Review: Burn by Patrick Ness – Dragons, Prophecies, and the Cycle of Violence

Title: Burn Author: Patrick Ness Publisher: Quill Tree Books Genre(s): YA Fantasy, Historical Fiction Subject(s)/Themes(s): War, Discrimination, Dragons Representation: Biracial MC, Gay MC Release Date: June 2nd, 2020 Page Count: 384 (hardback) Rating: 8.0/10   On a cold Sunday evening in early 1957, Sarah Dewhurst waited with her father in the parking lot of the …

Review: Mayhem by Estelle Laure – A Gorgeous Chaotic Mess

Title: Mayhem Author: Estelle Laure Publisher: Wednesday Books Genre(s): YA Historical Fiction, Paranormal, Magical Realism Subject(s): Multigenerational, Abuse Release Date: July 14th, 2020 Page Count: 304 (hardback) Rating: 4.0/10 It's 1987 and unfortunately it's not all Madonna and cherry lip balm. Mayhem Brayburn has always known there was something off about her and her mother, …

Joint Rainbow Review: Felix Ever After | Return of the Kathy (Again)

Hello everyone! I come out of hiding once again like an anxious little mole. The thing I learned about staying home during this darkest timeline is that "extra free time" comes with a HUGE disclaimer that's deviously written in tiny scrawl, and in Papyrus to boot. As free time goes up, productivity plummets. Hard. So …

Review & Paint: Dark and Deepest Red – Beautiful But Flawed

Dark and Deepest Red by Anna-Marie McLemore Genre(s): YA Historical Fiction, Contemporary, Magical Realism Publisher: Feiwel & Friends Release Date: Jan 14th, 2020 Page Count: 320 (hardback) Rating: 7/10   What I Liked   🌹  The subject of learning to navigate life with an identity that people might not accept or understand. That you might …

Review: The Infinite Noise – Fine with a Dash of Soft & Sweet and a Landing that Doesn’t Stick

Title: The Infinite Noise Author: Lauren Shippen Publisher: TorTeen Release Date: September 24th 2019 Genre(s): YA Sci-Fi Subjects and Themes: LGBTQIAP+, Mental Health, Superpowers Page Count: 336 (hardback) Rating: 6.0/10         Caleb Michaels is a sixteen-year-old champion running back. Other than that his life is pretty normal. But when Caleb starts experiencing …

Review: Wilder Girls – A Strangely Beautiful and Flawed Gem (Minus that Ending)

Title: Wilder Girls Author: Rory Power Publisher: Delacorte Press Release Date: July 9th, 2019 Genre(s): YA Sci-Fi Subjects and Themes: Friendships, LGBTQIAP+ (f/f), Body Horror Page Count: 368 (hardback) Rating: 7.0/10         It's been eighteen months since the Raxter School for Girls was put under quarantine. Since the Tox hit and pulled …

Review: Destroy all Monsters – Messy with a Chance of Dinosaurs

Title: Destroy all Monsters Author: Sam J. Miller Publisher: HarperTeen Release Date: July 2nd, 2019 Genre(s): YA Fantasy, Contemporary Subjects and Themes: Mental Health, LGBTQIAP+ Page Count: 400 (hardback) Rating: 4.0/10       Solomon and Ash both experienced a traumatic event when they were twelve. Ash lost all memory of that event when she …

Review: Last Bus to Everland – Life Sucks But We’re in it Together

Title: Last Bus to Everland Author: Sophie Cameron Publisher: Roaring Brook Press Release Date: June 18th, 2019 Genre(s): YA Contemporary, Portal Fantasy Subjects and Themes: Mental Health, LGBTQIAP+ Page Count: 336 (hardback) Rating: 8.0/10       Brody Fair feels like nobody gets him: not his overworked parents, not his genius older brother, and definitely …

Review: Deposing Nathan – Heartwrenching, Raw, and So Very Important

  Title: Deposing Nathan Author: Zack Smedley Publisher: Page Street Publishing Release Date: May 7th, 2019 Genre(s): YA Contemporary Subjects and Themes: LGBTQIAP+, Religion, Abuse Page Count: 400 (hardback) Rating: 9.0/10     For sixteen years, Nate was the perfect son—the product of a no-nonsense upbringing and deep spiritual faith. Then he met Cam, who …

Author Interview (+ Giveaway): Starworld by Audrey Coulthurst & Paula Garner

Today I'm very excited to present an interview with Audrey Coulthurst and Paula Garner, authors of STARWORLD--an emotional YA contemporary that explores themes of friendship, sexuality, and the battles we face in our everyday lives. Spoiler: Their answers are FUN.         Sam Jones and Zoe Miller have one thing in common: they both want …