You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Scan barcode
betweentheshelves's reviews
2678 reviews
My Salty Mary by Jodi Meadows, Brodi Ashton, Cynthia Hand
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Honestly, these books are always a good time. This is about Mary Read re-imagined as part of the Little Mermaid, and it's a fun sea adventure from beginning to end. Sometimes in multiple pov books there's one character that you aren't a fan of, but each pov was great in this one! Mary, Tobias, and Jack all add to the story, especially as the action ramps up at the end.
If you like re-imagined history with fantasy twists, you should definitely check out this series!
If you like re-imagined history with fantasy twists, you should definitely check out this series!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Misogyny, and Sexism
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Blood, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Let It Glow by Joanne Levy, Marissa Meyer
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
In making holiday booklists for work I have come to realize there are not a lot of holiday themed books for thie middle grade market. There are tons and tons of picture books, but you reach this age and it's pretty slim. Even the teen market has expanded in the last couple of years, so hopefully this age group comes next!
This is sort of like if The Parent Trap happened around the holidays, but instead of trying to get their paretns back together, they're just trying to learn more about each other. It's just a fun time, and both characters were equally fleshed out. A really enjoyable middle grade holiday story!
This is sort of like if The Parent Trap happened around the holidays, but instead of trying to get their paretns back together, they're just trying to learn more about each other. It's just a fun time, and both characters were equally fleshed out. A really enjoyable middle grade holiday story!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Religious bigotry and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Racism and Antisemitism
Where the Library Hides by Isabel Ibañez
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I don't know if I liked this more than the first one, but it did have a pretty good ending with some twists that make the last third of the book pretty exciting. However, I do think this book is a little longer than it needs to be. There's a lot of time spent on the wedding at the beginning that didn't necessarily seem to add a lot to the plot overall.
The "library" mentioned in the title isn't actually brought up as a plot point until probably half way through the book, and to me, I wanted more focus on that. The history aspects seemed to take a back seat in this one, and I wished they were more front and center.
All in all, it does fill a hole in the YA market as there aren't a ton of books set during this time period. If you like action, adventure, romance, and a touch of magic, this duology might definitely be for you!
The "library" mentioned in the title isn't actually brought up as a plot point until probably half way through the book, and to me, I wanted more focus on that. The history aspects seemed to take a back seat in this one, and I wished they were more front and center.
All in all, it does fill a hole in the YA market as there aren't a ton of books set during this time period. If you like action, adventure, romance, and a touch of magic, this duology might definitely be for you!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Infidelity, Sexual content, and Death of parent
Minor: Emotional abuse, Gore, and Gun violence
The Unboxing of a Black Girl by Angela Shanté
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
5.0
A powerful collection of poetry that I wish I would have listened to instead of reading the physical book. I imagine the spoken word poems are even more powerful that way, and that's just the way I generally prefer to read poetry collections.
This was a finalist for the National Book Award, which it is much deserving of that label. In addition to the fantastic poetry, there are a lot of resources included if you want to continue your learning journey. A book I highly recommend!
This was a finalist for the National Book Award, which it is much deserving of that label. In addition to the fantastic poetry, there are a lot of resources included if you want to continue your learning journey. A book I highly recommend!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Racism, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Homophobia, Mental illness, and Pedophilia
Minor: Addiction, Drug abuse, and Sexual content
Detective Beans: And the Case of the Missing Hat by Li Chen
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Why yes, you absolutely do need a kid's graphic novel about a cat solving a mystery about his missing hat. Detective Beans is absolutely adorable, from the art to the characters to just everything about it. It's one of those books that you read when you need a mood boost because it is guaranteed to do just that.
Here's to hoping we get to read more cases from Detective Beans in the future!
Here's to hoping we get to read more cases from Detective Beans in the future!
The Nightmare Before Kissmas by Sara Raasch
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This was just what I needed after a particularly heavy book dealing with teenage alcoholism. It's one of those kinds of books where you can just listen and immerse yourself in the world with fun characters and just an overall fun premise. It's not perfect, but you're honestly just there for the enterainment and the vibes.
It's exactly what I love in a holiday romance, so I definitely recommend it if you're looking for something fun to read for this holiday season!
It's exactly what I love in a holiday romance, so I definitely recommend it if you're looking for something fun to read for this holiday season!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexual content, and Abandonment
Moderate: Cursing, Death, and Grief
Minor: Vomit, Car accident, and Alcohol
Ruin Road by Lamar Giles
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I don't think this is my favorite Lamar Giles book, but it's got a lot going for it! Some of the time skips were a little confusing listening to it on audio, but I liked the way it all came together at the end. As always, Giles makes a lot of societal commentary through his thriller, and the sort of magical aspects worked well with the more thriller aspects of the book. Not quite as suspenseful as his other books, but a good addition to the YA thriller market.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness, Violence, and Death of parent
Moderate: Death, Racism, and Grief
Minor: Animal death, Bullying, and Panic attacks/disorders
Visitations by Corey Egbert
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Thanks to NetGalley and Farrar, Straus, and Giroux for an advanced copy of Visitations by Corey Egbert to review! There definitely has been an increase in popularity of YA graphic novels based on real life, which is a trend I am 100% behind. Especially when they explore issues that might hit home for a variety of teen readers.
This book explores mental illness in a way that we don’t necessarily see in a lot of YA books. It focuses on Corey’s mother and the way that her mental illness affected the safety of her children. Even though she felt what she was doing was for their safety. Seeing Corey’s realization throughout the book feel true to the teenage experience, especially as he begins to question if his mom’s beliefs are grounded in reality.
There is also such a strong sibling relationship in this book. You can tell that Corey really wants to protect his sister, and that they feel comfortable being supports for each other. I always love seeing this kind of sibling relationship, and am glad that it’s such a strong one.
This book explores such important, complex issues and I think it’s an important addition to the YA graphic novel market. Plus, the art reflects the story and is overall beautifully done.
Definitely check it out when it comes out in December!
---
---
Review to come!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Kidnapping, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Moderate: Child abuse, Pedophilia, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Adult/minor relationship
The Terrifying Tales of Vivian Vance by Josh Ulrich
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Definitely an enjoyable, slightly spooky read about an entire underground monster in a small town. What you think is just a bedtime story is really something else, adding to the overall mystery of the Flesh-Eaters. I do wish some of that world was expanded on a little and that there was a little more depth overall to the story. But it's still an entertaining read, and would be great for spooky season!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence, Kidnapping, and Murder
The Dividing Sky by Jill Tew
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
It seems like dystopia might be making a comeback in the YA realm, which is great! This has a pretty heavy romance aspect, which was a little insta-lovey. Not always my favorite trope. But the world that Tew created was fascinating and felt scarily realistic, which in my opinion is what makes a great dystopian book.
The writing was paced well, pulling you along in the action while revealing what this government is actually doing. If you're a fan of YA dystopia, definitely pick this one up!
The writing was paced well, pulling you along in the action while revealing what this government is actually doing. If you're a fan of YA dystopia, definitely pick this one up!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse, and Drug use
Moderate: Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, and Police brutality
Minor: Body horror, Racial slurs, and Vomit