REVIEW The Island of Forgotten Gods by Victor Piñeiro

The Island of Forgotten Gods by Victor Piñeiro
Rating: 4 Stars
Release Date: August 5, 2025
Format: eBook + Audiobook (Library)
Publisher: Sourcebooks Young Readers

The Island of Forgotten Gods by Victor Piñeiro was an excellent middle grade and a very fun introduction to the culture and legends of Puerto Rico. Timothy Andres Pabon did a great job bringing the story to life with his performance in the audiobook narration. I highly recommend this book for fans of Percy Jackson, any Rick Riordan Presents Book (i.e. Tristan Strong by Kwame Mbalia), or B.B. Alston's Amari and the Night Brothers series. It's very family centric and very educational (without making it feel like you're getting an education).

Nico (the main character) is spending the summer with his cousins and his abuela in Puerto Rico, hoping to get through the pain of not making it into his planned visual arts school or thinking too much about his parent's failing marriage. The first mythical creature Nico encounters is on the plane to Puerto Rico, so the author really hits the ground running with getting readers involved. The story is a love letter to the island, along with highlighting all the troubles the island has gone through for those who may not have been aware. As someone who was born on the continental US, I never considered the fact that Puerto Rico has always been under someone else's rule for centuries (and it affected their ability to improve their situation, i.e. electric).

While this is primarily a fantasy, the book has a taste of so many other genres. Humor, adventure, mystery and horror were all wrapped up in one nice little bow for the readers. While Puerto Rico might not be thought of in the same breath as Ancient Greece or Rome (the more famous mythologies), it has the same level of rich creation myths and lore surrounding the island (which I still can't believe I've never heard of).  The lore surrounding these figures was epic. I especially enjoyed the dynamic of how Márohu and Boínayel's powers worked. 

Overall, a great read and I'm so glad I listened to it in audiobook form (otherwise I would have been very lost on pronunciation). I believe it's a standalone novel, but can't wait to check out other books produced by the author in the future.

REVIEW The Dos and Donuts of Love by Adiba Jaigirdar

The Dos and Donuts of Love by Adiba Jaigirdar
Rating: 4 Stars
Release Date: June 6,  2023
Format: eBook (Personal Library) + Audiobook (Borrowed from Library)
Publisher: Feiwel and Friends

Adiba Jaigirdar’s The Dos and Donuts of Love is a very sweet young adult contemporary sapphic romance, that captures both the unpredictable fun nature of reality TV shows and the realities of being a teenager growing up in a world of social media.  Shireen, the main character, is a Bengali teen living in Ireland and working at her parent’s donut shop. When the chance comes up to enter a baking competition and win some money to support her future, she jumps at the opportunity. However, things become very complicated when you throw in her ex also competing in the competition (cue love triangle). 

Shireen is a very relatable teenage character. She’s very flawed, and makes mistakes (which she later owns up to). I really appreciated how she had such a strong support system around her, and how they were very supportive of her identity. As someone who’s guilty of not always being aware of smaller regions/cultures in the world, I also want to acknowledge how Shireen very respectfully corrected people who assumed she was from India and took the opportunity to educate on the Bangladeshi culture.  

“You’re supposed to be the ‘bigger person’, and for some reason that means bearing it in silence.”

Social media can be a cruel place, and keyboard warriors are just jerks. The author did not shy away from difficult but relevant topics in this book (see the content warnings below for more specific details). After the first episode of the baking show airs, Shireen takes a lot of heat online (especially from racists and those who are fatphobicr). And when one of the judges of the show (Padma, who is also a woman of color and Shireen’s hero) tries to be a resource for her in dealing with that, it also makes things get worse. In her own words, “The thing is I don’t know what felt worse. The abusive tweets coming from strangers or the fact that nobody seemed to care about them. That even Niamh didn’t seem to care about them.”

Last but certainly not least, all of the food references in this show made me hungry. I loved how descriptive the author got with all of the flavors in each dish. I also appreciated the acknowledgement that different cultures can have their own way of making something. Shireen using her Ammu’s recipe was another way of acknowledging her culture and heritage, and I was so excited as a reader to see that. It was reminiscent of my own grandmother passing down her recipes to the family, or how my own family came together to gift my older sister various family recipes ahead of her wedding.  

