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reading_seas0n's reviews
32 reviews
If Tomorrow Doesn't Come by Jen St. Jude
4.0
Thank you SO SO much, Bloomsbury USA Children's Books (Bloomsbury YA) & NetGalley, for allowing me access to read and review this book. All opinions are my own & so are the heartaches this book caused me.
REVIEW TO COME!
TRIGGER WARNINGS: Suicide, mental health, homophobia, self-worth, depression, violence, fear & death
REVIEW TO COME!
TRIGGER WARNINGS: Suicide, mental health, homophobia, self-worth, depression, violence, fear & death
How to Excavate a Heart by Jake Maia Arlow
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
3.75
The pinning was so good, but god damn, I was ready to through my phone for the lack of communication & overthinking.
Shani dealing with her last relationship, a SA (SHE WAS DRUNK, SO IT'S SA) and her view on sex and moving too fast in relationships while also still not being out to her mum was a lot, so I totally understand the overthinking.
Shani dealing with her last relationship, a SA (SHE WAS DRUNK, SO IT'S SA) and her view on sex and moving too fast in relationships while also still not being out to her mum was a lot, so I totally understand the overthinking.
Cold the Night, Fast the Wolves by Meg Long
adventurous
slow-paced
2.25
The gist I got was it was set on an ice planet with races to win for corporate organizations. Genetically engineered animals and humans, with prejudice against those for corporate organization and those against. I was a little bored by this, but I'm sure it'll help me understand book two, which started better than this book.
*Read this book to review the sequel because I accidentally got the arc, not realizing it was a series*
*Read this book to review the sequel because I accidentally got the arc, not realizing it was a series*
Blue Box, Vol. 3 by Kouji Miura
challenging
inspiring
slow-paced
4.0
The third volume continues to hold the charm & heartache of high school in this sports manga.
Thank you, Viz Media & NetGalley, for allowing me to continue this sports manga & allowing me to review this title honestly.
I adore how we see the emotion of these kids and how much they want to prioritize their sports careers and progress. The romance & their careers aren't 50/50; the priority switches with circumstance.
Thank you, Viz Media & NetGalley, for allowing me to continue this sports manga & allowing me to review this title honestly.
I adore how we see the emotion of these kids and how much they want to prioritize their sports careers and progress. The romance & their careers aren't 50/50; the priority switches with circumstance.
Girls Like Girls by Hayley Kiyoko
medium-paced
3.0
TW: Parental loss, guilt, grief, estranged parent, violence, homophobia, struggling with sexuality, bully & relationship violence.
Thank you, St. Martin's Press (Wednesday Books) & NetGalley, for allowing me to experience the novelization of a song that really helped me in my younger Bisexual years. All my opinion are my own.
When it was released, this song helped me feel like I was seen, as a young bisexual in love with her girl BFF, so hearing and getting a chance to read the book is fantastic!
While I love the song & Hayley Kiyoko, I feel that this book had a weak writing style (which, fair, it's their debut); however, it took me out of the story, and I feel the editor should have tweaked or helped guide it more with the writing.
We read about a young person struggling with the loss of their mother; dealing with a parental loss with suicide isn't touched enough. This was done so emotionally with resentment, guilt & pain, then gaining an estranged parent and finding yourself in a new surround. Yet, at the same time, you hide a part of yourself.
The romance between Sonya & Coley was actually so sweet and adorable. The chemistry and spark between them were undeniable, and I loved that they translated from the original music video to this book. That was its heart!
The music video's storyline had a lot more growth to it and dimension, but a little of the flow dropped in my rating due to the writing style. However, anyone who loved this song will enjoy this book, and other LGBTQ+ Members may too!
Thank you, St. Martin's Press (Wednesday Books) & NetGalley, for allowing me to experience the novelization of a song that really helped me in my younger Bisexual years. All my opinion are my own.
When it was released, this song helped me feel like I was seen, as a young bisexual in love with her girl BFF, so hearing and getting a chance to read the book is fantastic!
While I love the song & Hayley Kiyoko, I feel that this book had a weak writing style (which, fair, it's their debut); however, it took me out of the story, and I feel the editor should have tweaked or helped guide it more with the writing.
We read about a young person struggling with the loss of their mother; dealing with a parental loss with suicide isn't touched enough. This was done so emotionally with resentment, guilt & pain, then gaining an estranged parent and finding yourself in a new surround. Yet, at the same time, you hide a part of yourself.
The romance between Sonya & Coley was actually so sweet and adorable. The chemistry and spark between them were undeniable, and I loved that they translated from the original music video to this book. That was its heart!
The music video's storyline had a lot more growth to it and dimension, but a little of the flow dropped in my rating due to the writing style. However, anyone who loved this song will enjoy this book, and other LGBTQ+ Members may too!
Cosmoknights: Book Two by Hannah Templer
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
5.0
After devouring and becoming obsessed with book 1, I am ecstatic to say that book 2 is as outstanding!
Thank you, IDW Publishing (Top Shelf Productions) & NetGalley for granting my wish and letting me read & review an arc of this graphic novel series. All opinions & love are all honest!
Picking up right from book one and their rescue of the Princess, Pan & the crew deal with pirates, internal & personal challenges, an undercurrent of more corruption and political imbalance than we (readers) saw, and so many, both big and small, backstory flashbacks PLUS A PLOT TWIST!
The art continues to be incredible; the characters do not shy away from vulnerability & being both liked & unlikeable. This graphic novel is lgbtq+, and it is BEAUTIFUL! Cosmoknights is, in my opinion, a fresh take on sci-fi, empowerment, and queer princess & knight storytelling.
BONUS I WILL DIE FOR THAT CAT (?) PERCY!
