The Charmed List by Julie Abe

Summary from Goodreads:


After spending most of high school as the quiet girl, Ellie Kobata is ready to take some risks and have a life-changing summer, starting with her Anti-Wallflower List—thirteen items she’s going to check off one by one. She’s looking forward to riding rollercoasters, making her art Instagram public (maybe), and going on an epic road-trip with her best friend Lia.

But when number four on Ellie’s list goes horribly wrong—revenge on Jack Yasuda—she’s certain her summer has gone from charmed to cursed. Instead of a road trip with Lia, Ellie finds herself stuck in a car with Jack driving to a magical convention. But as Ellie and Jack travel down the coast of California, number thirteen on her list—fall in love—may be happening without her realizing it.

In The Charmed List, Julie Abe sweeps readers away to a secret magical world, complete with cupcakes and tea with added sparks of joy, and an enchanted cottage where you can dance under the stars.

Review:

This was a cute book. If you’re looking for a super sweet YA romance, look not further. Somehow, I read the summary with no idea that there would be magic involved! It’s a lighthearted magical romcom filled with delicious sounding tea, secret magical villages, hate-turned-to-love romances, and fun road trips.

When your life is stressful, and you think you don’t have the time to be reading…it turns out you stay up late reading YA books to calm down. And this one was the perfect remedy for my tired, stressed out brain. I really like Julie Abe’s middle grade books. Of course it would make sense I’d enjoy her first foray into YA books too. And of course the author who wrote about a semi-magical witch named Eva Evergreen would write magic into a YA romance too.

I wish the things in this book were real. There are magical conventions with magical escape rooms, and teas that make you stronger, or cupcakes that make you happier. Scratch that, I would do anything just for those cupcakes. Or maybe the tea….

I love that this book wasn’t all about the love story either. A large portion of it was about Ellie fixing her friendship. And another chunk was about family. Jack was doing so much to take care of his family. And I guess I spent a large portion of the book a little annoyed at how strict the parents were….The prank with the mice in the beginning seemed like a totally innocent thing that teenagers would do. I get that the repercussions in the circumstances were huge, but way too much pressure was put on these kids, one of which apparently was already working on the college fund for a sibling….I mean come on!

Tough parenting aside, I loved the friendship story. I loved the building romance. I loved the whole road trip and the all the magical stops along the way. Why does the author always make me so hungry though? I give this one an 8.5/10.

Heartstopper Volume 4 by Alice Oseman

Summary from Goodreads:

Boy meets boy. Boys become friends. Boys fall in love. The bestselling LGBTQ+ graphic novel about life, love, and everything that happens in between: this is the fourth volume of HEARTSTOPPER, for fans of The Art of Being Normal, Holly Bourne and Love, Simon.

Charlie didn't think Nick could ever like him back, but now they're officially boyfriends. Charlie's beginning to feel ready to say those three little words: I love you.

Nick's been feeling the same, but he's got a lot on his mind - not least coming out to his dad, and the fact that Charlie might have an eating disorder.

As summer turns to autumn and a new school year begins, Charlie and Nick are about to learn a lot about what love means.

Heartstopper is about love, friendship, loyalty and mental illness. It encompasses all the small stories of Nick and Charlie's lives that together make up something larger, which speaks to all of us.

This is the fourth volume of Heartstopper, which has now been optioned for television by See-Saw Films.

Review:

I really love these books. I think this one was my least favorite. However, I still loved it. It was very much the most serious of the books so far. It delved the heaviest into the world of Charlie’s mental illness. While all the sweet things about about Charlie and Nick are still there. And the two of them learning to navigate their relationship is what makes this books so great, some of the parts about mental illness felt a little forced to me.

Some of the way Charlie’s mental illness was written felt a little dated and cliche. I have been around mental illness my whole life. I know there are all different kinds and different treatments. Yet, all the books and movies seem to talk about the same ones. And I feel like some of the decisions made for Charlie were so extreme. Maybe it’s the way the book was setup or how it the timeframe worked, but I found it so jarring. I was upset with his family.

However, the love that radiates from the pages held strong and kept me going. I loved watching Nick come more and more into his own. And I loved that Charlie was finally getting help for things he should have been getting help for all along. Why did no one notice things about him, except for Nick? And why is no one noticing anything about his sister?

All in all, the love story is so sweet. I’m finally ready to start the Netflix series…I think. I cannot wait for the next installment of the books. I think it’s supposed to the be the last one? I’m not totally convinced of the author’s portrayal of the mental illness aspect of things, but I’m glad the characters are getting the help they need. I give this one an 8/10.

The REMA Chronicles: Realm of the Blue Mist by Kim Kibuishi

Summary from Goodreads:

Enter the rich and fantastical world of Rema in the first installment of this middle-grade graphic novel series with sweeping adventure and light romance!

Tabby Simon is determined to learn what happened to her father, who was found dead after researching a tree that leaks a mysterious mist in her neighborhood. She is unexpectedly led to Rema, a distant world of magic and beauty that is periodically invaded by a nearby planet desperate for resources. While Tabby searches for the truth surrounding her father's death, she meets a handsome blue-haired boy named Philip. He has his own dangerous secrets, but he has promised to help Tabby get home. As Tabby learns more about this strange world, she discovers that she is destined for something far greater than she ever could have imagined.

