Overall, We Shall Be Monsters is a YA fantasy that takes aspects of Hindu and Buddhist mythology and then leaps off into the fantasy realm. One highlight of this book is how this book is inspired by Indian culture and religions, which is something that is not often seen in the YA fantasy space. However, as the author wrote at the end of the book, there are things in the book that are inspired by various religions...

Overall, The Last Bloodcarver is an amazing YA fantasy that will appeal to fans of The Last Airbender and Not Even Bones. One highlight of this book is how it starts off with a punch and never lets go. There is nonstop action from beginning to end. Another highlight of the world building that actually felt original and complete. This book takes place in an Asian-inspired steampunk world that I wanted to visit and never leave.

Overall, The Manicurist's Daughter is a memoir that I would recommend to any reader interested in Asian American memoirs or nonfiction books about the beauty industry. One highlight of this book is how open the author is to teling us what happened to her family. Instead of burying it away, she is telling us family secrets so that no woman will have to go through what the author went through.

The Queen of Twists is back! She's Not Sorry by Mary Kubica is the latest book by the bestselling author of thrillers. The story revolves around Meghan, who works a nurse while single-parenting her teenage daughter. One day, a new patient arrives in a coma after she jumped off of a bridge. But did she really jump? Or was she pushed? It's up to Meghan to solve the case!

Thank you to DK and BookishFirst for this book in exchange for an honest review!

Life Lessons from Hip-Hop by Grant Brydon is a collection of stories and advice from someone who has interviewed plenty of rappers and hip-hop artists as part of his many jobs. The artists featured here are each famous and successful in their own right. I particularly enjoyed the sections about Lil Peep and Pharrell...

Thank you to Razorbill and BookishFirst for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

House of Marionne by J. Elle is a YA fantasy set in a high-society meets magic world. The story revolves around Quell, who has lived her life on the run with her mother. But now that their lives are in danger, Quell makes the decision to turn to her grandmother, who will only accept her if she debuts in the Order, a magical society...

Thank you to Viking Books and BookishFirst for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Together We Rot by Skyla Arndt is an amazing new blend of the horror and romance genres. The story is told from the dual first-person POV's of Wil and Elwood. Everyone believes that Wil's mother ran away, but Wil won't stop until she finds out what really happened. Elwood is the son of the pastor of the cult-like Garden of Adam...

Thank you to Celadon Books and BookishFirst for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

The Woman Inside by M. T. Edvardsson is the newest domestic thriller in translation from an accomplished author. The story revolves around a cast of characters, including Bill and Karla. Bill starts renting part of his home to Karla, a lodger who works as a housekeeper to the Rytters, a wealthy couple who may be hiding secrets...

Threads that Bind by Kika Hatzopoulou is an amazing YA fantasy inspired by Greek mythology. The story revolves around Io, who is a cutter, meaning she can cut the invisible threads between people. In the world, children of gods can inherit their powers, and Io has inherited the powers of the Fates. When Io discovers that someone is killing women, she decides to investigate and find out who is committing these crimes.

We Go High is a wonderful tribute to women of color everywhere. One highlight of this book is how it highlights people who are not often included. I think that featuring marginalized people is so important. Another highlight of this book is the amazing full-color art that decorates each woman's pages. It's a blend of photography and digital artwork and fully celebrates each woman.

Lakesedge is an amazing YA fantasy that I can see becoming the next A Court of Thorns and Roses. I thought that this book was a standalone, but when I got to the cliffhanger at the end, I realized that there has to be a sequel. I am totally adding the sequel to my TBR list, and I will read it as soon as it comes out! I need to know what happens next!

Twice as Perfect by Louisa Onome is a lovely YA novel that deals with social issues. The story revolves around Adanna, a Nigerian Canadian teenager dealing with a lot of issues. Not only is she dealing with school and the debate team, she's also having problems with her family. Her cousin is planning a big Nigerian wedding, and Adanna has to help them out. Can Adanna deal with all of these issues from school, family, and even her love life?

The Cherry Robbers by Sarai Walker is a blend of Southern Gothic and historical fantasy that will appeal to fans of We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson or The Invisible Life of Addie Larue by V.E. Schwab. The story revolves around Sylvia, a reclusive artist with a mysterious past. She has become relatively well-known in art circles, but nobody knows who she was before she became an artist.

Siren Queen by Nghi Vo is an absolutely amazing #ownvoices blend of history and magical realism. It will appeal to fans of Netflix's Hollywood and other tales of class movie star glamor. The story revolves around Luli Wei, a Chinese American girl who dreams of becoming a movie star. With her wit and a bit of magic, she's able to start her journey. Will Luli be able to achieve her dream, and what will she give up to achieve it?

