Fantasy

"Restore Me" by Tahereh Mafi is a breathtaking continuation of the Shatter Me series, deserving a perfect 5 out of 5 stars. Mafi's prose is as mesmerizing as ever, drawing readers into Juliette's tumultuous world with its vivid imagery and emotional depth. The character development is superb, as Juliette grapples with the weight of her newfound power and the responsibilities that come with it. The dynamic between Juliette and Warner crackles with intensity, adding a layer of complexity to their relationship that is both compelling and heart-wrenching. Mafi expertly balances action and introspection, keeping readers on the edge of their seats while delving into the inner workings of her characters' minds. The plot twists and turns with unpredictable ferocity, culminating in a jaw-dropping cliffhanger that will leave readers clamoring for more. "Restore Me" is a masterful addition to the series, showcasing Mafi's talent for storytelling and cementing her status as a powerhouse in the YA genre.

"You've Reached Sam" by Dustin Thao is a heart-wrenching contemporary romance that earns a solid 4 out of 5 stars from me. Thao's writing is emotionally resonant, capturing the complexities of grief and healing with sensitivity and depth. The protagonist, Julie, navigates the aftermath of losing her boyfriend, Sam, with authenticity and grace, allowing readers to empathize with her journey of self-discovery. Thao's exploration of love and loss is both profound and thought-provoking, reminding us of the fragility of life and the importance of cherishing every moment. The themes of forgiveness and letting go are woven seamlessly into the narrative, adding layers of emotional depth to the story. The pacing is steady, immersing readers in Julie's world as she grapples with her grief and finds solace in unexpected places. Overall, "You've Reached Sam" is a beautifully written debut novel that will tug at your heartstrings and linger in your thoughts long after you've finished reading.

"Ignite Me" by Tahereh Mafi is an electrifying conclusion to the Shatter Me series, earning a well-deserved 5 out of 5 stars. Mafi's poetic prose and raw emotion ignite the pages, drawing readers into the tumultuous world of Juliette Ferrars. The character development is exceptional, as Juliette evolves from a fragile girl into a fierce and empowered leader. The chemistry between Juliette and Warner sizzles with intensity, adding an extra layer of tension to the narrative. Mafi's exploration of power, identity, and love is profound, resonating long after the final page is turned. The action-packed plot is relentless, keeping readers on the edge of their seats with each twist and turn. Overall, "Ignite Me" is a breathtaking conclusion that will leave fans of the series completely satisfied.

"The Inheritance Games" by Jennifer Lynn Barnes is a captivating rollercoaster of mystery and intrigue. Barnes masterfully weaves together a tangled web of secrets, puzzles, and unexpected twists that kept me guessing until the very end. The protagonist, Avery Kylie Grambs, is a complex character whose journey from obscurity to inheriting a billionaire's fortune is both thrilling and thought-provoking. The dynamic between Avery and the Hawthorne family is filled with tension and suspicion, adding layers of depth to the plot. Barnes's writing style is engaging, with vivid descriptions and sharp dialogue that bring the story to life. The pacing is brisk, ensuring that there's never a dull moment as Avery navigates the treacherous waters of the Hawthorne estate. Overall, "The Inheritance Games" is a gripping read that will leave you eagerly anticipating the next installment in this thrilling series.

Fourth Wing is about twenty-year-old Violent Sorrengail and her time as a first year at Basgiath War College, where she trains to be a dragon rider. I
chose to read the book due to its popularity, and how it appealed with my interests in dragons and fantasy, as well as its relatable romance.
enjoyed the loveable characters and the interesting plot that kept me hooked in and invested. I didn't like some of the side-characters who seemed flat, I feel some of these characters could have been flushed out and developed more.
This is an enjoyable fantasy romance for young adult readers who prefer a more drawn out story and romance.

I picked up this book because it was on a list of Pulitzer Prize winners and I figured that was a good enough metric to give it a shot. I was not disappointed. Told from a few different perspectives, The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao is a fantastic look into the lives of Dominican Americans. I could tell the author was writing from deeply personal experiences, and the result was riveting.

