Book Reviews

“How to Kill a Guy in Ten Dates” mixes rom-coms and horror into one great slasher novel. When Jamie decides to attend a speed-dating event with her best friend Laurie, the last thing she expects is to be forced into a real life slasher film. As tensions run high, she realizes she may not only be in a makeshift slasher movie, but it seems like the killer is attempting to create a romantic comedy atmosphere as well. With her wits and fellow daters, Jamie must use everything she’s learned from her years of watching and studying horror films to survive the night and hopefully find her happily ever after.

I thought this concept was so cool. While I found the plot twist to be sort of predictable, as a slasher enjoyer myself, I found the novel to be very entertaining. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time waiting to see who would survive and who would succumb to horror tropes. While I thought it was interesting, I didn’t love the rom-com aspect of the novel. I thought that part was boring and not very well developed. But, I absolutely love how the author tied it in with the ending!

The Lord of the Flies follows a multitude of teen aged boys who survive after their plane crashes on a deserted island. The Lord of the Files follows how these boys act and change as they grow up on this island and create new civilizations on the island. The book showcases how these boy’s young, immature and impressionable minds cause them to have large problems and conflicts on the island. It also shows how these situations cause them to change with how they act and think.

The Lord of the Flies is an amazing book that everyone should read. It does an amazing job showing you the intricacies of civilization and how quickly people’s thoughts and actions can change when faced with difficult situations, especially young people. This book was very eye opening on human nature and the devolution of humans in hard times.

The Crown by Kiera Cass is the fifth and final book in The Selection series. It is a sequel to book four and cannot be read as a standalone.
The book continues immediately from the previous one where Eadlyn’s mother has suffered from a heart attack and her father announces her as Regent of Illea while he takes care of her mother. She resumes her Selection process with the remaining suitors, while handling political unrest, social tensions, and pressure over potential political marriages.
In the end, she goes against the traditional Selection rules, following her heart and concluding the series in a fulfilling resolution.
In my opinion, this book was entertaining with much more drama than the books that came before it. Eadlyn’s growth arc was satisfying, considering how frustrating her character started out as.
I would recommend this book to those who like romantic dramas, royalty stories, and political intrigue in YA fiction.

The Heir by Kiera Cass is the fourth book in The Selection series and can be read without having prior read the first three books in the series.
The story takes place about twenty years after the third book and is centered on Maxon and America’s first-born daughter, who was born a few minutes before her twin brother, making her the first female heir to the throne in Illea’s history.
The caste system has been abolished, but discrimination and tension in the kingdom continue to persist. As a “distraction” for the people, Princess Eadlyn is convinced to have a Selection to find a husband.
In the beginning, she presents herself as rude and unapproachable but as she gets to know the men, her view of love changes.
In my opinion, this book was engaging but a little unoriginal, building on the concept of the first three books. Eadlyn can be spoiled and self-centered, which may frustrate some readers, though her growth throughout the story adds depth.
I would recommend this book to those who enjoy romantic dramas, princess stories, and dystopian settings.

The One by Kiera Cass is the third book in The Selection series and cannot be read as a standalone.
In the third book of the series, the Selection continues on with America as part of the three girls left, competing for Prince Maxon’s heart. America must finally confront her feelings for Maxon and Aspen, as tensions in the kingdom rise and rebels threaten the royal family. She makes her decision, relationships are clarified, and the series is mostly resolved.
In my opinion, this book was a satisfying conclusion to America’s story. Although the love triangle and plot were mostly predictable, the author’s writing was engaging.
I would recommend this book to people who like romantic dramas, love triangles, and dystopian royalty stories.

The Elite by Kiera Cass is the second book in The Selection series and cannot be read as a standalone.
In the second installment of the series, the Selection contest carries on with six remaining finalists as America grapples with her growing feelings for Prince Maxon and her lingering feelings for Aspen, who now works as a guard at the palace. She also struggles with jealousy, competition, and the manipulation of the other five finalists.
In my opinion, this book was less entertaining than the first one and by this point, the plot started to drag a little. The love triangle drama remained partially forced and America was still a frustrating lead character.
I would recommend this book to people who liked royalty romances, love triangles, and light drama filled YA novels.

