YA

Children of Anguish and Anarchy / Tomi Adeyemi

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Children of Anguish and Anarchy
By: Tomi Adeyemi
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Number of Pages: 368
Published: June 25, 2024
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.
Dates Read: November 23, 2024 - November 28, 2024
Format: Library Book / Audiobook / Hardcover

Trigger Warnings: Gore, blood, torture, death, war, genocide

Zélie thought her battles were over once she seized the royal palace, but they were only just beginning. Now, Zélie and her people are being trafficked on a ship, run by warriors with iron skulls, across the sea, and far from their homeland. When Zélie meets King Baldyr, her true capture, she finds out how he’s destroyed entire civilizations to find her so he can harness her strength to be a new God. Zélie, Amari, and Tzain find allies in unknown lands as they race to save their people before the Skulls annihilate them for good.

As with everyone else who had read and loved the first two books, I have been waiting for YEARS to get ahold of the final in this trilogy. I forgot how amazing the world of Orïsha is and how captivated by Tomi Adeyemi’s writing I am.

I’m going to be a little honest here and admit that I did not go back and reread or really even reacquaint myself with the previous two books, I just jumped headfirst into the third one. That being said, after reading the book, I went back and relooked at the other two and kind of made the connection that this third one did feel a little separate from the others. 

This book was action packed and kept me turning the pages wanting to find out more and more. In the end though, I still had unanswered questions – which I’m all for leaving stuff a little open ended, but I just felt like there were a lot.

Overall, I still loved this action packed book. And there’s not denying the world of Orïsha is beautiful and fantasy filled.

Blood at the Root / LaDarrion Williams

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Blood at the Root
By: LaDarrion Williams, Jalyn Hall (Narrator)
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Number of Pages: 432
Published: May 7, 2024
Publisher: Labyrinth Road
Dates Read: November 14, 2024 - November 17, 2024
Format: Library Book / Audiobook / Hardcover

Trigger Warnings: Family death, foster care system, mentions of assault

Ten years ago, Malik’s life changed forever when his mother mysteriously vanished into green smoke and he discovered he had uncontrollable powers. Now at seventeen, Malik’s kept his powers hidden, focusing on looking out for himself and his younger foster brother, Taye. However, after a daring act to rescue Taye, Malik’s found an unexpected connection to his magical ties and to a hidden magical university his mother attended.

At Caiman University, a door opens for a future Malik never could have envisioned for himself – one with magic, and one that includes Alexis, his first love. His search for answers about his heritage, his powers, and what really happened to his mother exposes cracks in the magical community – feuding covens, magical politics, forbidden knowledge, and buried mysteries. While digging, Malik also discovers the reawakened evil dating back to the Haitian Revolution. 

I actually found this book through LaDarrion Willam’s TikTok, right as he was getting ready to publish it – I’ve only just now been able to read and review it. I knew I was going to like this novel, but I didn’t think I would love it as much as I did. This book is action packed and will keep readers turning page after page with anticipation as to what’s to come.

Overall, a wonderful POC magical YA novel written in a world that Malik is still learning about (so readers can too). I’m definitely keeping my eyes out for the second book in the series.

*Thank you Labyrinth Road and NetGalley for a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Bridge Across the Sky / Freeman Ng

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Bridge Across the Sky
By: Freeman Ng
Genre: YA, Novel in Verse
Number of Pages: 368
Published: August 27, 2024
Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Dates Read: November 10, 2024 - November 13, 2024
Format: ARC / Paperback

Trigger Warnings: Suicide, harsh living conditions, explicit content/language

Tai Go, a Chinese teen who traveled across the ocean with his father and grandfather to start a new life are met with the Chinese Exclusion Act and forced into the detainee center on Angel Island in the San Francisco Bay. There, immigrants were stuck for an uncertain amount of time, subjected to humiliating medical exams and interrogations meant to confuse and trip them up, causing them to fail and be sent back to China.

Tai finds hope – in the poems carved into the walls of their prison-like buildings, in the friends he makes, and the actions of fellow detainees. Tai may have been unhappy at first with his father’s decision to make this trip, but as time goes on, he discovers he must forge his own path.

I love novel-in-verse books, so I’m always bound to pick up any that I see – but I will say the writing in this one is more for those who would like information, than your standard novel in verse writing. They read to me like short chapters, and not verses.

