4 stars A fast-paced adventure story that blends mythology, coming-of-age themes, and questions of what it is to be a man. The artwork has a cartoon-y style but with a darker aesthetic. It pulls together some great folklore elements (ravens, shapeshifting, skulls, walking dead, demons, spirits). I really enjoyed the sinister elements in the artwork,…
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5 stars Fantastic. Absolutely fantastic. I’ve seen a lot of hype about this book and it is much deserved. I wasn’t sure what to expect at first, but was sucked into the blending of Marjorie’s and Wendell’s worlds. A girl whose family owns a laundromat befriending a sheet-donning ghost has got to be one of…
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2 stars Not a fan of this one. I’ll admit, I never got into the Baby-Sitters Club series as a kid so I’m probably missing out on some of the nostalgia of this reboot. Kay Farina’s illustrations were great. The cutesy style fit well with the story and characters. However, I did not like Ann…
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4 stars A wonderful reimagining of the City of Ys, revamping the legend of King Gradlon and his daughter, Dahut. Anderson’s tale intermixes other Breton themes and stories such as Saint Corentin and his miraculous fish. The city of pleasure hides dark secrets, seeped in grief, greed, and sin. Filled with sea monsters, murder, seduction,…
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4 stars An adorable follow up to the first book, depicting Bitty’s junior and senior year of college. It’s been a bit since I read the first book so it took a second for some of the details to come back to me. But I really enjoyed watching Bitty come into his own in this…
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5 stars A stunning graphic novel that perfectly captures the beauty of everyday life cut with the shattering effects of anxiety and PTSD. Manuel works to navigate a world that no long feels safe after witnessing a traumatic event involving gun violence. With the help of some new friends, a supportive therapist, and a love…
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3 stars Another fun, fast-paced adventure featuring Claudette, Marie, and Gaston (and Valiant, of course!). With all new villains and some return favorites, this was a great continuation of the series. I loved seeing how the side characters were progressing. It’s always fun to check in on the band of Marie-obsessed princes and the Apple…
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5 stars A perfect pairing of art and story. Chabbert’s story cuts to the heart, while Maurel’s artwork gives a beautiful and haunting look into the inter world we hold inside ourselves. An absolutely fantastic read. It is at once heart-breaking and soul-healing as it explores hope and loss and hope again. A wonderful journey…
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3 stars A fun follow-up in the fast-paced Chronicles of Claudette series. This one continues the overarching story, branching off into the reference to the escaped Calavera Island prisoner mentioned in the first one. I love how this book plays off of Giants Beware!. The characters continue to grow, their dynamics ever changing. Gaston has swore…
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3 stars A dark coming-of-age story featuring a manipulative main character and a troll set on eating his life. Weaving together fairy tale themes, the punk scene, and the hauntings of fear and regret, Gaiman creates a memorable tale of coming to turns with life. Good fit for those who enjoy the odd side of…
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