Book Review - The Last Resort by Erin Entrada Kelly

 

The Last Resort by Erin Entrada Kelly is about two kids whose family inherits a mysterious hotel that serves as a halfway point between the living and the dead. 

Lila has two goals for the summer: to win back her friends and to stop being so dramatic. However, her plans are quickly derailed when her grandfather, Clem, dies and leaves his eerie Victorian hotel to her father. As a result, Lila’s family decides to move to Ohio to figure out what to do with the property.

Lila is upset—how is she supposed to prove she’s no longer dramatic if she’s not even around her friends? Things go from bad to worse when the family is in a car accident. Thankfully, no one is seriously hurt, but afterward, Lila starts noticing strange things—people that no one else can see or hear.

She chalks it up to her imagination—until she encounters her grandfather. Clem reveals that he didn’t die of a heart attack as everyone believes, but was murdered. Lila suspects someone killed him to gain control of the portal hidden within the hotel. With no one believing her and everyone assuming she’s being dramatic, Lila turns to the only people who might help: her skeptical younger brother Caleb, and her new neighbor Teddy, a ghost enthusiast. Together, the unlikely trio sets out to uncover the truth behind Grandpa Clem’s death.

I thought the book was an okay read. I found Lila to be mean-spirited and over-the-top at times, which made it hard to connect with her. I didn’t like that she pressured others to help her after treating them poorly earlier in the story. However, I did enjoy the interactive online element, which young readers may find engaging. The book had a few spooky moments—nothing too frightening—and while some of the twists were predictable, the mystery may still appeal to its target audience. I’d be open to reading more from the author in the future.

Book Review - Sword of the Champion by Eric Lide

 

Sword of the Champion by Eric Lide is a fantasy graphic novel that follows Orin, a reluctant hero whose life is upended when he discovers he is the reincarnation of a legendary warrior destined to defeat the evil Fiendlord. To fulfill his destiny, Orin must first seek out a mystical sword and come to believe in his own strength—joined by loyal friends and facing dark forces along the way.

The graphic novel is visually stunning, with bright, vibrant colors and dynamic, gorgeously illustrated panels. Its humor and style pay homage to classic RPGs, making it especially enjoyable for fans of the genre. While the story ends on a cliffhanger—which was unexpected—it left me eager to continue reading. Watching Orin grow in confidence and embark on new adventures with his companions is both fun and inspiring.

Book Review - Girl in the Creek by Wendy N. Wagner

 

In Girl in the Creek by Wendy N. Wagner, freelance writer Erin Harper returns to the remote Pacific Northwest town of Faraday, Oregon, still haunted by her brother’s long-ago disappearance. Hoping for closure, Erin’s investigation takes a sinister turn when another young woman goes missing—and Erin finds her body in a nearby creek, covered in spores and mushrooms. When the girl’s body mysteriously vanishes from the morgue and her fingerprints surface at a murder scene, Erin and her friends realize they’re facing something far more terrifying than they imagined: a sentient fungal force preying on hikers and residents alike.

The book blends mystery with eco-horror, but for me, the execution fell short. While I enjoyed the chapters told from Erin’s point of view, the sections written from the perspective of the fungal spores felt overly verbose and difficult to follow. The writing style in those sections was stilted and confusing—I often had to reread sentences and still struggled to grasp the meaning.

Additionally, the novel was weighed down by an excessive number of characters, many of whom lacked development or distinct voices. In the unedited ARC version I read, even the author appeared to mix up two characters in a scene. With tighter editing, fewer characters, and more focused storytelling, this could have been a much stronger novel.

Book Review - The Amish Farmer’s Proposal by Barbara Cameron

 

The Amish Farmer’s Proposal by Barbara Cameron tells the heartfelt story of Abe Stoltzfus, a devoted Amish dairy farmer who faces uncertainty about his livelihood and recovery from an injury. Despite his deep love for Lavinia Fisher, the woman he has been courting, Abe is hesitant to propose—worried he cannot provide for her the way he believes a husband should.

Abe and his family are struggling to keep their dairy farm afloat due to falling milk prices and recent harsh weather, which has damaged crops and the barn roof. In an attempt to save money, Abe tries to repair the roof himself but suffers a serious fall. Determined to wait until the farm is financially stable, Abe continues to postpone their future together.

Lavinia, a talented crafter and farmer’s daughter, witnesses Abe’s accident and worries that his hesitation is putting their relationship at risk. While she remains hopeful, she eventually grows tired of waiting—and decides to take matters into her own hands.

