fiction

The Secret World of Briar Rose by Cindy Pham

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Genre: Young Adult, Fairy Tale Adjacent,
Pages: 400 pages
Published Date: June 2, 2026
Publisher: Kokila
Series: N/A
Rating: 4 out of 5

I really liked The Secret World of Briar Rose, but I also finished it feeling like I wanted more. The concept is probably my favorite part of the book. I loved the idea of taking Sleeping Beauty and using the whole idea of sleep and a dream world to explore depression, grief, escapism, and what it feels like when hiding from reality seems easier than facing it. There are some really emotional moments in this book, and it is definitely much darker than the beautiful cover makes it look.

I also really liked the dream world. It was strange, magical, creepy, and beautiful all at the same time. But after a while, some of those sections started to feel repetitive. There were moments in the middle where I felt like the characters were going through similar situations over and over again, and I found myself wanting the story to move forward a little faster. The biggest thing missing for me was more development with the characters and their relationships. I liked Corin and Amelia, but I never completely connected with their relationship the way I think I was supposed to. I wanted more time with the two of them together so I could really feel that connection growing. Honestly, there were times when I thought Corin had more chemistry with Malicine than she did with Amelia.

And Malicine may have been my favorite character. I found myself wanting more of them and more of their story. I also wanted more of the world outside the dream. We learn about what happened to Gylden and how everything from the past has affected Corin’s present, but I kept wanting to know more about that world and how it got to where it was. That probably sums up most of my feelings about this book: I wanted more. More worldbuilding. More character development. More time for the relationships to grow. More explanation in some places and maybe a little less wandering through the dream world in others.

But I still really enjoyed what Cindy Pham was trying to do here. I especially appreciated that the characters are allowed to be messy, selfish, scared, angry, and sometimes completely wrong. They aren’t perfect fairy-tale heroes, and I think that made the story more interesting. There are also some really thoughtful moments about depression, grief, and the difference between escaping your pain and actually dealing with it that stayed with me after I finished.

Overall, I think this was a really ambitious debut. It didn’t completely hit everything I wanted it to, but there was enough here that I enjoyed reading it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kokila for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

#TheSecretWorldofBriarRose #NetGalley

Needs Work by John L. Sheppard

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Genre: Young Adult,
Pages: 187 pages
Published Date: October 13, 2019
Publisher: Paragraph Line Books
Series: N/A
Rating: 4 out of 5

Needs Work is one of those books that is difficult to describe without making it sound even stranger than it is. Phil has lost his job, his marriage is falling apart, and he returns to Cleveland to live with his difficult father. From there, the story becomes a darkly funny mixture of family drama, workplace satire, war memories, bizarre waffles, talking dogs, and a reality that keeps slipping out of place.

I really enjoyed the offbeat humor and Phil’s narrative voice. Some scenes are completely ridiculous, but underneath all that absurdity is a thoughtful story about PTSD, grief, regret, and the life a person might have lived had they made different choices. Phil and his father have a relationship that is often cruel and frustrating, yet there are moments of genuine affection between them that give the story its emotional weight. I also liked how the novel connects work with identity, purpose, and the question of whether someone can rebuild a life that feels completely broken.

At times, the constant surrealism and long comedic detours made the story feel a little uneven, and I occasionally had to stop and figure out what was real. Still, the ending brought the different pieces together in a surprisingly hopeful and satisfying way. Needs Work is strange, messy, funny, and heartfelt—and somehow all those things work together.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review..

#NeedsWork

School Bus Graveyard, Volume 1 by RED

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Genre: Young Adult, Graphic Novel, Horror
Pages: 272 pages
Published Date: June 30, 2026
Publisher: Ink Pop
Series: Yes
Rating: 4 out of 5

School Bus Graveyard immediately pulled me in with its creepy premise and kept me turning the pages until the very end. What starts as a simple school field trip quickly turns into something much darker as six teenagers find themselves trapped in a terrifying supernatural nightmare they can’t escape—even when they wake up.

