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Review: Thirsty: A Novel by Jas Hammonds

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Thirsty by Jas Hammonds

Thirsty: A Novel
Jas Hammonds
Roaring Brook Press
Published May 14, 2024

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Thirsty: A Novel

It’s the summer before college and eighteen-year-old Blake Brenner and her girlfriend, Ella, have one goal: join the mysterious and exclusive Serena Society. The sorority promises status and lifelong connections to a network of powerful, trailblazing women of color. Ella’s acceptance is a sure thing—she’s the daughter of a Serena alum. Blake, however, has a lot more to prove.

As a former loner from a working-class background, Blake lacks Ella’s pedigree and confidence. Luckily, she finds courage at the bottom of a liquor bottle. When she drinks, she’s bold, funny, and unstoppable—and the Serenas love it. But as pledging intensifies, so does Blake’s drinking, until it’s seeping into every corner of her life. Ella assures Blake that she’s fine; partying hard is what it takes to make the cut.

But success has never felt so much like drowning. With her future hanging in the balance and her past dragging her down, Blake must decide how far she’s willing to go to achieve her glittering dreams of success—and how much of herself she’s willing to lose in the process.

My Review

What an incredible book. I felt as though I was right there with Blake, riding the high of being deeply in love and long summer days. But even from the early pages, you get this sense that something is off. Blake doesn’t see it yet, and at first I thought maybe it was just me not buying into the narrative.

(Can we pause for a sec and just appreciate the kind of writing that can do that? Draw you into a story so completely that you both root for the main character and suspect she’s lying to herself? Amazing.)

As the story progresses, it becomes crystal clear that Blake’s relationship with Ella comes at a high personal cost. Even though Blake loves her. Even though Ella loves Blake.

I don’t want to give away what happens, but I do want to say that I appreciate that Hammonds doesn’t end the story where I expected. We follow Blake into the first chapters a life she couldn’t have imagined at the start of the story. We get to see the working out of some of her choices. I love that, and I think that kind of representation is incredibly important in young adult literature.

Thirsty is the second book by Jas Hammonds that I’ve read. Their debut, We Deserve Monuments was fantastic, and yet, somehow, I think Thirsty might be even better. I’m pretty sure Hammonds is now a must-read author for me.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 14 up.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Strong profanity used fairly frequently.

Romance/Sexual Content
Kissing, references to sex and showering/undressing together.

Spiritual Content
None.

Violent Content
Non-consensual outing. Transphobic rhetoric. Toxic relationship elements. Racial microaggressions. Suicidal ideation and self-hate.

Drug Content
Blake and other teens drink alcohol and smoke using a vape pen. While a lot of scenes show drinking, they also show the consequences and regrets that Blake has later. The scenes explore the harm that drinking causes. The character who smokes decides to quit during the book.

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 Survivor Wants to Die at the End by Adam Silvera

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The Survivor Wants to Die at the End (They Both Die at the End #3)
Adam Silvera
Quill Tree Books
Published May 6, 2025

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About The Survivor Wants to Die at the End

In this third book of the USA Today and #1 New York Times mega-bestselling They Both Die at the End series, two strangers—each with their own complicated relationship to Death-Cast—help each other learn to live.

Paz Dario stays up every night, waiting for the Death-Cast call that would mean he doesn’t have to keep faking his way through this lonely life. After a devastating day, Paz decides he’s done waiting around for Death-Cast. If they say he’s not dying, he’ll just have to prove them wrong. But right before Paz can die, a boy saves his life.

Alano Rosa is heir to the Death-Cast empire that encourages everyone to live their best lives, but he doesn’t feel in control of his own existence thanks to his father. And with a violent organization called the Death Guard threatening Alano, his End Day might be closer than he thinks. It’s time to live.

Fate brings Paz and Alano together, but it’s now up to the boys to survive the tragic trials ahead so no one dies at the end.

This book contains themes that some readers may find difficult.

This Isn’t an Easy Book (My Review Part 1)

This is a very long book. I can’t remember the last time I read a contemporary novel that was over 700 pages. I think the fanbase for the series will probably read this book anyway. (They have probably already read it by now, actually.) I went into this book kind of surprised that I wasn’t hearing more buzz about it from the reviewers I follow. It’s possible I’ve just missed the reviews. After reading the book, I can definitely say it’s a hard one to talk about, partly because it’s a long book, but also because of the representation of mental illness that’s often stigmatized.

I don’t have Borderline Personality Disorder myself, but someone in my life does, so it was almost eerie at times the way that the book echoed some of the things I’ve witnessed. I don’t feel qualified to judge whether it’s great representation, but Paz’s experiences definitely resonated with me.