Overall, this was a great read. I highly recommend this book to those who enjoy The Great British Bake Off, young adult contemporary stories, and sapphic romances. While this is my first book by Adiba, I’m definitely hoping to read more in the future. 

Thank you to @guccinary97, @Tearexanne, and @24hryabookblog for making this such a fun buddy read for me. Looking forward to reading The Scarlet Alchemist by Kylie Lee Baker with you next!

Content Warnings:  Fatphobia, colorism, anti-Asian social media post directly discussed on page, racism

REVIEW That Self-Same Metal (The Forge and Fracture Saga #1) by Brittany N. Williams

That Self-Same Metal (The Forge and Fracture Saga #1) by Brittany N. Williams
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Release Date: April 25, 2023
Format: Paperback (Giveaway Win from Abrams Books, YALLWest 2025) + Audiobook (Borrowed from Library)
Publisher: Amulet Books

Brittany N. Williams’ young adult debut novel That Self Same Metal, first book in The Forge and Fracture Saga, was an excellent blend of historical fiction based on fact and fantasy. The premise is really cool; an Orisha blessed Black girl taking on the fae in Shakespearean London is epic and very enticing to readers such as myself. I want to applaud audiobook narrator Patricia Allison who did a good job bringing the story to life with her performance. 

The author has obviously done their homework with Shakespeare’s plays, as the scenes where the King's Men were performing were incredibly immersive. She also highlighted the sexism and racism that a young black female would have experienced in that time period in a way that made sense with the story. While the story is based on historical fact, it's a fictitious representation of ‘the Bard’ and I wasn’t used to seeing him as an actual character on the page. I also didn’t realize that Shakespeare’s plays had so much offensive language (from euphemisms to slurs), as the last time I read them they were a version adjusted to be more appropriate for high schoolers. 

The action takes a bit to pick up, but once the main players (major fae) are introduced it’s full steam ahead. I’m intrigued to see where the author goes with the (possibly) polyamorous love triangle in future books of the series. 

I recommend this book to young adult fantasy readers who enjoy West African mythology, Shakespeare, and anything related to the fae. Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a paperback copy of the book as part of a giveaway win from YALLWest 2025. I appreciate the opportunity to read and review the book immensely. 

REVIEW Somewhere Beyond the Sea (The House in the Cerulean Sea #2) by TJ Klune

Somewhere Beyond the Sea (The House in the Cerulean Sea #2) by TJ Klune
Rating: 5 Stars
Release Date: September 10, 2024
Format: Hardcover (Personal Library) + Audiobook (Borrowed from Library)
Publisher: Tor Books

The long awaited sequel to TJ Klune’s The House in the Cerulean Sea, Somewhere Beyond the Sea, was well worth the wait. Following the events of the first book, Linus Baker is settling into life on Marsyas Island with the kids, Zoe, and Arthur. However, after an attempt to change the minds of the public via testimony to the government goes awry, their way of life is threatened and they must work together to make sure the children are not taken away.

 
All of the children have their own personalities, and it wove together beautifully to create the tapestry that is those on Marsyas Island. David, the newest member of the family and a young yeti, was adorable in his mannerisms and love for the dramatic arts. Readers are introduced to some of the difficult moments in Arthur and all of the childrens’ pasts, and it was both heartbreaking and encouraging to see what they’ve overcome. The author makes very strong commentaries on the idea of what a family should like (spoiler: there’s no one right answer), foster care, and government. In the acknowledgement section, the author mentioned that he wanted to be the antithesis to J.K. Rowling, and I think he achieved all of that and more. 

Daniel Henning did an excellent job of bringing the story to life with his performance in the audiobook. I loved how he captured Lucy’s mischievousness, Chauncey’s radiant love for life (and being a bellhop), and Sal’s growing maturity and determination to protect his brothers and sisters. I’m also quite impressed with how he brought Arthur’s phoenix to life.

Overall, an excellent book and a great close to the story of Marsyas Island. I loved the twists and turns, and how the book closed. I highly recommend this book to those who enjoy found family, diverse casts of characters, LGBTQ+ romances, and a little bit of magic in the everyday life. 

BLOG TOUR Tale of the Flying Forest by R.M. Romero

Hi friends! Welcome to my stop on the tour organized by TBR and Beyond Tours for Tale of the Flying Forest by R.M. Romero. Check out my post to learn more about the book, see where you can pick up your own copy, and learn a bit about the author as well. Make sure you show some love to the other tour hosts as well. The link to the tour schedule is below. 

