KJK Reads

Rating: 3 Stars Themes: Abuse, Romance, Contemporary Fiction, Adult Thoughts: In general, I don’t shy away from books with difficult, dark or complex themes when done well. However, I really don’t believe this book is one of them. It spends way too much time trying to justify Ryle’s actions and romanticise him despite Lily’s past experiences, even when she gets away she spends time justifying his behaviours to some extent and genuinely considering taking him back. As an author with such a young following, I think we need to hold authors more accountable for the messages we are sending to their inexperienced and vulnerable readers. I did like the theme of breaking the cycle and how Lily managed to break the cycle for Emma but that wasn’t enough to redeem the whole book in my eyes.  Favourite Quote: "You’re only human. And as humans, we can’t expect to shoulder all of our pain. Sometimes we have to share it with the people who love us so we don’t come crashing down from the weight o...

Rating: 3 Stars Themes: Manga, Graphic Novels, Translated Fiction Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This is an interesting book, I’m not used to manga so it took me a while to get into it and realise how to properly read it. There was a note at the back about how this should be read but I think it should be at the front for those newer to manga so they don’t have to struggle to figure it out themselves. I also thought the artwork was beautiful and especially liked the starry skies in the eyes of some characters when it fit the story. 

Rating: 3 Stars Themes: Short Stories, LGBT, Horror Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This book focuses strongly on mental health and the chapter titles and text format often reflects the mental state of Ashton. The format did make it a little difficult for me to read at times but I still appreciated what it was for and the overall effect. It’s the kind of horror that makes it difficult to tell what is real and what isn’t all the way through and can be spooky at times. I did, however, think the trigger warnings at the end should be at the beginning as some themes could be potentially triggering to some people but not many people look to the end for trigger warnings and assume if they aren’t at the beginning it’s safe. 

Rating: 5 Stars Themes: Children's Book, Fairy Tale Retelling, Fantasy Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I absolutely loved this book, it shows that there’s two sides to every story and not everyone’s the monster they are made out to be. It also warns against blind rage or fear as we find out that is what caused this situation to begin with. The illustrations are also really impressive and help immerse us in the story. 

Rating: 3 Stars Thoughts:  Children's Books Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This is such a cute book for young children. Mika is such an inquisitive young girl going on an adventure around the house. When frog gets stuck/left behind the book also shows the love and friendship between the two by being brave. A great way to teach such concepts to youngsters.

Rating: 4 Stars Themes: LGBT, Non-Fiction, Graphic Novel Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This book is well researched which is evidenced by the references provided and the addition of further possible reading throughout. The images are inclusive and representative including different abilities and races which I love as it shows how easy it is to be inclusive. I also liked  the inclusion of historical examples and different country/culture examples to help show how much of an ethnocentric and recent issue the insistence of only 2 genders is. 

Rating: 3 Stars Themes: Childrens Book, Non-Fiction, Science, Nature Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This book is so amazingly detailed. The images are very detailed, right down to feathers and fins on animals that really help immerse young readers in the scene of following a river and the facts are as detailed as is age appropriate. I can’t wait to next babysit my little water lover to share this with him too.

Rating: 4 Stars Themes: Children's Books, Friendship Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This book is so sweet, it embodies love and friendship, having sweet messages for grieving children too (where the snow comes from). I also really liked the images as the sketches gave it a more rustic and homey feel but they were still very detailed.

Rating: 3 Stars Themes: Childrens Book Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This book is great for showing kids they don’t have to be perfect all the time and we all have bad hair days, especially at the end when in the book the main character isn’t the only one having a bad hair day. This book shows inclusion done right with minority communities along the way and in the group bad hair day so that every child is able to see themselves reflected even if they don’t match the main character. I also loved the chicken throughout because it gave me a giggle and I’m a big kid at heart. 

Rating: 4 Stars Themes:  Non-Fiction, True Crime, History Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This is a great and informative short book on a historical true crime case I knew nothing about before. It also includes short quotes at the beginning of each chapter were a neat touch and the images and illustrations at the end of each chapter really helped me visualise the story even more.  Favourite Quote: "However you finally decide to think of him - hero, rogue, or something in between - his story is one unique in the annals of outlaws."

