Author: Alisha Helms

The Color of Always / Brent Risher (editor)

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The Color of Always

By: Brent Risher (editor)

Genre: Graphic Novel

Number of Pages: 144

Published: June 6, 2023

Publisher: A Wave Blue World

Dates Read: January 9, 2024

Format: eBook

Trigger Warnings: (some stories have or mention of) transphobia, dysphoria, religious homophobia, mentions of parent death, sexual assault, misgendering, panic attack, PTSD

A graphic novel anthology filled with LGBTQ+ experience. 

I loved seeing all the different artists, their styles, and their stories. I especially love that we’re seeing more and more Trans and Nonbinary stories included in things like this.

As usual when it comes to anthologies, there were some stories stronger than others, but each of them were touching in their own way. 

I would recommend this to everyone – especially a good read for Pride Month in June too.

The Memory Thieves (The Conjureverse #2) / Dhonielle Clayton

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The Memory Thieves (The Conjureverse #2)
By: Dhonielle Clayton
Genre: Middle Grade, Fantasy
Number of Pages: 416
Published: September 26, 2023
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.
Dates Read: January 4, 2024 - January 8, 2024
Format: Library Book / Hardcover

Ella is ready to go back to the Arcanum Training Institute with her friends Brigit and Jason. But her celebrity status for saving the Marvellian world from the Ace of Anarchy is making it hard for Ella to focus on her school world. And, on top of all that, a mysterious magical illness has begun to sweep through the halls of the Institute, causing nose bleeds, headaches, and messing with people’s marvels! Can Ella and her friends save themselves and the Marvellian world before the Ace of Anarchy’s next big plan is put into place?

If you’d like another series that’s focused on a magical school (with an unproblematic author) and with much diversity, this is for you. Right now its focus is a middle grade audience, but I feel like it could move onward to more maturity as the characters also grow – especially if we keep following the line of each book is a new school year.

The world building in this is fantastic and wonderful. There’s so many layers of the Marvellian World we haven’t discovered yet and I can’t wait to see it.

Lately I’ve been a bit of a stickler when it comes to reading series – I don’t want to read them until it’s mostly all published because I hate waiting. But, waiting sometimes is the fun part and I read the first of this series before I really realized it was going to be a series.

Now, I’m glad I’ve always got something to look forward to.

Overall, I think anyone who enjoys magical schools and kids using their skills to outsmart adults – I believe you’ll like this book!

The Misfits #1: A Royal Conundrum / Lisa Yee, Dan Santat (Illustrator)

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The Misfits #1: A Royal Conundrum
By: Lisa Yee, Dan Santat (Illustrator)
Genre: Middle Grade
Number of Pages: 288
Published: January 2, 2024
Publisher: Random House for Young Readers
Dates Read: January 3, 2024 - January 4, 2024
Format: ARC / Library Book / Audiobook

Olive Cobin Zang has always slipped under the radar but problems have a knack for always finding her. But nothing would prepare her for the once prison, now turned to a reforming arts boarding school she’s dropped off at: RASCH. There, she’s lumped in with a team of four other kids whose goal is to fight crime.

Turns out, RASCH is in danger of closing. If Olive and The Misfits can stop the heist of the century, maybe she can stay at the school where she finally feels like she belongs.

One thing I want to make clear on this, is that I would not deem this as a graphic novel. It’s a novel with illustrations for sure, but not a graphic novel with pages full of panels; it’s mostly text. So hence my surprise when asked for the ARC, received it and opened it to find it mostly text. Now, it’s still a great story! And super fun and I can see a lot of kid enjoy the “being a spy” aspect 

Other than that, I enjoyed the middle grade spy/crime fighting book. Was some of it completely out there – yes. But it totally reads like a fun movie – and the illustrations here and there help with the film in my head. For those kids that like page turning action, this will do it for you.

*Thank you Random House for Young Readers and NetGalley for an advance digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Stoked for This: January 2024

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Happy New Year everyone ◡̈

I’ve been pretty busy the last few days getting together my roundup and getting my new journal set up (it’s still got a long ways to go to be honest). I’m trying some new pages and layouts this year though, so I’m excited to move over to a new one. Although this one is already kind of fat and it’s only the 2nd day of the year!!

Anywho, here’s my stoked for this January edition!!

Release Date: January 2, 2024

The Storm We Made

by: Vanessa Chan

Why am I stoked for this?

This is set in Malaya in 1945, when a mother becomes an unlikely spy for the invading Japanese forces during WWII.

I know I have a thing for WII Historical Fiction – but this one is at least in Malaya! And with a spy! Come on – totally different than what I usually read about in this decade.

Here in Avalon

by: Tara Isabella Burton

Why am I stoked for this?

This is about two sisters that fall under the spell of a cult.

There are a few storylines that will always peak my interests. Cults are one of them. I like both reading and watching documentaries about them as well.

There’s some magical realism mixed with this one too, so I’m curious to see where it takes me.

Release Date: January 9, 2024

Soundtrack of Silence: Love, Loss, and a Playlist for Life

by: Matt Hay

Why am I stoked for this?