Happy reading everyone!

Tale of the Flying Forest by RM Romero Tour Schedule (TBR and Beyond Tours)

About the Book

A spellbinding and lyrical Jewish Narnia for a new age, with lavish illustrations that bring the fairy tale magic to life. After her mother passes away and her father retreats into his grief, 11-year-old Anne Applebaum is afraid the only happy endings she’ll ever have are in The World to Come, a collection of fairy tales about the flying forest of Bei Ilai. In its pages, children outsmart demons, girls train as knights, and songs come to life. But even these stories can’t stop Anne from feeling alone. So when a raven tells her that she has a long-lost twin brother named Rainer, she sets out to find him. Anne soon learns that Bei Ilai is a real place—and she must step through the door into this magical realm to seek her brother. But the dangers in the flying forest are just as real as its beauty. To overcome the challenges and monsters she faces, Anne must lean into the magic contained within her and her Jewish faith—especially when she discovers Rainer is locked away by a being more frightening than any dragon. Because the most terrifying villain of all is one who used to be a hero.

Content Warning: Child abuse, kidnapping, death of a parent, grief

Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy
Publishing date: October 15th, 2024

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound

Rep: Jewish, Latinx

About the Author

R. M. Romero (she/they) is a Jewish Latina and international bestselling author of fairy tales for children and adults. She lives in Miami Beach with her cat, Robin Goodfellow, and spends her summers helping to maintain Jewish cemeteries in Europe. Her work has been named an Indie Next Pick, a Jewish National Book Award Finalist, a two time Sydney Taylor Notable Book, a Carnegie Award nominee, a Best YA Book by Kirkus and SLJ, and received multiple starred reviews.

Website | Instagram | Goodreads

REVIEW Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor by Xiran Jay Zhao

Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor by Xiran Jay Zhao
Rating: 4 Stars
Release Date: May 10, 2022
Format: eBook + Audiobook (Personal Library)
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books 

Xiran Jay Zhao’s Zachary Ying and the Dragon Emperor was an amazing middle grade debut. Akin to Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson and the Olympians series or The Kane Chronicles series meeting Yu-gi-oh, a young Chinese American boy’s life is changed forever when he discovers he is the descendant of the first emperor of China. 

This book is full of mythology, history and adventure. The author does a great job of weaving historical facts from the history of China in with the more fantastical elements (i.e. how every time a story gets told about them and added to their legend, the emperors and other spirits ‘power up’). I really appreciated how the author made things accessible and understandable for those who might not be familiar with Chinese history (both ancient and modern), as readers get to learn a lot of the stories at the same time Zachary does. It was also fun to see how modern technology played a role in the book (the first emperor botches his attempt to possess Zachary, and is now bound to his video game headset). The video game-esque fight scenes were quite amusing to read, and added a bit of a lighter tone to help balance the darker themes the author touches on in the book. China has a complex history, and the author does not shy away from criticizing some of the government’s past failings as well as their more recent ones while at the same time highlighting some of the things they love about their culture. 

The characters were quite compelling. As a second generation child of China (who has immigrated to the US), Zachary struggles with his identity. He distances himself from his heritage in an attempt to fit in, and his burgeoning feelings towards other boys don’t help either. As a middle-grade novel main character, he was very relatable. Despite his love of video games, he never asked to be a hero or to be caught up in some quest to ‘supposedly’ save the world. He has a developing sense of right and wrong (which comes to play later in the book), and at the end of the day he just wants to save his mom. 

Overall, this was a great read and I’m excited to see more set in this world (It’s written such that it implies a sequel, but there has been no word as to when that will be released). If you or a young reader in your life enjoys action packed middle grade reads complete with fantasy, mythology, and adventure, this would be a great choice. 

REVIEW Fury of the Dragon Goddess by Sarwat Chadda

REVIEW Fury of the Dragon Goddess by Sarwat Chadda
Rating: 4 Stars
Release Date: August 1, 2023
Format: Audiobook (Personal Library, Libro.fm)
Publisher: Rick Riordan Presents

Check out my review of the first book, City of the Plague God

Sarwat Chadda’s Fury of the Dragon Goddess, the sequel to City of the Plague God, was never a guaranteed book but I’m so glad it came out. Sikander Aziz, or ‘Sik’ is once again in the middle of all the action as he must stop the gods of Ancient Mesopotamia from using an ancient tablet to destroy the world. 

