Tag Archives: backlist

Review: Two Tribes by Emily Bowen Cohen

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Twi Tribes by Emily Bowen Cohen

Two Tribes
Emily Bowen Cohen
Heartdrum
Published August 15, 2023

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Two Tribes

In her poignant debut graphic novel inspired by her own life, Emily Bowen Cohen embraces the complexity, meaning, and deep love that comes from being part of two vibrant tribes. Mia is still getting used to living with her mom and stepfather, and to the new role their Jewish identity plays in their home. Feeling out of place at home and at her Jewish day school, Mia finds herself thinking more and more about her Muscogee father, who lives with his new family in Oklahoma. Her mother doesn’t want to talk about him, but Mia can’t help but feel like she’s missing a part of herself without him in her life.

Soon, Mia makes a plan to use the gifts from her bat mitzvah to take a bus to Oklahoma—without telling her mom—to visit her dad and find the connection to her Muscogee side she knows is just as important as her Jewish side. This graphic novel by Muscogee-Jewish writer and artist Emily Bowen Cohen is perfect for fans of American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang. It is published by Heartdrum, an imprint that centers stories about contemporary Indigenous young people.

My Review

This is one of those books where I have to separate my feelings as a divorced parent from my thoughts about a kid reading this book. It was so easy to identify with Mia’s mom’s struggle with her relationship with her dad. Kids have a right to have relationship with both parents, but it can be really tricky to figure out how to do that safely. And to figure out the difference between safe for your kid and comfortable for you as the other parent. (Because there can be a huge difference.)

Mia’s mom definitely doesn’t do everything right (which she acknowledges). Her dad also has some mistakes to own up for. I liked how both parents are portrayed as imperfect and still learning. That’s pretty real, too.

Mia’s experiences also resonate as realistic. Her hunger to know both parts of her family history is palpable. As she’s able to fill in some of the gaps in her history and culture, she blossoms. It bolsters her confidence. I love that we can see the impact of both cultures on her life.

This book has been on my reading list for a while, but it wasn’t until I spotted it on the shelf at the library that I realized it was a graphic novel. I love seeing a story about Jewish and Muscogee heritage in graphic novel format. If you enjoy stories about family connections and culture, definitely pick this one up.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 8 to 12.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
None.

Spiritual Content
Mentions of Jewish holidays and traditions. Mia attends a powwow with her family. Mentions of Muscogee traditions and spiritual practices and beliefs. Mia’s cousin shares a Muscogee creation story with her. Mia studies Torah with the rabbi, learning about Jonah. Mia’s dad attends church.

Violent Content
None.

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 public library. All opinions are my own.

Banned Book Review: Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo

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Last Night at the Telegraph Club
Malinda Lo
Dutton Books for Young Readers
Published January 19, 2021

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Last Night at the Telegraph Club

“That book. It was about two women, and they fell in love with each other.” And then Lily asked the question that had taken root in her, that was even now unfurling its leaves and demanding to be shown the sun: “Have you ever heard of such a thing?”

Seventeen-year-old Lily Hu can’t remember exactly when the question took root, but the answer was in full bloom the moment she and Kathleen Miller walked under the flashing neon sign of a lesbian bar called the Telegraph Club.

America in 1954 is not a safe place for two girls to fall in love, especially not in Chinatown. Red-Scare paranoia threatens everyone, including Chinese Americans like Lily. With deportation looming over her father—despite his hard-won citizenship—Lily and Kath risk everything to let their love see the light of day.

Why I Read Last Night at the Telegraph Club

Last Night at the Telegraph Club has been on my reading list for a long time. It was recently banned where I live, along with several other books. I’m trying to prioritize being educated about the content in books banned here in Florida, so that pushed this one up to the top of my reading list.

One of the things that’s really frustrating to me is that the committee that banned the book acknowledges the literary worthiness of the story and the importance of the topic. They simply object to a few paragraphs in the overall text and therefore are banning the book for all grades.

Review

The book primarily takes place in San Francisco in the 1950s, but includes historical information about a few events from the 1930s to the 1950s. Some scenes show what happened between Lily’s parents or from her aunt’s point of view. It shows the progression of the fear of and persecution of communists and those accused of being communist sympathizers. It also examines the cultural attitudes during that time period toward Chinese immigrants and Chinese Americans and attitudes about LGBTQIA+ people, especially women.

