads to lifelong friendship!

Oh such fun! I loved this adventure romp featuring both the ladies of Roanoke Cabin and the students from Gotham Academy. The was lighter than the other Gotham Academy volumes and more like a Lumberjanes volume. Thank goodness. I wanted the fun romp through a slightly strange mystery. It was great to see the connections between the two worlds and a few of the characters. Lots of fun for an afternoon’s reading.

The Invisible of Addie LaRue by VE Schwab

Title: The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue

Author: V.E. Schwab

Publisher: Tor Books 2020

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 448

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Unread Shelf

France, 1714: in a moment of desperation, a young woman makes a Faustian bargain to live forever―and is cursed to be forgotten by everyone she meets.

Thus begins the extraordinary life of Addie LaRue, and a dazzling adventure that will play out across centuries and continents, across history and art, as a young woman learns how far she will go to leave her mark on the world.

But everything changes when, after nearly 300 years, Addie stumbles across a young man in a hidden bookstore and he remembers her name.

This was a beautiful, haunting, thought-provoking book. I didn’t want the story to end. I was sucked into the basic premise of the book and then grew to really love Addie and Henry and even Luc. I loved the first part of the book as we follow Addie in the, somewhat, present time and in her past. I loved following her along her travels and growth. And then Henry enters the picture. I loved him as an addition to Addie’s life, but wasn’t sure about the narration from his point of view. It took me a bit to settle into his story. When I did, I fell for Henry also. It surprised me that I grew to love Luc so much over the course of the story. Overall, I loved every part of this book. I am definitely keeping it on my shelf. And it’s going on my Top 10 of the year list!

Next up on the TBR pile:

Gotham Academy Vol. 1-3

Title: Gotham Academy Vol. 1: Welcome to Gotham Academy

Author: Becky Cloonan, Brenden Fletcher, Karl Kerschl

Publisher: DC 2015

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 160

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: 

Welcome to Gotham Academy, the most prestigious school in Gotham City. Only the best and brightest students may enter its halls, study in its classrooms, explore its secret passages, summon its terrifying spirits…

Okay, so Gotham Academy isn’t like other schools. But Olive Silverlock isn’t like other students. After a mysterious incident over summer break, she’s back at school with a bad case of amnesia, an even worse attitude… and an unexplained fear of bats.

Olive’s supposed to show new student Maps Mizoguchi the ropes. Problem: Maps is kid sister of Kyle, Olive’s ex. Then there’s the ghost haunting the campus…the secret society conducting bizarre rituals…and Bruce Wayne, the weirdo billionaire who funds the Academy - and may know the secret to Olive’s big mystery.

Find out in GOTHAM ACADEMY VOL. 1, the acclaimed new series from co-writers Becky Cloonan (DEMO) and Brendan Fletcher (BATGIRL) and artist Karl Kerschl (TEEN TITANS: YEAR ONE)! Collects GOTHAM ACADEMY #1-6.

I’ve never read much of the DC Universe, but I picked up this series because there is a crossover with Lumberjanes. I loved the mix of Nancy Drew-esque mystery solving and actual supernatural events. I want to know more about Olive and Tristan and the various teachers. There are definitely mysteries in abundance at Gotham Academy. I am completely on board for the ride.

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Title: Gotham Academy Vol. 2: Calamity

Author: Becky Cloonan, Brenden Fletcher, Karl Kerschl, Mingjue Helen Chen

Publisher: DC 2016

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 144

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: 

Gotham Academy is haunted!

At the beginning of the term, Olive Silverlock returned to Gotham Academy a shadow of her former self. But thanks to her new friendships and their Detective Club sleuthing, Olive was finally starting to feel whole again.

Then, abruptly, Olive’s mother died—or, she seemed to. In the weeks after the funeral, Olive begins seeing her mother around the school. An Arkham Asylum patient with a deadly dark side, Sybil Silverlock was a powerful and complicated woman. Could her spirit be reaching out from beyond the grave? And if so, is it motherly Sybil who haunts Olive—or her deadly alter ego Calamity?

Plus, the kids hunt a werewolf on campus and Maps teams up with the Academy’s newest transfer, Damian Wayne!

Writers Becky Cloonan and Brenden Fletcher team with artists Karl Kerschl and Mingjue Helen Chen for GOTHAM ACADEMY VOL. 2: CALAMITY. Collects GOTHAM ACADEMY #7-12 and DC SNEAK PEEK: GOTHAM ACADEMY #1.

I still really enjoyed this volume of stories, although it wasn’t quite as interesting as the first one. The mysteries continue to deepen, but we don’t get many answers to all our questions. I do love the addition of Damian Wayne. Wonder where that’s story is going to go?

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Title: Gotham Academy Vol. 3: Yearbook

Author: Brenden Fletcher, Derek Fridolfs, Dustin Nguyen, Rafael Albuquerque

Publisher: DC 2016

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 176

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: 

"Another turning point, a fork stuck in the road. Life grabs you by the wrist..." and hands you this year's Gotham Academy yearbook!

