{Review} Beetle and the Hollowbones by Aliza Layne

 

Page count: 256

Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers

Published on: August 4, 2020

Genres: Middle grade fantasy graphic novel

Format: hardback borrowed from library

[Purchase Here]

Rating: 5 stars

S Y N O P S I S

An enchanting, riotous, and playfully illustrated debut graphic novel following a young goblin trying to save her best friend from the haunted mall—perfect for fans of Steven Universe and Adventure Time.

In the eerie town of ‘Allows, some people get to be magical sorceresses, while other people have their spirits trapped in the mall for all ghastly eternity.

Then there’s twelve-year-old goblin-witch Beetle, who’s caught in between. She’d rather skip being homeschooled completely and spend time with her best friend, Blob Ghost. But the mall is getting boring, and B.G. is cursed to haunt it, tethered there by some unseen force. And now Beetle’s old best friend, Kat, is back in town for a sorcery apprenticeship with her Aunt Hollowbone. Kat is everything Beetle wants to be: beautiful, cool, great at magic, and kind of famous online. Beetle’s quickly being left in the dust.

But Kat’s mentor has set her own vile scheme in motion. If Blob Ghost doesn’t escape the mall soon, their afterlife might be coming to a very sticky end. Now, Beetle has less than a week to rescue her best ghost, encourage Kat to stand up for herself, and confront the magic she’s been avoiding for far too long. And hopefully ride a broom without crashing.

~ ~ ~

R E V I E W:

I was so thrilled when my book club decided to read this. It’s safe to say that it was well beloved by all of us.

I loved everything about this graphic novel. The art and colors are just gorgeous, the world is well thought out and so fascinating, the characters and their designs was enchanting, and the relationships and plot that were developed were just too fun. The details the background were just so so good! I was particularly thrilled by the anthropomorphic frogs at the beginning, the details on the Hollowbones’ tails and necks, the pet fluffy spider, and the giant skeleton woman (also found on the back cover!). I can’t forget to mention Beetle and Kat because I just love them sooo much. And aaaah!!! Blob Ghost (🤩)!!!

I cannot wait to read more from the series 🤩

[OG Instagram Review]

Happy reading, friends!

Olivia

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{Review} BL Metamorphosis Vol. 1-5 by Kaori Tsurutani

Hello my beautiful chickens!

This manga instantly gripped me, and I couldn’t put this series down if I tried. Naturally, I found this series while browsing in a bookstore. I bought the first four volumes on a whim slash #treatyourself moment before the holidays. I couldn’t resist. The art style is adorable, the synopsis instantly hooked itself into my very soul – I had to pick them up.  

I managed to read all four of the volumes back-to-back that evening and I was completely devastated to find out that there weren’t just four volumes, but five! I wish I was ashamed to say this: but I absolutely went online and bought the fifth and final volume the moment I finished volume 4.  

 

This is going to be a series that I recommend to any budding manga lover and any manga reader that adores slice of life, BL, romance, and delightful friendships.  

Goodreads synopsis: 

Ichinoi, a 75-year-old woman living a peaceful life, unwittingly buys a Boy's Love manga one day...and is fascinated by what she finds inside. When she returns to the bookstore to buy the next volume, the high school girl working there--Urara, a seasoned BL fan--notices a budding fangirl when she sees one. When Urara offers to help Ichinoi explore this whole new world of fiction, the two dive into BL fandom together, and form an unlikely friendship along the way.