The background information feels very well-researched. Some characters’ experiences and backgrounds were inspired by Malinda Lo’s family’s lives. She includes, for example, the story of a Chinese man from a wealthy family who immigrates to the United States for college. He later serves in the military as a doctor.

I love that Lily is interested in rockets and math. The story references women working as computers and some of the efforts to develop technology to take humans into space.

So there’s a ton of really cool background to the story.

Lily and another girl also visit a nightclub several times to see a male impersonator perform. There, they meet other lesbian women. The story clearly shows Lily’s personal journey understanding her identity. Part of that recognition comes from when she reads parts of a sultry romance novel she finds at a drug store.

As Lily falls in love for the first time, and meets other women who love women, she finally feels like she can be herself. Like she’s not alone, and she doesn’t have to be ashamed.

There are so few historical books centering LGBTQIA+ stories, and yet queer people existed throughout history. I love seeing this sweet love story that openly explores what it might be like to be a Chinese American girl in the 1950s who is in love with another girl and wants to build rockets someday.

Parts of the story were hard for me to read. (They were meant to be so.) The number of people who ask Lily if she speaks English, or assume she doesn’t is astounding. And yet, I’m sure that experience is very real– and even more frustrating to experience in person.

The romance between Lily and Kath blooms slowly, but it blooms powerfully, too. Their desperation and their understanding of what could happen if they’re discovered is palpable.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a sweet romance with a strong side of history and 1950s American culture, definitely put Last Night at the Telegraph Club on your reading list.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 16 up.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
Kissing and touching above the waist. Brief/vague description of masturbation. Brief description of sex with sparse details. In one scene, an adult woman approaches a teen and it seems like something could happen between them, but she recognizes the girl’s age and backs off.

Spiritual Content
Vague references to church.

Violent Content
Situations of peril. Homophobic comments.

Drug Content
Characters drink alcohol at a party and night club. Some characters smoke cigarettes. Reference to drug use (not shown on scene.)

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 library. All opinions are my own.

Summer 2025 Backlist Reading Check-in and Life Update

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Summer 2025 Backlist Reading Check-in and Life Update

Summer is always an odd season for my reading life. Since I do most of my reading in the evenings, it never seems to me like summer will change all that much, but somehow, it does. This summer I had the added complication of having surgery early in June. It sounded like the recovery would be pretty quick and easy, but my experience didn’t quite line up with my expectations there, either.

Which mostly meant that I read far fewer books in June than I anticipated. That was okay, though. It was good to slow down. I made up for lost time in July.

I’ve continued my poetry reading project this summer. It hasn’t worked out to be one poem each and every day, but I still average at least that many. I started with an anthology of Black poets that I loved and then moved on to Rupi Kaur, who has been on my list for a while. I also picked up a volume by Andrea Gibson, a poet who passed away during the summer. Their work is incredible.

I also read quite a few graphic novels. When I’m struggling to read, I find that those help get my momentum up. Plus, I find them really enjoyable.

Read on to see the whole list of backlist titles I read this summer.

Summer 2025 Backlist Reading List

This is the Honey: An Anthology of Contemporary Black Poets edited by Kwame Alexander

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: A powerful collection of poetry. A few of the contributors were familiar to me from other reading, so it was great to read more of their work, and I loved getting introduced to so many new poets. I’m sure this is a collection I’ll be revisiting in the future.

Published January 30, 2024

The Gender Binary is a Big Lie by Lee Wind

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: This book highlights different cultures who have more than two genders as part of their population, including ancient Romans, classical Jewish culture, and Hawaiian culture. The author profiles famous people from the past who lived outside the gender binary, and also shares a lot of information about intersex people. It’s a great resource for people who feel unsure about how to talk about transgender/nonbinary/intersex people or who have questions and want more information. Super easy to read. Highly enjoyable.

Published August 6, 2024 | My Review to Come

When Stars Are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed

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My thoughts: This graphic novel follows two Somali brothers who grow up in a refugee camp in Kenya. It’s a heartbreaking story at times, especially as Omar recalls fleeing from home and missing his parents. But it is also fiercely hopeful, showing the power of education and brotherly love. A National Book Award finalist.

Published April 14, 2020 | My Review to Come

Odder by Katherine Applegate

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My thoughts: A novel-in-verse imagining of the life of an otter rescued by the Monterey Bay Aquarium research program. Shares the story of their pioneering otter surragocy program. This is a super-quick read, and an uplifting one, despite the tragedies the main character faces.

