Tag Archives: friendship

Review: How to Talk to Your Succulent by Zoe Persico

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How to Talk to Your Succulent by Zoe Persico

How to Talk to Your Succulent
Zoe Persico
Tundra Books
Published April 1, 2025

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About How to Talk to Your Succulent

After the loss of her mother, Adara struggles to communicate with her family about her grief. When a sympathetic ear arises in an unlikely place, Adara can finally find her words — but can she find the time to listen? A stunning graphic novel for middle-grade readers about family, friendship and magic in unlikely places, for fans of The Witches of Brooklyn and Raina Telgemeier.

Eleven-year-old Adara and her dad are moving from California to the cold and flat lands of Michigan . . . and it sucks. After Mom’s recent passing, it seems way too soon. Talking to Dad has always been harder than with Mom, but now it’s like walking on eggshells. And why did Dad bring so many of Mom’s houseplants across the country? Her mother might have been called the Plant Whisperer back home, but Adara is beginning to wonder if there is something more to it. But when she meets a little succulent named Perle, she unlocks the same magical ability her mother had: talking to plants!

But taking care of Perle isn’t as easy as it seems — the environment isn’t suited for her, and Adara doesn’t know how to meet her needs. Kind of like the situation Adara herself is in. If only Perle could ask Adara for help . . . and Adara could ask her dad.

With a touch of magic, this debut middle-grade graphic novel explores loneliness, mental health and empathy, and shows how communication, openness and a willingness to listen can help young people — and older people — and plants! — navigate their mental well-being and heal from loss, individually and together.

My Review

I started reading this book before I experienced the death of a parent firsthand. As the person who has taken on caring for my dad’s plants and the plants around our house, I found that the book resonated more with me. For me, it was a soothing, cathartic read, honestly.

Adara and Perle’s relationship is really sweet. Perle is the small succulent that Adara begins caring for. The story draws a strong parallel between what you need to do to ensure your plants are thriving and what you need to do to ensure you and your relationships are thriving. I liked that connection, and it works very well in the context of the story.

I also appreciated that Adara and her dad are grieving differently, and it takes them some time to figure out how to share their grief with one another in a way that’s healing and not more painful.

The color palette is also lovely. The warm, bright colors are so cheerful. When someone is upset, they are shown as being surrounded by darker, thorny vines, indicating they’re not okay. It’s a great visual cue and helps connect the dots between the different characters and their emotions.

Give this one to a plant lover in your life or to someone struggling to make new friends.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 8 to 12.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
None.

Spiritual Content
Adara sees anthropomorphic plants and can talk to them.

Violent Content
References to the death of a parent. (Happened before the start 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: The Siren’s Kiss by Leslie Vedder

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The Siren’s Kiss
Leslie Vedder
Abrams/Amulet
Published November 10, 2026

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About The Siren’s Kiss

Pirates of the Caribbean meets The Little Mermaid in this swashbuckling Sapphic fantasy!

Three years ago, Dead Shot Rayleigh laid hands on the legendary ruby the Siren’s Kiss andsuffered the wrath of the sea god, Red-Handed Roger.

Now bound as captain of his cursed ship, The Revenant, eighteen-year-old Rayleigh hatches a plan to win her freedom. Everyone knows that Red-Handed Roger’s heart was stolen by the Sea Witch. If she can get it back, she can barter her release.

But Rayleigh isn’t the only one with a score to settle. Fiery mermaid Maren lost her brother to the Sea Witch, and she’s come to the surface to get him back and save the last remaining mermaids at all costs.

When Maren runs afoul of the infuriating cursed pirate Rayleigh, sparks fly, and all her plans go up in flames. Now the only chance they have is each other.

Swashbuckling, sea monsters, pirate kings, siren songs, and stolen hearts!

Red-Handed Roger and the Sea Witch were once friends, before they both fell for the same mermaid and almost destroyed the world. Will Rayleigh and Maren’s love set things right, or just finish what the old gods started?​​​

Some hearts are meant to be stolen…

My Review

I’m just going to say it. I don’t think Leslie Vedder gets the recognition she deserves for her reimagined fairy-tale mashups. Her debut, The Bone Spindle, was my favorite book of the year when it was published, and the whole series is excellent. I feel the same about this book.