 

 

BL Metamorphosis  Volume 1: 

5 stars 

• The whole story is so heart-warming and adorable to read. I was instantly hooked, addicted, captivated with these characters and their interactions. 
• I loved how the author would have different moments switch between Ichinoi-sensei and Urara 
• I am obsessed with how these characters complement each other. Even though there is a 50+ age gap between them. Between the two of them, I loved Ichinoi-sensei the most. Her humor and just the way she approached any obstacles or new experiences was adorable and wonderful to read. Her reaction to the wait-times between book releases and her voracious appetite for manga and stories was so lovely. Urara was such a great character too, but for so many different ways. I really related to her shy and anxious demeanor, as well as her reluctance to venture out of her shell and experience more. I loved seeing her work through her personal struggles.  
• I wasn’t sure how BL was going to be incorporated, but I loved that we go to see bits of U & I’s favorite books. It was really cool to see the style change to indicate the stories woven throughout the books. I also really loved how it was shown as a niche that brings readers together. 

 

BL Metamorphosis Volume 2:

5 stars 

• So adorable! I loved how these characters ventured off and how their friendship became ever stronger.  
• While the synopsis seems to put a focus on the convention that they adventured to, I really loved how they faced the new challenges that their friendship faced. They really do bring the best out each other.  

 

BL Metamorphosis Volume 3: 

3 stars 

• This volume felt more like filler, but I still really loved it.  
• Seeing these characters pursue their own ventures to go out of their comfort zone was so lovely.  
• I’m obsessed with the growth that we see in Urara.  
• Ichinoi-sensei is iconic and adorable as always. 

 

BL Metamorphosis Volume 4: 

5 stars 

• Ahhh! I loved getting more fired-up, passionate, driven Urara! Seeing her pursue something out of her comfort zone and thinking outside the box to ramp up her drawing abilities was so lovely to see. I loved how she put herself out there and worked so hard to not only improve her school studies, but to learn how to draw like her favorite authors and tell her own story.  
• I really loved Ichinoi’s part in this chapter of the story. Her sass and support were so lovely to see. It’s obvious that these women consider each other family now – they’re a found family in a way! Love! Her unconditional support is absolute friend goals. She made me so emotional in this volume. 
• I also really love the small glimpses that we are getting into the writing/illustrating life of their favorite author. The little moments where their lives almost cross are just so fun. 

BL Metamorphosis Volume 5: 

4 stars 

• Well, now this series is over, and I’m devastated. This is such a sweet comfort read and I devoured it in probably less than 3 hours all-together. Who’s surprised? You should be surprised when I don’t push these books and this adorable, wholesome story onto you. Read it! Read these volumes!  
• This was such a bittersweet ending. I loved seeing Urara’s growth come full circle and see that she still has so much potential for her life. She’s so sweet and I just want to know what happens after this.  
• I really do not like to think about Ichinoi’s end ever, but she really kept bringing up how old she was and how she would eventually die. It sent me straight into my feels and I cried at least twice while reading this book.  
• This manga series is all about the power of friendship and I just adore that. It was the perfect read and reading volume 5 as 2022 began was just the perfect decision.  

I just cannot recommend this manga series enough. I adored every moment of the reading experience and I know I will absolutely reread soon. I already crave the adorable bits of the story and the lovely feelings I experienced while reading. 

Happy reading!

Olivia

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{Review} The Tea Dragon Society, The Tea Dragon Festival, & Dewdrop by Katie O' Neill

Hey, guys!

This summer I fell deep into love with Katie O'Neill's writing style, art style, and overall skill. Her books are so engaging and entertaining. I've loved all three that I have read and they have been instant 5-star reads.  

If you adore beautiful art, wholesome and complex stories with wonderful and complex characters, and engaging story-lines --- YOU WILL LOVE THESE BOOKS! 

Please read these books! They deserve every bit of hype that they receive!

Dewdrop is out April 7, 2020

an eARC copy of this book was provided via NetGalley!

This is such a wonderful and uplifting little book.

Dewdrop is so encouraging and works to empathize with their friends to try to make sure that they aren't damaging their mental or physical health.

The different characters all have different struggles that they face. They all overcome their issues with simple, relatable solutions, and they're generally positive and relatable overall.

