Book Reviews by Genre: Fiction

Set in the future where humanity has conquered death, Scythe delivers a gripping and philosophical take in an original and interesting format. A class of sanctioned killers (Scythes) keep the population in check (called gleaning) in an elegantly built world with seriously deep tension, following Citra and Rowan, two teenage apprentice Scythes under Scythe Faraday. Neither one wants the job, which makes them perfect for the role where the Thunderhead, a governance AI, refuses to touch. Faraday dies midway through their training, splitting the two up under Scythes Curie and Goddard- two Scythes with opposing worldviews. Curie practices a cleaner and more humane method of gleaning while Goddard revels in the killings. Citra works beside Curie and begins to investigate Faraday's strange death while Rowan grows increasingly uncomfortable with Goddard's excesses. Both become increasingly aware of the Scythedom's split in ideology as the old guard- made up of Scythes like Curie and Faraday- is pushed aside by Goddard's brutal radical faction. Eventually, the two reunite for a final test in which the winner must glean the loser. What follows is the high stakes culmination of everything the two has learnt involving morality, loyalty, and the future of the Scythedom
Scythe is one of the best modern YA dystopian novels that is both original and very well executed. It poses an interesting philosophical question of morality and power, exploring how power can corrupt- and if humans should even have the power to control life and death. Written in a captivating style, Neal Shusterman balances deep philosophical moral questioning with fast paced action, wrapped up in an elegant world.

A friend of mine is a fan of Marie Lu's writing, and I thought the cover of this book looked interesting, so I gave it a shot. As a young adult dystopian novel, there's not a lot that's new here. It's your same old young people fighting a force they don't understand because those in charge tell them that the world will end if they don't maintain the status quo. Fortunately, there were enough little things that made this a unique enough story that I'll be continuing on with the second book at some point.

One of the reasons I appreciate diversity in main characters is it gives me a glimpse into how their world functions. With a mute character in first person point of view, it was the perfect trope to connect to the "antagonist" with a psychic bond that could easily provide the reader with a venue to get inside both their heads. Of course, this is also how the sudden romantic entanglement makes any sense here, as this is in the young adult genre and is almost a requirement for the main character.

Action-wise, there's a lot of well-written scenes that help drive the plot forward. And that the plot reveals enough to be interesting but not too much so that I have to read the second book in this series to get a satisfying conclusion is a hallmark of a well-written book. Sure, it still has to meet all the checkboxes to give the young adult fans what they want, but I'm glad that it's not necessarily a straight copy and paste from more famous young adult series that we seem to get most of the time.

An interesting point of view from a fairly standard young adult novel, I give Skyhunter 4.0 stars out of 5.

I understand that most sequels that weren't already planned as part of a larger series (or even a duology) are often just a cash grab for fans of the original work. Usually, I can forgive this if it allows me to spend more time in the world the author created in the first book. In the case of Ready Player Two, I think it goes so far into being a cash grab that it actually harms how I feel about the original Ready Player One .

While the internet and online culture has changed significantly in the nine years since the first book came out, there were only a few retroactive changes to the Oasis that recognized these shifts in modern technology. And while the main idea of the plot does take a natural next step from virtual reality to capturing a lived reality in digital space, none of the excitement of the original egg hunt is there because the ticking clock mechanic was mostly a consequence of the main character's poor decision making abilities. This, of course, is a huge carry over from the first book.

The biggest fault Ready Player Two commits is changing the character of Halliday from the awkward but well-meaning nerd into a full-blown incel villain. When this is combined with the tone-deaf and at times totally misogynistic Wade Watts, there's nothing in this book that makes me like the villain or the main character. And when solutions to dire circumstances don't feel earned, I just don't get the same magic out of this book like I did for the first one. Fortunately, if you're really curious enough to try this book, I've seen it sold at huge discount at a few different bookstores if you want to pick it up.

An egregious cash grab that ruins characters from Ready Player One, I give Ready Player Two 2.5 stars out of 5.