Published September 20, 2022 | My Review to Come

Mouse and His Dog (A Dogtown Book) by Katherine Applegate and Gennifer Choldenko

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My thoughts: I read most of Dogtown, but missed a few chapters because my daughter couldn’t wait until our next read-aloud session to continue. We snagged a copy of this one at the library and tore through it in a few days. Mouse was a side character in Dogtown, so it was lovely to see him as the main character here. The story continues the theme of showing life in a dog shelter and the kinds of people and families who might choose to adopt a dog.

Published September 17, 2024 | My Review to Come

Shadow Apprentice by Linda Browne

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: This began as an impulse read for me. I follow the author’s blog, but this was my first time reading a book she’d written. My plan was to read the first page or so and decide whether to continue. I ended up reading the first 25% of the book before looking up. It’s a fast-paced steampunk fantasy novel and the start of a series I’m excited to continue.

Published May 8, 2024 | My Review to Come

Two Tribes by Emily Bowen Cohen

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My thoughts: This one has been on my reading list since it first came out, only I didn’t realize it was a graphic novel. Mia grapples with understanding her identity as both Jewish and Muscogee. She reconnects with her dad’s family to learn more. A thoughtful story.

Published August 15, 2023 | My Review to Come

Garlic and the Witch (Garlic #2) by Bree Paulsen

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: I loved the first book in this series and always intended to read more. It’s such a sweet, cozy story about vegetables that have come alive. This was one my seven-year-old really enjoyed.

Published September 6, 2022 | My Review to Come

Lunar Boy by Jes and Cin Wibowo

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: I saw someone online talking about this book as a must-read, so I got a copy from the library. It’s a thoughtful story about a boy who lived alone on the moon before being adopted into a family and moving to a colony on a new planet. It’s a tender and thoughtful graphic novel with gorgeous illustrations.

Published May 14, 2024 | My Review to Come

Blood at the Root by LaDarrion Williams

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My thoughts: This one has been on my TBR list since it came out. Magic and Black boy joy abound in this tale celebrating HBCUs, family, and community connections.

Published May 7, 2024 | My Review to Come

Lord of the Butterflies by Andrea Gibson

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My thoughts: I hadn’t heard of Andrea Gibson (I’m wildly under-read when it comes to poetry, especially modern poets), but they passed away earlier this year. So many people shared quotes from their poetry, and I loved all of them. I eagerly requested this book from the library and then soaked up the incredible poems. Gibson writes about relationships, mental health, and identity with such insight. If you’re looking for a shorter volume of poetry, I highly recommend this one.

Published November 27, 2018 | My Review to Come

Lion Dancers by Cai Tse

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

My Thoughts: I think I saw someone on Marvelous Middle Grade Mondays review this book and added it to my reading list. My littlest is currently super into graphic novels, so this is one we both read this summer. I loved getting to learn about lion dancing and enjoyed the overall story.

Published August 13, 2024 | My Review to Come

Front Desk (Front Desk #1) by Kelly Yang

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: I definitely heard about this book from the bloggers at Marvelous Middle Grade Mondays, but it moved up my list pretty quickly when I read Finally Seen by Kelly Yang. I’m excited to read this whole series.

Published May 29, 2018 | My Review to Come

As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow by Zoulfa Katouh

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

What you need to know: I’m pretty sure I heard about this book from Danielle Hammelef, but it took me a long time to finally read it. The story is dark, as it’s set during the Syrian Revolution and shows the trauma that survivors faced on a daily basis. It’s incredibly moving and a beautiful story despite the darkness.

Published September 13, 2022 | My Review to Come

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What did you read this summer?

What titles were on your summer 2025 backlist reading list? Did you read anything over the summer that you enjoyed? Do you read differently over the summer than in other seasons? Leave a comment and let me know.

Review: Coming Back by Jessi Zabarsky

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

Coming Back
Jessi Zabarsky
RH Graphic
Published January 18, 2022

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Coming Back

A beautiful graphic novel fantasy romance that follows two young women who have to go on their own separate adventures to discover the truth about themselves and about each other.

Preet is magic.

Valissa is not.

