Tag: graphic novel

ARC, graphic novel, LGBT, ya

👻 Ghosted in LA Vol 1 ARC Review ðŸ‘»

Courtney/Enchanted.to.Read.You

👻 Title: Ghosted in LA
👻 Author: Sina Grace
👻 Illustrator: Siobhan Keenan
👻 Colorist: Cathy Le
👻 Publisher: BOOM! Box
👻 Publish Date: May 14, 2020
👻 Book Form: E-ARC
👻 Pages: 112
👻 Genre: Graphic Novels, LGBT
👻 Dates Read: Apr 5, 2020
👻 Rating: 👻👻👻👻👻

Thank you to Netgalley and BOOM! Box for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and feelings are my own.

Daphne Walters moves to Los Angeles and finds that the only ones who can help her find love and live life to the fullest are the ghosts of her new home!

In Los Angeles, finding an apartment is killer—unless you live with the dead. Daphne Walters moves to Los Angeles for her boyfriend Ronnie, ready to live her happily ever after. But when happily ever after turns into happily for a month, she’s stuck in a strange city with no friends, family, or prospects for fun. Desperate to escape the lingering ghost of Ronnie’s presence everywhere, Daphne sets out to explore the city—and ends up encountering ghosts of a more literal kind! Rycroft Manor is abandoned, beautiful, and haunted. Will the dead be able to help Daphne find the life she’s been missing in the big city? From GLAAD Award-nominated Sina Grace (Iceman) and illustrator Siobhan Keenan (Jem and the Holograms) comes a story about learning how to make friends, find love, and live life to the fullest with a little help from some friends whose lives didn’t end at death. Collects Ghosted In L.A #1-4

– Goodreads

Ahhhhh! THIS GRAPHIC NOVEL WAS SO ADORABLE OMGGGGG! Okay, so I don’t normally read graphic novels. They just aren’t really my thing, I guess? But I am SO GLAD I ended up requesting this one from Netgalley. I loved it!

The story follows Daphne, who moved to LA with her boyfriend. Only to be dumped. She is wandering around LA one night, and comes across this beautiful house. The only downside is it is filled with ghosts. THey agree to let her live there, as long as she brings no other humans to the house. Of course, things go awry!

I loved seeing all the backstories of the ghosts that live in the home. We only saw three in the first collection, but they were so interesting! It was a perfect mix of past and present.

The art in this book is amazing! I love the illustrations and coloring. It really brought the story to life. When I read graphic novels, I usually just focus on the words and skim over the pictures, but this one I found myself gazing at the art and how great it was! Plus, Daphne had THE BEST style. Like, I want her closet for myself. I was drooling over those outfits!

I would recommend Ghosted in LA to anyone who loves a fun contemporary. I would usually pass since it’s a graphic novel, but I am SO GLAD I didn’t! I can’t wait for Volume 2!

Is Ghosted in LA on your radar? Let me know in the comments below!

Until next time…

ARC, fantasy, Four Star Book, graphic novel, middle grade

Sea Sirens ARC Review

Courtney/Enchanted.to.Read.You
  • Title: Sea Sirens
  • Author: Amy Chu and Janet K. Lee (Illustrator)
  • Book Form: Physical
  • Pages: 144
  • Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers
  • Genre: MG, Graphic Novel, Fantasy
  • Rating: ★★★★

Dive into this middle-grade graphic novel about a Vietnamese American surfer girl and her talking cat who plunge into a fantasy world of oceanic marvels . . . and mayhem!

Trot, a Vietnamese American surfer girl, and Cap’n Bill, her cranky one-eyed cat, catch too big a wave and wipe out, sucked down into a magical underwater kingdom where an ancient deep-sea battle rages. The beautiful Sea Siren mermaids are under attack from the Serpent King and his slithery minions–and Trot and her feline become dangerously entangled in this war of tails and fins.

This graphic novel was inspired by The Sea Fairies, L. Frank Baum’s “underwater Wizard of Oz.” It weaves Vietnamese mythology, fantastical ocean creatures, and a deep-sea setting.

