Found Family

Soundtrack: A Listening Library Audiobook Original / Jason Reynolds

/ Alisha Helms / Leave a comment 
Soundtrack: A Listening Library Audiobook Original
By: Jason Reynolds, Full Cast (Narrators)
Genre: Young Adult
Number of Pages: 6 hours, 29 minutes
Published: June 3, 2025
Publisher: Listening Library
Dates Read: June 19, 2025 - June 22, 2025
Format: Audiobook

Full Cast: Nile Bullock (Stuy), Mekhi Hawling (Dunks), Jade Williams (Keith), Brandon Miles (Alexis), Ryan Vincent Anderson (Uncle Lucky), Amir Royale (Frankie), Jasmin Richardson (Stuy’s Mom), Christopher Grant (Dom), Khaya Fraites (Ashley), Nadine Simmons (Mrs. Dyson), Robb Moreira (Mr. Garcia), Wé Ani (Lisa), Rocky Anicette (Dylan), Brandiss Seward (Frankie’s Mom), with Siho Ellsmore, Tyrell Buckner, Gina Daniels, Karen Murray, Jonathan Beville, Karla Moore, and Ronald Peet

Stuy has been learning the drums since he was a little boy, all thanks to his mom, a founding member of the punk band The Bed-Stuy Magic Dusters. After high school, Stuy knows he wants to start a band, so when he meets his Uncle Lucky’s cosmos loving landlord, Dunk, the duo set out to find the rest of their members. Stuy, Dunks, Alexis, Keith, and Frankie then form SOUNDTRACK, and to everyone’s surprise, they become an underground sensation

I have been highly anticipating this audiobook since I found out about it! But of course, even once I got my hands on it finally, I waited for a trip back to my hometown so I could have as much of an undisturbed listening as I could (2.5 hours each way) and boy did this book make the time fly!

Everything about this was amazing: the voice actors, the sound effects, the music, the storyline itself! All fantastic! I even jump scared myself a few times with the sound effects from the speaker feedback!

This audiobook is an experience that I can see winning an Audie or two in the future. I can also see people who don’t like audiobooks greatly enjoying this as well (though it will set a pretty high standard for audiobooks they listen to afterwards!)

*Thank you Listening Library and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Somewhere Beyond the Sea / TJ Klune

/ Alisha Helms / 1 Comment 
Somewhere Beyond the Sea
By: TJ Klune
Genre: Fantasy
Number of Pages: 416
Published: September 10, 2024
Publisher: Tor Books
Dates Read: August 14, 2024 - August 23, 2024
Format: ARC / Paperback

In the sequel to The House in the Cerulean Sea, readers are taken back to the magical house filled with very special children.

Arthur works and loves hard so none of the children under his care feel the neglect and pain he experienced at the same house years ago. He’s not alone though. The love of his life, Linus Baker, a former caseworker in the Department In Charge of Magical Youth, is by his side. And the island sprite, Zoe Chapelwhite, and her girlfriend, Mayor Helen Webb. Together, they will do anything to protect the children.

But when Arthur is summoned to make a public statement about his past, he finds himself in a fight to save his family, and for the future all magical people deserve.

Then they meet David, a magical child who hopes to join them on their island. David finds power in calling himself a monster, a name that Arthur has worked so hard to protect his children from. Will their family grow stronger or will they fall apart?

Right, so I love TJ Klune and as a Book Group Coordinator at my library, I’m always putting The House in the Cerulean Sea into groups’ hands – even my groups that only tend to only want historical fiction. They all come back and love it (obviously). That being said – I have been talking nonstop about the sequel and how excited I am to read it.

It didn’t disappoint! I laughed out loud at the children’s antics so many times. And of course, it wouldn’t be a TJ Klune book without me shedding a tear at least once (or twice). It’s the love of a found family that always gets me and how much each of these characters love, protect, and grow with each other that pull at my heartstrings.

This is a cozy, delightful, and heartfelt fantasy novel with a found family. These characters will make you feel every emotion they’re feeling and more. You’ll love them. You’ll hate them. You’ll want to visit the house in the cerulean sea again and again.

Bookshops & Bonedust / Travis Baldree

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Bookshops & Bonedust
By: Travis Baldree
Genre: Fantasy
Number of Pages: 352
Published: November 7, 2023
Publisher: Tor
Dates Read: February 6, 2024 - February 8, 2024
Format: Paperback / Library Book / Audiobook

Bookshops & Bonedust is the prequel to Legends & Lattes where Viv, after getting injured during a job, gets left behind in the small beach town of Murk to recover. With not much to do and on crutches, Viv spends her hours in a bookshop in the company of its foulmouthed owner and their pet named Pot Roast. It’s not where she saw herself being, but maybe it’s just what she needs.

