Adorable! Is it weird that I love the current theme in kids books attacking gentrification and loss of housing? Because I do -- and this is another onAdorable! Is it weird that I love the current theme in kids books attacking gentrification and loss of housing? Because I do -- and this is another one, albeit with a unique, ghost based storyline. The characters are both well written and expressively drawn, and I love love love that Helene and Adele are such strong female characters, clearly from a line of strong women. Also love the period party in the beginning of the story -- wonderful to model a healthy attitude towards women's bodies, and celebrating a somewhat challenging transition. Just so full of positive messages without being didactic or boring. Delightful!...more
**spoiler alert** Argh! This has so many great elements that I love — interesting magic, a sentient house, romance, people healing from trauma. I love**spoiler alert** Argh! This has so many great elements that I love — interesting magic, a sentient house, romance, people healing from trauma. I loved that the motivation to be a home owner overcomes the fear of a house that’s basically attacking. And yet… it was a bit of a slog for me. Eventually I really liked the characters, and wanted all the bells and whistles on the wrap up — only to discover that it’s a series. I’ll have to think on that. It reminds me somehow of the house in the cerulean sea, which I hated, so I don’t know if I need more from this universe. I feel hopelessly contrary, so I guess it’s just not my cup of tea.
I think part of the disconnect is the extreme violence and various betrayals that are just… backstory? Context? And I also found it unbelievable that anyone would try to work with an enchanted house that is literally raining rats down and using the rooms to attack the occupants — serious horror vibes early on, and sort of a ho-hum reaction. It’s such a weird contrast with the main storyline....more
Highly entertaining vaguely murderous British romp. I appreciate that so much of the book was less of a whodoneit and more of a doneit? As they try toHighly entertaining vaguely murderous British romp. I appreciate that so much of the book was less of a whodoneit and more of a doneit? As they try to figure out who died before even beginning to tackle the how and the why. I love reading for character, and this was full of excellent and spiky ones, plus truly delicious descriptions of non-binary teen Alex in all their sartorial splendors. One of the other reviewers refers to them as sarcasm teen, which is just perfect. The image of them doing in embroidery in the back seat of the car while chatting with ghost Sophie through the medium of Claire is one of my favorites in the book. It's wacky, but not in a slapstick way. Keeps a strong hold on the emotional realities that underlay a lot of the events. Points off for excessive use of "the naughties". Points back for the merciless mocking of aged millennials by aforementioned sarcasm teen....more
Oh gosh, this is adorable. The art is sweet, the story is sweet and Jupiter is the sweetest of all -- kind of sappy, but fortunately she has a sarcastOh gosh, this is adorable. The art is sweet, the story is sweet and Jupiter is the sweetest of all -- kind of sappy, but fortunately she has a sarcastic cat and a grumpy professor to keep her from turning entirely into sugar. Loved it. ...more
Oh no, it’s a series? Now I find this out? Sigh. Anyway, great book. Reminded me a lot of Gideon the Ninth in social mores, but I appreciate that it’sOh no, it’s a series? Now I find this out? Sigh. Anyway, great book. Reminded me a lot of Gideon the Ninth in social mores, but I appreciate that it’s a more linear narrative with characters that also have a moral compass. It is an epic level fantasy — long, involved, intricate. There’s also a lot of abuse and horror interspersed with philosophy and deep joy. I thought a lot about nature vs nurture while reading. I love the magical systems, I love that they differ wildly between nations, and I really really love the necromancer allergy to violence and the several bird magics. And I love the various relationships— the Rook with her court — married to 24ish? The friendships that are lifelong familial bonds among the falcon people. Fascinating. Lots of big emotions in this book, too. So much to think about. I’m not disappointed that the adventures will continue, but it’s going to be a commitment to remember so much.
Other people think this is like Pratchett— huh. That did not occur to me, but I can see it....more
Not quite as terrifying as I thought it was going to be, but plenty creepy! I love how India Hill Brown incorporates the history of segregation into hNot quite as terrifying as I thought it was going to be, but plenty creepy! I love how India Hill Brown incorporates the history of segregation into her books. She's a great storyteller, as well, so the kids are engaging, interesting characters and the plot moves along quickly and with purpose. I enjoyed this one even more than the Forgotten Girl. An excellent summer on the lake story. ...more
A really engaging story, with really excellent characters. I appreciate getting to learn more about Vietnamese and Chinese traditions, the Lion Dance,A really engaging story, with really excellent characters. I appreciate getting to learn more about Vietnamese and Chinese traditions, the Lion Dance, grandmothers and poker. I didn't love the lies, but it's a beautiful exploration of relationships and the heart wanting what the heart wants. ...more
Excellent middle grade read that's a lot about grieving, but also acceptance. It features a scavenger hunt of sorts, paranormal adventures, gardening,Excellent middle grade read that's a lot about grieving, but also acceptance. It features a scavenger hunt of sorts, paranormal adventures, gardening, and quite a lot of cake here and there. Beautiful conclusion....more
Spectacular. Stands alone, but has shadows of Elatsoe here and there. I love this world so much. And the strength and kindness of the women who inhabiSpectacular. Stands alone, but has shadows of Elatsoe here and there. I love this world so much. And the strength and kindness of the women who inhabit it. Gorgeous characters, relatable teens — which is great with a setting in the 70s. Fascinating magic-science. Beautiful respect and love for land and heritage. Mostly, though, it’s a cracking good story that just flows like a river....more
Beautiful job bringing 1920's Washington DC to life, and in creating great characters. Love the magic, and that it's both set within existing traditioBeautiful job bringing 1920's Washington DC to life, and in creating great characters. Love the magic, and that it's both set within existing traditions and reimagines them. Love the swinging, shining nightlife, and how the whole crew, but especially Zelda, refuse to let cranky Clara go it alone. Great twists, great hijinks. ...more
If you are into this series, I think you’ll be happy with this book — it has a lot of the typical plotlines — Rachel angsting, taking the blame for thIf you are into this series, I think you’ll be happy with this book — it has a lot of the typical plotlines — Rachel angsting, taking the blame for things she shouldn’t, making friends with her enemies, surprise outcomes from spells. It also have the usual repetitive trouble situations that happen again and again over the course of the adventure. I love this world a lot, and I always want to know what’s going to happen next with these characters, so I enjoyed it very much.
