September Netgalley Haul
Hi bookworms!
Today I’m doing a complete review for all the Netgalley books I was lucky to read this month. Thank you Netgalley! There’s 2 graphic novels, 2 manga, and 1 YA romance. Let’s get started on the reviews!
Slingshot by Mercedes Helnwein
An exciting debut contemporary young adult novel perfect for fans of Rainbow Rowell and Mary H. K. Choi
Grace Welles had resigned herself to the particular loneliness of being fifteen and stuck at a third-tier boarding school in the swamps of Florida, when she accidentally saves the new kid in her class from being beat up. With a single aim of a slingshot, the monotonous mathematics of her life are obliterated forever…because now there is this boy she never asked for. Wade Scholfield.
With Wade, Grace discovers a new way to exist. School rules are optional, life is bizarrely perfect, and conversations about wormholes can lead to make-out sessions that disrupt any logical stream of thoughts.
So why does Grace crush Wade’s heart into a million tiny pieces? And what are her options when she finally realizes that 1. The universe doesn’t revolve around her, and 2. Wade has been hiding a dark secret. Is Grace the only person unhinged enough to save him?
Acidly funny and compulsively readable, Mercedes Helnwein’s debut novel Slingshot is a story about two people finding each other and then screwing it all up. See also: soulmate, friendship, stupidity, sex, bad poetry, and all the indignities of being in love for the first time.
Review:
Ok I had very mixed feelings about this book. On one hand I really disliked Grace, the main character and thought the book was a mild train wreck. But on the other hand, it was pretty entertaining and I couldn’t stop reading it. I thought Grace was just a super immature and negative person and I really didn’t like her at all. But at least she had some character growth by the end of the book? Her relationship with Wade in the beginning was just…I don’t even know how that happened. Also Wade has a serious anger management problem and we find out why near the end but it’s still no excuse.
3/5🌟
The Grémillet Sisters Volume 1 by Giovanni Di Gregorio (script) & Alessandro Barbucci (art)
Being sisters is never easy. But when you're as different as Sarah, Cassiopeia, and Lucille, it's even harder! The first is haunted by recurring dreams, the second lives with her head in the clouds, and the last spends most of her time with her cat. Then one day they discover a mysterious photo of their mother pregnant. Where was it taken, and who is the baby? And most importantly, why was this photo hidden away in the depths of the attic? To find out, they'll have to venture into the tangled forest of the Grémillet family secrets!
Review:
I really really loved the art in this graphic novel but the story was a bit of a miss for me. I loved all of the sisters and their quirks and their sisterly bond that is in place for parts of the story. I thought Sarah acted a bit unnecessarily snappy towards her sisters at times so I didn’t like her too much. I thought the story would have had a different ending than it did because it had such a magical vibe and such a build-up to the mystery behind the sisters’ mom at the tree. The final reveal was heartwarming but a bit anticlimactic and I read it and realized the book was over. It was a very abrupt ending. I’m curious about what happens in the next volume though so I’ll probably still check it out.
3/5🌟
With a Dog AND a Cat, Every Day is Fun Volume 1 by Hidekichi Matsumoto
Welcome to the Menagerie!
With both a cat and a dog, there’s double the antics, double the fun (and double the kibble!) but while Inu and Neko coexist peacefully, they have their own distinct personalities, which play out in unexpected, charming ways during these short-form stories.
Whether you’re a dog-person or a cat-person, there’s plenty to love about these homegrown sketches of daily life shared with four-legged friends!
Review:
This was such a cute manga! The sound effects were a great addition in bringing the characters to life. I love how Matsumoto included real pictures of her doggo and kitty throughout the manga because they are super adorable! The stories in this manga were very relatable and it was cool to see the contrast between her Inu and Neko’s personalities. Her art style seems very basic but the exaggerated face expressions added humour to her stories. I also really liked how she included a little blulrb about the different options that are available for where to purchase your pets. If you love cats and dogs then definitely check this manga out.
3.5/5 🌟
Heaven's Design Team Volume 1 by Hebi-Zou; Tsuta Suzuki
In heaven’s Animal Design Department, designers create a variety of new animals daily while contending with the unreasonable requests of their client: God. Funny, interesting, and full of useful information, this series answers questions such as, “Why can’t unicorns exist?”, “What makes an animal taste delicious?”, “What’s the most powerful creature in the ocean?”, and, “Bird versus snake: who would win?” You won’t believe it’s a manga series when you read up on the featured animals in the included encyclopedia entries. Heavenly Design Team will make your next trip to the zoo or aquarium 100 times more fun!
Review:
I LOVED this manga! This was such an imaginative concept about how animals were designed to survive on Earth. It was so fascinating to see the thought process that went behind the creation of each animal and the science behind why some animals wouldn’t survive. Encyclopedia entries of the approved animals were also included so you could learn more about those animals. This was such an interesting read and I can’t wait to read Volume 2!
5/5🌟
Space Battle Lunchtime Volume 1: Lights, Camera, Snacktion by Natalie Riess
Collecting the first four issues of Natalie Riess's delectable series, SPACE BATTLE LUNCHTIME! Earth baker Peony gets the deal of a lifetime when she agrees to be a contestant on the Universe's hottest reality TV show, Space Battle Lunchtime! But that was before she knew that it shoots on location... on a spaceship... and her alien competitors don't play nice! Does Peony really have what it takes to be the best cook in the Galaxy? Tune in and find out!
Review:
Loved this! This combined my love of graphic novels and food perfectly! The cooking part of the story reminded me of my favourite anime Shokugeki no Souma aka Food Wars. The art style was great and the portrayal of all the aliens was so creative. It was so cool to see the different kinds of space food each contestant created. I can’t wait to see what happens in the next volume!
5/5🌟
I hope you enjoyed reading my reviews and maybe you’ll go check some of these books out. Let me know which book you’d like to read in the comments below.
Happy reading 😊
