Faerie by Eisha Marjara | Rating: ★★★★☆

"Why did I feel that way? Why was I half living? I was teetering over a dangerous chasm, between life and death, between those two universes, and I didn't want to belong to either. But at some point, I would fall one way or the other."

As a note, an e-galley of this novel was sent to me via Edelweiss by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not effect my opinions in any way.

Faerie, penned by Eisha Marjara, is not afraid to discuss frankly the struggles of an eating disorder and the effects it has on the victim. Many novels have touched base on this topic–it’s such an important story to tell–but not many have managed to do so as honestly as Faerie. That being said, my first warning is of the triggering variety: Eisha does not shy away from the honesty of it all and it does get graphic.

Other triggers include suicide and the like. You must remember before picking up the story that it takes place at a hospital and is not an easy one to sit through. If you have an issue with this, if you think even for a moment that it has the potential to be triggering I ask you not to pick this one up.

It’s Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini | Rating: ★★★★★

“I don’t know how I can be so ambitious and so lazy at the same time.”

Rewind to four or five years ago, when I was struggling with depression of my own and had just started writing book reviews as an outlet and a way to grow in my writing skills. This was one of the first books I felt connected to and it was one of the first books ever I reviewed. For me, It’s Kind of a Funny Story was the ultimate young adult novel that managed to capture the struggling youths can go through when it comes to school and the depression that comes along unexpectedly that we don’t always understand.

Looking back, now that Ned Vizzini is gone, the story becomes more and more real and treasured for me. Although he lost his battle with depression, the story remains and will continue to help the many teenagers and adults who struggle with mental illness because it captures it all in a raw and real way that many authors can’t manage to voice in their career.

This is one of those novels that should be read by everyone — even if you find yourself unable to relate to it. With a strong narration and many moments that can be both uncomfortable and oddly comforting (there’s just something lovely about reading a story and realizing that there are people who think like you), this story becomes something valuable.