What YA' Reading: Laughs
Escape with YA novels that include a supernatural cat, a superhero's reluctant love interest, friends who try to be the worst girlfriend or boyfriend, and a violent noodle cult.
Not If You Break Up with Me First by G.F. Miller
Everyone says childhood friends Eve and Andrew are destined to be a couple. When the first school dance rolls around Eve feels the pressure and awkwardly asks Andrew to go with her. Now everyone assumes they are Officially Dating and Practically in Love. Overwhelmed, Eve and Andrew just go with it.
And it’s weird. Neither of them wants this dating thing to mess up their friendship, and they don’t really see each other that way. But neither person wants to be the one to call things off, the one to make things super awkward. So they both secretly plan to be the worst boyfriend or girlfriend ever, leaving it to the other person to break up with them. It would be genius if the other person weren’t doing the exact same thing.
The Legend of Uh by Aaron N. Hall
This is a quirky and funny fantasy novel. Sir Dashing Junior was only knighted because they couldn't knight his father twice. Now he's determined to prove he's worthy of his new title. With an aspiring ranger, an awkward friar, and a book-loving orc, DJ will venture across the territory of Uh to reach the Amulet of the Goddess, proving that he's truly worthy of knighthood.
Along the way, he and his companions will encounter a cursed author, a violent noodle cult, democratic goblins, and a whole lot more. It's a journey fraught with danger and discovery, and the territory is rich with monsters and magic, so is DJ's quest for respect really worth the cost?
"Ultimately, I ended up having way more fun with this story than I could ever have expected, and I would be more than happy to return to Uh for more adventures with this found family of endearing oddballs. The Legend of Uh is somehow both comfortingly familiar and surprisingly subversive, and I simply can’t recommend this delightful tale highly enough to anyone and everyone who calls themselves a fantasy fan." – Esmay Rosalyn, Before We Go Blog
The Love Interest by Helen Comerford
“A fun, smart, trope-laden read for fans and haters of superhero stories alike.” ―BCCB
Seventeen-year-old Jenna Ray is tired of being cast as the helpless “love interest” after being rescued by the town’s newest superhero, Blaze. Determined to avoid becoming villain bait, she agrees to spy on Blaze for a group of villains in exchange for clues about her long-missing mother. But as Jenna gets closer to the charming Blaze, she uncovers secrets, questions the absurd superhero system, and realizes she may be the only one who can save the day. This is a witty, action-packed adventure that pokes fun at superhero tropes while delivering plenty of heart.
“A picturesque superhero universe and the 21st-century world collide in Comerford's rom-com debut, which features comedic dialogue, sophisticated depictions of mental health, and empowering, authentic female relationships.” ―Publishers Weekly
Cthulhu Cat by written Pandania and translated by Zack Davisson
An ordinary Japanese high school student takes home an abandoned supernatural cat left in a cardboard box. Maybe he shouldn't have meddled with kitties beyond human comprehension. After all it had tentacles where its whiskers should have been. But it’s too late!
With no Elder Sign on the cat door, soon the pick of the Mythos litter starts to invade his house, as furry and feline versions of Hastur, Yog-Sothoth, Nyarlathotep and other adorable Lovecraftian horrors blast his mind, whisper impossible secrets and generally get underfoot!
From the creator of Evil Secret Society of Cats and Yokai Cats, Cthulhu Cat is a one-shot, full-color gag manga collection that is a charming tribute both to Lovecraft's stories and Lovecraft the cat lover.
