Tag Archives: YA Graphic Novel

July 2025 Reading Round-Up

Posted in Books by

Hello everyone!  I can’t believe July is over, and that we’re already in August.  Overall, it was a really good month for reading.  I read quite a few ARC’s last month, and overall, I really liked most of the books I read last month.  Keep reading to find to see what I read last month!

  • Trail Rides And Starry Eyes by Katrina Emmel.  This YA Contemporary comes out in December, but it issuper cute!  I loved the romance, the settings and the characters.  It’s set on a ranch, and we have horses, cowboys and cowgirls, and actors trying to learn how to do it all.  And we have a really cute romance as well.  It’s perfect for fans of Erin Hahn.
  • We Who Will Die by Stacia Stark.  I loved this Adult Romantasy.  It has ancient Rome vibes, but with vampires in charge. It was hard to get into at first, but once I got a few chapters in, I was hooked.  And there were a few twists that surprised me, so I am very excited about the next book in this series.  The love triangle is an interesting one, that’s for sure.
  • The House Of Quiet by Kiersten White.  Kiersten White is an auto-buy author for me, and I’m glad I got to read an ARC of her return to YA with this gothic horror.  This book comes out in September, and it’s a little bit different than a lot of her other books.  I loved it, and the house is very claustrophobic and unsettling.  I also loved the mystery and the characters.  I’m very curious about the character names, because there is a definite theme with them.  But I liked the names, and they definitely fit with what was going on.
  • First Love Language by Stefany Valentine.  I liked this YA Contemporary.  The romance was really cute, and I loved Catie a lot.  Her family has hit a rough patch, and I liked seeing her find friends, fall in love and learn about her family history.  I’m a little sad, because Catie and her family started out in San Diego, but had to move to Utah, and a book set in my hometown would have been really cool to read about.  Catie learns a lot about herself and her family, and I’m glad things are working out for her.  And I hope she gets some closure with the family of her biological mother.
  • Blades Of Furry by Emily Erdos and Daya Muniz.  I liked this YA graphic novel.  This one I read for book club, and it was really cute!  What’s not to love about animals battle skating?  It’s ice-skating meets martial arts, and I love the combination of the two.  I’m kind of surprised there wasn’t a Tonya Harding reference in this volume, but maybe we’ll see it in another volume.  The art fit with the story, and I loved the colors, which is really pastel and soft at times, while dark and ominous at other times.
  • Of Rime And Ruin by Liesl West.  I already talked about Of Rime And Ruin here, so there’s not much to add.  Other than the fact that I loved this book, and think it’s a great book if you love mermaids and Beauty And The Beast!

  • Vows Of Murder by Lynn Cahoon.  This was a fun cozy mystery, and I’ve really enjoyed this series.  This book is no exception, and I’m glad Jill and Greg got married in this book!  Of course, things don’t go smoothly, but that’s how things go in these cozy mystery small towns.  They seem great, but there are a lot of dead bodies that turn up.  Add in a cult, and there’s a lot of interesting things going on.  Plus, Jill owns a bookstore, and it is cool when bookstores and libraries show up in books.  I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book.
  • The Truth According To Ember by Danica Nava.  I loved this Adult Romance so much!  Ember was amazing, and I really felt for her.  She’s been through a lot, between all of the stuff with her brother and trying to find a job.  She definitely made some questionable decisions, but I also understand why she did what she did.  Her workplace was terrible, and while I hated what she had to deal, I am glad she got out of there.  I really want the best for Ember, and I want things to work out for her.
  • Rebelwing by Andrea Tang.  This YA sci-fi/dystopia was a re-read for me, but I’ve had the sequel on my table for literal weeks, and I’ve renewed it 4 times, so I figured a re-read was long overdue.  I liked it, and I thought the book was interesting.  There are robotic wyverns and dragons, and of course, it’s set in the ruins of what I’m assuming is the U.S.  Come to think of it, I don’t think I’ve read a dystopia set in a country outside the U.S., so I’m open to recommendations if you have any.  I’m curious to see what will happen in the sequel, especially with how the book ended.  I’m glad I picked up again, and if you’re up for dystopia, this one is a good one to check out.
  • How To Be A Better Adult by Jacque Aye.  I loved this Adult Fantasy so much.  Actually, I’m not sure if fantasy is the best fit.  I mean, there are fantasy elements, and it’s more magical realism than fantasy, but I’m not really sure which genre fits best.  I really liked Hope, and I could relate to her so much.  We’re all trying to navigate adulthood, and sometimes, anxiety and depression go along with that.  Everything she dealt with at work were things that a lot of people deal with at some point, and I think the same goes for family expectations.  Having a magical handbook certainly helps, and we all need a little magic in our lives.
  • Yours For The Season by Kate Cochrane.  This adult romance was really cute!  It’s perfect for Christmas, because that’s when the book takes place.  Was it weird reading a Christmas book in the middle of summer?  Absolutely, but I loved this book, and Christmas is July has absolutely a thing, so why not?  I really felt for JT, and I hated her parents for a good portion of the book.  It’s interesting to see a book where you have one athlete in a family of artists, because I feel like it’s usually the other way around.  I hated they weren’t there for her because they couldn’t handle what people were saying, but it seems like they started to work things out.  And I love her and Ali together.  I felt for Ali too, with her divorce and everything with her mom.  I wasn’t a big fan of her mom either, and the parents weren’t great.  I understand why they acted the way they did, but they also caused a lot of hurt and pain in the process.  That aside, it’s a super cute romance with fun winter activities and hot chocolate.
  • The Wedding Witch by Erin Sterling.  This Adult Contemporary Romance is so cute!  It’s been quite a while since I’ve read the first two books in the series, but it’s okay, because each book focuses on a different couple.  I really liked this one, and I loved the time travel aspect to it.  I was a little surprised by why they went back in time, but it was nice to see how it got resolved in the future.  It has fall and Christmas vibes, so it’s a good book read anywhere from October to December.  But it can be enjoyed any time of year.  Plus, you have ghosts, haunted houses, and magical artifacts, and those were things I really liked about the book.  I like Bowen and Tamsyn together, and while things between them moved really fast, I didn’t mind it.