The students of Gotham's most prestigious prep school are back and they've just survived one heck of a year within the walls of Gotham Academy. Now it's time for everyone to look back and experience some of the lost adventures from the school year that was. Featuring stories and art by some of comics' best and brightest creators including Dustin Nguyen (BATMAN: L'IL GOTHAM), Derek Fridolfs (BATMAN: L'IL GOTHAM) and Rafael Albuquerque (AMERICAN VAMPIRE), as well as from regular series writer Brenden Fletcher (BATGIRL)!

Collects GOTHAM ACADEMY #13-17.

This was more of a compilation of vignettes than a big story arc. I did love the glimpses into the Robins and the larger problems with Batman.

Lumberjanes Volumes

Title: Lumberjanes The Shape of Friendship

Author: Lilah Sturges, Shannon Watters, Brooklyn Allen, Noelle Stevenson, Grace Ellis, polterink

Publisher: BOOM! 2019

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 144

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: 

While adventuring in the woods, Jo, Mal, Molly, April, and Ripley discover the hiding place of a group of magical creatures called Pookas and they think they’ve found new friends. But what they don’t know is that the Pookas are tired of hiding, and they’ve found the perfect way to join the outside world…by impersonating the Lumberjanes themselves and taking over Camp! To reclaim their identities, the ’Janes will have to work together to remember who they really are…and to help another group of friends accept themselves, too, in a story about looking inside yourself and learning to love who you meet there.

I didn’t quite realize that this was part of the first trade as a standalone volume. It was nice to revisit the ladies of Roanoke cabin and their first adventures into the woods.

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Title: Lumberjanes The Infernal Compass

Author: Lilah Sturges, Shannon Watters, Brooklyn Allen, Noelle Stevenson, Grace Ellis, polterink

Publisher: BOOM! 2018

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 144

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: 

The first original graphic novel set in the award winning and critically acclaimed Lumberjanes world!

When the Janes start to become separated during an orienteering outing thanks to a mysterious compass, Molly becomes more and more insecure about the effect of her relationship with Mal on the other girls. Meanwhile, a lonely woman explorer is trying to steal the compass, with the help of some weirdly polite automaton butlers.

Such a fun story! I loved this fun adventure. Mal and Molly are such a perfect fun couple.

Lovecraft Country by Matt Ruff

Title: Lovecraft Country

Author: Matt Ruff

Publisher: Harper Perennial 2017

Genre: Horror

Pages: 400

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges:

The critically acclaimed cult novelist makes visceral the terrors of life in Jim Crow America and its lingering effects in this brilliant and wondrous work of the imagination that melds historical fiction, pulp noir, and Lovecraftian horror and fantasy.

Chicago, 1954. When his father Montrose goes missing, 22-year-old Army veteran Atticus Turner embarks on a road trip to New England to find him, accompanied by his Uncle George—publisher of The Safe Negro Travel Guide—and his childhood friend Letitia. On their journey to the manor of Mr. Braithwhite—heir to the estate that owned one of Atticus’s ancestors—they encounter both mundane terrors of white America and malevolent spirits that seem straight out of the weird tales George devours.

At the manor, Atticus discovers his father in chains, held prisoner by a secret cabal named the Order of the Ancient Dawn—led by Samuel Braithwhite and his son Caleb—which has gathered to orchestrate a ritual that shockingly centers on Atticus. And his one hope of salvation may be the seed of his—and the whole Turner clan’s—destruction.

This was the horror journey that I needed this month. Right away we get glimpses into a life and world that isn’t going to be normal. I loved that we jump right into the story while also getting to the know the characters. I was slightly unprepared for the changes in narrators after the first section, but quickly got into the groove and loved the change. It was nice to see every character’s story and interactions with the larger storyline. I think my favorite story was focused on Hipppolyta. Loved her adventure! I was sad to see the madness stop, but loved the ending so much. Just perfect!

Next up on the TBR pile:

Color Me In by Natasha Diaz

Title: Color Me In

Author: Natasha Diaz

Publisher: Ember 2020

Genre: YA Fiction

Pages: 384

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Monthly Theme - October

Growing up in an affluent suburb of New York City, sixteen-year-old Nevaeh Levitz never thought much about her biracial roots. When her Black mom and Jewish dad split up, she relocates to her mom's family home in Harlem and is forced to confront her identity for the first time.

Nevaeh wants to get to know her extended family, but because she inadvertently passes as white, her cousin thinks she's too privileged, pampered, and selfish to relate to the injustices African Americans face on a daily basis. In the meantime, Nevaeh's dad decides that she should have a belated bat mitzvah instead of a sweet sixteen, which guarantees social humiliation at her posh private school. But rather than take a stand, Nevaeh does what she's always done when life gets complicated: she stays silent.

Only when Nevaeh stumbles upon a secret from her mom's past, finds herself falling in love, and sees firsthand the prejudice her family faces does she begin to realize she has her own voice. And choices. Will she continue to let circumstances dictate her path? Or will she decide once for all who and where she is meant to be?