I think that this is such an important little book for young readers. It shows readers that everyone struggles at times, but with the proper encouragement and a different look on life, you can accomplish anything. I cannot wait to share this with my younger reader friends, older friends, kiddos --- well, anyone! This was such a delight!

I'm definitely going to be a long-term Katie O'Neill fan! 

The Tea Dragon Festival was released September 17, 2019

An eARC was provided via NetGalley for my honest review

This was such a lovely and perfect little story. I absolutely adore everything about this story, the art style, the plot, and the characters. The representation in this book was so freaking wonderful! Wonderfully done! I loved learning more and more about the world of dragons and tea dragons. I'm so in love with this world. I hardcore recommend this book to anyone who loves whimsical, lovely, soft stories. Everything by Katie O'Neill is perfect so far.

The Tea Dragon Society was released on October 31, 2017

I borrowed this sweet book from my local library

This was such a perfect story. It made me laugh, it made me cry, it made me feel so much emotion! If you haven't read this beautiful story yet, you are missing out!

Katie O'Neill has a magical, heartwarming storytelling skill that I rarely find in my favorite books. I tend to go for the darker, more violent stories and protagonists, but this book and her later books made me really appreciate the more wholesome and fluffy aspects that I love in my favorite characters, fantasy worlds, and my dragon babies. 

I don't want to spoil too much of this book, but I honestly think that every moment of it is perfect. I cannot wait to read it again and binge all of O'Neill's books. She deserves the world!

Happy reading!

Olivia

~ Liv the Book Nerd ~

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Teen Titans: Raven by Gabriel Picolo and Kami Garcia

Page Count: 192

Published On: July 2, 2019

Published By: DC Ink

Genre(s): YA, fantasy, comics, graphic novel, sequential art

Source: personally purchased

Where To Find It: Amazon // Book Depository 

My Rating: 4 stars

Goodreads synopsis:

When a tragic accident takes the life of 17-year-old Raven Roth's foster mom--and Raven's memory--she moves to New Orleans to recover and finish her senior year of high school.

Starting over isn't easy. Raven remembers everyday stuff like how to solve math equations and make pasta, but she can't remember her favorite song or who she was before the accident. And when impossible things start happening, Raven begins to think it might even be better not to know who she was before.

