Category Archives: Young Adult/Teen 12-18

Review: Sidequested by Ale Presser and K.B. Spangler

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SideQuested: Book 1 by K. B. Spangler and Alexandra Presser

Sidequested: Book 1
Ale Presser
Illustrated by K. B. Spangler
Andrews McMeel Publishing
Published March 17, 2026

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Sidequested: Book 1

The course of true love never did run straight…For fans of The Owl House and Critical Role comes the first volume in the lighthearted and epic adventure SideQuested!

Magic makes the world go ’round, but no one in Charlie Goldskin’s world knows precisely where magic comes from. This isn’t Charlie’s problem. She’s the adopted daughter of a woodcarver and is training to be a librarian. It’ll be a quiet life, but that’s fine with Charlie as magic is summoned through conflict and she would like to avoid that, thank you very much!

Then her birth father shows up to take her from her village and bring her to the King’s court.

Prince Leopold is gifted in the noble arts of diplomacy and combat, but he’s never met anyone like Charlie. Falling in love with her wouldn’t be an issue, except he’s already engaged, and his fiancée is the daughter of a very powerful evil witch. Charlie, panicking, decides to break the news to Princess Robin…but then she finds love at first sight, too. To resolve this love triangle, the teens are sent on a quest to discover the source of magic! So much for Charlie’s plans for a quiet life…

My Review

This was so much fun to read! I love that it starts out as if an NPC (non-playing character) has gone on a quest in a tabletop adventure. The early scenes especially seemed to harken back to role-playing game rules and expectations. I loved the playfulness of that approach, and the fact that the first other character Charlie meets is a vulture who thinks Charlie is about to be eaten.

The story takes some common fairytale tropes and turns them upside down while still delivering stakes and great characters. I’m a huge fan of this book. It looks like it began as a webcomic, and now I even want to look that up and find out more about that, too.

Dungeons and Dragons fans and readers who enjoy upbeat fantasy graphic novels will not want to miss this one.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 12 up.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
Romantic tension between characters.

Spiritual Content
Some characters can do magic. Some animals can talk. Dragons exist.

Violent Content
Situations of peril.

Drug Content
An adult character drinks wine.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Review: Guardians of Dawn: Ami by S. Jae-Jones

Book Review and Content, Fantasy, Young Adult/Teen 12-18, , , , , , ,

Guardians of Dawn: Ami (Guardians of Dawn #3)
S. Jae-Jones
Wednesday Books
Published August 6, 2024

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About Guardians of Dawn: Ami

When the Pillar blooms, the end of the world is not far behind.

Li Ami was always on the outside—outside of family, outside of friendships, outside of ordinary magic. The odd and eccentric daughter of a former imperial magician, she has devoted her life to books because she finds them easier to read than people. Exiled to the outermost west of the Morning Realms, Ami has become the sole caretaker of her mentally ill father, whose rantings and ravings may be more than mere ramblings; they may be part of a dire prophecy. When her father is arrested for trespassing and stealing a branch from the sacred tree of the local monastery, Ami offers herself to the mysterious Beast in the castle, who is in need of someone who can translate a forbidden magical text and find a cure for the mysterious blight that is affecting the harvest of the land.

Meanwhile, as signs of magical corruption arise throughout the Morning Realms, Jin Zhara begins to realize that she might be out of her element. She may have defeated a demon lord and uncovered her identity as the Guardian of Fire, but she’ll be more than outmatched in the coming elemental battle against the Mother of Ten Thousand Demons…unless she can find the other Guardians of Dawn. Her magic is no match for the growing tide of undead, and she needs the Guardian of Wood with power over life and death in order to defeat the revenants razing the countryside.

The threat of the Mother of Ten Thousand Demons looms larger by the day, and the tenuous peace holding the Morning Realms together is beginning to unravel. Ami and Zhara must journey to the Root of the World in order to seal the demon portal that may have opened there and restore balance to an increasingly chaotic world.