Ground Zero by Alan Gratz is a historical fiction book about how war and terrorism affects the innocent. The book follows an eleven year old boy named Brandon who is stuck in the World Trade Center, in New York City on September 11, 2001, and along side follows a girl named Reshmina from Afghanistan, whose village becomes a battleground in 2019. Brandon is visiting his father at work on the 107th floor when the first plane hits the World Trade Center, Brandon must fight and persevere to get out of danger to survive. Meanwhile, Reshmina faces the impossible choice when an American solider seek refuge in her home while the Taliban threatens her family from within. I personally love this book because the book taught me not to judge someone until you’ve walked in their shoes. The book teaches this lesson by showing both sides of the War on Terror, and how normal peaceful people suffer regardless of which side they are on. By experiencing Brandon’s traumatic experience on 9/11 and then Reshmina’s perspective as her village is caught in the crossfire of a war she had no control of, show that victims of violence exists everywhere. The novel challenged me as the reader to see beyond stereotypes and recognize the humanity of people from different cultures and backgrounds. Overall, the book Ground Zero is an emotional and eye opening story that demonstrates how war creates victims on all sides and encourages readers to break the cycle of violence by understanding each others pain.

I picked up Fourth Wing thinking, “Okay, dragons are cool, but how intense can this be?”
Answer: very.
This book throws you straight into a brutal dragon-rider school where survival is optional and falling off a cliff is basically a pop quiz. The main character, Violet, is physically fragile but stubborn enough to keep going, which made me root for her immediately, mostly because everyone else seemed determined to kill her.
The dragons are easily the best part: sarcastic, powerful, and not remotely interested in human nonsense. The plot moves fast, the stakes stay high, and yes, there is romance, but it doesn’t completely hijack the story (thankfully).
Is it high literature? No.
Is it wildly entertaining, dramatic, and impossible to put down? Absolutely.
I finished it feeling emotionally attacked by fictional dragons and immediately wanted the sequel.

Rating:
Perfect if you like fantasy, danger, and characters who survive mostly out of spite.

Even though it has been some time since I read The Final Empire , it is a testament to Brandon Sanderson that I could remember most of the details of this fantasy series when I got to the second book, The Well of Ascension. The magic system of burning different metals to provide a variety of super-powered abilities is such a unique idea that it easily sticks in my mind and is complex enough to explore further in this book.

While I love how Sanderson does his action sequences, I understand the need to lean more on political and religious intrigue in this second book to deepen the lore and world-building for the Mistborn series. Sanderson does a good job with these moments of loyalty and betrayal, and it shows the amount of thought he put into making this world realistic—at least in terms of how we understand our world’s politics and religions. However, unlike how Orson Scott Card did this in the Call of Earth series or Isaac Asimov did in the Foundation series, there don’t seem to be ties to real-world histories that weigh down what Sanderson is trying to do here.

Ultimately, Sanderson is a master of magic systems, and The Well of Ascension uses Vin to expand what allomancy can do. That Vin is the best character in the series so far is testament to how much she factors into the plot and the development of the magic system. The creative ways she uses her magic to move through the world is what makes the action sequences as entertaining as they are. I do hope I can get to the next book in the series sooner rather than later, just to see how things turn out for her.

Political intrigue mixed with great magical world-building, I give The Well of Ascension 4.5 stars out of 5.

Solid time travel meets murder mystery. I was thinking about this book even when I wasn’t reading it.

A love story that honors misfits and art and community. Beautifully written as one would expect from Fredrik Backman. Brings tears and laughs, and sometimes at the same moment.

Midnight Gang is a very fun book to read each chapter is like a new adventure waiting to happen. This is definitely a favorite.

Although many people love her books, this one was just too predictable. I still think the plot is good but not shocking enough for a mystery. Great book to read on a road trip or flight, because it’s super fast paced.

Set in eighteenth century Cairo, Nahri is a con artists who spends her days marking arrogant soldiers and planning her next meal. So when she accidentally summons the mythical djinn warrior, Dara, she sees her carefully planned life in turmoil. When he whisks her away to the magical city of Daevabad, Nahri discovers shocking secrets about her heritage and navigates complicated political affairs, as she also discovers that her companion may not be all he says he is.

