Book Reviews by Genre: Fiction

All mortal Feyre Archeron knows is how to fight for survival. With her family starving and located dangerously close to the wall separating the human realm from the mysterious faerie lands of Prythian, Feyre takes a risk in killing a strange looking wolf. Feyre then realizes this mistake when a beastly fae male comes to retrieve her as penance from murdering a member of his court. Only he isn’t a beast all the time, and as Feyre grows closer to this mysterious High Fae, the more she learns about the dangerous awakening unleashing a chain of events all throughout Prythian.

This book was really good! Obviously this is one of the most popular series, but everyone told me that this first book in particular was the most boring and hard to get through. I found it the opposite however, I was intrigued the entire time, which only makes me more excited to see how much better the series the will get!

Sunnybrook High School doesn't have a cheerleading team. This is because, five years ago, the cheerleaders in Sunnybrook began to die. Two were killed in a tragic car accident. Two were brutally murdered. And one, Monica's sister, committed suicide. After moving into a new house, Monica just wants to forget the painful memories that come with remembering her sister and her sister's friends. But that isn't so easy when she finds hidden letters in her stepfather's desk which insist that the cheerleaders' deaths are somehow connected. As Monica begins to stumble across more clues about what really happened five years ago, she begins to wonder who she can really trust...

"The Cheerleaders" is your typical YA mystery-thriller, but it was able to cover a lot of heavy topics that are traditionally left out of YA books very well. I especially enjoyed the original premise of Monica connecting the three different incidents to find out what really happened. So, I was a little disappointed when each incident was treated as one separate event and that the premise of "connecting the dots" didn't actually hold true. Along with that, the characterization was spotty and relied on predictable stereotypes and tropes, and for a thriller, this story lacked thrilling aspects and had a random and anticlimactic ending. Despite this, if you are a murder mystery lover, I would definitely recommend trying this book out for an easy and interesting read.

Binding 13 by Chloe Walsh follows Shannon Lynch as she starts at Tommen College and meets Johnny Kavanagh, a popular rugby player. As they get to know each other, their lives become more connected while they deal with friendships, school, sports, and personal struggles. I liked this book because it didn't feel like the typical shy girl meets popular guy story, and the characters had more depth than I expected. There were also some surprising moments and cliffhangers that were intriguing and made me want to keep reading. I chose to read this series because it is a very popular romance series known for its emotional plot and complex characters. I did think some of the content was more mature than I expected, so I would recommend it for older teens, around 16+. Overall, I enjoyed this series and would recommend it to anyone who loves emotional romance stories.

Following the shocking revelation in the last book of the series, Evie finds her life inconveniently impeded. As she adjusts to her new role and the way it awkwardly correlates to her relationship with her boss, a danger continues to lurk across Renedawn, and she might be the key to stopping it.

As are the rest of the books in this series, Adversary to the Villain was really fun. However, I couldn’t help but feel it lacked the same depth I was reading earlier in the series. Obviously, the story has expanded a ton, but now it seems hard to explain and too intricate for a lighthearted fantasy that the series originally read as. The author still has her jokes and lighthearted moments within the novel, but it feels out of place for the plot that’s developing. While I’ll still read the next book in the series and hopefully enjoy it, I’m a little disappointed in the way this series has progressed. However, the plot twist at the end did totally shock me, and I’m excited to see how that will play out later!

Diary of a Wimpy Kid is a realistic fiction comedy about a boy named Greg who is in middle school, the most complicated part of your life. As Greg struggles to get used to all the changes, he's most worried about the cheese touch. The cheese touch was a piece of cheese on the basketball court that got everybody nervous. It was said whoever touched it would get the cheese touch, and that you can pass it on to others. I loved Diary of a wimpy kid and it was so relatable to me as I was starting middle school. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is struggling in middle school. Trust me you're not alone.

Dog man is a graphic novel, filled with action and humor. Dog Man is about a Man who became half dog after an accident. He must be a superhero, but he won't be alone, since he has friends that will always be there in the time of need. I love every dog man book in the series and I've loved seeing the story progress throughout the years. I highly recommend you read these books.

