All Book Reviews

The Storm
Bergin, Virginia
5 stars = Bohemian Rhapsody Awesome!
Review:

Sequel to "H2O", "The Storm" continues the story of a newly distopian Earth where the rain kills. This book focuses on the bonds of family in crisis, or lack thereof, and the pursuit of survival. Like "H2O" I would call "The Storm" a dystopian thriller with a hint of romance. Not only are all the characters in peril, but they are on their own without any governmental aid.

Truly a fascinating story that will make you uneasy around water.

Reviewer's Name: Maddie K
Nowhere But Here
McGarry, Katie
4 stars = Really Good
Review:

Seventeen year old Emily lives a life full of curiosity. Curiosity of her biological father and his whereabouts. Curiosity of her father's motorcycle club, the Reign of Terror. Her curiosity overcomes her and she agrees to an extended summer vacation to visit her father and her relatives she has never met before. While with her father she becomes intrigued with her fathers motorcycle club, and the young and gorgeous boy OZ whose apart of it. They lead a forbidden romance filled with adventure and love, but when a rival club comes to town will it destroy their future plans, or is their love strong enough to overcome challenges? I adored this book, its twist and turns kept me glued to the page and urged me to read the sequels. The danger mixed with the romance was a brilliant way to keep readers interested.
Reviewer Grade: 12

Reviewer's Name: Madison S
Everblaze
Messenger, Shannon
5 stars = Bohemian Rhapsody Awesome!
Review:

The third book in the Keeper of the Lost Cities series, Everblaze, is awesome! This is one of my favorite books in the series, with all the action.
If you like Fitzphie, this will be one of your favorite books too! Through this book, we have to make BIG decisions, escape danger, help the city, and have tons of action packed moments! No inappropriate language or content.

Reviewer's Name: Aubrey S
Exile
Messenger, Shannon
5 stars = Bohemian Rhapsody Awesome!
Review:

The second book in the Keeper of the Lost Cities series, Exile, is hands down AMAZING! This is probably my favorite book in the series, starring my top 2 favorite characters, Sophie and Keefe. Even if you don't like Team Foster-Keefe, this book is still awesome! We get to see new places, take a look into the past, find new creatures, discover new abilities, and have lots of action and humor! No inappropriate language or content.

Reviewer's Name: Aubrey S
Keeper of the Lost Cities
Messenger, Shannon
5 stars = Bohemian Rhapsody Awesome!
Review:

Starting off another series by Shannon Messenger called Keeper of the Lost Cities, the first book, Keeper of the Lost Cities, was amazing! It is adventurous, cliff-hanging, action-packed, and great for ages 8-teens! While reading this book, I can guarantee you will meet some of your favorite, funny, awesome fictional characters! This book series has a VERY good chance of becoming your favorite. No inappropriate content or language.

Reviewer's Name: Aubrey S
Flashback
Messenger, Shannon
5 stars = Bohemian Rhapsody Awesome!
Review:

Reading through the 7th book of the Keeper of the Lost Cities series was amazing!!! The Mysterious Miss F and her friends are on another adventure! While going through this adventure, we meet new characters, face dangers, train, and fight! This book is super exciting and if you have read any of the Keeper of the Lost Cities series, you won't want to miss reading this book! Also, no inappropriate content or language!

Reviewer's Name: Aubrey S
Genres:
Halfway Perfect
Cross, Julie
4 stars = Really Good
Review:

A novel about a romance between a photographer and a model takes an interesting and intriguing take on unique love stories. Eve is a photographer with a troubled past, when she meets the gorgeous up and coming model Alex a romance blossoms. With both of their careers on the line, and Eve’s past catching up to her will their love survive to modeling industry? This novel was nothing like other romance novels and kept me wondering what was going to happen with every page turn. I especially loved the change in cliche where instead of the girl being the model, the man was the model.
Reviewer Grade: 12

Reviewer's Name: Madison S
The Selection
Cass, Kiera
5 stars = Bohemian Rhapsody Awesome!
Review:

I can honestly say that this book is my favorite book that I have ever read.
The selection is a book about a class system that divides society into groups within a monarchy. However, the extremely handsome Prince Maxon is holding a selection process to find his next princess. Thirty-five girls from all classes are selected to stay in the palace with Maxon for a chance and being his wife. America Singer is from one of the lowest classes, but by staying true to herself and never conforming to the Prince’s wishes she catches his eye. After a spark ignites in and Maxon falls in love with America, he struggles to decide if she will be suitable for the kingdom and fit to rule by his side.
Reviewer Grade:12

Reviewer's Name: Madison S
Me Before You
Moyes, Jojo
5 stars = Bohemian Rhapsody Awesome!
Review:

his novel brought every single emotion to mind while reading. Whether it was joy, love, anger or sadness; this novel made me feel many things. This romantic novel brings you through the road of love and romance as well as heartbreak and tragedy. Louisa Clark is a young woman leading an extremely mundane life, that is until she finds a job as the caretaker for the wheelchair bound Will Traynor. Through the adventure of love and romance, Louisa learns from Will that life is too short to waste and that she deserves more from life. This novel is absolutely riveting but also teaches a lesson on the importance of living your life to the fullest.
Reviewer Grade: 12

Reviewer's Name: Madison S
My Life Next Door
Fitzpatrick, Huntley
5 stars = Bohemian Rhapsody Awesome!
Review:

A beautiful romance, and a classic boy next door love story. A young girl, Samantha Reed lives in a home in which messiness is avoided at all cost.
Samantha can’t help but look at the alluring chaos across the fence at her neighbors, the Garretts. She becomes swept up in a whirlwind romance with the extremely handsome Jace Garrett. This novel was extremely riveting and cute, it wasn’t predictable like most romance novels and always kept me reading and wanting more.
Reviewer Grade: 12

Reviewer's Name: Madison S
The Sun and Her Flowers
Kaur, Rupi
4 stars = Really Good
Review:

The Sun and Her Flowers is a book filled with relatable poetry. The poems are mainly focused towards a female audience, and bring to light the realities and harshness of life. The book has three parts that are based on the flowers, blooming, withering, and rebirth. The poems follow those specific categories with happy, sad, and hopeful poems centered around it. The poems are also centered around heartbreak and love, some of the poems share lovely scenes of first dates; where others are tragically centered around heartbreak. Poems of heartbreak talk of crushes not sharing love for the other, and relationships that took a turn. The poems are easily relatable to teenagers and the daily struggle of their lives. I gave this book a high rating because it not only made me laugh and smile but it also moved me to tears several times throughout, the poetry is touching on an outstanding level.
Reviewer Grade: 12

Reviewer's Name: Madison S
The Emperor of Nihon-Ja
Flanagan, John
4 stars = Really Good
Review:

Long after Horace's departure for the east nation of Nihon-Ja, his friends fear of his safety as Horace has not communicated back to them whatsoever.
Alyss, Evanlyn, and WIll all catch up with Horace only to find that Horace has dedicated himself to protecting the imperial throne of Nihon-Ja. With everyone here, they must defend against the Senji warriors intending to kill the emperor.

The Emperor of Nihon-Ja focuses on the growth of Horace and his outlook on Knighthood. Instead of Will from Halt's Peril, Horace truly discovers his place.

Reviewer Grade: 11

Reviewer's Name: Nam T
Halt's Peril
Flanagan, John
5 stars = Bohemian Rhapsody Awesome!
Review:

Continuing on from The Kings of Clonmel, Halt's Peril starts off as Halt is captured when he is pierced by the poisoned arrow from the renegade group of outlaws. The outlaws, known as the Outsiders, take Halt from Will. Will is on his own, and he needs to do whatever it takes to get his mentor back to safety.

Halt's Peril brings out a new side of Will, where he is now left alone without his mentor. Although this is not the first time he is alone without his mentor, there is more tension as his mentor's life is at stake. Will must take his training from Halt to a new level. This is a new character development story that focuses on Will entirely, which is a great story for those that are invested in Will.