Though this may not be for everyone, I will say it’s a time in American history I don’t see (or haven’t seen) much about. I wasn’t aware of the fact that the San Francisco earthquake/fire destroyed all the records which then made it harder for Asian immigrants to land in America…

Overall, still a historical fiction, novel in verse book worth checking out to read a raw and honest portrayal of life on Angel Island.

*Thank you Atheneum Books for Young Readers and NetGalley for digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Brownstone / Samuel Terr, Mar Julia (Contributor)

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Brownstone
By: Samuel Teer, Mar Julia (Contributor)
Genre: Graphic Novel, YA
Number of Pages: 320
Published: June 11, 2024
Publisher: Versify
Dates Read: November 8, 2024
Format: Library Book / Hardcover

Almudena no longer has to wonder about the dad she never met, because with her white mom headed out on a once-in-a-lifetime touring trip for the summer, Almudena is left alone with her father for an entire summer. Xavier is happy to see her, but he expects her to live in and help fix up his old, broken-down brownstone. Along with helping, Almudena must navigate the language barrier of his rapid-fire Spanish – which she doesn’t speak.

As the summer moves along, Almudena gets to know the residents of Xavier’s Latin American neighborhood. Each member of the neighborhood has their own joys and heartbreaks as well as their own opinion on how a young Latina should talk, dress, and behave. Some don’t understand why she doesn’t know her own heritage, others think she’s “not brown enough” and an “off brand”.

Time is running out for Almudena and Xavier to connect and get to know each other. The key to their connection may ultimately lie within piecing everything together for the found family within the community.

I absolutely adored this novel about Almudena as she starts to find her footing in her culture that she didn’t even know she was a part of. It’s all presented with a good bit of humor – like her finding the food too spicy and being led to the “white people aisle” of the neighborhood bodega.

I love how complicated and complex all the characters were, they felt authentic and flushed out.

The illustrations and panels in this novel were beautiful and descriptive – I always loved Almudena’s hair in the morning when she wakes up.

Overall, this was a fun, coming of age, graphic novel about a young girl learning about her roots.

Diet Soda Club / Chaz Hayden

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Diet Soda Club
By: Chaz Hayden
Genre: YA
Number of Pages: 320
Published: October 8, 2024
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Dates Read: November 3, 2024 - November 7, 2024
Format: Library Book / Hardcover

Trigger Warnings: Childhood sickness, parental abandonment, neglectful parents

Seventeen-year-old Reed Beckett’s little sister, Beatrice, has never woken up to an alarm for school, instead, for most of her ten years on Earth, it’s been hospital beeps and poking doctors. After their dad died when Bea was a baby, Reed stepped up and was there for his sister. But when their burned-out mom goes on an extended vacation with her new boyfriend, the siblings are only left with each other.

With no job prospects on the horizon, Reed begins making and selling fake IDs so he and his sister can survive. But the problems keep piling up: rent, medical bills, and food. As Reed expands his business and takes bigger risks, the consequences can get worse. But he’s making all the wrong choices, for all the right reasons, isn’t he?

I absolutely loved this book and the relationship between Reed and his sister, Bea. I’m also a big fan of characters who show resilience in the face of hardship and both of the Beckett siblings do that throughout the novel.

Two things that I would love to know more information on. One; I would love to know what software and printers Reed’s school is using to print those ID though, cause I did have a bit of a hard time believing he was printing legit looking ones (but I also wasn’t someone who ever had a fake ID, so who knows). Two; I never fully understood Bea’s schooling – it was mentioned here and there that she was homeschooled, or that Reed would give her his homework to redo (after he’s gotten a grade on it), but she wasn’t ever actively doing school. I’m sure when kids are fighting for their lives when they’re sick, they don’t have to worry about school, but I was just curious how that worked for her.

Another thing I really enjoyed about this book is the rekindling of Helena and Reed’s relationship and how they both addressed being friends once upon a time and what that looked like for them.

Overall, this is such an amazing book that I will be handing out as a recommendation left and right. It’s a contemporary YA about both caregiving and family – especially sibling – relationships.

