This Delicious Death by Kayla Cottingham

 
This Delicious Death by Kayla Cottingham
My Rating: ★★★

I received a copy from Sourcebooks Fire through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

When Zoey, Celeste, Valeria, and Jasmine feel good enough to go to a music festival, they had no idea they were in for a threat against everything that makes them who they are. The group of best friends survived a pandemic, but not the one you’re thinking about. They survived Hollowing, which caused a percentage of the human population to become zombies, or ghouls as people like to call them. In their case, they’re among the many who became Hollowed. Now that it’s finally safe enough to resume everyday life thanks to SynFlesh, they’ve received permission to visit a music festival. Unfortunately for them, someone is poisoning as many Hollowed folks as they can at the festival, and it’s causing them to go feral.

I love zombies, so I knew I had to read this the second I read the synopsis. We follow a group of friends who were brought together after the Hollowing, which turned them into flesh eating zombies. Because the Hollowed aren’t dead and are able to resume their lives as usual thanks to SynFlesh, a synthetic meat just for Hollowed folks, people began to call them ghouls. Life is going as well as it can for the four friends, so they decide to celebrate graduating high school by going to a music festival.

Because I love zombie stories, I also love when these stories step outside of the usual zombie box. In this case, Zoey, Celeste, Valeria, and Jasmine are friends facing a world against them because they were infected by the mysterious pathogen that made them one of the many Hollowed. They live with what they did when they were first feral, as many Hollowed folks killed and consumed people. Many of the chapters begin with a flashback to one of these four character’s memories from that time, either from what they remember while they were feral, or what life was like when they first returned home. I think I might’ve liked this book more if it took place during this time, as these were the most well-thought out and interesting parts of the book.

That said, I think the book is good for what it is, a young adult paranormal novel. We spend a lot of time bouncing back and forth between each of these friends, and watch them get to the bottom of the mess that is someone poisoning them, causing them to go feral at levels Hollowed folks has never gone before. At its core, this is a book about friendship, and the lengths people are willing to go to help and save the people they care about. There’s also a little bit of mystery, since they put on their amateur sleuth hats, determined to get to the bottom of what is going on. If you’re expecting a traditional horror novel, this won’t be the book for you, but I think it’s worth a read if you’re a big fan of all things zombie.

It’s also worth noting that there is a page devoted to content warnings right before the first chapter. It’s really nice to see more and more books list whether or not there is something that may trigger someone, whether it’s at the top of each chapter or somewhere after the title page. I think the list in this book is probably the most comprehensive one I’ve seen so far.

That Time I Got Drunk and Yeeted a Love Potion at a Werewolf (Mead Mishaps #2) by Kimberly Lemming

 
That Time I Got Drunk and Yeeted a Love Potion at a Werewolf by Kimberly Lemming

My Rating: ★★★★

All Brie wants is to spend her time at the tavern in peace. Instead, she’s got her neighbor trying to woo her despite telling him to scram. Now that Brie’s throwing anything she can get her hands on at his head, including her best friend’s baked potato. That’s when the guy tries to slip her a drink, so you know what? It’s his own fault she tossed it at his head! Only he dodged it, so it went flying at some poor stranger’s head. It’s a damn shame that it turns out it was a love potion, and the werewolf known as Felix is now madly in love with her. What did Brie ever do to deserve this, and how can she convince him that she’s not his fated mate?

I read the first book along with the first short story and absolutely loved it, so I was excited to pick up book two! While this book wasn’t as exciting as the first one, it was still absolutely hilarious on top of being fun. We follow Brie, Cinnamon’s best friend and neighbor, and Felix through their hilarious love story that begins with a love potion. Brie just wants to enjoy her drinks, cheese, and romance novels when she’s got a werewolf convinced he’s in love with her. It’s like Felix and the love potion came straight out of one of her shifter romance novels, but it turns out living the romance novel life isn’t as fun as she thought!

Meanwhile, Felix has the terrible luck of meeting his fated mate at the same time he got hit with a full bottle of love potion. At least, he thinks she’s his fated mate, but he’s about to find out if she ever lets him stick around long enough to prove it’s fate and not all the doing of a love potion. Sadly, Felix wasn’t as great a character as he seemed in the first book. It’s not that he’s smarmy or anything, it’s just that the poor guy is under the influence of a love potion and it’s making him go crazy! Though, it was interesting to learn more about his upbringing. The male protagonists tend to fall flat in this series, but I think it’s starting to go in the right direction here and I support that progress.

So we follow these two love birds try to prove to each other that they mean business, only there’s this silly love potion in the way as they fall in love for real this time. I did enjoy seeing characters from the first book, especially when we see my favorite character from the entire series once again! I hope she turns up in the third book, and I know there will be a third book… I just want to see Usha and Dante get their own individual books at some point. I have a feeling we will, and I’m ready for it!

A Curious Beginning (Veronica Speedwell #1) by Deanna Raybourn

 
A Curious Beginning by Deanna Raybourn

My Rating: ★★★

When Veronica Speedwell’s aunt passes, she announces her death in the newspaper and prepares to travel in the name of romance and butterflies. Unfortunately for her, all she’s done is announce her location by announcing the death of her last living guardian. Veronica grew up believing she was an orphan, thinking little of how many times she had to move during her upbringing. It turns out she’s not who she thinks she is, and there’s a target on her back along with a mystery to unravel if she wants to survive.

I picked up this book excited about a mystery taking place in the late 1800s, and quickly found myself struggling with the protagonist. At first, Veronica is seemingly unique as a woman who would rather pursue fleeting romances while pursuing her scientific passion. However, it turns out that Veronica fancies herself not like other women. The character is written as someone who is not like other women while being oh-so-smart. This quickly became grating rather than being the great character she could’ve been. The best part is that she’s not as smart as she thinks she is, but she spends the whole book proving that she is and it’s supposed to be believable.

Stepping back from Veronica, this is mostly a fun book to read. For me, it’s the overall cast that made the story. There’s a cast of interesting to hilarious characters, but we mainly follow Veronica and her accidental sidekick, Stoker. The two find themselves on the run with Stoker accused of a murder he didn’t commit, and they’re both so stubborn that they butt heads all the way to the end. I like Stoker and the many characters who came in and out of the book, and honestly, they are really what made the book for me.

The mystery itself was an interesting one, though I figured the majority of it out early on. I did find that the way the mystery was wrapped up fell pretty flat for me, and I find it unbelievable that the parties hunting Veronica are satisfied with it. Well, I guess I’ll have to suspend a little more belief here, but I can’t say that I find it believable in any way. That said, I’m debating on whether or not I want to continue the series because while it was a fun book, Veronica was really getting on my last nerve. I would rather her actually be unique than fluffing her own ego about how she’s not like other women and having others join in to remark on this as well as how she truly is different. If I met her in real life, I would avoid her like the plague while she was busy patting herself on the back on her smarts that tend to miss the mark.

