#alternatively titled reasons why EVERYONE should read Ace's novel

[theprodigypenguin]

Little Things in Novel A I'll Never Recover From:

Deuce having a conversation with a skeleton.

Ace being over the top respectful to Banshee to the point where he's apologizing to her when she's not even there.

Skull addressing Ace and Deuce as "master" (idk why he does it but it's rly cute).

The precious heart to heart between Deuce and Whitebeard 🥺 (Deuce becomes one of his favorite sons and no one can tell me otherwise).

How Whitebeard gets all ashamed when he burns his hand in the same spot and is only worried about Deuce being disappointed in him.

Ace and Deuce's attempted ferris wheel date.

The part where Mihal only ever leaves his cabin when something might be wrong with Ace (the crew loves him 🥺 so fucking much).

How Deuce is super defensive when the crew reads over his shoulder as he's writing, but is way nicer when it's Wallace (cuz Wallace is learning to read and it's like Deuce is actively making sure he doesn't discourage him which is so sweet).

Deuce taking haki coated kicks to the stomach multiple times just so he can break Dorrow's flame throwers in order to save Ace.

Dine and dash.

Thatch and Ace becoming insanely close friends and drinking buddies even BEFORE Ace joined the crew.

Flower Crowns 💐🥰💐🥰💐

When Ace shared sake with Whitebeard 🥺🥺🥺 (that whole cup exchange actually).

Everyone on the Spades panicking because they have no faith in Ace and are worried he may light a Celestial Dragon on fire if he's left alone to wander (which is, let's be honest, very fair).

Ace being an absolute fucking DISASTER of a man when he meets Shanks and tries to thank him for saving Luffy.

Ace: For I am but a humble country boy-

Shanks: What in the fuck...?

(Honey plz talk like a normal person I'm-)

Shanks figuring out who Ace's father is in .2 seconds because he's literally that smart.

Deuce heel kicking a bounty hunter over the ship railing (a jealous and protective boi :3).

Banshee: Are you sure this is okay?

Ace: Yeah it was Deuce's idea.

(BABY IS LISTENING TO HIS BOYFREN TO THE LETTER. Also the implication that Ace still and will always go to Deuce for advice and to help with plans even though they're part of Whitebeard's crew. It's just... so pure and romantic).

Kotatsu growling at Blackbeard 👌

Deuce fully prepared to DRAG Ace away from the battle with Jimbei after he collapses.

Deuce and Ace are in love bye.

[quietya]

What’s Coming Up: Your Mod Went to Book Expo

Hello everyone! It’s your mod here and I want to talk about some of the titles that should be on your radar for the second half of 2019 (and some of 2020).

This year, as I have for the past several years, I was able to attend Book Expo and Book Con as press so I could learn about YA books and share that information with you all. And this year, I don’t really have another platform where I can do a recap like this one, so I thought I’d bring it here!

For those who don’t know, Book Expo is a professional publishing conference that happens every year - and most years it happens in New York City - where publishers preview their upcoming titles. Book Con is the more commercial side of the event, where it opens up to the public and focuses more on connecting readers with their favorite authors than showcasing new titles. I’ve been going to these events as media for I think three years now, but I also attended on a blogger badge for three years back when a blogger badge was more affordable.

ANYWAY, I generally do a lot of research into YA titles coming out each year before Book Expo and don’t learn about a ton of titles at the event, but I do get to pick up some books early, including some books that I wasn’t sure were my thing but somebody said something to change my mind.

So, on to the recap!

This year, I was at Book Expo briefly on May 29 (literally, like an hour) before heading to prep for Blogbound Con, then most of the day May 30 and May 31 and I was on the floor June 1 until An Intense Illness hit me (it’s been over a week and I’m almost? Recovered?) I picked up 28 full books, though some are adult and two are middle grade, so I’ll skip over those. Most of these aren’t out yet, but there are one or two that are out now that I’ll talk about.

The Map From Here to There by Emery Lord (January 7, 2020) - This is a companion/follow-up to Emery’s novel, The Start of Me and You. While there’s lots of adorable, nerdy romance in these books, it’s also very focused on a group of friends who’ve gotten each other through a lot of hardship together. The first book is set during their junior year of high school and the second book focuses on their senior year. I’m obsessed with Emery Lord’s books and so thrilled to have my hands on this new book.

Tarnished Are the Stars by Rosiee Thor (October 15, 2019) - I don’t know a ton of details about this book besides the fact that it’s really queer sci-fi. There’s ace main characters, a f/f ship, a girl with an illegal clockwork heart, and a boy determined to catch her.