The City of Brass is a high fantasy novel and made for a fun read! While I absolutely adore fantasy, the backdrop and the mythology in which this story is based made for a longer and more complicated read. The magic systems were intricate and the history of the djinn were incredibly complex. That being said, it’s clear that the author put her soul into writing this novel, as nearly everything was seamless! The characters were flawed and forced to navigate complicated political environments that challenged their personal morals, and the ending was crazy! I genuinely feel like all hope is lost now, I have no clue how the author can write two more books expanding the plot when so much happened just in the last 50 pages! If anyone is looking for a plot based high fantasy, definitely don’t sleep on this one, it was so much fun to read!

A Long Walk To Water to me has a beautiful structure, two stories told separately that converge later down the line is truly an engaging take. I personally love the fact that it is a true story. It takes place during the Sudanese Civil War telling the story of a refuge trying to escape and a young fictional girl and her struggle to obtain water. Both stories are entirely apart but show similar themes of resilience,hope, and determination. I really liked how they connected over struggle and unfortunate circumstances yet overcame and displayed how hope prevails in the end. If you like true stories, war, and a really enticing parallel structure you'll like a Long Walk To Water.

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is an absurdist space adventure comedy about a man named Arthur Dent who is taken to space on a crazy adventure. I enjoyed this book because it had lots of weird humor and laughs. I think the author did a great job designing zany characters. The only flaw is that sometimes the ridiculous comedy makes the plot nonsensical. Otherwise, this is a hilarious and fun read that I recommend!
Reviewer grade: 8

I wanted to read this book because of the little blurb on the back, it sounded very interesting. It did not disappoint. I was super intriguing, you wanted to keep reading. All of the characters were developed super well, and their relationships with each other were very good. The book was very detailed in descriptions as well which made you feel like you were there. I would definitely recommend if you like underwater adventures!

This is a cozy fantasy novel talking about a librarian who escapes a collapsing empire and opens a small spell shop on a quiet island. The story focuses on starting over, found family, and the comfort of simple magic rather than big battles. I chose this book because the idea of a magical shop and a calmer fantasy setting sounded relaxing and different. What I enjoyed most was the peaceful atmosphere and the relationships between the characters, which felt warm and genuine. Some parts moved slowly, but that fit the cozy tone of the story. Overall, this book was comforting, creative, and enjoyable, especially for readers who like fantasy without constant action.

This is a humorous picture book that puts a fantasy twist on the classic rhyme about an old lady who swallowed a fly. In this version, a dragon keeps swallowing knights and other characters, leading to increasingly silly and surprising moments. I picked this book because the title was funny and reminded me of a familiar story. What I enjoyed most were the playful rhymes and colorful illustrations that made the story fun to read aloud. The book was predictable in structure, but the creative fantasy elements kept it entertaining. Overall, it’s a lighthearted and imaginative book that younger readers would really enjoy.

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is an absurdist space adventure comedy about a man named Arthur Dent who is taken to space on a crazy adventure. I enjoyed this book because it had lots of weird humor and laughs. I think the author did a great job designing zany characters. The only flaw is that sometimes the ridiculous comedy makes the plot nonsensical. Otherwise, this is a hilarious and fun read that I recommend!

To Kill a Mockingbird is a novel set in the American South during the Great Depression. It follows a young girl named Scout as she learns about justice, empathy, and growing up. The story focuses on her family, especially her father, who stands up for what is right even when it is unpopular. I chose this book because it is a well-known classic and often recommended for its important message. What I enjoyed most was how the story showed serious topics through a child’s point of view, which made them easier to understand and more emotional. Some parts were slow, but the lessons about fairness and compassion made the book meaningful. Overall, this book was powerful and thought-provoking, and it made me think differently about right and wrong.

This picture book explores the many different ways families exist in the natural world. The book uses gentle text and peek-through pages to show how animals care for and support one another. I chose this book because the interactive design made it look engaging and fun to read. What I enjoyed most were the beautiful illustrations and how the cut-out pages added an extra layer of discovery. The book was simple and predictable, but that made it calming and easy to enjoy. Overall, it’s a warm and thoughtful book that celebrates connection and care in a way that younger readers can understand.