Advanced Readers Copy provided by edelweiss...more
I honestly didn't really understand all the of the depths of this book -- it's like Spirited Away with a grumpy old lady -- but I enjoyed the art and I honestly didn't really understand all the of the depths of this book -- it's like Spirited Away with a grumpy old lady -- but I enjoyed the art and the world and... the preview of the indignities of age? It's good. Strange in a good way. ...more
A solid end to the series. I loved the twin storylines of Wendell's past and Marjorie and Eliza navigating past friendships/frenemies as they prepare A solid end to the series. I loved the twin storylines of Wendell's past and Marjorie and Eliza navigating past friendships/frenemies as they prepare to enter high school in the fall. I particularly love Eliza's conversations with her dad and her funny, salty conversations. I also just enjoy the way that we discover these characters, old and new, through episodic moments -- it feels very true to human experience. ...more
Excellent! I've been looking for more character driven urban fantasy, and Ropa's adventures hit the spot. I love how snarky and annoyed she is, how trExcellent! I've been looking for more character driven urban fantasy, and Ropa's adventures hit the spot. I love how snarky and annoyed she is, how true blue to family and community, how resilient in the face of grinding poverty. I find her very relatable in our currently crumbling society and I'm interested to learn more about the dystopian background of her world. I'm intrigued by the magical system and delighted by the list of great mbiru players that she drops throughout the book. ...more
I found this very hard to put down, because I’ve followed this family for so long. It doesn’t work at all if you aren’t a devoted fan, but it has a loI found this very hard to put down, because I’ve followed this family for so long. It doesn’t work at all if you aren’t a devoted fan, but it has a lot to offer for those who are invested. Lots of unexpected developments and a strange sort of cliffhanger. Heartrending, typical, full of all the good characters hanging on for the ride.
Advanced Readers Copy provided by edelweiss...more
Well, this one will stick with me for a long time. It's very... Kingfisher. Horrifying in a true-to-fairytale trope sort of way. Hilarious -- I mean, Well, this one will stick with me for a long time. It's very... Kingfisher. Horrifying in a true-to-fairytale trope sort of way. Hilarious -- I mean, laugh out loud funny in places. But there's no part as funny as reading the acknowledgements and seeing her characterize this book as a regency romance -- because, yes? I guess that's going on, too? But when the horse is named Falada, I think we all know what's going to happen, and as a romance reader, I really didn't feel like that was the forward note. Regardless. It's pretty damn disturbing, but I enjoyed it very much. And I don't know how you write characters that get under my skin and become so beloved to me so quickly, but it was worth it.
Advanced Reader's Copy Provided by Edelweiss. ...more
I love that this book tackles tough subjects with really excellent characters -- and that there is support waiting to help Mo and her family when theyI love that this book tackles tough subjects with really excellent characters -- and that there is support waiting to help Mo and her family when they are ready to take it. Her uncle's quiet attention is a real stand-out in this book -- he listens, notices, offers space and music. I appreciate how there really isn't a resolution to her awful Stepdad's awful behavior. He's a terrible human being, who does terrible things, and that does not change or get better. Her mom's devastated depression is also just presented as a reality that Mo and Cece have to figure out how to negotiate. Hard times happen. Mo is anxious for good reasons. There's a great message here on endurance and resilience. Love the supernatural aspects of the book and how they are subjective. Love the librarian and her critical mind spotlighting racism. Love the friendship dynamics and blow-up and resolution. Just a lot of really good stuff with characters that make me want to keep reading. ...more
I will never be able to predict where Mercy's journey will take her next, and that is one of the enduring delights of this series. I can't say much wiI will never be able to predict where Mercy's journey will take her next, and that is one of the enduring delights of this series. I can't say much without spoilers, but it is a wonderful continuation of the series, exactly what my heart desired, and in every way a satisfying read.
Advanced Reader's Copy provided by Edelweiss. ...more
**spoiler alert** Trans identity journeys and haunted houses -- great combination, and I love love love that Uncle Roderick was a drag queen. I also l**spoiler alert** Trans identity journeys and haunted houses -- great combination, and I love love love that Uncle Roderick was a drag queen. I also love how Bug just really loves to be a kid in nature -- that being outside messing around or sitting around reading is one of the way she deals with her grief. I also love the incredibly supportive friend/family narrative, and the general quirky family life -- living in very rural Vermont, making a living off of greeting card sales. It's a good book. The overnight identity revelation feels simultaneously hard to believe and inevitable, and I think that lends a huge amount of authenticity....more
Great storytelling packed into a short format. Really wonderful narrator and power dynamics. Really good world building. I love the gradual uncoveringGreat storytelling packed into a short format. Really wonderful narrator and power dynamics. Really good world building. I love the gradual uncovering of a secret history. I love the historical Asian setting with fantasy overlay (and forgive me if I think there's a fantasy overlay and this is an actual slice of history -- it's so well done I feel that either could be true). Big fan of the wandering monk, the documentation, the extraordinary lives of objects and how they tie to story. ...more
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