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jillianelis_'s reviews
57 reviews
See You Yesterday by Rachel Lynn Solomon
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
If you love time loops, chaotic female protagonists, stoic, nerdy male protagonists, and more romantic adventures and 2000s pop culture references than you can shake a stick at, THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU.
Rachel Lynn Solomon really went hard on this one. She did that and she did it for us and I am grateful. Barrett and Miles forever!
Rachel Lynn Solomon really went hard on this one. She did that and she did it for us and I am grateful. Barrett and Miles forever!
The Life and Crimes of Hoodie Rosen by Isaac Blum
challenging
emotional
funny
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
3.75
I first saw this book on the list of 2023 Youth Media Award winners and was really drawn to it for some reason. Shortly after the YMA list came out, I read an excerpt on Overdrive and could not stop laughing. Hoodie's snarky narration reminded me so much of Cam from A Heavy Dose of Allison Tandy, which was perhaps my favorite debut of 2022 - what can I say? I'm a sucker for coming-of-age tales with wisecracking teen narrators.
While I felt like this book was missing something, I still couldn't put it down. I just wanted to spend more time with Hoodie, his friends, and his family. A quick read, but a story that will really stick with you after you close the book.
While I felt like this book was missing something, I still couldn't put it down. I just wanted to spend more time with Hoodie, his friends, and his family. A quick read, but a story that will really stick with you after you close the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence
Moderate: Antisemitism
Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Adorable YA romance. It took a LOT to get past the "I'm not like other girls"-ness of Liz, but it didn't keep me from finishing the book (the banter between her and Wes was just too good). Lots of kooky mishaps, teenage miscommunications, and of course all the rom-coms. Just a good time all around. I'd recommend this to anyone who likes romance but can do without spice, or teen readers who want an intro to the genre.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
The Black Queen by Jumata Emill
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I had been waiting for this book for a LONG time, so I was thrilled that I got an advance copy and didn’t have to wait on my library’s hold list!
The Black Queen absolutely lived up to my expectations. While I kind of figured out the killer really early on, the story still had me on the edge of my seat! Nova slightly reminded me of Laura Palmer from Twin Peaks (murdered homecoming Queen who was full of secrets), and I wish we got to see more of her in life before she died. I would absolutely read a book about Nova’s life because I wanted to know more about her, her life in Virginia, how she became friends with Duchess, etc. All of the characters felt very real and fleshed out as well, and the handling of difficult topics was both sensitive and honest at every turn. I can’t wait to read whatever Jumata Emill writes next.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital ARC.
The Black Queen absolutely lived up to my expectations. While I kind of figured out the killer really early on, the story still had me on the edge of my seat! Nova slightly reminded me of Laura Palmer from Twin Peaks (murdered homecoming Queen who was full of secrets), and I wish we got to see more of her in life before she died. I would absolutely read a book about Nova’s life because I wanted to know more about her, her life in Virginia, how she became friends with Duchess, etc. All of the characters felt very real and fleshed out as well, and the handling of difficult topics was both sensitive and honest at every turn. I can’t wait to read whatever Jumata Emill writes next.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital ARC.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Racism, Violence, Murder, Grief, Death, Emotional abuse, and Bullying
Moderate: Alcohol, Death of parent, Cancer, Pregnancy, Adult/minor relationship, Classism, and Infidelity
Minor: Police brutality and Abortion
Margo Zimmerman Gets the Girl by Brianna R. Shrum, Sara Waxelbaum
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
3.0
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy of this title.
As another reviewer said, this book was a cute Disney Channel Movie romp of a book. I liked that the main characters faced very real issues in their lives at home, at school, and in their friend groups, and it gave the book some extra depth.
That said, the pacing and the reveals of information and characters felt scattered. Like, the introduction of Jamal, Mendel's sexuality, and the introduction of the main plot all felt like they were unfolding too fast and too slow at the same time. I guess that's just a roundabout way of saying that the pacing felt off. Not to mention that the aftermath of the party that kicks off the whole book is NEVER mentioned again, and I felt like the inciting incident for Margo discovering her gayness got swept away too quickly.
Finally, the dialogue. Much of it felt like it was pulled directly off TikTok, and being in my mid-twenties and not on TikTok, it really took me out of the story.
Again, I'll echo other reviewers by saying the sex scene really felt like a LOT for a YA book. I was honestly surprised at how explicit it was. If that's not your jam, just be aware.