While I thought the stakes were high in the first book, and Nergal was an amazing villain, things get so much deeper in this story. Lugal is a villain with a lot of depth to him, and when he explains the motives behind why he’s doing what he’s doing it makes sense to a degree. He’s quite brutal in his methods (apt for someone whose name is the Mesoptomian word for ‘war leader’), and Mr. Chadda does not pull any punches in what’s going on throughout the book. In addition to Lugal, there are appearances from other figures out of Mesopotamian mythology (most notably chaos dragon goddess Tiamat) and it was so exciting to get to learn more about all of them. I did want to note that I really appreciate how the author delicately balances Sikander’s Muslim faith and the belief that there is only one God with all the Mesopotmian deities running around in the story. 

While there is an undeniable fantasy aspect to the novel, there’s also a social commentary on current issues facing the world. For example, the author touches on issues like America’s history of xenophobia and racism, the war in Iraq, and even Britain’s history of pilfering antiquities over the years and refusing to send them back to their home countries (i.e. the only reason the pyramids never left Egypt is because they are too big). The author also explores the Islamic faith and culture, and highlights how love and family are central pillars of that belief system. As an adult reader, I really appreciated the chance to learn with the in-depth look at all of these different topics and I think middle grade readers will too. 

Overall, this was an excellent read. Vikas Adam did an amazing job bringing the action to life with his performance in the audiobook narration (my favorite was his interpretation of Rabisu’s voice). If you or a young reader in your life enjoy books that are fun and action packed takes on world mythology, this would be a great choice. For those who might want to learn a bit more about Rabisu, I recommend checking out the Rick Riordan Presents anthology The Cursed Carnival and other Calamities and taking a look at Sarwat Chadda’s contribution, “The Loneliest Demon”. 

 

REVIEW Dragonfruit by Makiia Lucier

Dragonfruit by Makiia Lucier
Rating: 4 Stars
Release Date: April 9, 2024
Format: Audiobook (Borrowed from Library)
Publisher: Clarion Books 

Makiia Lucier’s newest young adult fantasy novel, Dragonfruit, is one of the most unique books I’ve read in a long time. Inspired by Pacific Islander folktales and mythology, the author weaves together an engaging storyline and well developed characters to make an entertaining read. 

Hanalei of Tamarind has spent most of her life away from her homeland, after her father made a decision to steal a priceless treasure from the crown in the name of saving her life (and died shortly after). She originally had no intentions to ever return home (feeling she would not be welcomed), but fate had other plans when it offered a chance to make things right and all but dropped her into the arms of her childhood best friend, Prince Samahtitamahenele (or ‘Sam’). When they reunite, Hanalei reveals the chance to save the Princess (Sam’s mother) and right the wrong that happened so many years ago in the form of a pregnant dragon bearing ‘dragonfruit’. However, they are not the only ones looking for it, and using dragonfruit may come with more of a cost then they realize…

The worldbuilding in this book is awesome. I really liked getting to visit the different islands, and learn about the sea dragons and the pantheon that rules over the Nomi Nomi sea. I also really loved the bits of magic included; for example, many of the noble residents of Tamarind have magical companions that can reside in the form of tattoos, or come off of their skin to help serve a purpose (i.e. carry messages, defend others). The characters were a highlight too. I loved getting to see Sam and Hanalei’s growth over the course of the book. I also loved the scenes with Sam’s grandmother, the Queen. She struck me as a very fair and balanced ruler who considers the whole of a situation rather than ruling on emotion; she is also not afraid to get down and dirty if it means saving her people, and she’s totally a badass grandma in my opinion. While those characters are the main players in the story, there are a lot of other characters in the cast. I appreciate how easy the author made it to remember everyone, and how every character served a purpose (and wasn’t thrown in ‘just because’). 

Overall, I’m really impressed by this book. The narrator Mapuana Makia did a great job bringing the story to life with her performance in the audiobook. It seems like it was designed to be standalone, but I would love to see more in this world and get to explore Hanalei and Sam’s budding romance a bit more. If you love books with dragons and diverse mythology, this would be a great choice. 