Everyone in their village has magic in their bones, and Preet is the strongest of them all. Without any power of her own, how can Valissa ever be worthy of Preet’s love? When their home is attacked, Valissa has a chance to prove herself, but that means leaving Preet behind. On her own for the first time Preet breaks the village’s most sacred laws, and is rejected from the only home she’s ever known and sent into a new world.

Divided by different paths, insecurities, and distance, will Valissa and Preet be able to find their way back to each other?

A beautiful story of two young women who are so focused on proving they’re meant to be together that they end up hurting each other in the process. This gorgeous graphic novel is an LGTBQ+ romance about young love and how it can grow into something strong no matter what obstacles get in the way.

My Review

This graphic novel has a lot of panels with pictures that show action, such as someone performing a ritual. I don’t know that I’ve ever read anything quite like this book before, so it took a little bit of getting used to. Once I felt like I grasped how the author was using still panels to indicate movement or action, it was easier to follow what was happening or fill in the interim movements in my head.

Once I got used to this style of storytelling, I found it really cool. A lot of the scenes have no text or only onomotopeia. There’s something really different about reading a scene without words to interpret what’s happening. It’s like that made me filter the story through a completely different part of my brain. I loved that experience, even though it was unfamiliar.

I also appreciate that this story follows two characters who break the norms of their group. Preet has powerful magic, but she uses it in an unapproved way. In their community, the people depend on those with powerful magic to help one another. Valissa doesn’t have magic, but she doesn’t let that stop her from risking her life to protect her people.

I also enjoyed the color palette of the book. It’s got peach and turquoise tones that make the scenes seem really nature-based. They’re soothing colors, too.

I hadn’t heard of this book, but found it while browsing at the library. I’m really glad I picked it up, and I would love to read more by Jessi Zabarsky.

If you like nature-centered fantasy graphic novels, put this one on your list.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 13 up.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
Two characters are in a relationship.

Spiritual Content
Some characters can do magic, such as changing shape and creating wind, etc. Some characters are mythical creatures.

Violent Content
Situations of peril. Prejudice and shaming drive some characters from their home.

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 library. All opinions are my own.

Monthly Recap: September 2025 Reading

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September 2025 Reading Status Update

I’ve been wildly disorganized this season, so I haven’t been posting lists or updates as much as I’d like. I thought I’d try out a monthly wrap post to see if it’s something I can sustainably do. The one or two sentence summaries I create for posts like this help me later when I am doing themed lists or my reading challenge pages, so maybe this will be useful. We’ll see.

At any rate, I managed to finish 25 books this month, including 11 backlist titles. Most of those are audiobooks, but I read a few as ebooks this time. I average about 20 books per month, so that’s pretty good for me. I’m happy with that.

The bad news is that due to my disorganization, I wildly overcommitted this month in terms of reviews, so I’ve still got 11 September release titles that I agreed to review which I haven’t read yet. O.o

So I’ll be working on those as quickly as I can.

I’m still working on updating my reading challenge lists for this year, but I added some new completed prompts to my list. (Read Harder: 17/24 prompts completed. Beat the Backlist: 33/52 prompts completed. 69 total backlist titles read.)

Note: This post contains affiliate links that do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. Thanks for using them to do your shopping.

September 2025 Reading

Guardians of Dawn: Ami by S. Jae-Jones

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

Notes: This is book two in the “Guardians of Dawn” series and follows bookish Ami. The series includes reimaginings of some fairytales, which I enjoyed. I missed this book when it came out, so this was a catch-up for me so I could jump into the third book, which came out in August 2025.

Published August 6, 2024 | My Review to Come

Guardians of Dawn: Yuli by S. Jae-Jones

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

Notes: The third book in the “Guardians of Dawn” series follows Yuli, whom I was less interested in before reading this book. This one adds a new point-of-view to the story and takes the characters to new places. There’s got to be at least one more book in the series, as there’s still one more guardian to meet.

Published August 19, 2025 | My Review

Only This Beautiful Moment by Abdi Nazemian

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

Notes: This story follows three generations of Iranian/Iranian American men in one family, telling the stories of their adolescence. I read this for a book club, and it was so much fun talking about how we each perceived the story and what worked or didn’t. I loved that the book repeatedly challenged assumptions about the characters.

Published November 9, 2023 | My Review to Come

El Deafo by Cece Bell

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

Notes: My littlest is a graphic novel fiend, so I read this one partly because she was interested and I wanted to make sure it was appropriate for her age (she’s seven; I thought it was fine). Bell does a wonderful job sharing her experience with humor and honesty, giving readers lots of space to think about what happens.

