I’ve joined up with the IT’S MONDAY! WHAT ARE YOU READING? kid-lit edition, hosted by Unleashing Readers and MARVELOUS MIDDLE GRADE MONDAY hosted by Always in the Middle…
Today I’m sharing reviews of three books that I absolutely adored: two middle-grade debuts and a YA novel by an author that many of us know and love–CG Drews from Paper Fury! Hope these bite-sized reviews are enough to feed your fiction addiction!
Accidental Demons by Clare Edge Series: Accidental Demons #1
Published by HarperCollins on September 17, 2024
Genres: Fantasy, Middle Grade
Pages: 384
Source: Edelweiss
Cover Artist: Alessia Trunfio
My rating:
Conjuring demons seems like something you should totally not be able to do by accident, right? Well, normally it isn’t. But Bernadette Crowley is the perfect storm of magical accidents.
For the youngest in a long line of witches, demons used to be no big deal. A spell and a quick prick of the finger, and a witch like Ber could summon a demon to do anything she needed—clean a mess, send a message, you name it.
But that was before Ber was diagnosed with diabetes. Now each time she tests her blood sugar, accidental demons are slipping into the human dimension…and causing absolute chaos.
Good thing Ber and her older sister, Maeve, know that every magical problem has a magical solution. They’ll just conjure a low-order demon to monitor her blood sugar! Bonus: they only have to bend one or two teeny, tiny rules. But before they know it, they’ve stumbled into deeper, more mysterious magic than they ever could have predicted. And soon it’s not just Ber’s magic but her entire coven that’s in danger.
This book is truly magical (in more ways than one)! Fantasy and supernatural lovers will be entranced by the magic system – and the mayhem created by the accidental demon-summonings! There’s actually some complex worlbuilding in this middle grade book, so readers who’ve read a bit of fantasy will appreciate going deeper into the magical systems than they’re probably used to. I love that diabetic kids will see themselves accurately represented in Bernadette, but all kids will probably relate to her journey of self-discovery in one way or another. Bernadette learns to take control of her own destiny. And she also discovers that her family’s perspectives on the world can’t be taken completely at face value as she comes to terms with the fact that the magical world has its own set of prejudices that she has internalized in some ways without even realizing it. As her world broadens, so does her perspective. The story of Bernadette’s quest to live a “normal” life – and the eventual battle with a big-bad magical force will keep kids turning the pages – and have them eager for book two in this series!
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher via Edelweiss so I could provide an honest review. No compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
Kareem Between by Shifa Saltagi Safadi Published by G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers on September 10, 2024
Genres: Contemporary, Middle Grade, Verse
Pages: 336
Source: The Publisher
Cover Artist: Dare Coulter
My rating:
This heartfelt coming-of-age novel in verse tells the powerful story of a seventh grade Syrian-American boy and his struggles, big and small, as he navigates middle-school. Seventh grade begins and Kareem’s fall should be off to a great start. But he’s already fumbled it. His best friend moved away, he bungled his tryout for the football team, and because of his heritage, he was voluntold to show the new kid – a Syrian refugee with a thick and embarrassing accent – around school. Just when Kareem thinks his middle school life has imploded, the hot-shot QB promises to get Kareem another tryout for the squad. There’s a to secure that chance, Kareem must do something he knows is wrong.Then like a surprise blitz, Kareem’s mom returns to Syria to bring her aging parents out of a war zone and to the United States. But a new executive order prevents her from coming home. If Kareem could throw a penalty flag on the fouls of his school and home life, it would be for Unnecessary Roughness. Kareem is stuck between. Between countries. Between friends, between football, between parents—and between right and wrong. It’s up to him to step up, find his confidence, and navigate the beauty and hope found somewhere in the middle.
I adored this book with my whole heart. Loved the characters, loved the story, loved the verse, even loved the football references (and I know nothing about football). It’s a story that’s both engrossing (I read it in one sitting) and important, and I will be recommending it to absolutely everyone. One of my favorite books I’ve read this year, and it’s definitely in line to become an All-Time Favorite!
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher so I could provide an honest review. No compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
Don't Let the Forest In by C.G. Drews Published by Feiwel and Friends on October 29, 2024
Genres: Horror, Young Adult
Pages: 336
Source: NetGalley, Purchased
Cover Artist: Jana Heidersdorf
My rating:
Once upon a time, Andrew had cut out his heart and given it to this boy, and he was very sure Thomas had no idea that Andrew would do anything for him.
Protect him. Lie for him. Kill for him.
High school senior Andrew Perrault finds refuge in the twisted fairytales that he writes for the only person who can ground him to reality—Thomas Rye, the boy with perpetually ink-stained hands and hair like autumn leaves. And with his twin sister, Dove, inexplicably keeping him at a cold distance upon their return to Wickwood Academy, Andrew finds himself leaning on his friend even more.
But something strange is going on with Thomas. His abusive parents have mysteriously vanished, and he arrives at school with blood on his sleeve. Thomas won’t say a word about it, and shuts down whenever Andrew tries to ask him questions. Stranger still, Thomas is haunted by something, and he seems to have lost interest in his artwork—whimsically macabre sketches of the monsters from Andrew’s wicked stories.
Desperate to figure out what’s wrong with his friend, Andrew follows Thomas into the off-limits forest one night and catches him fighting a nightmarish monster—Thomas’s drawings have come to life and are killing anyone close to him. To make sure no one else dies, the boys battle the monsters every night. But as their obsession with each other grows stronger, so do the monsters, and Andrew begins to fear that the only way to stop the creatures might be to destroy their creator…
This book is Dark Academia at its best: twisted and creepy in all the right ways with main characters you can’t help but love, even as you’re a little bit terrified of them (and for them!). The writing is utterly gorgeous and atmospheric. The depictions of Thomas’s macabre art coming to life will send shivers down your spine (I dare you to go out into a forest at night after reading this book!) The mysteries that unfold are both unsettling and compelling, and the pining between Andrew and Thomas is practically palpable. I don’t want to say too much about the story itself because I feel like it’s really easy to put spoilery suggestions into people’s heads. So instead, I will just say that this book is haunting and beautiful, and you should definitely read it!
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher so I could provide an honest review (but I bought the special B&N edition too!). No compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
What I’m currently reading:
Right now I’m listening to Let It Glow by Marissa Meyer and Joanne Levy, which is the B&N young reader monthly pick!
Welcome to MMGM and I appreciated your thoughtful reviews. Too many good books to read–not nearly enough time!
So true! I’ve had to resort to these bite-sized reviews lately because otherwise I find I just don’t get to them! It’s a good way to still highlight my favorites!
These sounds nice especially Accidental Demons. I like the idea of bite sized reviews!
I haven’t read any of these, but they do sound good. Have a great week!
Thanks for including your review on today’s MMGM. Kareem Between was one of my favorite recent reads. I agree with your enthusiastic comments. I have not read ACCIDENTAL DEMONS but your review convinced me to add it to my list of books to read.
I’m so happy you joined our group. I haven’t read any of these books but Accidental Demons sounds like one I have to add to my TBR list. Thanks!
What a great story for kids with diabetes — demons and witches included. Am always amazed with unique stories like this one. Have not reviewed a book where the protagnoist is diabetic and I need to. I am glad the author accurately portrays diabetes for kids who have it. Have not read Kareem Between, but am adding it to my list. What an important story.
An interesting set of stories, and your “bite-sized” reviews tell us what we need to know about them . Thanks.
Nice to have you join MMGM. Thanks for the reviews. I will try to check out Kareem Between. It sounds like a book I would like.
Great reviews! I’m really intrigued by Don’t Let the Forest In.