That wraps up what I read last month, and I hope the books I read this month are just as good!  Happy  reading, and I’ll see you around!

April 2025 Reading Round-Up

Posted in Books by

Hello!  We’re back with my April Reading Round-Up.  I’ve read some great books this month, and read several on audio, so let’s get started!

  • Ebony Gate by Julia Vee and Ken Bebelle.  I have mixed feelings about this adult urban fantasy.  I haven’t seen John Wick, so I don’t know how this book compares to that movie, but a female retired assassin getting pulled into the world she left behind is absolutely something I’m going to read. I thought the magic system was really cool, especially because it involves dragons.  It was explained pretty well, in my opinion.  I thought that Emiko’s backstory could have been a lot less vague, because her story and how she ended up in San Francisco could have been a lot more direct.  That made this book seem more like the second book in a series, not the first, and I did have to double check to make sure I wasn’t reading the sequel.  It’s also really slow-paced, which is weird, because the book takes place over a couple of days, so it should have moved at a much faster pace.  There was a lot of information at the beginning, and it felt like everything was going to be important, only to not be as important as I thought.  The ending was pretty drawn out as well.  I’m definitely interested in seeing what happens next, but I’m also not rushing out to pick up the sequel.
  • Mall Goth by Kate Keth, Diana Sousa (colorist) and Robin Crank (letterist).  I loved this YA contemporary graphic novel!  It’s set in the early 2000’s, and it brought back a lot of memories for this millenial!  It reminded me of the times I’d wander around the mall in high school, which wasn’t a lot, but something I still did.  The mall was such a big thing, and 20 years after graduating high school, the mall is a place I rarely frequent.  There’s family drama, friend drama, and being the new kid.  Plus, creepy English teachers, and I kind of wish we got some resolution on that, but at the very least, Liv did tell her mom, who was going to go to the principal, so at there is that.  If you’re nostalgic for the early 2000’s and mall culture, this is a good one to read!
  • The Davenports: More Than This by Krystal Marquis, narrated by Joniece Abbott-Pratt.  I liked this YA historical fiction, but not as much as the first one.  It looks like this is a duology, but I think there is room for more stories set in this world if Marquis ever wanted to revisit it.  I loved seeing what was going on with Helen, Olivia, Ruby and Amy-Rose, and I was definitely rooting for Helen and Ruby.  I was glad everything worked out for all of them, especially Helen and Amy-Rose.  I think the wait between finishing the first book and starting the second didn’t really help with my ambivalence towards the sequel.  As much as I loved seeing them get their happy endings, especially with how the first book ended, I also thought the first book worked pretty well as a stand-alone.  I mean, I’m glad I got another book set in this world, I just didn’t have the same excitement for the sequel.  I think it’s still worth checking out, because I did like it.  It’s a solid sequel.
  • A Queen’s Game by Katherine McGee.  This one is a YA historical fiction, and while I wasn’t sure about it at first, I ended up really liking it.  I loved her American Royals series, and I think McGee is great at writing about powerful young women.  Alix Of Hesse was the only one I had heard of before this book, but Helen and May were interesting to read about, and I definitely want to know more about them.  The story is pretty resolved, and it works well as a standalone, but I think there is a lot of potential as far as sequels go.  None are currently listed, so it’s a standalone for now, but I’d be curious to see where the story goes, should McGee return to this world.  I loved that McGee talked about the secrets these young women have, and how much they stood to lose because of it, especially in comparison to the young men they fall in love with.  There are some things mentioned by all three women that I’m still thinking about.
  • Most Likely by Sarah Watson, narrated by Christie Moreau.  I loved this YA contemporary!  I loved seeing who ended up as president, and it really could have been any of the four girls we see in the book.  I wasn’t surprised by who it was, but it was still great seeing who it was.  I really want to read it again, because I think it would be cool to re-read it knowing the big reveal.  I wasn’t trying to figure it out, because I was just along for the ride.  I was sad that they had to take their husbands last name just to get votes, but considering we haven’t elected extremely capable, qualified and competent women in real life, it’s not that surprising.  It was an interesting, fun read.
  • Momo Arashima Steals The Sword Of The Wind by Misa Sugiura.  This middle grade fantasy was fun!  There was a lot going on, and I didn’t help that I was reading as fast I could before I had to return the e-book to the library.  I’ll have to check it out again and actually read it way before the due date.  Momo has a lot going on at home, and fitting in seems to be really hard for her.  I think that’s something we can all relate to, and she grew a lot over the course of the book.  It is the first book in a series, so it’ll be fun to see what adventures she has in the rest of the series.