Review:

I’m not going to lie; When I first saw this book, I thought it was a new book by the author of Amulet…Then, I learned it was a new series by his wife…I quickly buried my disappointment for amazement at the talent that is the Kibuishi family. Seriously, how did they find each other? This book is insanely beautiful. Even just typing this short paragraph now is difficult because my eyes keep wandering to the left of my computer to stare some more at the book cover.

Also, books with portals to other worlds are kind of catnip for me. This book reads a tiny bit more YA than Middle grade because there are slight romantic undertones and the main character seems a little more like a teen than a kid. But, there’s nothing really wrong with shelving it with the other Kibuishi books. Fans of Amulet will be delighted.

It’s the kind of graphic novel you finish in one sitting. The characters in the other world all know how to fly. There’s politics, magic, beautiful scenic artwork, and incredible world-building. There’s also the mystery of Tabby’s father’s death and the ghost she keeps seeing. Basically, you’ll want book 2 as soon as you finish book 1, but who knows how long the wait will be. You also get the feeling that the author just scratched at the surface of the turmoil here. There’s a lot left unsaid about the problems on the world with the rebels and the masks.

All in all, I loved this. I know kids will love this. And I cannot wait to read more. I give it a 9/10.

Heartstopper Vol 3 by Alice Oseman

Summary from Goodreads:

In this volume we’ll see the Heartstopper gang go on a school trip to Paris! Not only are Nick and Charlie navigating a new city, but also telling more people about their relationship AND learning more about the challenges each other are facing in private…

Meanwhile Tao and Elle will face their feelings for each other, Tara and Darcy share more about their relationship origin story, and the teachers supervising the trip seem… rather close…?

Review:

I just can’t get enough of these books. And I guess I’m not the only one. I’m seeing them circulate like crazy at my library this summer. And I recently went to a an independent bookstore that was sold out of book 2 and 3! I love that kids (and adults) are reading them. They are just so good.  Book 4 is my next read and I can’t wait to start it tonight!

This volume has a special place in my heart because it takes place in Paris. It’s where my husband and I had our honeymoon, so seeing Charlie and Nick begin their love story there was super special for me. It was fun watching the characters go places I’d been to, and see things through their young eyes.

I also feel like I’m learning a lot from these books. I never really thought about how characters (or people) might have to come out over and over again to different people, and how each time and each person could be so different, and how draining that might be. Watching Nick experience it over and over was scary. And learning the long term effects of Charlie’s trauma are also scary. I love how Charlie and his friends are mostly so supportive and protective of the process for Nick. Yet, there are also moments (like one at a party) that are just so not fair and ugh, I feel like it’s so believable too.

Everything about these books feel so believable. The kids who are understanding and the ones who aren’t. Nick has to learn who to trust, who his real friends are, and it all seems like so much for characters who are so young, but I know this is how it is. And I love how much Nick and Charlie care about each other. All in all, I’m coming to really care for these characters, and I’m getting more excited to read volume 4, though I’m a little nervous my expectations are too high now for the Netflix show. I give this one a 9/10.

The Marvellers by Dhonielle Clayton

Summary from Goodreads:

Author Dhonielle Clayton makes her middle-grade debut with a fantasy adventure set in a global magic school in the sky.

Eleven-year-old Ella Durand is the first Conjuror to attend the Arcanum Training Institute, where Marvellers from all around the world come together to practice their cultural arts like brewing Indian spice elixirs, practicing Caribbean steel drum hypnosis, and bartering with fussy Irish faeries. Ella knows some people mistrust her Conjuror magic, often deemed "bad and unnatural," but she's eager to make a good impression—and, hopefully, some friends.

But Ella discovers that being the first isn't easy, and not all of the Marvellers are welcoming. Still, she connects with fellow misfits Brigit, a girl who hates magic, and Jason, who is never found without a magical creature or two. Just as Ella begins to find her way at the A.T.I., a notorious criminal escapes from prison, supposedly with Conjurors’ help. Worse, her favorite teacher Masterji Thakur never returns from a research trip, and only Ella seems concerned about his disappearance.

As tensions grow in the Marvellian world, Ella finds herself the target of vicious rumors and growing suspicions. With the help of her new friends, Ella must find a way to clear her family's name and track down her beloved mentor Masterji Thakur . . . before she loses her place at the A.T.I. forever.

Review:

I have to admit there were times when I thought this book was almost too much like Jessica Townsend’s Nevermoor series….However, also like with Townsend’s books, I could not stop reading this one. I guess if I had to explain what this was, it’s kind of a mixture of Nevermoor and Amari and the Night Brothers (where are you book 2??). That being said, what a fun, magical start to a new series!

It took me a minute to get fully invested in the world. But, when I did, I really did. The folklore of New Orleans oozes through with every page. Then combine that magic and folklore with cultures and mythology from around the world.  Yes, please! Oh, and then a Hogwarts-esque school that’s up in the sky…and you have to take sky ferries to get there.