My Review

I can’t remember how the first book in this series ends. I’m not sure if this second book picks up right where the first ends, or if there’s a little time between them. In any case, this book jumps right into the action from the beginning chapter. From there, I felt like the characters hurtled from one crisis to another. They consistently pursue their goal of sealing the demon portal.

This book has a huge cast of characters. The Bangtan brothers, whom Zhara travels with are all named characters with distinct personality traits. They mostly only appear in the early chapters of the book. Zhara also travels with her celestial companion, Sajah, and Han, with whom she has a romantic connection. Yuli, a spirit-walker, also contacts Zhara and her party, sometimes appearing at funny moments.

The story also follows Ami, a bookish girl who meets Gaden, also called Beast, because of the mask they wear to cover their face. Ami’s story has some Beauty and the Beast vibes, which I didn’t pick up on immediately as I read the book. There’s a short section at the end of the story that reminds readers about the connection, and it’s hinted at in the cover copy, too.

I enjoyed the book. It’s action-packed, and full of engaging characters and relationships. One of the things I really appreciate about this series is that it feels targeted to a younger YA audience. This is a book you could absolutely give a middle school reader. They’ll get some young adult storytelling while still getting some more gentle content.

I will absolutely continue with this series, though I suspect my reviews will post out of order. The second book released during the Wednesday Books/St. Martin’s Press boycott in 2024, so I missed it. I read them in order, though.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 12 up.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Three instances of profanity.

Romance/Sexual Content
Kissing.

Spiritual Content
Some characters have the ability to perform magic. A few characters are Guardians of Dawn, specific magic-wielders tasked with protecting the world. One character has the ability to compel others to do things. The narrative includes references to reincarnation. The characters pay close attention to the ki of others and the world around them. An evil force which some refer to as anti-ki, or demonic energy, seems to be spreading and causing harm, such as causing undead to rise and attack others.

Violent Content
Situations of peril. Some scenes include battle violence. The descriptions of the undead can get a little icky, but they’re short and not a central part of the story.

Drug Content
None.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. I borrowed a copy of this book from the public library. All opinions are my own.

Review: Daughter of the Cursed Kingdom by Jasmine Skye

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Daughter of the Cursed Kingdom (Witch Hall #2)
Jasmine Skye
Feiwel & Friends
Published February 24, 2026

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Daughter of the Cursed Kingdom

Two girls, bound by magic, must work together to stop an oncoming war, while grappling with unresolved feelings and terrible secrets in Daughter of the Cursed Kingdom, the thrilling conclusion to Jasmine Skye’s queernormative romantasy duology.

“If I ask you to walk into danger with me, Rosamund Holt, will you do it?”

Born a bone witch, with the power to raise the dead, Shaw has spent her life preparing to take her place as Death’s Heir, so she can lead her people to victory in an unavoidable, prophesied war. But then she met Rosy, sweet, stubborn Rosy, the most powerful bone familiar she’s ever known, and the only person Shaw has never been able to predict. Rosy, who doesn’t believe in the prophesied war that has consumed Shaw’s entire life.

“I won’t be their weapon, but I will be yours.”

Shaw has won Rosy’s loyalty, but Rosy has made it very clear she’s not willing to share her heart, a fact that Shaw is determined to respect… no matter how much it hurts. But now, as tensions with Vinland rise and secrets about the Witch King’s motivations are revealed, Shaw needs Rosy and her entourage more than ever. Will Shaw become the conquering warlord she was prophesied to be, or will she be strong enough to find a new path forward?

My Review

I loved the first book in this duology and really looked forward to the conclusion of Shaw and Rosy’s story. Weirdly, it took me most of this book to notice that Shaw’s perspective is written in first person and Rosy’s is in third person. I’ve read books like this before, and obviously, it didn’t bother me. It didn’t register with me until I was hundreds of pages in.

Rosy is my favorite character of the two, but I loved Shaw more and more as the story progressed. She faces such hard decisions and grows so much as a character. The relationship between her and Rosy stays largely in subplot territory throughout the book. Considering the threats the two girls face, it’s unsurprising that this would be the case. I liked the balance between the romance arc and the rest of the story.