The Way Home (The Woods #9) by James Tynion IV, Michael Dialynas

 
The Way Home by James Tynion IV, Michael Dialynas
My Rating: ★★★★★

After eight volumes following the inhabitants of Bay Point after they were mysteriously transported somewhere way out in the galaxy, the stakes are high and more will be lost in the last fight to save humankind in this final volume. It’s been a wild ride and while there were some shaky moments, the story pulled together and became the type of thrilling tale that sucks you in and spits its readers out at the end wondering, what now? I mean this in a good way because it’s one of those stories that feels like it’s been with me much longer than it has been, and now that it’s over, I don’t know what to do with myself at the moment.

The final two volumes pull out all the stops and really went full force both with the story and the artwork. Every panel packs a punch, and I had to read these volumes back to back because I was so absorbed that I couldn’t put it down. It was amazing to follow these characters finding out who they are at the core when faced with crazy odds no one would ever think they’d face in a sci-fi setting. I also love that we eventually returned to Earth and saw what was going on with the people left behind, and that everything eventually came full circle.

Any questions I had during the series were answered by the end because the plots are all wrapped up rather than leaving a whole bunch of loose ends. This is a story that I would love an epilogue for, but at the same time, I also like that it’s open ended. I have a good idea of what came next for these characters, and it’s one of those open ended endings that I’m excited about. I’ve come out of the series feeling the same way I do after watching the ending of a really great movie series, and I gotta say that it’s always a great feeling to have.

Mexico, Margaritas, and Murder (Sally and Pearl Adventure Club #1) by Wendy Day

Mexico, Margaritas, and Murder by Wendy Day
My Rating: ★★★

When Sally’s husband passes, she’s not sure what to do with herself. She spent the majority of their marriage as the housewife of a very grumpy man, but now she’s widowed and her children have families of their own. Now that Sally is free to do what she wants and be her own person, she doesn’t even know where to start, but you know who does? Pearl, her best friend of ten years, who has decided it’s time they go on a trip to Mexico.

After reading the second book in the series, I decided to give this series a solid chance because the writing is good and I really like the characters. Because I read the second book first, I didn’t really get to know much about her husband or marriage other than it wasn’t a good marriage. The longer I was reading, the more I learned what a terrible marriage she felt trapped in. I feel so bad for Sally and how she had been emotionally beat down and defeated for all those years with no way out. We learn small pieces about her marriage throughout the book, especially as Sally starts to learn how to be herself again without someone harshly judging her.

We also learn a lot about Pearl, who is naturally very tight-lipped about her past because it hurts and she’s trying to live in the moment. I was having a hard time believing these two best friends were such good friends at first, but the longer I read, the more I believed it. The shenanigans they went through were hilarious, and I could see how these characters continued to grow throughout the book.

This time around, the book was indeed a cozy mystery! I like how the mystery was being set up soon after they arrived. It was an easy mystery to solve, but that doesn’t matter when the story was a fun read. We’ve got Pearl deciding to test out her skills as an amateur sleuth, which turns out to be a bumpy ride for both her and Sally. At least the pair were having fun until things went south because they were out there poking the bear. I’m glad I decided to give this series a solid chance because it’s well written and I love the characters.

Christmas, Cabernet, and Chaos (Sally and Pearl Adventure Club #2) by Wendy Day

Christmas, Cabernet, and Chaos by Wendy Day

My Rating: ★★½

I received a copy from Open Sky Publishing through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

When Sally learns that she won’t have any family around on Christmas, she’s devastated. That’s until her crush turned friend, Mike, invites her to visit him in McKenzie Bridge. Delighted by the invite, Sally drags Pearl all the way over to the small town that takes Christmas to the next level. Pearl doesn’t have an ounce of the Christmas spirit in her, but Sally sure does, so it’s a Christmas miracle when they find themselves getting more and more involved in the small town’s holiday snafus.

If you’re looking for a book that feels like a Hallmark Christmas movie wrapped up in a neat book cover, then this is the book for you! It’s bursting from the seams with Christmas cheer complete with a Christmas miracle. I was excited to start this book thinking it was a holiday cozy mystery, but quickly discovered it’s certainly cozy, but where was the mystery? Well, without spoiling anything, there was hardly anything mysterious going on. By the time there was a mystery for these crime solving best friends to investigate, the book was almost over, and the mystery itself was one tiny dud.

I think my favorite part about the entire book is Pearl. She’s funny, grumpy, and doesn’t have a filter. We follow Sally and Pearl, but I really enjoyed following Pearl the most. I also like the small town Christmas vibes, and the book itself made me feel like I was reading a cozy holiday Hallmark movie turned into a book. There’s also a good cast of core characters, and the book itself is pretty well written. I just wish it wasn’t presented as a cozy mystery because it certainly was not. I spent a portion of the book wondering what it was trying to be because it was drawing too many things in at the same time. We’ve got a cozy holiday, a baking contest, a light holiday romance, a tiny dud of a mystery, and a few Christmas miracles all wrapped into one cute read. I kept wondering where the mystery was even as the small mystery was happening.

I’m rating this as a cozy mystery because this is what it was presented as, and so it’s a solid 2.5 stars out of 5 stars. However, I do think it’s a cute and fun read on top of being well written, so it would’ve gotten a higher rating if it was presented as contemporary or women’s fiction.

Kitchen Witchcraft for Beginners: Spells, Recipes, and Rituals to Bring Your Practice Into the Kitchen by Dawn Aurora Hunt

Kitchen Witchcraft for Beginners by Dawn Aurora Hunt
My Rating: ★★★

I received a copy from Callisto Media through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

In this beginners guide, one learns how to set up their kitchen for witchcraft along with some basic rules before diving into the recipes. The opening of the book is set up a bit like a textbook, but it is lacking some information such as how to protect yourself while doing spellwork and such, though that is just a google search away to get started on researching. It’s more of a kitchen spell book than anything, which is great if that’s what you’re looking for, but there’s some important information that’s missing for actual beginners before they get started. I think this is a great companion to other books for beginners, and it’ll be great for people who are looking to expand their knowledge toward work that involves the kitchen space.

Mistlefoe (Mead Mishaps #1.5) by Kimberly Lemming

 
Mistlefoe by Kimberly Lemming

My Rating: ★★★★★

After the false goddess was destroyed and all the demons under her spell were freed, all hell broke loose. Humans are panicking and waiting for a demon attack, so they’re panic buying anything they can get their hands on, especially weaponry. Unfortunately for Ruby’s family, her dad made the mistake of stealing ore from a fox demon’s territory so they could make more weapons. The problem? The fox demon cursed him and the ore, so everything he and his family forges has a personality of its own, and they’re scaring off the customers by insulting everyone. Armed with one cursed long-blade and some peace offerings, Ruby is on a mission to get the curse lifted even if it takes her on an unexpected adventure.

I thought the first book was hilarious, but this novella? This was the funniest thing I’ve read in my life. The entire first page had me laughing so hard that I was clutching my stomach with tears of laughter rolling down my face. The best character in this novella is Alexis, who is a cursed sword that is actually a gift to the series. I would follow an entire series based on her adventures. Ruby is a great character, though I wonder how her dad would feel about the deal she struck with the fox demon who cursed him. Speaking of the fox demon, his name is Lucca and I actually really liked him even if I think he might be forgettable in the long run.