Ever since Sophie died, Logan has been a shell of his former self. Stumbling through life, trying to act normal in front of his councilor and friends, Logan is sure that he will never be the same. Until he meets Delilah. She is absolutely perfect - and Logan knows that it is his job to protect her, even if that means finding out everything he can about her on social media, putting cameras up to watch her house, even stalking her... But there is more to Delilah than meets the eye. After suffering with her mother's abusive boyfriend, something snaps, and the next thing she knows, he's dead in a horrible accident that she caused. Having captured everything on his hidden cameras, Logan begins blackmailing her with the footage. But Delilah is done with having her life dictated by other people, even if that means taking matters into her own hands to finally be free...

After being pulled in by the intriguing synopsis, I absolutely fell in love with "The Obsession"! This book is told in alternating perspectives, with some chapters being told from Logan's perspective and others from Delilah's. These perspective switches were perfectly executed by Sutanto's incredible writing style, each with a distinct voice. Not only is the reader disgusted (but intrigued) by Logan's unhinged thoughts and rationalizations, but they are also drawn in by Delilah's morally grey character and shocking decisions - I absolutely loved that each character was complex and never predictable or cliched. I would definitely recommend "The Obsession" to anyone - the writing style was great and each twist and turn is more shocking than the last!

It has been ten years since Jess's mother was killed by the Magpie Man. Since then, he has murdered twelve other women in the same way. And now, after securing a spot on a YouTube reality TV series, Jess finally has a chance to bring her mother's story back into the public eye. With her viewers giving her access to clues the police never had, Jess is determined to catch the Magpie Man before he kills again.

The first thing I'll say is that "14 Ways To Die" is less of a murder mystery and more of a coming-of-age story with thrilling moments. It centers around Jess exploring her grief and trying to get closure rather than her searching for clues, which might be disappointing for readers who were expecting a more conventional mystery-centered plot. Personally, I enjoyed the premise, thrilling moments, and characters immensely, and the extremely short chapters made for a fast read. The reason why I didn't rate this book higher is because some aspects of the plot seemed extremely unbelievable (like the show itself and the "clues" that Jess finds), especially when the Magpie Man's identity is revealed, which really fell flat for me especially because there was no buildup to it or "aha!" moment based on preexisting clues. This book would have benefitted from more in-depth information about the Magpie Man (and really just more clues in general!) and a better tie-up of the loose ends, as many aspects of the plot were left unexplained. Despite this, "14 Ways To Die" is an easy and interesting read that I would definitely recommend to murder mystery lovers, and, if you are disappointed by it, "The Reappearance of Rachel Price" has a pretty similar premise with an even better execution.

This volume introduces more Dragon Level monsters such as Nyaan and their capabilities to rival Class S Heroes. The Hero Hunter Garou is shown to be growing in power reaching levels far beyond his capabilities before. This is shown in his battle against Class S Puri-Puri Prisoner. Saitama encounters Class S Hero Flashy Flash as he goes deeper in the Monster HQ. Skeptical about Saitama's presence, Flashy Flash strikes at him. He is left shocked at his ability to react to his light speed blitz. Flashy Flash remembers Saitama as Genos' sidekick labeling him as a hero.

This is one of the best reactions of the Hero Association's recognition towards Saitama's strength so far, it delivers a satisfying conclusion that more and more Class S Heroes are recognizing his potential. I love the buildup towards Garou's inevitable growth towards being a Dragon Level Monster, being able to adapt more and more efficiently towards any opponent, and looking more monstrous as he progresses. A great buildup story overall for the upcoming big events. The portrayed art style really brings the feel of a difference between power in the manga, whether it be on speed or strength which creates a heavy impact on the characters' own specialized abilities.

This was an absolutely amazing book! In Skyhunter Talin, the main character, is part of a fearless and talented group of soldiers called strikers. Regardless of the pain and sorrow she experiences she continues to defend the country of Mara from the Karensa Federation. However it all seems hopeless, until she meets an escaped federation soldier who changes everything. I really loved learning about and connecting with the characters in this book, and the constant action and tension made it almost impossible to stop reading. Although one of my favorite parts of the book might just be the little mouse. I would definitely recommend this book!
Reviewer grade: 8

Wonder is a coming of age fiction starting with a boy named August. August, who has never been to school before, has to learn the hard way of fitting in. He was born with mandibulofacial dysostosis, which caused August's cheeks and other facial features like the mouth, ears, and eyes, to form differently at birth. When I first read this book, I was so intrigued from the first page, and this book taught me so many life lessons, and that you shouldn't care what others think of you. The story explains August's battles, the overwhelming feelings he encounters, from friends, and family, all while having the trouble of people's reaction to his face. August taught me to be brave and have courage to do things that are new or challenging. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone struggling to find themselves in life, it taught me so much.

