An Absolutely Remarkable Thing tells the story of April May, a 20-something in NYC who happens across a mysterious robot statue that soon reveals itself to be much more than anyone anticipated. This wild ride touches on everything from virality to misinformation to the interconnectedness of the human spirit.

This book had an unputdownable-ness that I VERY rarely experience even in the most action-packed stories. Even when the plot lagged or characters floundered, I found myself eager to return to it just because I had to know how it ended, and boy howdy did it deliver. It even got me on a juicy plot twist even though they don’t tend to land for me the way they do for a lot of readers.

Of course, it’s impossible to discuss this book without its author. I might not have picked up this book had it not been Hank Green’s, and there are certainly moments throughout this book where the author seems very present in the characters and social commentary. However, between its lovably flawed characters and quirky lightning-paced plotlines, this book has its own merits.

I would recommend this book to anyone, but those interested in Hank Green as one of the internet’s most beloved creators will find it an especially thoughtful and inspired read. While I wouldn’t call the ending a true cliffhanger, it has me immediately interested in getting my hands on the sequel.

And They Called It Camelot: A Novel of Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis by Stephanie Marie Thornton

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emotional hopeful tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

And They Called it Camelot fictionalizes the life of Jackie Kennedy from her first encounter with the future president to the death of Onassis.

This novel describes Jackie’s life in great detail, and I admit I knew very little about her prior to reading. However, I was also skeptical of the novel as a concept from the very beginning. It’s too grounded in a real person’s experiences to be truly historical fiction, but it doesn’t pretend to have the credibility of a biography, either. The book appears to be written for those who already have an interest in Jackie as a celebrity rather than those with an interest in the time period.

I found the characters somewhat flat, and Jackie’s troubles in particular began to feel trivial. She lamented her marriage at length despite forgiving men’s mistakes very easily and holding every other privilege imaginable in a wealthy, respected family. I did sympathize with her losses both in pregnancy and in the many deaths close to her, most famously her husband’s assassination.

Despite its emotional moments, this novel is not compelling enough to justify its own existence. Those interested in reading should consider biographies that can tell the same story with greater credibility.

Skyhunter by Marie Lu

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adventurous dark mysterious tense 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? Yes

4.0

This isn’t my first Marie Lu read; I read Legend and Warcross with my high school book club, but neither was particularly memorable. I discovered Skyhunter in my search for something to read after catching up on the Attack on Titan anime. The two are working with a lot of the same thematic and worldbuilding elements from terrifying monsters, walled cities, and an elite force of heavily armed teenagers to colonialism, trauma, and family secrets. Attack on Titan sets a notoriously high bar, and although Skyhunter did not reach that same level of storytelling, it did scratch my itch for the genre.

Talin is a strong protagonist and easily my favorite character. She’s moody and reserved, and her cast of side characters complement her well. I appreciate that Talin’s reliance on sign language is more often an asset than a struggle in her position as a striker living among others fluent in sign. I found her mind link with Red a bit of a cop out, but I see the way their relationship (and the plot) would have stalled otherwise.

Speaking of plot, there were a few moments of true heart, suspense, and action that kept me reading. The plot kept pace with the characters and worldbuilding, but there were instances in which I anticipated a climactic moment only for the story to move on from it. The ending was unexpected and suspenseful, yet not a true cliffhanger. It sets up a clear path to the second book in the duology. Skyhunter is a solid YA dystopian, and the best I’ve read from Lu yet.

Sorted: Growing Up, Coming Out, and Finding My Place (a Transgender Memoir) by Jackson Bird

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hopeful lighthearted reflective fast-paced

3.0

The Girl Who Wrote in Silk by Kelli Estes

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hopeful mysterious sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0

Flamer by Mike Curato

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dark emotional funny hopeful reflective 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? It's complicated

4.0

Flamer tells the story of 14 year old Aiden’s last week at boy scout camp the summer before starting high school. Camp has always been a source of solace compared to Aiden’s tense home life and repressive Catholic schooling, but this year he struggles to fit in with his patrol while staying true to his gentle nature. Add to the mix a new fascination with his handsome, athletic cabin mate, and Aiden’s social challenges stack one on top of the other.

This graphic novel was an insightful look into adolescent boyhood for the “different” kid. Aiden is Filipino, fat, and discovering his sexuality may not align with the majority, but readers from many walks of life will find his journey relatable. Anyone different will eventually find themself in the position of having to participate in their own repression to stave off bullies, or risk worsening the bullying by being true to themself. This tension leads Aiden to a very dark, very lonely place, but concludes with a level of acceptance despite uncertainty that I’m sure hits home for young readers.

Importantly, this is a story of self-acceptance, not a coming out story. Aiden doesn’t need to fully understand himself or announce an identity to the world. He only needs to accept that he can love himself no matter what. This isn’t the usual path for an LGBT novel, but an absolutely vital theme that applies even beyond LGBT experiences.

Flamer was the 4th most banned book in America in 2022 for LGBT themes and sexually explicit content. Needless to say it is undeserving of this censorship; Flamer belongs on shelves in classrooms and libraries. Young readers of any orientation need to hear these stories, especially boys. I would recommend this book to teens as a solid coming-of-age graphic novel.

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haley_b's reviews 25 reviews

haley_b's reviews
25 reviews