Slay by Brittney Morris (September 24, 2019) - This is perfect for fans of Ready Player One and Black Panther. Kiera is one of the few Black girls in her high school and, unbeknownst to anyone, the creator of a popular online role-play game inspired by Wakanda. Then a teen is murdered over an in-game dispute. It’ll be as hard-hitting as THUG and Dear Martin, but filled with the virtual conflict of Warcross.

Fireborne by Rosaria Munda (October 15, 2019) - Truthfully, I don’t know much about this one either. I was walking by when I saw they were putting this book out and there are dragons in the book? And I love dragons. 

The Gravity of Us by Phil Stamper (February 4, 2020) - This one was sort of on my radar, but I wasn’t planning to pick it up. Then at Blogbound, they had copies available for everyone who went to the breakfast event, so...it happened. But it’s basically a queer, m/m romcom that’s contemporary, but heavily involves space because their two parents are chosen for a trip to Mars.

The How and the Why by Cynthia Hand (November 6, 2019) - HarperTeen, the publisher of this book, did a drop of two books, both involving teen pregnancy, and while I’m excited for both, I chose this one because I love Cynthia Hand. This is a dual narrative, featuring a girl who was adopted and wants answers about her biological family, and the letters a teen mother wrote to the child she was giving up.

The Fountains of Silence by Ruta Sepetys (October 22, 2019) - Ruta Sepetys is a master at historical YA, especially aspects that are generally ignored. This one is set in Madrid in 1957, during Francisco Franco’s dictatorship. It features an American boy who’s mother is from Spain and a girl who’s family was caught up in the Spanish Civil War and I’m so intrigued.

10 Blind Days by Ashley Elston (October 1, 2019) - This was pitched as perfect for fans of My Big Fat Greek Wedding, which is totally my jam. Right before Christmas break, Sophie’s boyfriend breaks up with her. To help her heal, her family sets her up on a series of 10 blind dates - but her ex wants another chance too. This sounds adorable and fun and hilarious and I’m very excited to read it.

Full Disclosure by Camryn Garrett (October 29, 2019) - After her HIV-positive status gets out at school, Simone transfers to a new school for a new start - and she’s finding it. She’s even found Miles, who makes her melt. She knows she’ll have to tell him before things get too serious - but before she can, an anonymous note warns her that somebody knows she’s HIV-positive, and they want her to stay away from Miles or they’ll tell everyone.

Destroy All Monsters by Sam J. Miller (July 2, 2019) - Solomon and Ash were both traumatized when they were 12. As the years go by, these two best friends suddenly live in alternate realities - one lives in a world like ours, the other lives in a world full of monsters and beasties. But which one is the real world? And what happened that day when they were 12?

Permanent Record by Mary H.K. Choi (September 3, 2019) - After a year of college, Pablo is working at a deli, dodging calls from the student loans office, and unsure what’s next. Leanne has been successful her whole life, debuting her first #1 single at 15. Four years later, her whole life is a blur. They meet at random at 4 in the morning during a Brooklyn snowstorm and know it can’t be permanent, but long for a few moments of privacy that they’ll never have.

Shadowscent by P.M. Freestone (November 5, 2019) - Rakel is incredibly skilled with scents, but her scents can’t save her dying father. Ash is an imperial guard forced on a diplomatic mission to an outer province with the prince, who gets poisoned. By time Rakel and Ash make it to the field where the Empire’s rarest flowers grow, both hoping to save a life, they find the blooms on fire, and they’re the only ones around.

The Storm Crow by Kalyn Josephson (July 9, 2019) - Magical crows are everything in Rhodaire until another empire invades and destroys everything. Princess Thia falls into a deep depression while her sister runs the kingdom - and is forced to arrange a marriage between Thia and the prince of the empire that invaded them and killed their parents. (Also, the first printing has a special cover under the dust jacket that’s GORGEOUS)

The Beautiful by Renee Ahdieh (October 8, 2019) - Here’s what I know about this one - the main character is a seamstress, it’s set in New Orleans in 1872, there are vampires, and there’s a murder mystery. And that’s all I want to know.

Descendant of the Crane by Joan He (Out now!) - Hesina has no desire to rule, but when her father’s murdered, she’s forced into an unsteady queendom. While trying to stabilize her kingdom, she’s determined to catch her father’s murderer and does something illegal - hires a soothsayer, despite magic being outlawed. And with the information the sooth provides, she turns to convicted criminal who may be the only one who can solve the case.

Into the Crooked Place by Alexandra Christo (October 8, 2019) - Ideal for fans of Six of Crows and Beneath the Citadel, four magical crooks have to work together after dark magic ends up in the wrong hands to save their city. But they can’t trust anyone, least of all each other.

There were other books that were on my radar, but I wasn’t able to pick up for one reason or another. If you’re interested in hearing about those, let me know and I’ll happily do another wrap up! But for now, I hope you learned about some new titles to pick up this year (or next year).