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Hideki is living in Okinawa Japan when America is invading. All he knows is that they are monsters who will try to kill him and his family. All he has is two grenades and the orders to use one on the Americans and the other on himself. Ray is part of the American army, and he has to attack the island of Okinawa on D-day. He is told to try to save the citizens but how easy could that be when she is in the middle of a war?
Grenade by award winning author Alan Gratz is a great look into the grim truths of war. It is an example of how fear and conflict can create a monster of a person. This novel is a historical fiction gem and has amazing philosophical undertones with well thought of characters and a carefully crafted story. This is an amazing book, and a lot of people would enjoy reading it.
Brandon and Reshmina have both been affected by the attacks on 9/11. He was in the north tower elevator when the first one hit. She was born in Afghanistan faced with constant war, now the Americans were inside her country too. Both of them have been hurt by the events on 9/11 but when the bigger picture will eventually arise, they will be tested to think, is revenge the right way to go?
Ground Zero by award winning author Alan Gratz is a masterwork in historical fiction. It has extensive details into the tragedy of 9/11 and the hardship during the war in Afghanistan. It has well-built characters with unique ideas and traits. Ground Zero can get you to reflect on war and revenge and is an amazing book for an assortment of people.
The nazi’s are gaining power and are starting their travel through Europe, starting with Poland. In the city of Krakow, Yanek will be plunged into the terrible truths of World War 2 as it unfolds around him. Houses are raided as the nazi party are looking for supplies and Jews are beaten. Yanek will have to persevere through perilous feats to stay alive, he will be mentally challenged in grit and his will to live.
Prisoner B-3087 by award-winning author Alan Gratz is a bone-chilling jewel with a deep look into the past. It is incredibly immersive and intense with great scenes throughout. The book is a great show of history and human brutality and a masterwork in historical fiction. I believe this is an amazing book for a variety of individuals and many people should read it.
I recently had to read this novel for a class, and I have to say it is very good! While it explores complicated themes such as visibility, African-American movements/social standing, and life in early 1900’s America, it communicates the hardships and intricacies extremely well. The narrator, a black man in the early 1930’s-1940’s, loses his memory of his early life, including his family and even name. He travels through America; experiencing, learning, and exploring what his new life has to offer. Every experience is different, yet still very interesting, which made it feel like I was almost reading separate stories! Yet, it didn’t feel choppy or fragmented in the least. So, I’d highly recommend! I’ve never read any other book like this, and it definitely taught me a lot.
November 9th, 1938 was nicknamed the night of broken glass, and it was on this day that Michael’s eyes were opened to the horror that was the nazi’s. Shops were destroyed, Jews were beaten, killed, and arrested. Soon Michael discovers that his parents, the ambassadors for the Irish embassy in Berlin, are secretly collecting information for the allies against Germany. With his photographic memory and determination to bring justice to a Hitler ruled Germany, Michael will help with the cause however can even if it means becoming the most convincing nazi youth. He will uncover secrets that the nazi’s are hiding, that only he can prevent.
Projekt 1065 by award winning author Alan Gratz is a masterpiece in writing giving an accurate representation of World War 2. He shows the terrible truths of the time and the way the citizens were brainwashed in a captivating plot and immersive story. With perfect descriptions and thrilling plot twists you will be interested in the book the entire way through. This book is an example of an amazing historical fiction book, and I believe that many people will enjoy this novel.
For those who want a story that is nothing short of enlightening, Lois Lowry’s “Son” is the book for you. The fourth and final book in the eye-opening “The Giver” series, the storylines of all the previous books are masterfully and artistically woven into a single thread. Claire, a Birthmother in her community, has her world turned upside down when her baby is taken from her. Now, she must embark on the journey of a lifetime to get him back — no matter what the price. In my humble opinion, this is one of the most fantastic books I have ever read. Being the last book in the series, it has the ability to cultivate an incredibly powerful and complex story that keeps readers heartstrings tied to the page. It’s got plot twists, evil and mysterious villains, amazing shows of strength, moments of joy, sadness, fear, and surprise, all while carrying one warm, loving message. If “Messenger” left you wanting for more, read “Son”. Trust me — it’s worth it.
