Review Crew Book Reviews

It was just a regular farm until the animals revolted. The animals had had enough cruel treatment and decided that they were going to run the farm. The pigs took charge reading the farm. One pig took control with his nine ferocious dogs and killed all those who opposed to him. The animals worked as slaves from them on out, never complaining because if they did, they knew they would meet their rent. As the pig says in the book, "All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others."

This book was one of the best I have ever read. After four books of buildup, it is finally time for the finale. Follow Qibley one of the smartest dragons who has ever lived as he races against time trying to stop Dark Stalker. You also finally get to see who moon will choose, Winter or Qibley, for love. Finally finished the grappling pot that has been going on for four books.

The Corruption of Hollis Brown is a LGBTQIA+ romance book following Hollis Brown as he matures through his senior year of high school, while dealing with a ghost possessing his body. After attending a party, Hollis Brown ends up getting a one-week suspension from school. He ends up staying in the woods until midnight, thinking about what happened. While walking around, he meets a homeless 17-year-old named Walt. Walt listens to Hollis’s story, and he offers to help Hollis be more likeable. They make a deal, and Walt ends up possessing Hollis’s body. Hollis now has to learn how to go through high school with Walt.

The Corruption of Hollis Brown is one of the best books I’ve read. It’s perfectly paced, and all the characters are so perfect. They’re fleshed out and gray, not being copy and pastes of each other. The romance between the main characters is so lovely. They learn to love each other without it feeling forced at all. The storyline is also really good, the plot makes sense and it’s such a good premise. This book easily got me hooked and emotionally invested. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who’s interested.

“I Do?” is a LGBTQIA+ romance featuring the main characters Chad and Raudel. Chad considers himself as a lowlife. He works at a yogurt shop and didn’t go to college. While staying at his sister’s house for her wedding, he realizes that she invited her friend from high school, his long-term crush. Chad tries to avoid Raudel, but it proves hard when they’re staying in the same room with only one bed for a full week.

I didn’t really enjoy this book. The pacing was too fast, the romance between the characters didn’t feel fleshed out, and it was overall too short. I definitely enjoyed the premise, I just think the book should’ve been longer, so the character relationships could’ve actually developed properly. If you like fast paced romances, then I would recommend it. However, I don’t recommend it to fans of slower developed romance.

Sinter is in his mid-twenties, living in London for an acting job. He misses his friend since high school, Andy, who is in Seattle living his own life. While in London, Sinter starts to have different feelings towards his friend. He ends up moving back to Seattle to rekindle his friendship with Andy. But somehow, more than friendship rekindles, despite Sinter’s confusion on his sexuality.

This book is okay. The relationship felt somewhat forced, not enough for me to get invested. I didn’t really feel a form of connection to the main characters. My favorite character was one of the side characters, who I was hoping to get more lines almost throughout the whole book. It didn’t really feel like they had depth. The plotline is decent in the beginning, but then a wrench gets thrown into it. One of the classic but annoying tropes that I don’t like was used. It kind of made me want to drop the book, but I stuck to it. The book didn’t really improve much after that. It was decent enough; it just doesn’t really stick out to me.

Dominic Barrow has a bad reputation. At Alderland's most prestigious academy, he is known for being the rebel and player that skips classes and doesn't have a care in the world. On the other hand, Ellery Caldwell is the academy's golden girl. Coming to Alderland as a refugee, she has quickly gained the reputation of one of the brightest magicians of her class. However, as the winter cataclysm approaches, Dominic and Ellery's lives are changed forever as the most powerful Summer wand awakens - and an unprecedented Winter wand is created. As the Chosen Two, Dominic and Ellery must find a way to thwart the cataclysm together... while grappling with their feelings for one another.

"A Fate So Cold" by Amanda Foody is a YA fantasy-romance novel. I really enjoyed reading the first part of the book - the characters were engaging, Dominic and Ellery's romance plot was sweet, and I wanted to know what would happen next. However, I became increasingly disappointed as the story went on. The world Ellery and Dominic live in is really interesting, and the culture around the academy, wands, and Summer-Winter conflict are unique. However, there was little to no world-building, leaving me confused about the setting and traditions in the book, which Foody seemed to assume the reader already knew. Additionally, Ellery and Dominic's romance was incredibly undeveloped - before they got together, their trope was sweet and engaging, but as soon as they actually started dating, the relationship became toxic, repetitive, and confusing. Finally, the ending of this story was anticlimactic and unsatisfying - it didn't seem to relate to the rest of the story at all.

