book-review

Antihero by Gregg Hurwitz

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Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Spies, Suspense
Pages: 416 pages
Published Date: February 10, 2026
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press | Minotaur Books
Series: Orphan X
Rating: 4 out of 5

I’m always happy to return to the world of Orphan X, and Antihero reminded me why this series continues to work so well for me. Gregg Hurwitz delivers the mix of intensity, action, and character growth that has made Evan Smoak such an addictive protagonist over the course of the series.

What stood out most to me here was Joey. Watching her step further into the action was one of the most satisfying parts of the novel. She no longer feels like someone waiting in the wings. She feels like a character who is steadily becoming formidable in her own right, and I found myself just as interested in her future as I was in Evan’s current mission.

I also liked how this installment pulled in characters and threads from earlier books. That gave the story a sense of continuity and reward that long-time readers will especially appreciate. The world feels lived in now, not just because of Evan, but because of the people who orbit him and continue to matter.

This was not an easy read, though. The subject matter is especially dark, and that gives the book a heavier emotional weight than some entries in the series. At times that made it more difficult to get through, which is part of why this lands at four stars instead of five for me. Even so, I thought Hurwitz used that darkness to push Evan into complicated moral territory, and that character work is what kept me fully engaged.

Overall, this is a strong entry in a series I still care about a great deal. It may not be my absolute favorite of the bunch, but it kept me invested, gave Joey more room to shine, and left me eager to see where these characters go next.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press | Minotaur Books for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

 #Antihero #NetGalley

Wolf’s Belly by John August and Simon Estrada

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Genre: Graphic Novel / Middle Grade
Pages: 320 pages
Published Date: July 7, 2026
Publisher: Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group | Roaring Brook Press
Series: N/A
Rating: 5 out of 5

I love fairy tales, especially stories that take familiar tales and twist them into something new and surprising, and Wolf’s Belly absolutely did not disappoint.

At first glance, this graphic novel seems like a retelling of Little Red Riding Hood, but it quickly becomes clear that the story is doing something much more creative. The main character, Lu, grows up in a remarkable family filled with famous adventurers, inventors, and talented siblings. Surrounded by people who all seem extraordinary, Lu feels painfully ordinary. She doesn’t even truly own the red cape she wears. It was passed down to her. Wanting desperately to be remembered, she decides she will accomplish something legendary: she will find and kill the terrible wolf everyone fears.

What follows is a clever and thoughtful exploration of pride, expectations, failure, and what it means to feel invisible in your own family. Lu carefully plans her hunt, gathers supplies, and sets off into the woods believing she will become the hero of the story.

One of the most imaginative aspects of Wolf’s Belly is the way it subtly weaves together threads from other familiar stories. As Lu moves through her journey, readers begin to notice echoes of other classic tales involving wolves. Figures and situations that recall “The Boy Who Cried Wolf” and “The Three Little Pigs” (or perhaps four pigs, depending on how precise you want to be with your folklore) quietly appear along the way. These moments give the sense that all of these stories might inhabit the same larger world, bound together by the myth and fear of the wolf itself. Attentive readers may even catch a brief nod to another well-known tale about a girl traveling a very famous road. An Easter egg that Wizards and Witches will particularly enjoy spotting.

The illustrations by Simón Estrada are stunning. The artwork is dark, atmospheric, and dramatic, perfectly capturing the eerie forests and mysterious dangers of the story. The bright red of Lu’s cape stands out against the darker backgrounds, visually reminding us of her desire to stand out and be noticed.

What makes Wolf’s Belly especially powerful, however, is the emotional truth that lies beneath the fairy-tale surface. Lu’s journey isn’t only about facing a monster in the woods; it reflects something deeply human. Many of us spend our lives chasing the one defining moment that will make us feel worthy or remembered. When we tie our identity too tightly to a dream, a goal, or the story we want to tell about ourselves, failure can feel consuming, as if we are devouring ourselves from the inside out. Wolf’s Belly quietly explores that tension, reminding readers that our value does not come from legendary accomplishments, but from the quieter qualities of courage, humility, and kindness.

For anyone who loves fairy tales, folklore, or graphic novels that play with classic stories in creative ways, Wolf’s Belly is a wonderful read. It honors the tradition of the original tales while weaving them together into something fresh, thoughtful, and visually beautiful.

