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: Karate Prom by Kyle Starks

Karate Prom by Kyle Starks

Karate Prom
Kyle Starks
First Second
Published May 7, 2024

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Karate Prom

Don “TheDragonWilson” Jones is the finest fighter Benjamin Harrison High School has ever produced. But when he enters the ring against Lincoln High’s Sam Steadman, it’s love at first knockout.

Unfortunately, Sam has a jerky ex-boyfriend…and Don has a seriously terrifying ex-girlfriend. Like, “global crime cartel” terrifying. From prom to the after-party to graduation, Don and Sam―and an increasingly eclectic cast of supporting oddballs―will have to fight their way through a gauntlet of opponents, all in the name of love (and punching). Did we mention the … Continue reading

Review: The Cats of Silver Crescent by Kaela Noel

The Cats of Silver Crescent by Kaela Noel

The Cats of Silver Crescent
Kaela Noel
Greenwillow Books
Published April 30, 2024

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About The Cats of Silver Crescent

In this stand-alone novel with themes of friendship and family, eleven-year-old Elsby discovers a family of talking cats living in the house next door and must help them harness the magic that made them that way. From the author of the acclaimed Coo, The Cats of Silver Crescent is for fans of Kathi Appelt and Katherine Applegate. With her mother busy traveling for work, Elsby isn’t thrilled to be spending a few weeks with … Continue reading

Review: Death’s Country by R. M. Romero

Death's Country by R. M. Romero

Death’s Country
R. M. Romero
PeachTree Teen
Published May 7, 2024

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Death’s Country

Hadestown meets “Orpheus and Eurydice” when two Miami teens travel to the underworld to retrieve their girlfriend’s soul.

Andres Santos of São Paulo was all swinging fists and firecracker fury, a foot soldier in the war between his parents. Until he drowned in the Tietê River… and made a bargain with Death for a new life. A year later, his parents have relocated the family to Miami, but their promises of a fresh start quickly dissolve in the summer heat. 

Instead of fists, Andres now … Continue reading

Review: Plain Jane and the Mermaid by Vera Brosgol

Plain Jane and the Mermaid by Vera Brosgol

Plain Jane and the Mermaid
Vera Brosgol
First Second
Published May 7, 2024

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Plain Jane and the Mermaid

From Eisner Award winner Vera Brosgol comes an instant classic about courage, confidence, and inner beauty.
Jane is incredibly plain. Everyone says so: her parents, the villagers, and her horrible cousin who kicks her out of her own house. Determined to get some semblance of independence, Jane prepares to propose to the princely Peter, who might just say yes to get away from his father. It’s a good plan!

Or it would’ve been, if … Continue reading

Review: This Woven Kingdom by Tahereh Mafi

This Woven Kingdom by Tahereh Mafi

This Woven Kingdom (This Woven Kingdom #1)
Tahereh Mafi
HarperCollins
Published February 1, 2022

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About This Woven Kingdom

New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestseller! Clashing empires, forbidden romance, and a long-forgotten queen destined to save her people—Tahereh Mafi’s first in an epic, romantic trilogy inspired by Persian mythology.

To all the world, Alizeh is a disposable servant, not the long-lost heir to an ancient Jinn kingdom forced to hide in plain sight.

The crown prince, Kamran, has heard the prophecies foretelling the death of his king. But he could never have imagined that the … Continue reading

Review: Nimona by ND Stevenson

Nimona by ND Stevenson

Nimona
ND Stevenson
Quiltree Books
Published May 12, 2015

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Nimona

The graphic novel debut from rising star Noelle Stevenson, based on her beloved and critically acclaimed web comic, which Slate awarded its Cartoonist Studio Prize, calling it “a deadpan epic.”

Nemeses! Dragons! Science! Symbolism! All these and more await in this brilliantly subversive, sharply irreverent epic from Noelle Stevenson. Featuring an exclusive epilogue not seen in the web comic, along with bonus conceptual sketches and revised pages throughout, this gorgeous full-color graphic novel is perfect for the legions of fans of the web comic and is sure to … Continue reading