On the day of the fifteenth annual Hunger Games, the nation of Panem is in turmoil. In light of the second Quarter Quell, Haymitch Abernathy has been set up for failure, with double the tributes in the most brutal bloodbath of the Hunger Games. But despite the impossibility of his odds, Haymitch only has one goal: to cause the downfall of the Capital.

Oh my gosh, Haymitch’s story is so unbelievably heartbreaking, but definitely a story worth being told. Suzanne Collins continues to blow my mind with all the parallels between the original Hunger Games series and The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. Finally knowing Haymitch’s side of the story gives his role in The Hunger Games a whole new meaning and depth that breaks my heart even further. The only complaint I would have would be how long the first half of the book took. I know there needs to be some lead up that happens before the games, but it just felt a little too long compared to the second half. The epilogue though was one of the most compelling I think I’ve ever read, as it helps finalize his character within the entire Hunger Games franchise. I cannot wait for the movie!

“Of Mice and Men” tells the story of the duo George and Lennie, two laborers searching for work in California in the 1930s. Both increasingly different, with Lennie being large but having the mind of a child, and George being small and quick, the two navigate a world of tyranny and hardships, and find their friendship challenged as well.

This was an unexpected surprise to read in my English class, and I was delighted at how enjoyable it was. For a relatively simple storyline, Steinbeck didn’t hesitate to implement heavy topics and emotional themes. It was a very short and fast read, and the ending absolutely broke me! I was not at all prepared for how heartbreaking and eye-opening this story was. It felt like I was getting an unfiltered glimpse into America’s past, and I was not at all prepared for how brutal a relatively simple life in the 1930s could be. Lennie and George’s friendship was so pure, but the unfortunate reality of their situation was so depressing and it amazed me how Steinbeck was able to portray it in so few pages.

What happens to the world if a deadly pandemic were to rush through the world? What happens when the world and civilization as we know it collapses? Station 11 attempts to answer that question by following the lives of many characters through the past and present. Arthur is a celebrity who can't seem to keep a marriage. Kirsten was only a child when the flu hit but now she is traveling in a traveling symphony sharing their love for the arts with the few towns that exist. The Prophet, obsessed with airplanes, wants to make the world normal again in... interesting ways.

The idea and the events behind Station 11 are amazing and the pandemic made me very interested in what this book could be. I find the characters to be interesting to learn about and see how they grow and change overtime. The themes of relationships, family, civilization, memory and reminiscing are powerful and make you think. Unfortunately I find that the plot of the book is nonexistent at times and can sometimes drag on. It also can feel very confusing at times as almost everything in the book is connected to every other thing making it hard to keep tract of the plentiful amount of characters and objects on top of the non linear format . Overall I would say that this novel is overall a good read with very captivating stories and themes but with some issues with plot.

“Pride and Prejudice” is a contemporary classic following the life of a young woman in 19th century England. Through the love story between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy, the novel tackles themes of gender roles and societal status, reflecting the life of Jane Austen as well. Wow, I was amazed at how much I enjoyed this novel. Despite being a classic novel written in the 1800s, Austen’s writing was so easy to understand, and I even found myself laughing at her sarcastic and witty humor. The love story between Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy was not awkward to read or hard to understand in the slightest, and their conflicts really emphasized the themes Austen was trying to convey. I can strongly say that the essay I had to write for this novel was the easiest essay I’ve ever written as I enjoyed dissecting every part of this book! I can see why Jane Austen has such a notable reputation, and in my opinion, it is very much deserved. I believe I will be forever glad to have read this book; despite being centuries apart, Elizabeth remains to be one of the most relatable female protagonists in classic literature, and it amazes me how ahead of her time Austen was while writing her.

Poppy and Alex have been best friends for years. Despite being polar opposites, they’ve always bonded over one thing: traveling. After ten summer vacations, something disastrous happens to potentially split them up forever. But Poppy has one last vacation planned, and one last chance to prove that they may be more perfect for each other than originally thought. This book was an unfortunate disappointment for me. I was very excited to read it due to the movie releasing and my previous enjoyment of Henry’s other novels, but her story just fell flat in this one. Neither of the main characters were very likable to me, and the conflicts felt very predictable and boring. It wasn’t all terrible, and there were some parts that made me smile, but compared to her other works where I was laughing out loud and giggling about it to my friends, I couldn’t help but be a little let down by the execution of the storyline. If you’re an avid romance or Emily Henry reader there may be more enjoyment to find within this book, but unfortunately it wasn’t it for me.

Defy Me is the fifth book in the Shatter Me series. Defy Me is a great follow up read after the cliffhanger Restore Me ends on. Answers and action are well paced throughout the book, with no part feeling too slow or too fast. Most questions asked in Restore Me, and some that you might not realize you had, are answered through flashbacks and knowledge from older characters.