  • The Scorpion And The Night Blossom by Amelie Wen Zhao, narrated by Annie Q.  This YA fantasy was my book club’s pick for April, and the group was pretty split in how we saw the book.  I liked it, but I wasn’t surprised by any of the plot twists.  The concept is cool, but I wish we had more of the trials.  The audio book was pretty good, but I was listening to it at work, so there were chunks of time where I wasn’t paying attention.  I definitely missed out on some things because of it, and I’ve forgotten most of it already.  But if you like YA fantasy with elements of Chinese mythology, this is going to be up your alley.
  • Break The Fall by Jennifer Iacopelli, narrated by Emily Zoo Weller.  I loved this YA contemporary!  It’s definitely for the gymnastics fans out there, and I loved the detail in Audrey’s routines.  I’ve never done gymnastics, but I’ve watched it enough over the years that I could picture all of her routines.  If gymnastics isn’t really your thing, it might be a little too detailed.  While I didn’t mind the detailed routines, I did find that the scenes where we had the updates to the rankings to be really tedious and repetitive.  It definitely captured the ups and downs of the Olympics, and Iacopelli definitely drew from the Larry Nassar case, so that is something to keep in mind with this book.  I also want to note that the book was published in February 2020, so the fictional 2002 Tokyo Olympics were not affected by COVID.  It is pretty predictable, and while I wasn’t surprised by how some of the events went, or by certain secrets some of the characters had, I still enjoyed the book.
  • Accidental Demons by Clare Edge.  This Middle Grade fantasy was great!  It’s about Ber, a pre-teen, Type 1 diabetic blood witch, who summons a demon virtually every time she checks her blood sugar.  She, along with her family, stumbles into a mystery with a nearby coven, and it’s a race against time trying to solve it.  Ber learns a lot about magic, other witches and magical creatures, as well as learning to manage her diabetes.  I was also sad that a continuous blood glucose monitor wasn’t covered by her insurance (because America has an absolutely ridiculous healthcare system), and she had to deal with identifying and banishing demons multiple times a day.  It’s easily one of my favorites from April.
  • Wild Tongues Can’t By Tamed, edited by Saraciea J. Fennell.  I really liked this YA essay collection, and there were some really good essays!  I loved Haitian Sensation by Ibi Zoboi, Cuban Imposter Syndrome by Zakiya N. Jamal, and Invisible by Ingrid Rojas Contreras.  It’s hard to pick the stand-outs, because there are some great essays, but those three are the ones that have stuck with me.  I loved reading their experiences, and while they all had very different experiences, we also saw how they struggled with their identity and fitting in.
  • Legendborn and Bloodmarked by Tracy Deonn.  These two books are actually re-reads for me, but I wanted to read them before starting Oathbound.  This series is so good, and if you haven’t read it, please run to your nearest library or bookstore and get them!  I love Bree so much, and I just want her to be okay, and make it through everything okay.  I’m only a few chapters into Oathbound, but I can’t wait to see where her story goes in Oathbound.  Am I being really vague?  Absolutely, but I don’t want to give anything away.

That’s all for today!  I’m headed up to YALLWEST on Saturday, and I’m super excited since the only time I’ve been in-person was back in 2019.  I did a few of the virtual ones they did during COVID, and it’ll be fun to wander around!  I’ll probably post a recap sometime next week, but until then, happy reading!

March 2025 Reading Round-Up

Posted in Books by

I can’t believe how fast the year is going, and that we’re in April already!  This took a little longer to write than I expected, but I got there eventually.  So let’s get started!

  • Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros.  I really liked Onyx Storm, and I totally should have read Fourth Wing and Iron Flame first because I was super fuzzy on what happened.  But that didn’t take away from my enjoyment of this book, and it’s going to be a long wait for the next book, especially with how this book ended!  It’s a pretty solid addition to the series.
  • Guilt And Ginataan by Mia Manansala.  I really liked this adult cozy mystery, and this series is one of my favorites, as far as mysteries go.  I loved the food and drinks, and while I’d love to visit this town, I’d also be really cautious about the town, knowing how many terrible things happen there.  But that’s the whole point of mysteries, right?  I love the small town vibe, but the murders could be a deal breaker.
  • Lore Of The Wilds by Analeigh Sbrana.  I loved this adult romance/fantasy!  It’s a slightly different take on faeries, but something about it made me think of a fairy tale.  I got Beauty and the Beast vibes, but I think it’s because of the magical library.  It’s definitely one of my favorites from March, because I can’t stop thinking about that library.  And I just want to know what happens next.  At any rate, if you love fairies and magic, this is worth checking out!
  • Fit For The Throne: The Trial Of Ten by S. McPherson.  I really liked this adult fantasy.  It’s another interesting take on magic, faeries and shifters.  It’s a very interesting take on reality tv, and I actually agree that it’s the Selection meets the Hunger Games.  I really felt for Variella, who has no idea of her own history, especially since she kind of has to figure it out herself.  She has no idea who to trust, and she’s hearing a lot of things, from a lot of people.  I don’t blame her for making the choices she does, and she really is doing the best she can with the knowledge she has.
  • Gilded by Marissa Meyer, narrated by Rebecca Soler.  It took me months to finally finish this book!  Mostly because I’d listen for 20-30 minutes at a time when I didn’t know what else to listen to.  If you loved Cinder (also by Meyer), and you haven’t read this one, I highly recommend this one.  It’s also great if you love fairy tales, because it’s a cool take on Rumplestiltskin.  That’s a story you don’t see retold very often, and it’s a nice change from the usual fairy tale re-tellings out there.
  • Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor.  This adult African-futurism was a great read!  I mean, you can’t wrong with any of her books, but this is one of my favorites from her.  You have two different stories with this book: you have Zelu, who wrote this massive bestselling novel, and you get excerpts of that novel.  I love the idea of a novel within in a novel, and you see what the success of that novel does to Zelu.