That said, this was an excellent and fast paced novella that honestly felt like a full length book all packed into 60 pages, and I mean that in the best possible way. There was never a moment where I felt like there was a lack of information, and while I think there could’ve been more character development with Lucca, I’m really happy with this read. I’m really looking forward to checking out the next book in the series now.

That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Demon (Mead Mishaps #1) by Kimberly Lemming

 
That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Demon by Kimberly Lemming
My Rating: ★★★★

Cinnamon just wants to live a peaceful life with her family, expand her spice farm that she loves, and never go on an adventure. In fact, adventure is the exact opposite of what Cinnamon wants. It’s why she and her friends dyed their hair pink to make themselves less appealing for the goddess when it came time for the latest quest selection. The pink dye seems to have worked like a charm, but unfortunately for Cinnamon, she’s stumbled upon a quest after getting drunk and accidentally saving a demon.

This book came highly recommended as a hilarious romance and I was truly not prepared for how funny it actually is. It had me laughing so hard from the first chapter all the way to the epilogue. We follow Cinnamon, who is a spice farmer who knows what she wants, and adventure is not on that short list. Unfortunately for her, she’s stumbled face first into an adventure when she drunkenly saves a demon on the way home. It turns out that her town’s goddess is actually an undead witch who has tricked humans into worshiping her all while she enslaves and bewitches the demon folk. As much as Cinnamon doesn’t want adventure, it seems a quest has fallen into her lap and she is not going to stay silent while others are suffering.

Majority of the book is absolutely hilarious, but there are some serious plot points, so prepare yourself for that. There’s a great cast of characters headed by Cinnamon, who is absolutely wonderful and well developed. I also love her family and that realistic sibling energy, which had me laughing. I also love Usha, who came around fast. I also love Felix and Ambrose, which I wish we got to know better than we did. Fallon was fun and seemed mostly one dimensional, but I can’t complain since Cinnamon wasn’t one dimensional at all.

All in all, I had a lot of fun reading this. I laughed a lot and look forward to checking out the next in the series. If you’re looking for a hilarious romance that will have you laughing out loud, this may be the book for you.

Unfamiliar, Vol. 1 by Haley Newsome

Unfamiliar, Vol. 1 by Haley Newsome

My Rating: ★★★★★

I received a copy from Andrews McMeel Publishing through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

In the first volume of this webcomic, we follow Planchette as she finally moves to a magical town where she won’t be the only witch around. As a kitchen witch, Planchette has magic on her side… at least that’s what she thought, because it turns out she bought a haunted house and she doesn’t know how to sort out the haunting! Planchette makes her way around town making new friends while looking for someone to perform an exorcism, allowing us to follow her new friend’s lives as well.

I picked up this book because it sounded adorable and heartwarming, and it sure didn’t miss the mark! We follow Planchette and the friends she meets along the way. I can’t even choose a favorite because I love Planchette, Pinyon, Sun, and Babs equally. Pinyon is a witch who appears to not have any powers, Sun is working day and night so she can afford to have a curse removed, and Babs is an introverted siren who hopes to be more like Sun. Each of these characters become friends through the course of the first volume, and to think it all began with a haunted house!

There’s so many charming characters and storylines, and then there’s a few darker storylines that we’re about to watch friendship blaze the way through them. Each of the main characters have many layers and are full of surprises while the townsfolk are a bunch of interesting characters I’m excited to see more of. It’s also a surprisingly fast paced read. There’s a lot going on without being overwhelming, and we’re slowly introduced to characters so we can get to know them rather than suddenly have a large amount of new characters on our hands at every turn. I really like how the story is written and pulled together, so I’m excited to see what happens next.

Of course, the artwork is adorable! It’s colorful, cute, and fun. I really like the concept art that’s featured at the end of the volume, allowing us to see the early sketches of the characters compared to the final results. It’s always fun to see!

Heathen: Vol. 3 by Natasha Alterici, Ashley A. Woods

Heathen: Vol. 3 by Natasha Alterici, Ashley A. Woods

My Rating: ★★

When Aydis finally arrives at the land of the gods, she discovers that simply stating her demands for Odin gets her nowhere. As Aydis deals with coming face to face with a wall, everyone she once knew back at her village is in danger as Odin’s army marches into battle with them.

I’m disappointed by the final volume in this series. The story isn’t as good, there’s loose endings, Aydis strangely gets tossed into the backseat of her story. It feels very rushed, and a good portion of the second half doesn’t even make sense given the overall series. Plus, the showdown with Odin along with the overall ending is extremely anticlimactic. I’m pretty sad about how this entire volume went because it could’ve been a great ending to a wonderful series, but it just falls flat.

The artwork is nice, but there was a new artist and it just didn’t have the same impact. However, I don’t think that’s the artist’s fault. The story itself lost its magic, so I think even if there wasn’t a new artist on board, the magic in the artwork would’ve still gone missing. It’s sad all around, and I spent much of the volume looking like a reaction gif due to how the story lost everything that it had going for it. As I said, the overall ending was extremely anticlimactic. I don’t know what happened with this volume, but I do hope to check out more of the author’s work because they are extremely talented.

Heathen, Vol. 2 by Natasha Alterici, Rachel Autumn Deering

Heathen, Vol. 2 by Natasha Alterici, Rachel Autumn Deering

My Rating: ★★★★★

Now that Aydis has put a huge target on her back, she prepares for the next step in her adventure. Unfortunately for her, she’s faced with the consequences of her naivety and begins a crash course on the realities of the world and what it truly means to challenge Odin.

In this volume, we continue to follow Aydis as she travels to the land of the gods. On the way there, she encounters some dangerous beings who teach her about how well striking a deal with danger works out. We also watch her meet a crew of some amazing pirates, bringing her to an accepting place where love may bloom. However, we also watch Aydis begin her crash course in the realities of the world, especially as someone who has been somewhat sheltered all her life.

The second volume does not disappoint! The artwork continues to be absolutely stunning all while beautifully aiding in telling the story. Like the first volume, so many of the characters have a lot of layers and we really got to see how much dimension these characters have. I love that nearly every character has a story, and we usually see what that story is. I also love seeing the many characters ranging from human to gods get brought to life. While this story is rooted in Nordic mythology, it’s interesting to see how other gods are mentioned as well as how their followers are presented. All in all, I’m looking forward to seeing what happens in the third volume, which appears to be the final volume.

Heathen, Vol. 1 by Natasha Alterici

 
Heathen, Vol. 1 by Natasha Alterici

My Rating: ★★★★★

Aydis is a Viking without a home. After getting busted for kissing her friend, her village sentenced Aydis to marriage or death. Her father chose death, but secretly booted her from their village so that she could have a chance at life as the woman she is rather than being forced into a hetero marriage. Armed with her wits and her beloved horse, Saga, Aydis decides to rescue the immortal Valkyrie Brynhild from Odin’s curse before embarking on a crazy adventure.