The action is fast paced and serves to help develop the characters and their relationships. Every character has a clear defined goal, and while they have different goals Tahereh Mafi is still able to make them work together without ideals clashing. I finished this book in 2 days right after finishing Restore Me. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys the Shatter Me series. Not only are new continents introduced, but newer characters are developed as well as the original characters that were present in the first book. Tahereh Mafi does a wonderful job of not spending too much time developing her main characters, and focusing on the new ones, while also not leaving the original characters how they were at the end of Ignite Me and further developing them as well.

This was one of my favorite books in the entire series, and I would recommend any fan of Shatter Me continues the series with this read.

Restore Me is a continuation of the Shatter Me series. It has the same characters, same setting, but the enemy is more than just Anderson, it is now the entire Reestablishment. Juliette is now the commander of Sector 45, and is working to destroy the Reestablishment from within. However, she still has much to learn about her friends, her enemies, and herself.

Restore Me is not as action packed as the previous Ignite Me because it serves as a bridge to set up a new story arc that introduces new problems, new revelations, and new characters. I had previously heard the second arc of the Shatter Me series was not worth reading because it was too confusing and it seemed like the author was only writing this plot for money. I disagree. Tahereh Mafi expands her world from Sector 45 and shows the characters grappling with the new information they are learning, especially Juliette.

This book includes nonstop reveals about popular characters, like Juliette, Warner and Kenji, that made it almost impossible to put down. Every chapter I learned something new that didn't feel forced, but rather enlightening. I didn't rate this book 5 stars, because at times the action is slow while Juliette is learning more about the world around her. I think it is well worth your time to read Restore Me if you loved the first three Shatter Me novels and want to continue your adventure with the characters and world.

The Glass Castle is an amazing memoir that follows the life of a young Jeannette. Jeannette grows up in a very poor and dysfunctional household that lives a nomadic live. She moves from place to place making it hard for her to make friends other than her older sister and younger brother. Her parents often argue and find themselves living in places that could barely pass as a home. During the course of her life, she experiences many difficult events that make her even more resilient. Throughout the book there are also flash forwards which take place in New York City once Jeannette has gotten older and shows the dynamic of her family many years later.

This book is an excellent read! The storylines, plots and relationships between characters are very interesting to read. Coming from someone who is not very similar to Jeannette, Jeannette Walls has done an amazing job putting me in the shoes of someone like herself and opened my eyes to the life and struggles of people who are not like me and who struggle to afford basic necessities. This book will teach you a lot about how other people live, resilience, the strong bond of family and making anywhere a home. I would recommend anyone read this book!

Maus is a graphic novel taking place over many countries during the Nazi occupation. Maus has an intriguing art style which includes countless amounts of symbolism. The decision to portray people as animals helps further the relationship and power structure during the Nazi occupation. Mice represent the Jewish people while cats, who are a natural predator of mice, represent the Nazis. Artie Spiegelman is a young cartoonist mouse who is eager to learn more about the history of his father Vladek who went through the holocaust as a Jewish person. This book is full intriguing story telling that includes Vladek recounting the life of a Jewish person in hiding during the Nazi occupation and the intricate relationship between Artie and his father Vladek as well as Vladek and his previous wife. The book dives deep into the different tactics and ways that Vladek used in order to evade the Nazi cats.

Before reading Maus, I was not a reader of graphic novels. Maus has shaped my perception about what a graphic novel can be. Maus uses stunning graphics to portray a meaningful, impactful and thought provoking plot. I was captivated while reading the book and often times found myself wanting to continuing reading. Those who are new to the graphic novel genre and those who are familiar with the genre will love this novel.

"Under the Surface" follows Ruby, who can't wait to see the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, and the catacombs on her school trip to Paris - and film every moment of it to put on her YouTube channel, Ruby's Hidden Gems. So, when a mysterious French stranger offers to take Ruby, her best friend, and two other classmates to a party in the part of the catacombs that aren't available to the public, she can't refuse. But the group takes a wrong turn and never makes it to the party. Now, they are lost in the catacombs, and soon it becomes apparent that there are sinister forces under the surface of Paris with them...

