Book Reviews by Genre: Science 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.

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.

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

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!

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!

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

Much like Ajax Penumbra 1969 helped fill in some of the lore for Mr. Penumbra’s 24-Hour Bookstore, Robin Sloan expounded on his book Sourdough with The Suitcase Clone. This short story doesn’t necessarily share any of the main characters from Sourdough, but it gives some insight about the mysterious “creature” that’s in the sourdough while also providing an interesting look into intellectual property theft when it comes to specific wines—which itself is reason enough to read this short story.

Sloan takes a somewhat unorthodox approach to the point of view here, which took some getting used to. His language bordered on being too flowery, and it lost me as to what was happening at least a few times. But in terms of straight vibes, The Suitcase Clone successfully gives off that eerie, otherworldly feeling that helps add to the mystery of this almost microorganism entity. Reading this story is what I would imagine taking mind-altering drugs would be like as one travels the countryside of France. It’s not something I would do personally, but I can see the appeal of it.

As it’s a distinctly different feel when compared to the standard analog/digital style Sloan uses in his other, full-length books, I’m glad this backstory wasn’t forced into the main plotline for Sourdough. You don’t really gain any huge revelations as part of this prequel story, but rather have a context for the weirdness that ensues in the main book this stems from. As a fan of this author, I’ll always read anything he puts out, but The Suitcase Clone almost feels too experimental for me to get my head around.

A trippy vibe that sets up some of the weirdness in Sourdough, I give The Suitcase Clone 3.5 stars out of 5.

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.

I chose to read this book because I loved the beautiful cover art and I had seen it on several PPLD reading lists for students. The story begins when a robot named Roz opens her eyes for the first time and discovers she is alone on a remote. She has to learn how to survive by observing the animals, but the island's inhabitants aren't so sure about their new "monster" neighbor. I was surprised by how much emotion a story about a robot could have, and it made me think a lot about how we treat nature. I really related to the way Roz felt like an outsider trying to fit in, and it’s definitely one of the best books I’ve read lately.

Even though it was written in the 90s, the premise of Parable of the Sower intrigued me because it was set in our near past of 2024. That its themes focused on the end of the world being brought about by climate change and wealth inequality was also eerily prescient enough for me to want to read how Octavia E. Butler thought things would play out in the “future.” Perhaps part of me wanted some amount of optimism; but ultimately, it’s just a depressing examination of current failures.

The first half of Parable of the Sower really paints a picture of some scarily accurate predictions for the state of society today. Even if people deny the effects of climate change, this book shows an even more extreme world that could be in our future if we do nothing to reverse it. Of course, climate change is really the exacerbating force that drives the wealth disparity present in this book into apocalypse territory. The depressing part of this book is how the only realistic solution is to give up and start over.

With the onslaught of awful things that happened in this book, it lost its entertainment appeal as the hits kept coming. Perhaps it was my desire for escapism—that it would give a way to fix these broken things that we currently have no control over—that ultimately wasn’t met. And while I agree the current system should probably be demolished and built from the ground up with empathy (or even “hyper-empathy”), I still think there are things we can also do to fight what’s happening. Even if this book predicted a lot of bad things , I hope we can work to make some good.

A gauntlet of eerily prescient bad news for modern times, I give Parable of the Sower 3.5 stars out of 5.

I’m skeptical of any franchise that feels the need to explore the world of their original, highly successful franchise with a prequel. Often, it adds nothing other than some background that ultimately doesn’t matter because we all know how things start with the original stories. That being said, after watching and enjoying the movie adaptation of The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes (2023), I figured I would give the book a shot. Once again, Suzanne Collins broke my expectations with some of the best writing and continued world-building in literature.