That said, Paz spends the majority of the book in a really difficult place emotionally. He’s not so much struggling to stay alive as struggling to come up with a foolproof plan to exit life. It can be really hard to follow a character as intense as Paz, perhaps especially if you’ve been through similar experiences or have been a support person for someone who has.

I was also leery of the idea that Alano could keep Paz safe. It can be a huge adrenaline spike to be the person someone turns to for stability. In my experience, that’s a recipe for frustration and burnout, though. So while I spent every chapter rooting for Paz’s survival, I also held my breath hoping that the narrative would call out the parts of the relationship that weren’t healthy.

Things That Will Stick with Me (My Review Part 2)

Ultimately the story does show some give and take in Paz and Alano’s relationship. That back and forth leaning on one another also gives each of them opportunity for growth and to demonstrate the kind of support they’ve wanted in their own lives. I like that the book was careful to show that.

I loved the scenes that showed Paz’s gift for acting and his knowledge of the craft. There are a couple scenes where he’s practicing getting into character or talking about his process, and I loved seeing that. It also highlights that there’s so much more to him than mental illness and the sensationalized moments in his life.

Alano is a really interesting character as well. We learn some things about him late in the book that caused me to think back and reevaluate some of the things I’d thought earlier on in the story. The last scene ends with a new piece of information that, honestly, opens a whole new can of worms to be explored (I hope) in the fourth book in the series, No One Knows Who Dies at the End, which should come out in 2026.

Conclusion

This book is definitely not for everyone, and I think the author takes great care to let readers know what to expect in his author’s note at the front of the book. Be sure to read that before diving into this one.

I’m glad I read this book, though it was a hard read for me. I’m in awe of Silvera for his ability to sustain a story about someone who wants to die– that’s no easy feat. I love how Alano and Paz reframe their day together as a “Begin Day” rather than an “End Day.”

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 16 up.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
Strong profanity used fairly frequently.

Romance/Sexual Content
Kissing. References to sex.

Spiritual Content
Spoilers (Select the following text to reveal):

One character sees the ghosts of the dead, and they talk to him.

Violent Content
Suicidal ideation. Vivid descriptions of self-harm and a desire to self-harm. Someone hears a gunshot that indicates a person has ended their life. Multiple descriptions of suicide attempts. Someone stabs another person. A gunman bursts into a store, threatening the shoppers and shouting a political message. There’s another spoiler in the paragraph below. (Select the text to reveal.)

Neither of the main characters die by suicide in the book.

Drug Content
One character is an alcoholic. In more than one scene, he feels tempted to drink alcohol. In one scene, a character notes the smell of alcohol on his breath. One suicide attempt involves drinking alcohol.

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: Trans History: From Ancient Times to the Present Day by Alex L. Combs and Andrew Eakett

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Trans History: From Ancient Times to the Present Day
Alex L. Combs and Andrew Eakett
Candlewick Press
Published May 13, 2025

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Trans History: From Ancient Times to the Present Day

An essential introduction to trans history, from ancient times to the present day, in full-color graphic nonfiction format. Deeply researched, highly readable, and featuring a broad range of voices.

What does “trans” mean, and what does it mean to be trans? Diversity in human sex and gender is not a modern phenomenon, as readers will discover through illustrated stories and records that introduce historical figures ranging from the controversial Roman emperor Elagabalus to the swashbuckling seventeenth-century conquistador Antonio de Erauso to veterans of the Stonewall uprising Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera.

In addition to these individual profiles, the book explores some of the societal roles played by trans people beginning in ancient times and shows how European ideas about gender were spread across the globe. It explains how the science of sexology and the growing acceptance of (and backlash to) gender nonconformity have helped to shape what it means to be trans today. Illustrated conversations with modern activists, scholars, and creatives highlight the breadth of current trans experiences and give readers a deeper sense of the diversity of trans people, a group numbering in the millions. Extensive source notes provide further resources.

Moving, funny, heartbreaking, and empowering, this remarkable compendium from trans creators Alex L. Combs and Andrew Eakett is packed with research on every dynamic page.

My Review

I’m so impressed with this book. The authors do a wonderful job presenting historical information and clarifying the trustworthiness (or lack of trustworthiness) of their sources. Each chapter ends with a few questions in thought bubbles that invite readers to further digest the content and/or add context. For example, at the end of the first chapter on the ancient world, one thought bubble poses the question, “Why do certain stories from history get repeated over and over, while others are not remembered at all?” At the end of chapter two, which explores information about gender nonconforming people in European history, a thought bubble asks, “Why are some people given more freedom to transgress gender norms while others are given less?”