As someone who loves fairy tales, I found this book to be a real delight, and I hope that the author and illustrator grace us with a sequel.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group | Roaring Brook Press for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

 #WolfsBelly #NetGalley

Red and the Wolves by Cherry Zong

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Genre: Graphic Novel / Young Adult
Pages: 368 pages
Published Date: January 13, 2026
Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing
Series: N/A
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Red and the Wolves is a dark, atmospheric graphic novel that takes familiar fairy-tale touchstones and reshapes them into something far more expansive and unsettling. Rather than relying on nostalgia, the story builds a layered mythos filled with monsters, gods, guardians, and a forest that feels alive with rot, magic, and long-buried secrets.


What stood out most for me was the worldbuilding. The lore unfolds gradually and trusts the reader to sit with uncertainty before everything clicks into place, and that patience pays off. The forest feels isolated and ancient, populated by creatures that are both strange and emotionally resonant. The absence of humanity gives the story an almost mythic loneliness, making every relationship, especially between Red and Sil, feel heightened and meaningful. The art is a major strength. It shifts seamlessly between expressive, simplified moments and darker, more detailed scenes, using visual language to convey emotion just as much as plot. Creature designs are particularly memorable, and the wolves, both central and secondary, add depth, tension, and occasional levity to the narrative.


The sapphic romance is handled with restraint. It grows quietly through shared moments, glances, and trust rather than grand declarations, which suits the tone of the story well. While it is not the narrative’s primary engine, it provides an emotional throughline that grounds the larger conflicts. I also appreciated the central twist, which I will not spoil here. While I did begin to suspect where the story was heading, the reveal still felt earned and satisfying. The groundwork is laid carefully enough that the payoff rewards attentive readers without feeling predictable or heavy-handed, and it deepens both the emotional stakes and the thematic core of the story.


If I had one reservation, it would be tonal consistency. At times, the dialogue feels younger than the themes suggest, which occasionally undercuts the weight of the story. That said, this feels less like a flaw and more like an area of growth, especially considering this is a debut. The ending deserves particular praise. Endings are difficult, especially in richly built fantasy worlds, but this one feels earned and satisfying, bringing both the emotional and mythological arcs to a close without overstaying its welcome.


Overall, Red and the Wolves is an impressive debut. It is visually striking, emotionally grounded, and confident in its storytelling. It works best when approached not as a strict retelling, but as an original dark fantasy that happens to echo a familiar tale. I am very interested to see where Cherry Zong goes next.

Thank you to NetGalley and Andrews McMeel Publishing | Feiwel & Friends for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

 #RedandtheWolves #NetGalley

Swing by Audrey Meeker

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Genre: Graphic Novel / Middle Grade
Pages: 256 pages
Published Date: October 22, 2024
Publisher: Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group / Feiwel & Friends
Series: N/A
Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Swing by Audrey Meeker is an engaging middle grade graphic novel that explores fitting in, standing out, and navigating the social pressures of middle school. Marcus desperately wants to meet expectations placed on him by his family and peers, particularly through soccer, even though his heart is not in it. Izzy, by contrast, is unapologetically herself, embracing bold fashion choices and strong opinions. When the two are paired for a swing dancing unit in gym class, their clashing personalities make cooperation difficult, especially when their grade is on the line.

One of the book’s strengths is its examination of gender roles and expectations, particularly through Izzy taking the lead in dance and Marcus questioning what it means to succeed. The story also effectively addresses unhealthy friendships, especially through Marcus’s relationship with Ted, which highlights how peer pressure and bullying can masquerade as loyalty. These themes will resonate with many middle grade readers.

While the premise is solid and the message clear, the story sometimes feels predictable, and certain character arcs resolve more quickly than expected. The pacing leaves little room for deeper exploration of secondary characters or longer emotional buildup. As a result, while the book is enjoyable and accessible, it does not fully stand out among other contemporary middle grade graphic novels covering similar ground.

Overall, Swing is a thoughtful and approachable read with appealing artwork and relevant themes. It would work well for readers interested in realistic fiction and stories about self-awareness and friendship, though those seeking more depth or complexity may find it somewhat limited.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group | Feiwel & Friends for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

#Swing #Netgalley

A Song for You and I by K. O’Neill

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Genre: Graphic Novel / Middle Grade
Pages: 240 pages
Published Date: March 4, 2025
Publisher: Random House Graphic
Series: N/A
Rating: 4 out of 5

A Song for You and I is a gentle, thoughtfully crafted graphic novel that reflects K. O’Neill’s signature strengths in quiet storytelling and emotional sincerity. Set in a soft, pastoral fantasy world, the story follows two young people at crossroads in their lives, one grounded in routine and music, the other striving to meet expectations placed upon them. Their paths cross at a moment when both are questioning who they are and who they are allowed to become.