I first read this book for a school assignment, but quickly fell in love with the outstanding novel Hatchet, by Gary Paulsen. Hatchet is a perfect survival book for nature lovers. Paulsen writes about a boy named Brain Robeson. With parents divorced, and a secret eating him from the inside, Brian’s life is in turmoil; However, his life changes the moment his plane crashes in the Canadian wilderness on a flight to his father’s house. Can Brain survive, or will he succumb to the sheer power of nature? Hatchet is a top notch book and will please any reader.
I first read this book for a school assignment, but quickly fell in love with the outstanding novel Hatchet, by Gary Paulsen. Hatchet is a perfect survival book for nature lovers. Paulsen writes about a boy named Brain Robeson. With parents divorced, and a secret eating him from the inside, Brian’s life is in turmoil; However, his life changes the moment his plane crashes in the Canadian wilderness on a flight to his father’s house. Can Brain survive, or will he succumb to the sheer power of nature? Hatchet is a top notch book and will please any reader.
What initially drew me into The Poppy War was all the great things I had heard about the book and it's author R.F. Kuang. Fang Runin, the female main character, was both enjoyable and relatable at many times as she fought for a spot in Sinegard, the country's most elite military academy, in hopes of getting away from an arranged marriage. The book spans over a few years and eventually deals with some very intense and dark themes throughout the book. Kuang does not shy away from any details and makes the book feel incredibly real and allows a deeper connection with the character's emotions.
The pace of the book really picks up towards the second half, and I was constantly surprised where the story went next. The Poppy War is also very heavily inspired by Chinese folklore, but Kuang adds her own touch to the story, making the book seem very unique. I really enjoyed this book and is a definite five star for me.
Six of Crows is the adventure of six characters, each with different backgrounds and different goals, sharing the same mission: accomplish a high risk heist from one of the most fortified cities in the world. Each of the members of the group have significant enemies, each trying to stop the heist from happening. There is constant action, and the book is impossible to put down. The author incorporates the character's background to form bonds within the group; highlighting their strengths and weaknesses together. There is never a dull moment, and the story is filled with twists and turns that aren't expected, but enhance the novel's plot. I would recommend if anyone is trying to get out of a reading slump, or find a book that will have you invested from start to finish.
Six of Crows is the adventure of six characters, each with different backgrounds and different goals, sharing the same mission: accomplish a high risk heist from one of the most fortified cities in the world. Each of the members of the group have significant enemies, each trying to stop the heist from happening. There is constant action, and the book is impossible to put down. The author incorporates the character's background to form bonds within the group; highlighting their strengths and weaknesses together. There is never a dull moment, and the story is filled with twists and turns that aren't expected, but enhance the novel's plot. I would recommend if anyone is trying to get out of a reading slump, or find a book that will have you invested from start to finish.
The Thunderhead, an all-knowing artificial intelligence was able to solve all of the world's problems, it could even bring back the newly deceased from the dead. Religion, creativity, hard work, and passion are obsolete, and jobs only exist to give people something to do. Everything is perfect, every accommodation is met, anyone can speak to the Thunderhead, and the Thunderhead can solve anyone's problems. However, because the Thunderhead’s purpose is to help humanity it vowed to have nothing to do with the problem of overpopulation and the humans would have to create that system.
The Scythedom is an organization of people whose job is to glean (or cause the permanent death of an individual). Scythes are treated with the highest honor and have to pay for nothing and wait for no lines, but they carry the tough burden of ending other people’s lives. Every scythe must meet a quota and must follow a list of rules. However, even with great respect no man-made thing is perfect and the drive for power may corrupt the Scythedom.
Citra and Rowan end up as apprentices for a scythe and they will soon learn the guilt and hardship of the job. Only one of them will become a scythe, they must learn and train constantly leaving their old lives behind. Through many plot twists the pair must do what they can to navigate their new environment. How will the other scythes react to a scythe having two apprentices? How will Citra and Rowan change?
Neal Shusterman’s Scythe is an amazing book. It portrays the mental toll and thoughts of the protagonists perfectly and demonstrates their character development amazingly. The world-building is immaculate, and the vocabulary and characters get you immersed in the book quickly. Every detail is looked over and every character is thought out thoroughly, all having unique backstories and different approaches and thoughts to the world around them.
