Overemotional by David Fenne

Pages: 336 

Publisher: Ink Road 

Released: 6th of July 2023 

Sometimes, emotions can be a little too powerful . . .

Seventeen-year-old Steven has a big problem . . . Whenever he feels intense emotions, weird things happen.

Like when he kissed a boy for the first time, and the boy's head literally exploded.

Fleeing to the miserable town of Grunsby-on-Sea, Steven is determined to not hurt anyone else - but he doesn't count on his best friend Freya, her boyfriend Marcus and American friend Troy following him. And when agents from the mysterious DEMA organisation show up talking about "neutralisation", Steven realises that Grunsby-on-Sea might not be the safe haven he'd hoped for . . .

The first in a wholesome queer YA fantasy trilogy packed with magic, loveable characters and big plot twists from debut author DAVID FENNE. Perfect for fans of TJ Klune, Rainbow Rowell and Adam Silvera.

What I Have to Say 

This was such a good concept. I loved the idea of a teenager trying to get the grips on magic controlled by emotions especially when emotions can be so large and overwhelming when you're that age. It was the perfect magic for a teenage boy to have. 

The story really lived up to the concept as well. I fell in love with these characters and their wins were my wins, their losses were my losses. It was really done well. I loved the town of Grunsby-on-sea as well. I could really see this dismal little British Seaside town. 

The LGBTQ+ representation was what really drew me to this book. And when your gay character is shooting rainbows out of his hands, you can't really make it any gayer. I loved how upfront about Steven's gayness the book was, even when he wasn't ready to be upfront about it himself. 

I can't wait to see what adventures await our little gang next. 

4 stars 

My thanks goes to Ink Road and Netgalley for providing me with this copy for review. 

The First Bright Thing by J.R. Dawson

 Pages: 352 

Publisher: Tor 

Released: 22nd of June 2023 

If you knew how dark tomorrow would be, what would you do with today?

The First Bright Thing by J. R. Dawson is a spellbinding debut for fans of The Night Circus and The Invisible Life of Addie La Rue.

Welcome to the Circus of the Fantasticals.

Ringmaster – Rin, to those who know her best – can jump to different moments in time as easily as her wife, Odette, soars from bar to bar on the trapeze. With the scars of World War I feeling more distant as the years pass, Rin is focusing on the brighter things in life. Like the circus she’s built and the magical misfits and outcasts – known as Sparks – who’ve made it their home. Every night, Rin and the Fantasticals enchant a Big Top packed full with audiences who need to see the impossible.

But while the present is bright, threats come at Rin from the past and the future. The future holds an impending war that the Sparks can see barrelling toward their Big Top and everyone in it. And Rin's past creeps closer every day, a malevolent shadow Rin can’t fully escape. It takes the form of another Spark circus, with tents as black as midnight and a ringmaster who rules over his troupe with a dangerous power. Rin’s circus has something he wants, and he won't stop until it’s his.

What I Have to Say 

This book was dark! Really dark. It went deep into control and abusive relationships but it also went into the inevitability of World War Two. It did have some brightness in it as well though. It had a really good message about how tiny things can influence and change the world for the better. 

This book killed with emotion though. Seeing the things Rin went through in the climax of the novel was so emotional and heart-breaking. It really kept me on the edge of my seat to find out what happened. I was happy with the way it ended. I think it was the right ending for the book to give hope and catharsis to the reader. 

I don't have much more to say really. I think this was a truly great book, though maybe not one for the faint of heart. 

4 stars 

My thanks go to Netgalley and Tor for providing me with this copy for review.