Category Archives: Blogger’s Favorites

Review: Make Me a Monster by Kalynn Bayron

Blogger's Favorites, Book Review and Content, Fantasy, Young Adult/Teen 12-18, , , , , , , ,
Make Me a Monster by Kalynn Bayron

Make Me a Monster
Kalynn Bayron
Bloomsbury YA
Published September 30, 2025

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Make Me a Monster

New York Times bestselling author Kalynn Bayron is back with a Frankenstein-tinged horror romance.

Meka is used to death. After all, it’s the family business.

As a newly certified mortician’s assistant at her parents’ funeral home, her days are not for the faint of heart. Luckily her boyfriend Noah isn’t squeamish, and Meka is finally feeling ready to say the three little words that will change everything.

But then tragedy strikes, and Meka’s world is torn apart. Nothing makes sense, especially the strange things start happening. Ravens are circling her home. Strangers are following her. Someone is leaving mysterious items at her door. And worst of all . . .

The dead don’t seem to be staying dead.

Meka thought she understood death better than anyone. Turns out, the family business is a bit more complicated than it seems. And Meka isn’t the only one desperate to unearth their secrets . . . because the truth may be worth dying for.

My Review

Meka’s job working as a mortician’s assistent is such an interesting part of this story. She prepares several “guests” for their wake or funeral services and even accompanies her father when he picks up new guests.

This is something that most readers won’t have a lot of knowledge about, including me, so it adds a lot of interesting background to the story. And as the darker side of the plot unfolds, it also makes a lot of sense why this was included in the story.

If you’re familiar with the story of Frankenstein, you might guess a couple of the plot points before the story reveals them. I didn’t find this to lessen my enjoyment of the story, though. In some ways, it was really satisfying to see Meka put the pieces together and figure out her own role within the story.

I really appreciate that the ending left unanswered questions. It made me think back through the story to try to predict what I think would happen and how it might go.

Because I’d read and loved My Dear Henry, Bayron’s reimagining of The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, I think I expected the setting to be historical, like set during the time that the original Frankenstein took place. It’s set in the present day, though, and once I realized that, I adjusted to it just fine. I’ve read enough of Kalynn Bayron’s books at this point to know I’ll follow wherever the story leads and love it.

If you are looking for a contemporary story with a strong connection to Frankenstein, you will want this one on your reading list. It’s a great pick for a Halloween read.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 14 up.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Strong profanity used infrequently.

Romance/Sexual Content
Kissing.

Spiritual Content
Some characters have the ability to reanimate the dead.

Violent Content
Situations of peril. Body horror. Meka prepares “guests” (deceased people) for viewing at a wake. (Not violent, but might be disturbing to some readers.) Loss of a person close to the narrator.

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.

MMGM Review: Busted by Dan Gemeinhart

Blogger's Favorites, Book Review and Content, Contemporary, Middle Grade 8-12, , , , , ,

Busted
Dan Gemeinhart
Henry Holt & Co.
Published October 7, 2025

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Busted

When 12-year-old Oscar Aberdeen decided he would do anything to save the only home he’s ever known, he didn’t realize that anything would include theft, trespassing, gambling, a broken nose, grand theft auto, a federal prison, and a police car chase. He had no idea it would be so dangerous…or so fun. A heartfelt middle-grade romp from the New York Times-bestselling author of The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise.

Oscar Aberdeen is a bit of an oddball. He’s an ace at playing bridge, loves Frank Sinatra, and attends a whole lot of funerals. He’s also the youngest resident of Sunny Days retirement home by more than a half-century―and he wouldn’t have it any other way. So when his grandpa’s suddenly served an eviction notice that threatens their place at Sunny Days, he needs to find some cash. Fast.

Enter Jimmy Deluca, a shady elderly man with a reputation for being bad news, who makes Oscar an offer he can’t refuse. He’s got the drop on riches hidden away on the “outside” and he’ll share the loot with Oscar on one condition: he busts him out of Sunny Days.