Rating: 4 Stars Themes: Biography, Picture Books, Children, Animals  Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This was a great short picture book, and will be so useful for introducing children to animal care and Daphne Sheldrick. I also really liked the fact there is some facts, a further explanation to Sheldrick’s life and even a section on what kids can do to help at the end of the story too.  Favourite Quote: "A wild animal is only borrowed. If you truly love it, you must set it free when nature calls."

Rating: 4 Stars Themes: Horror, Short Story Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I really enjoyed this book and it’s a great short story for horror/supernatural lovers. The inclusion of illustrations added a layer of realism to help me visualise the possession in a way I wasn’t imagining before the image (I was still imagining the frail old lady not the demonic entity). I also liked that there was more than just the bog standard possessed call the Catholic priest, I liked seeing this one from a Jewish and Anglican point of view instead. Although, I did find the hint of a curse from the flashback disappointing as it wasn’t confirmed to be the cause of the possession or what was aside from something entering at the point of death. I would also have liked a little epilogue at the end to resolve what happened to Bernie after the losses and what happens to the house.  Favourite Quote: "Australia to me represents a nation of imm...

Rating:  4 Stars Themes: Non-Fiction, Writing Thoughts:  I received an review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I found this short book really helpful, I have been reviewing books for just over a year now and thought I would benefit from a few tips to improve my work and maybe even my reach. This book had loads of great tips in a short snappy format and even has links to get further information on the areas you may need more advice in. 

Rating: 3 Stars Themes: Horror, LGBT,  Thoughts: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. This was an interesting short horror story. I was impressed with how well Wagner managed to make me feel for Quinton in only 92 pages but I really felt for him, especially by the end when he decided to venture out of the dark and start living. I also thought the twist on the AIDS virus and the Afflicted virus was a cool addition to the story and the flashbacks to his experiences during the AIDS epidemic brought a human nature element that’s novel and contextualises Quinton’s behaviours more.  Favourite Quote: "Then he wonders if surviving is even something he wants to do anymore. He’s done it for so long and look how quickly all that went to shit. But he has to. He knows that."

Rating: 4 Stars Themes: Non-Fiction, Sports, Feminism Thoughts: This is a great guide for young girls everywhere. It gives a great insight into girls across the world and their start into football and encourages young girls to get more involved themselves. There is also exercises and recipes for some of the players featured is also great introductions to healthy/sports training foods and training exercises.  Favourite Quote: "Girls especially still face barriers that make it hard for them to be seen and heard in sport. I’m in a position now to contribute to making a change. And thankfully things are changing for the better with women’s football leading the charge."

Rating: 4 Stars Themes: Non-Fiction, LGBT, History, Queer Thoughts: This is a great introduction to queer communities and queer history. I loved that there is sections for the more marginalised groups in the LGBTQ+ community such as trans individuals and also embraces intersectionality such as those who are also disabled and/or BIPoC.  Favourite Quote: "I think it’s really important to say here that no matter where you are on your queer journey, or who you’re with, every part of you deserves and should be accepted by a queer safe space."

Rating: 4 Stars Themes: Non-Fiction, LGBT, Trans, Disability, Black Lives Matter, Own Voices Thoughts: This is such a good guide to being an ally to many different types of marginalised groups. It introduces the issues of discrimination in a sensitive way and is very responsible in using own voices to explain these issues rather than having someone who doesn’t experience it risking becoming condescending. Favourite Quote: "The term ally has become a common way to talk about the responsibilities we have to shop up and support each other, and in particular for those with privilege to show up and support people and communities that are systematically oppressed. But not everyone thinks it's a great word. Some argue that too many people claim the label without doing the work. Others say it doesn't go far enough, and that allies might empathise with and support individuals, but they aren't doing the hard, sometimes dangerous work of breaking down oppressive systems. There ar...

Rating: 3 Stars Themes: Romance, LGBT, Contemporary, Young Adult, New Adult, Queer Thoughts: This book felt overrated to me. The actual romance between Alex and Henry was sweet as the characters personalities did fit and feel genuine. However, the actual storyline of the prince and the first son and even the political subplot didn’t feel realistic and felt like it kinda lacked the execution. Favourite Quote: "You think y'all are off the hook for institutional bigotry because you come from a blue state. Not every white supremacist is a meth-head in Bumfuck, Mississippi - there are plenty of them at Duke or UPenn on Daddy's money."