Scythe is also a philosophical masterpiece and touches on subjects like the drive for power and corruption in society. Throughout the book I was thinking constantly and wondering about how the society works. I recommend this book to everybody for its thorough story and how it brings up many deep questions in a unique, subtle, and phenomenal way.
The Thunderhead, an all-knowing artificial intelligence was able to solve all of the world's problems, it could even bring back the newly deceased from the dead. Religion, creativity, hard work, and passion are obsolete, and jobs only exist to give people something to do. Everything is perfect, every accommodation is met, anyone can speak to the Thunderhead, and the Thunderhead can solve anyone's problems. However, because the Thunderhead’s purpose is to help humanity it vowed to have nothing to do with the problem of overpopulation and the humans would have to create that system.
The Scythedom is an organization of people whose job is to glean (or cause the permanent death of an individual). Scythes are treated with the highest honor and have to pay for nothing and wait for no lines, but they carry the tough burden of ending other people’s lives. Every scythe must meet a quota and must follow a list of rules. However, even with great respect no man-made thing is perfect and the drive for power may corrupt the Scythedom.
Citra and Rowan end up as apprentices for a scythe and they will soon learn the guilt and hardship of the job. Only one of them will become a scythe, they must learn and train constantly leaving their old lives behind. Through many plot twists the pair must do what they can to navigate their new environment. How will the other scythes react to a scythe having two apprentices? How will Citra and Rowan change?
Neal Shusterman’s Scythe is an amazing book. It portrays the mental toll and thoughts of the protagonists perfectly and demonstrates their character development amazingly. The world-building is immaculate, and the vocabulary and characters get you immersed in the book quickly. Every detail is looked over and every character is thought out thoroughly, all having unique backstories and different approaches and thoughts to the world around them.
Scythe is also a philosophical masterpiece and touches on subjects like the drive for power and corruption in society. Throughout the book I was thinking constantly and wondering about how the society works. I recommend this book to everybody for its thorough story and how it brings up many deep questions in a unique, subtle, and phenomenal way.
The Thunderhead, an all-knowing artificial intelligence was able to solve all of the world's problems, it could even bring back the newly deceased from the dead. Religion, creativity, hard work, and passion are obsolete, and jobs only exist to give people something to do. Everything is perfect, every accommodation is met, anyone can speak to the Thunderhead, and the Thunderhead can solve anyone's problems. However, because the Thunderhead’s purpose is to help humanity it vowed to have nothing to do with the problem of overpopulation and the humans would have to create that system.
The Scythedom is an organization of people whose job is to glean (or cause the permanent death of an individual). Scythes are treated with the highest honor and have to pay for nothing and wait for no lines, but they carry the tough burden of ending other people’s lives. Every scythe must meet a quota and must follow a list of rules. However, even with great respect no man-made thing is perfect and the drive for power may corrupt the Scythedom.
Citra and Rowan end up as apprentices for a scythe and they will soon learn the guilt and hardship of the job. Only one of them will become a scythe, they must learn and train constantly leaving their old lives behind. Through many plot twists the pair must do what they can to navigate their new environment. How will the other scythes react to a scythe having two apprentices? How will Citra and Rowan change?
Neal Shusterman’s Scythe is an amazing book. It portrays the mental toll and thoughts of the protagonists perfectly and demonstrates their character development amazingly. The world-building is immaculate, and the vocabulary and characters get you immersed in the book quickly. Every detail is looked over and every character is thought out thoroughly, all having unique backstories and different approaches and thoughts to the world around them.
Scythe is also a philosophical masterpiece and touches on subjects like the drive for power and corruption in society. Throughout the book I was thinking constantly and wondering about how the society works. I recommend this book to everybody for its thorough story and how it brings up many deep questions in a unique, subtle, and phenomenal way.
The Thunderhead, an all-knowing artificial intelligence was able to solve all of the world's problems, it could even bring back the newly deceased from the dead. Religion, creativity, hard work, and passion are obsolete, and jobs only exist to give people something to do. Everything is perfect, every accommodation is met, anyone can speak to the Thunderhead, and the Thunderhead can solve anyone's problems. However, because the Thunderhead’s purpose is to help humanity it vowed to have nothing to do with the problem of overpopulation and the humans would have to create that system.