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.

The second volume of Gachiakuta is about Rudo joining an organization called the “Cleaners.” He asked to join them and agreed in order to help get revenge on the person who framed him for murder. However, it’s clear that something suspicious is happening on the ground, as the monsters known as Trash Beasts have been found with vital instruments inside them.

I think this volume is a big step up from the first, as lots of information is introduced. One thing that I really like about this volume is that the information dumping isn’t nearly as bad. Some things are still spoon-fed to the audience, but it isn’t as blatant as before. The introduction of new characters and world-building really brings a lot to the story, as things are becoming more interesting. I also really enjoy it when the audience gets certain information at the same time a character does. It makes the reveals feel more impactful and important. Another really great thing about this book is the art. It’s very unique and easy to follow, and it’s clear that the artist and author, Kei Urana, is very talented. I would definitely rate this volume higher than the first, but I still want to see where the story goes.

Sonic The Hedgehog and his friends are at their finest and fastest in Sonic The Hedgehog Vol. 7: All Or Nothing, the most fantastic installation in the IDW's Sonic comic series yet! The world is over -- or so it seems. Dr. Eggman's Metal Virus has spread throughout the world. All but a precious few have managed to escape the vicious infection that transforms all life it touches into robotic "zombots". To make matters worse, Dr. Eggman has no way to control them -- and the Deadly Six do. Due to a critical error by Dr. Starline, Zavok and his Zeti crew have seized ultimate power and plan to obliterate all life. Sonic and the rest of the remaining survivors have holed up on Angel Island, the only place on the planet that has been kept safe from the virus. Things seem hopeless. But when Eggman, Starline, and Metal Sonic show up on Angel Island too, the heroes realize there's only one way to save the world -- work together. Sonic and Eggman must join forces to stop the Deadly Six and take back their world -- a decision that could cost Sonic everything.

Jam-packed with awesome action and introducing even more fan-favorite characters, this book is one of the best I've ever read. One of the best things about this book is that everyone gets a chance to shine! Each character gets their own starring moment and the cooperation dynamics between all of them make this book really pop. If you gotta go fast, then you gotta read Sonic The Hedgehog Vol. 7: All Or Nothing!

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!

Casey needed to get away; that's why she moved to a secluded cabin in the middle of nowhere New Hampshire, where her closest neighbor is miles away. Of course, Casey starts questioning her choices as a storm begins to roll in and the roof of her cabin is not looking promising. As the storm rolls in Casey's worry about her roof is momentarily disrupted when she receives an unexpected guess; a young girl covered in blood that isn't her own. Casey knows this girl is hiding something... and she's determined to figure out exactly what that is; but she has to survive the night if she wants to figure it out.

"The Intruder" is a fascinating book with a surprising plot twist. I would recommend it to anyone who likes vigilante thrillers and plot's that are far from what they seem to be.
Reviewer Grade: 12

Debbie is having a hard time, in more ways than one. Suddenly fired from her job, pushed away by her daughters, and kept in the dark by her husband about where he goes at night... Debbie can't take much more. Little does anyone know, Debbie has some secrets, and they just keep building as Debbie begins to snap.

"Dear Debbie" gives a unique perspective on how events from the past can determine the rest of someone's life. It's also a perfect book for those who love when nothing is as it seems. This is definitely a book I would recommend.
Reviewer Grade: 12

"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.

Gachiakuta follows 15-year-old Rudo. After being wrongly convicted of murder, he is punished by being sent to “The Pit,” where all garbage is thrown away. He ends up on the “Ground” and meets a man named Enjin, who teaches him about the existence of a group called “Givers,” who use their powers to protect the people of the Ground from monsters.