Published September 2, 2014 | My Review to Come

Trans History: A Graphic Novel: From Ancient History to the Present Day by Alex L. Combs, Andrew Eakett

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

Notes: Hands down, one of my favorite reads this month. I can’t stop telling people about this incredible book packed with biographical information about gender-nonconforming people from history and the development of medical care supporting transgender people. The authors include lots of great questions to prompt further thought and discussion.

Published May 13, 2025 | My Review

North of Tomboy by Julie A. Swanson

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Notes: I might have initially thought this was going to be a memoir. It’s a novel about a girl who doesn’t fit conventional gender stereotypes and how painful that is for her in a small Michigan town in the 1970s. Poignant and thoughtful.

Published September 2, 2025 | My Review

A Wolf Called Fire (A Voice of the Wilderness #4) by Rosanne Perry

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

Notes: I’m on the lookout for middle grade with short chapters aimed at the younger side of the audience, so I picked up this heavily illustrated title for review. It’s a neat nature story that could appeal to “Warriors” series fans. I love the author’s notes connecting the story to a real wolf pack.

Published February 4, 2025 | My Review to Come

The Sherlock Society: Hurricane Heist by (The Sherlock Society #2) by James Ponti

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

Notes: The second in a super fun middle grade detective series. Each member of the team brings different knowledge. Great balance between investigation and the reality that these are kids. Loved it.

Published September 2, 2025 | My Review

I Wish I Didn’t Have to Tell You This: A Graphic Memoir by Eugene Yelchin

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

Notes: This memoir delivers a dark story with so many sweet moments. It’s a little disconcerting to read about the actions of the government in the story right now, but so important to continue learning about people who’ve been through the kinds of experiences the author has.

Published September 16, 2025 | My Review

By Invitation Only by Alexandra Brown Chang

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

Notes: A really smart story that honors and challenges fashion and privilege. I loved both the narrators. The character names are well chosen.

Published September 2, 2025 | My Review

Linus and Etta Could Use a Win by Caroline Huntoon

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

Notes: A book about a boy running for class president! In middle grade fiction! I love this. Also, transgender rep with a dash of coming out, but not the point of the story. A celebration of finding a friend who “gets” you and your humor. This was a joy to read.

Published May 7, 2024 | My Review to Come

The Firelight Apprentice by Bree Paulsen

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

Notes: I loved the “Garlic” books, so this was a catch-up read bringing me more current on the author’s work. My 7yo wants to read this, but it’s got some scary illustrations in the final scenes, so we’re waiting on that a bit. Great story of sisterhood and how to support one another through different dreams.

Published October 29, 2024 | My Review to Come

Call Us What We Carry by Amanda Gorman

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

Notes: I’ve been a fan of Gorman since her inaugural poem in 2020. I picked up this collection of her poetry written during and about COVID-19 at the library. It’s a cool collection that includes some blackout poetry using historial documents. She has such a distinct voice that I felt like I heard her reading in my head.

Published December 7, 2021

Sisters in the Wind by Angeline Boulley

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

Notes: I’m such a fan of Boulley’s work. This book delivers another high-stakes, intense story with thoughtful exploration of cultural issues. The main character is a Native girl in foster care who’s disconnected from her history and people.

Published September 2, 2025 | My Review

Ghoul Summer by Tracy Badua

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

Notes: I’ve enjoyed the MG series Badua cowrites with Alechia Dow, so I wanted to try one of her solo novels. This is a great choice for a fall read with an unusual take on ghostly problems.

Published September 2, 2025 | My Review

Mallory in Full Color by Elisa Stone Leahy

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

Notes: I loved Leahy’s debut, Tethered to Other Stars, so I was delighted to find that this is a companion novel. This one deftly explores anxiety and identity while celebrating comics and manga.

Published November 19, 2024 | My Review to Come

Wish You Were Her by Elle McNicholl

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

Notes: I loved the You’ve Got Mail vibes/parallels in this book. Both main characters are autistic and very bookish. A thoughtful, cozy read. Perfect if you’re looking for a fall romance.

Published August 26, 2025 | My Review

Sunrise on the Reaping (A Hunger Games Novel) by Suzanne Collins

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

Notes: This is Haymitch’s story at the 25th Hunger Games. The story answers so many questions about Haymitch and also offers glimpses of familiar characters, like Beetee and Wiress.