I picked this up because it sounded interesting and the first thing I noticed is that the artwork is absolutely stunning! Every single panel looks like it could become a poster or an art print. Everything is absolutely gorgeous and really aids in telling the story, which is also wonderful. We follow Aydis right after she’s been cast out of her village. It’s just her and Saga against the world, but she’s got a heart of gold and is determined to lift the curse that Odin placed on Brynhild.

We meet several characters along the way, and the majority of them have a lot of layers. It doesn’t matter how briefly we see them. It’s clear that a lot of thought was put into these characters down to seeing a flashback or getting some form of backstory on them. I really enjoyed meeting all of these characters as the series was being set up, and I look forward to seeing how the story and these characters develop over each volume. From this volume alone, I think this is going to be a very strong series all the way to the end.

Loading Penguin Hugs: Heartwarming Comics from Chibird by Jacqueline Chen

 
Loading Penguin Hugs: Heartwarming Comics from Chibird by Jacqueline Chen

My Rating: ★★★★★

If you’re like me and use the ghost hugs and penguin hugs loading gifs all the time, this is the book for you, especially if you’ve been wondering where those gifs came from. Surprise! It’s from Chibird, the amazing series of comics and drawings by Jacqueline Chen that can also be seen on their Instagram! In this book, you will find a bunch of adorable, heartwarming, and funny comics and drawings that are going to lift up your mood for the day.

While I believe you can find many of the comics on their Instagram, like most comic and art compilations, there are drawings and comics that are exclusive to the book. These are so cute and uplifting, it made me wish I didn’t miss the Kickstarter for the motivational penguin plushie. Oh well, plushie or not, these comics give me the same heartwarming and uplifting feeling that having that plushie would! Each comic really brings a big smile to my face every time.

Cat's Café: A Comics Collection (Cat's Café #1) by Matt Tarpley

 
Cat's Café: A Comics Collection by Matt Tarpley
My Rating: ★★★★★

At Cat’s Café, everyone is accepted as they are! In a series of adorable, funny, and occasionally serious comics, we follow a cast of characters who own, work at, or frequent the Cat’s Café. I love how positive these comics are, which bounce around adorable and funny to dealing with serious topics. How serious are we talking about? Well, the most serious we get at Cat’s Café is dealing with depression and anxiety. There isn’t anything triggering as Matt Tarpley keeps it light, but if you spot something you see in yourself in these comics, it’s very accepting and positive about it while making sure you are seen as you are.

One of the things I love about these comics is the artwork. It’s beautiful and colorful while also using colors to aid in telling a story. When he touches on tougher topics, the color story changes to help show that the character is lonely, tired, exhausted, and the list continues. The other characters are very supportive and are shown to cheer on these characters and ask things such as, how are you? How can I help? Even we the readers are asked to help! When he’s touching on light and fun topics, the panels get more and more colorful. I particularly love the goofy panels, but I also love every single page of this. It’s a truly wonderful book, and I can’t wait to read the next compilation of comics from him.

The Ingenue by Rachel Kapelke-Dale

 
The Ingenue by Rachel Kapelke-Dale

My Rating: ★★★★

I received a copy from St. Martin's Press through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Saskia Kries is the latest heir to her family’s estate, the Elf House. It’s the one place she’s always called home, which is why she’s blindsided when she discovers that not only did her mother not tell her she was dying, but she also left the house to Saskia’s former teacher. After finding out that her father also had no idea about the change to her mother’s will, Saskia is on a mission to find out why her mother would just give the house away. The deeper she digs, the more secrets become illuminated, including her own.

I read and loved Rachel’s debut novel, so I was extremely excited when I saw they had another book coming out. I can honestly say that this novel does not disappoint! It should be noted that this book deals with the following tough subjects: death, death of a parent, grooming, and sexual abuse. If any of these subjects are triggering for you, this is a book that you should pass on because Saskia is dealing with each of these subjects all book long.

We follow Saskia, a pianist and prodigy, as we bounce back and forth between the past and present. In the present, we’re picking up right after Saskia’s mom died, leaving her raw and hurt, especially when she had no idea her mother was sick. The longer that Saskia is home, the more she’s confronted with the past that she’s been running away from. Much of the book is watching Saskia deal with her past traumas as well as her very fresh present trauma. All the tough subjects that can be triggering are right there, raw and in the open as Saskia grapples with what happened to her and tries to regain control. It’s such a heart wrenching novel that is very well-written and packs a punch. I look forward to seeing what else the author publishes in the future. They’re a very talented writer and really knows how to pull readers in on the very first page.

Cute Chibi Mythical Beasts Magical Monsters: Learn How to Draw Over 60 Enchanting Creatures by Phoebe Im

Cute Chibi Mythical Beasts Magical Monsters by Phoebe Im

My Rating: ★★★★★

I received a copy from Rock Point through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I am determined to read every book that Phoebe Im publishes because they are absolutely adorable on top of being fun. Plus, I’m a fan of their artwork and have been following them on Instagram for sometime now. Like their previous book, Cute Chibi Animals, it opens with a short introduction to who Phoebe is before defining chibi for readers. Then there’s a small section on tools one may need and some tips and tricks. I really like this part of the book because I think that there’s always something new to learn when a seasoned artist shares even the most simple tips and tricks to drawing!

Majority of the book is a series of step-by-step instructions on drawing various mythical creatures. I think that the drawings in this book are more complex than the ones featured in the previous book, which is great because it takes people following their drawing books on a journey into more complex drawings. Yes, these are chibi mythical beasts and monsters, but the overall shapes and combinations are more complex and provide more of a challenge on the drawing journey for people learning to draw. I really like that this is the case, but I also don’t think it’s too challenging. I would say that this book is good for middle schoolers and older elementary school kids so that younger kids won’t get too frustrated trying to keep up with some of the more complex drawings introduced.

101 Super Cute Things to Draw: More than 100 step-by-step lessons for making cute, expressive, fun art! by Lauren Bergstrom

 
101 Super Cute Things to Draw by Lauren Bergstrom
My Rating: ★★★★★

I received a copy from Walter Foster Publishing through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

If you’re looking for a cute book on drawing, especially for kids, this is the book for you! The opening of the book includes information on tools and simple techniques before diving straight into how to draw different things. It covers everything from everyday objects, such as books, to adorable animals. The instructions are super simple and easy to follow, making it a great gift for elementary school age kids who like to draw. It’s also perfect for anyone who says they can’t draw. It’s simple, cute, and slowly introduces its readers to more complex shapes while encouraging them to play with colors, patterns, and different faces. It’s not a super serious drawing book, so it’s perfect for anyone so they can have fun and learn to take on more complex shapes without becoming overwhelmed.

Stargazing by Jen Wang

 
Stargazing by Jen Wang
My Rating: ★★★★★

When Christine’s parents decide to rent a place out to the sweet lady who works at the nursery, she gains a new friend and neighbor: Moon. Christine has heard all kinds of rumors about Moon, mainly that she beats people up, but quickly learns that Moon is nothing like the rumors. If anything, Moon is kind, confident, and super artistic! The two become fast friends and Christine soon realizes that she’s jealous of her new best friend right as tragedy strikes. Will Christine be able to see past her jealousy and be the friend she needs to be when Moon needs her the most?