I was very underwhelmed by this book. I loved the premise and was hoping for another The Poet X or Clap When You Land. Instead, we get a book with virtually no plot with underdeveloped characters and bad poetry. I wasn’t a fan of how other women were portrayed (very stereotypical villain types). I hated the father and mostly the mother. The ways in which Nevaeh oppresses others while whining about being oppressed really got to me. Overall, this was a very immature debut novel. Lots of interesting topics but not well executed.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Flight Vol. 1

Title: Flight Vol. 1

Author: Kazu Kibuishi

Publisher: Villard 2007

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 208

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: 

Originally published by Image Comics in 2004, Flight, Volume One launched this graphic novel series with a resounding bang. Since then the Flight series has steadily increased in popularity–and now all of the Flight backlist will be coming to Villard!

Flight, Volume One received a great boost when graphic novel hero Scott McCloud praised the quality and artistry of the book in an afterward entitled THE YEAR COMICS TOOK FLIGHT. Little could readers know at the time how prophetic McCloud’s words would prove to be.

Random library find. I enjoyed this collection of stories all dealing with the concept of flight. The variety of styles and art was delightful. I read this in an enjoyable afternoon and am looking forward to reading volume two.

Over the Woodward Wall by A. Deborah Baker

Title: Over the Woodward Wall

Author: A. Deborah Baker

Publisher: Tordotcom 2020

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 208

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges:

Avery is an exceptional child. Everything he does is precise, from the way he washes his face in the morning, to the way he completes his homework – without complaint, without fuss, without prompt.

Zib is also an exceptional child, because all children are, in their own way. But where everything Avery does and is can be measured, nothing Zib does can possibly be predicted, except for the fact that she can always be relied upon to be unpredictable.

They live on the same street.
They live in different worlds.

On an unplanned detour from home to school one morning, Avery and Zib find themselves climbing over a stone wall into the Up and Under – an impossible land filled with mystery, adventure and the strangest creatures.

And they must find themselves and each other if they are to also find their way out and back to their own lives.

Oh goodness… This is definitely going onto my year-end Top 10 Reads! A new fun and twisty book from Seanan McGuire was just what I needed this week! Right away I got Alice in Wonderland and Wizard of Oz vibes from this tale of two opposite children transported to a very improbable world. And those feelings kept getting stronger as the story progressed. I loved following Avery and Zib (hello A to Z!) as they attempt to escape the Up and Under, but ultimately find themselves and each other along the way. This is for fans of twisty fairy tales and nonsense worlds. I imagine that I will be pushing this book onto all my friends for the rest of the year.

Next up on the TBR pile:

The Troop by Nick Cutter

Title: The Troop

Author: Nick Cutter

Publisher: Gallery Books 2016

Genre: Horror

Pages: 384

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Perpetual - NPR Horror

Once every year, Scoutmaster Tim Riggs leads a troop of boys into the Canadian wilderness for a weekend camping trip—a tradition as comforting and reliable as a good ghost story around a roaring bonfire. But when an unexpected intruder stumbles upon their campsite—shockingly thin, disturbingly pale, and voraciously hungry—Tim and the boys are exposed to something far more frightening than any tale of terror. The human carrier of a bioengineered nightmare. A horror that spreads faster than fear. A harrowing struggle for survival with no escape from the elements, the infected…or one another.

This was a recommendation from one of my favorite podcasts: Currently Reading. And it is not for the feint of heart. This is hardcore body horror (but not in the trippy way like Mexican Gothic). This one is very gorey and made me say “ew” out loud many times. We get a mix of contagion horror with Lord of the Flies focused on five boys and one adult on an isolated island. From there, I basically knew how the story was going to devolve, but was all in for the ride. My biggest complaint was the fact that they allude to the ending about 75 pages from the ending. I would have rather have been surprised by the ending than guess based off of the clues. And i did have a few qualms about the back stories of the boys, especially Shelly. I was not really into adding a character like him into the story.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Lumberjanes Bonus Tracks

Title: Lumberjanes Bonus Tracks

Author: Holly Black, Faith Erin Hicks, Jen Wang, Gabby Rivera, Kelly Thompson, Shannon Watters, Noelle Stevenson, Brooklyn Allen, Grace Ellis, Rosemary Valero-O’Connell, Savana Ganucheau, Christine Norrie, Gaby Epstein

Publisher: BOOM! 2018

Genre: Graphic Novel

Pages: 128

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: 

Join April, Jo, Mal, Molly and Ripley as they explore their all-girls camp. From ghost ponies to strange plants, these Lumberjanes are ready to take on anything that comes their way as long as they have each other.

With stories written by Eisner Award-winner Faith Erin Hicks, and New York Times bestselling author Holly Black, these adventures are definitely something you don’t want to miss. Collecting all the Lumberjanes one-shots for the first time, Lumberjanes: Bonus Tracks has a star studded cast of talent that is just too good to pass up!

Super fun collection of one-off stories. I loved revisiting the Lumberjane girls before my library received the next trade for me to read. My favorite story ending up being the one set in the Renaissance Faire. Apparently those woods really do have everything you can imagine! Loved the take on the Robin Hood story.