This is a memoir of a young man who discovered he was going completely deaf just as he’d fallen in love for the first time. Growing up in the 1980’s, Hay loved pop music – so he planned to commit his favorite songs to memory.

I use music to cope with life in general. Especially after my dad was killed in a work traffic accident back when I was 12. Bands and music kept me going.

I’m also mildly fluent in ASL and Deaf Culture and they still listen to music – just in a different way than we do.

With all of that, I’m stoked to dive into this to see the music the writing selected as worthy enough to commit to memory to be his soundtrack.

Release Date: January 23, 2024

Family Family

by: Laurie Frankel

Why am I stoked for this?

This is supposedly about adoption and how it’s not always sunshine and roses. But it’s also about a lot of other trauma and how everyone handles it differently.

This is probably going to be a lot in one book, but I’m easy for it.

Release Date: January 30, 2024

A Quantum Love Story

by: Mike Chen

Why am I stoked for this?

Mike Chen wrote Here and Now and Then, which was a time traveling book released back in 2019 that I really enjoyed.

I also really enjoy a good time travel book. Why? Because what a trip to time travel! And the rules that would have to be a followed to not make a worm hole or something? I’m sure I’d probably get in trouble with how stubborn I am as a woman…

This one is actually a time loop, which is a bit of twist in and on its own. Romance mixed in too!

red

by: Annie Cardi

Why am I stoked for this?

This is being marketed as a retelling of The Scarlet Letter. After moving to a new town when her mother loses her job, 16-year-old Tess finds community in her grandparents’ church. After a personal decision goes public, Tess faces harassment and rejection. She must now find her voice again to get the courage to speak out against the silent cycle of abuse in Hawthorne.

I’m no longer a church going person. I spent my middle and half of high school going to church 3 times a week. It didn’t work for me as I got older, but I understand those who go and the community you can have. But I also know the community can also flipped on you if they deem something you did as wrong.

I want to see how this is written. Based on reviews already, they author did a good job at writing about some tougher topics. So let’s see what it’s about.

Nimona / N.D. Stevenson

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Nimona
By: N.D. Stevenson
Genre: Graphic Novel
Number of Pages: 266
Published: May 12, 2015
Publisher: HarperTeen
Dates Read: December 31, 2023
Format: Paperback

Lord Blackheart wasn’t exactly looking for a sidekick, but when Nimona shows up and turns into a shark, he hires her. The duo begin to wreak havoc to both fight and expose that Sir Ambrosius Goldenloin and the Institution are up to something and aren’t the heroes everyone thinks they are.

Right, I knew I was going to love this graphic novel. I’ve known for years, but just hadn’t gotten around to it for whatever reason. But, when I needed one more novel to complete my 2023 challenge, I knew I wanted a graphic novel I would devour in one setting. Nimona did not disappoint.

Nimona is wonderful and snarky and I just loved her from the very first page. The banter between Lord Blackheart and her never ceased to make me either smile or laugh out loud. I’m actually so sad I hadn’t read it as a webcomic back in the day – which, I was on Tumblr at that time, how did I miss this?! Guess I could go down that rabbit hole one day when I’ve got the time. The adorable-ness overload of this found family will probably give me a toothache.

Overall, this is going on my highly recommended list. Those who love fantasy? Check. Those who love found family? Check. Those who love friends to archenemies? Check. And who doesn’t love a snarky, sarcastic shapeshifting “evil” kid?

Big Tree / Brian Selznick

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Big Tree
By: Brian Selznick
Genre: Middle Grade, Fantasy
Number of Pages: 528
Published: April 4, 2023
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Dates Read: December 31, 2023
Format: ARC / Paperback

The fate of life on Earth falls on the fluffs of two brave little seeds as they leave their mother to find their own place to grow.

Was I prepared to get emotionally invested in two seedlings from the prehistoric times on my New Years Eve afternoon – no, of course not. Did I make weird noises while reading it when crazy things happen – yes, yes I did.

The art in this book goes along wonderfully with the story – it really adds a whole other level to the telling by showing the events, which sometimes you don’t need words for.

I did enjoy the discussion of the entire plant system under our feet. Trees definitely talk to each other. Shoot, the smell of freshly cut grass is the grass telling others around it danger is coming! It’s a crazy unheard world around us.

Overall, this is something I can see myself recommending to loads of people – especially can see this on book lists for Earth Day for sure!

Hockey Girl Loves Drama Boy / Faith Erin Hicks

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Hockey Girl Loves Drama Boy
By: Faith Erin Hicks
Genre: Graphic Novel, Romance
Number of Pages: 304
Published: October 3, 2023
Publisher: First Second
Dates Read: December 30, 2023
Format: Library Book / Hardcover

Trigger Warnings: homophobia, bully, domestic abuse

After Alix lashes violently out at her rude and mean teammate, Lindsay, she knows she needs to control her anger. So, she goes to Ezra; the cool, calm theater kid from her grade, for help. As they begin to hang out more and more, Alix learns there’s more to Ezra than the levelheaded front her puts on. And maybe, there’s something more than just friendship forming…

This is a cute YA graphic novel romance with a bit of the gender roles switched than what you usually see in rom-coms.

