Teen Book Reviews

The world building in this book was amazing and made the story feel so immersive. I loved the dual perspectives because they helped show both sides of the conflict and made the characters more complex. The pacing was fast, and there were so many emotional and suspenseful moments throughout the novel. Some scenes were heartbreaking, but that made the story even more memorable. I would highly recommend this book to those who enjoy fantasy and dystopian romance.

This book was intense, disturbing, and impossible to put down. The suspense kept building with every chapter, and the anonymous messages created so much tension. I really appreciated how the story addressed racism, privilege, and toxic school environments in a way that felt powerful and realistic. Chiamaka and Devon were both compelling characters. The twists had me genuinely shocked and would highly recommend to those who enjoy YA mystery and thriller!

This sequel somehow managed to be even more intense than the first book. The action scenes were amazing, and the dragons were still my favorite part of the series. This is a massive roman-tasy novel and really delivers high stakes, intense political building, and a dramatic climax. Violet’s growth throughout the story made her feel even stronger as a protagonist, and the emotional tension kept me invested the entire time. The ending completely shocked me and left me desperate for the next book.

I honestly did not expect to enjoy chess this much in a book, but this story made it so entertaining. Mallory was funny, smart, and relatable, and the chemistry between her and Nolan was adorable without feeling overly dramatic. I liked how the book balanced romance with themes of pressure, ambition, and family responsibility. Some parts felt a little predictable, but overall it was a super fun and addictive read. Highly recommended for those who enjoy contemporary romance!

This book was incredible from start to finish. The mystery kept me hooked, but what really stood out was how deeply the story explored family, identity, and culture. Daunis was such a strong and realistic main character, and I loved learning about Ojibwe traditions throughout the novel. The plot twists genuinely surprised me, and the emotional moments hit hard. Definitely one of the most meaningful YA thrillers I’ve read!!

In the 3rd installment of the “Woven Kingdom” series, Tahereh Mafi reunites all the characters to make for a devastating plot and torturous suspense. Time is running out for Alizeh, she has decisions to make, and the rest of the world is not slowing down waiting for her to make them. With Cyrus and Kamran, she must decide once and for all what path to embark upon in order to restore justice for her people.

I genuinely cannot read this series fast enough. I haven’t even started the fourth book yet and I’m already devastated that I will have to wait for book five. Needless to say, the plot really ramps up in this novel. All of the world building and character development that was fleshed out in the first two books finally supported furthering the development of the story. If you didn’t enjoy the first two books, I would beg you to take a chance with this one! I love how their storylines are finally coming together to support an overarching conflict.

This book is not for the weak hearted. It is the prequel to The Hunger Games, and this tale follows Haymitch, a former victor and Katniss's mentor, as he tries to survive a deadly Quarter Quell in a beautifully cruel arena. With double the tributes, chances for Haymitch are small, but he decides to either break the arena or die trying, leaving his lover back in District 12. Possibly the saddest of the Hunger Games series, but a definite must read. After all, someone has to stop that sunrise from rising on the reaping. You'll catch my reference if you read the book.

I believe this book is a must read, if you can stomach it. It’s a classic dystopian novel about a dictatorship government and an annual event: The Hunger Games. Kids are reaped from the outlying districts and forced to compete to the death in exchange for extra food that year. This whole series follows a young victor and her attempt to overthrow the Capitol, and change the way the games are played forever. Happy Hunger Games, and may the odds be ever in your favor.
Reviewer Grade 8

In the second book of the “This Woven Kingdom” series, Alizeh must decide whether or not she will accept the ruler of Tulan’s deal to marry him for a kingdom, or risk falling into a trap set by the Devil. Prince Kamran must also choose whether to follow in his grandfather’s steps, or forge his own path as crown prince of Ardunia.

I’m so excited to continue this series! I read somewhere that this book was “no plot but all vibes,” and while I agree with this statement, I feel as though it still served its purpose in continuing the story and building the characters. While there was no action packed excitement in this book, Mafi subtly raises the stakes of this series, and I feel like I’m on the edge of my seat in suspense wondering where this story will go!

This book is exciting but I can't say it was my favorite. It is fun, as it follows the storyline of a god's child, Percy Jackson and his satyr friend Grover. After getting trouble at school, he finds himself fighting a minotaur trying to get to Camp Half Blood, a group of half gods like him. He quickly makes enemies, and two friends--Lucas and Annabelle. He begins to traverse on a journey to help Zeus get his lightning bolt back, hence the title of the book. Anyway, I think it's worth reading, especially for younger kids who like adventure.

