betweentheshelves's reviews
2020 reviews
Nine Liars, by Maureen Johnson
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I don't think this is the strongest book in this series, but I liked the idea of Stevie going abroad to solve a mystery! It's a fun way to expand the series, and I'm assuming that there will be another book because this one kind of just feels like it ends. The mystery is solved, but the drama in Stevei's personal life is not.
I will say, I don't like David as a love interest. Personally, I don't think he and Stevie have good chemistry and I think Stevie can do better. But that's just my opinion! The mystery in this one was a good twisty one, which is one of the main reasons to read this series, anyway.
All in all, a fun addition to the series, and I'm sure that will be another coming at some point!
I will say, I don't like David as a love interest. Personally, I don't think he and Stevie have good chemistry and I think Stevie can do better. But that's just my opinion! The mystery in this one was a good twisty one, which is one of the main reasons to read this series, anyway.
All in all, a fun addition to the series, and I'm sure that will be another coming at some point!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Violence, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Sexual content, Child death, and Infidelity
Minor: Cursing, Drug abuse, and Alcoholism
This Book Is Gay, by Juno Dawson
informative
lighthearted
medium-paced
5.0
I feel like it's only fitting to end 2022 with a banned book, so here we are! Am I surprised certain people want this banned? Unfortunately, no. But it's a great introduction to the LGBTQ+ community, breaking down sexuality, gender, and some of the history behind the LGBTQ+ community. I think it's a great jumping off point for teens questioning their identity, and even for adults who don't know, either.
The tone of this book is really easy to read; it's lighthearted (for the most part), and interspersed with illustrations throughout. It's a really easy book to read, and I hope that it makes it into the hands of people who need it.
The tone of this book is really easy to read; it's lighthearted (for the most part), and interspersed with illustrations throughout. It's a really easy book to read, and I hope that it makes it into the hands of people who need it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Drug use, and Sexual content
Moderate: Transphobia, Religious bigotry, and Biphobia
Minor: Deadnaming, Bullying, and Chronic illness
Always the Almost, by Edward Underhill
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Deadnaming, Homophobia, and Transphobia
Moderate: Bullying, Dysphoria, and Racism
Minor: Sexual content, Sexism, and Misogyny
The Memory Index, by Julian R. Vaca
adventurous
mysterious
tense
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
3.5
This book kind of reminded me of Inception, in a way, though set in an alternate version of the 80s. It's a little distopian-esque, with people all around the world in danger of losing their memories. So, the government invites a group of teenagers to a school to basically test a new technology to help combat the memory loss.
There are quite a few 80s pop culture references in here, partially to help world build, I think. For the most part, I don't think it was needed, especially becuase this is sort of supposed to be an alternate version of the 80s. But they could be fun for some!
The last third of the book is the best, as they're going on a sort of memory heist to potentially stop a terrorist. This is the part that feels like Inception, and I actually really enjoyed that! Since there's going to be a second book, I hope it builds more on that particular part of the story.
The characters are pretty well developed, despite there being multiple narrators. They all felt like they got an equal amount of time to tell their story, and gave us a rounded view of what was actually going on. It's quite a fun group of friends to read about.
All in all, an enjoyable read, and probably enough to make me pick up the second book when it comes out in 2023!
There are quite a few 80s pop culture references in here, partially to help world build, I think. For the most part, I don't think it was needed, especially becuase this is sort of supposed to be an alternate version of the 80s. But they could be fun for some!
The last third of the book is the best, as they're going on a sort of memory heist to potentially stop a terrorist. This is the part that feels like Inception, and I actually really enjoyed that! Since there's going to be a second book, I hope it builds more on that particular part of the story.
The characters are pretty well developed, despite there being multiple narrators. They all felt like they got an equal amount of time to tell their story, and gave us a rounded view of what was actually going on. It's quite a fun group of friends to read about.
All in all, an enjoyable read, and probably enough to make me pick up the second book when it comes out in 2023!
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse and Death of parent
Coven, by Jennifer Dugan
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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? Yes
3.5
What I loved the most about this was the art, to be honest, though YA graphic novels seem to be slaying with the art lately. There are some really excellent panels throughout this book, helping to build the witchy community that Emsy finds herself in when her parents move her back to the east from California.
For the most part, the characters were well-developed, and we get a lot of diversity that's just there. Some of the side characters blend a little into the background, but the main characters do get chances to shine, even if they are teenagers who don't make the best choices. We've all been there.
The plot of the story was fairly easy to predict; the "twist" is pretty easy to see coming. I also kind of wished that we got a little more backstory from the coven. Emsy's parents were like, we had to leave for safety reasons, but the stakes didn't feel high enough for me? Besides the fact that the bad guys had killed an entire family. I wanted that aspect to be a little more fleshed out, to help add more of an urgency to the plot.
Despite that, I'm all for all of the queer witchy graphic novels currently coming out, so keep them coming! I will absolutely keep reading them.
For the most part, the characters were well-developed, and we get a lot of diversity that's just there. Some of the side characters blend a little into the background, but the main characters do get chances to shine, even if they are teenagers who don't make the best choices. We've all been there.
The plot of the story was fairly easy to predict; the "twist" is pretty easy to see coming. I also kind of wished that we got a little more backstory from the coven. Emsy's parents were like, we had to leave for safety reasons, but the stakes didn't feel high enough for me? Besides the fact that the bad guys had killed an entire family. I wanted that aspect to be a little more fleshed out, to help add more of an urgency to the plot.