The Scythedom is an organization of people whose job is to glean (or cause the permanent death of an individual). Scythes are treated with the highest honor and have to pay for nothing and wait for no lines, but they carry the tough burden of ending other people’s lives. Every scythe must meet a quota and must follow a list of rules. However, even with great respect no man-made thing is perfect and the drive for power may corrupt the Scythedom.
Citra and Rowan end up as apprentices for a scythe and they will soon learn the guilt and hardship of the job. Only one of them will become a scythe, they must learn and train constantly leaving their old lives behind. Through many plot twists the pair must do what they can to navigate their new environment. How will the other scythes react to a scythe having two apprentices? How will Citra and Rowan change?
Neal Shusterman’s Scythe is an amazing book. It portrays the mental toll and thoughts of the protagonists perfectly and demonstrates their character development amazingly. The world-building is immaculate, and the vocabulary and characters get you immersed in the book quickly. Every detail is looked over and every character is thought out thoroughly, all having unique backstories and different approaches and thoughts to the world around them.
Scythe is also a philosophical masterpiece and touches on subjects like the drive for power and corruption in society. Throughout the book I was thinking constantly and wondering about how the society works. I recommend this book to everybody for its thorough story and how it brings up many deep questions in a unique, subtle, and phenomenal way.
Christian is living in terrible conditions inside of communist Romania, and as the citizens of surrounding countries revolt for a change of government Christian might house the power to alert everyone not directly involved. Every day he is starving, tired, and paranoid, every Romanian is being watched, and any secrets will be uncovered. Soon his whole world is forced to change when he is pulled out of school and has to make a deal to preserve his family's lives. I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys Is a beautifully crafted story with an eye-opening plot. It has unique insights and a variety of interesting characters. Every chapter is equally as impressive with a storyline that keeps you reading. I Must Betray You is an amazing historical fiction book that I recommend to everyone.
Nazi Germany, 1938, Josef, a Jew, is given the chance to leave on a boat, and it may be his only chance for survival. Cuba, 1994, Isabel must voyage to America on a raft, leaving everything behind. Syria, 2015, when the civil war almost cost Mahmoud his life he has to flee the country. The three children must face many hardships on their treacherous journeys to try and reach salvation. From sharks to bombs it will take every bit of dedication and hope they have. Refugee by Alan Gratz is a masterpiece in historical fiction and a perfect demonstration of the past. The book does a phenomenal job at exploring different perspectives and getting you involved with the characters. This book has great descriptions that easily get you immersed in the story. Refugee is an impeccable novel that everyone should read.
This book is a great young adult novel for anyone who likes the dystopian and fiction genre. In a post-apocalyptic world where everyone is divided into districts, there is an annual competition in which one boy and one girl from each of the twelve districts get picked to fight to the death in a game called "The Hunger Games." The book follows a teenage girl from District Twelve named Katniss Everdeen. The 74th Hunger Games is soon approaching, and when Katniss gets picked to participate her whole world gets flipped upside down. She must work together with her district partner Peeta while using her wits and determination to win the games and return home in victory. I chose to read this book because I think the themes and messages the author tries to convey in her story are interesting and important. I enjoyed the suspense in the book and the in-depth view of the main character's thoughts and emotions. I think this book is important to read and has a lot of interesting messages throughout the story. Although this book may not be for everyone it is certainly a must-read in my opinion.
This book is a great young adult novel for anyone who likes the dystopian and fiction genre. In a post-apocalyptic world where everyone is divided into districts, there is an annual competition in which one boy and one girl from each of the twelve districts get picked to fight to the death in a game called "The Hunger Games." The book follows a teenage girl from District Twelve named Katniss Everdeen. The 74th Hunger Games is soon approaching, and when Katniss gets picked to participate her whole world gets flipped upside down. She must work together with her district partner Peeta while using her wits and determination to win the games and return home in victory. I chose to read this book because I think the themes and messages the author tries to convey in her story are interesting and important. I enjoyed the suspense in the book and the in-depth view of the main character's thoughts and emotions. I think this book is important to read and has a lot of interesting messages throughout the story. Although this book may not be for everyone it is certainly a must-read in my opinion.