Reviewer Grade: 11

Reviewer's Name: Nam T
The Kings of Clonmel
Flanagan, John
4 stars = Really Good
Review:

Halt, Will, and Horace are tasked to investigate the group of Outsiders of the Kingdom of Clonmel. They must work together to retake the Kingdom, as each of them are forced to overtake challenges from the tyrannical King Ferris.

The Kings of Clonmel continue the legacy story of Halt, Will, and Horace, bringing a new story to the series. In this particular story, it pulls an emphasis on the skills of Ranger's stealth combined to the fighting of the Knights. With this, it introduces a much more interesting character arc that combines both perspectives for those that are interested with both the principles of Ranger and Knight fighting.

Reviewer Grade: 11

Reviewer's Name: Nam T
Erak's Ransom
Flanagan, John
4 stars = Really Good
Review:

The Skandian Oberjarl Erak grows tired of the constant overflow of paperwork he has to do. Instead, he leaves to do one last raid on the neighboring desert country of Arrida. There, him and his raiding party are ambushed and captured, leaving Will and Halt to come and rescue Erak.

Erak's Ransom brings a new perspective to the table, switching between Will and Halt to Erak and his crew. This is an interesting point that allows those who are invested to compare the two characters side by side. The characters relationship's bring out a later climatic point.

Reviewer Grade: 11

Reviewer's Name: Nam T
The Siege of Macindaw
Flanagan, John
4 stars = Really Good
Review:

The Siege of Macindaw continues the legacy story of the ranger Will. He is sent to recapture the Castle Macindaw, as a renegade knight had compromised the royal family and is planning to overthrow the Kingdom. Will, joined by his friend, Horace, does whatever it takes to rescue their childhood friend Alyss, with the fate of Araluen in their hands.

The Siege of Macindaw ties in a well-rounded romantic story, balanced by a series of intense action. It is a perfect fit for those who enjoy a little bit of both genres. Siege of Macindaw continues on the story of Ranger's Apprentice, bringing out more in-depth lore to the universe.

Reviewer Grade: 11

Reviewer's Name: Nam T
Book Review: Drama
Telgemeier, Raina
4 stars = Really Good
Review:

This was a very sweet book. The three things I liked best about it were the following:
1. It was a play within a play.
2. A character breaks up with his girlfriend because she was trying to get someone to cheat on a test.
3. The main character doesn't give a second chance to the boy who disrespected her.
It's a lighthearted book that addresses some deep themes and is fun to read.

Reviewer's Name: vfranklyn
Book Review: Mrs. Everything
Weiner, Jennifer
5 stars = Bohemian Rhapsody Awesome!
Review:

Surprisingly good. I was expecting more of a lighthearted chick lit experience, but it was a compelling read that delved into the lives to two sisters over a period of time. I'm not sure what the title has to do with the story but still a very powerful story.

Reviewer's Name: vfranklyn
Book Review: Chomp
Hiaasen, Carl
4 stars = Really Good
Review:

Mickey Cray and his son Wahoo are hired to wrangle various creatures for a survival tv show. Throw in a bat *bleep* crazy leading man along with various and sundry everglades characters and hilarity ensues. Such a fun read! Well, I actually listened to it, but I was still highly entertained.

Reviewer's Name: vfranklyn
Ask a Science Teacher: 250 Answers to Questions You've Always Had About How Everyday Stuff Really Works
Scheckel, Larry
5 stars = Bohemian Rhapsody Awesome!
Review:

In his book "Ask a Science Teacher", Larry Scheckel lists 250 science questions and answers them all in detail for readers. Each series of questions is divided under sections. For example, there is a section about Sound and Music and a section about Chemistry. He spans a broad range of scientific topics, from biology in the question "How many cells are in the body?" to history of science in question "Did Issac Newton develop calculus?" Mr. Scheckel answers the questions thoroughly with interesting detail. He engages readers.

I would recommend this book to anyone with science interests and questions. This book is appropriate for ages high school and up.

Reviewer's Name: Rebecca D.