A Magic Steeped in Poison by Judy I. Lin is an East Asian-inspired YA that will appeal to fans of Six Crimson Cranes or Jade Fire Gold. The story revolves around Ning, who has magical tea-brewing powers. When her sister grows sick, she enters a shennong-shi or tea-making competition in the imperial city in order to win a favor from the princess. Will she be able to win the competition? Or will other things distract her from her goal?

The Lost Dreamer by Lizz Huerta is a lovely, diverse YA fantasy inspired by ancient Mesoamerica. The story revolves around two girls: Indir and Saya. Indir is a Dreamer who can foretell the future from her dreams, but her dreams can be confusing. Saya is a seer, which I guess is someone who can do the same things as a Dreamer, but has never been formally trained...

Hotel Magnifique is a stunning original YA fantasy that will have you dreaming of French ballrooms and magic. The story revolves around Jani, whose sister is chosen to work for the Hotel Magnifique, which magically transports itself to a different destination every day. Although Jani is not chosen, she bargains with the handsome doorman, and he allows her in on a trial basis...

Business Minded: A Guide to Setting Up Your Mind, Body and Business for Success by Carly A. Riordan is an amazing self-help guide to entrepreneurship. It is perfect for the Shark Tank fans or budding entrepreneurs in your life! The book includes sections for creating a business plan, getting legal help, setting up bookkeeping, and social media/branding. Interspersed between the chapters are interviews with entrepreneurs.

Gilded by Marissa Meyer is an amazing fairy tale retelling that will appeal to fans of Little Thieves or Six Crimson Cranes. The story revolves around Serilda, a young woman whose only talent is spinning tales. One day, she tells the dark Erlking that she can spin straw into gold. Soon, she's kidnapped and given a night to do just that. Desperate, she makes a deal with a mysterious boy, and he grants her wish of spinning the straw into gold.

Little Thieves by Margaret Owen is a magical YA retelling that transports the story of the Goose Girl to an old Grimm, German-inspired fantasy world. The story revolves around Vanja, a maid who steals a pearl necklace from Princess Gisele, her former best friend. With this pearl necklace, Vanja can transform into Gisele, and she uses it to take her place.

The Other Merlin by Robyn Schneider is the first book in a series and an exciting new feminist take on Arthurian legend. The story revolves around Emry Merlin, the famous wizard Merlin's daughter. One day, she's playing a boy in a theater when a soldier arrives summoning Merlin's son, her twin brother Emmett, to court. She decides to take his place and arrives at the castle disguised as her brother.

Courageous Faith by Dr. Debbye Turner Bell is a Christian self-help book by a beauty pageant winner. The author is famous for being Miss America 1990, but her entire life wasn't crowns and sashes. She has experienced her own share of ups and downs. She's experienced feeling not good enough. She's faced her inner demons and survives. Thanks to her life experiences, she has plenty of advice for Christians who are going through a rough patch.

Twice As Hard: Navigating Black Stereotypes and Creating Space for Success by Raphael and Opeyemi Sofoluke is an eye-opening handbook and guide for black people in a white-dominated workplace. It was an interesting read for me, as a non-black person. I deliberately requested this book, because I want to support black authors. I also want to find out how I can be an ally to black people in my own workplace.

Unholy Murder by Lynda La Plante is a thriller and police procedural set in London. Although it's the 7th book in the Tennison series, I hadn't read any of the other books before reading this one, and I didn't have any trouble understanding what was going on. The story revolves around Detective Jane Tennison, who is investigating a case of a nun buried in a coffin at a convent.

A Clash of Steel: A Treasure Island Remix by C.B. Lee is a stunningly original #ownvoices and queer historical adventure that will appeal to fans of Fable and Daughter of the Pirate King. The story revolves around Xiang, a 16 year-old girl who has never left her village in Canton. Xiang never knew her father and only has one memento of him: a pendant necklace.

Beasts of Prey by Ayana Prey is an amazing #ownvoices African-inspired fantasy that will appeal to fans of The Gilded Ones and Children of Blood and Bone. The story revolves around two black teenagers. Koffi is an indentured servant at the Night Zoo, where she communicates with and cares for the animals. Ekon is a candidate to become a Son of the Six, an elite warrior. They're both stuck in bad situations when they decide to team up.

Dark and Shallow Lies by Ginny Myers Sain is an atmospheric, contemporary YA novel that blends fantasy with mystery. The story revolves around Grey, a 17 year-old girl whose best friend Elora went missing 6 months ago. Grey believes that something bad happened to her, and she wants to find out what. Then, a new boy arrives in town, and everything changes. The town of La Cachette, Louisiana is hiding secrets.