– Goodreads

Thank you to Viking Books for Young Readers and Penguin Random House for a free copy of this graphic novel in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I was SO surprised to get this finished copy from Viking today! I saw I had something coming from Penguin Random House so I was like, ‘Oh, it’s Memento.’ Even though I’m so excited for Memento, I was pleasantly surprised! And a finished copy! What?!

I was so excited I dove right in to this California surfer girl’s story. The first thing I noticed on the cover was she was holding a one-eyed cat! You never get the story of why he has one eye, however, there are more books coming!

Trot is a surfer girl who goes to the beach every day after school to surf while her grandpa fishes. Her grandpa has Alzheimer’s, which I think is really good to show in a book for younger kids. I know a lot of kids have to go through having a loved one with this disease – I did. So it’s really nice to have that representation like, hey- you aren’t alone. It’s a pretty common thing these days.

I loved when Trot and Cap’n Bill – the one eyed cat – make it to the Siren Kingdom. The story was so cute and fun. I couldn’t put it down!

I loved the diversity of the characters. I loved the underwater experience. It definitely read as a middle grade novel, but honestly, sometimes we just need something light-hearted and fun. I will definitely be on the lookout for the further adventures of Trot and Cap’n Bill!

Until next time..

adult, ARC, Erotica, Four Star Book, graphic novel, LGBT

Super Fun Sexy Times ARC Review

Courtney/Enchanted.to.Read.You
  • Title: Super Fun Sexy Times
  • Author: Meredith McClaren
  • Book Form: E-ARC
  • Pages: 128
  • Publisher: Limerence Press
  • Genre: Graphic Novel, Romance, Short Stories
  • Rating: ★★★★

Cartoonist Meredith McClaren (Hinges) tells five short, sexy stories featuring superheroes, supervillains, sidekicks, and the people who love them.

Showing consent and character-driven erotic relationships, Super Fun Sexy Times answers the age-old question: what happens when the mask comes off? 

Two sidekicks on opposite sides get stuck in an underground lab together, and find a great way to pass the time. A tactician and superhero discuss their desires, limits, and kinks before their first time, and perhaps get a little too excited in the process. A pair of supervillains explore gender and sex together, while growing closer in their relationship. Lesbian heroes try out a kinky rolepaying scenario, and discover how to make it work for both of them. And an exhausted assassin relaxes after a long day with the kind (yet firm) attentions of his husband.

Told with care, sex-positivity, and humor, and featuring a wide variety of sexualities and bodies, Super Fun Sexy Times aims to create an erotic reading experience that lives up to its name!

– Goodreads

Thank you to Netgalley for providing a free copy of this graphic novel in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and feelings are my own. 

This graphic novel was surprisingly… graphic. 

Not that it’s a bad thing! But the first anatomy I saw kind of took me aback. I loved it though! I mean, I read erotica and romance all the time. But something about seeing it on the page. I don’t know. It’s like a weird mix of porn and erotica books.

This was a graphic novel of 5 short stories. There was SO MUCH lgbt rep. I loved it. It explores all kinds of sex positive things. Consent, safe words, trying and failing new endeavors. It was SO GOOD. I can’t recommend this enough. So much positivity throughout this book. That’s the thing that stuck out most to me, and also what I loved the most. It shows it’s okay to try new things. It’s ok if things don’t work out. It’s GREAT to have conversations before getting in too deep.

But beware, it is nsfw and has nudity.

Until next time…

fantasy, Four Star Book, graphic novel, ya

Lumberjanes Vol 1 Review

Courtney/Enchanted.to.Read.You
  • Title: Lumberjanes Vol 1: Beware the Kitten Holy
  • Author: Noelle Stevenson
  • Book Form: Ebook/Graphic Novel
  • Pages: 128
  • Publisher: BOOM! Box
  • Genre: Graphic Novel, Fantasy, YA
  • Rating: ★★★★


At Miss Qiunzilla Thiskwin Penniquiqul Thistle Crumpet’s camp for hard-core lady-types, things are not what they seem. Three-eyed foxes. Secret caves. Anagrams. Luckily, Jo, April, Mal, Molly, and Ripley are five rad, butt-kicking best pals determined to have an awesome summer together… And they’re not gonna let a magical quest or an array of supernatural critters get in their way! The mystery keeps getting bigger, and it all begins here.