I’ve been meaning to pick up this book ever since I read one of Jen Wang’s other books, The Prince and the Dressmaker. While this is obviously a very different story, Jen brought everything from family woes to friendship woes to the plate. They also very subtly brought in how it feels to be a biracial or Asian-American kid and feel like you’re not enough due to being biracial and/or American whether at home or among your own peers.

One of the things I really liked about this book as well is that we watch Christine slowly struggle with her jealousy toward Moon. It’s natural for people to be jealous at some point or another, but what’s important is that we work through it and apologize if any shenanigans were pulled along the way. In a perfect world, things would always work themselves out, but I think that most people the age of the characters don’t necessarily realize what they’re feeling is jealousy. It’s one of the reasons I really like that this was the route the story took regarding their friendship. Maybe some younger readers experiencing jealousy who are trying to sabotage a friend to preserve their friendship will learn something from the messages shared in the book.

As always, the artwork is absolutely stunning and really helps tell the story. I also really like that the messages on family, friendship, and figuring yourself out and believing in yourself are so powerful for all readers. The story is aimed at kids around middle school age, but I think that it’s a great read for people of all ages and a family read for the younger crowd.

Crochet Magical Creatures: 20 Easy Amigurumi Patterns by Drew Hill

 
Crochet Magical Creatures: 20 Easy Amigurumi Patterns by Drew Hill

My Rating: ★★★★★

I received a copy from Callisto Media through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

If you’re new to crocheting and want to learn how to make amigurumi, this is an excellent pattern book for you! From start to finish, there’s an excellent amount of information that’s great for those either new to crocheting or new to amigurumi without being overwhelming. The opening has instructions for every technique one will need along with some techniques that aren’t a must, but just make life easier. One of those techniques is the magic ring. I’ve been crocheting for well over a decade and when I learned about the magic ring, I am not even exaggerating when I say it was life changing. It makes every project that’s worked in the round start up like a dream.

In addition to being a great instruction manual, there’s also 20 adorable and easy patterns that’s perfect for anyone getting started out. The instructions are easy to read, easy to follow, and have all the information provided to make the projects go as smoothly as possible. I think that this is a great book for people new to the craft and just folks who are looking for more amigurumi patterns.

Hollow by Shannon Watters; Branden Boyer-White

 
Hollow by Shannon Watters; Branden Boyer-White

My Rating: ★★★★★

I received a copy from BOOM! Studios through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

When Izzy Crane and her family move to Sleepy Hollow, she’s overwhelmed by how much the town celebrates and cherishes the old Headless Horseman legend. Science oriented, Izzy doesn’t see the draw in obsessing with an old supernatural legend while walking home with two classmates… until she sees the Headless Horseman herself! What does the Headless Horseman want, and why is her crush’s life at stake?

I’m a fan of Shannon Watters, so when I saw they had a book that takes place in Sleepy Hollow, I knew I had to read it. We follow Izzy Crane right after she moves to Sleepy Hollow with her family. While we don’t see much of her parents, I thought they seemed warm and caring, so I really liked them. We also follow Vicky Van Tassel, whose family is obsessed with how far back their lineage goes in the town. The problem? Vicky hates everything that comes with being born with the Van Tassel name. We also meet some of Vicky’s family as well as her close friend, Croc Byun. Croc is the school prankster with a heart of gold. He actually turned out to be my favorite character, though I love all three members of this trio!

The story itself is amazing. I love how the paranormal world is slowly brought in and carefully balanced with what is real and what is skeptical. The friendships are heartwarming and I love how we saw character development even with supporting characters we didn’t see much of. One of my favorite things about this book is the humor that balances out the gravity of the supernatural situation that Izzy, Vicky, and Croc are dealing with.

One of the things I also love about this book is that it’s an easy and fun read for all ages. The artwork is beautiful and it has important lessons for younger audiences, such as the importance of communicating your thoughts and feelings with your friends and family. It pulls in an old legend most adults know of pretty well in addition to adding a touch of humor to keep things light enough that nothing gets scary. I think it’s a perfect read for pre-teens and older that will also be a great family read.

A Side Character's Love Story, Vol. 1-11 by Akane Tamura

 
A Side Character's Love Story, Vol. 1-11 by Akane Tamura

My Rating: ★★★★★

Nobuko Tanaka has always felt like a side character in her own life. She’s always been quiet and in the background while everything always happens to everyone else. As someone who struggles with general and social anxiety, Nobuko has mostly been content to an extent. Now that she’s in college and working, Nobuko has developed a major crush on a coworker and struggles to become the main character in her own life.

I’m reviewing the first eleven volumes of this series because it’s a slow burn that’s very easy to read. We follow Nobuko, a woman who struggles with severe general and social anxiety. The story keeps labeling her struggles as cute little quirks, but I’m not sure if it was always labeled that way or if that’s something that occurred when it was translated into English. It is a bit weird that all of her struggles are described as little quirks in the little blurbs in the panels from time to time, especially because the story carefully illustrates how much Nobuko’s anxiety affects every part of her life. That said, seeing her struggles with anxiety reads as extremely realistic to me, though my anxiety is not at the same level as hers.

Throughout the series, we see Nobuko make friends, meet goals, and fall in love with her long-time crush. While the terms of how you know you’re in love are hilarious, it’s actually a really cute story mainly following Nobuko. We do occasionally follow her crush turned boyfriend, Hiroki, as well as various other characters. I really like that there’s occasionally a chapter following one of Nobuko’s friends or coworkers, a customer at her job, and so on. It’s fun to get a glimpse into these other characters' lives between the main story.

Speaking of Hiroki, we do follow him here and there more often than the others. Like Nobuko, he does have anxiety, but not to the same extent as her. It’s fun to see him with his friends and family as well as see how much he cares about Nobuko because they’re both self-conscious and new to dating, so they don’t always show what they’re thinking around each other. As I read more volumes, it was nice to see how much these two care for one another and I can see they really are a sweet couple that are perfect for one another.

If you’re someone that doesn’t like slow paced stories, this is not the series for you. However, if you like a slow paced slice of life type of story, this series will be excellent for you. It’s very easy to read with beautiful artwork and likable characters that are relatable.

On the Way to the Wedding (Bridgertons #8) by Julia Quinn

 

On the Way to the Wedding by Julia Quinn

My Rating: ★★★★

After watching all of his siblings find true love, Gregory Bridgerton has high expectations for marriage. He will not marry unless he finds someone who makes his breath catch in his chest and butterflies explode in his stomach. If he can’t live or breathe without his potential wife, she’s not the one! The problem? The woman of his dreams has absolutely no interest in him and he is determined to create his chance with her. Now he’s teaming up with the best friend of his future wife in an attempt to make his dreams happen.

I have to admit that I was not feeling this book for a bit. It wasn’t bad, but Gregory was lackluster and downright infuriating at times. I know that “boys will be boys” is a huge saying, but if you’re told no or not to do something, listen. Because of this, it was rather irritating to watch Gregory try to make Hermione Watson give him the time of day when she was clearly not interested. If anything, she was making excuses to get away from him!

