cadeunderbooks's reviews
451 reviews

I did think Molly's neurodivergence wasn't handled the best throughout, and the story wrapped up sooooo neatly, but those last 50 pages or so grabbed me. I'm reading this after binging Only Murders in the Building last year, so I can't help but feel comparisons -- which is a good thing! The characters are kind and interesting and I love that Molly found her people. I also really loved Molly's code of morality or sense of justice -- her intrusive thoughts were ones I can relate to, and the way she gave second chances to certain people intrigued me. 
2.2.25

A gay romp through Paris, LOVE IT. There's a bunch of cute queer couples (including the teacher chaperones) and honestly, I had fun dropping down in Google Maps to see some of the places the school trip visited. I also appreciated the storylines about Charlie's

eating disorder and previous self harm

and how Nick wants to be helpful, but also not cause Charlie more stress. It's so hard being young (truly) and it's so hard to talk about mental health (always), but I love this story for how it shows so many different characters trying their best.
2.3.25

I loved so much about Prunella's world and her journey to embracing her found family. There's definitely a metaphor here for queerness, for minorities, for "the other" that some humans fear. A beautiful, hopeful-making story with splashes of magic and bouncing wonder.

Frankly, I loved the ending -- that the village, and Prunella's awful mum, don't get a comeuppance; they get left behind to wallow together in their little closed-off minds. The last panel of skeleton Prunella running off to her bright future -- lovely.

1.29.25

This started out soooooo strong!! And I still ended up loving it, but it dropped from a five star read after the first half, not gonna lie. Mickey is an interesting character (and I'm very interested to see the movie version of all the things). I feel like there was set-up for certain things that didn't pay off for me, but I still grabbed up the sequel when I returned the first to my library. I like the world that Ashton has built, the beats of humor, and I want to see where these characters end up. What other planetary mishaps can they fall into? Literally and existentially.
1.19.25

It's always a good day to dive back into the mindscape that is Calvin and Hobbes. I snort-chuckled quite a bit at this first collection.
1.16.25

Can be incredibly hard to read if you've gone through something similar, but also a comfort in that sense. This is the first book I've read by Chast and I really liked her honesty, her effort in showing her parents, and how she was with them, without holding back. I feel like this book should prompt these conversations with my surviving parent, but well... the title says it all.
1.11.25

This is a five star picture book for me because it just hits. I wish my depression and self-hatred and stagnation and shame and etc. manifested as an actual bear... A mood read that actually does make me hopeful in the end. Because it's nice to be reminded that everyone has something.
1.3.25

This doesn't hit the huge emotional beats that the movie does -- but it's a lovely adaptation in Sandoval's distinct style. It was a nice way to revisit the movie in a graphic novel reading session.
1.2.25

I think I requested this because my library uses Wowbrary - so I just saw the cover and title and thought it might be my cup of tea. Unfortunately, the nice premise fell flat for me. The art was disappointing and yes, very much wikiHow-style, and while some of the lines were poignant, I don't think they'll stick with me.
1.2.25

Sometimes it feels like a graphic novel is written for you. (Or you wish you had written it.) Anthropomorphic animal characters, with Richard Scarry-esque sweetness, including a bear main character? Check. Cute animal designs and bright colors juxtaposed with small town murder mystery and heavy Dexter vibes? Indeed. Morals thrown out the window in favor of showing the darkest parts of humanity (zoomanity?)? Hoo boy, YES. I was entertained, I was grossed out, I was sucked in. This is genre-smashing done right.
1.1.25