  • Catch And Keep by Erin Hahn.  This adult contemporary romance was one of my favorites from March!  It’s so cute, and sweet and it’s friends-to-lovers, which, in my opinion, made this book even better.  I love Maren and Joe together, and Maren fits in with his family so well.  I love her books, and I’ve been a fan since I read her first book.  I definitely recommend Erin Hahn, and she has a lot of really good couples.
  • This One Summer by Mariko Tamaki, with Jillian Tamaki as the illustrator.  This YA contemporary graphic novel was a fast read.  It wasn’t my favorite book I read last month, but Tamaki did a great job with complicated family relationships and complicated friendships.  There’s a lot of secrets and there’s a lot of growing up in this one, and while I didn’t love it, I still think it’s worth checking out.
  • There’s No Way I’d Die First by Lisa Springer.  I loved this YA horror!  It’s another one of my favorites from last month, and I loved seeing the mystery unravel.  I loved the quotes from different horror movies at the beginning of each chapter, and the list of Top 10 Essential Black Horror Movies at the end of the book was awesome.  I haven’t seen any of the movies on the list, and I’m going to have to check them out.  I’ve never read And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie, but I know the basics of the story, and there’s something about Springer’s book that made me think of an Agatha Christie book I’ve never read.  I don’t know if Springer took any inspiration from Christie, because it could have been a coincidence, but either way, I wanted to know what was going to happen.

That’s all for this month, and I’ll be back in a month or so with my April reads!

See you next time!

Book Review: Gone Rogue by Marissa Meyer

Posted in Books by

Book: Gone Rogue by Marissa Meyer

Published January 2019 by Square Fish|336 pages

Where I Got It: I own the paperback

Series: Wires And Nerve #2

Genre: YA Graphic Novel

The world of the Lunar Chronicles comes alive in this thrilling continuation of Wires and Nerve. Iko–an audacious android and best friend to the Lunar Queen Cinder–has been tasked with hunting down Alpha Lysander Steele, the leader of a rogue band of bioengineered wolf-soldiers who threaten to undo the tenuous peace agreement between Earth and Luna. Unless Cinder can reverse the mutations that were forced on them years before, Steele and his soldiers plan to satisfy their monstrous appetites with a massacre of the innocent people of Earth.

And to show he’s serious, Steele is taking hostages.

Cinder and Kai, Scarlet and Wolf, Cress and Thorne, and Winter and Jacin all feature in this epic new battle. But it is Iko who must face her deepest fears when she uncovers the truth about her own unusual programming. Questions of love, friendship, and mortality take Iko on an emotional journey that will satisfy and delight fans of this bestselling series.

I really liked Gone Rogue!  This series is a pretty good follow-up to the Cinder series, and I’m glad I read it!

Like Wires And Nerve, this was a pretty fast read because it’s a graphic novel.  I liked seeing what was going on, and the story worked pretty well for the format.  I liked seeing Iko and her friends deal with Lysander, and how they are family and really close.

I really felt for Iko and what she learned about her programming.  You can definitely see how it affected her, but Iko is one of the most caring, enthusiastic characters I’ve ever seen.  I’ve always liked Iko, but this graphic novel series made me love her even more.

I did have an easier time getting into this one than I did the previous book.  I think it’s because we were more into this particular story, and we were past the setting up point.  I loved seeing how they solved things, used technology that was available to them, and worked together.  They all make a really good team, and even though they’ve all gone their separate ways, I also have the feeling they’ll all come together when the chance comes up.

As much as I really liked this book, I just don’t love it.  I want to, because I love Cinder.  But I think the reason why I don’t love this series is that the Lunar Chronicles ended with Winter.  I love seeing how things worked out for everyone a few months later, and I do love seeing the ever after, but I feel like things were resolved pretty well in the original series.

4 stars.  I really liked Gone Rogue, and I liked where things ended for the characters, but I didn’t love Gone Rogue.

Book Review: Wires And Nerve, Volume 1 by Marissa Meyer, Illustrated by Douglas Holgate

Posted in Books by

Book: Wires And Nerve, Volume 1 by Marissa Meyer, Illustrated by Douglas Holgate

Published January 2019 by Square Fish|240 pages

Where I Got It: I own the paperback

Series: Wires And Nerve #1

Genre: YA Graphic Novel- Sci-Fi/Fantasy

In her first graphic novel, bestselling author Marissa Meyer extends the world of the Lunar Chronicles with a brand-new,action-packed story about Iko, the android with a heart of (mechanized) gold.When rogue packs of wolf-hybrid soldiers threaten the tenuous peace alliance between Earth and Luna, Iko takes it upon herself to hunt down the soldiers’ leader. She is soon working with a handsome royal guard who forces her to question everything she knows about love, loyalty, and her own humanity. With appearances by Cinder, Cress, Scarlet, Winter, and the rest of the Rampion crew, this is a must-have for fans of the bestselling series.