-Goodreads

This graphic novel was adorable. I loved following the girls through their camping experience. Of course, they followed none of the rules. Stayed out late, snuck out, found boys. But not for the purpose you’re thinking. The boys were brainwashed and they had to save their camp!

I went to camp when I was a kid. Once. I did NOT have a great time like these girls did. All I remember is getting stung by a wasp and my bestfriend leaving me by myself because she got to go home because she had an ‘ear infection’. I still don’t believe her and I’m still salty she left me. haha!

If you’re into kick-butt girls who break all the rules in order to have a good time – and save the camp – I definitely recommend this book! It was so funny, and such a fast read. I’m thinking of adding Vol. 2 to my TBR this month! Maybe graphic novels are my thing. Who knows?

Until next time…

fantasy, Four Star Book, graphic novel, Horror, middle grade

The Dreadful Fate of Jonathan York Review

Courtney/Enchanted.to.Read.You
  • Title: The Dreadful Fate of Jonathan York
  • Author: Kory Merritt
  • Book Form: Ebook
  • Pages: 128
  • Publisher: Andrews McMeel Publishing
  • Genre: Fantasy, Horror, Middle Grade, Graphic Novel
  • Rating: ★★★★


Discover the horrible fate of Jonathan York as he sets out on his journey through a spooky forest with an alarming party of travelmates!

Jonathan York has led a boring life — a pointless degree from the community college, a lackluster job at the General Store, and never any desire for something more exciting. But when fate leaves him stranded in a sinister land, he finds himself seeking an adventure of his own. Along the way he encounters ghoulish thieves, ravenous swamp monsters, a dastardly ice cream conspiracy, and a necromancer bent on human sacrifice.

In this beautifully illustrated, four-color novel, Jonathan York’s life takes a decidedly spooky turn!

– goodreads

I’ll be the first to admit, I’m not a huge graphic novel reader. Honestly, I read them when I think I won’t finish Book Battle criteria. They’re just not really my thing. But man, am I glad I picked this one up.

The art is amazing. It gives off a very creepy, Nightmare Before Christmas type vibe. That was exciting since that’s been my favorite movie since I was like, three.

The story was just as good as the art! Jonathan York gets lost in a swamp. He and three other people find shelter with an old man and woman, if they tell them a story. Jonathan doesn’t have a story worth telling, so he gets kicked out and ends up in a very story-worthy adventure.

I can see how this reads a middle grade. This is all about finding yourself, overcoming your fears, and not living life on the safe, boring side. I was enthralled with the book from the very first page and couldn’t put it down.

I would recommend this to anyone who has kids struggling with who they are, or even adults! Also, anyone who likes Nightmare Before Christmas-esque art will love this!

Until next time…

Uncategorized

The Tea Dragon’s Society Review

Courtney/Enchanted.to.Read.You
  • Title: The Tea Dragon’s Society
  • Author: Katie O’Neill
  • Book Form: Physical
  • Pages: 72
  • Publisher: Oni Press
  • Genre: Graphic Novel, Fantasy, Middle Grade
  • Rating: ★★★★


From the award-winning author of Princess Princess Ever Aftercomes 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.

– Goodreads

This graphic novel was SO ADORABLE. I received it in my February Owl Crate, and immediately fell in love with the art. This is exactly the kind of style I love in my graphic novels.

The Tea Dragon’s Society centers around Greta, who I instantly fell in love with. She wanted to keep learning to be a blacksmith so the art wouldn’t die, but she knew this wasn’t her true calling. She happens upon a Tea Dragon in the market, and her world opens up.

The writing was great. It follows Greta through a year after finding the Tea Dragon, and also finding herself. She makes amazing friends, each one who I was invested in. I feel like that’s generally hard to do in 72 pages.

As I said before, the art was fantastic. It was so adorable and just up my alley.

I’m giving this book 4 stars. I loved the story, characters, and art. It just didn’t blow my mind to be a 5 star.

Until next time…