To the kingdom of Ardunia, Alizeh is a lowly peasant just a tier above the lowest of the poor. To the Jinn, she’s the lost queen destined to avenge her people. In the first book of the “This Woven Kingdom” series, Tahereh Mafi navigates the beginning of Alizeh and the crown prince Kamran’s story.

I don’t think I need to say it twice, anything Mafi writes is pure poetry. Her writing style never fails to suck me in and immerse me in her stories, even if I don’t understand what exactly is going on. While this book definitely suffers from first book syndrome (world building and character introduction), I’m so excited to see where this series will go! I may be setting myself up for failure as this is another series by Mafi that is unfinished, but whatever she writes I will one hundred percent read!

The Memory Police by Yoko Ogawa as a chilling yet heartwarming dystopia that dives into the intricacies of memory and identity. It follows the journey of the protagonist, an unnamed female novelist, as she navigates her changing world. The story is set on a remote island where objects and memories systematically disappear, leaving holes in the hearts and minds of the people. It leads the reader to question, alongside the protagonist, what role our pasts and our memories play in shaping our identities, and it masterfully taps into the fear of losing oneself. I have only rated this book three stars because although it was an enjoyable read, it got dull at times and I found some of the subplots to be more distracting than impactful.

Avatar: The Last Airbender~The Search follows Zuko and Azula’s search for their estranged mother, who disappeared when they were kids.

This book is interesting for a lot of reasons, the main one being the character development that occurs during it. Seeing Zuko and Azula’s relationship after the events of the main story is another interesting aspect of his book. It’s clear that nothing has changed since the last time they spoke, but Zuko seems to feel a bit sorry for Azula despite knowing that they’ll never have the kind of relationship that he wants them to have. The bait and switch done towards the beginning and end of the story is really good. It allows Zuko a moment of reflection about everything that’s happened to him.

Overall, this book was good. The characterization for some of the members of Team Avatar was a little odd in places, but otherwise, there wasn’t anything jarring. I would recommend this book as it’s an entertaining read.

Sonic is back and as fast as ever in Sonic the Hedgehog Vol. 6 - The Last Minute, the next exciting episode in the Sonic series! The action builds as Sonic and his friends scramble to stop Eggman's Metal Virus, an infectious artificial disease that turns ordinary citizens into badniks for Eggman's army. Sonic, Amy, and Tails split up to figure out how to stop the virus, but zombot hazards lurk in every corner. Sonic's friends continue to fall one by one to the vicious virus. On top of this, the zombot army may not be Eggman's for much longer -- the virus has grown resistant to command and is becoming a threat to its own creator! This forces Dr. Starline, Eggman's now-disillusioned associate, to make a shadowy alliance that could fix this "setback" -- but also could prove disastrous for hero and villain alike. Will Sonic -- or Eggman -- find a way to fight the infection before it is too late?

This book is another perfect example of Ian Flynn's exceptional comic writing style, and it perfectly captures the emotions of the characters as they face the end of their world as they know it. Packed with awesome battles, heart-breaking goodbyes, and the introduction of even more fan-fave characters, every Sonic fan will need to get their hands on Sonic the Hedgehog Vol. 6 - The Last Minute!

In the second book of the “New Republic" series, Mafi continuously raises the stakes for Rosabelle and James. Both Rosabelle and James have been lied to, and now they must make the final decision to trust each other or watch their new world fall apart.

This was so amazing!! If I’ve said it once I’ve said it a thousand times: Tahereh Madi’s writing is unreal. There were times I was reading this novel and just marveling about how the author sat behind a computer screen and wrote them into existence. They feel so real! Of course, the plot is absolutely amazing too. Mafi takes everything suspenseful and amazing from Shatter Me and Watch Me and triples it in Release Me. I could not put this novel down and yet, I’m so disappointed I finished it. September cannot come fast enough for book 3! If you’re a Shatter Me fan and you haven’t read this new series yet, get on it. I promise it is absolutely worth it.

Avatar: The Last Airbender~The Promise follows Team Avatar. After the events of the main story, the gang tries to restore peace and harmony between the nations. They start this by removing Fire Nation colonies from other Nations, starting with the Earth Kingdom. However, after an attempt on his life, Zuko rethinks his decision after realizing that the issue is more complex than he or anyone had originally thought.

