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hellocookie's reviews
1574 reviews
Flip by Ngozi Ukazu
Flip is a perfect modern Freaky Friday, with deeply relatable characters and journeys. While the body swapping concept is obviously fantastical, the story largely is rooted in learning to better understand others, and taking the time to put yourself in someone else’s’ shoes. It’s core messaging about trying to fit in and find your own self worth is something that many young people will strongly connect with as they read this.
An incredibly brilliant and honest graphic novel about looking inwards and finding the best parts of yourself and others around you.
An incredibly brilliant and honest graphic novel about looking inwards and finding the best parts of yourself and others around you.
Vanya and the Wild Hunt by Sangu Mandanna
adventurous
fast-paced
Vanya and the Wild Hunt is a treat for fantastical literary lovers of all ages!
Sangu Mandanna balances the world wonderfully, and writes luscious prose that is fluid and easy to escape in. Everything is well paced and although time passes fairly quickly, it doesn’t feel too rushed for the age and audience. It has the feel of early Harry Potter without the baggage of a problematic author, and with exciting myths and mythological creatures to explore.
Mandanna really solidified her place in the industry with her cozy hit, The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, but she’s been around for quite a while writing a variety of stories from fantasy to sci-fi to shorts and middle-grade, and soon graphic novels too. Vanya and the Wild Hunt is about a young girl struggling with her newly diagnosed ADHD as well as her ability to talk to books…not to mention that she also discovers the existence of magic and realizes she has a gift for it too . It’s a LOT! But she quickly gets her bearings and settles into her new normal, making new friends along the way.
My one complaint is that I didn’t realize this was the start of a new series, and I would’ve liked to know that in advance as I’ve been trying to read fewer of them and focus on standalones—but regardless of that, this was a fantastical and fun book that I enjoyed through and through.
Thrum by Meg Smitherman
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
5.0
An atmospheric, goosebumps-inducing psychological thriller set in the far-reaches of space. Thrum will make you feel uneasy and anxious as you go along for the ride with Ami, tearing through the story to get to the bottom of what's really going on.
If you're looking for something eerie with a touch of spice, Thrum will be right up your alley. Crimson Peak meets Event Horizon.