Bless Lucinda, aka Lucy, Abernathy’s heart, who was trying to create a love match between Hermione and Gregory. She really thought it’d be a good match. I loved following Lucy and seeing her growth as the book went on. I really felt bad for her from the start. The poor woman was living in the shadow of her best friend, who always had men falling in love with her appearance at first sight! Lucy took it in stride and I did enjoy watching her find love for herself, though purely by accident!

The issues I had with Gregory aside, I did ultimately enjoy the book. Once we started spending more and more time with Lucy, and when Gregory stopped being a complete clown, it was rather enjoyable! And lord almighty, the entire end was wild! It may be the final book in the series, but still went out with a bang.

Death for Dinner Cookbook - 60 Gorey-Good, Plant-Based Drinks, Meals, and Munchies Inspired by Your Favorite Horror Films by Zach Neil

Death for Dinner Cookbook by Zach Neil

My Rating: ★★★★

I received a copy from the Quarto Publishing Group through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I was excited about this book because it looked like a fun cookbook inspired by horror movies, which is also a perfect October read. Now, the author is somewhere between a vegetarian and vegan, and this is a vegan cookbook. I’m not vegan or vegetarian, but it’ll be easy to substitute vegan and vegetarian specific ingredients as needed. It will also be easy to substitute the ingredients that I’m allergic to.

That said, this is such a fun book full of a bunch of really tasty sounding recipes. I love how it’s laid out with pictures from various horror movies as well as the fun names that reference the inspiration behind each dish. There’s also a list of ingredients and tools one will need as well as a list of the movies and TV shows that inspired the recipes all before the cookbook gets rolling.

The recipes are divided by appetizers, main dishes, desserts, drinks, and then extras that include sauces and other things to add to the dishes. The overall presentation is absolutely wonderful and great for horror fans as well as anyone who loves Halloween. It’s such a fun read full of many delicious sounding recipes that will be easy to adapt to anyone’s diet and allergies.

The Anime Chef Cookbook: 75 Iconic Dishes from Your Favorite Anime by Nadine Estero

 
The Anime Chef Cookbook: 75 Iconic Dishes from Your Favorite Anime by Nadine Estero

My Rating: ★★★★★

I received a copy from the Quarto Publishing Group through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is truly a recipe book meant for anime fans whether or not they can make many of the dishes before seeing this. I mean, who can’t pass up on a cookbook inspired by some of the most iconic dishes featured in anime? In true anime style, even the photos in the book are beautifully illustrated photos rather than pictures taken of the real life dishes. It’s so much fun!

The book is separated into sections: appetizers, main dishes, desserts, and drinks. There’s also a list of tools and ingredients that one will need to make all the recipes found in the book. The ingredient list is pretty nice and explains what each item is and specifies the type to buy if it’s not specified in the recipe. For example, if the recipe doesn’t specify a specific oil, it tells us that we can use whatever our preferred neutral oil is.

One of the things that I love about this cookbook, other than the delicious recipes of course, is the beautiful artwork. It’s taking me back to all the times I was watching a show and all the food looked delicious even though it was animated, and here we are with a bunch of beautifully illustrated pictures of the dishes to get everyone hungry. If you think you can’t get hungry looking at food illustrations, you are absolutely wrong and this is the hill I’m planting myself on! Plus, each recipe is easy to follow and also includes what anime it appeared in as well as how it connects to the characters and the story. There’s occasionally a little bit of humor, information on the dish, or what extra bits of inspiration was behind the particular recipe featured. All in all, it’s a wonderful cookbook and I’m excited to make some of the recipes and drinks that I’ve had before but never made myself.

Bob Ross Cross Stitch: 12 Happy Little Cross Stitch Patterns by Haley Pierson-Cox

Bob Ross Cross Stitch: 12 Happy Little Cross Stitch Patterns by Haley Pierson-Cox

My Rating: ★★★★★

I received a copy from the Quarto Publishing Group through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

If you’re a fan of Bob Ross and either interested in cross stitching or already a cross stitcher, this is a must have! It has 12 wonderful Bob Ross inspired patterns that include some of his inspirational wisdom. Each pattern is simple and easy to follow in addition to including some project prepping tips for beginner cross stitchers next to each pattern. Speaking of new cross stitchers, the opening is full of easy to follow instructions on how to cross stitch ranging from tips and tricks on how to prepare to great finishing instructions. There are also a few graphs on the basics of stitching, but I think some people may do well with looking up a video as well since the graphs are limited.

All in all, this is a great book that is a must have for any crafty fan of Bob Ross, whether you’re new to cross stitching or a seasoned stitcher.

It's in His Kiss (Bridgertons #7) by Julia Quinn

It's in His Kiss by Julia Quinn

My Rating: ★★★★

As Hyacinth Bridgerton begins another season on the marriage market, she’s begun to wonder why she hasn’t come across a suitable man that she might be interested in marrying. Just when she starts to wonder if the problem is her, not that she would entertain the idea for more than a second, Gareth St. Clair stumbles into her presence. Sure, he’s good looking, but what Hyacinth needs and wants is someone who can keep up with her wit. Luckily for her, Gareth doesn’t mind if a woman is smart and doesn’t feign ignorance. He just needs to get his head on straight, first…

Like the previous novels in this series, we follow the protagonists through rotating perspectives. I was extremely excited to start this novel because the more we saw of Hyacinth in the later installments, the more I liked her. I’ve come out of this book declaring that she’s my favorite Bridgerton. She’s such a funny, smart, and sassy character. I would honestly follow an entire series with her as the protagonist if that was something in the cards. I’m happy to see that she was matched with Gareth, who is equally hilarious and sassy while also being smart. Of course he’s smart. He’s gotta be on the same page so he can keep up with Hyacinth!

Gareth is a new character with a complicated backstory that leaves him at odds with his father. There’s a lot of trauma, hurt, and bitterness there. The more we learned about his dad and their dynamics when Gareth finds himself in his father’s company, the more I found myself supporting Gareth. His father is a truly awful person all around and I’m glad he’s not real because that would be just one more terrible person in the world going around inflicting psychological trauma on people.

I think that Hyacinth and Gareth are well matched. I love their dynamics as well as how they are truly into each other. I also loved seeing the Bridgerton family accept Gareth into the folds as a Bridgerton. They know he only has one family member who loves and cares for him, and they instantly accept him as a new family that will never leave him feeling like there’s no one again. Plus, well, he’s going to need all the help he can get to keep up with his new bride. Hyacinth gets an idea in her head and runs with it, leaving everyone in her dust. I think they make a great duo.

It was also nice revisiting some of our favorite characters. I loved how much time we got to spend with Lady Danbury. She is one of my favorite characters in the show and the book series, so I loved how much we got to see of her since she’s close with Hyacinth. The friendly yet hilarious relationship between the two characters had me laughing so hard that I had tears in my eyes. It was also hilarious to see Anthony again. Without giving any spoilers, I can say that just about anyone is going to love when he turns up.

Now that I’ve finished the seventh book, I’m going to be sad when I finally finish the series! I’m looking forward to seeing what’s in store for Gregory, but I’m also not ready because it’s the final book. I know there’s a few spin-offs, so I’ll likely check those out next.