I love the way that she blended Pirates of the Caribbean and The Little Mermaid. The beats from the original stories are completely reimagined here, and yet they still made me think of key moments from the originals. I love it. I love the way that Vedder developed the story surrounding the rivalry between the god of the sea and the sea witch. The mermaids and their interaction with the human world was really nicely thought out.

Rayleigh as a pirate on a cursed ship, with all her backstory about her mother and her connection to the pirate community, was also really fascinating. I felt like there was so much going on in the book. So many interesting threads I wanted to follow, and it was so rewarding to find out every bit of backstory that the author included in the novel.

I read this book during a particularly hard week, and having the next chapter to look forward to at night really gave me a boost. I absolutely recommend this book for readers who enjoy books by Stephanie Garber or anyone who likes reimagined fairy tales. This is one I’m absolutely going to reread, and it’ll be on my top reads for this year without a doubt.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 14 up.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Profanity used infrequently.

Romance/Sexual Content
Kissing.

Spiritual Content
The story contains lore about a god and goddess who fell in love with the same goddess and what happened when she chose one lover over the other. Rayleigh is cursed and bound to a cursed ship.

Violent Content
Situations of peril. Battle scenes involving swords and guns.

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: Rainbow Boys by Alex Sanchez

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

Rainbow Boys
Alex Sanchez
Simon & Schuster BFYR
Published September 29, 2026 (Orig. 2001)

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Rainbow Boys

Navigating through an intolerant world and their own insecurities, three teenage boys find each other and the confidence to come out of the closet.

Three teenage boys, coming of age and out of the closet. Jason Carrillo is a jock with a steady girlfriend, but he can’t stop dreaming about sex…with other guys. Kyle Meeks doesn’t look gay, but he is. And he hopes he never has to tell anyone—especially his parents. Nelson Glassman is “out” to the entire world, but he can’t tell the boy he loves that he wants to be more than just friends…

In a revealing debut novel that percolates with passion and wit, Alex Sanchez follows these very different high-school seniors as their struggles with sexuality and intolerance draw them into a triangle of love, betrayal, and ultimately, friendship.

My Review

This 25th anniversary edition of Rainbow Boys opens with a foreword from Maia Kobabe, who offers some context for why books like this one are so important. Not only do these books let readers see themselves as the central characters, but the stories also celebrate who they are while acknowledging challenges many LGBTQIA+ teens face. The book also includes a note from the author that tells why he wrote the book and its journey to publication.

The writing in Rainbow Boys is straightforward and easy to follow. The story alternates between Nelson, Kyle, and Jason’s perspectives, giving readers glimpses into each boy’s experience. Nelson, out and proud, faces different challenges than Jason, who is still learning to accept who he is. Kyle’s parents’ response to his coming out is very different than Jason’s parents’ reaction. I love that the book shows these different experiences side by side, highlighting a spectrum of stories that many readers will identify with.

Though Nelson begins the story out and proud, he still shows growth in how he thinks of relationships and his self-confidence. Jason and Kyle also experience some character growth throughout the story.

All in all, I can see why this book deserves to be revisited and published for a new generation. Rainbow Boys is the first book in a trilogy following Nelson, Jason, and Kyle through the summer after graduation. I’m not sure whether there are plans to release new editions of all three or just this first book.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 15 up.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Strong profanity used somewhat frequently.

Romance/Sexual Content
Kissing. Some brief, scant descriptions of sexual encounters. References to sex. References to HIV and safe sex.

Spiritual Content
None.

Violent Content
One character remembers his dad beating him up after catching him with another boy. Some scenes show bullying by other students, including a fight between multiple boys. One character’s dad gets violent after having too much to drink.

Drug Content
Characters attend a party where teens drink alcohol. One character’s dad is an alcoholic and appears drunk in multiple scenes.

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: Revenants Return by James Riley

Book Review and Content, Fantasy, Middle Grade 8-12, ,

Revenants Return (The Dragon’s Apprentice #2)
James Riley
Labyrinth Road
Published February 23, 2026

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Revenants Return

The fate of magic rests in the hands (and claws) of a cranky dragon, a feisty apprentice…and a prince who may not be all he seems? Get ready for the sequel to the New York Times bestselling hilarious fantasy adventure in the new series from the author of the Story Thieves.