This is a gentle, clean romance with a straightforward plot and a cozy, small-town atmosphere. While the pacing can be slow at times, especially in sections where little happens, the story is ultimately a sweet exploration of love, faith, and perseverance. If you enjoy Amish romances centered on family values and emotional honesty, you may find this novel a comforting read.

Book Review - Pillow Talk by Stephanie Cooke

 

Pillow Talk by Stephanie Cooke is a vibrant YA graphic novel that follows college freshman Grace Mendes, who—under her fierce alter ego “Cinderhella”—joins the underground Pillow Fight Federation. At first hesitant to attend a match, Grace quickly falls in love with the sport and decides to join, despite feeling like the complete opposite of the confident, larger-than-life personas that dominate the league.

The league has only one rule: the pillow must be the first point of contact—after that, anything goes. Grace, who struggles with body image issues and low self-confidence, is surprised when she makes the team and is warmly welcomed. As her first official fight approaches, she battles her own internal insecurities and fears of being mocked or judged.

The graphic novel is a quick and enjoyable read. The illustrations are bright, expressive, and beautifully complement the story. At its heart, Pillow Talk is a story of self-acceptance and personal growth—watching Grace come into her own and believe in herself is both heartwarming and empowering.

The book gave me the same energy as female roller derby competitions, with its bold characters and empowering message. If you enjoy stories about overcoming body image struggles and finding confidence through unexpected communities, Pillow Talk is a fun and uplifting choice.

Book Review - Penitence by Kristin Koval

 

In Penitence by Kristin Koval, 13-year-old Nora fatally shoots her older brother, Nico, unraveling a complex web of family secrets, grief, and the pursuit of forgiveness in a small Colorado town. 

Angie and David Sheehan’s lives are shattered when their daughter kills their son. Desperate for help, they turn to small-town lawyer Martine Dumont and her son Julian, a successful criminal defense attorney from New York City—who also happens to be Angie’s first love. However, Angie and Julian must find a way to put their shared past behind them if they hope to help Nora.

I thought the novel was an okay read. By the end, I was left with more questions than answers. Nora’s story and motivations felt secondary to other plotlines, and her character didn’t feel fully developed. The novel is told through alternating points of view and timelines, which, in my opinion, made the pacing feel slow and caused the story to drag without clear forward momentum.

Book Review - Deathstalker: The Damned Blood by Slash

 

In Deathstalker: The Damned Blood, co-created by Slash, the legendary sword-swinging antihero is thrust into a chaotic quest involving a virgin-worshipping cult, a mad scientist sorcerer, and a vengeful ex-lover. Hired to escort a priestess to a festival celebrating her purity, what should have been a simple mission goes terribly wrong. He soon finds himself on the run, pursued by both a fanatical cult and a deranged sorcerer.

The graphic novel is packed with sex, blood, and gore, with humor woven throughout. The artwork is detailed and well executed. Overall, it’s an entertaining read, and longtime fans of Deathstalker will likely enjoy this latest adventure. As someone unfamiliar with the franchise, I appreciated the background information included at the beginning, along with the mention of an upcoming movie adaptation for fans who are interested in seeing a live-action version of the book. My favorite part of the graphic novel was the bonus short story featuring Barbaric.

Book Review - Flesh by David Szalay

 

In Flesh by David Szalay, a Hungarian teenager named István navigates a life shaped by trauma, emotional detachment, and fleeting moments of connection. As a teenager, István and his mother move to a quiet apartment complex in Hungary. He is shy, new to the area, and doesn’t have many friends, leaving him feeling isolated—until his mother asks him to help a neighbor with errands. The neighbor, a woman around his mother’s age, initially becomes his only friend, but their relationship soon turns into an affair. István is deeply conflicted about the relationship, and he begins to feel as if his life is spiraling out of control.

After a violent encounter with another man, István relocates to London, where he drifts from job to job until he eventually finds steady work as a chauffeur for the city’s billionaires.

I found the novel rather pointless. I read the entire book and still couldn’t discern the message. István remains essentially unchanged throughout the story; there is little to no character growth. Everything that happens to him seems driven by external forces, and he passively goes along with it. The narrative feels like it revolves around two main themes: bad or uneventful things happening to István, and sex. Despite the constant stream of traumas he experiences, the story feels oddly static. At times, I felt overwhelmed by his life, yet strangely detached—as if nothing meaningful was truly happening.