I really liked Wires And Nerve!  I keep wanting to call it Wires And Nerves, for some reason, but that’s definitely not right.

I loved the Cinder series, which is why I picked this book up ages ago.  It’s been on my book shelf for literal years, and since I’m in this mood to read all of the books on my bookshelf that I haven’t read, I knew it was time to read it.  I didn’t like it nearly as much, but I still really liked it.

Iko, of coure, is awesome, and the format was perfect for her story.  I’m glad we get a book about Iko!  I loved seeing what she was up to, and she really is perfect for the job she had to do in this book.  I keep forgetting that Iko is an android, because she has so much heart and personality.  One of Cinder’s guards has no problem reminding her that she’s not human, and I feel like it definitely got to her.  I wish we saw a little more of that, but maybe in the next one.  I’m pretty sure we would have gotten that had this book been a novel, but I’m also having a hard time picturing this book as a novel.

I did read this book in one sitting, which wasn’t a surprise because it’s a graphic novel.  It did work well for this particular story, and I can’t really put my finger on it.  It just worked.  Even though we see what’s going on with all of the other characters, part of me wished we spent more time with them.  I know we’ll get glimpses of them in the next one, and I can always go back and re-read the original series.  It just wasn’t the same, now that they’re all off doing their own things because all is relatively right with the world (and moon).

As much as I liked it, I also had a hard time getting into it.  I don’t know if it’s because we’re seeing the ever after, and all of the work that goes into, or if I’m just not in the mood for it, but I had a hard time loving it the way I loved the Lunar Chronicles.

It’s still great, and I definitely recommend it, especially if you love the Lunar Chronicles and haven’t read the graphic novel yet.

4 stars.  I really liked Wires And Nerve, but I didn’t love it as much as I wanted or hoped to.

Book Review: Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell, Illustrated by Faith Erin Hicks

Posted in Books by

Book: Pumpkinheads by Rainbow Rowell, Illustrated by Faith Erin Hicks

Published August 2019 by First Second|211 pages

Where I Got It: I own the paperback

Series: None

Genre: YA Graphic Novel- Contemporary

Deja and Josiah are seasonal best friends.

Every autumn, all through high school, they’ve worked together at the best pumpkin patch in the whole wide world. (Not many people know that the best pumpkin patch in the whole wide world is in Omaha, Nebraska, but it definitely is.) They say good-bye every Halloween, and they’re reunited every September 1.

But this Halloween is different—Josiah and Deja are finally seniors, and this is their last season at the pumpkin patch. Their last shift together. Their last good-bye.

Josiah’s ready to spend the whole night feeling melancholy about it. Deja isn’t ready to let him. She’s got a plan: What if—instead of moping and the usual slinging lima beans down at the Succotash Hut—they went out with a bang? They could see all the sights! Taste all the snacks! And Josiah could finally talk to that cute girl he’s been mooning over for three years . . .

What if their last shift was an adventure?

Beloved writer Rainbow Rowell and Eisner Award–winning artist Faith Erin Hicks have teamed up to create this tender and hilarious story about two irresistible teens discovering what it means to leave behind a place—and a person—with no regrets.

I LOVED Pumpkinheads!  I wasn’t sure what to expect, because overall, Fangirl is the only book of Rowell’s that I’ve liked.  At least from the ones I’ve read, so even though I was intrigued, I wasn’t sure if I’d like it.

But I loved it just as much as I loved Fangirl, which really surprised me.  This graphic novel is hilarious and nostalgic, and I had so much fun following Josiah and Deja as they had adventures all over the pumpkin patch.  Everything that could go wrong did, and the names for the fudge girl were really funny…I mean, Fudge Judy, Vanessa Fudgens, Cornelius Fudge…I wouldn’t expect anything else from Rowell, because she is good at incorporating pop culture in her books.

I loved the nostalgia factor of one last night before everything changes.  I wasn’t expecting to cry at the end but I did.  I loved the moment Josiah realized something important, and I’m glad he had one last adventure at the pumpkin patch.  It’s March, and Halloween is months away, but I really, really want to go to a pumpkin patch.

Especially this pumpkin patch.  I would love to go to this one, and I loved that we were able to see so much of it.  It really came to life in this book, and Hicks did a great job with the illustrations.  I really could see everything that was happening, and being able to see what was going on was great.  The story really is suited to a graphic novel format, and I really hope they work together on another project one day, because I’d love to see what they come up with.

5 stars.  I loved Pumpkinheads and it’s a great story with great visuals!

Book Review: Lumberjanes, Volume 9 by Shannon Watters

Posted in Books by

Book: Lumberjanes, Volume 9: On A Roll by Shannon Watters

Published July 2018 by BOOM!Box|112 pages

Where I Got It: I borrowed the paperback from the library

Series: Lumberjanes, Volume 9

Genre: YA Graphic Novel

When the Yetis are kicked out of their treehouse, it’s up to the Roanokes to win their home back from the Sasquatches that took it over by beating them at roller derby.

You just gotta learn to roll with the punches! When the yetis are kicked out of their humble treehouse abode, it’s up to Jo, April, Mal, Molly and Ripley to get them back where they belong amongst the trees…and not leeching the camp’s power and making all the ice cream melt. To get the sasquatches to clear out, though, the Roanoke girls will have to challenge them to a roller derby match!