Following the rise of the main villain of the Hunger Games trilogy, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes provides engaging and well thought out plot twists that show the reader the specific circumstances that led to the rise of Coriolanus Snow. That I was actually rooting for this kid all the while knowing what he would eventually become is quite a feat to pull off. Foreshadowing aside, there was the same heart in this book that made one empathize with Katniss in the original trilogy. Unfortunately, despite being given the chance to stop the Hunger Games entirely, Snow instead uses them to build his career.

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes excels in showing that even among the elite, there is a vast difference between the haves and have-nots. Perhaps this is the whole point: it’s a metaphor for the culture wars we’re fighting to distract us from the class war we should be fighting. Who cares if someone is from District 12 or District 1 if the formerly entitled individuals from the Capitol are basically in the same situation? The trouble is that once someone like Snow has a taste of the good life, he’ll do whatever it takes to get it back.

A rare prequel that expands its social commentary from the original books, I give The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes 4.5 stars out of 5.

Some of the best science fiction ever written has its basis in reality. These “what-if” scenarios often pull from actual processes and procedures that help ground them while still being entertaining. Knowing that Michael Crichton always digs deep into the science of his stories, it’s no wonder that The Andromeda Strain is an engaging examination of what happens when an unknown pathogen comes to Earth and wreaks havoc on the biosphere in odd and mysterious ways. Of course, the core of this story is the safety steps it takes to combat a terrifying virus.

This book mostly splits into two stories: one about the tragic effects of the titular “Andromeda Strain” and one about the purification rituals the scientists need to perform in order to come up with a way to counter it. Half is hazmat suits performing autopsies to learn what happened, and half is multi-layer clean-room (and extreme contingency) protocols to ensure this deadly virus cannot escape the facility meant to research it. Both parts of this book are engaging in their own way, with their twists and reveals that drive the story forward.

My singular qualm with this book is that there’s all this build-up and tension as more details are revealed, only for the climax to be anticlimactic. That there’s ultimately no need for a vaccine or protocol to keep the population safe makes it feel like all that work was ultimately wasted. Still, I really enjoyed The Andromeda Strain for the peek into extremely competent individuals following highly detailed rules meant to keep everyone involved (and even the whole world) safe from the alien virus. It might come across as stiff and more non-fiction than many would like, but I’d almost consider this book as an early example of today’s hard sci-fi.

A journey of competence that lacks some payoff, I give The Andromeda Strain 4.5 stars out of 5.

The Lost World is a thrilling sequel to Jurassic Park that follows the returning Ian Malcolm and other scientists on a rescue mission for an arrogant scientist stuck on an island. I chose this book because I had already read Jurassic Park and loved it. I enjoyed the fast-paced, exciting second half. It is one of the best books I have read this year because it has lots of thrills and science. Overall, The Lost World is an amazing sequel that I highly recommend.

Jurassic Park is a sci-fi thriller about a park that has figured out how to clone once-extinct dinosaurs and has invited two paleontologists to tour it. I chose to read this book because I love dinosaurs and have seen all the Jurassic movies. I enjoyed this book because it is an exciting thriller with lots of dinosaur action. I also appreciated how the author didn't hold back with the consequences of bringing back dinosaurs. Overall, this is a creative and masterful novel that I highly recommend.

Project Hail Mary is a sci-fi adventure book about a scientist and former schoolteacher, Ryland Grace, who has been tasked with a mission to explore another planetary system to discover the secrets of a sun-dimming microbe that threatens Earth. I enjoyed this book because it is filled with heart and comedy. I also appreciated how the author took time to explore the science of Grace's discoveries. It had a few flaws- sometimes the science distracted from the pacing, and some characters' choices didn't make sense. Overall, this is an amazing book that I enjoyed- I highly recommend it!