Throughout the book, the authors carefully qualify and contextualize the biographical information they share. An authors’ note at the beginning of the book clarifies that neither of the authors is a historian, so they stuck to the most well-known and documented research. They are careful to note that the individuals profiled in the book may not have identified themselves as transgender, but they focus on highlighting the ways that these people subverted or defied the gender norms of their time. The life stories they highlight are extremely compelling. The book well-establishes the truth that people have existed outside a rigid gender binary throughout the world and all of human history.

It might be tempting to think that because this book uses a graphic novel format that the information is thin or scattered throughout the pages. Combs and Eakett do a fabulous job creating dynamic panels packed with information. I sometimes went back and read a section multiple times. The information was clear, but there was so much that I wanted to remember.

Conclusion

Whatever topic this team takes on next, I’m absolutely here for it. They’ve cracked the code on creating well-balanced, informative and entertaining nonfiction in a graphic novel format. The book will be extremely accessible to teens both because of the age-appropriate way the authors present the content and the compelling presentation.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 12 up.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
A few of the statements in the last chapter include swear words with an asterisk replacing some of the letters.

Romance/Sexual Content
References to romantic relationships. Reference to sex workers. Some information on the historical advancements of gender-affirming medical care.

Spiritual Content
References to a faith leader. References to spiritual beliefs.

Violent Content
References to political assassination. Reference to homophobia and police violence directed at LGBTQIA+ people. One interviewee in the last chapter makes a reference to murder (Specifically, reference to the fact that members of the trans community are more likely to experience violence/murder.). References to a person’s death by suicide. (Not shown in any way.)

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: Shadow Apprentice by Linda Browne

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Shadow Apprentice (The Garrison Chronicles #1)
Linda Browne
Crooked Mile Media
Published May 8, 2024

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Shadow Apprentice

FINALIST, THE WISHING SHELF BOOK AWARDS 2024

13-year-old Ermin is a gifted mechanic and the worst student at St. Anselm’s Training School for Orphans. She’s just failed her exams for the third time—something nobody’s ever done. Worse, Ermin’s been running her own repair business for money, something that’s expressly forbidden. If the headmistress finds out, Ermin will go to prison. Her future will be over before it’s even begun.

But that’s not her only secret.

Her best friends, Colin and Georgie, are wizards in a world where magic is strictly controlled. Ermin worries that her friends will be captured, drained of their power, then banished. When Georgie’s caught aiding the Wizard’s Resistance, Ermin repairs a broken flying carpet so all three of them can escape.

Hesitant to join the Resistance because of her lack of magical power, Ermin steals an experimental device from a wizard hunter that could destroy every wizard in the Creek. She’s faced with a choice: either smash the device or convert it into a different kind of weapon—one that not only helps wizards but just might get her an apprenticeship at the prestigious Guild Academy.

Ermin’s got one chance to get it right. If she fails, she risks losing her two best friends… and her dreams.

My Review

I read this book as a total impulse/mood read. I have a pretty structured review calendar, but I needed a break, so I browsed my Kindle app for something that would grab my attention. Initially, I planned to read the first page of the book and see what happened. The next time I looked up, I had read 25% of the story, and it was past bedtime. Ha!

Shadow Apprentice is a lean fantasy with memorable characters and a fast-paced plot. I loved the steampunk elements in the book. Ermin has a natural ability and intuition for fixing mechanical problems. What she doesn’t have, though, is a gift for working out complex spell equations, something she’ll need to continue with school and have a career fixing things.

The connection between magic and math through spellwork equations was a fascinating one. It made perfect sense in the story, and I’m sure many readers who struggle with math will identify with Ermin’s feelings about it.

Ermin and her two best friends are the central characters, although the story is told from Ermin’s perspective. I loved the way they look out for each other, even when they have different ideas about how to solve a problem they face.

The story world has a lot going on. At the beginning, Ermin is a student at a boarding school. Wizards, people with natural magical ability, are hunted, arrested, and stripped of their magic. Street gangs (made up mostly of kids) recruit other unhoused kids and press them into working for them. A resistance group opposes the treatment of wizards and fights against their unjust treatment.

Ermin and her friends find themselves caught between these warring factions. Figuring out who wants her help versus who plans to take advantage of her or her friends isn’t easy.

Conclusion

The plot gripped me all the way until the final pages of the book. I would absolutely read more of this series. I think fans of magic school type stories will like this one. It reminds me a little bit of The Hunt for the Hollower by Callie C. Miller.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 9 to 14.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
A few references to characters having crushes on other characters.

