WHEW. I read this book for possible inclusion on a Pride booklist for kids at the library, but we wanted to focus mainly on queer joy, and this book iWHEW. I read this book for possible inclusion on a Pride booklist for kids at the library, but we wanted to focus mainly on queer joy, and this book is basically just queer trauma. It's a super quick read, with legit creepy ghosts and an ultimately hopeful ending.
OH MY GOD. This book was intense, and I was preparing the whole time to be heartbroken, but the end was unexpected and beautiful and so, so sad. I wasOH MY GOD. This book was intense, and I was preparing the whole time to be heartbroken, but the end was unexpected and beautiful and so, so sad. I was sobbing in my car on the way home from Costco. ...more
Really good! I didn't realize until I finished it that this is the same author as Sorcerer to the Crown, which I loved. This one doesn't have the sameReally good! I didn't realize until I finished it that this is the same author as Sorcerer to the Crown, which I loved. This one doesn't have the same charm as that one, but I liked the characters, and I liked the modern Malaysian setting. Once Jess accepts that her grandmother is haunting her, the story takes off, and I had a hard time putting it down. ...more
I was expecting this to be more of a thriller and less of a friend misunderstanding (with ghosts!). I enjoyed it though. I could feel the hot, sweaty I was expecting this to be more of a thriller and less of a friend misunderstanding (with ghosts!). I enjoyed it though. I could feel the hot, sweaty LA air through Disabato's writing. I don't know that I would say I "really liked" any of the characters; they're all too cool for me, but the dynamics between them were really believable and relatable.
I do have to say that depictions of the kind of casual drug use that is on display here make me really uncomfortable (all the time, not just here), and while it's clear that Eve is a hot mess, the drugs and alcohol are never condemned as perhaps exacerbating her issues. ...more
Creepy and wonderful. I love Bardugo's writing in general, and it was great to read something modern, set in the real world.
(view spoiler)[I knew somCreepy and wonderful. I love Bardugo's writing in general, and it was great to read something modern, set in the real world.
(view spoiler)[I knew something hinky was up with Belbam, but I didn't know what, and I did not guess the other various twists in the story. (hide spoiler)]...more
The ghosts were SUPER creepy in this, and the creators did a good job of ramping up the tension; I was legit worried about the survival prospects of tThe ghosts were SUPER creepy in this, and the creators did a good job of ramping up the tension; I was legit worried about the survival prospects of the major characters.
I have to say though, I think I am just not the audience for horror anything. The ending of this felt a little rushed and maybe not fleshed out very well. I think maybe this story needed a little more room to breathe. ...more
I liked this! The characters were good, the ghost story was creepy and intriguing, and the art was fun. I loved everyone's clothes.
I also liked how tI liked this! The characters were good, the ghost story was creepy and intriguing, and the art was fun. I loved everyone's clothes.
I also liked how the story handled Cel mental health. Obviously, she's not in a good place for most of the story, and for the most part, the people around her are gentle and supportive and give her the space to figure out what she needs, even when she is lashing out for no real good reason. It was well done. ...more
Really enjoyable! I had to read it really fast because it was due at the library, but I did not mind. I wanted to spend my day in bed finishing this. Really enjoyable! I had to read it really fast because it was due at the library, but I did not mind. I wanted to spend my day in bed finishing this. The story was really engaging and fast paced, and I liked all the characters quite a lot. ...more
I'm finding it difficult to review this. As a white lady, it was a cute story about a couple of biracial sisters and ghosts.
As a librarian, TelgemeieI'm finding it difficult to review this. As a white lady, it was a cute story about a couple of biracial sisters and ghosts.
As a librarian, Telgemeier is so popular that there was never a possibility of not buying this book for the library (all 9 of our copies are checked out with 6 holds on them, plus all her other books are *always* checked out).
As someone who is trying to shut up and listen to POC when they say something is problematic, I see all the issues with this book they have pointed out. (Debbie Reese's concerns about the book are particularly troubling [and she has links to other reviews with other concerns].) I have also talked to a couple other librarians and an author who know Telgemeier and were able to put this story into more context.
Ultimately, I'm happy to see almost all POC in a book by such a mainstream author, and I hope that the success of this story helps more #ownvoices stories get published. ...more
I basically loved everything about this! The heroine was an amazing lady of color for whom the romance is already happened before the book starts. TheI basically loved everything about this! The heroine was an amazing lady of color for whom the romance is already happened before the book starts. There's a fantastic Hero's Journey through the underworld. I think the only thing that could have made this more enjoyable for me is if Shan were lesbian (lesbians make everything better)....more
Love the cast of characters in this. I love the set up for Olive's Mysterious Past, and I look forward to seeing what other adventures these teens havLove the cast of characters in this. I love the set up for Olive's Mysterious Past, and I look forward to seeing what other adventures these teens have. I also really like the set up putting Killer Croc as a good guy and Batman as a bad guy. Plus the art in this is pretty freaking cool. ...more
The beginning of this book, especially, was creepy and atmospheric and set up a character and mystery I enjoyed. The killer seemed pretty easy to spotThe beginning of this book, especially, was creepy and atmospheric and set up a character and mystery I enjoyed. The killer seemed pretty easy to spot to me, but I liked learning about who the ghost was and where she came from. Honestly, this book read a little like a novelization of Hellblazer: Original Sins, and I love Constantine, so that worked for me!
I might read a sequel, if only just to see what the dynamic between him and his new partner is like. ...more
This is a good second volume, and it's got me so sucked into the story, that I can't wait to pick up the next volume. The art has super grown on me, aThis is a good second volume, and it's got me so sucked into the story, that I can't wait to pick up the next volume. The art has super grown on me, and I love the juxtaposition of the cutesy-art with the morbid and creepifying content of the story. Can't wait for book club discussion on this....more
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