REVIEW Drawing Deena by Hena Khan

Drawing Deena by Hena Khan
Rating: 4 Stars
Release Date: February 6, 2024
Format: ARC (Courtesy of Publisher) and Audiobook (Borrowed from Library) 
Publisher: Salaam Reads/Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Hena Khan’s Drawing Deena is a beautiful middle-grade contemporary read that speaks to the power of family, culture and social media. Narrator Reena Dutt did a great job bringing the story to life with her performance in the audiobook. 

Deena is a young Pakistani girl who enjoys art, yet suffers from worries over her family’s money situation and anxiety. I really appreciated how the author portrayed Deena’s struggles, as it touched on how difficult of a time middle school can be in one’s life. Mental health struggles don’t wait for someone to be an adult, and the way the author approached the topic was very accessible for young readers. Seeing Deena ask for help once the adults realized she had anxiety was also important, as it may inspire other young readers to do the same. Like many middle-grade protagonists, Deena is a kind soul and I found myself rooting for her to find her path and overcome her struggles. I also enjoyed how the author included cultural references, like the different clothing pieces that Deena’s mother sells in her boutique along with references to celebrations like Eid. 

Overall, this was a great read and I would definitely check out more books by Hena Khan in the future. Thank you to Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers and Salaam Reads for providing me with a complimentary copy of the book. I appreciate the opportunity to read and review Drawing Deena immensely. Please note - I voluntarily read and reviewed the book. All opinions expressed in the review are my own and not influenced in any way. 

BLOG TOUR Snowglobe by Soyoung Park

Hi friends! Welcome to my stop on the tour for Snowglobe by Soyoung Park, organized by TBR and Beyond Tours. Read on to learn more about the book, the author, and where you can get your own copy. Make sure you show some love to the other tour hosts as well - the link the tour schedule is below. 

Happy reading everyone!

Snowglobe by Soyoung Park Tour Schedule (TBR and Beyond Tours)

About the Book

In a world of constant winter, only the citizens of the climate-controlled city of Snowglobe can escape the bitter cold—but this perfect society is hiding dark and dangerous secrets within its frozen heart. A groundbreaking Korean novel translated into English for the first time!

“The Hunger Games meets Squid Game in Soyoung Park’s dystopian thriller Snowglobe” –Entertainment Weekly

Enclosed under a vast dome, Snowglobe is the last place on Earth that’s warm. Outside Snowglobe is a frozen wasteland, and every day, citizens face the icy world to get to their jobs at the power plant, where they produce the energy Snowglobe needs. Their only solace comes in the form of twenty-four-hour television programming streamed directly from the domed city.

The residents of Snowglobe have everything: fame, fortune, and above all, safety from the desolation outside their walls. In exchange, their lives are broadcast to the less fortunate outside, who watch eagerly, hoping for the chance to one day become actors themselves.

Chobahm lives for the time she spends watching the shows produced inside Snowglobe. Her favorite? Goh Around, starring Goh Haeri, Snowglobe’s biggest star—and, it turns out, the key to getting Chobahm her dream life.

Because Haeri is dead, and Chobahm has been chosen to take her place. Only, life inside Snowglobe is nothing like what you see on television. Reality is a lie, and truth seems to be forever out of reach.

Translated for the first time into English from the original Korean, Snowglobe is a groundbreaking exploration of personal identity, and the future of the world as we know it. It is the winner of the Changbi X Kakaopage Young Adult Novel Award.

Content Warning: torture, murder, forced work, socioeconomic inequality

Genre: Young Adult Sci-Fi/Dystopian
Publishing date: February 27th, 2024

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound

Rep: Korean, Asian

About the Author

Soyoung Park majored in communication and media at university. She is a winner of the Original Story Award and the Changbi X Kakaopage Young Adult Novel Award. She is the author of the Snowglobe duology.

 

BLOG TOUR So Let Them Burn by Kamilah Cole

Hi friends! Welcome to my tour stop for So Let Them Burn by Kamilah Cole (tour organized by TBR and Beyond Tours). Check out the post to learn more about the book, the author, and figure out where you can get your copy. Make sure you show the other hosts some love as well - the link to the tour schedule is below. 

Happy reading everyone!