I think this book has a really good hook for a first volume. It establishes the world-building almost immediately, even if it is a little exposition-dump-y at times. Rudo is a really interesting main character for a couple of reasons, but the one that stood out to me the most is that he actually feels and looks like a fifteen-year-old boy, which isn’t something you see a lot in manga. He’s reactive and a little judgy, but he’s also very kind and receptive to feedback, and it makes the audience want to get to know him better. My rating is so low because the first volume is very short, and I really did not like how “in your face” some of the explanations felt. Otherwise, it’s quite literally the very beginning, so there’s not a lot to really form an opinion about, but I did enjoy this volume and am looking forward to reading the next.

Joan Goodwin has always dreamed of the stars. In 1980s Houston, NASA is finally willing to begin integrating women astronauts into the program. With her group of fellow astronaut candidates, Joan navigates a world of love, family, and friends in a word slowly beginning to accept diversity.

I was very surprised at how much I enjoyed this novel. Having enjoyed other Reid books, I knew I would have some level of enthusiasm, but I liked it much more than I thought I would. For starters, I have always been intrigued by space and space travel, so I especially enjoyed the whimsical personality Joan obtained throughout the story. I also absolutely adored the relationship between Joan and her niece, Frances. Frances was probably my favorite character by far, as she was so lively and felt so real even as a fictional child. I didn’t care for the love story much, which would be my only complaint, but I was fascinated at how well Reid weaved the intricacies of romance and occupations in the time period of the 1980s.

The Final Gambit by Jennifer Lynn Barnes is the third book in The Inheritance Games series and cannot be read as a standalone.
The final installment follows the final weeks leading up to Avery Grambs’s eighteenth birthday when she will officially inherit Tobias Hawthorne’s fortune. This book introduces a visitor from outside the Hawthorne family, adding a new mystery and extra layers of conflict.
In my opinion, while I enjoy the concept of the universe and the puzzles, this book felt somewhat unnecessary. I understand that a satisfying conclusion was required, but by this point, the mystery felt forced and the love triangle drama felt like filler. Additionally, Avery’s character still felt overly adaptable and lacked distinctive growth, and the series’ signature riddles and puzzles, while clever, no longer felt as engaging or surprising. The resolution wrapped up loose ends but did so in a way that sometimes felt rushed or convenient.
I would recommend this book to those who have already read the first two books in the series and enjoy puzzle-driven mysteries, family intrigue, and romantic tension.

The Hawthorne Legacy by Jennifer Lynn Barnes is the second book in The Inheritance Games series and it can’t be read as a standalone.
The book is about solving the mystery of how Avery Grambs is connected to Tobias Hawthorne and why she inherited his fortune. The story introduces more riddles, puzzles, and twists, while simultaneously intensifying the love triangle conflicts between Grayson Hawthorne and Jameson Hawthorne.
In my opinion, the book was engaging and kept me turning pages quickly, with clever puzzles and moments of suspense that made it fun to read. But, while the sequel expands the mystery, it lacks the tight-pacing or the satisfying puzzle-solving of the first book, often leading to repetition of structure. The novel leans heavily into the love triangle and ongoing riddles, but the central reveal doesn’t feel as impactful as the buildup suggests. Like many middle books in a trilogy, it spends more time setting up future twists than delivering a fully satisfying story on its own.
I would recommend this book to those who have already read the first book in the series and enjoy mysteries, clever puzzles, and romantic tension.

The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes follows Avery Grambs, a teenage girl living in her car, when she—out of the blue—becomes the youngest billionaire when she inherits billionaire Tobias Hawthorne’s money.
The catch? She has to live in the Hawthorne Mansion alongside the family Tobias Hawthorne just disinherited while solving riddles and puzzles.
In my opinion, this book was enjoyable. The short chapters led to a fast-paced book with a love-triangle subplot. Personally, I found most of the characters likable except for Jameson Hawthorne—one of Tobias’s four grandsons—and Avery, herself. Jameson had a tendency to speak in riddles and nonsense that made no sense, and his “rebellious” behavior was, at points, irritating. While Avery Kylie Grambs is positioned as a relatable and grounded protagonist, her personality often feels too adaptable and indistinct, making it difficult to form a strong emotional connection with her.
I would recommend this book to those who enjoy fast-paced mysteries, riddles and brain teasers, and love triangles.