There are a lot of really great things about this book. The designs and characterization feel like natural evolution's of the ones that came before. Everyone feels (and looks) older and wiser than they were before, but the story reminds us constantly that they’re all still young, especially with Zuko. Zuko is terrified of becoming the man his father was, and that fear leads to an internal conflict in which he is unsure if what he’s doing is right or if he’s betraying his friends for his own selfish pursuits. Aang’s thoughts about this conflict are equally important, as he and Zuko are two sides of the same coin.

The most important part of this story is the theme: not everything is black and white, and our determination to make it so will hurt everybody in the end. It’s not only an important lesson, but it’s a reflection of our society. We will have different opinions from our friends. We will argue because of them. We will hurt each other because of them. But that doesn’t mean we can’t come to an agreement, and sometimes we won’t come to an agreement, but that doesn’t stop us from loving one another and seeing something from the other’s perspective.

Overall, this book is awesome. The themes might be a bit heavy, but it’s still ATLA, so there are plenty of moments that give you some time to relax and giggle. I would say the only possible issue with it is that it requires context from the show that came before it, but it was made with the intention that you’d have prior knowledge. Either way, it’s still an enjoyable read.

"The Sun and the Star" follows Nico di Angelo, who has been tormented with nightmares ever since Gaea was defeated. In his dreams, a voice calls out from the depths of Tartarus, begging for his help. Refusing to leave the cry unanswered, Nico and his boyfriend, Will Solace, set out on a quest to travel to the depths of the Underworld. Now, Nico and Will must not only confront the monsters and sinister forces that try to stop them, but also their own differences as they navigate their new relationship. "The Sun and the Star" is not a standalone novel; you will need to have read Percy Jackson and the Olympians, Heroes of Olympus, and Trials of Apollo in order to enjoy this story and understand all the references and plot points.

As someone who has been a Rick Riordan fan since elementary school, I am shocked and disappointed to give one of his books a two-star review. As much as I love Nico and Will and was excited for them to get their own spinoff book, I couldn't bring myself to like "The Sun and the Star." Rick Riordan and Mark Oshiro's writing styles did not blend together cohesively, which left the book with an inconsistent and overall disappointing voice that was extremely hard to read. Additionally, the pacing was off - even though the entire premise of the story was them going to Tartarus, only 20% of the book was actually spent in Tartarus and the buildup just got to be frustrating. Overall, I think the biggest reason I was so disappointed in this book was because of the plot holes (especially for a book made for Percy Jackson fans who have read all the other series) mistakes (e.g., Nico referring to his mother by his sister's name), and mischaracterization. "The Sun and the Star" had a lot of potential to be representation for the LGBTQ+ community and an awesome Percy Jackson spinoff, however, it was executed poorly, anticlimactic, and just made me frustrated. I would still recommend book this book to diehard Percy Jackson fans, but be warned that it is incredibly underwhelming.

After the first and second book in the Good Girl's Guide to Murder series, I couldn't wait to start the concluding novel, As Good As Dead. After her first two mysteries have ambiguous endings, Pip wants some clarity in her life. Pip wants to solve one last mystery, to fix her idea of good vs evil and prove that life isn't all a giant confusing puzzle. However, her digging puts her into even more danger than before, and Pip must fight to survive.
The stakes in As Good As Dead are greatly elevated from the first two books, which is what made the book so interesting for me. Pip is no longer just trying to solve a simple mystery, but also keep her family, friends and herself, safe. I was shocked by the plot twist in the middle of the book, and I loved watching Pip's smarts go into action as she works to solve her problems. This book had me laughing, crying, and terrified at numerous different moments. If you enjoyed the first two books, especially because of its lovable characters, I would 100% recommend As Good As Dead to you.

This is a novella that takes place in the A Good Girl's Guide to Murder world, before the first A Good Girl's Guide to Murder book. Initially I wasn't going to read this book, because I thought I wouldn't enjoy it as much. However, I found this book to be a surprisingly fun read. Not only do you delve deeper into Pip's character, but you also get to learn about her close group of friends, who I had wished I knew more about while reading the original trilogy. My favorite part of this book, though, was watching Pip fall in love with solving a mystery. It also shows why Pip decided to solve the Andy Bell Murder Case, which is another fun piece of information that wasn't explored in depth in the original books. While you do not have to read Kill Joy to enjoy the Good Girl's Guide to Murder books, it provides lots of information about Pip and her friends that expands the Good Girl's Guide to Murder world, adding depth to an already fantastic story.

