Book Review #91: The First Invasion

The First Invasion: Book 1 by Zack Soto (200 pages)

I dig the zany magical realism vibes. For no reason at all, one of the characters has a humanoid cat uncle. Kaz and his (play)cousin Truly get into shenanigans when they go snooping around. Kaz has a disability that affects his sight, but it’s not his sole trait, though it does impact how he gets around during the adventurous bits. Truly has emotional issues surrounding her parents that cause her to act rudely.

The color scheme is a blueberry smoothie, and the art style has an unfinished 3 am cartoon on Adult Swim vibe, but it works. There are more realistic-looking characters and cartoony ones; like, a mixture of The Amazing World of Gumball. At times, character close-ups looked ugly (namely Truly, unfortunately), but the art style conveyed the story overall well. It shined with establishing shots/locations.

Once introductions and character motives are out of the way, the story becomes fast-paced almost to a break-your-neck speed. Random characters started spawning after the kids summoned the space knight, who I liked. I honestly got lost with the barrage of characters and fighting, but kids will probably enjoy the nonstop action and wacky villains.

Book Review #90: Two Graves Volume 1

“To drive a helpless person mad, give them knowledge. Then, to make a monster: Give them power. To make a monster yours: …”

Two Graves: Wish You Were Here Vol 1 by Genevieve Valentine, Ming Doyle, and Annie Wu (208 pages)

I was intrigued from page one. Playing with Persephone and Hades in a fun way where Death is unable to let go of one terse, cranky woman, so he keeps her around as a helper.

I still don’t understand all the worldbuilding and the character motivations. Death didn’t finish the job and inadvertently let Emilia alter him. Emilia’s got some type of power when she touches someone. There’s a mentorship when you become Death apparently.

You can tell two different artists are working on this book at the same time and not in a way I particularly liked. The art style isn’t cohesive.

I didn’t like the article excerpts at all (not that they weren’t interesting). But it took me out of the flow of the story.

But I enjoyed the narrative voices for Emilia and Death. I’d read volume two for sure.

Book Review #89: When It All Syncs Up

 When It All Syncs Up by Maya Ameyaw (320 pages)

I really enjoyed this. I have a soft spot for books about black girls doing ballet. This one has such a simple, easygoing narrative voice.

I was invested in the tender yet tense platonic friendship between Neil and Aisha. Like, I could see they were close and not just told this. Honestly, Neil’s self-destructiveness and Aisha’s worsening mental health kept them in a tug-of-war with each other trying to see how much to divulge to the other.

The execution of disassociation was good to me. I haven’t read many stories that cover this but it explained what Aisha was going through in a way that was understandable to someone who had never heard of this. I can’t speak to the actual accuracy of the portrayal though.

In the background is subtle commentary on colorism, body image, racism, eating disorders, toxic masculinity, and abandonment issues. It is integrated so seamlessly into the story despite the heavy subjects. But the main focus is on mental health, especially as it relates to the dance world, and a sweet, gentle romance.

And it’s a breath of fresh air that the book acknowledges not every therapist will be a good fit; some will be downright patronizing. But it’s still worth it to find the right one.

Book Review #88: Curlfriends: New in Town

Curlfriends: New in Town by Sharee Miller (288 pages)

Oh, I absolutely loved this! Right away, the adorable art style and Charlie’s struggle to make friends drew me in. She goes through embarrassing mishaps and so much lying trying to be accepted. Charlie, like a lot of us, is in her head a lot.

Something unique is the book addresses what happens when a parent who has been absent (as in work, deployment, etc) changes the dynamic of the home once they return full-time. I don’t think I have seen many children’s stories cover this.

OR, having a social butterfly for a parent as a child who has difficulty connecting to others. Sometimes, the parent doesn’t realize social interactions don’t come easy to the child.

Moral: You don’t have to pretend to be someone else to be liked.

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Book Review #87: Blood Scion

Blood Scion by Deborah Falaye (432 pages)

This is a dark and heavy book as to be expected with war, genocide, indoctrination/propaganda, and child soldiers. The subjects were handled seriously and didn’t feel like shock value was the only goal. I would argue this could be Adult due to the level of violence. This isn’t the usual, cookie-cutter “YA assassin.” There’s actual graphic killing here, and each one has an emotional weight.

The narrative voice was very strong! Sloane is warring within herself with the truth of her heritage, her fire powers, and the violence she must commit just to survive. I felt every heart-wrenching disappointment and frustration this girl experienced.

There’s some fantasy, Orishas, and mystery along the way with glimpses of romance, but none of it detracts from being Sloane’s story. It’s the controversial question ‘do the ends justify the means?’ but an excellent portrayal of a (forced) anti-hero. The plot twists are out for blood and will knock you silly once you realize everything.

Despite the heavy themes, I had a stellar reading experience. I was engulfed.

Of course, I’m reading book 2.

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Book Review #86: Mabuhay!