I enjoyed the storyline and the chemistry between the two felt genuine and wasn’t that insta-romance. I do however wish the ending as a little longer, so it could flush out a little more of the story better.

Overall though, I will be recommending to those who enjoyed the author’s other works, like Pumpkinhead by Rainbow Rowell, and the series Check, Please! by Ngozi Ukazu. And those that like a cute YA graphic romance.

Heartstopper: Volume Five / Alice Oseman

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Heartstopper: Volume Five
By: Alice Oseman
Genre: Graphic Novel, Romance
Number of Pages: 336
Published: December 19, 2023
Publisher: Hodder Children’s Books
Dates Read: December 28, 2023 - December 29, 2023
Format: Library Book / eBook

Trigger Warnings: discussion of mental health, eating disorders, and sexual references

In this volume of Heartstopper, Charlie must persuade his mum to let him sleep over at Nick’s house, but he’s also got to get passed all his tests. Meanwhile, Nick is going off to university next year, is everything about to change?

I went most of this year thinking this was going to be the final installment of the Heartstopper series, but then Alice Oseman says we’ll get one more. Now I have a little more time to prepare myself. And also to get it set up on hopefully a physical copy of it so I don’t have to wait on the back order my library has and then setting on a digital copy. Nothing was going to stop me from reading this story as soon as I possibly could!!

As always, the boys were adorable and so supportive of each other. I would love to wrap them both in blankets and let them be cute and adorable together always. It still makes me happy about the friend support everyone gives each other – even sometimes with the tough love or the hard questions, it was also with love.

We also got a hint at Tori and her story in this too. I haven’t officially read her stories yet, but they are on my Shortlist TBR.

Overall – I’m going to be recommending this series until the day I die, so there is no question here if I like it or not. I loved it.

Odessa (Odessa #1) / Jonathan Hill

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Odessa (Odessa #1)
By: Jonathan Hill
Genre: Graphic Novel, YA
Number of Pages: 328
Published: November 10, 2020
Publisher: Oni Press
Dates Read: December 24, 2023 - December 26, 2023
Format: Library Book / Hardcover

After a massive earthquake hit along the Cascadia fault line eight years ago, everything changed for the west coast of the United States. But for Vietnamese-American Virginia Crane, her life changed the most when her mother left and never came back shortly after the quake.

Ginny has always helped her father out and taken care of her brothers, Wes and Harry. But when a mysterious package arrives for the eighteenth birthday, Ginny wants more to life than what she’s been surviving on. Maybe it’s selfish of her, but she’s determined, now more than ever, to find where her mother is, or what happened with her – even if she must leave her family behind.

Right, so I read this going into it, knowing that there will be more volumes. But I thought, this was written in 2020, at least the second volume would be out, right?! NO! I finished this book, expecting I would go grab the second volume at the library but it’s still not out! I’m quite hooked on Ginny’s storyline thank you very much and want to know where it’s going.

Is this the absolutely best graphic novel out there – no, but I still really enjoyed it. The twists and such kept my interest and I’d like to see what has become of the world past San Francisco after this massive earthquake eight years ago.

I did enjoy the art, it’s done in one of my favorite shades of pink.

I would really enjoy it if the second book would come out soon though. You can’t just leave it on the cliffhanger that it’s on!

Rain Remembers (Rain #2) / Courtney Comrie

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Rain Remembers (Rain #2)
By: Courtne Comrie
Genre: Middle Grade, Novel in Verse
Number of Pages: 272
Published: October 24, 2023
Publisher: HarperCollins
Dates Read: December 21, 2023 - December 24, 2023
Format: Library Book / Hardcover

The start of this school year has brought a lot of changes for Rain. First off, her brother Xander is off to college and now it’s just her mom and her. Secondly, she’s a freshman in high school – where there’s no Circle Group, no Dr. McMalla, no Miss Walia, and no step team. Rain is struggling with all the new things in her life, including opening up to her new counselor. But when an older boy starts to give Rain more attention than she asked for, will she be able to open up again before it’s too late?

I just really enjoy the way things like therapy and Group Circle are talked about in this book. I grew up during a time where, though it was more common for people to go to therapy, it wasn’t talked about, and was still kind of taboo.

Rain is so well written and authentic that she seems real to the reader. There’s so much of the emotional rollercoaster of adolescence that older readers will relate to her as well and they remember their time growing up.

There is also a wonderful message of making sure you always have something that you love that you can go to in dark times – mine has always been music and writing. There are some heavy parts in this novel, but as it was in the book before this, that it’s not something kids aren’t going through nowadays and none of this is anything that even younger middle school students wouldn’t be able to connect with.

Overall, I loved this book – like I knew I would as soon as I saw it was coming out. This will be highly recommended for those who want to feel and connect with the main character of the story they are reading.