I wouldn't put this in the camp of "like Jandy Nelson and Rainbow Rowell" at all when it comes to contemporary YA. It's got more edge than either of tI wouldn't put this in the camp of "like Jandy Nelson and Rainbow Rowell" at all when it comes to contemporary YA. It's got more edge than either of them and it's got less literary angling than Nelson. There's also virtually no quirkiness nor witty banter a la Rowell. So don't go in expecting that. If that comp is code for THIS IS CONTEMPORARY REALISTIC FICTION there are so many better comps. Siobhan Vivian, maybe? Amy Reed? CK Kelly Martin? Trish Doller?
This is an excellent debut novel about a girl named Genesis (after the band and after the Bible) who has an abortion. Peter, the baby's father, leaves her alone at the Planned Parenthood, and the story weaves backwards and forwards from that moment. The flashbacks are written in play format, with the three act structure, and it's woven in smartly, as Gen is a former actress. This is a well-paced story about a girl growing up in a dysfunctional household marred by drug addiction and mental illness, as well as a family that's literally in pieces.
The voice is fresh, the style is engaging, and it tackles so many tough topics in a thoughtful way. Many might find Gen to be "unlikable" -- she is, after all, starting with an abortion and then evading everyone in her family who loves her and oh, she leaves a party to make out with the ex when she brought her new love interest along for the ride -- but she's just making poor choices in light of having a million pounds of expectations upon her.
Sign me up for the next Pipkin read.
Merged review:
I wouldn't put this in the camp of "like Jandy Nelson and Rainbow Rowell" at all when it comes to contemporary YA. It's got more edge than either of them and it's got less literary angling than Nelson. There's also virtually no quirkiness nor witty banter a la Rowell. So don't go in expecting that. If that comp is code for THIS IS CONTEMPORARY REALISTIC FICTION there are so many better comps. Siobhan Vivian, maybe? Amy Reed? CK Kelly Martin? Trish Doller?
This is an excellent debut novel about a girl named Genesis (after the band and after the Bible) who has an abortion. Peter, the baby's father, leaves her alone at the Planned Parenthood, and the story weaves backwards and forwards from that moment. The flashbacks are written in play format, with the three act structure, and it's woven in smartly, as Gen is a former actress. This is a well-paced story about a girl growing up in a dysfunctional household marred by drug addiction and mental illness, as well as a family that's literally in pieces.
The voice is fresh, the style is engaging, and it tackles so many tough topics in a thoughtful way. Many might find Gen to be "unlikable" -- she is, after all, starting with an abortion and then evading everyone in her family who loves her and oh, she leaves a party to make out with the ex when she brought her new love interest along for the ride -- but she's just making poor choices in light of having a million pounds of expectations upon her.
Mari is a half-dominican girl who finds herself pregnant -- and it's not the pregnancy that's the issue. She's quite glad to be pregnant, as she's eagMari is a half-dominican girl who finds herself pregnant -- and it's not the pregnancy that's the issue. She's quite glad to be pregnant, as she's eager to have someone to call her own, someone who is a solid and stable part of her family. But when a scan of the baby reveals a hold in his heart, everything changes. Does she keep the baby? And if so, how does she find the support to raise a special needs child?
This is a moving and powerful story, and it's clear that this is based on real experiences that the author, who works as a doctor, has seen. It's thoughtful and well-rendered. Mari's heritage plays a huge role in the story, which gives it even more authenticity. There is a glossary of Dominican slang at the beginning of the book which, while helpful, is not necessary. A lot of the slang made perfect sense in context.
The book does fall short a bit on the writing angle. There are numerous times when information is weirdly repeated or echoed. I know that Mari's cat is named Gato, as that's brought up a few times in the first few chapters. The writing smooths out quite a bit later on, but the choppy nature was jarring and took me out of the story.
Pass along to readers who love realistic medical stories, who love books about pregnant teens, and/or want to see a story where one's Dominican/Latina heritage plays a significant role in the story. Solid. Will likely make many readers cry.