*Thank you Candlewick Press and Edelweiss+ for a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

The Great Cool Ranch Dorito in the Sky / Josh Galarza

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The Great Cool Ranch Dorito in the Sky
By: Josh Galarza
Genre: YA
Number of Pages: 313
Published: July 23, 2024
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.
Dates Read: October 21, 2024 - October 27, 2024
Format: Library Book / Hardcover

Trigger Warnings: Eating disorder, fatphobia, body dysmorphia, body shaming, underage drinking, parent with cancer, mentions of self-harm

Ever since Brett’s adoptive mother was diagnosed with cancer, he’s been slowly losing his grip on reality. To cope, Brett fuels all of his anxieties into fiction, including his intergalactic Kid Condor comic book series. When Brett’s journal and deepest insecurities are posted online for the whole school to see, he realizes he can no longer avoid his issues, especially with the coping mechanism he has been using. As his eating disorder escalates, Brett must be honest with not only himself and those closest to him, but also his new friend Mallory, who seems to know more about Brett’s issues than he does.

This book is definitely needed, even though it’s a tough read. There’s not a lot of books out there about boys with eating disorders or about boys really struggling with body image. This novel also features Brett and Reed’s relationship that challenges the traditional masculinity of boys’ friendships, processing a parent’s battle with cancer, and so much more. It takes all of these difficult topics and shines a light on them without sugarcoating anything, making the conversations and actions all the more realistic and raw.

I would highly suggest this read to anyone, but with a great deal of caution. Disordered eating is what Brett is dealing with most, but there are a lot of other sensitive topics addressed that could be triggering. Please read with caution.

*Thank you Henry Holt and Co. and NetGalley for an advance digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

When the World Tips Over / Jandy Nelson

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When the World Tips Over
By: Jandy Nelson
Genre: YA
Number of Pages: 528
Published: September 24, 2024
Publisher: Dial Books
Dates Read: September 16, 2024 - October 6, 2024
Format: ARC / Paperback

The Fall siblings live in Northern California wine country where years ago, their father mysteriously disappeared. Now Dizzy, twelve, bakes cakes, sees kissing, floating spirits, and wishes she was a part of a romance novel. Miles, seventeen, is a brainiac, athlete, and telepathic dog-whisperer, but he’s desperate to step out of being perfect. Wynton, nineteen, is an amazing violinist, but is set on a path of self-destruction he can’t seem to get off of. They all seem to be spiraling.

But then a rainbow-haired girl shows up. She may be an angel. Or a saint. But her showing up tips the Falls’ world over. Before anyone can figure out who she is, catastrophe strikes, leaving the family more broken than ever.

With a story filled with road trips, rivalries, family curses, love stories (with many layers), unsent letters, and generational trauma, this young adult novel peels back the layers of a family’s complicated past and present. 

This will definitely stick with me for years to come. And, I honestly don’t know how to put into words what I thought of this, because I’m in love with the entire Fall family (okay, there are a few I don’t like…) and their many, many layers of their lives. I just tried to explain this all to my coworker and the amount of time I said, “well but you find out this…” was endless.

It absolutely gave me East of Eden by Steinbeck vibes – the length alone, but also how good and overcome evil in the end is also a running theme in this novel too. Again, this is a long read, and it’s not one you can skim over either, because you want to take your time with it and immerse yourself in with these characters and this family. As much as I love to devour book after book, this one reminded me to slow down and to enjoy it.

Overall, this book is long and is a multi-sit read, but I can guarantee you will fall in love with at least one member of the Fall family after reading this!

49 Miles Alone / Natalie D. Richards

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49 Miles Alone
By: Natalie D. Richards
Genre: YA, Thriller
Number of Pages: 273
Published: July 2, 2024
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Dates Read: September 10, 2024 - September 14, 2024
Format: Library Book / Paperback

Trigger Warnings: Mention of rape

Desperate to heal from a night that left their world fractured a year ago, cousins Katie and Aster tackle a grueling four day hiking trip through the backcountry of Utah. But this trip is throwing multiple curveballs at them: an illness, an injury, and a freak storm leave them short on both confidence and supplies.

When they come across a couple with extra supplies, they’re grateful and relieved – at first. Later that evening, after getting troublesome vibes from Finn, Kaite and Aster wake up and hear the couple fighting. The cousins watch desperately as the girlfriend, Riley, disappears into the night with Finn chasing after her. In the morning, their camp hasn’t been touched. Katie is sure Riley is in trouble, but with help a two-day hike away, they know they’re the only ones who can offer aid before Finn – or the desert – gets to her first.

