Ghost Roast by Shawne Gibbs & Shawnelle Gibbs

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Genre: Graphic Novel, Paranormal, Young Adult
Pages: 224 pages
Published Date: January 2, 2024
Publisher: Harper Collins Children’s Books, Versify
Series: N/A
Rating: 4.8 out of 5
Age: 12+

Chelsea Grant, a seventeen-year-old, gets accepted to the popular group in her new prestigious school. But one night, when the group decides to break into a cemetery, Chelsea and her friends get arrested and thrown in jail. Unlike like her new friends (who amazingly don’t toss her aside), her parents decide to ground her for the whole summer. Part of her punishment is to help her father in his paranormal business – to help rid New Orleans of all its ghosts. While out at the Harrington Manor (which used to be Plantation). Chelsea finds out that she can see and even speak to spirits. Does she tell her father, whose grandmother, he believed, was killed by ghosts, or keep it to herself and try not to fall in love with a dashing young spirit who may not be who he says he is?

“Ghost Roast” is a captivating young adult graphic novel that breaks away from traditional ghost stories and love tales. The narrative is cozy and charming, blending unique elements to create an engaging experience. The illustrations are vibrant and lively, adding to the visual delight. I felt the story begins slowly; it becomes more interesting when the ghosts appear. The novel skillfully weaves historical insights, particularly about enslaved individuals in New Orleans, providing a deeper understanding of the past. The story handles sensitive topics like race and slavery gracefully, with a historical context that adds depth. The characters are magnetic and endearing, especially Chelsea and her friends, whose heartwarming camaraderie is a highlight, which is usually left out of books with characters/friends of different class levels. And I enjoyed that. Chelsea’s relationship with the mysterious Oliver adds a layer of paranormal romance.

“Ghost Roast” is an enjoyable read with a unique blend of cozy charm, historical insights, and distinctive characters. It stands out for its creativity and the author’s ability to address complex themes with finesse. This novel promises to deeply resonate with those seeking thought-provoking and heartwarming stories.

The book will be released on January 2, 2024, and I had the privilege of reading an early copy through #NetGalley. #GhostRoast

Content warnings: Death, slavery, war, racism, teasing/bullying

Flamer by Mike Curato

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Genre: Graphic Novel, LGBTQIA+, Young Adult
Pages: 364 pages
Published Date: November 15, 2016
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. BYR Paperbacks
Series: N/A
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Age: 16+ (Amazon has for 14+)

“Flamer” is a powerful and emotional graphic novel written and illustrated by Mike Curato. The story centers around a teenage boy named Aiden Navarro, who is struggling to come to terms with his sexuality and identity in a hostile environment.

The novel, set in 1995, takes place while Aiden is away at boy scout camp. He is enjoying his summer, except for being bullied by other campers. He is also terrified about starting high school after his difficult middle school experience. However, he soon finds that the bullying and harassment he faced in middle school will probably follow him to high school since some of the kids at camp (those who will be in high school with him) are constantly taunting him. One camp mate even goes so far as to physically assault Aiden because of his perceived homosexuality.

As Aiden struggles to navigate this difficult time, he turns to his love of the camp experience. Still, even in a place he loves, Aiden is met with challenges and setbacks, including possibly losing a close friend because of his feelings toward him.

What sets “Flamer” apart from other coming-of-age stories is the raw emotion and honesty with which it portrays Aiden’s struggles. The graphic novel delves deep into Aiden’s pain, fear, and confusion as he grapples with his identity and the hostility of those around him. The black and white illustrations in “Flamer” are stunning, with vivid red/orange/yellow colors to express Aiden’s feelings. Curato also has created expressive characters that bring the story to life.

Overall, “Flamer” is a moving and important graphic novel that offers an unflinching look at the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ youth. It is a story that will resonate with readers, whether they have experienced similar struggles or want to understand and empathize with those who have. The story is semi-autobiographical. “Flamer” has been challenged nationwide in school districts because families feel it is pornographic.

The reading age (according to Amazon) is between 14-18 years of age. I would feel that the reading age should be between 16-17+ years old.

Trigger Warnings: talk of porn, attempted suicide, self-harm, sex, and masturbation.

Good Behavior by Blake Crouch

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Genre: Fiction, Thriller, Short Story, Mystery
Pages: 288 pages
Published Date: November 15, 2016
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer 
Series: N/A
Rating: 4 out of 5 
Age: 17+ 

DISCLAIMER:  I received an advance copy of Good Behavior from the publisher through NetGalley for the purposes of writing an honest review.