In this humdinger of an adventure, the ultimate odd couple, along with an uninvited stowaway, go from high-stakes escape to rollicking escapade as they search for the secret stash―and forge an unlikely friendship along the way. Will Oscar succeed in saving the only home he’s ever known? Or will he have to fuggedaboutit and return a failure?

My Review

Leave it to Dan Gemeinhart to put together this wacky, fast-paced adventure starring an unlikely threesome. I loved Coyote Lost and Found for its wild on-the-road adventure and its quirky characters, and this story delivers those same elements so well.

Oscar is a sweet kid. He is used to playing it safe, so the whole road trip with Jimmy is way outside his comfort zone. I like that each of the people in the car is keeping secrets about themselves. The situations that the characters face draw out those secrets. Jimmy is a fantastic character. He reads like what you might expect of an ex-mob guy, only Oscar censors his liberal use of profanity by replacing those words with “quack”. This adds some extra humor and keeps things a little more PG.

Busted takes the intergenerational friendships trope out for a whole different spin. In the stories I’ve read in which kids befriend an older person, usually the kid is the rebellious or impulsive one and the adult offers wisdom that helps steer them on a better course. Here, the situation is not reversed, because Jimmy does offer some wise words, but he is clearly the rebel, and Oscar is the one trying to keep track of the rules.

One great lesson that comes up through the story is a lesson about the difference between doing what’s right and what’s good. Sometimes those are the same thing, but sometimes they differ. When Oscar reframes the situation he faces looking for the good choice, it helps him figure out a path forward. That idea lends itself to discussion as well.

Content Notes for Busted

Recommended for Ages 8 to 12.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Oscar doesn’t approve of swearing. If he hears some salty language, he cleverly subs “quack” in for the bad words. One character requires frequent substitutions.

Romance/Sexual Content
Some of the Sunny Days residents try to set Oscar up with a girl his age. The two joke about being engaged.

Spiritual Content
Oscar talks about witnessing people as they die and noticing them responding as if they see loved ones calling to them at the end.

Violent Content
Situations of peril. Oscar gets hit in the face more than once. At one point, he and his allies steal a car. Vague references to other potentially illegal activity.

Drug Content
Jimmy smokes cigars and drinks a glass of Scotch in one scene.

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.

Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday

I’m sharing this post as a part of a weekly round-up of middle-grade posts called Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday. Check out other blogs with posts about middle-grade books today on Marvelous Middle-Grade Mondays at Always in the Middle.

Review: Beetle and the Chimera Carnival by Aliza Layne

Blogger's Favorites, Book Review and Content, Fantasy, Graphic Novel or Adaptation, Middle Grade 8-12, Romance, , , , , , , ,

Beetle and the Chimera Carnival (The Beetle Books #2)
Aliza Layne
Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Published April 29, 2025

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Beetle and the Chimera Carnival

Beetle and her friends attend a carnival full of dragons and magic, only to discover something sinister at play behind the scenes, in this delightful sequel to the Stonewall Honor-winning Beetle & the Hollowbones middle grade graphic novel.

Hidden behind the clouds, giant dragons guard the most powerful magic in the world from prying eyes. On one magical night, once every ten years, these leviathans reveal themselves to a fanfare of costumes, music, and parades in the Chimera Carnival.

But this time, something’s wrong.

When Beetle, Penny, and Kat decide to check out the empty carnival site one night, they discover an injured dragon screaming for help. And the more Beetle uncovers about the Chimera Carnival, the more sinister it gets. Dragons who arrive for the early festivities disappear without a trace. Beetle’s magic begins to go haywire. And Kat’s parents come back to town, worrying both girls about whether they have a future together.

In the catacombs beneath the demolished ‘Allowstown mall, something hungers for dragon magic. And Beetle and her friends are already more entwined with it than they could possibly imagine.

My Review

I remember being surprised at how much I enjoyed Beetle and the Hollowbones, the first book in this series, which I reviewed the year it came out. When I spotted the sequel on the shelf at the library, I grabbed it immediately.