A Haunted History of Invisible Women: True Stories of America's Ghosts by Leanna Renee Hieber, Andrea Janes

 
A Haunted History of Invisible Women: True Stories of America's Ghosts by Leanna Renee Hieber, Andrea Janes
My Rating: ★

I received a copy from Kensington Books through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I requested this ARC because I was interested in the stories behind the hauntings of America in addition to the known hauntings and ghost sightings of women that sounded extremely interesting. I don’t know if the final edit of the book is better than what I read, but the ARC I read is in a state of confusion. It can’t seem to decide what it wants to be: the story behind hauntings, historical events, historical sights, famous hauntings, feminist manifestos, feminism and justice, but sometimes something about justice but the exact point didn’t quite land. I think all of these things would make great subjects on their own as well as smaller groups of them in combination, but not all of them together in one book.

I also find it strange that not a single haunting covered throughout the chapters were personally witnessed by the authors. That seemed like it would be a given due to the author’s personal experiences. One runs a ghost tour company in addition to being a tour guide for said company. The other declares that they have a long history with spirits. However, we don’t get to see their personal experiences with any spirits or any kind of ghost sighting at any point throughout the book. The opening was wonderful and interesting. It made it seem like we, the readers, were about to be in for quite the read given their experiences in addition to wanting to bring facts to the table. That fizzled out fast and I read a mishmash that wasn’t quite sure what it wanted to be while also not having personal experiences with at least one of the hauntings.

That said, there was some good and interesting information covered. There were even some historical facts on things that happened that I was unaware of. I had heard of the events, but I didn’t know what happened after or about the alleged hauntings. However, these things were overshadowed by the rest of the book, which made me reach the final chapter feeling like I had some kind of metaphorical whiplash. Parts of it were solid on their own, but together, I think that different parts of the book would’ve worked out much better being explored as separate books.

Night Cry by Borja González

Night Cry by Borja González
My Rating: ★★★★

I received a copy from Europe Comics through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

In a small town, Teresa runs a little used bookstore that sells anything from rare to obscure books, including ones that cover the occult. She’s bored, lonely, and just wishes for something different to happen. One night, Teresa uses one of the books in her store to summon Laura, a demon who will grant one wish before returning to the pages of the book. The problem? Teresa has no idea what to wish for, so the pair are stuck together until she finally thinks of something to wish for.

I found this slice of life story to be cute yet sad. We follow three different characters starting with the protagonist, Teresa, who seemingly wants something more than the small town she lives in can give her. Then we have Matilda, a frequent customer of Teresa’s shop who also buys copies of all of her fanzines that no one else is interested in. Finally, Laura the anime obsessed demon who just wants to go to Japan rounds out the story with a paranormal aspect. The three characters develop a friendship of sorts, and while Matilda has no idea that Laura is a demon, they seem to get along very well.

The artwork is the true stunner here because it’s absolutely beautiful. None of the characters are given faces, which makes the artwork itself very unique for a graphic novel. Borja González manages to make the characters very expressive through their body language and the colors of the panels. Facial expressions? Those are thrown out the window, which I found very interesting and different in a good way.

That said, the story itself is a slice of life that lets us have a glimpse into these character’s lives for a short period of time. There’s an air of terror throughout, as girls and women are going missing in town. None are found throughout the pages, and we’re left with an open-ended conclusion that leaves many questions unanswered. We’re given bits of information that allow us to come to our own conclusions, and I have a few ideas of what I think happened, but I don’t think we’re meant to have a conclusive answer. I don’t think this story is for everyone, but I really liked it.

The Cursed Among Us by John Durgin

The Cursed Among Us by John Durgin
My Rating: ★★★

Howie Burke and his friends are obsessed with horror movies. There’s not much to do in the small town of Newport, but they love their horror movies, and they love their film class at their local high school. Now that they’re filming their latest mini horror movie, they’re finding themselves inching closer and closer to the woods that the town has banned everyone from entering. The Black Heart Killer who terrorized the town twenty years ago made those woods the hiding place for his victims, and the town just wants to forget all about it and those woods. One night, Howie and his friends venture deep into the woods to film and stumble upon the grave of someone. They will soon learn why the town banned everyone from entering those woods…

My best friend and I were looking for a thrilling mystery to read together when we stumbled upon this book. While this is not a thriller, we were pulled in by the paranormal aspects and overall compelling summary. It sounded like it’d be a pretty good read, so we both got a copy and dove in. We follow Howie and his small group of friends, Cory, Todd, and Ryan through each of their perspectives all book long. Each of these teenagers have their own private horror stories they carry with them, whether it’s in their personal lives, their social lives being peppered with bullies, or the curse that is about to be unleashed on them by accident. We mainly follow Howie, but we do jump around to each of his friends as well as the occasional short lived random character. Out of the group of four friends, I think we got to know Cory the least.

One of the things that I like about this book is that we spend some time getting to know the core cast before the paranormal shenanigans really get rolling. I liked the core plot, but I think we’re missing some information because I was left with a lot of questions. While I can ask the silly ones, like why fight a demon with a stapler when you’re a core member of a coven, I really just want to know what the town’s coven had been up to for the last twenty years. No one bothered to look for the grave in the forest and no one prepped for if someone were to accidentally release the demon. Even those facing the demon who knew what it took to face them did nothing but run around like chickens with their heads cut off. The whole coven aspect of the story ended up being one giant plot hole leaving me with a bunch of questions and no answers.

That said, I did like the story. Howie, Cory, Todd, and Ryan were very realistic characters. I feel bad for all of them. Howie goes home to an abusive home life, Todd is anxiety riddled, Ryan has always been a target for bullying, and Cory is just the semi-weird kid pining after Bethany. Don’t even get me started on Bethany, though. We rarely see her and her entire purpose is to be Cory’s prize if he survives accidentally rereleasing a demon on the town. As far as characterization goes, it was interesting to see the group of friends be jealous of different aspects of each other’s lives. For example, Howie is jealous of Ryan for having really sweet and loving parents while poor Ryan is just desperately trying to make friends and keep them.

Plus, the book is extremely fast paced and a surprisingly fast read. I was confused by the way time worked since it’d be night but then there was daylight before it was night again. I didn’t mind having information dumped on me, but sometimes it was done at the most random times or in strange ways. Some of the character building on characters who were about to push up daisies was done in the same way and that was kind of odd too. However, I think the author had something good going here and I think they have a lot of potential. I’m looking forward to checking out some of their future works because I think they’re someone who is going to continue to improve and eventually put out a lot of really good and solid novels sometime in the future.

Retro Girl Embroidery: 20 Vintage Patterns Inspired by the 1970s by Erin Essiambre

 
Retro Girl Embroidery: 20 Vintage Patterns Inspired by the 1970s by Erin Essiambre
My Rating: ★★★★★

I’ve been following Erin’s Instagram, @saltwaterstitches, for some time because her embroidery is absolutely stunning. When she announced this book, I was so excited to be able to support her but also be able to make some of her patterns! The opening of the book explains a little bit about herself and how she got into embroidery before diving into the basics of learning how to get started.