Merged review:
Mari is a half-dominican girl who finds herself pregnant -- and it's not the pregnancy that's the issue. She's quite glad to be pregnant, as she's eager to have someone to call her own, someone who is a solid and stable part of her family. But when a scan of the baby reveals a hold in his heart, everything changes. Does she keep the baby? And if so, how does she find the support to raise a special needs child?
This is a moving and powerful story, and it's clear that this is based on real experiences that the author, who works as a doctor, has seen. It's thoughtful and well-rendered. Mari's heritage plays a huge role in the story, which gives it even more authenticity. There is a glossary of Dominican slang at the beginning of the book which, while helpful, is not necessary. A lot of the slang made perfect sense in context.
The book does fall short a bit on the writing angle. There are numerous times when information is weirdly repeated or echoed. I know that Mari's cat is named Gato, as that's brought up a few times in the first few chapters. The writing smooths out quite a bit later on, but the choppy nature was jarring and took me out of the story.
Pass along to readers who love realistic medical stories, who love books about pregnant teens, and/or want to see a story where one's Dominican/Latina heritage plays a significant role in the story. Solid. Will likely make many readers cry....more
I am not the target audience for this one and know readers who love creepypasta type stuff will absolutely dig this. For me, the book was more compellI am not the target audience for this one and know readers who love creepypasta type stuff will absolutely dig this. For me, the book was more compelling before The Echo, when we got to know Raquel's family life, her friendship with Aaron, and the history of the Bronx. It didn't keep me engaged with the game, but that was the catalyst and resolution for the horror/mystery of the story and it was compelling enough to keep me going. Which is to say, I liked the characters but didn't find the plot as interesting. Others will, for sure, and readers who loved The Taking of Jake Livingston will dig this one. ...more
I wanted to like this a lot more than I did, but ultimately, Eliza's story of being engaged in climate justice post-hurricane trauma is a love story wI wanted to like this a lot more than I did, but ultimately, Eliza's story of being engaged in climate justice post-hurricane trauma is a love story with a boy from off the island (view spoiler)[ whose father and step mother are behind the developer about to destroy native lands (hide spoiler)]. In the end (view spoiler)[ it takes Milo saying something for the story to get attention, which is a weird and likely unintentional message of how a white guy's voice from outside is more valuable than the girls and Latine voices on the island to making change (hide spoiler)].
It's...fine. I think Running does the climate justice angle better and A Fierce and Subtle Poison does island gentrification from outside developers better. ...more
The title is inaccurate. This is a book about the One Direction fandom, which is fine! As someone who has no interest or engagement in that world, I eThe title is inaccurate. This is a book about the One Direction fandom, which is fine! As someone who has no interest or engagement in that world, I enjoyed the read fine enough, but I was expecting this to be a bigger look at fandom and the internet. It is not. I'm not actually sure it ever delivers on "how" fangirls created the internet as "we" know it. One Direction fans had a lot of pull and made creative use of meme culture, Twitter, and Tumblr, but that isn't "how" "we know it."
I like Tiffany's work, but I felt very misled here. ...more
Set in contemporary Nigeria, Onoseta's debut follows the lives of sisters Zam and Cheta who, despite having grown up in the same house, have had very Set in contemporary Nigeria, Onoseta's debut follows the lives of sisters Zam and Cheta who, despite having grown up in the same house, have had very different experiences with their parents. Zam gets the opportunity to leave home and live with relatives and her life expands in ways she hadn't anticipated. Cheta, still at home, is desperate for a way out and chooses several options that put her in danger.
This well-written, character-driven novel is a fascinating read about sisterhood, about racism and colorism, as well as abuse and mental health. It's a slower and quieter one, but the journey of each sister is immersive, and their journeys toward and away from each other challenging, honest, and compelling. ...more
I'm excited to look at this final art, since the early version was not complete. This is a fabulous story about what it is to grieve the loss of a couI'm excited to look at this final art, since the early version was not complete. This is a fabulous story about what it is to grieve the loss of a could-have-been, the loss of a friendship, and what it is to worry deeply about someone's struggle with mental illness. It's also a queer romantic story of Jade, a girl going to art camp, as she learns to find her voice -- HER voice -- through her art. ...more
Does what Paper Towns wanted to do in breaking down YA tropes, including the manic pixie dream girl, and it's very queer and very funny. A thoughtful Does what Paper Towns wanted to do in breaking down YA tropes, including the manic pixie dream girl, and it's very queer and very funny. A thoughtful exploration of religion and bigotry, too, without belittling faith or folks in the Bible belt. I loved Chloe as the main character and how smart she is--and yet, she's completely imperfect, treats her best friend terribly, and cannot resist the lure of someone as complex and confused as Shara (despite Shara giving a wholly different impression of herself).
