Katrina

Very fun re-working of the Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Loved the art and the characters were very sweet.

Really interesting concept and obviously gorgeous lyricism. Definitely worth a read if you are already a fan of Gluck, but I'm not sure who else I would hand this to.

Many thanks to Libro.fm and the publisher for the arc!

It was an excellent audio production, and also tough to listen to. Many twists and turns highlight this book, which also delves into the psyche of teen girls in an almost frighteningly truthful way.
Definitely read the content warnings before you dive in.

Many thanks to Libro.fm and the publisher for the arc.

This was a real treat! The narration was impressive and immersive, as was Lavender House itself. Interesting characters, all the delicious hallmarks of a classic noir, and a wonderfully queer twist. Would definitely recommend to fans of the genre!

What a ride! So many of these original tales are gruesome and kinda horrifying, and the reimagined ones did not disappoint. Some definitely appealed to me more than others, but I really appreciated each author's take on the classics (plus the brand new one). This anthology provides an updated tone and lens that I think teen readers would appreciate.

Many thanks to Libro.fm and the publisher for the audio!

This story just grabbed me and didn't let go. I loved the blend of fantasy and noir, the period details and dialogue were well done and very enjoyable. Add in the flawless January LaVoy to narrate? Sold.

A stunning collection. I will have to go back for this again sometime. Author's notes mention that several of the poems were in response to prompts from Louise Gluck (one of my all-time favorite poets) so it's unsurprising that I loved this collection so much!

I was not entirely pulled in by the premise, and let me tell you how I absolutely adored this book. The time travel device is one that made me think this was going to be a “freaky friday” re-make, and it ended up being so much more. I couldn't put it down. Sam is a FANTASTIC character. She's relatable, she's flawed, she's brave, she's angry, she's hilarious, she's willing to stand up for what's right. The novel addresses several important themes without ever feeling heavy-handed. The pressures immigrant parents put on their children, the ever complicated mother-daughter relationship, the reality of being a high school student and needing to figure things out within certain social constructs. I thought the resolution was very neat (but not too neat) and so satisfying. This book felt so authentic, despite the time travel. I also think it will seriously resonate with Gen Z teens, and I'm excited to rec this and hear their thoughts.

Also. JAMIE. I think I could read a whole other book from Jamie's side of things.

This was a slow and strange journey of a book, but that's not to say I didn't enjoy it. Minique is a fascinating character to follow. I think I would have liked to see more of her and Cadillac, since they had such an interesting tension. I thought the writing was quite good. Not exactly sure who I would recommend this to though.

EEEEEEEEEEE.

She's done it again. This world and these characters just suck you in and don't let you go. The stakes are high, the magic is WILD, and I'm here for all of it. I'm already excited for my re-read.

Great plot and world-building. Loved the whole vibe of it and will definitely pick up the sequel.

My goodness give me all the queer magical cooking students ever!!! I loved the characters, the art, the plot line, and the message. The only reason I didn't completely love it was that I found both parts of the resolution to be way too simplistic and unrealistic. The dragon I'm fine with, but Oregano's mom and the tuition? Never. In any case, I would still pick up another volume to revisit this enchanting world.

I don't normally read contemporary romance, but I figured if Emezi could write it I would certainly give it a shot. Honestly, I couldn't put it down. I was immediately invested in Feyi, and so curious to see how she would move through her complicated world. I think the book brought up a lot of poignant thoughts on grief, art, and love (beautifully written of course) and there were some very romantic and steamy scenes. It felt a tad repetitive in some parts for me, but on the whole I thoroughly enjoyed my reading experience. I think Feyi and her great love will stick in my brain for a while.

A quick and affecting read that I absolutely flew through. I appreciated that the author explores complex issues of faith, prejudice, and community with both gravity and humor. The ending is not so much a resolution but an invitation for further consideration, which I really appreciated. Definitely recommend!

Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for the digital arc!
It's a fun series, and this one was probably the most solid in terms of plot. Fans of the previous books will not be disappointed.

Very cute! Certainly requires some suspension of disbelief, but I found the characters charming and the art delicious.

I need the sequel! A little slow in the beginning due to some fairly sophisticated world-building, but it's worth letting it unfold. If you're looking for some conflicted, magical, bad-ass girls wrapped up in a complex plot with dangerous enemies and some hints of romance, look no further.

My goodness this was sweet. I loved the art, and I thought the world building was interesting and unique. Most of all I appreciated the way the characters worked through their conflicting emotions while balancing their hopes and dreams. I think this would especially resonate with teens on the brink of graduating high school, or even new college grads.

Not an emotionally easy read, (I had to pick it up and put it down several times) but so worth it. Emezi is so talented at using beautiful language and imagery to describe the darkest parts of self and society. Highly recommend.

Got off to a bit of a slow start for me, but I'm glad I kept with it because I couldn't put it down for the second half. This upper YA fantasy has a lot of elements I appreciated and characters I couldn't help but root for. I loved Zarela, and for the record I would totally read a spin off novel about Lola and Guillermo. There was some great world building (but not too much) and lovely descriptions of food (yum). High stakes, some swoony romance, and dragons! And yes, I will take a brooding, talented, environmentally conscious love interest with a painful secret any day. Would recommend!

A fun read if you like time travel mysteries!

Great audio production. I lost the thread for a little while in the back half, but overall I got really into this witchy tale of angsty mothers and daughters. It's a roller coaster with a shot of real dread, and I really appreciated the conclusion.

Thanks to Libro.fm and the publisher for the alc!

This is a fever dream of a story, and I do admit to drifting away from the action/plot a few times. That said, there are a lot of complex and interesting characters. The themes of grief, rage, and belonging are strong, and I loved the inherent queerness of it. I feel like there were more threads I picked up on and lost at some point, because it does jump around quite a bit. Overall, a violent and intriguing fantasy that I hope finds the right readers. Great audio production.

She floored me again. Amber McBride crafts a gorgeous ethereal fairy tale that speaks to mental health. Immersive and important.

There were so many things I liked about it. Young women figuring out what they want, lush ballroom scenes, romance, family drama, and stunning historical detail. I also felt like it was missing something. I liked the 4 main girls, but jumping around between them all sometimes left me a little in the lurch. After such lengthy build-ups of their romantic relationships (and problems) the ending felt really rushed and then ended before any real resolutions. That's the sequel I suppose! Overall, an enjoyable piece of historical fiction that brings a romantic eye to an oft-overlooked piece of Black American history.