Author Archives: Kasey

About Kasey

Reads things. Writes things. Fluent in sarcasm. Willful optimist. Cat companion, chocolate connoisseur, coffee drinker. There are some who call me Mom.

Review: Garlic and the Witch by Bree Paulsen

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Garlic and the Witch by Bree Paulsen

Garlic and the Witch
Bree Paulsen
Quill Tree Books
Published September 6, 2022

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About Garlic and the Witch

Bree Paulsen’s brave little protagonist, Garlic, is back in this charmingly illustrated standalone companion to Garlic and the Vampire, serving up another tale of friendship, magic, and self-discovery. Give both books to readers who fell in love with Tidesong or Witch Boy!

Garlic loves spending time with Witch Agnes, Carrot, and her new friend, the Count, who has proven to be a delightful neighbor to the village of vegetable people rather than a scary vampire. But despite Agnes’s best attempts to … Continue reading →

Review: This is Not a Test by Courtney Summers

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This is Not a Test by Courtney Summers

This is Not a Test: The Definitive Edition with Please Remain Calm
Courtney Summers
Inky Phoenix Press/Bindery
Published January 13, 2026

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About This is Not a Test: The Definitive Edition with Please Remain Calm

It’s the end of the world. Six students have taken cover in Cortege High, but shelter is little comfort when the dead outside won’t stop pounding on the doors. One bite is all it takes to kill a person and bring them back as a monstrous version of their former self.

To Sloane Price, that doesn’t sound so bad. Six months … Continue reading →

December 2025 Reading Recap

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December 2025 Reading Recap

December 2025 Reading Recap

Well, it took me all the way until December, but I finally got caught up on the reviews I promised to write for this year! I feel like I spent all year in a desperate scramble, and it feels so good to now look ahead rather than behind. The bulk of the catching-up efforts happened in October and November. By the middle of December, I was able to move on and start reading books coming out in 2026. Imagine!

This month, I focused on finishing up the 2025 releases I agreed to review, but I still managed to slip a few backlist titles into my reading, too. One of the books I read … Continue reading →

Review: Beth is Dead by Katie Bernet

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Beth is Dead by Katie Bernet

Beth is Dead
Katie Bernet
Sarah Barley Books
Published January 6, 2026

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About Beth is Dead

Beth March’s sisters will stop at nothing to track down her killer—until they begin to suspect each other—in this debut thriller that’s also a bold, contemporary reimagining of the beloved classic Little Women.

When Beth March is found dead in the woods on New Year’s Day, her sisters vow to uncover her murderer.

Suspects abound. There’s the neighbor who has feelings for not one but two of the girls. Meg’s manipulative best friend. Amy’s flirtatious mentor. And Beth’s lionhearted first love. But it doesn’t take the … Continue reading →

Review: 16 Forever by Lance Rubin

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16 Forever by Lance Rubin

16 Forever
Lance Rubin
Publisher
Published January 6, 2026

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About 16 Forever

It’s the morning of Carter Cohen’s 16th birthday, and everything’s going his way.

He’s psyched and ready to get his driver’s license, his little brother’s not hogging the bathroom, and, man, something smells good for breakfast…

But when Carter bounds downstairs, Mom bursts into tears. It happened again. It’s Carter’s 16th birthday—for the sixth time. Every time he’s supposed to turn 17, he loops back a year. His memory gets wiped clean, his body ages backward—the rest of the world moves on, just not him.

Maggie … Continue reading →

Review: Song of the Court by Katy Farina

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Song of the Court by Katy Farina

Song of the Court
Katy Farina
Union Square Books
Published October 6, 2020

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About Song of the Court

A charming fairy tale—told in graphic novel style—about two unlikely friends who encourage each other to pursue their dreams.

In order to buy seeds for her beautiful garden, Arietta plans to sell her treasured family violin. Then music-loving Princess Cassia spots Arietta with the instrument and excitedly asks her to perform at her upcoming birthday party. What the Princess doesn’t realize is, Arietta can’t play! Too ashamed to tell Cassia the truth, Arietta sets out to learn a … Continue reading →