Welcome to Cup of Tea’s 5 Mini Book Reviews, where I will give you 5 bite sized book reviews where I provide my quick thoughts on and give you book recommendations to be aware of.

Hope you enjoy!

A Haunted Girl by Ethan and Naomi Sacks and illustrated by Marco Lorenzana

This was a such a moving and haunting graphic novel that just does a beautiful job of the exploration of mental health. It manages to provide that necessary and honest conversation about mental health. There are not a lot of stories out there that gives you a chance to have an emotional connection with the story, especially with graphic novels. And the supernatural elements were a nice added touch.

Sacks said this was a personal story and you can tell by the writing, the storytelling and vibrant illustrations bringing this tale to life. If you are looking for relatable and emotional mental health representation with an adventurous plot, then “A Haunted Girl” is the book for you. One of my favorites of the year so far.

Lavender Clouds: Comics about Neurodivergence and Mental Health by Bex Ollerton

If you suffer from mental health issues, then you should read this comic. Even if you don’t, it is still a necessity for you to read Lavender Clouds. With this beautifully and vibrant illustrated comic, Ollerton gives readers a candid and revealing discussion of her mental health journey in a humorous but empowering way. The struggle is real, and that’s ok. It is important to know how to deal with it and accept that it will always be a part of your life. A truly honest and accepting tale about an individual’s mental health. ⁠

This Land Is Our Land: A Blue Beetle Story by Julio Anta and Jacoby Salcedo

The amazing duo Julio Anta and Jacoby Salcedo return to bring not only another great coming-of-age comic with a relatable teen character but also an origin story for a teenage superhero. Who wouldn’t want to read that? What I love about “This Is Our Land”, except for it’s amazing story and captivating illustrations, for someone tired of reading superhero stories, the superhero element is just a bonus. You are not bogged down by the superhero elements but as the reader, you can appreciate the important themes that it conveys, particularly the sentiment of staying true to your instincts, no matter what the world around you tells you. All I know is, the world could use Jamie as the voice of reason and a voice of bringing unity to our communities.

Another winner by Anta and Salcedo! Truly, a great and inspiring superhero origin story that readers will have no problem identifying with the characters and being engrossed in the comic’s thought-provoking, inspiring storytelling. A must-read when it comes out in the Fall!

Thank you to NetGalley and DC Comics for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Petrol Head Volume 1 by Rob Williams and Pye Parr

I was instantly surprised by this one. Although I have read a lot of dystopian stories, I am still weary of them. But immensely enjoyed this comic! Not only do I love the artwork and vibrant colors, but the storytelling is engrossing and exciting to read. That will be sad when you reach the end of the volume.

The Reappearance of Rachel Price by Holly Jackson

I don’t know how Holly Jackson does it! Here, we have another tense and heart-stopping thriller that keeps you guessing to the very end. What I love about Jackson’s writing and stories is that you get more than just a mystery but also what you can call a human story, where the main characters go through a complete transition, and you can’t blame them, especially with what they went through. I also like the true crime “inspired” plot, which we will continue seeing this trend in mysteries and thrillers. But rest assured, she adds a refreshing take to it and won’t make it tiresome for readers, whether or not they are a fan of the genre.⁠

Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are ‘affiliate links’. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission.

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