So Let Them Burn by Kamilah Cole Tour Schedule (TBR and Beyond Tours)

About the Book

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Publishing date: January 16th, 2024

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound

Rep: Jamaican-American, Jamaican, Black, Sapphic, Demisexual

Whip-smart and immersive, this Jamaican-inspired fantasy follows a gods-blessed heroine who’s forced to choose between saving her sister or protecting her homeland—perfect for fans of Iron Widow and The Priory of the Orange Tree.

Faron Vincent can channel the power of the gods. Five years ago, she used her divine magic to liberate her island from its enemies, the dragon-riding Langley Empire. But now, at seventeen, Faron is all powered up with no wars to fight. She’s a legend to her people and a nuisance to her neighbors.

When she’s forced to attend an international peace summit, Faron expects that she will perform tricks like a trained pet and then go home. She doesn’t expect her older sister, Elara, forming an unprecedented bond with an enemy dragon—or the gods claiming the only way to break that bond is to kill her sister.

As Faron’s desperation to find another solution takes her down a dark path, and Elara discovers the shocking secrets at the heart of the Langley Empire, both must make difficult choices that will shape each other’s lives, as well as the fate of their world.

“By turns hopeful and devastating, So Let Them Burn is a masterful debut with a blazing heart. I was captivated from beginning to end by Cole’s sharp, clever prose and by her protagonists—two remarkable sisters with an unforgettable bond.” — Chelsea Abdullah, author of The Stardust Thief

REVIEW of So Let Them Burn (The Divine Traitors #1) by Kamilah Cole
Rating: 4 Stars
Format: eARC (Courtesy of Publisher and NetGalley) and Audiobook (Borrowed from Library)
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Dragons and fantasy are always a great combination for me, so it was super exciting to get the opportunity to read the debut novel of Kamilah Cole, So Let Them Burn. An adventure filled story with Jamaican influences, readers join the action after the major conflict. Sisters Faron and Elara are settling into a normal life on their home island after spending years at war liberating their people. However, after a chance encounter at an international peace summit sets the sisters on separate paths on opposite sides of the war, it sets events into motion that will determine the fate of their world forever. 

The worldbuilding in this novel was amazing. With the story being set after the major conflict, the characters are dealing with the aftermath of war and the lingering effects of colonialism and imperialism. Faron in particular reminded me a bit of the Avatar in the Avatar the Last Airbender universe. A child blessed by the spirits (or the gods in this case), and expected to save her people. An interesting spin on this, however, was the fact that Faron wasn’t a ‘chosen one’ from birth. When she prayed to her gods, they answered and gave her the power to enact their will. So, it was more of a ‘in the right place at the right time’ situation than anything else. Her magic (and the magic of the Iryian people) does contrast with the magic of the Langlish empire. One is more culture based (coming from ancestors and gods), whereas the other originates from the use of dragons. The way the author crafted this in the book was amazing, and had me hooked with the desire to learn more. 

While this is undoubtedly a fantasy novel, the relationship at the heart of the story is one of siblings. Elara has spent most of her life in her sister’s shadow, and while not an ideal situation her bond with a dragon has given her the chance to step out of that and make her own path. Faron is one of the most powerful people in history as the Childe Empyrean, but becomes increasingly frustrated over the course of the book as all the power she’s been given isn’t enough to save the one person she cares about most. There are some minor elements of romance in the book (Elara is gay and Faron is demisexual), but those don’t drive the story to the same degree. 

Overall, this was an amazing read. There’s so much drama and things happening with the story. A major twist and a very painful cliffhanger, but I’m super excited for the chance to get to read the next installment in the series as soon as it comes out. Narrators Keylor Leigh and Kamali Minter did a great job in bringing Faron and Elara’s perspectives to life with their performances in the audiobook. If you like queer, diverse fantasy reads with dragons, this would be a great choice. 

Thank you to the author, the publisher Little Brown Books for Young Readers, the team at TBR and Beyond Tours, and NetGalley for providing me with a complimentary review copy of the book as part of my participation in the tour. I appreciate the opportunity to read and review So Let Them Burn immensely! Please note - I voluntarily read and reviewed the book. All opinions expressed in the review are my own and not influenced in any way. 