The blurb on the back of the advanced reader copy calls this Educated meets The Hunger Games meets Speak and that is spot on. This is a survival storyThe blurb on the back of the advanced reader copy calls this Educated meets The Hunger Games meets Speak and that is spot on. This is a survival story but Didi, our main character, does not necessarily know that. She's being trained as a skeet shooter, a speed runner, a chess prodigy. All of this from her father, who tells her it's imperative she be the best. An A isn't good enough--she needs an A+ in everything. They live in isolation, and Didi in her younger years finds comfort in her grandpa, which is a tree on the property. Then she has to shoot the tree.
(view spoiler)[ The long and short is that Didi's father is creating his perfect prey. He wants Didi to be the hardest target he's ever sought, and he's raising her to be his biggest, most challenging conquest. (hide spoiler)] Didi says nothing at school, keeps her head down, and avoids any and all places where she might need to speak at all. That's what her dad taught her to do, and her fear of her father keeps her in line.
This is a hard to read book, but it's superbly paced and written in a manner that sucks you in and keeps you going. I've seen a number of folks complain that there aren't trigger warnings, but let me just note the title of the book is TRIGGER. That and the blurb tell you this is going to have every trigger you can imagine.
It was an interesting set up, seeing Didi move through her childhood to age 15. You know something is going to give, and though Didi doesn't tell you much, you as a reader know what's going on in her mind and how she's processing her world. So when it comes, you're there, heart-in-throat, waiting and hoping.
There were a lot of things that were great--particularly where Malena learns to use her voice and to call out Ruby's white savior complex -- but thereThere were a lot of things that were great--particularly where Malena learns to use her voice and to call out Ruby's white savior complex -- but there were more things that were underdeveloped and could have added far more to the narrative (in particular, Malena's father being absent because of the work he was doing post-Maria in Puerto Rico).
It's fine, but Watch Us Rise is much stronger, traversing similar themes. But if you liked that one or Moxie, this is worthwhile. ...more
You do not need to know a thing about the album or the show based on the album to enjoy this quintessential YA story. It follows five complex teens inYou do not need to know a thing about the album or the show based on the album to enjoy this quintessential YA story. It follows five complex teens in suburban Connecticut, showing each of their individual challenges, ranging from romantic interests to family illness, being the new kid to sexual assault, to social media to parental addiction, social justice and community engagement. It's fast-paced and each of the characters distinct and all interweave with one another in smart, compelling ways.
If you are a Morisette fan, you'll be delighted by the Easter eggs throughout, and readers who love the humor Smith brings to his writing will see it shine through here. It's been a while since I read a book in a sitting, but I did with this one. I'm especially satisfied that there wasn't a clean, clear, perfect ending--that's real life, and because of the big topics the story digs into, any other ending would have been far too clean, easy, or unsatisfactory. ...more
Harper's coming out as an asexual lesbian was the most developed and engaging part of the story. Much of the rest was underdeveloped, including her faHarper's coming out as an asexual lesbian was the most developed and engaging part of the story. Much of the rest was underdeveloped, including her father's political work, the media scandals, the fact Harper goes to a boarding school (her mom works there but that wasn't enough to cut it for me), the tinder catfishing subplot, and the completely underdeveloped friendships. I thought the relationship between Harper and Nadia was done well, until it fell off about half-way through.