Also, racism is real in this book. The characters are diverse. If the magic involving kids with innate super powers, the immaculate world-building, the politics, and the fun characters don’t grab you, then there’s also the mystery storyline of an escaped convict, secret chaos societies, kidnappings, and hidden secrets layered throughout to keep you hooked. There’s just so much more I want to know! I guessed a major plot twist early on, but that’s only because this genre is my thing and I read A LOT. I can see kids being shocked.

I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly I flew through this book. It was one of those instances where I was sad when it was over and went, “Oh…that’s it?” I’m excited to see where the author takes this story. I know kids will love this series too, especially fans of Townsend, Alston, and Messenger. I give it a 9/10.

Heartstopper Volume 2 by Alice Oseman

Summary from Goodreads:

Nick and Charlie are best friends. Nick knows Charlie's gay, and Charlie is sure that Nick isn't.

But love works in surprising ways, and Nick is discovering all kinds of things about his friends, his family ... and himself.

Review:

I think I liked this one even more than book 1. And I devoured book 1… I’m trying to space them out and not binge them all in one go, so I can savor these, but it’s so hard not to just go from one book to the next. They are just that good. I also really want to go watch the Netflix series now, but I’m not letting myself watch it until I read all the books first.

There’s just something so pure and authentic about these books. They ring so true to what falling in love for the first time feels like. I find myself having this stupid, goofy smile for most of my reading of it. Every scene that involves the ridiculously cute dog definitely brings out a smile. And I guess how can you not like this one more when the first book felt a little unrequited, and this one was just about love and starting a relationship?

So many YA and middle grade books are tough or serious (and we need those too), but it’s just so refreshing to read one that’s a little bit fluffy and easy. Though, this does have its moments too. Most of it is light. It’s a graphic novel you can sit down with and be done with in an hour, and then be tempted to go back to the beginning again.

The artwork is simple and monotone, but the expressions on the characters’ faces say everything you need to know. And a lot of the story is told via text messages. I’ll probably read the next two installments within the next week or so. And I’m really looking forward to it. They make for great, light, summer reads, particularly to those who like light romances. I give it a 10/10.

Sir Callie and the Champions of Helston by Esme Symes-Smith

Summary from Goodreads:

In a magical medieval world filled with dragons, shape-shifters, and witches, a twelve-year-old hero will search for their place as an impending war threatens. A thrilling middle-grade series opener that stars a nonbinary tween and explores identity and gender amid sword fights.

My name is Callie, and I'm not a girl. I am here as Papa's squire, and I want to train as a knight.

In a world where girls learn magic and boys train as knights, twelve-year-old nonbinary Callie doesn't fit in anywhere. And you know what? That's just fine. Callie has always known exactly what they want to be, and they're not about to let a silly thing like gender rules stand in their way.

When their ex-hero dad is summoned back to the royal capital of Helston to train a hopeless crown prince as war looms, Callie lunges at the opportunity to finally prove themself worthy to Helston's great and powerful.

Except the intolerant great and powerful look at Callie and only see girl.

Trapped in Helston's rigid hierarchy, Callie discovers they aren't alone--there's Elowen, the chancellor's brilliant daughter, whose unparalleled power is being stifled; Edwyn, Elowen's twin brother, locked in a desperate fight to win his father's approval; and Willow, the crown prince who was never meant to be king.

In this start to an epic series packed with action, humor, and heart, Callie and their new friends quickly find themselves embedded in an ancient war--the only hope to defeat the dragons and witches outside the kingdom lies in first defeating the bigotry within.

Review:

I was both excited and a little nervous to read this one. Of course, I LOVED the idea of a nonbinary main character in a middle grade fantasy book about knights and magic and dragons! I guess I was a little nervous that the first representation for this would be overkill or not a great representation. I didn’t want the gender identity storyline to take such center stage so much so that kids would feel like they were being preached to. But, I also wanted this book to do justice to such an important topic. So, I guess it was a tough, but critical job for this author….

And for the most part, I think this author was very successful. I found the book hard to put down.   Sure, the similarities between the fantasy world and our own were very clear, but some of what was created for this world were amazing too. It wasn’t just the societal norms of women can only do this, and men can only do that….But, also, there was one bad person who abused her magic, so therefore, magic is bad and women who do too much magic are also no good.

It’s not the first book that tackles someone different wanting to be a knight, and it definitely made me think of Tamora Pierce. This is more the Tamora Pierce book of today, though less romantic and with a little more focus on gender identity (though there isn’t zero romance in it).

Personally, it felt like the author did run out of steam a bit at the end. It did feel a little overkill at the end too. I found myself skimming at that point. Not every single character has to learn about gender identity in book 1, or be punished for not getting it right away. I think too much went down at the end of the story. And I would have been okay and thought it more believable if that was spread out more throughout the series.

I did love all the training scenes, any parts that involved learning magic, and all the character development between the friends. I found the wold building to be excellent too. I think this is the start to what will be an excellent series. I just wish book 1 ended a little earlier. Overall though, I did really enjoy this book and I can see this book helping so many kids.  I was reading an ARC, and the finished book will be out in November. I give it an 8.5/10.