The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani follows the two opposite best friends Sophie and Agatha, who are unexpectedly taken from their village home to the fabled School for Good and Evil where children are trained to become fairy-tale heroes and villains.
Sophie, who dreams of being a princess with her pink dresses and countless good deeds, is placed in the School for Evil, while Agatha, who sees herself as an outcast, is sent to the School for Good.
As they struggle to fit into their unexpected roles, the girls begin to question what truly makes someone “good” or “evil,” and their friendship is tested as they try to find a way back home.
In my opinion, this book was great. The writing style was entertaining and descriptive, and I thought it was a unique twist on common fairytale tropes. Sophie and Agatha were both likable characters for entirely different reasons—Sophie is more than what she seems while Agatha cannot see past her appearance.
I would recommend this book to those who enjoy twisted fairy tales, magical school settings, and character-driven stories.

Kareem Between by Shifa Saltagi Safadi is about Kareem, a Syrian-American boy excited for seventh grade until everything starts going wrong for him.
His best friend moves away, he doesn’t make the football team, and because he’s Syrian, he’s asked to show a new student—a Syrian refugee—around school, but he’s embarrassed by the boy’s thick accent.
Later, the football team’s quarterback—and the coach’s son—offers to help Kareem get a spot on the spring team, but only if Kareem does something he knows is wrong. On top of all that, Kareem’s mom returns to Syria to help her family, just as the 2017 Muslim Ban is put into place.
In my opinion, this was a nice coming-of-age middle-grade novel about a Muslim boy learning to do the right thing and navigate the challenges of identity, friendship, and belonging. The plot was mostly predictable and the characters seemed pretty one-dimensional. Personally, I’m not a big fan of books written in verse, but others may like that.
I would recommend this to those who enjoy stories about cultural identity, middle school struggles, and sports-themed coming-of-age tales.

"Everything We Never Had" follows four generations of a Filipino-American family: Francisco, a revolutionary alive during the zoot suit riots in the 1930s. Emil, his son, who refuses to follow in his father's footsteps. Chris, who seeks to learn more about Filipino-American history despite the fact that his father hasn't told him anything about their ancestry. And Enzo, who attempts to bridge the differences between his grandfather, Emil, and his father, Chris, in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic. This is a story about intergenerational trauma, finding your identity, and reconnecting with the past.

I really loved the exploration of Filipino-American history in "Everything We Never Had." This is something often underrepresented in YA books, so having this touching story in a form accessible to teens was really impactful. It was also really interesting to see each generation's story slowly come together to create a meaningful message. The only reasons I didn't give this book a higher rating is because personally I'm not a fan of stories set during the Covid-19 pandemic, and also because the time skips for each generation were somewhat confusing, leaving me lost on the individual plots and characters at times. Other than that, this is a worthwhile read if you are looking to learn more about Filipino-American history in the form of a relatable and meaningful YA book.

The Great Gatsby is an amazing novel that follows the story of Nick Carraway when he moves to New York City. The man who lives next to him, Jay Gatsby, is very mysterious to Nick. He throws lavish parties that shine bright into the night with a multitude of guests. Nick's cousin, Daisy Buchanan, who lives on the other side of a wide river from Nick and Gatsby, catches the attention of Jay Gatsby but is already married to a Tom Buchanan. The Great Gatsby explores the themes of love, social hierarchy, fake relationships between the rich, and the American Dream through an intriguing story and symbols.

The first few pages of The Great Gatsby did not immediately catch my attention. The more I read into the book and understood the deeper meanings and deepening intricacies of the characters, the more that I loved the book. The Great Gatsby is a wonderfully written book with an amazing story filled with deep and meaningful symbols. It highlights problems with relationships and social hierarchy that I will keep in my mind for the future. I would recommend you read this book!