In no way is this a bad book, but rather, it reads like a debut novel. Quinlan's got a lot of potential so I'll be picking up her next title. ...more
An enjoyable and, at times, funny story about biracial Cara and her mother, who go on a reality TV show to choose a new beau for her mother, post-divoAn enjoyable and, at times, funny story about biracial Cara and her mother, who go on a reality TV show to choose a new beau for her mother, post-divorce. The secondary characters here are pretty underdeveloped but honestly, this is one you go into for a light read with some thoughts on reality television, on family, and for a fun romance (the romantic interest has Ehlor Danlos, which will mean a lot to many readers). ...more
Kat is a fat bisexual brown teen in California who so desperately wants to be seen and becomes addicted to social media as a means of finding that valKat is a fat bisexual brown teen in California who so desperately wants to be seen and becomes addicted to social media as a means of finding that validation. When she fakes an Instagram account using the images of a girl she works with at the animal shelter, she soon begins a relationship with a girl named Elena -- discovering she is, indeed, bisexual and that she's developed real feelings as a fake person. How does she come clean? And what happens when the coworker discovers her face has been used on a fake profile?
This is a solid story about identity, about the desire to fit in and be seen, and what it is to be a family. Kat's terrified of people at school knowing her living situation, as it's unconventional, but she learns once she opens up as herself and not a fake version of who she wants to be, she's able to find her people . . . and maybe they were there all along.
If you liked Fat Chance, Charlie Vega, you'll love this. My one tiny thing (view spoiler)[ is I don't know why Elena so quickly attached to Max. We know she's quick to attach, but what drew her to finding and following Max so quick? I suspect this is a thing most folks won't worry about because it makes sense with influencer culture but as An Old, it made me pause (hide spoiler)]. ...more
A Heart in a Body in the World meets All the Rage in this verse novel about generations of women in the Dovewick family who've shoved down their experA Heart in a Body in the World meets All the Rage in this verse novel about generations of women in the Dovewick family who've shoved down their experiences, thoughts, and realities into a series of journals that have then been passed down again and again. It is Mimi, our 2022 entry, who works to break the cycle.
This book dives into sexual abuse and high-profile #metoo allegations and the impact that has on the survivors and their families. Even deeper, though, is how stories like these have played out in every generation, wherein women are told to be one thing, pinned to a photo of that image, and are unable to break outside those lines for fear of what may or may not happen if they do. For Mimi, it's one image on her well-followed social media accounts. For her mother, it was what happened while trying to break into acting and the sexy nymph photos she was cajoled into taking. For her grandmother, it was being the wife of a solider lost at war. For her great-grandmother, being whisked away to a home for pregnant teenagers, her first child taken from her to maintain the family's reputation. Generation after generation of female trauma, of expectations for girls and women, and the tremendous bravery that comes in dismantling (an apt word) the entire system and legacy.
It could very well be the way the review copy was formatted, but the verse for this doesn't seem to gel the way it could have. Perhaps it's the fact the verse carried through diary entries of all the women and that didn't feel authentic to each of them? The verse is fine, and it carries the reader through the story, which is a lengthier one. But it's not necessarily remarkable on the style level; this is about the meat inside the story.
Though lengthy, I'd have loved even more about Mimi's absent father. (view spoiler)[ I believed it was the man who took advantage of her mother for most of the book, and I don't think it was. (hide spoiler)] That thread resonated with me personally, and I almost wish Mimi had taken a stronger stand on whether or not she'd seek him out or seek out a relationship with him in the future some time....more
A brilliant historical fantasy about twins Magnolia and Charlie, separated not long after their birth. Magnolia, light skinned, was raised white in EuA brilliant historical fantasy about twins Magnolia and Charlie, separated not long after their birth. Magnolia, light skinned, was raised white in Eureka, Georgia, and lives a life of class, wealth, and white privilege; Charlie was taken north to Harlem with her grandmother, her dark skin unmistakeable as anything other. When Nana, Charlie's grandmother, is dying, she and Charlie return to Eureka for her death. It's here when Charlie learns she has a twin sister, and Magnolia discovers that she can no longer see her shadow. Nana had warned about death leading to the thinning of the veil, but it'll take the sisters finding one another and working together to lift the curse settled over both of them.