The highest honor a girl in Huaxia can achieve is to become a concubine pilot, to be paired with a boy to power the giant robots, called Chrysalises, that defend their nation from aliens lurking outside the Great Wall. But this profession results in a high mortality rate for girls, who always seem to be less capable of withstanding the mental and physical strain of piloting than their male counterparts, and their contributions are largely ignored. When Zetian's older sister is killed during a battle by her male co-pilot, Zetian offers herself up to the system with one goal in mind: avenge her sister by killing her killer. She succeeds and gains notoriety as the Iron Widow, a woman who sacrifices male pilots in battles instead of the opposite. In an effort to control her newfound power, Zetian is paired with the most powerful - and the most hated - male pilot in Huaxia, Li Shimin, known mainly for murdering his brothers and his father. But even with the world hellbent on keeping her on a leash, Zetian refuses to be silenced. She will do everything in her power to tear apart the pilot system responsible for the death of her sister and thousands of other girls.

This book is the exact definition of unhinged - it gave a raw and unfiltered depiction of female rage that was at times a little relatable. The author was able to encapsulate Zetian's feelings about her status in such a visceral and devastating way that I could not help but root for her. The story was fast paced and intriguing, with many twists in both the characters backstories and the plot that left me continuously turning at the pages to read more. I also loved the China-based setting coupled with the futuristic technology and mechas - it was truly unique. However, as much as I loved this book, I still do have some issues with it. The nation's patriarchal system isn't really given any historical context, even with the secrets Zetian uncovers in the end. I also found some of the characters, including Zetian at times, stereotypical or lacking in depth. The ending was full of giant plot twists, some of which I found a little rushed or random. But despite these critiques, I did enjoy this book for its boldness, and I might consider reading its sequel as well. And as a side note: the author is hilarious, I love them, and I also love Yizhi.

This book is not for the weak hearted. It is the prequel to The Hunger Games, and this tale follows Haymitch, a former victor and Katniss's mentor, as he tries to survive a deadly Quarter Quell in a beautifully cruel arena. With double the tributes, chances for Haymitch are small, but he decides to either break the arena or die trying, leaving his lover back in District 12. Possibly the saddest of the Hunger Games series, but a definite must read. After all, someone has to stop that sunrise from rising on the reaping. You'll catch my reference if you read the book.

I believe this book is a must read, if you can stomach it. It’s a classic dystopian novel about a dictatorship government and an annual event: The Hunger Games. Kids are reaped from the outlying districts and forced to compete to the death in exchange for extra food that year. This whole series follows a young victor and her attempt to overthrow the Capitol, and change the way the games are played forever. Happy Hunger Games, and may the odds be ever in your favor.
Reviewer Grade 8

The Memory Police by Yoko Ogawa as a chilling yet heartwarming dystopia that dives into the intricacies of memory and identity. It follows the journey of the protagonist, an unnamed female novelist, as she navigates her changing world. The story is set on a remote island where objects and memories systematically disappear, leaving holes in the hearts and minds of the people. It leads the reader to question, alongside the protagonist, what role our pasts and our memories play in shaping our identities, and it masterfully taps into the fear of losing oneself. I have only rated this book three stars because although it was an enjoyable read, it got dull at times and I found some of the subplots to be more distracting than impactful.

Ender’s Game is a sci-fi novel that takes place in a dystopian society where children are monitored for a certain amount of time before they are sent to a place called “Battle School” where they are trained as soldiers to prepare for the “Third Invasion.” The main character, Ender Wiggin, must learn his place in this strange society while also unraveling the government's secrets.

I read this book way back in 8th grade and had to read it again this year for class, but I’m glad I did because there were so many things that I missed the first time. For one, all the characters in this book are incredibly young. It makes the actions of the adults in the story all the more questionable. All of the kids, but especially Ender, are forced into situations where they are supposed to be acting almost two or three times their age. Ender is aware of this as he has the maturity of a kid who is much older, but he still has the emotional intelligence of a little kid. We see this during his various breakdowns throughout the book, as he doesn’t know how to deal with all the intense emotions he feels.

The worldbuilding of this book is also very good. It’s not super different from most Sci-Fi novels, but it feels very foundational in many of the choices it makes, such as the glowing pathways, the helmets, and the tablets.