Overall, this was fun. Glad I read it and I think teens will enjoy it, but not one I'll reach for again anytime soon.
As another reviewer said, this book was a cute Disney Channel Movie romp of a book. I liked that the main characters faced very real issues in their lives at home, at school, and in their friend groups, and it gave the book some extra depth.
That said, the pacing and the reveals of information and characters felt scattered. Like, the introduction of Jamal, Mendel's sexuality, and the introduction of the main plot all felt like they were unfolding too fast and too slow at the same time. I guess that's just a roundabout way of saying that the pacing felt off. Not to mention that the aftermath of the party that kicks off the whole book is NEVER mentioned again, and I felt like the inciting incident for Margo discovering her gayness got swept away too quickly.
Finally, the dialogue. Much of it felt like it was pulled directly off TikTok, and being in my mid-twenties and not on TikTok, it really took me out of the story.
Again, I'll echo other reviewers by saying the sex scene really felt like a LOT for a YA book. I was honestly surprised at how explicit it was. If that's not your jam, just be aware.
Overall, this was fun. Glad I read it and I think teens will enjoy it, but not one I'll reach for again anytime soon.
The Moth Keeper by K. O'Neill
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? Yes
4.0
"We all have days where we can't quite remember the ratio of things, or times when we feel unsure of our skill. No matter how long you study, knowing when to ask for help is a form of wisdom."
An uplifting middle-grade fantasy with an important message that children and adults alike can learn from. Anya's journey as a young moth-keeper, her desire to serve her community, and the subsequent burnout she feels are too real, and we all face things like that in our everyday lives. Watching Anya learn how to accept help when she needed it and make things right when she fell short was so impactful and done in such a way that younger readers will really root for her and, hopefully, take to heart the story's important messages.
Also, the artwork! The warm and cool desert tones playing together on the page! K. O'Neill's work is the reason I've fallen in love with graphic novels, and The Moth Keeper is no exception. A beautiful story, rich in color, emotion, and universal messages.
Huge thank you to NetGalley for sending me an advance copy.
An uplifting middle-grade fantasy with an important message that children and adults alike can learn from. Anya's journey as a young moth-keeper, her desire to serve her community, and the subsequent burnout she feels are too real, and we all face things like that in our everyday lives. Watching Anya learn how to accept help when she needed it and make things right when she fell short was so impactful and done in such a way that younger readers will really root for her and, hopefully, take to heart the story's important messages.
Also, the artwork! The warm and cool desert tones playing together on the page! K. O'Neill's work is the reason I've fallen in love with graphic novels, and The Moth Keeper is no exception. A beautiful story, rich in color, emotion, and universal messages.
Huge thank you to NetGalley for sending me an advance copy.
Love on the Brain by Ali Hazelwood
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
After a hiatus from romance novels, I’m glad I picked up this one to bring me back into it. Bee was an absolutely delightful protagonist (even if it felt like Marie Curie was her whole personality at times), and many of the situations referenced on @WWMD are things my partner is currently dealing with in STEM higher education/academia. In addition, my partner’s research focuses on TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation) and I actually have a much better understanding of it now that I’ve read this book (weird, right?).
I found Bee and Levi as individuals, and as a couple, to be far more developed than Adam and Olive (and Levi didn’t put Bee’s entire boob in his mouth at any point - those of you who’ve read The Love Hypothesis, IYKYK). Their banter and eventual romance felt more grown up, to a certain extent.
My only qualm?The big reveal at the end. From the start, Guy was very much giving “Tom Benton, but in a different font.” Bad vibes all around. What happened with him and Bee and how it was executed made him seem like a cartoonish Bond villain. .
Anyway, another solid release from Ali Hazelwood, and just the right reintroduction to the romance genre after some time away.
I found Bee and Levi as individuals, and as a couple, to be far more developed than Adam and Olive (and Levi didn’t put Bee’s entire boob in his mouth at any point - those of you who’ve read The Love Hypothesis, IYKYK). Their banter and eventual romance felt more grown up, to a certain extent.
My only qualm?
Anyway, another solid release from Ali Hazelwood, and just the right reintroduction to the romance genre after some time away.
Jim Henson: The Biography by Brian Jay Jones
Did not finish book. Stopped at 33%.
Did not finish book. Stopped at 33%.
I got distracted by all the books I got for the holidays and now I have to return it to the library. I fully intend on finishing this someday, because I’m fascinated by Henson’s life and his story. Writing this so I remember to come back to this book later on.