The biggest strength of this first volume is its atmosphere. The phantom world is genuinely unsettling, and the creatures are creepy without relying on excessive gore. The artwork does an excellent job of shifting between everyday high school life and the creepy nightmare dimension, creating a constant awareness that something isn’t quite right.

I also enjoyed the cast more than I expected. Each member of the group has a distinct personality, and while we only scratch the surface of who they are, their interactions already feel natural. Ashlyn is an especially strong lead. She’s quiet and guarded, but she’s also resourceful and quickly becomes someone the others can rely on when things fall apart.

The mystery is what really kept me hooked. The book gives readers just enough information to understand what’s happening while leaving plenty of unanswered questions about the phantom world, the monsters, and why these six students have become connected. Instead of feeling frustrating, it made me excited to pick up the next volume.

My only real complaint is that this first installment feels very much like the beginning of a larger story. There are moments where I wish we’d spent a little more time exploring the supernatural elements instead of setting up future plotlines, and the ending arrives just as everything is really starting to escalate.

Overall, School Bus Graveyard is an excellent start to what looks like an exciting horror series. It blends suspense, mystery, humor, and strong character dynamics into a fast-paced read that never overstays its welcome. If you enjoy supernatural thrillers with a likable cast and just the right amount of creepy, this is definitely worth checking out. I’ll be picking up Volume 2 as soon as it’s available.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ink Pop for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

#SchoolBusGraveyardVolume1 #NetGalley

Hand-Me-Down: A Graphic Memoir by Damian Alexander

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Genre: Middle-Grade
Pages: 224 pages
Published Date: July 28, 2026
Publisher: First Second
Series: N/A
Rating: 4 out of 5

When I first saw Hand-Me-Down, I expected a story about growing up poor and relying on secondhand clothes. While that’s certainly part of Damian Alexander’s memoir, it’s really about something much deeper. It’s about grief, family, and how the experiences of one generation shape the next. I really liked how Alexander tells three stories at once: his own childhood, his mother’s, and his grandmother’s. It could have easily become confusing, but the artwork and color choices make each timeline easy to follow. Watching the similarities between their lives slowly come together gave the memoir a lot of emotional power.

The relationship between Damian and his grandmother is the heart of the book. She isn’t perfect, but it’s obvious how much she loves her grandsons and how much she wants to give them a better life than she had. Some of the quietest moments ended up being the most powerful, especially as Damian tries to understand the mother he never knew while slowly realizing that the person who raised him has constantly been the one directing him through life.

I also appreciated that this is a quieter coming-of-age story. There’s no huge twist or dramatic climax. Instead, it’s a series of memories and ideas that come across as genuine and honest. That approach won’t work for every reader, and there were a few places where the pacing appeared a little repetitive, but I never lost interest because the emotions were always sincere. The artwork fits the story well. It’s expressive without being detailed, and the changing color palettes between time periods add a further layer to the storytelling. I also loved the family photographs included at the end—they made the memoir feel even more personal.

Overall, Hand-Me-Down is a touching graphic memoir about loss, growing up, and finding connection with the people who came before us. It’s the kind of book that quietly stays with you after you finish it. I think it will especially hit home with certain middle-grade readers, but not all, who have experienced grief or are trying to figure out where they fit in.

Thank you to NetGalley and First Second for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

#Hand-Me-Down #NetGalley

Olive: Lost in Inner Space by Vero Cabot

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Genre: Young Adult, Sci-Fi, Contemporary Realism (with a twist)
Pages: 256 pages
Published Date: May 19, 2026
Publisher: Abrams Comic Arts
Series: N/A
Rating: 4 out of 5

Olive: Lost in Inner Space was a really interesting and enjoyable graphic novel overall. The artwork is beautiful and expressive, and Olive’s inner world is one of the most creative and visually engaging parts of the story. It was fascinating to experience how she sees and processes the world, especially as a neurodivergent character navigating both her internal and external realities. 

The story does a great job blending magical realism with emotional growth. Watching Olive slowly open up, form connections, and ultimately meet Lenny in the real world was satisfying and meaningful. I also appreciated how the book doesn’t treat her inner world as something she needs to “fix,” but rather something that is part of who she is.