They'll Never Catch Us by Jessica Goodman is a new fast-paced YA thriller from the author of They Wish They Were Us, (which is getting turned into a TV show next year, and I can't wait!) The story revolves around two sisters, Stella and Ellie Steckler, who tear it up on the track. They're shining stars on their high school's track team. But what happens when the alluring and fast Mila joins the team?

Love People, Use Things: Because the Opposite Never Works by Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus is a really interesting book on minimalism. I've watched the authors' Netflix documentary on minimalism before, and I've also really enjoyed other books on decluttering like Marie Kondo's books. I had very high expectations for this book, because I suspected that I would enjoy it, and this book completely delivered!

Savage Tongues by Azareen Van der Vliet Oloomi is a lovely relationship drama set in Spain about an Iranian-American teenager's relationship with an older man and what happens 20 years later when she returns to the apartment she stayed in. The teenager, Arezu, moves to Spain to live with her father, but instead, he leaves her in the care/guardianship of Omar, an adult man who her father trusts. It just wasn't for me.

Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé is like a blend of Pretty Little Liars and Dear White People, which are two of my absolute favorite TV shows. The author admits as much in the afterword of this book, stating that she loved watching Gossip Girl and Pretty Little Liars, but wished that there were more black people. As a PoC myself, I totally support the author in doing this!

The Ones We're Meant to Find by Joan He is an innovative, YA science fiction about two sisters' journeys to find each other. First off, I'm so excited to support an #ownvoices author of Asian descent. The book is also so original! Kay is a teenage scientist/genius missing her sister. Meanwhile, far away, Cee wakes up alone on an island with no idea how she got there.

House of Hollow by Krystal Sutherland is a creepy, gothic fairy tale set in 2021 that is like nothing else in YA fantasy. I have to admit that going into this book, I didn't exactly have high expectations. Even though this book has gotten rave reviews on Goodreads, I was somewhat skeptical. I went into this not expecting much, and I was completely blown away!

The Maidens is a twisty psychological mystery that blends serial killer fiction with dark academia. The protagonist is Mariana, a therapist getting over the death of her husband. She gets caught up in a series of murders at a local college when her niece Zoe's best friend is murdered. Using her experience as a therapist and her intuition, Mariana realizes that the murderer is Edward Fosca, a popular professor of Greek tragedies.

The Plot by Jean Hanff Korelitz is a thriller disguised as a metafictional take on writers and the writing process. When I read the first few chapters of The Plot, I thought I understood what the book was trying to do. It makes fun of writers, MFA programs, bestselling authors in a dry, sarcastic way, in a way that can only be done by an author who has gone through the process enough times to be able to make fun of it.

The Nine: The True Story of a Band of Women Who Survived the Worst of Nazi Germany is a highly=detailed, excellently-researched historical account about nine women who were resistant fighters and who escaped a labor camp near the end of World War II. The author Gwen Strauss is a descendant of Helene, one of the nine women. The care and attention that the author uses in crafting the narratives for all nine women is evident throughout the book.

Boulley is YA mystery based in the Anishinaabe (Ojibwe) community. For a book that is being marketed as a “thriller,“ I really had to force myself through the middle of the book, so I think “mystery“ is a better fit. When reading a book by a minority group like Native Americans, I think it's so important to distinguish between the book's merits as an #ownvoices read and the book's merits on its own terms.

When I read the synopsis for What Big Teeth by Rose Szabo, I was so excited! I love werewolf stories, and the idea of coming home from boarding school to a strange family sounds like a great plot to me. The opening chapters of the book were intriguing. Overall, What Big Teeth is a tame, YA fantasy with gothic undertones. It wasn't the werewolf story I was expecting, but I'm sure some readers of YA fantasy will appreciate its uniqueness.

I love the idea of #ownvoices romances, and I think they are the best kind! I love the infusion of Spanish words and phrases into the dialogue. It made the book so authentic, and I loved to see Hispanic main characters written by a Hispanic author. It's so underrepresented in every genre, not just romance so I was so excited to read this book! Overall, I thought it was a very good book and romance, but I just didn't enjoy it personally.

I really wanted to like this book. I am fan of happily ever after romances. I loved the cover of this book and I loved the first impression that I got from reading the first few chapters. Unfortunately, after I started reading, I felt let down by my high expectations. There wasn't anything wrong with Love at First. It's a typical romance that will satisfy many readers. It just wasn't my cup of tea.