Precommendations: Volume 3, Issue 2

Although I haven’t read The Hate U Give yet*, I have heard great things about it and Angie Thomas. It’ll be interesting to see if On the Come Up gets just as much love as her debut. This book intrigues me more than The Hate U Give because I don’t usually like reading about political and other significant issues in my books. Books are my place to escape from the real world, so thrusting hot topics into my books just doesn’t appeal to me, especially since police brutality hasn’t touched my life as it has affected other people. Hopefully, I get to an emotional place to read both of Angie’s books soon.

*Yes, I can hear your gasps from here. I promise to read it soon. I’m hoping the time will come this summer. I just have to get through approximately 14 books on my physical TBR before I buy any new books**…
**No, I don’t have a problem. Stop staring.

Contemporary:
Rayne & Delilah's Midnite Matinee
by Jeff Zentner

If you have been reading my blog for the past few months, you’ll know I’m a sucker for a senior year story. I am currently in my senior year of high school, so being able to relate to the characters is something I look for in my contemporaries. Since I haven’t decided on my plans for next fall, it can be hard to talk to the people in my life about the unknown. But, reading about other teens who aren’t sure of their next step has proven to be really comforting, so I’m excited to see how this book is received. The TV show element sounds like it will make this book unique, too.

Fantasy:
The Cerulean
by Amy Ewing

Overall, this book sounds like it is going to be filled to the brim with whimsy, adventure, and a great story! Sky people? Yes, please. Priestesses? Nice. Magic? Epic. LGBTQ fantasy rep? Heck yes. I love when an unconventional fantasy gets released. Sometimes, when I’m in the mood for a fantasy, I can get overwhelmed by the Renaissance settings, fairies, and epic fantasies. Goodreads also says it’s going to be part of a duology, which is my favorite structure for a fantasy series. Duologies are long enough to tell the story but short enough for my small attention span and commitment issues. This book is unique in its genre, and I am so excited for it to be released.

Historical Fiction:
Mist, Metal, and Ash
by Gwendolyn Clare

I received the first book in this duology in an Uppercase Box last March, and all I remember about it was enjoying its unique world. That’s it. The good news is the second half of the duology coming out gives me an excuse to reread the first book since I managed to remember absolutely nothing. Except that I liked it. So there’s that.

Fairy Tale Retelling:
The Beast's Heart
by Leife Shallcross

Beauty and the Beast is my ALL TIME FAVORITE FAIRY TALE. Of course I want to read this book. This book will be the second Beast YA retelling I’ve read after Hunted, by Meagan Spooner (you can check out that review here). This book sounds like it’s going to stick closer to the source material than Hunted, so it’ll be interesting to see how that translates into a novel.

Science Fiction:
Last of Her Name
by Jessica Khoury

Space adventure books: my favorite genre, yet one I don’t seem to pick up enough. You combine that with a retelling of Anastasia, and I’m 100% in. There’s going to be a found princess, a heist, smuggling, and enough running to fill up a marathon. I haven’t heard much about this book at all, but I’m excited to see if it becomes a breakout story.

Graphic Novel:
Comics Will Break Your Heart
by Faith Erin Hicks