I also really enjoyed how everyone tried to support each other and to show that it’s okay to not fit in. Goofy, geeky Oscar was absolutely adorable and stole my heart early on. His enthusiasm and passion were infectious and I wanted to watch him as he created the foam weapons of my dreams.

Jess’s inner thinking is super fun and I love seeing the portrayal of fashion and make up as a way of enjoying someone’s creativity and self expression. I love her extra-ness when it comes to her “goth identity”. Oscar is an adorable blushing boy and they have such well written convos and I love all the sweet moments they share as they get to know each other. I love that they can share a hobby and goof off and pay attention to the other’s interests but above all else, they trust each other to open up about the serious things too and discuss it in a mature way, reassuring each other. I understand that the last third of the book was focused on wrapping things up but I wish it still had some more of those sweet bonding moments squeezed in between the eventual end game. Probably my only complaint is that the book was shorter than I would have liked, having some more bonding time and maybe a bit more of sharing from Jess’ side would have made the final parts have a bit more impact. Ada Goth lives in the beautifully elaborate Ghastly-Gorm Hall. She shares her home with almost absent father and famous cycling poet, Lord Goth. Ada is content, although she would love to have friends her own age – she's a little bit lonely. That is, until she meets an incredibly talented duo: William and Emily Cabbage. William and Emily are the children of servants, and Ada is honoured to be invited to their secret Attic Club. Together, the children must work to solve the mystery goings-on at Ghastly-Gorm Hall. What is Maltravers – the sinister indoor gamekeeper – doing in his spare time? What is Ishmael's – the ghost mouse who haunts Ada – purpose? And why have so many mythical creatures been captured? Goth Girl introduces us to the comedic characters and beautiful surroundings that Ada and friends come across during their ambitious expedition. This book is so well illustrated that nothing and no-one is left to the imagination. I particularly enjoyed being able to see Ishmael, Ada and the other creatures in the story, and it certainly helps when trying to visualise the gothic, dark surroundings. I'm a big fan of illustrated books, mainly because that extra element adds a certain magic not found in normal, text-only novels. It's also a treat to see an author's own illustrations, which in this case are as much a part of the story as the words.

About Chris Riddell

The first Goth Girl book, Goth Girl and the Ghost of a Mouse, came out in 2013, winning the Costa Children’s Book Award and getting nominated for the CILIP Kate Greenaway and the Children’s National Book Award. There are now four books in the series. Jess has moved from house to group home to house for the past nine years. Having entered the foster care system at seven, Jess doesn’t know what it’s like to have a safe place to call home. Foster Care Pro-tip number eight: Never become emotionally involved with anyone. Ever. Jess doesn’t expect this placement to be any different but Barbra, Jess’ new foster parent, is unlike any of the ones she’s had before. The Costa Book Awards honour some of the most outstanding books of the year written by authors based in the UK and Ireland.

It has several other discussions as well. Everything from the stigma horror movies tend to bring on upon mental illness, the effects on a child after being placed in foster homes, the effect mental illness has ones self and loved ones, body positivity/fat shaming, so many important discussions! Discussions that I think a lot of young adults can relate to and learn a lot from. Discussions that Young Adults should be a part of. I truly think this book could really help a lot of kids! Thank you NetGalley, Flux, and Lindsay Zrull for providing this e-ARC for an exchange of honest review! It’s a slow road for Jess learning to trust. Her biomom is schizophrenic. Jess has been in foster care since age 7 and even though foster mom Barbra seems nice, Jess has been burned before and is hesitant to open herself up to more hurt.the most covetable book of the year. It is simply the most outstandingly beautiful piece of book design and production...This book is a triumph from an author and illustrator at the height of his powers... ReadingZone

Diversity. That's the other thing that I appreciated about this book. The diversity! There is an LGBTQ character, fat MC (and done in a positive way,) neurodiversity. There was so much of it and I soked it all in! My favorite character was definitely Barbra, the foster mom, but I can’t tell a lot about her without spoiling the whole story. She is one of the kindest moms I’ve ever read about! I think anyone who enjoys those kind of events, loves pop culture, darker but important topics or has been in the foster care system themselves, could really get a lot out of this book and end up loving it. Thanks so much to Netgalley and the publishers for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. There are pop culture references and little gems of geekdom throughout and these had my smiling at almost every chapter- hello scream queens and Labyrinth! There is a strong message of inclusivity which is something I am constantly seeking in books. Zrull really creates a wonderful world here.

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As others have said many times before me, representation matters. And in this book, Goth Girl, Queen of the Universe, we have Jess, who is a kid in foster care, after her mother had a mental breakdown when she was seven. The one thing she has learned from this is to trust in herself, and not make friends, because she is constantly losing foster homes, and being moved on. She has created a persona around herself, of Goth Girl, which she uses as her shield against the painful world around her. I recommend this book to anyone who feels left out or is interested in a story about mental illness. This book was a five star read for me, and probably one of my top ten books of this year even if it is only March when I write this. There were several things that I enjoyed about this story but more than anything was the representation it had. I love to see a main character who just was on the bigger side, and there was no side plot that focused on her journey to love her body. She made clothes and costumes that fit her and her aesthetic. As someone who dresses on the more alternative side, I often struggle to even see people who have my body type that also dress like I do. I love to see a fellow fashion queen, and I appreciate her. The wonderful illustrations by the former children’s laureate (2015-2017), Chris Riddell, make these mystery stories perfect for readers 7+ who love adventures with a dark or fantastical twist.

Sooo... Don't do what I did and go into this thinking its all about goth. It has a goth MC but it is not about the fact she is goth. The title was misleading... The cover and writting was juvenile which lead me to believe it was Middle grade.First of all, I absolutely love the cover. Jess and the gang completely stole my heart. As someone who loves fandom, cosplay, and just being a geek in general, this book made my heart smile. Seeing these kids navigate the con and cosplay world was extremely entertaining. I also enjoyed seeing all the familiar fandoms along with some new ones. I love going to cons and seeing the amazing costumes and makeup so I would have loved to be there to see them perform. Then one night, a ghostly mouse called Ishmael appears in Ada's bedroom and asks for her help. Soon, Ada finds herself joining forces with some young visitors, William and Emily Cabbage, as well as their friends in the Attic Club, to unravel a dastardly plot being hatched by Maltravers, the sinister indoor gamekeeper. Together, can they stop Maltravers before he unleashes his terrible plan on the day of Lord Goth's famous metaphorical bicycle race and indoor hunt?