Something Awful

Cindy Paul & Renee Zonneveld are back at it again with another stunning book (seriously you have to get your hands on this book for the artwork alone because Renee clearly didn't hold herself back!). Now this review is later than I wanted simply because I HAD to give it another reread to really sink myself back in the world Cindy & Renee have crafted for us. Much like her Hepdale Rain series Something Awful is an urban fantasy story but instead of werewolves and teenage angst, we got a mysterious monster and teenage identity angst. Jokes aside, Something Awful is really a breath of fresh air as Cindy not only does an absolutely wonderful job of creating characters you will absolutely love (my favorite in this time around is Shelby who is an absolute QUEEN), but the world she creates is absolutely atmospheric with the right amount of spooky needed for a good monster story! Truthfully reading this book reminded me of Saturday mornings watching Scooby Do and other monster of the week cartoons in the best way possible. But what this book did more than those cartoons is that it gave me the representation I never had as a kid. It was truly heartwarming to see Grayson really find himself throughout his adventure and coming to terms not only with who he was as a person but how his heritage played a role in that identity. And of course there is another absolutely sweet romance thrown in the mix to really check off all the boxes for a great YA story.

If you find yourself looking for a quick read with amazing characters with representation up the wazoo, then Something Awful is the book to go!