The writing style of the book is also very interesting. I especially like the dialogue at the beginning of chapters, as it tends to foreshadow events that are yet to come, or explain things in a way that makes sense with the reader's newly acquired knowledge from previous chapters.

Overall, I would say this book is super awesome. Whether you love sci-fi or hate it, it’s a book I think everyone should read, as there are many things Ender’s Game does very well.

After mastering the first two floors in an 18 level Dungeon, things start to pick up as Carl and Donut reach the third floor. There, they can select classes and races. They can also complete quests. Though, as the title suggests, not all goes as plan. The Borant Company, controller of the Dungeon game show, keeps finding ways to make up new mobs, and the Dungeon AI is positively insane. Definitely an exciting read, and I personally am on the sixth book.

Right off the bat this book destroys the surface of Earth and turns the survivors into a deadly video game: Dungeon Crawlers: Earth Addition. This is not your average action book but instead an unpredictable battle for survival as Carl, and his cat Donut, enter the dungeon where they are forced to fight mobs, gain upgrades, and raise their level to survive. It's like a video game but all too real. If you are looking for a sweet book, maybe pass this one. I think it's a good book, but there is some language and adult jokes, so not for really young kids. Best of all, it is in a series, so once you put this one down, you can pick up another!

The Selection by Kiera Cass is a romance novel, set in a dystopian future where there is a strict caste system (with one being the royals and eight being the criminals) that decides what job you have in the kingdom of Illea.
The story is centered on America Singer, a girl from caste five who has a future in music, when she is chosen for The Selection. The Selection is a televised contest where 35 girls vie for the hand of Prince Maxon, heir to the throne.
America, in the beginning, has no interest in the prince and harbors feelings for her secret boyfriend Aspen, from caste six. But as she gets to know Maxon, they develop a complicated romantic connection.
In my opinion, the book was entertaining, and Kiera Cass’s writing has a distinct voice. However, America was a frustrating main character. The story was rather predictable and the love triangle drama seemed almost forced at points.
I would recommend this book to people who like romance novels, dystopian settings, and lighthearted love triangle drama.

There's suspense, action, and tragedy galore in Sonic The Hedgehog Vol. 5: Crisis City, the next installation in the fantastic comic series offshoot of the video games. This book follows the blue blur and his friends as they struggle to navigate their world as it quickly turns against them. The Metal Virus -- Dr. Eggman's new bid to enslave all life -- has been unleashed on the world, and there is seemingly no stopping it. It spreads from person to person, converting whole cities into invincible "zombots". Even Sonic has been infected, and has only survived by burning off the virus with his speed. The Restoration tries to find survivors and bring them to safety, but the virus slowly begins to take its toll on the brave rescuers. As if things can't get worse, the virus also begins to give Eggman problems as well. With city after city succumbing to infection and the problem beginning to grow out of control, can Sonic and his friends manage to survive the attacks -- or will they become infected too?
This volume in the series is particularly interesting because it catapults Sonic and his friends head-on into what is at its core a zombie apocalypse. Seeing the crew interact in this sort of survival dynamic is really interesting, as it brings out emotions in characters that normally wouldn't be seen. Surprises and exciting scenarios arise left and right. The only thing that brings the book down a notch from full-on awesomeness is that it is focused on tragedy and loss -- even though the heroes ultimately succeed at what they are trying to do, it feels as if they are continually losing for the entire book. However, this is necessary to build up for what is to come. Overall, the book is a satisfying and suspenseful read, with a great balance between high-speed action and character interactions. Gear up and steel yourself for the most terrifying Sonic conflict yet!

