Brought to readers as the #1 New York Times Bestseller book by Adam Silvera, a tiny glance of the genius title and its illustrative cover leaves readers wondering. “Never judge a book by its cover” they say. But doesn’t the cover define the book? Doesn’t the cover give us an insight on to what the author is feeling? “A bold, lovely, and haunting story of loss, hope, and the redeeming power of friendship” -Lauren Oliver writes on the cover. A tragedy in fact. Silvera’s catching title uncovers a world in which a calling service called the “Death-Cast” calls people 24 hours before they die. On September 5, Death-Cast calls Mateo Torrez and Rufus Emeterio. With totally different reactions, emotions, and experiences, Mateo and Rufus greet each other on their End Day through an app called the Last Friend. Now, the two strangers spend their final hours together on an epic adventure through their city to live up their last day without any regrets.

I immediately noticed this book through its title. I thought to myself, “Who would give a book such a depressing title?!” I mean it’s certainly unique?! I enjoyed hearing different perspectives and stories throughout the book. The switching of characters throughout the chapters was really interesting. The author shows how much death affects people. The death of a loved one affects every relationship the deceased had in their life. Silvera did a very good job at demonstrating that. The book was very predictable but a heartfelt story. I can relate to Rufus’s friends Malcolm and Tagoe who so desperately want their friend to be okay. This book was one of the best tragedies I have read this year, and I hope to see more books like it.

The Winter Soldier: Cold Front is a YA novel that focuses on Bucky Barnes' life before and after WW2. What I like most about this book is that it goes back to the comic book origins of the winter soldier. One thing I disliked about the book is how he and Steve Rogers met. This is an intriguing story that combines Bucky's past and his future. My review grade on The Winter Soldier: Cold Front is a solid 7.

The Fever Code is a fictional YA dystopian book and is one of the prequel books to The Maze Runner series. It provides context on the character's decisions and choices later on in the original series in a comprehensive and intriguing way. This book is one of my personal favorites because of one character named Thomas. The Fever Code shows his journey to the man he becomes later on in the books; a man who would do anything to save his friends and figure out the truth. My review grade on The Fever Code is a solid 9.

Imagine being violently thrust overboard into the ocean and taken aboard a mysterious submersible inhabited by a man filled with vengeance and brilliance. This is exactly what happened to Pierre Aronnax, a french naturalist and assistant professor at the Paris Museum of Natural History in the book 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. The book starts by describing very odd occurrences happening at sea thought to be caused by a massive sea creature. Aronnax and his friend Conseil set off on an expedition to find and kill the beast. What they don’t know is this is a much different kind of beast. One made of steel and brimming with the power and knowledge of its creator. This beast, the Nautilus, becomes their captor and their home as they journey through the ocean’s depths. This is a classic tale of adventure, excitement, and revenge. I really enjoyed how this novel is very quick to action. The story begins almost instantly. While this novel is among my top favorite books, I did not appreciate some of the racist depictions of the natives inhabiting Papau New Guinea, which did not age well. This book is a perfect quick read for kids or adults seeking a fun narrative about adventure. I believe that this book is a fantastic book, and my favorite classic. Overall, this book is a wonderful and insightful story full of imagination and excitement.

In “The Darkest Minds”, the first book in the Darkest Minds trilogy, a disease called Idiopathic Adolescent Acute Neurodegeneration (IAAN) has killed 98% of the population aged 18 and under. Those that survive the disease obtain powers, each classified by a color. These surviving children are put in camps to help “rehabilitate” them. The main character, Ruby, is an Orange hiding as a Green. However, when she gets the opportunity to escape from her camp, she finds herself on the run across the country with other kids like her. With everyone after them, will they be able to stay safe, or will Ruby and the others get sent back to their camps?

This book is an exciting story with relatable characters. It’s full of action while still discussing themes such as the darkness of human nature, and what people will do to survive. Bracken weaves a wonderful story where the characters feel like your friends and the world is similar enough that it is easily relatable. Several times throughout this book, I found myself thinking of what I would do in this situation, or of what it would feel like.

The movie adaptation of this book was similar and followed the same general plot. While several events differed, it was very similar. Still, I would recommend reading the book first so you can understand the depth of the plot line and the characters, as the movie is unable to show this to the same extent.

This book was definitely interesting to read. I didn't exactly dislike it but it wasn't my favorite book ever. The book is about a dystopian world with a special act that lets people "unwind" their teenagers. This process involves repurposing their organs and body parts, donating them to people in need and justified this as the life doesn't really end. It's the premise of the book and brings up some heartbreaking scenes to read. In my opinion the plot isn't bad. It's about three teens that come together to try and escape being unwound. What I like about it is that it's a powerful adventure and there's a lot of unique characters. Even though it wasn't my favorite book I've read, I don't think it a waste of time and would recommend it to those who enjoy science fiction and action.