Layne’s illustration style is both reminiscent of Halloween and whimsical. This is definitely the kind of story that The Nightmare Before Christmas fans will enjoy. The book opens with a clever recap of events that looks like pages in a scrapbook. From there, we dive straight into the story.

I had forgotten how much I liked the sweet relationship between Beetle and Kat. They’re in the early days of a romance that leaves them a little swoony about one another. Beetle also worries about the status of their relationship, but she tries really hard to give Kat the space she needs to figure out when to talk to her family.

Though Kat and Beetle end up mired in a dangerous mystery, the story has so many joyful moments. I love the way that Layne shows big emotions and just embraces the goofiness of her characters. The story also has one of the best moments between Kat, Beetle, and Beetle’s Gran’ma. That scene (it’s near the end) was absolutely perfect.

So, two books into the series, and I’m more a fan now that ever. I hope there are more Beetle and Kat adventures to come. Definitely check this one out if you need a boost of joy in your life or are ready to celebrate new love or Halloween.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 8 to 12.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
A couple of panels show a couple kissing. Two characters discuss relationship status.

Spiritual Content
Beetle is a goblin. Kat is a living skeleton. Penny is a ghost. The group plan to attend a festival at which dragons gather. Another character is a vampire. Characters can perform different kinds of magic. References to necromancy.

Violent Content
Situations of peril. Kidnapping. Brief cartoon battle scenes. Brief homophobic comments.

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.

Review: This is How We Roll edited by Rosiee Thor

Anthology or Collection, Blogger's Favorites, Contemporary, Young Adult/Teen 12-18, , , , , , , , , , ,

This is How We Roll
edited by Rosiee Thor
PageStreet YA
Published September 16, 2025

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About This is How We Roll

The magic of tabletop RPGs lives in the creativity of the players. Given the chance to explore gender, relationships, and queer existence across vast worlds with completely different sets of rules, queer players throughout the years have found acceptance, camaraderie, and joy by rolling the dice and kicking ass. This anthology celebrates that TTRPG rite of passage with a diverse lineup of queer authors who are just as mighty with their pens as with swords? and shields? and spells!

This collection of fourteen stories includes critically acclaimed authors such as New York Times Bestseller Marieke Nijkamp, New York Times Bestseller Andrew Joseph White, Pura Belpré Honor winner Jonny Garza Villa, LAMBDA Literary Award winner Rebecca Podos, LAMBDA Award finalist Linsey Miller, Indie Bestseller Margaret Owen, and Morris Award finalist Akemi Dawn Bowman.

My Review

My last DnD campaign (and my first as DM) fizzled out as the holidays hit and players got busy with other adventures. Reading this book made me remember all the reasons I love playing Tabletop Role Playing Games (TTRPGs) to begin with.

First off, the stories are all super entertaining. Most balance the in-game storytelling and at-the-table experience of the players perfectly. There are a couple that really only show one side of the experience, and those are so creative. They all fit perfectly into the collection.

The stories also encapsulate a wide variety of gaming experiences, from playing with longtime friends to a new group playing for the first time, or a new player joining an established group. Sometimes the story is from the perspective of a new player, and at other times, we follow the experienced player as they navigate feelings about the newbie at their table. Some groups play the game in person, while others play online. Some homebrew the experience, while others meticulously follow the rules of the game.

The players represent an inclusive group, too. In the opening story, the point-of-view character uses a wheelchair (from an injury). Some stories center queer identity and/or neurodivergence and show how creating a game character free to interact with the world sans the expectations of the people who “know” us can help people recognize truths about themselves and others.

I also like that the stories include the interpersonal challenges that can come from playing the game. In one story, a player’s character makes unwelcome romantic advances at another player’s character. It’s handled safely, but shows the discomfort and the anxiety the player feels about how to resolve the situation. In another story, a group welcomes one player’s rival as a new player at the table. One story shows a DM whose behavior threatens to extinguish the campaign, and how the players respond.