You were warned to stay away from THE DRAGON’S APPRENTICE. It was forbidden for a good reason, as it told the story of a village girl named Ciara finding her own book of magic and learning spells from a dragon of all things. These are dangerous ideas, and no one should be allowed to see them.

Fortunately, Ciara’s story didn’t end there, or she might have doomed us all. No, thankfully, a true hero to the Draconic Empire, Prince Aiden, has come to Ciara’s village to stop her and her teacher, Scorch the dragon. The prince, like his father the Emperor, is a powerful magic-user. And Aiden uses his power to keep us safe from strange, forbidden books. If anyone can stop Ciara from teaching others magic and therefore summoning the horrible Revenants that once defeated the Dragon Mage herself, it’s the Empire’s beloved prince.

Let’s just hope that Ciara can’t spread her knowledge of magic before the prince can find her and put an end to her evil deeds once and for all…

My Review

Ciara and her magic teacher, Scorch, continue their adventure in this second installment of the series. The story begins very close to where the first book ended, with Ciara’s village still recovering from the machinations of the Warden’s rule. Like the first book, the chapters in this one open with a quote from Bianca’s journal hinting at the scenes to come. Ciara remains impulsive and quick to (humorously) insult anyone she perceives is trying to hurt the people she loves.

One interesting plot element emerges when Ciara supercharges a truth spell, which leads to unplanned results. Scorch reminds Ciara that the spell will only highlight when someone repeats something they know is a lie. If someone believes in what they’re saying, the truth spell won’t flag it as false, even if the statement is factually untrue. Scorch tells Ciara that sometimes people believe a lie because it’s less painful than facing the truth. Ciara learns an awful lot about what that means before the story concludes.

The plot is fairly fast-paced, keeping readers moving from one obstacle to the next. At 240 pages, it’s a pretty quick read, too.

All in all, this is a nice continuation of a series that will interest fantasy fans. My youngest reader is absolutely hooked on the series and already anxious for the third book, which doesn’t come out until November 2026.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 8 to 12.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
None.

Spiritual Content
Some characters can use magic. One character is a dragon.

Violent Content
Situations of peril. One character uses magic to threaten or control others.

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 library. All opinions are my own.

Review: Cursed Ever After by Andy C. Naranjo

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Cursed Ever After
Andy C. Naranjo
Farrar, Straus, and Giroux
Published June 30, 2026

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Cursed Ever After

Cursed Ever After is a dazzling romantic fantasy debut brimming with snark, humor, and banter-filled romance perfect for fans of The Princess Bride and Once Upon a Broken Heart.

Love is not for cursed girls. Risa is better off without it.

Risa Porto is a Bad Thing born on a Bad Day and cursed with Bad Luck. After years of taking the blame for every calamity, mishap, and minor inconvenience that befalls the townspeople of Barrow, she longs for escape. And on her seventeenth birthday, her wish is granted.

Sort of.

Risa owes a (very annoying) witch a favor, and it comes in the form of a quest: escort Prince Javi―the youngest, handsomest, and least significant prince―through the dark (and deadly) Bosque to his wedding. This measly errand quickly spirals into a struggle against greedy assassins, a murderous cult, a vicious tyrant―and Risa’s own curse.

Most unfortunate of all…

She is not immune to Javi’s charms and has a highly irritating urge to kiss the prince. Though, surviving the darkest corners of the Bosque is only the beginning. If Risa is to hold up her end of a witch’s bargain, she’ll need a lot more than luck on her side to untangle the web of lies threatening the kingdom. Is Risa willing to pay the price of happily ever after? What if the only person she’s meant to save is herself?

Don’t miss this action-packed, Latinx subverted fairytale!

My Review

I had so much fun reading this book. While it might be a stretch to compare the story to The Princess Bride, I absolutely see the comparison to Once Upon a Broken Heart. It’s got more humor and lightness than Once Upon a Broken Heart, but the characters carry the same sense of approaching doom throughout the story.

While some of the revelations in the story didn’t come as a surprise to me, I had a great time reading the story start to finish. The narrative is a bit playful, gently poking fun at fairytale tropes. Risa and Javi banter back and forth almost constantly, which never got old to me. I loved her pragmatic personality and his starry-eyed dreaminess.

