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katiemack's reviews
1288 reviews
A Haunted Girl by Ethan Sacks, Naomi Sacks
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The art and imagery are stellar, and I appreciate that Chloe's depression is depicted realistically and isn't sensationalized. I wish the ending had been less abrupt and more nuanced, but since it's a short volume I kind of expected it. Also, small quibble, but...who is the cover depicting? It's gorgeous, but the person on the front isn't Chloe...
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Child death and Death of parent
Something Kindred by Ciera Burch
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Another case of mismarketing here--this is less ghost story than a coming-of-age novel/family drama with elements of magical realism--but it sets up Jericka to go on an introspective journey to figure out what love and acceptance means to her. I wish it were spookier and that Ciera Burch had gone into the history of the town even more, but, again, mismarketing.
Another case of mismarketing here--this is less ghost story than a coming-of-age novel/family drama with elements of magical realism--but it sets up Jericka to go on an introspective journey to figure out what love and acceptance means to her. I wish it were spookier and that Ciera Burch had gone into the history of the town even more, but, again, mismarketing.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Slavery
Habitations by Sheila Sundar
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This isn't the "humorous" novel that it's marketed as (though it has its wry moments), but I still enjoyed Vega's meditative, often melancholy journey through the years. It's an impressive undertaking that spans continents and decades and is full of observations about culture, identity, and loss. The insights on motherhood are also insightful and relatable. Though we read about a decent number of Vega's romantic entanglements, my favorite relationships are the ones between her and her friends--and ex-husband--that end up revealing more aspects of Vega's character.
This isn't the "humorous" novel that it's marketed as (though it has its wry moments), but I still enjoyed Vega's meditative, often melancholy journey through the years. It's an impressive undertaking that spans continents and decades and is full of observations about culture, identity, and loss. The insights on motherhood are also insightful and relatable. Though we read about a decent number of Vega's romantic entanglements, my favorite relationships are the ones between her and her friends--and ex-husband--that end up revealing more aspects of Vega's character.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death and Racism
Minor: Chronic illness
Age 16 by Rosena Fung
4.25
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I'm a sucker for graphic memoir (or memoir-adjacent) works with intergenerational trauma, so this worked really well for me! I enjoyed the different perspectives of Roz (2000s Toronto), her mother (1970s Hong Kong), and her grandmother (1950s China) at age 16 and all the sexism, fatphobia, and toxic parenting they dealt with. I wish we had gotten more closure from the stories, but I still appreciated the ending.
I'm a sucker for graphic memoir (or memoir-adjacent) works with intergenerational trauma, so this worked really well for me! I enjoyed the different perspectives of Roz (2000s Toronto), her mother (1970s Hong Kong), and her grandmother (1950s China) at age 16 and all the sexism, fatphobia, and toxic parenting they dealt with. I wish we had gotten more closure from the stories, but I still appreciated the ending.
Margo's Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe
4.25
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I started this expecting to dislike Margo, but I found myself wanting to be friends with her by the end of the novel. Her life is messy--as are all of ours--but she handles it well and ends up being a great mom (also relatable, as I have a baby at home). I was worried her setbacks would feel like a slog, but Rufi Thorpe's pacing makes them feel compelling and surmountable. I also loved the narrative device of mixing third- and first-person POV because it makes the story feel more authentic and more vulnerable knowing that Margo had to distance herself from it.
I started this expecting to dislike Margo, but I found myself wanting to be friends with her by the end of the novel. Her life is messy--as are all of ours--but she handles it well and ends up being a great mom (also relatable, as I have a baby at home). I was worried her setbacks would feel like a slog, but Rufi Thorpe's pacing makes them feel compelling and surmountable. I also loved the narrative device of mixing third- and first-person POV because it makes the story feel more authentic and more vulnerable knowing that Margo had to distance herself from it.
All We Were Promised by Ashton Lattimore
4.0
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This is a solid debut! Ashton Lattimore balances historical context with a thrilling story—there are times when I wanted more nuance or detail, but that might have brought down the pacing. I’m ashamed to admit that I’ve never researched the prominent Black families in the northern US from this time, but now I want to.
This is a solid debut! Ashton Lattimore balances historical context with a thrilling story—there are times when I wanted more nuance or detail, but that might have brought down the pacing. I’m ashamed to admit that I’ve never researched the prominent Black families in the northern US from this time, but now I want to.
The Husbands by Holly Gramazio
3.25
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This was a quick read, and I ended up really liking Lauren and how determined she is to figure things out. Bohai became annoying, but I was grateful for his presence so it wasn’t just Lauren by herself the whole time. The ending kind of makes sense even though it has a lack of closure.
This was a quick read, and I ended up really liking Lauren and how determined she is to figure things out. Bohai became annoying, but I was grateful for his presence so it wasn’t just Lauren by herself the whole time. The ending kind of makes sense even though it has a lack of closure.
Magic Enuff by Tara M. Stringfellow
emotional
inspiring
5.0
I received an eARC Of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I haven't read Tara M. Stringfellow's novel Memphis, but if it's anything like this collection of poems it's going to be a beautiful gut punch filled with pain, struggle, and hope--I'm not usually a poetry person, but I couldn't stop reading these.
I haven't read Tara M. Stringfellow's novel Memphis, but if it's anything like this collection of poems it's going to be a beautiful gut punch filled with pain, struggle, and hope--I'm not usually a poetry person, but I couldn't stop reading these.
Trigun Omnibus by Yasuhiro Nightow
Tough to rate this one—I picked it up because of the recent anime remake (I watched the original but haven’t seen the remake). The art is classic late-90s manga style; I always feel like I’m missing something with the action sequences (could probably use one more panel), but the humor is fun. The more sincere moments also hit like a gut-punch.
The Love Remedy by Elizabeth Everett
3.75
I wish the mystery of Lucy’s missing croup formula hadn’t fizzled out, but I suppose the solution was (somewhat) obvious in the end. I do love the amount of agency Lucy has in running the apothecary; Elizabeth Everett balances this well within the historical context. I also think Lucy and Thorne make a solid couple and support each other well. The narrator does a great job with the various characterizations and voices too.