Despite that, I'm all for all of the queer witchy graphic novels currently coming out, so keep them coming! I will absolutely keep reading them.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death of parent, and Grief
Moderate: Death, Fire/Fire injury, and Medical content
Minor: Cursing and Blood
The Many Deaths of Laila Starr, by Ram V
emotional
reflective
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
4.0
Apparently I'm basically reading my way through all of the graphic novels/comics nominated in the 2022 Goodreads awards, and I'm okay with that. The premise of this one is the goddess of death is fired after a baby is born who is supposed to invent immortality. So, she is sent into the body of Laila Starr, and embarks on a journey learning about mortality and death.
There are some absolutely beautiful illustrations in this. The opening panel of Mumbai--stunning. I loved the color palette used throughout, bringing to life a lot of beautiful landscapes. And also adding a sort of mythological quality to the story itself.
The story reads kind of like a fable, and I think if you like Good Omens, you will definitely enjoy this book. It's got a bit of humor, a bit of philosophical discussion, and a little bit of magic. The art was still my favorite thing about it.
There are some absolutely beautiful illustrations in this. The opening panel of Mumbai--stunning. I loved the color palette used throughout, bringing to life a lot of beautiful landscapes. And also adding a sort of mythological quality to the story itself.
The story reads kind of like a fable, and I think if you like Good Omens, you will definitely enjoy this book. It's got a bit of humor, a bit of philosophical discussion, and a little bit of magic. The art was still my favorite thing about it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Car accident and Suicide
Minor: Terminal illness, Grief, and Animal death
Dead Flip, by Sara Farizan
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
With the comparison to Stranger Things, I think I wanted more out of this book than I actually got. Yes, it does fit in with the a Stranger Things vibe: something strange happens in the 80s, it's up to a group of teens to set things right. For me, it didn't push the envelope enough. it has a spooky factor, but it could have been pushed even more, I think.
As someone who definitely reads for character, there also could have been more character development. We did get some, but the flipping between timelines took a little away from the development of the characters. I didn't necessarily feel a connection to any of them, which took away from the story for me.
I did appreciate the discussions about sexuality, especially set in the context of the early 90s. I've seen more books set in this time period focusing on sexuality, which I think is great for YA. It shows things have both changed and not changed at the same time.
All in all, I wanted a little more from this, but it will still make an enjoyable read for spooky season!
As someone who definitely reads for character, there also could have been more character development. We did get some, but the flipping between timelines took a little away from the development of the characters. I didn't necessarily feel a connection to any of them, which took away from the story for me.
I did appreciate the discussions about sexuality, especially set in the context of the early 90s. I've seen more books set in this time period focusing on sexuality, which I think is great for YA. It shows things have both changed and not changed at the same time.
All in all, I wanted a little more from this, but it will still make an enjoyable read for spooky season!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Homophobia, and Alcoholism
Minor: Confinement, Racism, and Drug use
Shuna's Journey, by Hayao Miyazaki, Anna Exter
adventurous
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Fans of Miyazaki are sure to love this; it reads very much like one of his movies, with a lot of narration, quite a few wordless panels, and very little dialogue. The artwork is, of course, beautiful, with many sweeping landscapes throughout the book.
It's an unusual little story, but enjoyable to read. I also recommend reading the afterward, because it gives historical and mythological context, as well as a little history on Miyazaki himself. This book was written just two years before Studio Ghibli became a thing, and I enjoyed reading some of the history behind it. Anyone who is a fan of Studio Ghibli and Miyazaki will love every moment of this book!
It's an unusual little story, but enjoyable to read. I also recommend reading the afterward, because it gives historical and mythological context, as well as a little history on Miyazaki himself. This book was written just two years before Studio Ghibli became a thing, and I enjoyed reading some of the history behind it. Anyone who is a fan of Studio Ghibli and Miyazaki will love every moment of this book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery, Gun violence, and Trafficking
Moderate: Violence and Death
Minor: War and Cannibalism
Tim Te Maro And The Subterranean Heartsick Blues, by H.S. Valley
funny
lighthearted
medium-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Abandonment, and Sexual content
Minor: Colonisation, Misogyny, and Lesbophobia
Mamo, by Sas Milledge
adventurous
emotional
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
5.0
This book was just an all around treat, from the art to the story to the characters to the world. Much of the artwork reminded me of a Ghibli movie, with magic inbedded in almost all parts of the land. Jo just wants to figure out to save her town from the chaos that has descended; Orla reluctantly decides to help her, since it seems to be her grandmother that caused it in the first place.
I can't get over the artwork in this book. It makes you want to travel to this little town, whip up magic and spells and just have a cup of tea. Like, I am seriously considering buying it because I loved it just that much and I want to have it on my shelf just to look at from time to time.
The relationship between Jo and Orla was also adorable. I just loved them together. If you're looking for a cute, magical, beautiful graphic novel to round out your 2022 reading list, I highly recommend this!
I can't get over the artwork in this book. It makes you want to travel to this little town, whip up magic and spells and just have a cup of tea. Like, I am seriously considering buying it because I loved it just that much and I want to have it on my shelf just to look at from time to time.
The relationship between Jo and Orla was also adorable. I just loved them together. If you're looking for a cute, magical, beautiful graphic novel to round out your 2022 reading list, I highly recommend this!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse
Moderate: Child abuse, Confinement, and Death