Published March 18, 2025 | My Review to Come

The Bard and the Book: How the First Folio Saved the Plays of William Shakespeare from Oblivion by Ann Bausum and Marta Sevilla

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

Notes: A fun look at how Shakespeare’s work survived and how theaters operated during his lifetime.

Published April 2, 2024 | My Review to Come

The Forest of a Thousand Eyes by Frances Hardinge and Emily Gravett

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

Notes: Beautiful illustrations fill this eerie tale of the power of community. It’s a quick but thoughtful read at about 100 pages.

Published August 26, 2025 | My Review

For the Rest of Us: 13 Festive Holiday Stories to Celebrate All Seasons edited by Dahlia Adler

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

Notes: A collection featuring stories of holidays throughout the year, like 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 from incredible authors.

Published September 2, 2025 | My Review

The Guardians of Dreamdark: Windwitch by Laini Taylor

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

Notes: As a fan of Taylor’s other books, I had to read this one. It’s easy to see how Daughter of Smoke and Bone followed this series, though this is a completely different story and aimed at a much younger audience. Fans of the 1994 Thumbelina movie will love it.

Published September 23, 2025 (Orig. 2007) | My Review

This is How We Roll edited by Rosiee Thor

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

Notes: If you play tabletop RPGs like Dungeons and Dragons, you do not want to miss this collection. It’s a fabulous homage to the gameplay experience.

Published September 16, 2025 | My Review to Come

Your September 2025 Reading Wrap-Up

Did you read anything in September that stands out? Do you track your reading? Leave a comment and let me know if you read anything on my list.

Review: The Night Country by Melissa Albert

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

The Night Country (The Hazel Wood #2)
Melissa Albert
Flatiron Books
Published January 7, 2020

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About The Night Country

The New York Times bestselling sequel to Melissa Albert’s beloved The Hazel Wood!

In The Night Country, Alice Proserpine dives back into a menacing, mesmerizing world of dark fairy tales and hidden doors of The Hazel Wood. Follow her and Ellery Finch as they learn The Hazel Wood was just the beginning, and that worlds die not with a whimper, but a bang.

With Finch’s help, Alice escaped the Hinterland and her reclusive grandmother’s dark legacy. Now she and the rest of the dregs of the fairy tale world have washed up in New York City, where Alice is trying to make a new, unmagical life. But something is stalking the Hinterland’s survivors—and she suspects their deaths may have a darker purpose. Meanwhile, in the winking out world of the Hinterland, Finch seeks his own adventure, and—if he can find it—a way back home…

My Review

Yay, I finished a series! Okay, there were literally only two books in this one, but it still feels like an accomplishment for me. I read The Hazel Wood last year. It was a total impulse read for me. I’d been waiting on something else to be available at the library, so I picked up The Hazel Wood (available immediately) instead. Fast-forward to this year, when I finally decided I was ready to revisit Alice and Finch’s stories and see how it all ends.

I think one of the things that’s really interesting about this series is how minor the romantic thread is. The first book barely brings romance into the story and ends without resolving the romance. There is some romance in The Night Country, but it is VERY subplot. The characters do pine for one another more, but the feelings are more background than plot, if that makes sense.

After the grisly, immersive fairytales of the first book, I wasn’t sure how Albert was going to pull off crafting a story landscape that rivaled The Hazel Wood. I loved the lore of The Night Country and how it tied together with the mysterious deaths Alice was tracking.

This is one of those stories that seems to have a lot of disparate pieces, and then all of them snap together in a very satisfying way. I love it when an author can pull that off well, and I thought it was well done here.

This is definitely a “read the first book first” kind of series, but if you enjoyed the first book, definitely check this one out if you haven’t already. And if you love creepy fairytales and sinister magic, put this duology on your reading list.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 14 up.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Strong profanity used fairly frequently.

Romance/Sexual Content
Kissing.

Spiritual Content
Some characters can use magic. Multiple worlds exist, and some characters learn to navigate between them. Some characters can see the future or make predictions. Three characters spend a lot of time in a church, though the church leadership wants them to leave.

Violent Content
Situations of peril. Vague references to a man harming (including murdering) women. Alice tracks a serial murderer who mutilates their victims, taking a single body part from each person.

Drug Content
Alice drinks alcohol and another strong drink that alters her mental/physical state.

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