I really enjoyed reading this book. In the book Avery Grambs is just a normal teenage girl living with her half sister after the devastating loss of her mother. Until one day she is summoned to the reading of Tobias Hawthorne’s will. Tobias Hawthorne was a billionaire, and Avery wonders what a man she never knew would leave her. Apparently almost his entire fortune. Her whole life is turned upside down as she finds herself forced to live in the Hawthorne mansion. The entire house is filled with secret passages and riddles, but perhaps the biggest riddle of all is Tobias Hawthorne’s four grandsons who had all grown up expecting to be rich one day. Does the brothers’ past have anything to do with Avery’s inheritance? This book is a great mystery read. It was filled with lot’s of secrets and twists. However I was able to guess quite a few of the outcomes, but there were still plenty of things I never could have seen coming. The main reason it wasn’t a five star book for me was because I was expecting a little more action and danger. Still I would say it is definitely a worthy read.

Set in a world of Middle Eastern mythology, “Rebel of the Sands” tells the story of survival in a setting designed to kill you. Amani has lived her whole life fighting for herself. Her plan for her life has centered around one goal: get out of her poor town of Dustwalk and head to Miraji’s glistening capital. When her escape comes in the form of a fugitive named Jin, she doesn’t hesitate to follow him across lands she’s never crossed in the hopes for a better life. But along the way she realizes there’s more about her world than what meets the eye, and she sees that she may be finally called for a higher purpose.

This book was pretty basic in terms of YA fantasy, but it was still fun to read! I read this after “The City of Brass,” a novel that has insanely complex and intricate magic and fantasy systems, so reading “Rebel of the Sands” after was like a breath of fresh air. I will say the majority of this novel seems to be set up for the next books in the series, but I’m still not sure if I’ll continue. Needless to say, however, if you’re looking for an easy to read and fun fantasy set in the desert, this could be a good novel for you. I know people who love this series!

Ground Zero was a really good book. It is told from two different perspectives. Brandon is a young boy who finds himself in one of the twin towers on September 11, 2001. Separated from his father he finds companions and tries to find his way out of the tower before it’s too late. Exactly 18 years in the future, Reshmina lives in a village in Afghanistan. Her village is in constant danger due to the fighting between the Americans and Taliban. However, when she finds a wounded American soldier named Taz she decides to help, putting her village in danger and possibly ruining her relationship with her twin brother.
While not being one of the best books I’ve read, it was still an amazing book. I chose to read this book because I like a lot of Alan Gratz’s books and needed a quick read. I really liked the constant action and suspense in both stories which made it easy to enjoy. Due to the important history, action, and two perspectives I would say that this book is worth reading.

Reviewer grade: 8

The Bad Beginning is a period adventure drama about the three Baudelaire siblings, who, after their parents die in a fire, are sent to live with their mysterious relative, Count Olaf. I enjoyed this book because it was a unique yet classic exciting read. I think the author did a great job designing genuinely repulsive and detestable villains. The only flaw is that the dictionary definitions of big words were placed right after the word and distracted from the flow of the book. Overall, this is an easy and fun to read book that I enjoyed. Reviewer grade: 8

"Louder Than Hunger" by John Schu is a story told entirely through verses as it follows Jake Stacey and his journey living with and treating his anorexia. Throughout the book, Jake struggles through his everyday life, trying to ignore The Voice in his head that tells him not to eat, insisting that he's not worthy of love or affection. When Jake is finally admitted into a hospital to help him overcome his eating disorder, he resists, refusing to talk or interact with the other patients. The voice is louder than ever... but Jake doesn't know whether or not to listen to it anymore. Based on a true story, this book takes you on an emotional rollercoaster ride as you are completely pulled into Jake's story.

"Louder Than Hunger" is an extremely powerful and impactful story. While reading it, I was struck with how real all the characters felt, and I was moved to tears multiple times during this read. Schu does a great job with making you connect to the characters and situations, while still creating a page-turning tale that puts you in Jake's shoes. This story is unlike any I have ever read, as I had never read a story like this written in verses before, which made the story all the more impactful.

Refugee is a powerful stories that follows three young refugees from different time periods- Josef a Jewish boy in Nazi Germany, Isabel a Cuban girl trying to escape violence in here hometown in the 1990s, and Mahmoud in 2015 Syria attempting to escape the horrors of Civil War. The way Gratz connects the stories across the eras through short intense chapters, emotional ties to the characters, and constant tension keeping you on your toes makes it difficult story to stop reading. What makes the book so powerful is how the author revels similar patterns of fear, loss, prejudice, and resilience the characters experience across times. I have never been a big reader, but Refugee completely changed my opinion on reading. The stories perfect balance of heartbreaking lows and glimmers of hope make it an unforgettable book I would recommend to everyone.

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.