I was sorely disappointed with not only the execution of "Under the Surface", but also the plot itself. Not only were there extreme typos (e.g., saying "grizzly" instead of "grisly"), but there were also plot errors that were simply impossible to ignore (e.g., hearing a fact about the Paris catacombs from one of the characters, then later in the book claiming that she read it online). None of the characters were likable and every one of them were YA cliches that had absolutely no development or emotional depth. The voice of the book was off as well, with some moments being (unrealistic) teenage bickering, jokes, and drama, others being a fact-dump about the catacombs, and still others being randomly-inserted flashbacks that occurred at awkward moments. None of these components were well-done, and none of them meshed together into a cohesive and interesting story - they merely took away from the main plot. This book also is split perspective, with some chapters following Ruby and others following her love-interest Sean, but Sean's chapters were absolutely useless, and their relationship was so undeveloped, unrealistic, and awkward that it added nothing to the story. Overall, even though the plot was supposed to be thrilling, I found myself bored from the poorly executed story-telling, which relied on telling rather than showing and did not focus on the interesting elements of the book (being trapped in the catacombs), concentrating more on the unrelated drama and backstories of the characters, which seemed to carry more emotional weight than the situation itself.

Louder than Hunger is an excellent book that will easily captivate the reader. It is a realistic fiction novel based on a true story. It follows a boy, Jake who is struggling with an eating disorder. When one of his friends at the seniors center he volunteers at notices something wrong, he is sent to a mental hospital. He hates it. However, he makes friends and eventually learns that he is on the path to recovery. The author has written this book in verse with sizes and fonts that fit just how Jake is feeling at the time. This book is excellently written and would be good for anyone who can relate and/or would like to learn more about what Jake is going through.

“The Screwtape Letters” is a satire Christian fiction told in an epistolary format about a demon mentoring his nephew to corrupt a Christian man. I had to read this book for my honors English class, and was surprised at how much I enjoyed it. Not only are there a variety of Christian themes explored, Lewis writes with a sardonic humor that made the novel very immersive. I especially enjoyed Screwtape’s character, and it was fascinating to see how his characterization changed throughout the book. Despite the novel not following typical writing patterns such as prose or even the development of side characters, I found that it was a very fast and easy read that grew more interesting with the annotations I made. I would recommend this book to those with an interest in Christian philosophy, or those who may be seeking a relatively simple novel within the classic genre.

If you have read any of Schmidt's books before, you can probably see what this book is kind of about. A lot of his books are focused around similar themes, though they are unique and all very good. This book focuses on a very small kid named Hercules, whose parents die in a car crash and now runs the family business with his brother, Achilles. When he goes to a new school, he gets a horrible teacher with an impossible task--or so it seems. He must complete the 12 labors of the mythical Hercules, which includes going to Hell and back again. Throughout the book, you can see the growth of the characters which makes it a very entertaining read.

This is an exciting read, if not very realistic. It follows a trapped society surrounded on all sides by a moving maze. At night, horrific creatures lurk within the maze walls, but the inhabitants are protected by huge walls. That is, until Thomas shows up. At first, nothing is out of the ordinary, until a girl shows up the very next day. Soon, things begin to change and escaping the maze becomes even more necessary. It is a very fast paced book and it's good for all ages. I would try this book, but it's not a must read.

Five Feet Apart is an emotional and engaging novel that balances romance with the realities of battling cystic fibrosis. What makes this book stand out is how it explores the themes of control, risk, and what it means to truly live when your time and health is limited. The dual perspectives help readers understand both character's motivations and fears. This book is a captivating read which I finished in one sitting because of how enthralling it was. I picked this book because I had seen the movie before and enjoyed it and reading the book really just added to the emotional depth of the story. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and how it wasn’t just a happy go lucky book but brings you into this world which not many people experience and makes you connect to these characters whom you might not usually have related to. Overall, it’s a touching, thought provoking novel that delivers both romance and reflection.

"The Lost Hero" follows Jason Grace, who wakes up on a bus with no idea who he is and how he ended up there. However, when the group is attacked, Jason soon realizes that things are not as they seem. He, along with Piper and Leo - who insist that they are Jason's friends - are taken to Camp Half-Blood, a place for demigods. The three soon find that they are part of a bigger plan orchestrated by Hera, the queen of the gods, as they embark on a quest to save her from the sinister forces that hold the goddess captive. "The Lost Hero" is the first book in the Heroes of Olympus series, which is a sequel to Percy Jackson and the Olympians.

I have been a fan of Rick Riordan's books for years, and this series is no exception! "The Lost Hero" is a great start to the Heroes of Olympus series and was able to continue Percy's story without feeling redundant or boring. The fast-paced plot not only keeps you guessing but is also easy to follow. Additionally, the characters are phenomenal, with each having their own captivating quirks and personas that bring the story to life. This is especially apparent in the chapters, which switch between Jason, Piper, and Leo's perspectives. Riordan ensures that each character's voice is distinct, and the perspective switch is never confusing. I would recommend "The Lost Hero" to anyone who is a fan YA fantasy adventure books and of the original Percy Jackson series, because you will not want to miss out on Heroes of Olympus!