When Jackson Hurd's family decides to take 14-year-old Joseph Brook under their wing, they are warned about Joseph's past: he almost killed a teacher and was incarcerated, and he has a 3-month-old daughter, whom he's never seen. Things begin a little awkward between the Hurds and Joseph, but as Joseph warms up to them and starts seeing a future for himself, he reveals the ghosts that have been haunting his past - as well as his desperation to see his daughter, Jupiter. Together, the Hurds and Joseph search for Jupiter, but the mission brings more dangers to their family, and Joseph, than expected.

To put it simply, this book was devastating. It was beautiful and gut-wrenching at the same time. The story is told entirely through the eyes of 12-year-old Jackson as he's processing things he's supposedly too young to deal with, and the way Schimdt uses simple, straightforward language portrays his thoughts perfectly while still retaining the uncertainty and seriousness of the situation. I loved how Joseph was characterized, and I enjoyed the little moments of childlike bonding between him and Jack, as well as his journey in finding himself and discovering his interests. The twists towards the end were unexpected and tragic, but it culminates in a hopeful ending. Overall, this book did a great job shedding light on and humanizing the children in similar positions to Joseph, as well as showing that there is triumph even in the darkest times.

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.

Carrie Soto had it all. Since training with her father since the age of two, she has become the only women’s tennis player to win 20 grand slams. Her career was shaped by grueling and tireless matches, and now one woman threatens to take it all. The year is 1994 and Nicki Chan has officially matched Carrie’s record of 20 slams. Not willing to let her greatest player title be taken, Carrie makes the shocking decision to come out of retirement at age 37 in order to defend her record.

Wow! This book was really exciting! I originally picked it up because I’m a tennis player and was very interested to read a book about tennis, and Taylor Jenkins Reid did not disappoint. Carrie Soto is not by any means a character I felt compelled to root for, but as she continued to develop and her story evolved, I found myself inexplicably drawn to her passion of the sport. I specifically enjoyed how Reid developed her character through the coaching of her father, Javier. Despite the bumps and complications of their relationship, Reid describes a genuine and emotional connection between the father and daughter, and it was beautiful to read.

The House in the Cerulean Sea is a cozy, heart-warming story about a caseworker who investigates a top secret orphanage filled with magical children. This is not an intense read by any means, and it has a good bit of humor as well as some lovely commentary about the nature of love and chosen family. I thought it had a relatively slow start, but I'm very glad I stuck with it. I think this book is meant to open the hearts and minds of the reader alongside the protagonist. A refreshing, wholesome story that kept me hooked until the very end.

The Case for a Creator is a fascinating non-fiction read. In this book, Strobel recounts his travels across the country interviewing scientific professionals across disciplines, including cosmology, astronomy, physics, biochemistry, genetics, and consciousness. His goal was to investigate each of these fields to determine whether scientific evidence points towards or away from the possibility of an intelligent creator, or God. This book is, at times, a more difficult read, but it has been truly mind-opening. I would highly recommend this book to anyone, regardless of religious stance.

I really enjoyed Little Women more than I thought I would. The March sisters each have such distinct personalities, and watching them grow up and navigate life felt really relatable, even though the story is from the 1800s. I especially loved Jo, her independence and passion for writing really resonated with me. Some parts felt a little slow, especially the family’s daily routines, but the overall story is heartwarming and full of lessons about family, love, and perseverance. Definitely a classic worth reading.

I found Jane Eyre surprisingly emotional and engaging. Jane is such a determined and independent character, especially considering the time period the book was written in. I really appreciated how the story shows her personal growth and moral strength. The gothic elements added some suspense, especially in the Thornfield parts. Some sections were a bit long, but the story and characters made it worth it. It ended up being one of my favorite classics.

This book was interesting, but also a bit frustrating for me. The writing and atmosphere are really powerful, and the setting feels dark and intense. However, a lot of the characters are difficult to like, especially Heathcliff and Catherine, which made it harder for me to connect with the story. I still appreciated the emotional intensity and the way the novel explores obsession and revenge. Even though it wasn’t my favorite, I’m glad I read it because it’s definitely unique among classic novels.