I really appreciate the way that Natalie D. Richards describes hiking and the difference between a day hike and a 4 day hike where everything you need is supposed to be on your back. Richards also did a great job at describing the landscape and both the beauty and the ruggedness of Utah’s backcountry. I’ve gone on a trip to the Rocky Mountains where we did a lot of day hiking and that was so much fun – but one of our days, we experienced every type of weather; heat, rain, snow, ice, wind, all in one trip! I don’t think I could even do a day hike in the desert, yet alone a 4 day hike! I hate being hot and sweating, so gross.

Anywho, this was an interesting read. I will admit it’s a bit slow at the beginning because it’s a lot of the cousins refinding their footing with one another after the events of that night nearly a year ago. There’s a weird vibe between them that they’ve got to work through but neither one really knows where to start.

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

Twenty-Four Seconds From Now… / Jason Reynolds

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Twenty-Four Seconds from Now…
By: Jason Reynolds
Genre: YA, Romance
Number of Pages: 256
Published: October 8, 2024
Publisher: Atheneum / Caitlyn Dlouhy Books
Dates Read: September 1, 2024
Format: ARC / Paperback

Twenty-four months ago: Neon gets chased by a dog at his grandfather’s funeral. He’d love to forget that moment, but not the dog’s owner, Aria…

Twenty-four weeks ago: Neon’s dad talks to him about tenderness and intimacy. Neon and Aria definitely love each other, and are talking about taking the next big step.

Twenty-four days ago: Neon’s mom finds her bra in his room. The hooks are complicated! He figured he’d need to practice, especially since the special day is only a month away.

Twenty-four minutes ago: Neon leaves his shift at his dad’s bingo hall, chicken tenders for Aria in a bag. They’re not caviar, but they’re her favorite.

Right this second? Neon is locked in Aria’s bathroom, mid panic attack because twenty-four seconds from now, he and Aria are about to… well… they won’t do anything if Neon can’t get out of his head!

Oh my goodness, I really enjoyed this novel. A book from the guy’s perspective about doing “it” for the first time. But also, this is about healthy Black teens, in a healthy relationship, talking about and discussing sex in a healthy and positive manner with members of their family and friends – though of course there are some friends who may over exaggerate what it is they’ve actually done.

Every conversation Neon had with members of his family, though he may have been hesitant to voice his anxiety and fears, his family was always very supportive and honest with him. His sister corrects misconceptions and emphasizes communication. His mom talks about allowing himself feelings and for checking Aria’s as well (in such a funny way). And his dad talks about his relationship with his mom and how he’s made mistakes, some from advice from bad role models, and how he wants better for Neon.

Overall, this novel is a sweet story about young love and first times, filled with awkwardness, reassurance, and anxiety. I can definitely see this becoming one of those staple coming-of-age novels like Judy Blume’s Forever.

*Thank you Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books and NetGalley for an advance digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review

Six of Sorrow / Amanda Linsmeier

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Six of Sorrow
By: Amanda Linsmeier
Genre: YA, Horror
Number of Pages: 336
Published: June 25, 2024
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Dates Read: August 26, 2024 - August 29, 2024
Format: Library Book / Audiobook

Sixteen years ago, six girls were born on the same day – they became friends in Sorrow, Louisiana until a rift between them occurred. Isabeau and Reuel remain best friends while the other girls separate. But when Reuel goes missing, the former friends gather once again.

Days later, Reuel returns sick and with no memory of where she was. Then, when another girl in their group goes missing, questions begin to swirl between the friends. What is their connection? And why are their moms, who seemed like they could barely stand each other, all of a sudden have started talking to one another?

I really enjoyed this creepy, supernatural YA read. It’s set in May, so springtime, but it totally gives off spooky season vibes (so, in all honesty, can be enjoyed in any season!).

This is my first read of Amanda Linsmeier but she writes really well – this entire novel played out like a movie in my head and I could vividly “see” all the locations.

The narrative is also pretty fast paced and catchy – I had a good chunk of time to read it on my third day of reading and couldn’t put it down until I finished.

Overall, if you’re looking for a spooky, supernatural, kind of witchy, YA horror read that’ll keep you turning page after page until you find everything out, this book is for you!

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