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jillianelis_'s reviews
57 reviews
Past Present Future by Rachel Lynn Solomon
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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? Yes
I'll read any of Rachel Lynn Solomon's YA books. See You Yesterday is one of my all-time favorites, and I devoured Today, Tonight, Tomorrow the minute it came to my library.
Past, Present, Future was no different. However, the real love story, at least to me, is the one where Rowan and Neil figure out who they are out in a much bigger world. I remember how thrilling and terrifying and isolating my freshman year was, and watching them navigate new friendships, changing interests, and mental health struggles, felt really real to me. The side characters were delightful (the REAL real love story is between Neil and Skyler - that Staten Island himbo has my whole heart), and the conclusions the story draws - that being in love and having a strong partnership amid individual changes takes courage, vulnerability, patience, and grace - felt deeply grounded. I fell in love with Rowan and Neil over the course of a night (when I devoured Tx3), and now I want to read about them forever.
Thanks Edelweiss for the advance copy!
Past, Present, Future was no different. However, the real love story, at least to me, is the one where Rowan and Neil figure out who they are out in a much bigger world. I remember how thrilling and terrifying and isolating my freshman year was, and watching them navigate new friendships, changing interests, and mental health struggles, felt really real to me. The side characters were delightful (the REAL real love story is between Neil and Skyler - that Staten Island himbo has my whole heart), and the conclusions the story draws - that being in love and having a strong partnership amid individual changes takes courage, vulnerability, patience, and grace - felt deeply grounded. I fell in love with Rowan and Neil over the course of a night (when I devoured Tx3), and now I want to read about them forever.
Thanks Edelweiss for the advance copy!
Most Ardently by Gabe Cole Novoa
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5
I've only read one other book in the Remixed Classics series (Self-Made Boys), and I had high expectations for this book (mostly because of my love of P&P). This book was EVERYTHING I could have wanted and more. I really loved the new dynamics between Oliver and his sisters, between Oliver and Charlotte, and Oliver/Darcy/Bingley. My only complaint was that the ending felt a little bit rushed, but it did not hinder my experience as a reader at all. I was also super interested in reading all the historical detail regarding Molly Houses and birth certificates in England during the Regency period, as this was all history and information that I never knew about before. This is a great addition to the Remixed Classics series, and January cannot come soon enough!
Thank you to NetGalley for the advance copy!
Thank you to NetGalley for the advance copy!
A Fragile Enchantment by Allison Saft
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
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
4.0
As someone who is already a huge fan of Allison Saft, I was beyond thrilled when I received this ARC. Big thank you to NetGalley for the advance copy!
AFE was everything I imagined and more. I found myself fully lost in Niamh and Kit's world and not wanting to come out - Saft's writing is as lush and immersive as ever in this one. I loved the dynamic between Niamh and Kit, as well as between Niamh and Sinclair, Niamh and Rosa, etc., and felt like the friendships between the teen characters were very real. That said, I did find myself a little confused about WHY Niamh's magic was going to kill her, as I don't remember it being specifically stated. I wish the magic systems across the different nations (and their effects on people) had been fleshed out a little more - I remember something being said about Rosa's family's magic being related to the skies and weather, but not much else was said after. I also struggled to understand Kit and Jack's magic, but still found it cool nonetheless.
Overall, this was so gorgeous and such delightful, escapist fun. Everyone, go tell your libraries to buy this for their collections! You will not regret it!
AFE was everything I imagined and more. I found myself fully lost in Niamh and Kit's world and not wanting to come out - Saft's writing is as lush and immersive as ever in this one. I loved the dynamic between Niamh and Kit, as well as between Niamh and Sinclair, Niamh and Rosa, etc., and felt like the friendships between the teen characters were very real. That said, I did find myself a little confused about WHY Niamh's magic was going to kill her, as I don't remember it being specifically stated. I wish the magic systems across the different nations (and their effects on people) had been fleshed out a little more - I remember something being said about Rosa's family's magic being related to the skies and weather, but not much else was said after. I also struggled to understand Kit and Jack's magic, but still found it cool nonetheless.