The narrative unfolds at an intentionally slow pace, focusing on reflection, conversation, and personal growth rather than plot-driven tension. Themes of identity, confidence, and belonging are handled with care, making the story accessible and affirming, particularly for younger readers. While the low stakes and minimal conflict may leave some readers wanting more momentum, the calm tone allows space for meaningful emotional development.

As an educator, this is a book I have used in class and would continue to recommend for middle grade learners. It provides a supportive entry point for discussions around self-discovery, empathy, and gender identity without feeling overwhelming or didactic. Students respond well to its warmth and clarity, even if the story itself is brief.

The artwork is consistently strong, with soft colors, open landscapes, and occasional wordless moments that invite readers to slow down and take in the mood of the story. Music, animals, and nature are woven throughout in ways that enhance the sense of comfort and quiet connection.

Overall, A Song for You and I is a cozy and affirming read with beautiful art and thoughtful themes. While it may not be O’Neill’s most complex or expansive work, it remains a solid and worthwhile addition to classrooms and collections, especially for readers seeking a calm, reflective fantasy.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Graphic for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

#ASongforYouandI #NetGalley

The Handmaid’s Tale: The Graphic Novel by Margaret Atwood; Adapted & Illustrated by Renee Nault

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Genre: Graphic Novel / Young Adult
Pages: 240 pages
Published Date: March 26, 2019
Publisher: Nan A. Talese
Series: N/A
Rating: 5 out of 5

Why Today’s Youth Should Read The Handmaid’s Tale: The Graphic Novel

The Handmaid’s Tale: The Graphic Novel is more than just a story—it’s a warning. Set in the Republic of Gilead, it follows Offred, a woman forced into the role of a “Handmaid,” valued only for her ability to have children. Through her eyes, readers experience what it’s like to live in a world ruled by fear, strict control, and the loss of basic freedoms.

This adaptation makes Margaret Atwood’s classic tale easier to follow while keeping its themes powerful and urgent. It explores how power can be abused, how injustice thrives when people remain silent, and how resistance—no matter how small—still matters.

For today’s youth, this book is especially important. Reading The Handmaid’s Tale helps young people imagine what life in an authoritarian society would be like and why protecting freedom and equality is essential. It sparks questions about justice, human rights, and the dangers of letting oppression go unchecked.

I encourage students, teachers, and parents alike to read and discuss this graphic novel. It’s not only a story about Offred’s world—it’s a mirror that challenges us to think about our own.

#TheHandmaid’sTale

Ghost Boys: The Graphic Novel by Jewell Parker Rhodes

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Genre: Graphic Novel
Pages: 264 pages
Published Date: December 2, 2025
Publisher: Little, Brown Ink
Series: N/A
Rating: 4.5 out of 5

I received an ARC (Advanced Reading Copy) from Netgalley and Little Brown for the purpose of a review and to see if I would be able to use it in my classroom.

The graphic novel Ghost Boys offers a deeply moving and thought-provoking exploration of racial injustice, memory, and the power of storytelling. From its very first pages, the author takes a bold narrative risk by opening with the protagonist’s death. This unusual structure immediately challenges readers to view the story through a different lens—one where grief, injustice, and reflection replace the usual suspense of survival. The result is an intense emotional connection to the protagonist’s life and voice, even after death.

A central strength of the novel lies in its nuanced portrayal of relationships, particularly between the protagonist’s family and the police officer involved in the tragedy. The book doesn’t shy away from difficult questions about forgiveness, accountability, and the societal biases that shape how justice is understood. This complexity encourages readers to wrestle with uncomfortable truths rather than accept simple answers.

One of the most striking creative choices is the inclusion of Emmett Till as a mentor figure. By weaving him into the narrative, the author links the story to a broader history of racial violence and injustice in America. This choice not only contextualizes the protagonist’s experience but also emphasizes how the past continues to resonate in the present. It reminds readers that individual tragedies are part of a larger, ongoing struggle for equality and recognition.

Ultimately, Ghost Boys uses the medium of graphic storytelling to amplify its themes of justice, memory, and social responsibility. The art and words together create a powerful commentary on how stories—whether drawn, spoken, or remembered—can become tools for awareness and change. More than a story about loss, this novel is a call to examine the world around us and consider how we might confront the injustices that remain.

#GhostBoysTheGraphicNovel #NetGalley