But as she grows closer to her new friends, her foster sister, Max, and Tommy Torres, a guy who accepts her for who she is now, Raven has to decide if she's ready to face what's buried in the past...and the darkness building inside her.

~~~

Hey, guys!

I originally was provided an ARC on NetGalley for this graphic novel, but I was unable to access the file no matter how hard I tried. After a couple of days, the book was released and I pretty much ignored my bank account and bought the book. I definitely wasn't disappointed. I'm so excited to continue to support Gabriel Picolo and his artistic endeavors. His art is so beautiful and exciting. 

I've been a fan of the DC superhero group - the Teen Titans - for the majority of my life. Though I'm more of Marvel fan, I still consume some of the DC work from time to time. I tend to stick to Aquaman, Wonderwoman, Catwoman, and the Teen Titans and whatever comes from their respective canons. I'm not well versed in the DC universe, but I still like some of what they've released. From the animated Teen Titans TV show from the early 2000s (NOT Teen Titans Go), to the comics that are so iconic and fun to the new material that has been gradually been released -- the characters have always been a staple in my (still limited) DC Comics consumption. 

Garcia has been such a big name in the YA world. I've never really been a fan, but I'm really pleased with the story in Raven. Raven is one of my favorite characters and I'm really eager to see where her story goes in these graphic novels. This graphic novel was a really fun look into her character, but it was still quite underwhelming. I had hoped for a more solid story line, but it just wasn't the tea. The ending was very flat and I just felt like the writing itself wasn't that great. 

However! I feel like the artwork really carried this graphic novel. Picolo is so freaking talented and every line, every bit of his art was flawless. He did such a fantastic job! I've followed Picolo on social media for quite a long time and I couldn't be more pleased with his work in Raven. This graphic novel was excellent. If you enjoy the Teen Titans, you'll like this graphic novel.

Overall, I had hoped for more from the story, but the art really boosted the entire package. 

Happy reading!

Olivia

~ Liv the Book Nerd ~

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{Graphic Novel Series Review #34-38} Full Graphic Novels

Hey, guys!

This batch of mini-reviews has been a long time coming and I'm so excited to share my thoughts on these lovely graphic novels. They're an eclectic mix, so I hope you benefit from my thoughts and opinions.

All thoughts and opinions are my own. 

Enjoy!

Through the Woods by Emily Carroll

Page Count: 208

Published On: July 15, 2014

Published By: Margaret K. McElderberry Books

Genre(s): graphic novels,  horror, fantasy, short stories, 

YA, fiction, comics, sequential art

Source: paperback - borrowed from the library

Age Rating: Gory and creepy - cannot determine

Where To Find It: Amazon // Book Depository

My Rating: 4 stars

I don't usually enjoy horror stories or stories that are on the creepier side, but I really enjoyed this graphic novel. Emily Carroll is such a wonderful writer and the illustrations were so stunning. I have a few books with covers designed and illustrated by her and I'm so in love with her art style. I definitely recommend this graphic novel for those who love a great ghost story and thoroughly creepy illustrations to go along with them. 

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick

Page Count: 525

Published On: March 2007

Published By: Scholastic Press

Genre(s): historical, historical fiction, fiction, YA, children's

Source: hardback- borrowed from the library

Age Rating: middle grade

Where To Find It: Amazon // Book Depository

My Rating: 2.5 stars

I've never really been a historical fiction nut, but I usually like it in graphic novels. Unfortunately, I was just bored throughout this book. I've seen the movie so many times, and I'm pretty entertained, but this book was just so drawn out to me. I really did not care about any of the characters and the plot just dragged on. Granted, the illustrations were STUNNING, but I do not think I will read this ever again. I'm glad I checked it out from the library. If you enjoy historical fiction, you'll probably like this, but it wasn't for me.

Speak: The Graphic Novel by Laurie Halse Anderson & Emily Carroll

Page Count: 374

Published On: February 6, 2018

Published By: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux (Byr)

Genre(s): graphic novel, YA, realistic fiction, Fiction

Source: hardback- borrowed from the library

Age Rating: middle grade

Where To Find It: Amazon // Book Depository

My Rating: 3 stars

I've never read the original story, but I'm glad that I picked up this adaption. I absolutely adore Emily Carrol's work and Laurie Halse Anderson is such a major figure in the YA community that I'm glad I've had a sort of taste for what she has written. I'm not sure when I didn't know about the original Speak, but I've never really found the need to read it. While this graphic novel was fairly interesting, I felt like it just wasn't for me. It's an inspiring and a story worth reading, but I think I've read books that center on similar themes. I just wasn't connected to the characters.

Persepolis 1 & 2 by Marjane Satrapi

Page Count: 341

Published On: October 30, 2007

Published By: Pantheon Books

Genre(s): graphic novel, comics, nonfiction, autobiography, memoir

Source: paperback

Age Rating: middle grade

Where To Find It: Amazon // Book Depository

My Rating: 3 stars

Persepolis has been so iconic and acclaimed that I had to pick up the two volumes during a Half Priced Books trip with Courtney and Mallory. During a readathon this past summer, I picked up the two volumes and read them quickly and eagerly. Marjane's story is just so compelling and interesting that I couldn't stop reading. While I really enjoyed the first volume, I felt the second lagged just a tad. The story was just so addicting and educational. I'm definitely a fan. I recommend this to everyone!

Favorite of the Bunch: Through the Woods

Least Favorite: Speak the Graphic Novel

Happy reading, everyone!

Olivia

~Liv the Book Nerd~

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{Graphic Novel Mini- Reviews #29-32} Partial and Incomplete Series

Hey, guys!

Pairing up and grouping my 2018 reads has been so much fun, but this group is just very random. Here are some fun graphic novels that I read this year! 

Rat Queens Volume 1: Sass and Sorcery and Volume 2: The Far Reaching Tentacles of N'rygoth by Kurtis J. Wiebe, Roc Upchurch, and Stjepan Sejic

Published on: March 2014, May 2015

Published by: Image Comics
Genres: Sequential Art, Graphic Novel, Comics, Fantasy, Fiction

Where To Find It: Goodreads // Amazon

My Rating: 3 stars

Goodreads synopsis:

Who are the Rat Queens? 

They're a pack of booze-guzzling, death-dealing battle maidens-for-hire and they're in the business of killing all the god's creatures for profit. Meet Hannah the Rockabilly Elven Mage, Violet the Hipster Dwarven Fighter, Dee the Atheist Human Cleric and Betty the Hippy Smidgen Thief. 

This modern spin on an old school genre is a violent, monster-killing epic that is like Buffy meets Tank Girl in a Lord of the Rings world on crack! 