Overall, this was so gorgeous and such delightful, escapist fun. Everyone, go tell your libraries to buy this for their collections! You will not regret it!
Dancing at the Pity Party by Tyler Feder
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Nimona by ND Stevenson
adventurous
emotional
funny
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
5.0
The Princess and the Grilled Cheese Sandwich by Deya Muniz
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
If you loved The Prince and the Dressmaker and you’re still chasing the high that book gave you, READ THIS.
We Deserve Monuments by Jas Hammonds
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Oh, boy. I'd been looking forward to reading this since I saw it on the Youth Media Award winners list, and it did not disappoint. That said, the ending felt rushed and the reveal at the end kind of went over my head the first time, and I had to go back and reread in order for it to really click with me.
Other than that, I really, really loved this book. It made me laugh, weep, grit my teeth in anger, and sit silently in reflection. I think I'll probably be sitting with this one for a while yet.
Other than that, I really, really loved this book. It made me laugh, weep, grit my teeth in anger, and sit silently in reflection. I think I'll probably be sitting with this one for a while yet.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Murder, Homophobia, and Police brutality
Moderate: Child abuse
Black Bird, Blue Road by Sofiya Pasternack
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
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
As a youth services library assistant, you would think I would read a lot more middle grade books in my free time.
Nope. I definitely prefer YA to MG for my own personal reading, but for work, I’ve been helping vet MG books for our annual Battle of the Books. I picked this one after seeing it on the Youth Media Award winners list and after hearing my co-workers rave about it.
Folks, I do not remember the last time I cried while reading a MG book. I was enthralled by the Jewish mythology and by the Khazar empire, an empire and a period of history I have very little knowledge of. Ziva, Pesach, and Almas were all so spirited and felt like fully fleshed out characters, and I felt as though I were in their wagon on the way to Luz with them. Despite the story being a tad predictable, it didn’t make it any less fun or emotional.
I will 1000% be going to bat for this book when we make our Battle booklists. It’s heavy at times, but it’s fun, fast-paced, full of magic and mystery and lessons about grief and love that some kids may really need. I haven’t been this passionate about a MG book in a while but WOW Sofiya Pasternack, you really got me good!!!
Nope. I definitely prefer YA to MG for my own personal reading, but for work, I’ve been helping vet MG books for our annual Battle of the Books. I picked this one after seeing it on the Youth Media Award winners list and after hearing my co-workers rave about it.
Folks, I do not remember the last time I cried while reading a MG book. I was enthralled by the Jewish mythology and by the Khazar empire, an empire and a period of history I have very little knowledge of. Ziva, Pesach, and Almas were all so spirited and felt like fully fleshed out characters, and I felt as though I were in their wagon on the way to Luz with them. Despite the story being a tad predictable, it didn’t make it any less fun or emotional.
I will 1000% be going to bat for this book when we make our Battle booklists. It’s heavy at times, but it’s fun, fast-paced, full of magic and mystery and lessons about grief and love that some kids may really need. I haven’t been this passionate about a MG book in a while but WOW Sofiya Pasternack, you really got me good!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Child death, and Terminal illness
Happy Place by Emily Henry
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is probably my favorite book in the entire series, dethroning ACOMAF. I loved watching Nesta grow into a warrior, something she expressed distaste for in the past. She climbed the mountain and discovered her power and healed, and I look forward to seeing her in future books now that she seems to have turned a corner, character development-wise.
Also the female friendship in this book??? Unmatched!! More Nesta/Emerie/Gwyn in future ACOTAR books, please. (Seriously, Sarah - I NEED more of this trio!!)
Also the female friendship in this book??? Unmatched!! More Nesta/Emerie/Gwyn in future ACOTAR books, please. (Seriously, Sarah - I NEED more of this trio!!)