This book had great characters, an amazing plot, and a well thought out structure! The hunger games is a book where every year, two children, a boy and a girl, from each of the 12 districts must go into an arena and fight to the death. The last child standings wins. Katniss Everdeen lives in district 12, the poorest district. When the reaping day comes, she volunteers as tribute instead of her little sister. She gets transported to the capitol, where she is prepared for the games. Once inside the arena, the book takes a many turns, and you’re left in suspense for a while! It was amazing, and a great read. 10/10 recommend.
This book had great characters, an amazing plot, and a well thought out structure! The hunger games is a book where every year, two children, a boy and a girl, from each of the 12 districts must go into an arena and fight to the death. The last child standings wins. Katniss Everdeen lives in district 12, the poorest district. When the reaping day comes, she volunteers as tribute instead of her little sister. She gets transported to the capitol, where she is prepared for the games. Once inside the arena, the book takes a many turns, and you’re left in suspense for a while! It was amazing, and a great read. 10/10 recommend.
I really loved this book, because I love Greek mythology. Percy is a normal kid… except for his ADHD, and dyslexia… and knack for getting in trouble. Soon, after an attack by his teacher, Mrs. Dodds, who turns into a fury, he figures out why. He’s a demigod, and a child of Poseidon at that! Now, he’s thrust into a world he never asked to be a part of, and he’s making a lot of enemies. On top of that, he was chosen for a quest to return Zeus’ missing lightning bolt. He has to fight mythical monsters, bargain with gods, and attempt to make sure his teammates don’t kill him. Percy Jackson and the lightning thief is a great book for a fan of action, mythology or just straight up adventure!
When smoke emerges from the house of the wealthy Samuel W. Westing and he is found dead, his sixteen heirs are invited to the reading of his will. Soon they will find themselves involved in a game to win his fortune, divided into pairs they must use nonsensical clues to win the game. No one is able to trust any of the other heirs, so when a huge snowstorm traps some of them together tensions are high. With unexpected twists in every corner of the book Ellen Raskin’s The Westing Game is a must read for any mystery lover. Every character is crafted brilliantly, with unique backstories and great character development. This book keeps you on your toes the whole time, with great vocabulary and a unique plot it is a one-of-a-kind masterpiece. The Westing Game is a perfect mystery novel for people of many ages and keeps you wanting more.
Although I usually do not like historical fiction novels, this book managed to surpass my expectations and become one of my favorites. The Blackthorn Key follows the story of Christopher Rowe, the apprentice of the renowned apothecary Benedict Blackthorn, and takes place in 17th century England. In the beginning, Christopher lives content, creating medical remedies and cracking codes with his kind master, although he sets off a couple of explosions along the way. But a string of apothecary murders begins to work its way through England and hits closer and closer to Christopher's home, with rumors of the killings being tied to the mysterious Cult of the Archangel. When the murderers eventually kill Benedict, Christopher discovers a cryptic note left by his master right before his death and finds himself hunted by the killers, and as he deciphers Benedict's last message, he uncovers the secrets to a powerful weapon that has the potential to destroy the world.
This novel is thrilling and fast paced, and although its plot is dark in nature, Sands brilliantly incorporates some laugh-out-loud humor into the book. I loved Christopher's personality; he is easygoing and playful, but also incredibly clever and serious when he needs to be. The little nods to the historical aspect of the novel were very enjoyable, especially if you do know what was happening in England during the time period this novel is set in. The plot is filled with twists and turns that keep you guessing what happens next, and the ultimate reveal of the mastermind behind the killings serves as a stunning climax to the novel. As this book is the first in a series, I will surely read the rest of the novels and keep an eye out for Sands' other works. I recommend this book to anyone interested in historical fiction, fantasy, mystery novels, and puzzles.
One of my first experiences with the writing of Naomi Novik was with Spinning Silver . This Rumpelstiltskin retelling was quite interesting and complex compared to the original fairy tale it was based on. Realizing this was the second in a “series” (of which I’m using this term loosely), I eventually sought this book’s predecessor. Uprooted seems to be an adaptation of eastern European folktales, but with more of the romance aspect that I expect from these kinds of fantasy books.