Nearly a decade ago Lane Roanoke ran away from the Roanoke residence, determined to never go back...

Lane Roanoke did not have an easy childhood, constantly wondering where she truly came from. When her mother passes, Lane is surprised when her grandparents offer to take her in. The Roanoke residence is nothing as she would have imagined, but it feels like home. Her near in age cousin, Allegra, whom her grandparents have raised, is something of an enigma, keeping Lane company and curious. However, when Lane learns the terrible secret of the Roanoke's, she can't bear staying any longer. Now she is back a decade later for one reason; Allegra has gone missing. As she tries to uncover the truth of her cousin's disappearance, Lane is reminded why she left in the first place...

"The Roanoke Girls" was a book that one wants to see what happens at the end. However, the plot twist is not very shocking, which was slightly disappointing. The book also covers difficult topics, however, emphasizes important themes. I likely would not read this again but glad I gave it a try.

The world of romance and dating has changed; with a simple submission of DNA, you can find the one meant for you. This is the purpose of Match Your DNA, a company that uses DNA to find someone's perfect other. Five different people with very different lives have been matched. As these strangers connect with their matches, secrets are revealed... and Match Your DNA may not be everything the world has come to believe it is.

"The One", although a very interesting concept, was difficult to get into. It did not feel like much of the thriller and took quite some time to get interesting. The ending was also somewhat disappointing and could have gone into more depth on what happened. Although it wasn't a favorite, it did explore interesting themes.

Stephanie and Jasmin are two completely different women. Stephanie is a successful news director who's simply on a business trip; Jasmin is a women looking for safety, finally leaving her abusive boyfriend. However, after fatefully meeting on the same plane their lives become intertwined in a way they never would have imagined. Both women have gone missing, with evidence leading both of their disappearances to the same man. However, there is more to the story than meets the eye...

"The Business Trip" was intriguing and difficult to put down. The book is written through multiple perspectives, offering unique insight into the story. The plot twist, although interesting, was not completely my favorite.

Isabelle can't sleep, not after her son was taken a year ago. Desperate to find out what happened to him, she does everything she can, specifically by going on TV. When she is offered the opportunity to do a podcast, she is hesitant, as the one doing the podcast makes her nervous. However, Isabelle gives in, all in hope to find something new about the disappearance of her son. As she delves deeper into what happened she begins to question everything about herself and others. Especially when memories of her past are brought to the surface, Isabelle wonders if she can trust herself...

"All the Dangerous Things" delved deeply into grief, trauma, and the importance of honesty within family. Although it took some time for the plot to become interesting, I would recommend this book.

Dr. Anna Fox hasn't left her house in almost a year; unable to face the outside world after a tragic incident. With so much time on her hands she spends her days drinking, counseling strangers online, and watching old movies. Anna also has one other habit... she watches her neighbors, trying to pick at and understand their lives. So, when the Russell's move in she watches carefully, surprised when the enigmatic Jane Russell comes knocking on her door. After an intriguing few hours with Jane, Anna feels better than she has in a long time. However, when she watches the Russell's house again, she sees something no one was supposed to witness. All of a sudden Anna is up against multiple strangers who will do anything to keep a secret...
"The Woman in the Window" had an interesting plot twist one wouldn't see coming. However, it took quite a long time to cover some important themes and ideas in the book, making the first half slightly harder to read. The ending did make it worth reading, though this would likely stay as a onetime read.

I can see why this book became such a huge phenomenon in the 2000's, but it wasn’t really for me. The atmosphere is moody and memorable, which I did appreciate. However, the relationship between Bella and Edward felt unhealthy at times, and that made it hard for me to enjoy the romance. The pacing was slow in the middle, and I found myself wanting more plot progression. It’s iconic and influential, but personally, I didn’t connect with it as much as I hoped. I do think the movies are quite better!

When I first read this book, I was really intrigued by the faction system and the idea of sorting people by personality. The beginning felt strong and made me want to keep reading, especially as the main character Tris started her training. However, as the story went on, some of the characters felt underdeveloped, and the romance didn’t fully work for me. A lot of the conflict seemed to rely on predictable choices rather than surprising ones. I still think it’s entertaining and easy to read, but it didn’t leave a lasting emotional impact on me.

This book had an interesting premise, and I liked the idea of a world divided by blood color. At first, I was really invested in the protagonist Mare’s journey and her shock at discovering her powers. However, as the plot continued, it started to feel like a mix of other dystopian stories I’ve already read. Some twists were predictable, and the characters didn’t feel as complex as I wanted them to be. I enjoyed parts of it, but it didn’t stand out enough for me to rate it higher.