“Good Behavior” by Blake Crouch is a collection of three novellas that revolve around the character of Letty Dobesh, a con artist and thief who is trying to get her life back on track. The book is a fast-paced thriller with a strong character at its center.

The first novella, “The Pain of Others,” finds Letty working as a maid in a hotel where she discovers a wealthy guest who is engaged in a gruesome hobby. Letty must use all her skills to outwit the man and escape with her life. The second novella, “Sunset Key,” takes place on a tropical island where Letty is trying to start over after leaving jail. However, her past catches up with her when she is approached by a dangerous man who offers her a job she cannot refuse. In the final novella, “Grab,” Letty is hired by a man to steal a package from a high-security prison, but the job turns out to be much more dangerous than she anticipated.

Blake Crouch’s writing is crisp and engaging, and he manages to keep the tension high throughout the book. Letty is a compelling character, and the reader can’t help but root for her even though she is a criminal. Her inner struggles and motivations are well-developed, and the reader can understand why she makes the choices she does.

One of the strongest aspects of the book is its focus on the psychological toll that a life of crime takes on Letty. She is haunted by her past and struggles to find a way out of the cycle of violence and deception that has defined her life. Crouch handles this theme with sensitivity and insight, and it adds depth to the book beyond its fast-paced action scenes.

Overall, “Good Behavior” is an entertaining and thought-provoking read. The book’s focus on a complex and flawed character makes it stand out in the crowded field of thrillers. If you enjoy page-turning suspense with a strong character at its center, this book is definitely worth a read.

#GoodBehavior #NetGalley

Oh My Gods! II by Stephanie Cooke and Insha Fitzpatrick

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Genre: Graphic Novel
Pages: 208 pages
Published Date: April 5, 2022
Publisher: Clarion Books
Series: Second in series
Rating: 4 out of 5 
Age: 8 – 12

DISCLAIMER:  I received an advance copy of Oh My Gods! II from the publisher through NetGalley for the purposes of writing an honest review.

In this sequel to the popular Oh My Gods! by Stephanie Cooke, we see that Karen, a demigod and the daughter of Zeus, has moved to Mt. Olympus. She is starting her junior year with her godly friends, and one of her extracurricular classes is the school newspaper, where she decides to investigate an online troll that goes by M1N0T4UR. While trying to figure out who this “person” is, Karen and her friends find a labyrinth beneath the school.

I really enjoyed the original Oh My Gods!, but this one didn’t do it for me. I wanted more about Mt. Olympus and the gods that live there. The story was entertaining, but if you took out what little there was about the gods, Mt. Olympus, and any other mythological stuff thrown in, you would have a middle-grade fun graphic novel. I was expecting more from Greek Mythology in the story. Just don’t go in with the assumption that you will get a lot of Greek Mythology. With that said, I would highly recommend this book.

This is the second book in the series.

#OhMyGods2TheForgottenMaze #NetGalley

Super Gay by Jessi Hersey

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Genre: Early Reader / Graphic Novel
Pages: 21 pages
Published Date: September 22, 2022
Publisher: Onenesslove Publishing LLC
Series: First in series
Rating: 4 out of 5 
Age: 1 – 6

DISCLAIMER:  I received an advance copy of Super Gay from the publisher through NetGalley for the purposes of writing an honest review.

This story is meant to be a simple read for those just learning to read, from ages 1-6, and for children with special needs.

Meet Madison (she/her) or also known as Super Gay. She is here to help young readers understand pronouns. She also wants everyone to know that love does not have to look a certain way. This short, but very colorful book pride themed book is great for readers that are just starting to read or being read to.

Kids in preschool and kindergarten will find this book very useful. They will get a better understanding of what pronouns are and how to use them. Not only does this book teach pronouns, it also presents them and the people they are attached to in an accepting way. If we can teach kids that love is love and it shouldn’t matter who you love, then the world will be a better place.

This is the first book in the series. The second one in the series is currently in the works.

#LGBTQIAchildrensbookSGPronounsPrek #NetGalley

Bitter by Akwaeke Emezi

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Genre: Young Adult / Speculative Fiction
Pages: 272 pages
Published Date: February 15, 2022
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Series: None
Rating: 5 out of 5 
Age: 12 – 17

DISCLAIMER:  I received an advance copy of Bitter from the publisher through NetGalley for the purposes of writing an honest review.

