Reviews of Young Adult Fiction on The Candid Cover YA Book Blog.
Be Dazzled by Ryan La Sala is a charming queer love story that is pitched as Project Runway meets Comic Con. As a big fan of Project Runway myself, I loved the elements of competition the book has to offer. The main character, Raffy, is passionate about his work, and the descriptions of his creations are vivid. I would recommend this one to those looking for a quirky and heartfelt contemporary. Continue reading
The Great Gatsby adapted by K. Woodman-Maynard is a great way to make The Great Gatsby more accessible in a graphic novel format. I enjoyed the slight changes the author makes to the source material, and the art style makes elements such as mood and symbolism much easier to understand. However, I also felt as though the story is rushed, and the art also makes the text difficult to read at times. Despite this, I still appreciated what the book accomplishes in terms of making The Great Gatsby easier to digest. Continue reading
Mistletoe and Mr. Right by Lyla Payne is comprised of two novellas that take place over Christmas break. Both of the stories have such picturesque settings, and the amusement of the first one in particular stood out to me. I did find that this book has a lot of drama, but because the characters are so well-developed for such short stories in a way that we can understand their actions, I was mostly willing to overlook this. This would be a great read for those looking for a more casual Christmas story. Continue reading
A Castle in the Clouds by Kerstin Gier is a novel I knew I would enjoy from page one. This one has such a unique setting, and I loved the balance between upbeat and ominous events in the plot. The large cast of characters and the whimsical yet haunting atmosphere are also highlights. This is such an engaging read that those in search of a fresh contemporary will love. Continue reading
All I Want for Christmas by Wendy Loggia is a book I had been eagerly anticipating since I can’t resist books with Hallmark movie vibes. I loved all the festive activities throughout the book and the main character’s love for all things Christmas. However, I found that the characters are underdeveloped, and the ending feels rushed. But because this is meant to be a short and sweet read, I was willing to overlook this and ultimately enjoyed the story. Continue reading