Enola Holmes and the Black Barouche by Nancy Springer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Even though this is supposed to be Enola’s step into YA, I really didn’t think it was that much different in tone or plot than the previous novels. I guess the fact that one character was referred to as a womanizer meant it had to get that bump in the publishing world. But otherwise, this was pure Enola! I love that her and Sherlock are a team now, even if Sherlock is reluctant to have his little sister around.

Side note: I hate the cover. It’s just so BORING, especially compared to the others in the series, especially the reprints, which I really like when it comes to eye-catching style. Why must all YA books have BIG FACES.

Hoping for this series to continue! Enola is such a great character, feisty and impulsive, sarcastic but also empathetic to those in need of her services. And it is fun watching her grow as a person in these stories.

Lightfall: The Girl & the Galdurian by Tim Probert
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

BIG Studio Ghibli meets Amulet vibes and I am here for it. I love the setup for what is sure to be an epic adventure.

Also, the representation of anxiety is fantastic, the darkness that whirls around the girl as she gets more and more anxious about things around here.

I’m almost annoyed that I found this one so early in its run and now I have to WAIT for book 2!

Witchy by Ariel Slamet Ries
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This has some great world-building and that is what made me pick up the book in the first place – a world where the length of your hair determines the power of your magic. But if your hair is too long, then the Council has you executed. Nyneve’s father sentenced to a “witch burning” when she was very young, she saw him dragged out the door. Now she struggles to hide her own natural gifts, carefully braiding her hair to give it the illusion of average shoulder length when her power is far beyond that…

I am very curious to find out what happens in the next book because there was a lot setup here and will definitely pay off in later stories.

Frogcatchers by Jeff Lemire
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Jeff Lemire is one of my favorite writers and artists so anytime he has a new book out, I need to read it. Apparently I missed a BUNCH in 2020.

Frogcatchers is a short story, a meditation about death, dying, growing up and getting old. The art is all simple pencil sketches, giving it a feeling of urgency, someone trying to get their story out before it all ends.

Sentient by Jeff Lemire
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Another one-shot from Jeff Lemire, a great space story, like an adult version of The Wild Robot. I just loved this from the first page to the last. Part of me wishes we could revisit all these characters again, but I know that the reason it is so good is because it is a short story that ends when it needs to.

The Okay Witch and the Hungry Shadow by Emma Steinkellner
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was so happy to find that Moth Hush was back with another adventure! After everything that happened at the end of the first book, Moth is just trying to fit in. She’s learning some magic but knows not to practice outside of her house. But the kids at school are being…well, middle schoolers. She both can’t stand the “cool” crowd but also longs to be a part of it. And then she finds the enchanted necklace…

A great story and Moth learns all the right lessons at the end. I can’t wait to see what she gets up to next!