~~~

These two volumes were a lot of fun to read. I really enjoyed the art style and the story that was introduced. I also really enjoyed the relationships that developed, the dialogue styles, and characterization. I love the female friendships and relationships in this series. I don't plan on continuing on with this series, but if they come my way in the future, I'm not against picking them back up.

Plutona (Plutona #1-5) by Jeff Lemire, Emi Lenox, Jordie Ballaire, Steve Wands

Published on: July 26, 2016

Published by: Image Comics
Genres: Sequential Art, Graphic Novel, Comics, Fantasy, Fiction, Superheroes, Fiction, YA

Where To Find It: Goodreads // Amazon

My Rating: 3 stars

Goodreads synopsis:

Five suburban kids make a shocking discovery while exploring the woods one day after school... the body of the world's greatest superhero, Plutona, laying dead among the mud and grass. This discovery sends them on a journey that will threaten to tear apart their friendship and their lives.

~~~

This graphic novel has a really fun premise, but the execution wasn't done well. This novel is compiled of 5 issues that follow the characters. I liked these characters, but they weren't as captivating or intriguing as I would have hoped. I would have thought that this book would have continued on after reading the ending, but as of right now it does not have a sequel lined up. This book was just underwhelming and I don't plan on continuing on with this.

The Wicked + The Divine Volume 7: Mothering Invention by Kieron Gillen, Jamie McKelvie, and Matt Wilson

Published on: October 9, 2017

Published by: Image Comics
Genres: Sequential Art, Graphic Novel, Comics, Fantasy, Fiction

Where To Find It: Goodreads // Amazon

My Rating: 4.5 stars

Goodreads synopsis:

In the past: awful stuff. In the present: awful stuff. But, increasingly, answers.

Collects THE WICKED + THE DIVINE #34-39

~~~

This is the seventh volume in the fantastic and completely addicting and wonderful The Wicked + The Divine series. This addition to the story was so much fun to read. I loved how the authors delved into the history behind the divine mythos and the character's stories. I cannot wait for the next volume. There are two more volumes left; and while I'm dreading the end, I'm so excited to move forward with these characters. 

Review for Volumes 1-6 + the Christmas Single Issue: {click here}

I hope you guys enjoyed these mini-reviews! 

Happy reading!

Olivia 

~Liv the Book Nerd~

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{Graphic Novel Series Review #25-28} Picture Books

Hey, guys!

I read three picture books this year and I thought they were just so much fun. Here are my thoughts on these books. I definitely recommend them for younger readers. 

Page Count: 40
Published on: September 12, 2017
Published by: Simon Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books
Genres: Childrens, Picture Books, Education (Language and Writing), Fiction
Where To Find It: Goodreads // Amazon

My Rating: 5 stars

Goodreads synopsis:

From E.B. White Read Aloud author Adam Lehrhaupt comes an inspiring new picture book that takes apart the pieces of a story—hero, heroine, setting, conflict—and asks the reader to put the story back together again. This is a good story…or is it?