Really good book! Ty loves to swim in the ocean, but he knows that dangerous things lurk under the surface. He comes from a subsea farm, and he’s ready to face anything. Except an entire underwater township that’s connected to a sunken airplane. It’s a clue in a mystery that has killed hundreds of people, and threatens to claim his and his friend, Gemma. Ty and Gemma are in a race for their lives, and have to deal with outlaws, officers and other dangerous people. Can Ty and Gemma save everyone in time?

Katniss lives in an unfair society; the poor and unfortunate people are famished and weak and must work for the rich to supply them of all their needs. Every part of the country was split into districts apart from the Capitol, where the rich people resided. Each district had a job and must also supply two random tributes to the Capitol for the annual hunger games. The hunger games started after the districts were made because of a large uprising that caused a war amongst the districts and the capitol. The hunger games was a competition made for the Capitols enjoyment to get a message to the districts. The two tributes from each district would have to fight to the death with the other districts in a large arena until only one survivor remained. Unfortunately, at the reaping (where they pick the tributes) Katniss’ sister was called, what with Katniss do, will she be able to help?

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins is an amazing novel. The book is incredibly thrilling and keeps you on your toes. However, even though it is very action packed it also makes you think, and the book is filled with a rich history and thought-out lore. Each character is unique and has different insights and opinions regarding the place they live in. I believe that Suzanne Collins' The Hunger Games is a perfect dystopian novel and highly recommend it to anyone who wants to read it.

Are you a fan of Sonic The Hedgehog and all his awesome friends? Do you like high-speed action adventures? Are you just looking for a good comic book to read while you kick back with an afternoon chili dog? If so, then this is the perfect book for you! The amazing first installment in this action-packed series, writer Ian Flynn wows his readers with the latest escapades of the Blue Blur himself! Set after the story of the new Nintendo Switch release Sonic Forces, the collection follows Sonic as he races around the world following the war with his arch-nemesis Dr. Eggman, who has seemingly disappeared. However, his maniacal machines are still a threat to Green Hill, and Sonic, with his best friends Tails, Amy, and Knuckles, along side Princess Blaze, all must shut them down. Can Sonic solve the mystery that presents itself as events unfold? Featuring pages of magnificent cover art and the debut of a brand new character, this super-powered comic is guaranteed to be a smash hit!

This book was weird.
It felt like a windstorm of ideas blowing in my face; a mad prophet's ravings before catastrophe, and a tangled mess of actions and consequences - but somehow they all connected together? It was a bit of an experience.
Grasshopper Jungle is a story about the end of the world, but like many teen novels, it is simply a backdrop to Austin's personal dramas. One of its tags on Libby is "humor" but I think it's more of a tragedy if anything. The main character and his best friend inadvertently bring about an apocalypse by way of 6-foot tall, ravenous grasshoppers after accidentally breaking a jar they really shouldn't have broken.
The book weaves together the stories of Austin, his childhood experiences, as well as those of his brother, Polish ancestor, the mutant grasshoppers, and random strangers around town (such as his principal, his friend's mom's boyfriend, and a vulgar policeman being memorable ones). It's a lot.
I found this story's distinctive style very difficult to tear myself away from. It was authentic to the protagonist's personality, and it reminded me of the narration of classic epics. It stands out in its themes of memory, religious trauma, sexuality, and identity (and somehow being an apocalyptic story as well). The symbolism was uncanny, and the way the outside world and past timelines mirrored Austin's mental state was very artistic and unique.
Onto my criticisms and confusions: #1 has to be the male characters. I think that every single male character in this story thinks constantly about every other character in a grossly objectifying way. Honestly though, this applies to most of the female characters as well, who are just as lustfully self-interested. Very interesting, but it was a... strange experience to read the nuanced and morally grey portrayal of Austin's ancestor, a gay man who had not-consensual relations with a woman to see if he could "love" anyone other than his dead Communist lover.
Austin himself relates to this ancestor because he, too, is "confused". His gay best friend Robby continually makes advances on Austin, and Austin reciprocates because he is completely in love with Robby. He is also in love with his girlfriend, who doesn't take too kindly to the fact that Austin has kissed Robby during their relationship. Austin even documents the POV of the murderous, bi-curious, mutant grasshoppers.
The ending was extremely abrupt. I'll admit, I was glued to this book for the last quarter, and the ending made me stand up and think "what in the world did I just read". However, in all honesty, it very much suited the style of the book. It never deviates from being a chronicle of the end of the world, and the world around Austin certainly comes crashing down.
Grasshopper Jungle is a weird book that made me think, and I don't regret reading it. It is quite graphic, but if you're interested in this swarm of a book, I highly recommend reading it and forming your own opinion. I might read the sequel, but I'm a bit afraid of what it might hold.