This New York Times bestseller and multiple Eisner-Award and GLAAD-award winning series is written by Shannon Watters and Kat Leyh (Super Cakes) and illustrated by Carolyn Nowak.

I’ve really enjoyed the Lumberjanes so far, and this volume is no exception!  I know I’ve said this before, and I’ll probably say this in every review for the Lumberjanes, but I love seeing all of the hijinks and shenanigans these girls get into.

In this book, our campers have a roller derby match with some sasquatches.  It’s entertaining, and things get weird- because how else is it going to go?  It all works out for everyone, especially the Yeti’s and sasquatches.  The story is fun, and I liked the idea that Rosie assumes Jen will tell her if something weird is going on…and Jen doesn’t tell her. I liked that Jen just went with it, because it’s a relatively normal thing for her campers to do.  There’s nothing normal about a roller derby match with Sasquatch, but in comparison to everything else that’s happen, this is probably one of the more normal things.

Not that it goes normally, because it doesn’t.  Rosie does find out eventually (by a camper going by, not surprisingly) but Rosie didn’t have to jump in and save the day like I thought she would.  There is a lot of concern because where it happened, but all in all, it’s a pretty typical day at camp.

The artwork is pretty cool, but I still really miss the description of the badges that used to be before each chapter.  Now, we only get them at the end, right before all of the artwork.  I miss seeing it, and I’m not sure why that changed.  I know Shannon Watters is credited instead of Noelle Stevenson, so I’m wondering if it was her idea, and now it’s not there, because she’s not really working on it, or if it was too much trying to come up with a different badge and tying it into each chapter, or what’s going on.  It’s too bad, because I really liked it, but at least we’re getting one badge.

4 stars.  I really liked it, of course, and I really liked the story.  I think it’s one of my favorites in the series.

Book Review: Lumberjanes, Vol 7: A Bird’s Eye View by Shannon Watters and Lumberjanes, Vol 8: Stone Cold by Shannon Watters

Posted in Books by

Book: Lumberjanes, Vol 7: A Bird’s Eye View by Shannon Watters, Kat Leyh, Noelle Stevenson (Creator), Grace Ellis (Creator), Carey Pietsch (Illustrator), Ayme Sotuyo (Illustrations), Maarta Laiho (Colorist), Brooke Allen (Creator)

Where I Got It: I borrowed the paperback from the library

Series: Lumberjanes Collected Edition #7

Genre: YA Graphic Novel

All Lumberjanes are on deck when the High Council comes to camp for inspection!

The High Council is coming to camp and counselor Jen is determined to make everything perfect, even though a storm is brewing and kittens from the boys’ camp are manifesting magical powers. It’s every Lumberjane on deck as the girls do their best to prep the grounds for inspection . . . but there are some storms no one can prepare for.

This New York Times bestseller and multiple Eisner Award-winning series is a story of friendship, hardcore lady-types, and kicking a lot of butt. Don’t miss out on the continued adventures of the Lumberjanes written by Shannon Watters and Kat Leyh (Super Cakes) with stories illustrated by Carey Pietsch (Adventure Time: Marceline Gone Adrift) and newcomer Ayme Sotuyo.

Collects issues #25-28.

Volume 7 is cool because 1- crazy kittens and 2- a visit from the Lumberjanes Grand Lodge.  They’re pretty cool, and while we might not see them again, I hope we do.

I mean, these ladies are clearly friends, and have been for a long time.  I can totally see our campers becoming these ladies when they’re older.  I hope that’s their future, because they’re pretty cool, and they have this great friendship.  I love that they have to go rescue the grand lodge, and that Jen wants them to pretend like they’re actually good, and that nothing weird happens.  I feel like the Grand Lodge would totally be okay with the weird goings on.

Can I talk about the magic kittens?  Because THEY’RE KITTENS AND THEY’RE MAGIC!!!!  Sorry, magic kittens are pretty cool.  Especially magic kittens at camp.  They’re pretty cool, and I wouldn’t expect anything else.  I can’t wait to see what happens next, considering how this one ends.  I’m pretty sure that we’ll see that in the next volume, and I’m curious to see where it goes.  It was definitely unexpected, which I think describes Lumberjanes so well.  It’s a good and fun unexpected, though, which makes this series fun.

4 stars.  MAGIC KITTENS!!!  Clearly, I loved the magic kittens, but this has been a fun series to read so far.  I can’t believe I’m almost all caught up, because it means I have to wait for each one to come out.

Book: Lumberjanes, Vol 8: Stone Cold by Shannon Watters

Published February 2018 by BOOM!Box|112 pages

Where I Got It: I borrowed the paperback from the library

Series: Lumberjanes Collected Editions #8

Genre: YA Graphic Novel

Five best friends at summer camp take friendship to the max when they team up to defeat the strange forces lurking within the surrounding forest.

Excited to have Barney starting their first week at the camp, the Roanokes run over to the Zodiac cabin, only to find everyone turned to stone! Between strange shadows and Diane being back, it looks like April, Jo, Mal, Molly, and Ripley are going to have their hands full trying to find a cure for their friends . . . as long as they don’t look the wrong thing in the eye first.

This New York Times bestseller and multiple Eisner Award-winning series is a story of friendship, hardcore lady-types, and kicking a lot of butt. Don’t miss out on the continued adventures of the Lumberjanes written by Shannon Watters and Kat Leyh (Super Cakes) with stories illustrated by Carey Pietsch (Adventure Time: Marceline Gone Adrift).