About the Author 

Kamilah Cole was a writer and entertainment editor at Bustle for four years, and her nonfiction work has also appeared in Marie Claire and Seventeen. A graduate of New York University, Kamilah lives on the East Coast, where she’s usually playing Kingdom Hearts for the hundredth time, quoting early SpongeBob SquarePants episodes, or crying her way through Zuko’s redemption arc in Avatar: The Last Airbender.

Website | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads

BLOG TOUR The Colliding Worlds of Mina Lee by Ellen Oh

Hi friends! Welcome to my tour stop (organized by TBR and Beyond Tours) for The Colliding Worlds of Mina Lee by Ellen Oh. Check out the post to learn more about the book, the author, and the different places you can get your own copy. Make sure to show the other hosts some love as well - the link to the tour schedule is below. 

The Colliding Worlds of Mina Lee by Ellen Oh Tour Schedule (TBR and Beyond Tours)

Happy reading everyone!

About the Book

When a Korean American teenage artist gets sucked into the world of her own web comic, she must find a way out with the help of a cute boy all while facing off against a villainous corporation. Inspired by the A-ha’s “Take on Me” music video, this entertaining YA novel is a grounded speculative fiction adventure from the co-founder of We Need Diverse Books.

Mina has become the hero of her own story. Literally.

When Mina Lee woke up on Saturday morning for SAT prep, she did NOT expect to:

1. Nearly be fried by a superhero who turned out to be a supervillain.
2. Come face to face with Jin, the handsome boy of her dreams.
3. Discover a conspiracy involving the evil corporation Merco that she created.

And it’s all happening in her fictional world. Mina is trapped in the story she created. Now it’s up to her to save everyone. Even if it means losing Jin forever.

From the award-winning author of Finding Junie Kim and co-founder of We Need Diverse Books, Ellen Oh. In the speculative fiction adventure Colliding Worlds, a teenage artist grapples with her first love, grief, and learning how to take charge of her own life.

Genre: Young Adult Contemporary
Publishing date: January 23rd, 2024

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound

About the Author

Ellen Oh is a former adjunct college instructor and lawyer with an insatiable curiosity for ancient Asian history. She loves K-pop, K-dramas, and eating good food that someone else cooks for her. She is fueled by Diet Coke and Krispy Kreme donuts are her kryptonite. Ellen is a founding member of We Need Diverse Books (WNDB), a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing diversity in children’s literature. Originally from New York City, Ellen lives in Rockville, Maryland, with her husband, three children, two dogs, and has yet to satisfy her quest for a decent bagel.

Website | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads

REVIEW Sir Callie and the Champions of Helston (Sir Callie #1) by Esme Symes-Smith

Sir Callie and the Champions of Helston (Sir Callie #1) by Esme Symes-Smith
Rating: 5 Stars
Release Date: November 8, 2022
Format: Audiobook (Borrowed from Library)
Publisher: Labyrinth Road

First of all, I want to note how much I appreciated the author's note at the beginning of the story with trigger warnings and what they hope readers take away from the book. This was one of those cases where I agree with the author’s note coming before the actual story, as it is quite helpful for giving readers an idea of what they are about to read and allowing them to make a choice for themselves.  

In Esme Symes-Smith’s first book, Sir Callie and the Champions of Helston, readers are reminded that heroes come in all shapes and sizes. Sadly, the same can be said for monsters. Callie, the nonbinary hero and main character of the story, has always known they didn’t fit into the mold of being a girl. They also didn’t fit the mold of being a boy. After years of looking up to their father, the King’s Champion, and dreaming of becoming a knight, the chance finally comes when their father is summoned back to the city to train the young crown prince before his trial. Things are much more challenging than they anticipated, however, as the people of Helston are very resistant to the idea of anything ‘different’ and have no intentions of letting them try for knighthood. Thankfully, Callie meets some friends along the way, and together they team up to save the city and challenge the restrictive gender norms they’ve been living under. 

The worldbuilding in this book is superb. If you’ve read Tamora Pierce’s Protector of the Small series, there are a lot of similarities. There’s loads of typical fantasy things like dragons, witches, and magic. There’s also a bit of Callie’s world reflecting our own - the roles that each gender is assigned are clear, and mimic the gender binary that we are most used to. Girls should be delicate and practice magic only for small things, and males should only become knights and not go anywhere near magic (or have the ability to practice it). If you don’t fit into those molds, you are essentially an outcast for life as far as the people of Helston are concerned.  