Thank you, IDW Publishing (Top Shelf Productions) & NetGalley for granting my wish and letting me read & review an arc of this graphic novel series. All opinions & love are all honest!
Picking up right from book one and their rescue of the Princess, Pan & the crew deal with pirates, internal & personal challenges, an undercurrent of more corruption and political imbalance than we (readers) saw, and so many, both big and small, backstory flashbacks PLUS A PLOT TWIST!
The art continues to be incredible; the characters do not shy away from vulnerability & being both liked & unlikeable. This graphic novel is lgbtq+, and it is BEAUTIFUL! Cosmoknights is, in my opinion, a fresh take on sci-fi, empowerment, and queer princess & knight storytelling.
BONUS I WILL DIE FOR THAT CAT (?) PERCY!
Whiteout by Angie Thomas, Dhonielle Clayton, Ashley Woodfolk, Nic Stone, Nicola Yoon, Tiffany D. Jackson
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
A blizzard cannot stop friends from coming together to help their friend's love story while ALSO having their own love stories come true.
This book didn't shy away from complicated relationships, situations & emotions. So many cute couples and great characters!
This book didn't shy away from complicated relationships, situations & emotions. So many cute couples and great characters!
I Wish You All the Best by Mason Deaver
emotional
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
TW: Deadnaming, transphobia, homophobia, misuse of pronouns, trauma, violence, mentioning past bullying, mental health, depression & body dysmorphia.
Sadly, the start of this story is a reality for many lgbtq+ children. Ben is thrown out of their parent's house after coming out as non-binary and has to deal with so much after their life is thrown into disarray due to this unjust rejection; the pain of their parent's reaction, reconnecting with their estranged sister, misgendering, mental health decline and an anxiety disorder. That is a lot on a kid's head, and I hate that this is some folk's reality.
The pacing of this book is done so well. I think pacing and voice in a story like this are essential, and I really think ‘I Wish You All The Best’ was able to achieve that. I couldn’t put the book down as I went on through everything with Ben.
Also, while frustrating at times, I believe Ben’s sister, Hannah, was an excellent self-insert for those reading who aren’t LGBTQ+, have someone in their life who has come out or maybe on a specific letter in the LGBTQ+ but confused or wanting to learn more about Non-binary -please look at non-fictional and do actual research too but this is a good step towards it.
I am an lgbtq+ member, but my experiences are my own in my sexuality journey and seeing and getting glimpses of another member’s (whether fictional or not, as the foundation is usually based in reality) experiences and journey, I truly appreciate the perspective and insight.
Side note: I’m not sure, but I would suggest that those with ED carefully read this. I don’t know if it was intended, but this book gave me a sense of food's hyper-awareness.
Sadly, the start of this story is a reality for many lgbtq+ children. Ben is thrown out of their parent's house after coming out as non-binary and has to deal with so much after their life is thrown into disarray due to this unjust rejection; the pain of their parent's reaction, reconnecting with their estranged sister, misgendering, mental health decline and an anxiety disorder. That is a lot on a kid's head, and I hate that this is some folk's reality.
The pacing of this book is done so well. I think pacing and voice in a story like this are essential, and I really think ‘I Wish You All The Best’ was able to achieve that. I couldn’t put the book down as I went on through everything with Ben.
Also, while frustrating at times, I believe Ben’s sister, Hannah, was an excellent self-insert for those reading who aren’t LGBTQ+, have someone in their life who has come out or maybe on a specific letter in the LGBTQ+ but confused or wanting to learn more about Non-binary -please look at non-fictional and do actual research too but this is a good step towards it.
I am an lgbtq+ member, but my experiences are my own in my sexuality journey and seeing and getting glimpses of another member’s (whether fictional or not, as the foundation is usually based in reality) experiences and journey, I truly appreciate the perspective and insight.
Side note: I’m not sure, but I would suggest that those with ED carefully read this. I don’t know if it was intended, but this book gave me a sense of food's hyper-awareness.
The Very Unfortunate Wish of Melony Yoshimura by Waka T. Brown
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
3.0
Hey, Harper Collin, I appreciate the arc but would appreciate it more if you agree to the HC Union talks! Until then, I will be withholding my review! Thanks!
You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.0
TW: Homophobia, panic attacks, anxiety, racism, parental death, money worries & bullying.
Liz was such a captivating voice!
I only love contemporary a little due to not loving the voice, the writing pace or certain choices, BUT this book was good on all those fronts! I LOVED IT!
I adored her relationship with her friends & families, all their own people, that we are gifted brief and realistic glimpses into their own lives & stories. The characters in this story were so entertaining; I was laughing and feeling for them.
While there were good moments, the bad moments were shocking; her friends wanted her to play straight to win the Queen role, use people, and that wasn’t ok (& glad they got a reality check), hiding her relationship with her competitor and keeping secrets about her scholarship (even with good intentions) from her family.
The resolution was very well done, and I was glad apologies, communication & thoughts ended up happening, and we got an ending that fit the heart of the story. Also, the portrayal of panic attacks was accurate, and I am glad for the rep.
Liz was such a captivating voice!
I only love contemporary a little due to not loving the voice, the writing pace or certain choices, BUT this book was good on all those fronts! I LOVED IT!
I adored her relationship with her friends & families, all their own people, that we are gifted brief and realistic glimpses into their own lives & stories. The characters in this story were so entertaining; I was laughing and feeling for them.
While there were good moments, the bad moments were shocking; her friends wanted her to play straight to win the Queen role, use people, and that wasn’t ok (& glad they got a reality check), hiding her relationship with her competitor and keeping secrets about her scholarship (even with good intentions) from her family.
The resolution was very well done, and I was glad apologies, communication & thoughts ended up happening, and we got an ending that fit the heart of the story. Also, the portrayal of panic attacks was accurate, and I am glad for the rep.