Amari and the Great Game by B.B. Alston

Summary from Goodreads:

Sequel to the New York Times bestseller Amari and the Night Brothers!
Artemis Fowl meets Men in Black in this magical second book in the New York Times and Indie bestselling Supernatural Investigations trilogy—perfect for fans of Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky, the Percy Jackson series, and Nevermoor.

After finding her brother and saving the entire supernatural world, Amari Peters is convinced her first full summer as a Junior Agent will be a breeze.

But between the fearsome new Head Minister’s strict anti-magician agenda, fierce Junior Agent rivalries, and her brother Quinton’s curse steadily worsening, Amari’s plate is full. So when the secretive League of Magicians offers her a chance to stand up for magiciankind as its new leader, she declines. She’s got enough to worry about!

But her refusal allows someone else to step forward, a magician with dangerous plans for the League. This challenge sparks the start of the Great Game, a competition to decide who will become the Night Brothers’ successor and determine the future of magiciankind.

The Great Game is both mysterious and deadly, but among the winner’s magical rewards is Quinton’s last hope—so how can Amari refuse?

Review:

There were only a few books I was actually anticipating so much this year that I wrote their release dates in my calendar. This was one of the 3. But, with anticipation, comes that slight smidgen of dread too. How can this book possibly live up to book 1? And also, I think this pub date was passed back a bit because I initially had a different date written down…that or I wrote it down wrong in my high anticipation, which is possible.

Needless to say, there was no need for dread. This sequel was everything. This series kind of came out of nowhere for me. It shocked me in how awesome it was with book 1. And this sequel just blew me away. It was so good, I found myself counting down my minutes at work so I could get home and read some more. And work was busy. It’s not like I have a lot of down time. I even found myself talking about it to patrons.

This sequel has all of the suspense and magic of book 1, but with it, the stakes are higher. Amari knows more. There are other magicians out there. She knows what she’s capable of. She knows the importance of good friends. And she knows she can survive the prejudice and (lets face it) racism that persisted through all of book 1. She knows she’s stronger than the weak-mindedness of some of her pears, and what looks like her new leaders.

The magical congress is frozen in this one. And I like that it’s not all about summer camp any more. It’s everyone. It’s the government and world leaders. I like the use of social media to alert people to her cause. I like the new friendships that are formed (even from old enemies). I liked how much growth happened for the characters, not just Amari. These characters learn from their mistakes and take what they learn with them. I loved the secondary magic Amari was trying to master. So much is at stake here and when Amari realizes that only she can prevent things from going in a really bad direction, she steps up to the plate.

I loved this book. It was so hard to put down. I might have even liked it more than book 1, which I didn’t even think was possible. There’s also the ending. What a crazy cliffhanger. If I ever doubted for a second that this was going to be trilogy, there is no doubt any longer. What a great opening for one more book. I cannot wait for book 3. I highly recommend these books to fans of Nevermoor and Keeper of the Lost Cities. Definitely 10/10.

Crumbs by Danie Stirling

Summary from Goodreads:

Falling in love just got sweeter in this charming, romantic YA graphic novel from WEBTOON, the #1 digital comic platform. Ray, a young seer struggling with her powers, discovers first love and friendship in her town's magic bakery.

In a very special town, there’s an even more unusual bakery with a selection of baked treats hand-crafted to help your dreams come true. For Ray, a quiet young woman with special powers of her own, the order is always the same: a hot tea with a delicious side of romance.

When Ray meets Laurie, the kind barista who aspires to be a professional musician, she gets a real taste of love for the first time. But even with a spark of magic, romance isn’t so simple. Both Ray and Laurie are chasing their own dreams and even when Ray starts to see the future, she can’t predict her fate with Laurie.

Based on the beloved webcomic from WEBTOON, this sweet coming-of-age story of friendship and first love comes to life in graphic novel format with gorgeous illustrations and exclusive content.

Review:

I really enjoyed reading this one, mostly because the art was just so stunning. The story definitely felt more Japanese anime than American YA. And at first, I was all here for it, but then I was a little unhappy with the drama of it all and kind of confused by everyone’s ages, if that makes sense….The romance is just so innocent and pure for two adults. I don’t think they are teens. Ray is applying for a job in what seems like the magical equivalent to the CIA. This is so cool, by the way.

But, the romance is so sweet and cutesy, and there’s nothing beyond hand-holding and kisses. Maybe something is sort of alluded to in one scene when the characters spend the night, but one character wakes up on the couch….So, again, the age of everyone seems a little confusing.