As with other fairy tale retellings, Uprooted starts off with plenty of tropes from the Grimm fairy tales. Dragons stealing maidens from their families, peasant farmers in poverty, things like that. It continues into the predictable tropes of the Dragon being misunderstood and the fair maiden resisting his cold personality long enough to have him warm up to her. Fortunately, this book is deeper than the tropes it was based on. The depth of the story is partly why it's much longer than the common folktales it might be based on.
I appreciated the magic system and the descriptions of how it felt to use this magic. I thought the cursed woods trope was developed in a much more interesting way than you usually see in these kinds of stories. The eventual romance between the two characters was telegraphed for a while, leading to a slow burn that was fairly erotic. About my only qualm with this book was the audiobook narration. The narrator had an authentic sounding eastern European accent, which fit the story's potential origins, but at the cost of being unable to understand what she was saying sometimes.
A deeply rich fairy tale with both old and new tropes, I give Uprooted 4.0 stars out of 5.
Who was the real killer of Andy Bell? Was it her boyfriend or was it someone you would never think of. Well reading this book was one of the best times I could hardly put it down. I loved how we got to help solve it in away and there was never a mount that u never had something to ask. Like who was the killer? if not who? and why did they do it? There are just so many good things about the book. The only bad thing is you never get sleep cause you can't put it down.
This book is the best YA mystery book I have read in a long time! This book follows a seventeen year old girl named Cassie Hobbes, who had been recruited to work for a Secrate CIA department as a profiler. As a murder starts killing more and more people Cassie and her team start to dig into the case, but as they do, this case starts connecting more and more to Cassie. This is an amazing book and I highly recommend it to anyone who likes mystery.
Great book keeps you on your toes with a jaw dropping ending.
BANG is a novel about a 14 year old boy named Sebastian Cody, who has a dark secret. At the age of just four years old, Sebastian shot and killed his baby sister. Now, ten years later, he has to live with the guilt and horror of the past
When a Muslim girl, Aneesa, moves to Brookdlae and becomes a close friend and neighbor, Sebastian spends the entire summer with Aneesa, showing her around Brookdale when they eventually start a pizza making youtube channel. All this summer fun almost becomes an escape from suicidal thoughts. After school starts, Sebastian isn’t able to distract himself from his thoughts, now that he isn’t spending all day with Aneesa. After a few weeks at school, bullies start to poke and prod, and Sebastian eventually makes the decision to end it. His plan was to kill his father, (who had moved out, Sebastian thinking it was abandonment) and then himself.
Of course the book ends in a “happily ever after” way, but it still has that “good book feeling” when you are finished.This book is a really interesting story about Sebastian's thoughts, whether it be from the past, his friends, and his family life. One of the best singular books I’ve ever read, but don’t listen to me, go read it for yourself and find out.
What was once known as the western half of the United States, is now known as a separate country called the republic, a plague-infested land at war with its eastern neighbors, the colonies. This book is an action filled adventure, going through the first person thoughts and actions of each character, let’s dive in.
The book starts out centered on a 15 year old boy named Day. Day is a national criminal after failing his trial (a test that all children have to take once their 10) and being a nuisance to the republic, downing fighter jets, and such. Each chapter switches between Day and June, already a military prodigy at the age of 15 years old. After Day steals plague suppressants from a hospital for his dying younger brother, he supposedly kills June's older brother, Metias, to escape. After June hears of this, she is desperate to avenge her brother's death, so she goes on an undercover mission in the slum sectors of Los Angeles, hoping to find information on Day. After coming across an illegal, underground fighting ring, (a skiz fight) she is pushed into the ring, where Tess (Day's acquaintance) saves her. Since Day and Tess' identities are unknown, June has no idea that Day is her savior, and travels around the city with them. After finding a clue that "the boy" is Day, Tess follows him and gives away his position to her superiors, leading to Day's capture. In the streets, the two became quite close, and Day told June that he believes the Republic uses the Republican people as lab rats for testing their plagues, before using them against the Colonies.
In conclusion, I think this book lives up to the review I gave it. I loved how every chapter ended with a cliffhanger, keeping the lights on late into the night. Definitely one of the best singular books I've ever read, but don't take my opinion, go read it for yourself!