As a child takes her pencil and begins to draw pictures for a story, the narrator takes her and the reader through a rollicking sequence of events in this classic tale of bad guys and townsfolk and dungeons. With simplicity and flair, Adam tells a story and then a meta-story of the parts of the story at once! This Is a Good Story is a wonderful primer on the parts of a story and an imaginative way to encourage creative thinking, writing, and storytelling.

~~~

This was such a fun book for educational use. My sister, who is studying to become a teacher, was gushing about the concept of this book and I had to check it out. This story basically breaks down the parts of a story in a way for children to learn about them in an engaging and entertaining way. As an English major, this book made me so happy. I loved this book. I think that it should be used in school curriculum regularly. 

Page Count: 32
Published on: April 1, 2006
Published by: HMH Books For Young Readers
Genres: Childrens, Picture Books, Animals, Nonfiction
Where To Find It: Goodreads // Amazon

My Rating: 3 stars

Goodreads synopsis:

Set during the devastating tsunami of 2004, MAMA is the touching true story of a baby hippo that was separated from his mother when the wave hit. After struggling alone for several days, the baby was rescued by Kenyan wildlife officers and brought to live in an animal refuge. There, all by himself, he adopted a new "mother"--that just happened to be a 130-year-old giant male tortoise. And they've been inseparable ever since.

Although MAMA takes place against the backdrop of a terrible human tragedy, at the heart of this story is a moving and original tale of adoption--and of finding love and companionship in the least likely of circumstances. 

~~~~

I picked this picture book up on a whim while on my break at my job at the library. I thought this was so touching. I loved the art style and the overall story. I loved the story of the baby hippo and I loved the pictures at the end of the book that tied it all together. The art style was so nice and the color scheme was probably my favorite part of the book.

The Book With No Pictures by B.J. Novak

Page Count: 32
Published on: April 1, 2006
Published by: HMH Books For Young Readers
Genres: Childrens, Picture Books, Animals, Nonfiction
Where To Find It: Goodreads // Amazon

My Rating: 3 stars

Goodreads synopsis:

A book with no pictures? 
What could be fun about that?
After all, if a book has no pictures, there's nothing to look at but the words on the page. 
Words that might make you say silly sounds... In ridiculous voices...
Hey, what kind of book is this, anyway?

~~~

I picked this book up for three minutes at a super market and quickly zoomed through it. I thought that this was a super fun and quirky children's book. I know B.J. Novak from the Office and from some videos on YouTube, but I was really suprised to see his name on a children's book. I'm actually quite impressed with the cleverness of this book 

The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend by Dan Santat

Page Count: 40
Published on: April 8, 2014
Published by: Little Brown Books For Young Readers
Genres: Childrens, Picture Books, Fiction, Fantasy
Where To Find It: Goodreads // Amazon

My Rating: 3 stars

Goodreads synopsis:

This magical story begins on an island far away where an imaginary friend is born. He patiently waits his turn to be chosen by a real child, but when he is overlooked time and again, he sets off on an incredible journey to the bustling city, where he finally meets his perfect match and-at long last-is given his special name: Beekle.

New York Times bestselling and award-winning author and illustrator Dan Santat combines classic storytelling with breathtaking art, creating an unforgettable tale about friendship, imagination, and the courage to find one's place in the world.

~~~

This story is super cute. Beekle reminded me of the little creatures from Doctor Who that were made up from fat in humans. This story is so colorful and beautiful. I loved the illustrations. I love the focus on the imaginary worlds of children and the real-life world. This was just really lovely and delightful. I recommend this for bed-time reading for younger readers (and older readers too!)


Which picture books are you jazzed about this year?

Happy reading and happy holidays!
Olivia

~Liv the Book Nerd~
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