This book was very good. I loved the authors development of characters and plot in the book. The romantic scenes were very age appropriate for 13 year olds. I was intrigued by how she explained the main storyline and how the main character came to be.

Marissa Meyer's Cinder is a sci-fi retelling of the classic tale Cinderella. It follows Cinder, a young cyborg mechanic, as she struggles with the people's discrimination against her and her fear of the deadly plague slowly overtaking the Earth. With the looming threat of universal war, and her complicated relationship with the crown prince, Cinder is caught up in political drama, scientific breakthroughs, love, loss, and shocking realizations about her past.

This book deals with heavy themes of discrimination as Cinder is made an outcast for her cybernetic makeup. It also displays themes of racism in the behaviors of the citizens of the Earth and Moon towards each other. Throughout the story the stereotypes of both sides challenged and understanding is established between the groups.

This book was a unique and interesting read keeping the reader invested through every twist and plot point. I would highly advise it for young adult readers who enjoy sci-fi, fantasy, or just classic fairy tales.

Where do I even begin...This book started off in a dystopian world. Where magic existed, underground fights, and a corrupt gonverment. The most compelling feature of Caster is it's magic system. In the dystopain city of Lotusland, magic is not a "free gift." It is a destructive force that draws energy directly from the Earth, causing enviromental catasrophes, like earthquakes and pollution. Worse, "full casting" physically hurts the caster, leaving painful wounds that serev as a constant reminder of what using this power costs. Sixteen year old Aza Wu is our main character, and our protaganist. Driven buy adult responsiblties, a theme that is rooted in the story's Chinese inspired setting. She carries the weight of her family's survival on her shoulders. Her journey isn't about saving the world; it's a personal struggle, to pay off gang debts, svae the family tea house, and solve the mystery of her sister's death. Aza is flawed and often makes reckless descisions, but her loyalty makes her a character you can't help but root for. While the ending can feel slightly abrupt or flat for those hoping a tidy resolution, it perfectly sets the stage for a bigger conflict. The writing is sharp and can make you see the world thorugh your mind's eye, making the tournament duels feel cinematic and urgent. Caster is a spellbinding and pulse bounding read that will leave you wondering, what's next?

The Book Thief is a very emotional book set in Nazi Germany during WW2. The story follows a young girl named Liesel Meminger, who is sent to live with a foster family and finds a love for books, even though the world around her is falling apart. One of the most unique parts of the story is that it is narrated by Death, which gives everything a different and interesting perspective. What makes this book so good is how it connects you to its characters. The author uses creative language and symbolism making every detail important. Liesels relationships, especially with her foster parents and Rudy (her best friend) feel real, raw and deep. There are a few downsides: the pacing is a little slow at times, especially in the middle and the narration could be confusing for some. Death also reveals future events which can take away the suspense at times. Overall, The Book Thief is a very good book that leaves a lasting impact. Its emotional, meaningful and is different from much of the stories about WW2. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical fiction or character-driven stories.

I picked the book Lesson in Chemistry because I'm currently taking Chemistry and this bright cover and its status as a PPLD top checkout caught my eye. The story follows Elizabeth Zott, scientist who ends up hosting a TV cooking show to teach women about science. I loved Elizabeth’s fierce intelligence, but it was frustrating to read about the blatant sexism she faced in the lab. I really related deeply to Elizabeth’s struggle for professional respect, making this one of my favorite reads of the year.

I chose this book because I had heard so much about the story and wanted to see if the rest of the book was just as haunting. The plot of the main story involves a small town gathering for an annual ritual that seems innocent at first but ends with a shocking twist that I truly did not see coming. What I enjoyed most was Jackson's ability to make the mundane feel terrifying, however some of the shorter sketches felt a bit unfinished compared to the other in the bunch.