There's a lot I don't know about the Dominican culture, but I felt this book was an eye-opening look into their history. Told as personal anecdotes from the characters, it was wild to see the effects of living under a dictator. However, even once someone escaped from that oppression, life in America wasn't an easy walk in the park either. The effects of racism might not be as bad as having your daughters sold to a dictator, but they still aren't pretty. Using these point-of-view stories to convey all this made the experience of reading this book feel more authentic.

This audiobook also included a short story by the same author, "Drown." While this story wasn't quite up to the quality of The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao, a lot of the author's style was still present. Of course, this style felt a little rougher than his Pulitzer Prize-winning work, but it was interesting to see how it evolved between the two. Ultimately, the Pulitzer Prize can be a somewhat subjective metric for whether a book is good or not. Here, it's spot-on and I think people should read it because of its award-winning status.

An excellent and authentic examination of the life of a Dominican American, I give The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao 4.0 stars out of 5.

Eldest is a five-star book because of the amazing amount of fun I had reading it trying to figure out where they are based on the map in the front. Also, the ending was super satisfying because if you’ve read the first one you know Eragon had no father at the end you learn who it is.
I chose this book because I like to finish a series to the end and this is the second one and it was as good or better than the first.
Also, Paolini is an amazing author, and he is especially good at painting a picture in your mind with nothing but words especially when he comes to describing the elves and their main city Elesmera. All in all this book is great so don’t let its length stop you from enjoying the amazing books of Paolini.

A piece of advice given to most writers is to make their characters suffer, then document how they grow. In Summer Knight, Jim Butcher puts Harry Dresden through the ringer. Not only is Dresden on the edge of being homeless and dead from starvation, but he finds himself tangled up in the politics of the wizards and faeries. As usual, the world-building in the Dresden Files is fantastic and multi-layered. Sure, there are still the problems that keep popping up in this series, but they seemed less when Dresden was focused on merely staying alive.

With each book in the Dresden Files, I find the deepening lore fascinating. In Summer Knight, we finally learn about the council of wizards and see how unique Harry is when compared to others from the organization. In learning about more of his past, it’s easy to see how Dresden has come to this impasse with the council. Furthermore, Grave Peril had mere hints of the faerie world and workings that Summer Knight fully expanded upon. While a lot of the world-building looks like mere politics, that it’s as well thought out as this shows to Butcher’s talent here.

While there are still bad examples of “men writing women” in this book (which is the case throughout the series), at least it seemed a bit toned down from the previous books. Dresden’s backstory made him a bit more likable in this book, as there were at least explanations why he is the way he is. I enjoy his somewhat unorthodox way of handling magic battles and can’t wait until he’s truly trained to be a more precise magic user to really see his talent emerge.

Some great world-building and main character exposition for the Dresden Files, I give Summer Knight 4.5 stars out of 5.

Eragon is a 5-star book because though it is long and hard to understand to the right reader it is wonderful. If you think you have a big vocabulary read this book as a test and get absorbed into the inheritance trilogy. I chose this book because it was long, and I like long books but though it is long don’t let that stop you from exploring with Eragon the newest dragon rider all throughout Alegaesia 15 leagues (51 miles) from Carvahall his hometown deep in the dwarf city of Farthen Dur. This book had plot twists all around the corner, it was not at all super predictable and all throughout Eragon's final battle you will be sitting on the edge of your seat. If you want something to do over the summer that isn’t just sitting down, playing video games try reading this book, it is a great summer read.

"Fracture Me" is a novella that delves into the depths of despair and resilience with intense emotional impact, earning its place as a pivotal addition to the Shatter Me series. Tahereh Mafi crafts a raw through the eyes of Adam Kent, offering readers a glimpse into his inner turmoil and shattered heart. As Adam grapples with loss and betrayal, his journey becomes a testament to the strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity. Mafi's prose is hauntingly beautiful, capturing the essence of pain and longing with exquisite precision. The exploration of Adam's relationships, particularly his complex dynamic with Juliette, adds layers of complexity to the story, enriching the reader's understanding of the characters' motivations and struggles. "Fracture Me" is a masterful portrayal of love, loss, and the resilience of the human spirit that leaves an indelible mark on the soul.