But the sleepy town doesn’t stay very quiet for long – there’s a suspicious traveler in gray, a gnome with a chip on her shoulder, a summer fling, and a lot of skeletons to uncover.

Tell me why I waited so damn long to read this book?? I knew I would love it. A soft fantasy with a found family feel – those will always have me signed up.

This novel is also so adorable when it comes to talking about books. The amount of times I took photos of entire passages where Fern was talking to Viv about her latest book read ❤ ️ <spoiler> like the bit where Viv is reading a spicy romance and Fern is just staring at her with a crazy grin </spoiler>.

If you’re in need of a warm fantasy to curl up with, this will do it for you. There’s no high stakes – the fact it’s the prequel to the first book, kind of gives away that everything will be okay in the end, you know? Still, watch me give these series out as recommendations left and right.

*Thank you Tor and NetGalley for an advance digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

The Eternal Ones (Deathless #3) / Namina Forna

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The Eternal Ones (Deathless #3)

By: Namina Forna

Genre: YA, Fantasy

Number of Pages: 480

Published: February 13, 2024

Publisher: Delacorte Press

Dates Read: January 19, 2024 - January 28, 2024

Format: Library Book / Audiobook

Mere weeks after confronting the Gilded Ones, Deka is on the hunt for the truth behind her divinity. But her human body is on the verge of crumbling to pieces and that’s pushing her time to save everyone even closer. When Deka’s search leads her and her friends to the edge of the world, they discover a whole new realm, filled with knowledge they weren’t aware of – especially knowledge that holds the key to Deka’s past.

Now, Deka must decide to be reborn as a God or bring about the end of the world.

This book had a lot going on in it, a lot of Deka finding everything out, but it always kept my interest and kept me turning the pages. I was also so fond of her little found family – and the fact that they were always calling each other that too!

All the main characters in this series come full circle by the end of the book – nothing left open ended that wasn’t meant to be left to your imagination, you know? Also, I absolutely love Ixa and if this ever becomes a movie or a series, can’t wait to see him in the flesh! I do not have drawing abilities, but shall absolutely be on the lookout for fanart of him! Britta is also a favorite and I love her so much, and her support for 

I also wanted to point out the romance in this that isn’t anything crazy. Deka and Keita were cute and realistic. None of their relationship felt forced and Ketia was so understanding of everything. It all just felt right and you don’t always see that in YA romance. And, it’s obviously not the main focus of this book, so that may be why as well.

Overall, this series is amazing and I love it so much. I can’t wait to get it in the hands of those who love high stakes YA fantasy with a badass female lead.

*Thank you Delacorte Press and NetGalley for an advance digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

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?

Wynd, Book One: The Flight of the Prince / James Tynion IV, Michael Dialynas

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Wynd, Book One: The Flight of the Prince
By: James Tynion IV, Michael Dialynas
Genre: Graphic Novel, Fantasy
Number of Pages: 256
Published: May 11, 2021 (1st Published June 17, 2020)
Publisher: BOOM! Box
Dates Read: April 19, 2023 - April 20, 2023
Format: eBook

Wynd works out of sight in the secret rooms beneath the floorboards at the local tavern in Pipetown in Esseriel. He dreams of being “normal” and meeting the castle’s groundskeeper he spies on working. But Wynd has pointy ears, a sign of the magical blood that runs through him. Usually his shaggy hair could hide them, but recently they’ve grown bigger and are now harder to hide.

Following a series of events, now Wynd, joined by his best friend Oakley and two others, must set off on a journey to discover the magic in the world outside the walls of Esseriel and, most important, the magic within himself.

So, I kind of found this book on random while on my library’s Hoopla account – but I’ve always enjoyed James Tynion IV’s work and usually give his stuff a go. This is definitely different from his works like Something Is Killing the Children or The Closet – on the complete opposite end really, but I loved it so much.

I have a feeling the little group that has formed in this first book is shaping up to be a found family and that is absolutely one of my favorite troupes!

The art in this is beautiful and the color pallet just makes everything pop and stand out.

This is definitely going to be one I will start recommending to others and you can bet I’m going to be reading Book Two as soon as possible!