The world though…Everyone seems to have a little bit of magic. The main mode of transport is broomstick. And there are bakeries where can you can buy romance flavored cakes. Sign me up! I loved the idea of this. I really enjoyed the characters. And did I mention the art? It feels like the adult/teen equivalent to Smile  or Drama by Raina Telgemeier -the characters being bold, with realistic expressions, but with somewhat cutesy shows of emotions too.

The storyline felt sweet at first, and then it took a little downturn for me. I almost wish the memory thing wasn’t there, and it could have just been a romance without this detrimental blockage to things progressing forward. I liked the parts of their relationship that seemed like everyone’s relationships. No one is perfect. They didn’t need crazy laws to mess it up. I also felt like the pacing was slow and unique, and then it all sped up too fast at the end.
However, I read it quickly, and I’m still going gaga over the artwork. I hope this artist does more. All in all, I was impressed. I give it an 8/10.

Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin

Summary from Goodreads:

Welcome to Elsewhere. It is warm, with a breeze, and the beaches are marvelous. It's quiet and peaceful. You can't get sick or any older. Curious to see new paintings by Picasso? Swing by one of Elsewhere's museums. Need to talk to someone about your problems? Stop by Marilyn Monroe's psychiatric practice.

Elsewhere is where fifteen-year-old Liz Hall ends up, after she has died. It is a place so like Earth, yet completely different. Here Liz will age backward from the day of her death until she becomes a baby again and returns to Earth. But Liz wants to turn sixteen, not fourteen again. She wants to get her driver's license. She wants to graduate from high school and go to college. And now that she's dead, Liz is being forced to live a life she doesn't want with a grandmother she has only just met. And it is not going well. How can Liz let go of the only life she has ever known and embrace a new one? Is it possible that a life lived in reverse is no different from a life lived forward?

This moving, often funny book about grief, death, and loss will stay with the reader long after the last page is turned.

Review:

I kind of had no idea what I was getting into with this book…It comes off as so innocuous, with a snow globe on a rather empty book cover. Yet, it’s on so many Best YA lists. My brother gave it to me for Chanukah one year, and I decided to give it a chance.

It’s not the happiest of books, and I almost stopped reading it because it hits you in the gut a bit too hard at moments…It’s about a 15 year old who died and where she goes after she dies. What if everyone goes to a place called “elsewhere,” where they age backward, and then return to Earth and are reborn? For people who die in their 80’s and later, that’s great. But for a 15 year old who never gets to experience prom, driving, getting married, falling in love? It’s kind of a BIG disappointment. She becomes obsessed with watching her family and best friend. She lives with a grandmother she never met, who seems way too young.

This book tackles so many philosophical questions about life, death, love, family, depression, and more. It’s not a book you can read quickly. It’ s one you have to read slowly and take in bit by bit. And it’s definitely a book I keep thinking about. It’s not so crazy a concept to be impossible to me. I love that dogs and animals are in there too. And you have no idea how old anyone truly is. At one point Liz has a moment with a 4-year old (involving said snow globe on the cover) and she practically screams the kid’s head off to find out if the child is really a child or is actually an adult, now going backwards as a child.

But, there are happy moments too. Liz develops a friendship with the lead singer of her favorite band who also dies on the same day as her. She finds friends and love in Elsewhere. And her relationship with her grandmother is just wonderful. I didn’t always love Liz. In the beginning. I wanted to yell at her for being so rude to people. But, also, I get why she was so upset, and she did get much better as the book went on.  While reading the book, I didn’t think I loved it that much, but after completing it, I just can’t stop thinking about it. Something about it really resonated with me. I can see why it’s on so many lists. I give it a 9/10.

Spin the Dawn by Elizabeth Lim

Summary from Goodreads:

Project Runway meets Mulan in this sweeping YA fantasy about a young girl who poses as a boy to compete for the role of imperial tailor and embarks on an impossible journey to sew three magic dresses, from the sun, the moon, and the stars.

Maia Tamarin dreams of becoming the greatest tailor in the land, but as a girl, the best she can hope for is to marry well. When a royal messenger summons her ailing father, once a tailor of renown, to court, Maia poses as a boy and takes his place. She knows her life is forfeit if her secret is discovered, but she'll take that risk to achieve her dream and save her family from ruin. There's just one catch: Maia is one of twelve tailors vying for the job.

Backstabbing and lies run rampant as the tailors compete in challenges to prove their artistry and skill. Maia's task is further complicated when she draws the attention of the court magician, Edan, whose piercing eyes seem to see straight through her disguise.