That said, there were definitely moments where the story didn’t fully make sense, especially when you start thinking more deeply about the mechanics of the connection between Olive and Lenny.

(Spoiler alert)

If Olive and Lenny were connected because of the incident at the beginning, then why weren’t they in contact the entire time? Why does Lenny only appear later in her inner world? And if this space is truly Olive’s mind, how does Lenny have his own “home” within it? That raises a lot of questions about whether the space is fully hers, shared, or something else entirely.

It also felt a little strange how quickly Olive accepted Lenny being there. At first, she wants him gone, but then she adapts fairly quickly—even going as far as asking him to build his home across the lake. That moment is interesting, but it also highlights how unclear the rules of this world really are.

Some of this confusion may be intentional, since the story leans heavily into surrealism and the blending of inner and outer realities. Still, there were times where a bit more explanation or structure would have made the story feel more grounded and easier to follow. 

Overall, though, I really liked this book. It’s unique, thoughtful, and visually stunning. Even if parts of the plot feel unclear, the emotional core and themes about identity, connection, and understanding yourself make it worth the read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Abrams Comicarts for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

#OliveLostinInnerSpace #NetGalley

Singing Bones by S. G. Ullman

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Genre: Historical Fiction (Prehistoric) with elements of Climate Fiction and Literary Fiction.
Pages: 339 pages
Published Date: March 25, 2026
Publisher: Stuart Ullman
Series: The Téuta’s Child Series
Rating: 4 out of 5

Singing Bones by S. G. Ullman is a deeply immersive work of historical fiction that transports readers to a prehistoric world shaped by uncertainty, survival, and quiet resilience. Set roughly 8000 years ago, the novel follows the Teuta people as they face environmental changes they cannot fully understand, yet cannot ignore. 

At the heart of the story is Eini, a young girl who senses that something dangerous is coming long before anyone else is willing to listen. Her visions are vague and unsettling, and while her tribe adapts to shifting seasons and failing crops, they largely dismiss her warnings. This tension between intuition and denial becomes one of the novel’s strongest threads. Ullman uses Eini’s perspective to explore how communities respond to slow, creeping disaster, especially when the threat is not immediately visible.

The novel unfolds through multiple points of view, allowing readers to experience the crisis from different angles within the tribe. This structure adds depth and reinforces the sense that no single person fully understands what is happening. Instead, knowledge is fragmented, much like it would have been in a world without modern science or communication. The inclusion of characters like Prsedi and Senek adds emotional weight and variety, grounding the story in personal relationships as much as in survival.

One of the most compelling aspects of the book is its connection to a real geological event, likely tied to the collapse of an ice sheet thousands of years ago. Ullman does not present this as a dramatic, sudden catastrophe at first, but as a gradual unraveling of the familiar world. Winters grow harsher, rains become unreliable, and tensions rise both within and between groups. This slow build mirrors modern conversations about climate change, making the story feel surprisingly relevant despite its ancient setting.

The pacing is deliberate and often slow, but this works in the book’s favor. It allows readers to fully absorb the rhythms of Teuta life, their connection to the land, and the emotional difficulty of leaving behind not only a home, but generations of history and identity. The eventual displacement of the tribe carries real emotional weight because Ullman has taken the time to show what is being lost.

There are moments where the shifting perspectives or time jumps can feel slightly disorienting, especially for readers unfamiliar with the broader world introduced in The Teuta’s Child. However, the novel still functions effectively as a standalone story. The confusion, in some ways, reflects the characters’ own lack of clarity about the forces shaping their lives.

Ultimately, Singing Bones is a thoughtful and evocative exploration of survival, memory, and change. It asks readers to consider how people respond when their world begins to slip away, and what it means to carry the past forward when the future is uncertain. It is a quiet, reflective novel that lingers long after the final page, offering both a glimpse into ancient humanity and a mirror to our present moment.

Thank you to NetGalley and Stuart Ullman for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

#SingingBones #NetGalley

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