Here’s the thing.  I’m all caught up on Lumberjanes, at least what’s been collected into the larger volumes.  But…as much as I’m enjoying Lumberjanes, and as much as I really like Lumberjanes, I’m starting to think that reading all of them so quickly, and so close together, worked against it a little bit.  It’s definitely gotten harder to review each volume, to the point where I’m not really sure what to say.

I did like seeing what was going on with Diane, and how the Roanoke cabin tried to get the Zodiac cabin back.  I love how they stuck together to help out a neighboring cabin, and how important this little camping community is to all of the girls.  I liked seeing them work together, and seeing how close all of the girls are has been one of my favorite things about the Lumberjanes.

One thing I do miss seeing is the description of the different badges before each chapter.  We saw it in some of the earlier volumes, where a different badge was featured, and it always seemed to relate to what was going on in that particular chapter.  Now that I think about, we didn’t see it in Volume 7 either.

I know Noelle Stevenson has only been listed as a creator on the last 2 or 3 volumes, and I’m wondering if maybe she was the main one behind it, and if she’s not as involved in the series now as she was before.  I liked it, and I’m a little sad to see it go, but I’m hoping it comes back.

I also liked all of the Greek mythology in this one, and I’m glad that we learn more about Diane and what was going on with her.  I hope she sticks around, because she’s pretty cool.  And I like how friendship is really important in this series.  I really feel like it doesn’t come up as strongly or frequently as it does in this series.

4 stars.  I really liked Volume 8, but I miss seeing all of the different badges the girls can earn while they’re at camp.

Book Review: Lumberjanes, Vol 5: Band Together by Noelle Stevenson And Lumberjanes, Vol 6: Sink Or Swim by Shannon Watters

Posted in Books by

Book: Lumberjanes, Vol 5: Band Together by Noelle Stevenson, Shannon Watters, Carolyn Nowak (Illustrator), Grace Ellis, Brooke A Allen (Illustrator)

Published December 2016 by BOOM!Box|112 pages

Where I Got It: I borrowed the paperback from the library

Series: Lumbejanes Collected Edition #5

Genre: YA Graphic Novel

What gives, two-legs?!

It’s a battle of the bands… with mermaids! April takes it upon herself to restore a friendship that has fallen apart, but will she be in over her head as her above water friendships take a hit? When friendships are challenged, can the Lumberjanes save the day? Don’t miss out on this exciting collection!

This New York Times bestseller and multiple Eisner Award-winning series written by Noelle Stevenson (Nimona, Runaways), Shannon Watters, and Kat Leyh and illustrated by the tremendously talented Brooke Allen (Home for Mr. Easter) and Carolyn Nowak (Rungs).

I can’t believe I’ve read 5 volumes of the Lumberjanes already!  Volume 5 is my favorite one, I think.  For some reason, I really liked the mermaid battle of the bands, and while I liked seeing the start of camp, it felt out of place.  Like, why wait until volume 5 to show the arrival at camp?  That part, I didn’t particularly like, and it made the timeline a little off.

Still, it was nice to see how they became friends, and maybe we’ll see more of it in the future.  I like that friendship is important to the girls, and while I want to see more of how they became friends, I also am not sure about the flashbacks.  Maybe I’ll feel differently if they come up in the future.  I also think I tend to take their friendships as presented- they’ve always been friends, as far as I’m concerned, but I have mixed feelings about actually seeing it.  Maybe I just wasn’t ready or in the mood for it.  Or maybe it was just unexpected.

Basically, I liked it but it wasn’t something I loved.  It was nice, though.

And you can’t go wrong with mermaids.  I hope we see more of the lake and what’s living in it.  It can’t be just mermaids, and I hope we see more of whatever else is living in the lake.  Considering everything else that’s living near the camp, it wouldn’t be a surprise if there were other creatures in that lake.

4 stars.  I did like (but didn’t love) the flashback of seeing the girls meet each other.  I also loved the mermaid battle of the bands.  It was fun to read!

Book: Lumberjanes, Vol 6: Sink Or Swim by Shannon Watters, Noelle Stevenson (Creator), Kat Leyh, Grace Ellis (Creator), Carey Pietsch (Illustrations), Maarta Laiho (Colorist), Brooke A Allen (Creator)

Published April 2017 by BOOM!Box|112 pages

Where I Got It: I borrowed the paperback from the library

Series: Lumberjanes Collected Edition #6

Genre: YA Graphic Novel

Knot on your life!

All is fair in love and badges! Or so April, Jo, Mal, Molly, and Ripley thought until they met the mysterious counselor, Seafarin’ Karen. When the Lumberjanes decide it’s time to learn more about the theatrical yet intriguing counselor, things take a turn for the strange. Between a sudden storm hitting the camp, shapeshifters, and strange portals,
this is one badge that the Lumberjanes must go above and beyond for.

This New York Times bestseller and multiple Eisner Award-winning series is written by Shannon Watters and Kat Leyh(Super Cakes) and illustrated by Carey Pietsch (Adventure Time: Marceline Gone Adrift).

Collects issues 21-24.

I liked Seafarin’ Karen!  You can’t go wrong with portals and shapeshifters and mysterious counselors.  Seafarin’ Karen is cool, and while I have the feeling that she’s made her one and only appearance, I hope we see her again someday.