I couldn’t always keep the magics sorted in my head, but I love the attention to the different types and how they work together. That made the story world feel rich and full to me. The cast of characters is inclusive in terms of gender identity and the relationships represented. One character also becomes disabled during the course of the story. At first, the others focus on healing their friend. When it becomes clear that even magic cannot provide a total physical healing, their focus shifts to addressing pain management and mobility needs. This character maintains an active role in the story until the conclusion. I appreciate that Skye not only included a character with a disability but also showed the experience of injury and recovery.

All in all, a conclusion worth reading. It’s a little longer than I’m comfortable with these days (470 pages), but I managed to make my way all the way through the story, and I’m glad I did.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 14 up.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Strong profanity used very infrequently.

Romance/Sexual Content
Kissing.

Spiritual Content
Characters have the ability to perform magic. Some can shift into animal shapes. Some characters encounter ghosts. A ghost can become angry and attempt to possess someone. This is dangerous and harmful. The fix is to soothe the ghost and help their spirit find peace. A bonding ceremony can relationally join two people and allow them access to one another’s magic.

Violent Content
Situations of peril. Shaw and her classmates have been raised to serve in the military and attend an elite magic military school. Characters face battles and ambushes in some scenes. References to the death of a comrade. One character becomes disabled as a result of injuries from an attack. One character violently ends their life in one scene.

Drug Content
None.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Review: Brazen: Rebel Ladies Who Rocked the World by Pénélope Bagieu

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Brazen: Rebel Ladies Who Rocked the World
Pénélope Bagieu
First Second
Published March 6, 2018

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Brazen: Rebel Ladies Who Rocked the World

2019 Eisner Award Winner for Best U.S. Edition of International Material

Throughout history and across the globe, one characteristic connects the daring women of Brazen: their indomitable spirit.

With her characteristic wit and dazzling drawings, celebrated graphic novelist Pénélope Bagieu profiles the lives of these feisty female role models, some world famous, some little known. From Nellie Bly to Mae Jemison or Josephine Baker to Naziq al-Abid, the stories in this comic biography are sure to inspire the next generation of rebel ladies.

My Review

This is such a fun collection! The women featured in the book come from all over the world and include a diverse spectrum of accomplishments from science to the arts to politics. Some faces and stories will probably be familiar to readers if they’ve read much about women’s history before. Other faces and stories may be completely unfamiliar.

I enjoyed learning bits of history with Bagieu’s signature humor and quick wit. Some of the panels had me absolutely cracking up. In the story of Chinese Emperor Wu Zetian, one panel relates that she caught recognition for taming what was thought to be an untamable horse. The expression on the horse’s face in that panel had me in stitches.

This collection is perfect for celebrating women’s history. It could also serve as a great starting point for someone wanting to learn more about contributions women have made to the world. Bagieu’s smart illustrations and the clever narrative accompanying them are so engaging. I highly recommend it.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 12 up.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Profanity used very sparingly.

Romance/Sexual Content
References to marriage and romantic partnership. Reference to a woman speaking plainly about her sexual experiences and feelings. Reference to a girl in danger of being abused by a stepparent.

Spiritual Content
None.

Violent Content
Situations of peril.

Drug Content
Reference to drinking alcohol.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. All opinions are my own.

Review: Postscript by Cory McCarthy

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Postscript
Cory McCarthy
Dutton Books for Young Readers
Published February 17, 2026

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Postscript

From Stonewall Honoree Cory McCarthy, a heartbreaking, joyful, read-it-in-one-sitting YA novel about the last of us.

“I’m not sure the how-pocalypse changes anything. I don’t think about it; this is hard enough.”

This is a depopulated archipelago off the coast of Massachusetts, home to a tiny handful of sapiens sifting the remnants of civilization for scraps of comfort and joy. 