McWilliams knocks it out of the park with highlighting colorism, as well as the tensions and differences between Jim Crow racism in the south and racism as it played out in a place like New York City in 1953. Charlie and Magnolia are well-rounded with distinct voices, and their cultural upbringings really work to showcase what Black means both in the south at this time and in the north. Magnolia faces a choice in embracing her newly-learned Black heritage, as well as her newly-discovered twin sister, and it's one that can't -- and doesn't -- come easily. While Charlie wrestles with not understanding why her sister can't make the right decision, she herself struggles with what she's seeing around her and why it is her feelings for Darius may be unable to be requited (thanks to the curse).
The use of a ghost train in this story reminded me a lot of I Am Alfonso Jones, which was fascinating and a genius way to pull the plot through. The exploration of Black joy amidst suffering was powerful, as was the ways in which both girls were able to set free the stories of their ancestors from their status as being tied to white people.
Moth's family died in a tragic car accident, and she's left to live with her aunt in Virginia. But it's a terrible transition. She's ignored, over andMoth's family died in a tragic car accident, and she's left to live with her aunt in Virginia. But it's a terrible transition. She's ignored, over and over, by people at school and by her aunt. She's the girl whose entire family died, who is Black by not Black enough, who used to be a dancer but is no more, whose grandfather did rootwork and practiced hoodoo. But when Sani, a Navajo boy, shows up at school, she's drawn to him and he to her. Together, they take a cross-country road trip in order for Sani to return to his father's home and his ancestral land and away from his abusive step father.
At first glance, it looks like a love story. At a deeper glance, it's a Love Story but that love is about truth, about the wonderful ways magic works, and about the absolutely shattering realities of culture being stripped from non-white people in America. Sani's Native heritage and Moth's Black heritage play key roles in how they come to connect with one another, and their road trip allows them to dig into big, meaty issues of land, colonialization, racism, slavery, and the ways both their histories are interwoven, even if it doesn't seem so. There is, of course, a lot here about grief and loss as well, bot in what it is to grieve and lose others but also what it means to grieve and lose one's self.
The verse is absolutely knock out here, and this ghost story is one that's far less about being scared and instead about being haunted. About being conjured and connected to things much bigger than themselves.
I won't lay out some of the comps to this book I can think of since (view spoiler)[ this is a dead narrator story, though it's not necessarily a Dead Narrator, which is part of the genius in the writing and story development (hide spoiler)] but it reminded me quite a bit of The Truth of Right Now.
McBride has vivid writing, and while I didn't always buy the dialog between Sani and Moth as teenagers, it makes sense for what the story is and what it achieves. Definitely an incredible debut YA novel. ...more
The art in this comic is fantastic. I love the vintage-Archie style and think it really worked with the story. Vivid colors with a little neon hue werThe art in this comic is fantastic. I love the vintage-Archie style and think it really worked with the story. Vivid colors with a little neon hue were eye-appealing.
That said, the story itself didn't quite gel for me. This is Mean Girls meets Heathers meets werewolves. When Becca moves to a new, small, posh town, she's immediately taken in by the popular crowd and ditches the lone fat girl at school who she had a quick connection with (that girl wasn't cool enough). Soon, Becca learns this elite girl gang has a secret: under the full moon, they transform into werewolves who set out to destroy boys who are too eager to take advantage of girls. All seems well at first, as they plan their attacks outside of Piedmont, but when Becca accidentally destroys the boyfriend of one of her fellow girl gang members, their days are numbered.
Everything up until this point was pretty great, but the falling action really fell apart. Becca and one of the other girls are having a sweet romance, but somewhere in there, the decision to break the group apart to save themselves doesn't quite connect with the larger premise. There's a lot of social commentary that flies under the radar -- body issues, racism, toxic relationships -- that could have been explored more fully, and it's unclear what happens once the girls decide to let go of their werewolf ways. Do boys get better? Do boys not matter? If they're protecting other girls, do they not do that anymore? It's unclear, as the ending is a happily ever after for Becca and her new girlfriend (which is welcome!) but we don't know what will happen now.
I wish this were an illustrated novel, as opposed to a graphic novel, in order to further develop the world and plot. The art is a high note, and weaving it into a more nuanced narrative would, I think, make this especially good.
That said, I think this would pair in a really fun way with Exquisite Corpse in the category of "books about girls getting revenge on slimy men."...more
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