The pirate ship was cool, and pirates are pretty awesome.  I’m just waiting for ninjas to show up.  I’m curious to see what else we’ll see.  Anyway, I liked their adventures at sea.  It’s odd, though, because I don’t have much to say about this volume.  It’s fun, and there are a lot of wacky adventures, which is what I love about this series.  At this point, I just don’t have a lot to say about this one.  Maybe I’ll have more to say about the following books.

4 stars.  I really liked it and it’s fun.  Seafarin’ Kare and the selkies are pretty cool.

Book Review: Lumberjanes Vol 3: A Terrible Plan, and Lumberjanes Vol 4: Out Of Time by Noelle Stevenson

Posted in Books by

Book: Lumberjanes, Vol 3: A Terrible Plan by Noelle Stevenson, Shannon Watters, Carolyn Nowak (Illustrator), Maarta Laiho (Colorist), Aubrey Aiesa (Letterer), Brittney Williams (Illustrator), Aimee Fleck (Illustrator), Faith Erin Hicks (Author/Illustrator), Rebecca Tobin (Illustrator), Felicia Choo (Illustrator), T. Zysk (Illustrator)

Published April 2016 by BOOM!Box|112 pages

Where I Got It: I borrowed the hardcover from the library

Series: Lumberjanes Collected Editions #3

Genre: YA Graphic Novel

IF YOU GOT IT, HAUNT IT!

Trying to take advantage of the first quiet day at camp in a while, Mal and Molly’s date takes a bizarre turn with the appearance of the Bear Woman! Back at camp, Jo, April, and Ripley must stay on their toes as they try and earn every badge possible, which ends up being a lot harder than any of them ever planned.

This New York Times bestselling series continues with Lumberjanes #9, “If You Got It, Haunt It Badge;” #10, “Abscence Make the Heart Grow Fondant Badge;” #11, “Go Ball-istic Badge;” and #12, “Oldie but Goodie Badge.”

The more I read Lumberjanes, the more I like it!  Each girl has their own personality, and you can really see that in the ghost stories they choose to tell.  It wouldn’t be summer camp without ghost stories told around the camp fire!

You also see the girls go off in different directions for a “quiet” day at camp.  No day is quiet with these girls around, and two of our wayward campers have this epic adventure, while the rest of them try to earn badges- unsuccessfully, of course.  I almost forgot about the whole badge aspect of the Lumberjanes, and that they’re actually supposed to be earning badges.  You’d think their adventures would result in earning badges, and learning new skills but I guess it’s hard when the supernatural and weird takes over.

Still, I’d be both surprised and disappointed if they had a normal day at camp.  Even the typical day of activities becomes interesting and I like not knowing what’s going to happen, and what adventures are in store for our Lumberjanes.

We see more of the Bear Woman, and I have the feeling she’s not going anywhere.  I hope we see more of her, and get more of her story.  She seems pretty interesting.

I’m not really sure what else to say about the Lumberjanes.  I liked this one.

4 stars.  I really liked it, especially the ghost stories and how different they were.  I’ll definitely keep reading.

Book: Lumberjanes, Vol 4 by Noelle Stevenson, Shannon Watters, Grace Ellis (Co-Creator), Maarta Laiho (Colorist), Aubrey Aiese (Letterer), Brooke A Allen (Illustrator)

Published July 2016 by BOOM!Box|112 pages

Where I Got It: I borrowed the paperback from the library

Series: Lumberjanes Collected Edition #4

Genre: YA Graphic Novel

The mystery of history!

Jen just wants a normal lesson with her cabin, teaching Jo, April, Mal, Molly, and Ripley the basic survival skills needed without any supernatural intervention. But when a blizzard hits camp, Jen finds herself separated from the girls and in more trouble than ever… until a mysterious taxidermist swoops in to save the day. Who is she and what is her relationship to Rosie? Join Jen as she finds a way back to her girls, and a way to save the day!

This New York Times Bestseller and Eisner Award-Nominated series is written by Noelle Stevenson (Nimona, ADVENTURE TIME™), and Lumberjanes co-creator Shannon Watters, and illustrated by Brooke Allen (A Home For Mr. Easter).  

The Lumberjanes continues with Volume 4, and it seems pretty standard that while I don’t love it, I still really like it.  It’s fun, of course, and like with every other volume I’ve read, there are some really fun adventures!

It seems like their camp has had quite the history, and I liked seeing one of the campers who’s living in the woods.  It makes me hope that we see more history of the camp, because I have the feeling the weirdness of the forest and the camp isn’t limited to this group of campers.

I really like Jen, and she just wants a normal day at camp, where she teaches the girls survival skills without something weird happening.

So something weird happens…what else but a blizzard is going to happen?  And of course, Jen gets separated from the campers, where she comes across an old camper who just happens to know Rosie and the Bear Woman, and that is where we get some camp history.  I liked it because it put the camp in perspective, and you get the sense that things have really changed.

It makes me wonder what else has happened at the camp, and what else is in the woods.  It’s a strange area, but maybe that’s the whole point.  Maybe there is a reason this camp is located in this place.  Or maybe not but weird things just have a tendency to happen.  Either way, it makes it fun, because I like seeing all of the craziness at this camp.

4 stars.  I really liked it, and I feel like with each volume, we’re learning more about the camp and the campers!