Spiritual Content
Some characters have the ability to perform magic.

Violent Content
Situations of peril. Ermin and her friends face threats from street gangs who would press them into working for them or banishment for those found to have magical ability.

Drug Content
Passing reference to pubs.

Note: This post contains affiliate links, which do not cost you anything to use but help support this blog. I purchased a copy of this book and enjoyed it so much I wanted to share my review. All opinions are my own.

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

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Guardians of Dawn: Yuli (Guardians of Dawn #3)
S. Jae-Jones
Wednesday Books
Published August 19, 2026

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About Guardians of Dawn: Yuli

Princess Yulana has a few problems. Her late grandfather has died without naming an heir, civil war threatens to tear the Morning Realms apart, a strange waking dreamer sickness is sweeping through the land, and a plague of hungry ghosts roam the steppes. On top of all of that, Kho, her former best friend turned rival, is getting under her skin. A struggle for power divides the north, and the outcome rests on the winner of the Grand Game―a competition that will determine not just the future of her people, but the course of the entire empire.

When the world is out of balance, the Guardians of Dawn are reborn.

As the Guardian of Wind, it is Yuli’s responsibility to bring order to chaos, along with the Guardian of Fire and the Guardian of Wood. But can she restore balance to the Morning Realms when she can’t even win the political games being played at home? The fate of the Morning Realms depends on the Guardians of Dawn, and whether Yuli can manage both the demonic and political chaos at once.

My Review

I had a feeling that this would not be the last book in the series, since each book follows a different Guardian of Dawn, and there are four of them. Sure enough, though this book contains its own satisfying plot, it sets up the fourth story and the stakes for the guardians and their allies.

Like the others in the series, this one has a large cast and the narrative follows more than one point of view. This book stuck more closely with the three guardians and a love interest, so it felt more compact to me than the first two books. I enjoyed each viewpoint. Zhara, Ami, Yuli, and Kho are all so different from one another. It was always pretty easy to remember who was telling the story at any given moment.

The plot moved at a nice pace. Of all the books so far, I think I read this one the fastest. I really enjoyed the fairy tale story elements. There’s a great balance between the original story and the fairy tale-inspired themes.

I’d still recommend this series to readers transitioning to young adult from middle grade fiction. The action can be a little intense, but the writing and other components keep this feeling like a perfect read for a younger YA audience.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 12 up.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
A few 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, causes harm. Demons emerge from a tear between worlds and can possess people and objects.

Violent Content
Situations of peril. Brief battle violence.

Drug Content
Yuli assumes people acting strange are drunk until she realizes something more nefarious is going on.

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 Tea Dragon Society by Kay O’Neill

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The Tea Dragon Society (The Tea Dragon Society #1)
Kay O’Neill
Oni Press
Published October 31, 2017

Amazon | Bookshop | Goodreads

About The Tea Dragon Society

From the award-winning author of Princess Princess Ever After comes The Tea Dragon Society, a charming all-ages book that follows the story of Greta, a blacksmith apprentice, and the people she meets as she becomes entwined in the enchanting world of tea dragons.

After discovering a lost tea dragon in the marketplace, Greta learns about the dying art form of tea dragon care-taking from the kind tea shop owners, Hesekiel and Erik. As she befriends them and their shy ward, Minette, Greta sees how the craft enriches their lives—and eventually her own.

My Review

I can’t believe it took me so long to read this book! It’s been on my reading list for years. At first, I didn’t think I would like the size of the book (it’s very tall, about 8.5″ by almost 12″), but the way that the panels are drawn, the book needed to be larger. So, the size makes sense.

The pages are pure K. O’Neill magic. Adorable illustrations and sweet storytelling fill the pages. We follow Greta, a girl learning blacksmithing from her mom, who becomes friends with a couple who keep tea dragons. The tea dragons each grow a different kind of tea on their heads or backs. They’re shy and so cute!

The book is divided into four parts, one for each season of the year. Greta and Minette, another girl learning about tea dragons, become friends, too. The whole vibe is cozy and sweet, which is absolutely perfect if you have a young reader just beginning to journey into middle grade graphic novels or an older reader who just needs a cozy fantasy read.

My daughter and I read this one together and are very much looking forward to the next book in the trilogy.

Content Notes

Recommended for Ages 8 to 12.

Profanity/Crude Language Content
None.

Romance/Sexual Content
One image shows a couple leaning their foreheads against one another. Another image shows one character kissing the other on the cheek.

Spiritual Content
The story contains mythical creatures, such as dragons who grow tea leaves on their bodies.

Violent Content
A few images show a person armed with a sword facing down a foe.

Drug Content
None.

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