This is a companion to the National Book Award finalist Pet.

Bitter has been in and out of Foster care all her life. That is until she is chosen to attend Eucalyptus, a special school where students of all backgrounds get to study their interests. Bitter’s focus is art. The school is a sort of haven. With what is happening outside the walls of Eucalyptus in the town of Lucille, Bitter is more than happy to stay in the safety of the school. Outside in the city of Lucille, protests and injustices pull Bitter in many different directions. Old friends are trying to get her outside and be a part of what is happening around her. A new love interest pulls her away from what she loves. And then there is her creative passion for her art. What will she decide, and what will it cost her?

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Scout Is Not a Band Kid by Jade Armstrong

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Genre: Graphic Novel / Music / Middle School
Pages: 246 pages
Published Date: April 5, 2022
Publisher: Random House Children’s, Random House Graphic
Series: None
Rating: 4 out of 5 
Age: 8 – 12 

DISCLAIMER:  I received an advance copy of Scout is Not a Band Kid from the publisher through NetGalley for the purposes of writing an honest review.

Scout will do anything to see her favorite author, Pristine Wong, at Almontefest. Pristine Wong is doing an exclusive autograph signing at the event, and Scout wants to meet her before Wong retires or, worse, dies. The problem is that her father thinks the trip would be too far away for someone her age to travel to meet an author. So she needs a plan. That plan is to join the Holy Moly Grades Seven Eight Band since they will be going to the same place for a competition. What could go wrong?

Well, first, Scout knows nothing about playing an instrument, and she can’t even read music. She also has some old friends that don’t seem to support her in her quest to meet her favorite author. How could they, since Scout keeps this part of her life to herself because she knows they will make fun of her.

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After the Spring by Hélène Aldeguer

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Genre: Graphic Novel, Political
Pages: 136 pages
Published Date: November 19, 2019
Publisher: ‎ IDW Publishing; Illustrated edition
Series: None
Rating: 2.5 out of 5

This book is the story of four young Tunisians (Saif, Aziz, Meriem, and Chayma) after the events of the Arab Spring, which took place in 2011. Two years after the “Jasmine Revolution,” Tunisia is unstable and facing economic hardship – taken from the back cover. As the situation becomes more severe and calls to activism in the streets

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Across a Field of Starlight by Blue Delliquanti

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Genre: LGTQIA+ / Graphic Novel / SCI-FI
Pages: 352 pages
Published Date: February 8, 2022
Publisher: Random House Graphic
Series: None
Rating: 4.7 out of 5

DISCLAIMER:  I received an advance copy of Across a Field of Starlight from the publisher through NetGalley for the purposes of writing an honest review.

Across a Field of Starlight is a face-paced, science fiction graphic novel with two non-binary characters at the center, Fassen and Lu. When they were younger, they met after Fassen’s ship crash-landed on a planet that Lu (and others from their community) were exploring. Although it was forbidden to talk with each other – Lu lives in a passive society, and Fassen fights against the Empire – they became fast friends.

Fassen wanted to get back to their people to help fight, but they were from a different solar system, and if Fassen left, they would never see each other again. From a crashed ship, Fassen found parts they needed to contact their word, and Lu figured out a way they could stay in touch as they grew up. But their communications needed to remain a secret, or the Empire would find Lu’s home and take it over as it has done with so many others.

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The Apartment by K.L. Slater

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the-apartment

Genre: Psychological Thriller
Pages: 266 pages
Published Date: April 28, 2020
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer 
Series: None
Rating: 3 out of 5

** spoiler alert ** Freya has been bounced around the foster care system her whole life. This has caused some major trust issues that she is trying to deal with. When her husband leaves her for one of her friends, Freya and her daughter, Skye, must sell their house and move to a more affordable place.

While looking for apartments on an ad board in her local coffee shop, she starts talking with a man, Dr. Marsden, who has an apartment that sounds perfect for her and Skye. Maybe too perfect. She cannot afford it, but Dr. Marsden tells her that she shouldn’t worry about the price, as they are looking for a tenant who is “just right”, not the money.

After Freya and Skye look at the apartment, they decided that this would be their new home. But after they move in strange things start to Freya. She hears cries coming from her daughter’s room when her daughter is at school; she hears sounds coming from the apartment next to her’s, but no one lives there. The other tenants seem a little off, as do Dr. Marsden and Audrey Marsden – the managers of the apartment complex. Is Freya going crazy or is something evil happening?

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