The authors also explore the circumstances surrounding the gameplay creatively, too. One of my favorite stories takes place in the far distant future in space, where a group of kids uses a “prespace” artifact (a DnD player handbook) to try out what they rightly assume was a popular game on earth. That was such a fun take.

In one story in which the characters play the game online with separate chat logs from in-game dialogue and secret character identitites, I had a hard time keeping track of who was who at first. I’m still not sure I understand all of the connections between the players. I like that the collection showcased that style of gameplay and the development of relationships between players, though.

All in all, this is a fabulous tribute to TTRPGs and people who love them. I think both people familiar with the games and those with a passing interest will enjoy this collection. It’s so much fun.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 14 up.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Strong profanity used somewhat frequently.

Romance/Sexual Content
Kissing.

Spiritual Content
Stories include descriptions of characters’ TTRPG sessions fighting mythical creatures, using magic, etc. A couple stories include characters from Christian families with religious objections to DnD in particular, referring to the game as leading players astray from their faith.

Violent Content
Descriptions of situations of peril. One story includes a wild animal accidentally trapped indoors and the attempt to get it outside without putting the characters at risk for disease or harming the animal. References to homophobia, transphobia, and prejudicial comments about ace identity.

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: The Guardians of Dreamdark: Windwitch by Laini Taylor

Blogger's Favorites, Book Review and Content, Fantasy, Middle Grade 8-12, Young Adult/Teen 12-18, , , , , , ,

The Guardians of Dreamdark: Windwitch
Laini Taylor
Amulet Books
Published September 23, 2025 (Orig. 2007)

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About The Guardians of Dreamdark: Windwitch

From New York Times bestselling author Laini Taylor comes a new edition of her first cult favorite series, Guardians of Dreamdark, about a devil-hunting faerie and her quest to save her world
 
For centuries faeries have lived safely in their ancient forests, but now their peace is under threat. Devils are escaping the prisons that have held them since the Dawn Days, and only one faerie stands in their way. Magpie Windwitch is the greatest—the only—devil-hunter of the Age. Together with her trusted band of crows, she tracks down and recaptures these ravenous beasts that devour everything in their path.
  
When the hunt leads them to the legendary forest of Dreamdark, Magpie finds herself outmatched. Facing the greatest foe her kind has ever known (not to mention an imposter queen, a disgusting imp, and a young faerie warrior as infuriating as he is brave), one thing is If she’s to save the world, she’ll need all the help she can get. 
    
Bestselling author Laini Taylor’s thrilling first novel is now available for the first time for a new generation of fans.

My Review

I’ve read both the “Daughter of Smoke and Bone” series and the “Strange the Dreamer” duology, but I had never read “The Guardians of Dreamdark” duology. This first book is both like her other work and different. I can definitely see how she went from this series to writing Daughter of Smoke and Bone.

It feels a little like the 1994 movie Thumbelina. The story has definitive stakes and danger, but Magpie faces it all bravely along with her crew of crows and faerie allies.

This series is written for a younger audience than the author’s other books. It’s got a lot of adventure and danger, but very lightly brushes by romance, giving us the impression of characters who maybe feel some attraction for one another. It’s a longer book, coming in at about 400 pages, so that will certainly intimidate some upper middle grade/lower YA readers.

Because Magpie isn’t truly a child (she’s still young by faerie standards), I could see this being a great crossover series and appealing to adults, especially those who grew up with the author’s other books. Readers who like faerie adventures will enjoy the world-building and high stakes of the adventure.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 10 to 14.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
A few made up curses.

Romance/Sexual Content
Some blushing and attraction between characters.

Spiritual Content
Some characters are faeries. 7 powerful Djinn created the world through their dreams. Faeries can choose to leave the world for the Moonlit Gardens, a different realm, sort of like an afterlife space. If faeries are killed in battle, they also appear in the Moonlit Gardens. Other creatures like imps and scavenging devils appear in the story and cause trouble. Magpie and her family have spent years tracking down these devils and imprisoning them in bottles.