When I say the basics are covered, I really mean it! There’s information about embroidery hoops, fabric, needles, and the types of thread yarn used. The pattern transferring options are also covered as well as the pros and cons of each method, so it’s really a matter of preference. Of course, a number of basic and special stitches are explained with written instructions that are accompanied by photos. And yes, the fluffy cloud technique is explained, so if you’ve been eyeing Erin’s work and hope to learn how to do the clouds… you are in luck! She spills on her techniques in the pages of this book. 

There’s a number of beautiful patterns featured that range from retro to fun in the clouds and stars. All of the pattern photos and instructions are easy to follow and explain any extra techniques that may or may not be needed for the pattern. I’m very happy with this book and I can’t wait to make a couple of these patterns!

Secrets of Camp Whatever: The Doors to Nowhere, Vol. 2 by Chris Grine

 
Secrets of Camp Whatever: The Doors to Nowhere, Vol. 2 by Chris Grine
My Rating: ★★★

It’s Willow’s birthday and Elric, a local vampire, has gifted her a spell book that was once her great grandmother’s. It turns out that there’s a bit of supernatural history in Willow’s family and there’s a good chance that Willow has inherited more than just a spell book. Now that the book is in her hands, she’s caught right in the middle of a supernatural quest for power, and that spell book is at the center of it. There’s more problems on her hands when it turns out she’s at the center of an old prophecy, too!

I loved the first volume in this series, so I was extremely excited when I saw that the second volume was out. We follow Willow and the friends she made at camp in the previous novel as they celebrate her birthday. I loved seeing Willow and her friends again, including Elric. It was so much fun to get back into this supernatural world. I was rather surprised at how dark this volume is compared to the previous one. It was more dark and spooky than a supernatural spin on real life. Though, there are still important lessons for readers. For example, Willow learns that she can be quite judgmental and mean about people she just met, especially if she doesn’t like them. It’s something she learns she has to change because not only is it mean, but her friends are put off by the attitude as well.

That said, it’s still a fun read. I enjoyed learning more about the supernatural history of the island. It was fun seeing Willow learn how to travel by magic as well to see some new supernatural developments among her friends. While the overall tone of this volume was much darker, there was still some humor sprinkled throughout the story. I cracked up when Willow and her friends went to find the forest frog because it turned out to be absolutely hilarious.

Anne: An Adaptation of Anne of Green Gables by Kathleen Gros

 
Anne: An Adaptation of Anne of Green Gables by Kathleen Gros

My Rating: ★★★★

I received a copy from HarperCollins Children's Books through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Anne Shirley has grown up in the foster care system and has lived in more places than she wants to remember. However, things seem to be looking up when she’s placed with Matthew Cuthbert and his sister, Marilla. Despite the Cuthberts hoping for a little kid, they’re happy with the sweet, creative, thoughtful, and friendly pre-teen that has been placed with them. Now that Anne has made friends and started school, she hopes her placement with the Cuthberts will last a long time.

I grew up with Anne of Green Gables because my mom was a huge fan, so I was excited when I saw this modern retelling of the story. We follow Anne in a modern setting as she’s placed in the care of the Cuthberts due to a glitch in the system saying they don’t have a preference about who gets placed with them. Combine that with Anne’s lifelong experiences in the foster care system, she’s terrified that she’ll be moved any time she’s less than perfect. Thankfully, the Cuthberts don’t mind and instead work with her to make things right as well as learn important lessons.

I loved watching Anne grow and flourish in this new setting. There are characters and incidents kept from the original, but overall, this retelling does wonders while staying true to the original content. The artwork is fun and colorful and the characters are fun to follow. I found myself getting more and more absorbed into the story the longer I read it. I’m a huge fan of fairytale retellings, and while Anne’s story was never a fairytale, it was so much fun to see it retold in a new setting with the author’s take on it. We watch Anne make friends, settle into a reliable and solid life, and see her realize that she’s developed a crush on her best friend. I especially loved the Cuthberts because they’re such kind and caring people who are perfect guardians teaching lessons and open to learning themselves.

All in all, this was a wonderful read that also teaches important lessons to its target audience. It’s also a great way to introduce younger generations to Anne of Green Gables before diving into the original story as well as all the live action adaptations that have been made over the years.

Home Before Dark by Riley Sager

 
Home Before Dark by Riley Sager
My Rating: ★★★

Being the kid of the person who wrote a famous non-fiction ghost novel is hard. Maggie Holt would know since her dad is the author of that book. Despite her parent’s claims, Maggie knows that Baneberry Hall is not haunted. She may not remember living there, but she knows ghosts aren’t real and that her parents have been lying to her for the last 25-years. When Ewan Holt passes away, Maggie becomes the new owner of Baneberry Hall, the very house her parents claimed they no longer owned. As the new owner, Maggie is determined to find the answers to all her questions now that no one can stop her.

I picked up this book thinking it would be a thrilling mystery, and a possibly paranormal one at that, only to find it was simply a mystery. There was absolutely no suspense to be found here! That said, it was a fast and easy read. We follow Maggie as she’s about to find out that she’s inherited Baneberry Hall, the same home she and her family fled and never returned to… or so she thought. It was hard growing up with people thinking they knew her and her family based on the haunted tale her father published, a tale that depicted her in a way she believes is unflattering. We also follow Ewan as he presents himself in his book. Each chapter is told through a combination of a chapter of his book followed by Maggie in the present.

As far as the characters go, not many were particularly likable, Maggie included. Everyone Maggie meets after returning to Baneberry Hall has ulterior motives. She doesn’t know what they are yet, but she can see that’s the case after every meeting. While they weren’t necessarily likable, they do make an interesting cast of characters. There’s also one character we never actually meet: Allie. For someone who is a close friend and business partner, she mostly appears through the occasional text message. Honestly, it seems like she’s there to prove that Maggie has at least one friend even though this friendship isn’t exactly believable.

There are some details that aren’t very realistic. For example, Maggie arrives to check out her old childhood home in the evening. Alone. For a house that may have been left abandoned for a few decades, why would anyone show up alone and at night? That’s not even including informally hiring a guy she just met to help her work on the house because he said he’s the groundskeeper even though she has a partner. There’s no background check, no gathering of info, just superficial information exchanges and running on his family name and the fact that he’d been allegedly working for her dad. There’s a few other details that are spoilers that just seemed odd to unrealistic reactions, but they each stuck out to me.

I do like that we read passages of Ewan’s book alongside Maggie in real time. It was interesting to see how fact and fiction differed as well as what Maggie remembered from being back at the house. While many of the answers Maggie was looking for were obvious early on, my favorite part of the entire book is Ewan’s letter to her and the aftermath of what he had to say. It’s the only time in the book that didn’t have Ewan or Maggie putting their walls up. Ewan had many walls even in his book because there was something to be hidden, and Maggie was jaded between being a character in a famous paranormal non-fiction novel and knowing her parents were lying about it to her all along.

All in all, I don’t think this is a bad book and I did enjoy reading it. My best friend says Riley Sager’s other books really pack a punch, so I look forward to checking them out after reading this.