Ian Flynn's rockin' Sonic series continues with Sonic The Hedgehog Vol. 8: Out of The Blue! The world is safe once again. The Metal Virus is gone. The Deadly Six are underground. Zavok has been captured. And Sonic is missing! As the world recovers from the Metal Virus, Sonic's friends try to adjust the best they can to the newly restored world as they wait for their hero to resurface. But Eggman is not so patient. Will Sonic show in time to foil the doctor once again?

This book is a great read in terms of plot, serving as the epilogue to the Metal Virus saga (though the series isn't over yet!). There's plenty of dialogue between characters as well as an internal look into some of them, which makes the situation feels realistic. Also, while not as climatic as other books in the series, it packs plenty of action and a kick-butt ending. You won't want to miss Sonic The Hedgehog Vol. 8: Out of The Blue!

“Weyward” tells the story of three women across generations. 1619: Altha is on trial in a town unforgiving of unusual women. 1942: During World War 2, Violet works to uncover the mysteries of her family lineage all while suffering tragedy on her own. 2019: On the run from her abusive ex, Kate navigates the hardships of starting over, all while discovering who she is in the process. All three women’s stories are woven together to form one story about women’s empowerment spanning generations.

I was very disappointed in this book. The premise sounded so interesting, and I was excited to read a story centering around female strength. Unfortunately, while the empowerment of women is a common theme, the story was so slow and actually made me feel bored. I was also shocked at how depressing some of the elements of the novel were. I wasn’t expecting a happy story, but so much of the book described tragedy and hardship that it was hard to feel rejoiced when the empowerment piece finally occurred. Also, this fiction novel includes elements of magical realism, which I felt did not serve a purpose to the point the author was trying to make. While I believe the women’s connection with nature was supposed to be a representation of their strength, the execution of the “magic” just made the story more confusing and did not add much importance compared to the other more significant aspects of the story.

William Shakespeare's book Othello is a beautifully written play that everyone should read. Othello follows the story of protagonist Othello who is the general of the Venetian army who has recently fallen in love with a girl named Desdemona. At the same time Othello promoted Cassio into a higher position in the army angering another army personal named Iago. Throughout the play there is countless amounts of manipulation, jealousy, and murder.

While at first Othello was hard read due to the Shakespearean language used, as I continued to learn and learn more about the language Shakespeare used, the play lent itself to a beautiful written story and characters. The plot made me want to continue to read to learn about the fates of the characters and throughout the play the characters were well developed making me care about their fates. Even if you are not familiar with Shakespeare, I would recommend this play!

Milkweed is a novel that takes place during World War II in a ghetto in Warsaw. The book flows a little boy who is an orphan with no memory of his past and has to traverse Warsaw during the Nazi occupation. He eventually find a Jewish Girl named Janina whose family takes him in and takes care of him when he comes by. They eventually all get sent to a ghetto where they have to learn how to survive in their new circumstances.

Milkweed is a powerful and emotional novel. It’s written beautifully that is able to put you in the world of World War II Warsaw. The characters are well written, and deeply developed with an engaging plot. I would recommend anyone read Milkweed.

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green is a brilliant and heart-warming book truly worth reading. The novel follows 17-year-old Hazel Grace Lancaster dealing with stage 4 cancer as she faces teenage life, family, her inevitable decline, and her heart. During support group she meets Augustus Waters an intelligent and funny guy who desires to be remembered. They form a close-knit friendship and bond over the book “An Imperial Affliction” until soon their friendship turns into their star-crossed love. They adventure with Issac —another guy from support group—, see the art piece “Funky Bones”, and eventually travel to Amsterdam to see the author of “An Imperial Affliction”. But awaiting their return to the U.S. is the devastating turn around that no one expects.

This book will make you laugh, cry, and will leave you wanting to reread it. John Green’s writing style is beautiful and the love story he writes is one of the greatest ever told. The characters are written incredibly and the attachment I personally felt with this book is one I have never felt before. The novel is captivating and I recommend it to anyone because everyone can find some piece relatable. You will not regret reading this book!

“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 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.