And nothing could have prepared her for the final challenge: to sew three magic gowns for the emperor's reluctant bride-to-be, from the laughter of the sun, the tears of the moon, and the blood of stars. With this impossible task before her, she embarks on a journey to the far reaches of the kingdom, seeking the sun, the moon, and the stars, and finding more than she ever could have imagined.

Steeped in Chinese culture, sizzling with forbidden romance, and shimmering with magic, this young adult fantasy is pitch-perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas or Renée Ahdieh.

Review:

How could i not read book that’s “Project Runway meets Mulan?” In our recent move, we had to get rid of a lot of books. So many books were donated to the library. When I cam across this one, I read the blurb, and instantly was like, “well, I’ll have to read this one first!” I’m glad I held on to it. It actually was the book I was reading during the whole moving process. It kept me centered and less stress. Thanks, book!

Though, I think I liked the first half of the book more than the second. Normally, it’s the opposite. But, the first half of the book is more like Project Runway (one of my fav tv shows), and the second half of the book is more like the standard YA fairytale retelling. While I’m not familiar with many Chinese stories, or myths, and for all I know the one in here is made up, the second half of the book just read like so many other YA books that I almost put it down and stopped reading.

However, the fun dress making competition of the first half kept me inclined to keep reading. And I wanted to see how Maia would make the legendary dresses too. Though, that part isn’t written in too much detail. The second half of the book is largely focused on romance, demons, survival adventures and and trials. And I don’t hate those things! I’m just kind of used to them…I liked the freshness of the beginning, and I was hoping for that freshness to keep going. There was a bit of a cliffhanger at the end of the book, so I kind of need to find book 2 now…But, depending on how it reads, I’m not sure how long I’ll stay with it.

I find the world, the magic, and the mythology in this to be so cool. I’d like to see more of the magic I guess. And learn a little bit more of the rulers and the other tailors. Maybe that’s coming in book 2. All in all, this was a very good escape during a crazy, hectic time for me. So, I’m glad I had this book. I give it an 8/10.

Be More Chill the Graphic Novel by Ned Vizzini, adapted by David Levithan and art by Nick Bertozzi

Summary from Goodreads:

The groundbreaking story by New York Times best-selling author Ned Vizzini that inspired the Tony-nominated Broadway musical--now adapted in a graphic novel by #1 New York Times best-selling author David Levithan.

Jeremy Heere is your average high school dork. Day after day, he stares at beautiful Christine, the girl he can never have, and dryly notes the small humiliations that come his way. Until the day he learns about the "squip."

A pill-sized supercomputer that you swallow, the squip is guaranteed to bring you whatever you most desire in life. By instructing him on everything from what to wear, to how to talk and walk, the squip transforms Jeremy from geek to the coolest guy in class. Soon he is friends with his former tormentors and has the attention of the hottest girls in school.

But Jeremy discovers that there is a dark side to handing over control of your life--and it can have disastrous consequences.

Review:

As I wrote on Goodreads, I like when stories get done in different formats. And as someone who loves musicals, where have I been? I didn't know this was turned into a musical! I enjoy Vizzini's writing and I always loved that someone so young was celebrated and published. That being said, this isn't my favorite Vizzini story and this wasn't my favorite graphic novel artwork...I think Levithan did it justice in the adaptation. I like how the ending fits with the format. I just wish the artwork was more fitting with the time period. And it just felt a little juvenile for the overall theme of the story, if that makes sense. I did still read it super quickly. And I'm glad I had the chance to re-visit the story.

I guess as I get older, it’s harder and harder to relate to teenage boys…particularly straight teenage boys who want to be cool and are willing to take experimental drugs/technology to do so. Jeremey’s biggest problems just seem so dumb. However, it isn’t a totally unbelievable concept. And I’m not going to lie; I’d probably pay money to see this concept as a musical….I can see why the story has been so successful, and why it would translate so well in so many formats.

If Jeremy was someone I actually cared about a little bit more, someone more redeemable, everything would be a little bit different. But, still, it’s such a fun concept. I wish I liked the artwork a little more too. It wasn’t as fun as the story was with it. It needed more color/more coolness. It looked almost like those old Dick Tracy comics, and not so much like a modern graphic novel. I mean the whole central focus of the story was about being cool, and the artwork was anything but….Like, if you’re going to make a story in this format, why not really do it justice? Draw the tech. Give it some street art vibes? Some pop art? Something that would appeal to teens?  Make it more modern, less what grandparents would think of as comic strips from a newspaper, and more what teenagers would think was cool…..

All in all, it’s a fun story. Not so great art. It makes me want to see the musical. I’m glad Vizzini is continuing to be recognized. I give it a 6.5/10.