While Callie is undoubtedly the main character of the book, all of the children in the story have to face adults and other people in positions of authority who should have protected them but don’t (or at least not as much as they should). As I believe Neal says in the book, “Not all battles are fought with swords. Not all enemies want you dead.” The Lord Chancellor in particular is a jerk, and I really enjoyed the scene where someone finally stood up to him towards the end of the book. On the other side of the spectrum are the children’s allies. I appreciated getting to see the efforts that characters like Callie’s father, Neal (Callie’s pseudo-stepfather?), and the Queen made to protect their children. However, there were times that they didn’t protect them in the name of maintaining the status quo or just due to a lack of understanding and knowledge, and I sympathized with the kids so much in those moments. The author doesn’t shy away from many of the challenges that the LGBTQ community experiences, and I think it's so important that young children get to see that (especially in books like this). As Callie tells Willow after he breaks down from all of the pressures being placed upon him, “It's ok to have complicated feelings about complicated things”. 

Overall, Sir Callie and the Champions of Helston was an amazing read, and I’m so happy I was introduced to it via Tamora Pierce’s blurb (anything she recommends is always great). Dani Martineck did an excellent job bringing Callie’s perspective to life with their performance in the audiobook narration of the story. If you’re looking for a humorous heartwarming read that is LGBTQ positive and kid friendly, this would be a great choice. I’m excited to read more about the adventures of Callie and their friends with the next installment in the series, Sir Callie and the Dragon’s Roost, which is set to be released in November 2023. 

TRIGGER WARNINGS: Child Abuse (Physical, Emotional, Psychological), Misgendering, Deadnaming, Death of a Sibling, Gaslighting, Implied Suicide of a Parent, Grief, Anxiety, Trauma

REVIEW Theo Tan and the Iron Fan (Theo Tan #2) by Jesse Q. Sutanto

Theo Tan and the Iron Fan (Theo Tan #2) 

by Jesse Q. Sutanto
Rating: 4 Stars
Release Date: June 27, 2023
Format: Audiobook (Borrrowed from Library)
Publisher: Feiwel and Friends 

In the sequel to Jesse Q. Sutanto’s Theo Tan and the Fox Spirit, Theo Tan and the Iron Fan, human teenager Theo and his fox spirit companion Kai are on a quest to the land of the dead in a desperate attempt to bring his older brother (and Kai’s former master) Jaime back to life. A wild adventure ensues, as they travel through the various courts of hell and battle demons to make it happen. 

The worldbuilding in this book was once again top-notch. The book takes its inspiration from Chinese mythology, and the story heavily surrounds the notion of what happens after you die. I loved getting to dive more into the lore and learn more about Diyu (which is essentially “Hell’s Waiting Room”). There are a lot of figures and demons that the group encounters during their journey - the Demon Bull King and Princess Iron Fan herself were very imposing figures. I was also pretty enamored with Fragrant Sausage. 

Caleb Yen and Kimberley Wong did an excellent job of bringing Theo and Kai’s perspectives to life in the audiobook version of the book. Despite the heaviness surrounding being in the land of the Dead (and the resulting grief and trauma that Theo and Kai  in particular have to go through), there’s still a humorous air to the book. The goofiness and heart of the characters were a highlight of the book. Each of the teenagers had to learn to lean on each other in order to make it out of Diyu alive. I enjoyed how Kai still made multiple sarcastic comments under her breath to break the tension. The dynamic between Kai and Xioahua (the two spirit companions of the book) was humorous at times as well. 

Overall, this was another excellent middle-grade mythology tale. If you are a kid or an adult who's a kid at heart and would enjoy a diverse tale with a unique magic system, immersive cultural elements, and a strong sense of family then Theo Tan and the Iron Fan should be your next read! It's unclear whether this is part of a larger series or set as a duology, but I think the book wraps up nicely either way. 

About the Author

Jesse Q Sutanto grew up shuttling back and forth between Jakarta and Singapore and sees both cities as her homes. She has a Masters degree from Oxford University, though she has yet to figure out a way of saying that without sounding obnoxious. She is currently living back in Jakarta on the same street as her parents and about seven hundred meddlesome aunties. When she's not tearing out her hair over her latest WIP, she spends her time baking and playing FPS games. Oh, and also being a mom to her two kids. 

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