“You shouldn’t hide things that make you unique … you should celebrate them.”

Mabuhay! by Zachary Sterling (240 pages)

A great mixture of humor, poignancy, action, family, and culture!

The family aspect was truly one of my favorite parts along with how involved the parents were too. The mother has her little character arc too. You don’t usually see this in children’s fiction, but it was a unique surprise.

As a critique, Althea’s arc was resolved too fast. Maybe this could have been spread to a second book, but it didn’t detract from the story.

I also think the art style complemented the story well. Mabuhay! had a lot of personality! If this was a cartoon, I’d happily watch it.

Siblings JJ and Althea are both dealing with not fitting in, JJ wants to distance himself from anything that references his Filipino heritage and/or others himself while Althea is being ostracized by her former friend group for not “growing up.” If that wasn’t bad enough, then witches and evil spirits started hunting them too. Magical shenanigans abound.

5 stars!

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Book Review #85: Keeper of the Lost Cities The Graphic Novel Part 1: Volume 1

Keeper of the Lost Cities The Graphic Novel Part 1: Volume 1 by Shannon Messenger & Gabriella Chianello (Celina Frenn) (352 pages)

This is fast food, but I see how it’s entertaining.

Sophie is overpowered and oh-so-special, all the boys want her, and everyone wants to be her friend. You could say Mary Sue, or you can see this as a cute, juvenile female power fantasy.

The development with Biana, who I thought was going to be a one-note mean girl, was good. The author gave her an understandable motivation behind her frostiness. In addition, Sir Tiergan was one of my favorite characters. That man was not for the shenanigans. With the setup for a love triangle, Keefe was much more interesting than Fitz to me.

Overall, I liked the art style as it was very cute and looked like Disney meets Winx Club. Judging by the graphic adaptation, it’s an easy story to follow along, and I see why there are so many books in the series.

Book Review #84: The Bones of Ruin

The Bones of Ruin (496 pages) by Sarah Raughley

I just loved this book, and the characters from beginning to end. Some of the elements reminded me lightly of Henrietta Lack’s story.

It’s a bit of historical fiction that meets magical realism with a little X-Men on top for whipped cream. The story doesn’t skirt past the racism and sexism of the era. For instance, the story relays that a man called Iris a horrid name without writing it, but you could put together the pieces. None of it is done in a way that’s triggering. That’s so refreshing!

Oh, and the characters! Iris was a fun main character with some edge. She was so innocent, clever, and ruthless when she needed to be. A whole bunch of characters are ruthless and gutter actually. Jinn (so especially him, the book’s handsome prince) and Max were so sweet! Jinn had banter with Iris, but it wasn’t the usual mean-spirited, degrading type often present in YA fiction. This is the type of love triangle I like where both guys are equally lovely. Max’s ragtime runaways’ group was also likable from their first introduction. I liked the whole gang.

Finding out the backstories of the big events and characters kept me furiously turning pages. The story unveiled the mysteries slowly in layers, but the narrative didn’t feel laggy. I ate every bit up. Every character here has their own demons to face, and it’s so enthralling to read. One mystery gets revealed just to beget four more. There are also some trope subversions that had me surprised in a good way.

Only one thing kind of bugged me. Iris kept blushing, but she is black. I don’t think she was light-skinned either. It’s possible that she was physically blushing, and it wasn’t visible but it’s something I noticed.

Either way, this book was quickly 5-star territory for me. I devoured book two and can’t wait for the ending of the trilogy.

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Read Book two’s review: The Song of Wrath

Read My Books: Here

Book Review 83: Sign of the Slayer

Sign of the Slayer by Sharina Harris (464 pages)

I thoroughly loved the narrative voice! Raven isn’t afraid to speak her mind. She’s confident but still has insecurities and a past of anger issues weighing her down.

I also enjoyed the humor because again Raven has no filter, and the titles of each chapter are very unserious. The vampires and the slaying had my interest by the throat; but no bloodsucking. We’re classy over here. wags finger

Our deuteragonist also had my heart. He was an island boy with a lovely name and just as sad a past as Raven. They were good foils to each other and had good chemistry. It’s a bit of whiplash how Khamari was so dutiful she can’t know about me blah bla, then he was fully pursuing her. But with the flow of the story, it kind of makes sense later.

I crave more Black paranormal, so this was like a gift. I’d definitely read more from this author. Give me book two! Also, shoutout to Rose she was fun. I liked the whole cast of characters.

Once y’all pay writers and actors what they deserve, this better be on the list for a Netflix adaptation. And I’m not playing with y’all! I’m talking expeditiously.

Book Review 82: I’m Glad My Mom Died

I’m Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy (320 pages)

A hard read that’s easy to read. Extremely engaging.

Not surprised one bit by the tidbits of The Creator. I know she probably left out a lot.

I commend Jennette for showing how the process of recovery is not overnight. There were constant setbacks and very small victories. I also like the conversation highlighting the romanticization of people, especially mothers in this case.