"The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins is about a Capitol that controls 12 districts, and every year, the districts have to get one female and one male that are drawn at random to participate in the Hunger Games. The book shows what happened at the 74th games, and shows the experience that the main character, Katniss Everdeen, faces. This book really kept me engaged, and any time a chapter ended, I could not wait to see what would happen next. I felt inspired and looked up to the main character, as she was very clever and strong willed, as she was independent and had so much determination. I usually have trouble reading books in a series, but I was able to easily move on to the next book and finish the series in no time. "The Hunger Games" is one of my favorite books that I read this year, and I recommend this to everyone.

Conrad of Urwin lives in a brutal Meritocracy, where people are divided into Highs, Middles, and Lows based not only on their family's legacy, but also their strength in combat. As Conrad and his mother struggle as Lows, he soon has no choice but to turn to the person he loathes most in this world - his uncle. And while his uncle promises to reunite Conrad with his sister, the only way to save her is to enter the Selection for the Twelve Trades and prove that he is powerful enough to earn his place in the Urwin family. However, as he embarks on this dangerous journey, Conrad must decide how far he will go in order to rise...

As much as I wanted to like "Sky's End," I honestly couldn't find any redeeming qualities within the story. From the very beginning, the writing style and pacing were off, making the book extremely difficult to read, as the time skips completely interrupted the flow and action. Not only did this severely affect the story itself, but it also made significant events (like character deaths) seem to carry no weight. Additionally, there was no clear organization or climax to the story, making the entire book seem stagnant, confusing, and rushed. None of the characters (including Conrad) were likable or dynamic, and the sexist undertones throughout the book and blatant objectification of female characters did not sit right with me as a reader.

This book is really entertaining, especially in the second half. In this book, the Augurs go to the Boundary to try to fix it but end of going through and getting stuck, Wirr handles politics and preparing the capital for evacuation, Caeden discovers what he must do to save the world and struggles with his immortal friends, and Asha discover what she must do to help the Boundary effort with her new wealth of power. I really enjoyed the unique struggles Caeden went through with the friends he is enemies with but has loved for centuries, it is a very intriguing dynamic. Davian’s captivity was always exciting to read as it explored his new relationships and struggles to exist in a world they can’t survive in and Asha’s new responsibilities show important themes about the cost of power. The first half of the book can be a bit slow as the setup continues and the entire series in general can be a bit confusing with the timeline, but I think the confusion isn’t too much of an issue and the ending more than makes up for any slog in the first half. It is a somewhat sad but satisfying end that tied up any loose ends very nicely and made me want to read it again as soon as I was done.

This is a very thought-provoking book that sends important messages about confidence and beauty standards. In this book, Tally Youngblood meets a new trouble-making (like her) friend named Shay after her best friend leaves to go to New Pretty Town after his plastic surgery. When she leaves the city to join the Smoke, a group of Uglies living out in the wilderness, she is told to find them, or she will never get her surgery. However, the people and lifestyle she encounters there make her start rethinking everything. I think how shallow and selfish she is portrayed is very interesting because most protagonists aren’t like that and it really shows the effect her society has had on her. She has been trained to be how she is, and I think the story of her overcoming that was way more interesting than it would have been had it been from the perspective of someone who had already overcome that like Shay. I think that it has good themes, induces complex discussions, and is overall just a very interesting book.

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury follows the story of a fireman named Guy Montag. While in our time a fireman might put out fires, in Fahrenheit 451 the fireman's job is to start them. In this time, all books are banned and any book found is burned. In this world knowledge is an enemy to the power of the government and they try to do everything to stop the spread of knowledge through books. Screens and advertisements are everywhere, there is no way to hide. Montag who originally is against books and enjoys his job meets a girl named Clarissa McClellan who talks to him about happiness and his job. Through the conversation Montag starts to question if what he is doing is right and starts to realize that books might not be as bad as he thought.

Fahrenheit 451 is a novel that everyone should read. Fahrenheit 451's theme about the importance of books and the preservation of knowledge cannot be understated. The characters and events in the book are very fleshed out and the development of Montag as a person makes you think. The setting, plot, and characters are all excellent and make for a novel that you do not want to put down.