Violent Content
Situations of peril. Brief battle scenes and scary imagery. A monster made of darkness swallows up some characters.

Drug Content
Reference to social drinking and smoking tobacco at a community celebration.

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: For the Rest of Us edited by Dahlia Adler

Anthology or Collection, Blogger's Favorites, Book Review and Content, Contemporary, , , , , , , ,

For the Rest of Us: 13 Festive Holiday Stories to Celebrate All Seasons
edited by Dahlia Adler
HarperCollins
Published September 2, 2025

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About For the Rest of Us: 13 Festive Stories to Celebrate All Seasons

Fourteen acclaimed authors showcase the beautiful and diverse ways holidays are observed in this festive anthology. Keep the celebrations going all year long with this captivating and joyful read!

From Lunar New Year to Solstice, Día de Los Muertos to Juneteenth, and all the incredible days in between, it’s clear that Americans don’t just have one holiday. Edited by the esteemed Dahlia Adler and authored by creators who have lived these festive experiences firsthand, this joyful collection of stories shows that there isn’t one way to experience a holiday.

With stories by:

Dahlia Adler, Sydney Taylor Honor winner of Going Bicoastal.

Candace Buford, author of Good as Gold.

A. R. Capetta and Cory McCarthy, authors of the Once & Future series.

Preeti Chhibber, author of Payal Mehta’s Romance Revenge Plot.

Natasha Díaz, award-winning author of Color Me In.

Kelly Loy Gilbert, Stonewall Book Award winning author of Picture Us in the Light.

Kosoko Jackson, USA Today bestselling author of The Forest Demands Its Due.

Aditi Khorana, award-winning author of Mirror in the Sky.

Katherine Locke, award-winning author of This Rebel Heart.

Abdi Nazemian, Stonewall Book Award–winning author of Only This Beautiful Moment.

Laura Pohl, New York Times bestselling author of The Grimrose Girls.

Sonora Reyes, Pura Belpré Honor winner of The Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School.

Karuna Riazi, contributor to The Grimoire of Grim Fates.

My Review

At this point, I’m pretty conditioned to expect great things when I see an anthology edited by Dahlia Adler, and this one does not disappoint! I opened the book without clocking which authors had stories included, so it was a joyful experience every time I turned the page to start another story and spotted an author I love. A few of the authors included in the collection are new to me, but I’ll be on the lookout for more stories from them, too.

I love that the collection is organized as if we’re moving through the Gregorian calendar. It made me feel as if I read through an entire year upon completing the collection. The stories are well-balanced in terms of welcoming readers into the traditions and practices of each holiday while delivering an engaging story. Sometimes the stories played on the themes of the holiday, while others framed life experiences through the lens of the holiday. Some stories are funy and upbeat while others are contemplative.

One of my favorites is Sonora Reyes’ short story about Día de Los Muertos. They use the story to explore how celebrating this holiday might be challenging for families whose loved ones died in difficult circumstances. Reyes deftly brings focus to how stigmatizing people who died with mental illness can further isolate and shame people. Their story shows the power of finding ways to cherish the good things about a lost loved one, even when it’s painful or complicated.

Readers who are curious about other holiday celebrations or eager to see their own traditions celebrated on the page will enjoy this collection.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 15 up.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Strong profanity used infrequently.

Romance/Sexual Content
Kissing. One scene implies a sexual encounter happened in a break between scenes.

Spiritual Content
The collection includes cultural and spiritual celebrations, including Lunar New Year, Valentine’s Day, Holi, Nowruz, Eid, Passover, Juneteenth, Rosh HaShanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Simchat Torah, Diwali, Día de Los Muertos, Winter Solstice, Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa.

Violent Content
One story contains references to death and suicide. Another includes a survivor of gun violence and a brief reference to what happened.

Drug Content
One story includes teens drinking alcohol.

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.