Go with the Flow – Lily Williams

Go with the Flow by Lily Williams

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Received: Raincoast Books
Published: January 2020
Publisher: First Second
Recommended Age: 10+
Genres & Themes: Graphic Novel, Young Adult, Feminism, Friendship, Menstruation, High School

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REVIEW:

This graphic novel is pretty close to perfect. Scratch that – It IS perfect.

We meet three best friends – Abby, Brit and Christine – who welcome the new girl – Sasha – into their group and develop a beautiful and strong friendship. These girls help each other and discuss topics deemed personal, more specifically menstruation, which is considered ‘‘taboo’’ in some places.

All the Stars and Teeth by Adalyn Grace

All the Stars and Teeth by Adalyn Grace

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Received: Raincoast Books
Published: February 4th, 2020
Publisher: Imprint
Recommended Age: 12+
Genres & Themes: Young Adult, Fantasy, Magic, Adventure, Romance, Pirates

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REVIEW:

This is a book you’re either going to really enjoy or really dislike. That’s because the storyline is predictable for the most part so if you don’t connect to the main character and don’t enjoy following her adventures then you’re going to feel like reading this book is pointless.

Havenfall – Sara Holland

Havenfall by Sara Holland

My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Received: Raincoast Books
Published: March 3rd, 2020
Publisher: Bloomsbury YA
Recommended Age: 12+
Genres & Themes: Young Adult, Fantasy, Hidden Worlds, Magic, Mystery, Romance

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REVIEW:

I found Sara Holland’s debut—Everless—a very good kind of surprising. It was nothing I expected and yet everything I wanted both at the same time. While I didn’t fall in love with the heroine, I thought she had it in her to BE a heroine and that is something that kept me wanting to read more about her.

The Deep & Dark Blue – Niki Smith

The Deep & Dark Blue by Niki Smith

My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Received: Hachette Book Group Canada
Published: January 7th, 2020
Publisher: Little, Brown BFYR
Recommended Age: 8+
Genres & Themes: Middle Grade, Graphic Novel, Fantasy, LGBTQIA+, Siblings, Adventure

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REVIEW:

This is a hard one to review. I received an advance copy of this book, and while the final copy is supposed to be in full colour, there was no colour in my copy and half of the book had unfinished illustrations. So my experience with the advance copy and your experience with the finished copy will be undoubtedly different.

The Witches Are Coming – Lindy West

The Witches Are Coming by Lindy West

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Received: Hachette Book Group Canada
Published: November 5th, 2019
Publisher: Hachette Books
Recommended Age: 14+
Genres & Themes: Adult, Non-fiction, Essays, Feminism, Politics, Media

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REVIEW:

You can’t stop Lindy West. If she has something to say, she will say it, and she won’t apologize for her (very often) unpopular opinion. She’s angry and annoyed and disappointed at the current political climate, and environmental climate, and the overall humanitarian climate. We need to be more compassionate, awake, active, responsible and respectful. It’s true, I agree, and I agree with her writing a book with essays proving what a bad job most of us are doing at being humane human beings.

Black Brother, Black Brother – Jewell Parker Rhodes

Black Brother, Black Brother by Jewell Parker Rhodes

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Received: Hachette Book Group Canada
Published: March 3rd, 2020
Publisher: Little, Brown BFYR
Recommended Age: 8+
Genres & Themes: Middle Grade, Sports, Siblings, Racism, Respect, Family

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REVIEW:

This is a book that will capture your heart from the beginning. If you’re familiar with Jewell Parker Rhodes’ writings, get excited because she delivers more emotional content and beautifully poetic prose that is sure to move you and remind you that there is humanity left in this world.

Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky – Kwame Mbalia

Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky by Kwame Mbalia

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Received: Hachette Book Group Canada
Published: October 2019
Publisher: Rick Riordan Presents
Recommended Age: 10+
Genres & Themes: Middle Grade, Fantasy, Action, Mythology

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REVIEW:

This is a solid story. With solid, memorable characters, and an intriguing concept. The writing, also, is solid. The fact that this is a debut is astounding. I completely understand why Rick Riordan picked it for publishing. I would have done the same thing. This story deserves to be out there, because it is not more of the same. The diversity and unusualness of the types of characters/creatures made it exciting to my eyes, from the beginning.

Cinderella and the Glass Ceiling: And Other Feminist Fairy Tales

Cinderella and the Glass Ceiling: And Other Feminist Fairy Tales by Laura Lane & Ellen Haun

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Received: Hachette Book Group Canada
Published: March 10th, 2020
Publisher: Seal Press
Recommended Age: 15+
Genres & Themes: Adult, Short Stories, Feminism, Fairy Tale Retellings, Humor

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REVIEW:

Every tangible and intangible part of my being fell head over heels for these short, funny and supremely feminist fairytale retellings featuring kickass females and deeply important messages. It is a parody, yes, but one with meaning and a lot of memorable content. Cherry on the cake: there are also lovely illustrations included.