Isabelle Philip
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Bella is an avid reader and slightly less avid college student with a penchant for using words she only loosely recalls the definitions of.

‘Cast In Firelight’ review: Get lost in Dana Swift’s debut YA fantasy

Cast In Firelight by Dana Swift opens in front of a towering door of ice, with eight-year-old Adraa and her parents waiting to be let into the home of her future betrothed, the prince of Naupure. Rich with descriptions of…

‘Crownchasers’ review: Rebecca Coffindaffer’s fast-paced planet-hopping debut explores more than just the galaxy

Alyssa Farshot must compete against the children of the galaxy’s most powerful families to win the throne. She’s experienced, capable, and favored to win. The only problem is, she doesn’t want to.

‘The Silvered Serpents’ review: Roshani Chokshi’s fantasy sequel offers a realistic picture of loss and love

The Silvered Serpents picks up after a devastating blow is dealt to what’s left of Séverin’s team. Whereas The Gilded Wolves had a hopeful, glamorous energy to it, its sequel is frenetic and icy. Steeped in distress and longing, this…

‘When Villains Rise’ review: Rebecca Schaeffer marvelously concludes her addictive ‘Market of Monsters’ series

Just as in the very beginning, monstrosity, in both deed and being, is the subject of When Villains Rise, the conclusion to the darkly insightful yet humorous Market of Monsters series by Rebecca Schaeffer. Nita’s journey in Not Even Bones…

Interview: Author Chloe Gong on writing about identity and colonialism in ‘These Violent Delights’

These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong was one of my most anticipated reads of 2020, and it did not disappoint! In my interview, Gong shared a lot about her writing process and the intention behind her work. I know I…

Book Review: Greythorne (Bloodleaf #2) by Crystal Smith

Greythorne, the sequel to Bloodleaf by Crystal Smith, is a series of puzzling decisions that at once improve the series and wildly shift its previous intent. In this second novel, Aurelia’s world is suffocating from political and socioeconomic strife, and…

Audiobook Review: Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas

What do you get when you mix endearing characters, genuine family dynamics, brujería-inspired magic, and queerness in a myriad of forms?  Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas is an #ownvoices YA Paranormal novel set in East Los Angeles about a boy…