If you’re looking for a lighthearted, engaging romp through a fantasy story world, definitely grab this book. I suspect this one will be on my list of favorites for the year.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 13 up.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Infrequent use of profanity.

Romance/Sexual Content
Kissing.

Spiritual Content
Some characters have the ability to perform magic and cast or undo curses.

Violent Content
Situations of peril. Attempted kidnapping. One scene shows guards murdered by assassins.

Drug Content
One character is given an intoxicating substance.

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: Cursed Princess Club: Vol. 1 by LambCat

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

Cursed Princess Club, Vol. 1: A WEBTOON Unscrolled Graphic Novel
LambCat
WEBTOON Unscrolled
Published January 3, 2023

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Cursed Princess Club, Vol. 1

Just because you’re cursed doesn’t mean you’re not special.

Meet Gwendolyn, the youngest princess of the Pastel Kingdom. Despite her big heart and love for baking, Gwen is living proof that royalty doesn’t always have it all—unlike the typical fairytale princess, or other princesses in the Pastel Kingdom, Gwen isn’t particularly attractive. While her sisters have woodland creatures do their hair and makeup, and flowers blossom wherever they sleep, the youngest princess is just a bit . . . different.

When her father proposes marriage for Gwen and her sisters in hopes of building an alliance with the Plaid Kingdom, Gwen’s heart shatters when she overhears Prince Frederick call her “ugly.” Ashamed and overwhelmed, she runs away into the forest, where she discovers the twisted and enchanted world of the Cursed Princess Club—and her life will change forever.

Outcast by society, the Cursed Princess Club are a ragtag crew of misfits and cursed princesses who have banded together to form their own friendship circle. One where they are seen, supported, and appreciated—warts and all. With Gwen joining the crew, she embarks on her own journey to find community and embrace her uniqueness.

This volume collects episodes 1 to 34 of the enchanting WEBTOON series.

My Review

I heard about this series through an author that I really like. I can’t remember where I saw the endorsement, though. It might have even been in the acknowledgements at the back of the endorsing author’s book? I sincerely can’t recall. At any rate, I decided to check out the series.

The subverted tropes are a lot of fun. Instead of the cursed princesses being victims awaiting rescue, they’ve formed a club in which they support one another and celebrate other parts of their lives. Gwen’s two sisters and brother all have very fairytale princess qualities to them. Her oldest sister, Maria, is followed by birds and other cute forest animals who help her brush her hair and do her makeup. She’s also a talented singer. Wherever Lorena, the middle daughter, goes, flowers spring up. She’s gifted at combat skills and other types of movement. Both are classically beautiful.

Jamie, the only prince in the family, is also very pretty. In fact, he’s often mistaken for a princess, and he doesn’t seem to mind this at all. Gwen, the youngest daughter, looks different from her siblings. Her hair is stringy, and her skin is kind of a pale green. Her small irises and pupils make her eyes look very different than her siblings, too.

The girls learn they’re betrothed to three handsome princes, which is great news, until Gwen hears the youngest prince call her ugly to his brothers. His words cut her pretty deeply, and she worries about what will happen if her family hears that he said this awful thing to her. She doesn’t want to ruin her sisters’ happiness or her dad’s political maneuvers.

Both the princes’ dad and the princesses’ dad are very tropey. The girls’ father wants to shelter them and imagines base motives for anyone who so much as glances their direction (something even the guards are not permitted to do). The boys’ father leans hard into some toxic masculinity, forcing the boys to do pushups when they fail to obey strict rules, and tasking them with manual labor to toughen them up.

Gwen meets the cursed princesses and joins the group, where the other girls teach her about self-love and embrace her despite her insecurities. The first volume introduces the club members, but doesn’t deeply explore any of their histories.

The exaggerated expressions and humorous references to fairy tale tropes make this book a lot of fun to read. The series is very binge-worthy, so be prepared for the need to hustle out to grab the next book when you’ve finished this one.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 12 up.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
Some flirty comments and very vague references to sex/romance.

Spiritual Content
Some princesses have magical curses on them, such as having empty holes for eyes. People wonder if Gwendolyn is a witch because of how she looks.

Violent Content
Gwendolyn overhears someone call her ugly, and it deeply hurts her.

Drug Content
Someone offers Gwendolyn alcohol, which she refuses because she’s underage.

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.