There’s no sense in trying to figure out exactly how humans got to this place of endless gray skies and so many mass graves—that’s a very long letter no one has the heart to read again. What matters is this fleeting postscript, a strangely joyous house of bones built by an unlikely quintet of survivors.

My Review

I haven’t read a book by Cory McCarthy in a while, but as I started reading this one, I immediately remembered why I love their work so much. They have this incredible ability to summarize so much in a few cleverly chosen words. I kept having to stop and marvel at the writing.

The book isn’t all that long, and the story feels lean, but in a really good way. It’s almost like the story cuts right to the heart of what’s happening with each character, which feels right in an apocalyptic story.

The characters, like the setting, are a little strange. You can feel the marks the trauma they’ve faced has left behind on them. Despite the grim landscape, the story is filled with these unexpected bursts of joy, from someone meeting a dog to falling in love for the first time. There’s also raw, messy grief and misunderstandings. For a short book, this story captures a lot!

While the unusual topic and tone of this story probably won’t appeal to everyone, I think fans of Before Takeoff by Adi Alsaid or They Bloom at Night by Trang Thanh Tran will really enjoy this one.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 16 up.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Strong profanity used somewhat frequently.

Romance/Sexual Content
Brief descriptions of sex. Reference to sex work.

Spiritual Content
None.

Violent Content
References to human trafficking. Suicide (not shown on page). References to death. Death of a loved one.

Drug Content
One character is an alcoholic.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Review: The Firelight Apprentice by Bree Paulsen

Book Review and Content, Fantasy, Graphic Novel or Adaptation, Middle Grade 8-12, Young Adult/Teen 12-18, , , ,

The Firelight Apprentice
Bree Paulsen
Quill Tree Books
Published October 29, 2024

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About The Firelight Apprentice

The bestselling author-illustrator of Garlic and the Vampire, Bree Paulsen, brings her fantastical storytelling and warm, sparkling artwork to this story that celebrates the bond between sisters.

In a city powered by magic and still recovering from a bloody war, Ada is concerned about her younger sister Safi’s developing powers. She understands that Safi could learn how to control her magic under the apprenticeship of a king’s magician. But with the memories of war still fresh, Ada is conflicted by this prospect—despite her knowing that she can’t keep Safi safely at home with the threat of deadly, power-thieving liches prowling the kingdom.

When a traveling group of magicians comes to the city to perform, they immediately recognize Safi’s talents and offer to take her on as an apprentice. Safi is thrilled about her new adventure—even if that means leaving behind Ada and their sickly father. And Ada is right to worry about her sister, for there may be monsters hiding behind friendly faces…

My Review

I love sister stories, so I had to put this one on my reading list. One of the less common elements of this story, though, is the age gap between the sisters. Ada is nearly an adult, but Safi is much younger, maybe eleven? One of the things that binds the two together is their shared family loss.

Ada is the steady, practical sister, and she quickly realizes Safi needs more than their struggling family can provide. She helps Safi secure an apprenticeship, despite her torn feelings. She wants Safi to be safe and have the opportunity to learn, but she also misses her sister and worries for her.

Paulsen also wrote the Garlic books, which center on big emotions and finding community. Those elements are at play here, as well. The color palette leans heavily on greens and other colors you might expect to see in a forest, which reminded me a little bit of her other books, too.

The relationship between sisters was so sweet. The plot of the story is pretty gentle (there’s a hard loss near the middle) until the end of the story, when a Lich monster is unmasked and attacks. That got pretty intense pretty quickly. Otherwise, the story is more about relationships between characters.

I’m glad I read this one, and I think fans of Paulsen’s other graphic novels will enjoy it. Fantasy readers will also find this quick book engaging.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 10 to 14.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
None.

Spiritual Content
Some characters are magicians and can do magic. Liches are frightening creatures drawn to magicians for their magic. A Lich can drain a magician of his magic permanently.

Violent Content
Situations of peril. Death of a parent. Some panels show a Lich attacking a magician.

Drug Content
None.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. I borrowed a copy of this book from my local library. All opinions are my own.